Church 2 0 3

As this Church 2.0 study wraps upon, it is my hope that three essentials have been emphasized throughout the study.

The Word of God - God’s revelation of himself to the world.  In each study, we looked to the Bible to understand what the church is and does. 
Prayer – “The fruit of a relationship with God, not a technique for acquiring blessing.”  In each study, we took time to break into smaller groups to pray to God and for one another.
Relationships with God and with each - Relationships that bring glory to God and encourage others to do the same.  Each week, there was an opportunity to connect with others and there was teaching that stressed the reality that church is not to focus on programs but rather relationships with others. 

On this last night of the study, the focus is going to be on Paul's prayer in 1 Thessalonians 3:9-14 and what we can pray for our church.

In verse 9, Paul is thankful for God's people.  In Praying With Paul, D.A. Carson writes “How much would our churches be transformed if each of us made it a practice to thank God for others AND THEN tell these others what it is about them that we thank God?"

God, I am thankful for the people at my church. 
Thank you, specifically for ____who is a blessing because ____
Thank you, specifically for ____ who serves as a ____
Thank you, God, for using people to bless and encourage me.
Amen.

In verses 10 and 11, Paul wants to be used by God to help the church grow.

Consider what Milton Vincent writes in the Gospel Primer.  "The more I comprehend the full scope of the gospel, the more I value the church for which Christ died, the more I value the role that I play in the lives of my fellow Christians, and the more I appreciate the role that they must be allowed to play in mine."

God, use me to help individuals and the church grow closer and closer to you. 
Use my time on Sunday mornings to encourage others to grow into the image of Christ.
Use me throughout the week to seek out opportunities to help our church grow.

Amen

In verse 12, Paul prays that God would make them increase and abound in love for the church and all people.

I preached a sermon on this passage at Oakfield Baptist Church, where Chris Minor, a pastor friend, serves.  You can listen to the sermon HERE. 

God, help our church grow in its love for other believers.
God, help our church grow in its love for the people of the community around us and around the world.
God help us pursue peace (Romans 12:18), do good (Galatians 6:10), be patient (Philippians 4:5), and show consideration (Titus 3:2) for the church and the world. 

Verse 13 - Paul wants the church may have established hearts that are blameless in holiness before God.  "There is no prayer we can pray for others more fundamental than this:  that God might strengthen their hearts so that they will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father on the last day.

Bottom line for this 3-week study: 

Ordinary Christians need to be growing as disciples and making disciples.  

An ordinary Christian is not merely someone who shows up to a Sunday morning service.

 

Church 2.0.2

Church 2.0.2 Lesson Notes

Church 2.0.2 Lesson Video

All My Ways Are Know To You Video

10 Essential Gospel Truths from Helping Children Understand the Gospel

Church 2.0.1 post

During the second week, we continued looking at the church and the Bible with a specific focus on the ministry of Trinity Baptist Church.

Acts 6:1 - 7 has some practical tips for the church to implement.  The problem in this passage was a specific group of widows, Greek widows, were being overlooked.  The disciples' solution involved remembering their main tasks,  the Word of God and prayer, and equipped a group of men to help with the needed ministry to widows.  This ministry and serving focus led to the Word of God increasing, the number of disciples increasing, and the unlikely conversion of priests.  

The other passage we looked at was Hebrews 10:19 - 25 that says 

"Since we have the confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus and since we have a great priest over the house of God"

"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith."

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope with wavering."

"Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works."

"Not neglecting to meet together."

"But encouraging one another."

With the great things, rather the great person, JESUS, we have and the things we need to do - drawing near, holding fast, considering how to stir up one another, the "not neglecting to meet together" statement is so much more than just a command to meet one or two hours once a week.

And the ministry of the church is not for the purpose of entertainment or easy answers.

Ministries like children's ministry and youth ministry are disciple-making tools for moms and dads.  

Children's ministry and youth ministry provide disciple-making opportunities for children, parents, and ministry workers.

Biblical counseling enables people to know and find Biblical answers to real-world problems.

In thinking about the ministries and gospel work at Trinity Baptist Church, it is important for members to think biblically and remember some important statements used regularly.

The first statement is "joyfully pursuing the living God" which appears on the wall entering the auditorium and on the bulletin each week.  With eternal hope, disciples daily make decisions for the one who has changed his life.  This ongoing, joyful, spiritual growth relies upon God, moves towards God, for God's glory. 

The other statement is the description of the ministries on the church website.  "The church is for believers to be strengthened and that those strong believers are to reach out in the communities God has placed them."  Trinity's ministries are designed to educate and equip church members to minister in the communities where God has placed them.  Ministry that happens within the church walls should go beyond the church walls.

