What It Means to Serve (1)

'...Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.' John 13:8 NIV

Good morning everyone,
We Just eneded the series on family values and my prayer is that God has touched each of you in a new way. I'm praying about what God has for us next. I'm getting excited as we see the moving of the Holy Spirit each Sunday. Amy will be sharing on Fathers Day and I always look forward to hearing her speak. So what does it mean to serve? Jesus 'took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist...poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped round Him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, "Lord, are You going to wash my feet?"...Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me."...When He had finished...He put on His clothes and returned to His place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" He asked them, "...I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master..."' (John 13:4-16 NIV) Observe two things Jesus taught:
(1) In order to serve God, you must serve others. When Peter objected, Jesus said, 'Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.' To play your part in God's plan you must put others first. What you're doing right now may enrich you personally, but are you serving others and pleasing God?
(2) When it comes to serving, nothing should be beneath you. Can you picture it? Jesus, who was God, stooping to wash the lowest, dirtiest and smelliest part of the body. Keep that picture firmly in mind next time you're asked to do something you don't want to do, or something you think is 'beneath you'. Christ saw so much value in the least, the lost, the last and the lowest that He came to redeem them. And today He wants us to go out of our way to serve one another. How that looks like for you only God can show you. You are loved...

Be Passionate

'...I have...determined to do His will...' Isaiah 50:7 NLT

Did any of you see the double rainbow last night? Amy and I stood out the front door and looked in amazement as not one but two formed. It excited me to experience his creation in such a way as to want more. How is it then we can get so lackadaisical about the things of God? Isaiah said, 'I have set my face like a stone, determined to do His will.' You'll never have real success until you become passionate about it. The Psalmist wrote, 'My heart is steadfast...' (Psalm 57:7 NKJV) The word 'steadfast' means to have a commitment that's as strong as rock. Henry Ford was passionate about automobiles. Thomas Edison was passionate about light. The Wright Brothers were passionate about flying. Cars, lights, and flying are things. But what about the spiritual? Take Paul for example, his love for God compelled him to be so passionate about evangelism that nothing stopped him. Are you passionate about your faith? Look at Jesus, He was the ultimate example. Standing before Pilate, who tried to judge Him, Jesus said, '...For this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world...' (John 18:37 NIV) Twenty inch thorns would crush His brow. A spear would puncture His side. Spikes would be driven into His hands. Thirty-nine stripes would tear His back to shreds. What He felt most passionate about could only be achieved through pain. His passion and love allows us eternal life. You may feel insignificant and small. But when your love for Him begins to consume your mind, your thoughts, your conversation and your schedule-then you are headed for success. Jesus did and He won the world. My prayer is that you can win your world as well. You are loved!

Launch Out

'Launch out into the deep.' Luke 5:4 NKJV

One of Dr Robert Schuler's hobbies was raising koi fish. Asked why some grow big while others stay small, he replied, 'If a koi fish lives in a small tank it will never grow longer than five or six inches. In a larger pond they can grow up to 25 inches long-in ponds the size of mine, but if they live in a huge lake where they can swim and stretch, they can grow up to a 40 inches long. The size of the pond determines the size of the fish. Similarly, little ideas in little-thinking minds produce little achievements. But little ideas embraced by big-thinking minds produce enormous achievements.' Jesus said, 'According to your faith be it unto you.' (Matthew 9:29 KJV) The size of your faith and your vision determines the outcome of your idea. Edison had to install electric lights for free in an office building before anyone even came to look at them. The first sewing machine invented was destroyed by a mob in France. Morse waited for ten years before the world showed any interest in his telegraph. And when the idea of travelling by railroad was introduced, people scoffed because it was widely believed that travelling at 50 mph stopped blood circulation in the human body. Ronald E. Osborn said, 'Undertake something difficult; it will do you good. Unless you try something beyond what you have already mastered, you'll never grow.' You attain in direct proportion to what you attempt, which is why Jesus said to His disciples: 'Launch out into the deep.' Where is it that Jesus has asked you to Launch out? One of the biggest attacks of satan is to bring to a place that you give up. If God has you in a place of ministry, don't give up! If He's pushing you into ministry it's time to Launch Out...one of the things I've learned over the years is that when the body (you) are faithful does the church go...so keep on keeping on! You are loved...

Take Away the Stone

'Jesus said, 'Take away the stone.'' John 11:39
Have you ever thought if I only could get that thing out of my life how much better things would be? A big stone blocked the entrance to the tomb of Lazarus. And before Christ raised him from the dead, He said, 'Take away the stone.' There's a lesson here if you are willing to listen. God will restore what you've lost-when you're willing to remove the hindrances that stand in the way. What was behind that stone? A corpse, and it was stinking! John writes: 'If our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God' (1Jn 3:21 NKJV). Your confidence in approaching God comes from knowing you've dealt with the stuff that separates you from Him. And it requires courage. But you'll never experience new life until you're willing to do it. God can give you back what life has taken. He can restore what you've lost. But only if you're willing to face the truth. King David caused a big stink: adultery and murder. Now your issues may not smell that bad but before God can answer your prayer you must acknowledge them. A more contrite and consecrated David wrote: 'If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear. But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer' (Ps 66:18-19 NKJV). This is why when you