Church 2 .0.1

Church 2.0.1 Lesson Notes
Church 2.0.1 Lesson Video
Yet Not I  But Through Christ In Me Video

This first week of Why Church 2.0 we looked at what the church is in the Bible.

During the quarantine, there are many elements of meeting together that were missed.  Singing together, talking face to face with friends, playing children, and so many other things.  Being able to gather together now is about so much more than just meeting together in a building.  The true joy for the church is glorifying God as the church gathered together.  Making much of him and helping others make much of Him. 

As we meet together, we need to remember that the church isn’t a business where the goal is making money.  The church isn’t a store where you shop for what you want.  The church isn’t a school where the main focus is education.  The church isn’t a building where people meet together.

The church is a family (1 Timothy 3:15).  The church is the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-24).  The church is a building (1 Peter 2:4-5).  The church is a body (1 Corinthians 12:12-31).  The common part of each of these images is there is a relationship between each part. 

The church is about relationships with God and with one another.

The first three chapters of Ephesians talk about God's rich mercy and love (2:1-9), Jesus' great sacrifice for our reconciliation (2:11-22), and the mystery of the gospel (3:1-12).  The last three chapters talk about various relationships. During this first week, we looked at Ephesians 4:1-16.  Ephesians 4:1-10 shows that God has given us unity and diversity through Jesus Christ for our growth and maturity.  Ephesians 4:11-16 shows the God has given us the body of Christ for our growth and maturity.  This growth and maturity is shown as a disciple grows more and more into the image of Christ.  

The Trellis and the Vine and The Vine Project are great resources to help churches think through the process they are using to develop disciples. 

The first resource is the Pathway for Disciple Growth (The Four E's of Engage, Evangelize, Establish, Equip).  Page 146 explains these terms.  

We could usefully identify four broad stages that people pass through on their road 'to the right': 

• Some people are very 'far away' from Christ and his kingdom: they may not have ever met or spoken with a Christian person.  Very often the first thing they need in order to take a step to the right is to meet and ENGAGE with a Chrisitan. 

• Other have met and engaged with Christians or Christianity in some way.  The next step for them is to hear the gospel:  that is to be EVANGELIZED. 

• For those who have responded to the gospel in faith and repentance, their next step is to be ESTABLISHED as a Christian, to send down roots, and to begin to grow in godliness and Chrisitlikeness (a 'walk' that will continue for the rest of their lives).  

• As Christians are established, and grow in love and knowledge, they will become increasingly concerned not only to step to the right themselves, but to help others do so in whatever they can.  They will benefit from being EQUIPPED to do so through teaching, encouragement, coaching, prayer.

The second resource is 4P's.  Disciple are made by the PERSEVERING PROCLAMATION of the word of GOD by the PEOPLE of God. in PRAYERFUL dependence on the Spirit of God (p. 83)

No Broken Bones

Over the last eight weeks, I have been thinking about and reading Psalm 34.  I have preached on Psalm 34:1-3 and wrote posts about several sections.  

This Psalm reminds us to praise God.  To praise Him continually.  To praise Him with others.
This Psalm reminds us to savor the Lord.  To enjoy Him.
This Psalm reminds us to watch what we say and pursue peace.
This Psalm reminds us that we need to cry out to the LORD.

Today is the last day of Psalm 34 on Fighter Verses. 

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
Affliction will slay the wicked and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

The last set of verses are 19 through 22.  There are some big promises in these verses -
deliverance of the righteous,
punishment of wicked,
redemption of God's servants, and 
freedom from condemnation.  

The promise that struck me when reading and thinking about this verse throughout the week is verse 20.  "He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken."  In a sermon on Jesus' crucifixion, John MacArthur makes reference to this verse.  "In perfect complement to the type of the Passover Lamb, with no broken bone, Jesus will not have a bone of His body broken."  (See also John 19:33, Exodus 12:46, and Numbers 9:12).

Because of Jesus, the perfect, once-for-all, sacrifice for my sin, I have true, eternal life with God that began the day he saved me from my sin!!

This song captures the greatness of this promise of no broken bones and the truth of John 3:16, Romans 14:11, and Revelation 7:9   

Cry for Help

Psalm 34:17, 18 

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord 

hears

and delivers them out of all their troubles.

Lord is near to the brokenhearted 

and saves the crushed in spirit.

These verses serve as a great reminder of humble prayer.

Here are some important points from these verses.

• The righteous will face trouble and need help.
•  The brokenhearted and those crushed in spirit need comfort that only the LORD can before (nearness and salvation).

The truly righteous, those who have been made righteous by God, understand that God has already saved them and blessed them beyond anything they could even imagine.  So crying out to him for help with the troubles of this world is an obvious decision, not necessarily easy.  

God is the faithful deliverer of those who are broken and humble.   

God not only hears the righteous' cry, but he also delivers the righteous one.  

Fighter Verses:  Set 5:  Verses 32

A Response to Suffering

This week's Psalm 34 post will focus on 1st Peter 3:10 - 12.

Yes, you read that right.  Peter quotes Psalm 34:12-16 to support his teaching in verses 8 and 9.

Peter tells everyone to have "unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart,  and a humble mind."  While not repaying evil for evil or reviling for reviling.  "On the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing."  Psalm 34:12-16 is the reason he gives for doing this.  Psalm 34:12-16 reads...

What man is there who desires life

and loves many days, that he may see good? 

Keep your tongue from evil 

and your lips from speaking deceit. 

Turn away from evil and do good; 

seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous

and his ears toward their cry.

The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,

to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

The question in verse 12 shows the reader that everyone desires the good life.
However, the truly good life comes from living life that is dependent on God and seeks to glorify Him.
This is evident in the way you speak and what you pursue.

God cares for his children and His wrath is upon those who are against Him.  

These truths are what helps the believer suffer for the sake of righteousness, a common theme throughout 1 Peter.  

As you meditate and memorize Psalm 34, you may want to read Peter's first letter which was written to the "elect exiles of the dispersion" (1:1).  In your reading of this New Testament book, see if you can find another reference to a part of Psalm 34.  

Fighter Verses Devotional Set 5: Week 30

Book Review: The Color of Compromise

The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism by Jemar Tisby

"An honest assessment of racism should acknowledge that racism never fully goes away. It just adapts to changing times and context."

In "The Color of Compromise," Tisby writes to show how this is true throughout US history in the church. 

There are points when white readers will want to rationalize injustices exposed in the book.

There are points when black readers may want to become bitter. 

There are points when, in my opinion, where Tisby's "high degree of selectivity" in historical accounts causes problems for some people who read this book or don't read it and critique it anyway.

The reality is rationalization, bitterness, and pointing out the author's shortcomings will not help in the fight against racism.

After reading this book and several reviews and summaries I have realized that the answers and responses to racism in our country and the church are not simple but the starting point is very basic - Our hope is in Jesus Christ.

Here is a statement I made in a recent sermon.
"You have a stronger bond that is eternal with a brother or sister in Christ of a different color living in Africa or China or here in the United States than you do with your next-door neighbor who is from the United States of American, the same color, the same socioeconomic status, and the same political views but is not Christ-follower." 

After reading this book, I decided to make a conscious effort to help my children live in such a way that they know they need to glorify God and love others by helping them see the importance of God.  This love should embrace the diversity in this God-created world and should not have a hint of prejudice.  

At the same time, I don't want current issues to be the guiding factor in my thinking.  Biblical truth is our foundation and needs to be what controls our thinking.  We need to heed Paul's warning in Colossians 2:8 - 10.  Be controlled by Jesus Christ.

These experiences Tisby writes about our horrible:  chattel slavery, Jim Crow laws, ways churches dealt with issues throughout history, and even some recent events.  They should sadden us.  As part of the family of God, we need to remember, though, the experiences of oppressed people do not supersede the authority of Scripture.

Two books that have been helpful in thinking through current issues are Faultlines by Voddie Baucham and Christianity and Wokeness by Owen Strachan.

Updated on 1/17/22

Taste and See

Fighter Verses continues it's summer in Psalm 34 this week with verses 9 through 11.

Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!

The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

The second Fighter Verses devotional for these verses states that "the fear of the LORD is good.  It captures our souls for Christ, causes us to bow in adoration of Him, and ignites earnest pursuit of Him."

The young lion on the prowl for physical food will be hungry again.

The one who seeks the LORD lacks no good thing.

Now, you may have read these verses and thought to yourself that these and other verses refer to the fact that those who follow Jesus Christ will never be hungry or thirsty.

Look at John 4 and 6.

John 4 contains the story of the Samaritan woman at the well.  Jesus begins talking about water and this woman thinks Jesus is talking about physical water.  Beginning in verse 13, Jesus answered her, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst again.  Indeed the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

John 6:25 - 59 contains Jesus' interaction with others about him being the Bread of Life.

In verse 34, the crowd begged Jesus to give them this heaven.

Jesus declared to them "I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

Those who seek the LORD, seek the best!

Those who hunger for the LORD will not be in want.

"The Good Song" by Seed Family Worship is a good way to remember a Bible verse and to rehearse a big truth.  

Immovable God!

Psalm 125:1-2 

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people from this time forth and forevermore.

On Wednesday, I walked into work after a hard Tuesday night filled with a lot of thinking.

50 days until my 50^th birthday.  

Working a job that in all reality if you had asked me a year ago if I would still be working, I would have said “No.”  In my mind, I would be in vocational ministry not working in a warehouse.

 Wednesday morning, I walked into my warehouse job and was reminded through Psalm 125:1 - 2 written on a company post-it note that He is trustworthy and loving.

Wednesday morning, I was reminded that while I may not be doing what I long to do as a job, I have a job, especially in these times.  I have a job at a great company that operates on Biblical principles and believes that as stewards it should “utilize each team members talents and resources to earn a profit and then return a significant portion to our community and employees” (www.inontime.com/about-us/)

God has been using this time to teach me and remind me of so many leadership and life principles.  Here are a couple.

I need to work hard, work smart, and trust God no matter what my job is.  

Church volunteers who serve in church and work full-time jobs need to be thanked a lot.  While I pray I did this while at Emmanuel and West Cannon, I realize I should do it more.  The preparing to serve and serving God takes energy that sometimes is not easy to find during a busy work week.

As my 50^th birthday approaches, I am prayerfully hoping that God would provide a job in ministry or even education.  I also understand that God has provided a job that helps me provide for my family, glorify Him, and grow as I am stretched in my faith in ways I did not expect.

We would also appreciate your prayers as Krista and the kids start another year at NorthPointe.  Joel is going to be a senior, Josiah is going to be a freshman, and Jadyn is entering 5^th grade.

I would also appreciate your prayers as I preach on Psalm 34 at the end of July and the beginning of August at two churches which friends of mine pastor.

A couple of additional thoughts about these verses:

In writing about Psalm 125 in his Commentary on the Book of Psalms, John Calvin said, “Although the world is subject to so many and so sudden changes as almost to put on a new face every moment, and although the faithful are mingled with and placed in the same external condition as others yet their safety continues steadfast under the invincible protection of God.”  

God is my invincible protector in this world that is “subject to so many and so sudden changes,” 

God is the immovable mountain that I rest on!

Better

Psalm 34:6 - 8

Seek the Lord: Psalm 34

Sunday I had the privilege to preach at Trinity Baptist Church.  The passage was Psalm 34:1-3 which was last week's Fighter Verses.  

This week's Fighter Verses are Psalm 34:4 - 5.

I sought the Lord and he answered me

and delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant,

and their faces shall never be ashamed.

This week's Fighter Verses continue in Psalm 34:4-5.  This week's devotionals can be viewed at fighterverses.com/set-5-core-esv/week-27/.  The two devotionals are

  Reliable Emergency Plans for Your Darkest Hour

  Unafraid and Unashamed

Over the next several weeks I will be posting the Fighter Verses devotional links.
There may also be some additional resources and other posts.

Psalm 34

(updated on July 7, 2020)

Psalm 34

Very thankful for the opportunity to preach from this Psalm a couple of times this summer.

It is filled with deep truth and heartfelt expressions of who God is.   

To celebrate God, David uses each letter of the Hebrew alphabet to begin the verse.  This type of Psalm is called an acrostic.  In preaching the sermon on the first three verses of this Psalm, I decided to use a similar format in my sermon outline.

1. Always praise God (v. 1)
2. Boast in God and Be humble (v. 2)
3. Come together to praise God (v. 3)

As a result of actively thinking about who God is and how great God is, David is overwhelmed with the need to invite others to worship with him, to magnify God, and exalt His name.

It is my hope and prayer that these resources will stir in you a desire to worship God more and invite others to join you in that worship.  

Here are some sermon-based questions

• What do you tend to put your hope in when you know it should be God?
• Why is a foundation so important?  Why are "always praise God," "boast in the LORD and be humble," and "come together to worship God" foundational parts of worship?
• If you want to grow as a worshipper of God, what do you specifically need to pray and do?

Fighter Verses page for Psalm 34:1-3

https://fighterverses.com/set-5-core-esv/week-26/ has two devotionals 

Let's Begin (June 27, 2020)

Contagious Worship:  All the Time, All Together  (June 30, 2015)

There are going to be seven additional posts related to Psalm 34 throughout the summer.  Each post will contain a link to that week's Fighter Verses devotional.  Some of the posts will contain a little more than that.

Time For the Talk: Leading Your Son Into True Manhood post (https://drodgersjr.blogspot.com/2014/09/time-for-talk-leading-your-son-into.html) that contains the following definition of humility along with some other keywords.

 

To pursue humility means choosing to accept the fact that your knowledge and abilities are limited and in light of that, you are regularly seeking help and graciously receiving advice and correction.

While this book is specifically to sons and fathers, it contains teaching that would be helpful for any parent.  The six character qualities are especially helpful.

Telescope Magnification Resource

When David says "I will magnify God with thanksgiving," he does not mean:  "I will make a small God look bigger than he is .  He means: "I will make a big God begin to look as big as he really is."  We are not called to be microscopes, but telescopes."

 

The whole duty of the Christian can be summed up in this:  feel, think and act in a way that will make God look as great as he really is.  Be a telescope for the world of the infinite starry wealth of the glory of God."

For the whole message, go to https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/i-will-magnify-god-with-thanksgiving

 

Family Resource Link 

This link is to a short children's lesson on this passage - www.pursuegodkids.org/praise-god-everyday-psalm-34/

 

God has provided me with the opportunity to preach at three different churches in July and August.  I am going to be preaching the same passage at these churches.  On July 5, I preached at our church, Trinty Baptist Church in Grand Rapids.  I will also be preaching for two pastor friends while they are on vacation.  On July 26, I will be at Oakfield Baptist Church in Rockford where Chris Minor serves as pastor.  On July 2, I will preach at Montrose Baptist Church where Shane Miller serves as pastor.  

Pray that as I share the message of always hoping in Jesus Christ these churches would be encouraged.  Also for these Shane, Chris, Brett, our pastor at TBC, and other pastors who continue to faithfully serve the Lord during these very challenging times.

Jesus' Fishing Mission

Recently I was asked to share a 3 to 5-minute reflection on the first chapter of Mark in a Bible study I have been attending.

After several readings and some study of the passage here is what I shared with the group.  Remember this is not a sermon or an in-depth Bible class.

The first verse of Mark 1 states it is "the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."
Here is a very basic outline of the four big parts of Jesus' ministry in Mark 1:2 - 15.
The first account of the gospel is John the Baptist's prediction of the coming Jesus Christ (vv. 2 -8).  Then John baptizes Jesus Christ (vv. 9 - 11).  The amazing part in these verses is God's proclamation that Jesus is "my beloved son; with you, I am well pleased" (v. 11).  Immediately after this prediction and proclamation, Jesus is tempted by Satan in the wilderness (vv. 12 - 13).  Jesus' humanity and his victory over sin are demonstrated here.
Finally, Jesus clearly declares his gospel mission (vv. 14 - 15)
The time has been fulfilled.  The kingdom of God is near.  Jesus proclaims "Repent and believe in the gospel" which is Jesus Christ (see Mark 1:1).

Jesus is predicted by John the Baptist.
Jesus is proclaimed. to be the Son of God by God himself.
Jesus is victorious over sin and Satan in the wilderness.
Jesus is clear about his mission - Repent and Believe in Jesus.

Then, what happens next in Mark 1?

Jesus,
  the predicted one,
    the Son of God,
      the victor over sin,
        the savior of the world,
chose FOUR FISHERMEN to become his disciples, to become fishers of men.
Jesus, God in the flesh, calls four fishermen to follow him.

The mission is not about how great those called are and what they can do.
The mission is about how great the one who calls is and what he can do.

Part of Jesus' plan to reach the world with the Gospel was to teach and build relationships with people who would teach and build relationships with others.  He modeled disciple-making for his disciples.  We need to do the same.  The other, and most important, part of Jesus' plan to reach the world with the gospel was to die for sinners and rise from the dead, which is the message we need to proclaim.

So Jesus demonstrated the disciple-making method.
A life-changing relationship filled with God-glorifying, Christ-centered, and Holy Spirit-empowered preaching and training.
Jesus also did what was needed to reconcile sinners to God.
He died on the cross, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven.

Disciple of Jesus Christ, no matter what your job is OR isn't right now you have great opportunities to grow in your dependence upon Jesus Christ and to share the life-changing message of the Gospel with others.  The reason you have an amazing testimony, and you do have an amazing testimony, is because of who God is and what He has done for you, a sinner, through Jesus Christ.

Remember that!

Added on 6/7/20:  

Matthias Media has a book entitled One-to-One Bible Reading that focuses on how to read the Bible with someone else.  There is also a pdf of basic questions to ask when reading any of the different types of books in the Bible.  

Influential Community Leadership

Before the final Influential Leadership, which is focused on community, here is a quick review of the posts:

• Influential Self Leadership:  Preach the Gospel to yourself.
• Influential Church Leadership:  Disciples make disciples.
• Influential Family Leadership:  Parents are the primary disciple-makers in their children's lives.
• Influential Work Leadership:  Work hard, work smart, and trust God.

I have to share the circumstances around this specific topic in the class.  Just like every other topic, the first week was focused on prayer, how to pray, and taking time to pray. However, there was no second week of class and we haven't had church since.  So the Community study did not finish because of the March shelter in place order.   

I challenged the class to go out and get to know your neighbors.  Then the Michigan government said to limit contact with others.  And that order is still in effect today (04.17).  Here are two reasons why I believe the topic of Influential Community Leadership is still very important.

1. We can influence our communities during this time in different ways.
2. This time of shelter-in-place will end.  What will you do then?

On December 8, Pastor Brett preached on the familiar Good Samaritan passage, Luke 10:25 - 37.  The title of the message was "The Great Samaritan." Revisiting this message is a good way to begin thinking about Influential Community Leadership.  Here is a short summary of the passage.

Lawyer:  How do I inherit eternal life? 

Jesus:  Love God with your and love your neighbor as yourself. 

Lawyer:  Who is my neighbor? 

Jesus tells the parable and the asks "Who was a neighbor?"

Jesus concludes the lesson with the "Go and do likewise."
Jesus told the lawyer and the reader that in order to inherit eternal life you must worship God perfectly and love your neighbor perfectly.  The problem is we cannot do these things.  
Jesus is the Great Samaritan, the example of perfect love.
Those who have been saved by the Great Samaritan will be Good Samaritans.
Jesus not only commanded his disciples to love their neighbors.
He provided the perfect example of this love and He provided the only way we can live this way - through His death and resurrection and in the power of the Holy Spirit. 
God has placed each of us in our neighborhoods to give testimony of God's amazing grace by living out Christ-dependent, neighbor-loving, Spirit-empowered lives.  
Do you live in such a way that shows those around you the greatness of God or the selfishness of your heart?    

Love everyone, even your "undeserving, unlovable" neighbor because God loved you, an "undeserving, unlovable" person, so much that he sent His son. 

In The Gospel Comes with a House Key, Rosaria Butterfield writes "We trust God's power more than we trust our limitations, and we know that he never gives a command without giving the grace to perform it."  
God commands us to love our neighbors.  
He also gives us THE example of loving the undeserved, the reason we should love everyone, even our enemies, and the power that enables us to love everyone, even the unlovable.
THE example of love undeserved:  Romans 5:8  "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us."
The reason to show love:  1 John 3:16. "By this, we know love, that [Jesus] laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers."
The power to give testimony of God's love:  Acts 1:8. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Here are some very basic, practical things to do:

1. Pray that you and your family would show love to your community.
2. Pray that your neighbors would see the love of Christ in your family and call out to God to save them from their sin.
3. Pray with your neighbors.  This may be actually praying with them or asking them how you can pray for them.
4. Serve neighbors because Christ loved you so much that he died for you.

Gospel Comes with a House Key: Radically Ordinary Hospitality in a Post-Christian World: by Rosaria Butterfield is a good resource about hospitality.  

Shelter-In-Place Notes:

This time of social isolation makes getting involved with your neighbors very difficult but it is still very much needed.  So how do you influence your neighbors when in isolation?  Here are a couple of specific, practical suggestions we have heard about or been able to do this last month.

1. Take advantage of things others have set up.  A woman in our neighborhood organized a nightly singing of "God Bless America."  We haven't seen many people do this but we have made an effort to go out on our sidewalk and sing and pray with our neighbors while practicing social distancing.
2. Greet people.  When out on walks or outside make it a point to be friendly and say hello to people you see.  
3. HERE is an online resource The Art of Neighboring COVID-19 Tool Kit.   Don't try to do everything on this site.  

Silent Saturday

I have shared pictures of different things we have found during our Spring Break cleaning/organizing.
Pictures, cereal, mugs, and more.
I also found this letter I wrote on April 11, 2005.

Imagine that Silent Saturday about 2000 years ago.
Yesterday Jesus was crucified.
Tomorrow Jesus will rise from the dead. 

BUT today...
Not a day of joyful expectations for the disciples.
Not a day of hope.
Rather a day of despair.
A day of shattered dreams.
A day of sorrow and sadness.
A day of unmet expectations.
A day of questions. 

I have heard it said my times that you cannot have the joy of Easter without the pain of Good Friday.  I have recently been learning more and more about the waiting of Saturday.  Hebrews 11;1 says "And faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Also note vv. 10, 11, 13, 16, 20). 

A major part of Biblical Christianity is the idea of waiting.  Waiting upon God and His timing. 

Luke 24:11 says "[the disciples] did not believe the women because their words seemed like nonsense." The women's testimony of Jesus and His resurrection seemed like nonsense to the disciples.  The disciples on the road to Emmaus also had some interesting insights into Jesus' death.   Verses 19 - 21 records their words sbout Jesus Christ.  "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.  The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death and they crucified him.  But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel." 

These various verses show what the disciples were probably thinking after Jesus "left."  The one they thought was going to be the Messiah was gone and Rome was still in power.
I have found myself in the midst of these times of darkness, questioning and more.

After a difficult, challenging experience is when these "Saturday" usually happen.  For me that experience has been my dad's passing away.  I would love to have all the answers to all my questions but God in his omniscience and love has not answered of all of my questions.  I know many of these questions will not have an answer this side of eternity.  I also know I need to wait upon the LORD. 

Often, I see small glimmers of answers such as the fact that my dad's faithfulness through many years has been a testimony to many.  Then I think couldn't God have come up with an easier, less painful way to show people God's love and holiness. 

There is a part of me that can still see my dad [in the original much more detail was shared about this] on that night he passed away.  WHY GOD!?!?
Why him?
Why now?
Why this way?
Why does the 5 month anniversary of my dad's passing fall on the we celebrate Christ rising from the dead?
God, I am waiting for answers to these and so many other questions. 

But then my thoughts change to a different set of questions.
Why do you love me, God?
Why did Jesus have to die?
Why is it that the creator of the universe in all of His power and holiness wants to be in a relationship with me?
How is it that I, with all my sin and weakness, can be in a right relationship with God? 

The answer is...
GRACE. 

As I think back to those disciples, I am reminded of their fear and apprehension.  They didn't completely understand the mystery of Christ's death.
Thank you, God, for the revelation of God's Word.
Thank you, God, for the resurrection of Jesus Christ
I pray that I would never grow weary of hearing the amazing Easter story.  I am thankful that we have the whole story.  I am thankful for the ANSWER it provides.  I am thankful for the PEACE it brings.

Why today is differrent

Why is today different than any other day?
  Today is Good Friday!
     Today is Good Friday in a very strange time.

"Why is tonight different than any other night?" is part of the Jewish Seder.  Traditionally the youngest, able child asks this question during the first meal of the Passover, a reminder and celebration of God's mighty work in Egypt.  

After watching the 8th episode of The Chosen, which was about the Samaritan woman at the well, we had a family devotional time.  I asked Jadyn to ask the "Why is today different than any other day?" question.  Then we read John 4:1-24 and finished some incomplete statements I wrote based on 4:1-42 and Good Friday.  

Now before I share what we talked about I would love for you to take some time to think through the passage and statements.  In our family time, I briefly went through the other sections and challenged the family to think about them more this weekend.  Here are the questions.

• Read John 4:1 – 24: 
• When confronted with her sin, the woman at the well turns the conversation to...
• Jesus responds by telling her...
• REMEMBER:  Worship is not so much about WHERE but rather WHO and HOW

• Read 4:25- 37:
• Jesus told the woman...
• Jesus said his food was...

• Read 4:38-42:
• The woman was excited and told the people that...
• At first, this sounds strange because...
• The people said the following about Jesus...

• Good Friday Application:
• In thinking about the REMEMBER statement above, we still celebrate Good Friday and Easter during the quarantine because...
• In thinking about the woman’s reaction and response, today is called Good Friday because...
• In thinking about the woman and the people’s responses, our responses should be...
• In thinking about God, Jesus, worship, and John 4:1 – 42, I should...

So why is today Good Friday?

Watching the woman leave her water jar and run into town excitedly telling people "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did," (v. 29) really struck me. Do you understand what really happened there?   

Jesus told the woman about her sin and she excitedly went back to town telling people to come meet this man.  Why would a woman invite the town to come see the man who confronted her with her adultery?  Because the man was not just any man.  He was the Messiah!  He showed her the gravity of her sin problem along with the only real God ordained solution. 

On Good Friday, we remember and celebrate the real, final, God ordained solution for the world's sin problem.  "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6).  On Good Friday, at the cross, we see our wickedness, total depravity, and ungodliness.  At the same time we must realize that "God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us"  (Romans 5:8).

 So why is this Good Friday different than other Good Friday?

Good Friday, 2020, is a very different Good Friday because it is a forced reminder that our worship is not about the WHERE.  On this Good Friday, whether you are watching a service online or doing something on your own at home, everyone needs remember that the WHO and the HOW are more important.  Our Good Friday "meetings" need to focus on Jesus, the one who is "indeed the savior of the world" (John 4:42).  They also need to remind us of what God did through Jesus Christ on the cross.  We need to remember on this Good Friday, and everyday, who we were without Christ and who we are with Christ.

Influential Work Leadership

This is the 4th of 5 posts on Influential Leadership from a class I was teaching at Trinity Baptist Church.
I have posted other Influential Leadership posts.

"The first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day to have my soul happy in the Lord."  George Muller.

On a very personal note, my current circumstances, being out of vocational ministry for almost two years, and working at a warehouse have changed the way I have approached the topic of influential leadership at work.  I always knew people needed to live out their faith at work.  At the same time, I probably would have emphasized the impact of people's ministry at and through the church.  Church ministry was the most important ministry you could be involved in.  Through this time I have been reminded the HUGE ministry impact members can have in their individual workplaces for the kingdom of God.  

For many different reasons your co-workers may never set foot in your local church but that doesn't lessen the Gospel-influence, you may have in their lives.  Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.  You are serving the Lord Christ."  With this in mind, you are for the Lord and not men.  No matter what the job is my goal should be to bring God the glory.  

The Gospel at Work by Greg Gilbert and Sebastian Traeger is a great resource designed to help Christians think about the why's and how's of work.  Much of the information below has been taken or adapted from this book. 

In talking about the Christian and work, two fallacies need to be corrected.  The first is "God helps those who help themselves."   This motto, which many people believe is a Bible verse, originated in Ancient Greece and was popularized by Benjamin Franklin.  While the Bible does encourage hard work, this motto goes against the heart of the Bible's message - God's power and grace (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 12:9).  The other is "Work is the result of sin."  In Genesis 1:28, before the fall, God gave Adam work to do.  As a result of the fall, work became difficult.

 In this first of six short videos designed to help study the book, Traeger talks about the two extremes of making work an idol and being idle at work.  

In Appendix 2, the authors share a Biblical theology of work that is very helpful and encouraging to think through.  God is a worker.  We are created in God's image.  Thus, we are created to be workers also.  Sin is a spiritual condition and made work hard, futile, and difficult.  Jesus worked and changes the way we work.  Work is worship, just as all of life is.

In this second video, Gilberts talks about why we work...

to love God (Matthew 22:37)
to love others (Matthew 22:39)
to reflect God's character (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15)
to earn and share resources (Proverbs 12:11; Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:10)
to enjoy it (Ecclesiastes 5:18-19)
to adorn the doctrine of God (Titus 2:9-10)

A basic summary of the Gospel at Work is "Work hard.  Work smart.  Trust God."  The company I work at, In On Time, is a Christian owned company.  Even with that being the case I, personally have the responsibility and the privilege to bring hope in Christ to work every day.  It is my prayer that my actions and words would show my co-workers that I love Jesus Christ and they need to trust Him as their Lord and Savior.  

Here are some additional resources on this topic:

• Book Study Resource:  The Gospel at Work study Guide - http://www.thegospelatwork.com/studyguide/
• Website:  The Gospel at Work resource page - http://www.thegospelatwork.com (This has many different seminars and messages on a wide variety of work-related issues)
• Article:  26 Ways to Provoke the 1 Peter 3:15 Question at Work - https://jdgreear.com/blog/26-ways-to-provoke-the-1-peter-315-question-at-work/
• Podcast:  Help!  I Hate My Job - https://www.crossway.org/articles/podcast-help-i-hate-my-job-james-hamilton/  (Don't let the title deceive you.  It is helpful even if you love your job.)

Shelter-In-Place Notes:

The George Muller quote at the beginning of this post is very appropriate during this talk of essential/non-essential businesses.  As Christian workers, our happiness, joy, and satisfaction are in the Lord.  Not infallible business or governments.  We need to remember that and show that to those we work with. 

If you are an essential worker, first of all, THANK YOU SO MUCH for what you are doing.  Second, please use this time to show co-workers, patients, and/or customers the Hope of Christ.

If you are not an essential worker, first of all, REMEMBER YOUR WORK IS IMPORTANT to your family and others and because it provides an opportunity for you to glorify God.  Second, as you interact with essential workers be kind and thankful.  Also, communicate to your kids and others the importance of work, even work at home. The Gospel Coalition posted a working from home prayer.

Pray regularly for your supervisors and co-workers.  Pray that God would use this time to draw them to Him.  Pray that God would give them wisdom in how to navigate their circumstances.

If possible find ways to communicate with people you work with.  This may be specific individuals or groups of people and can be done through text, email, social media, or other means.  The purpose would be to check up on them and let them know how you are doing.  

If you have other resources, additional comments or questions, please leave them in the comment section.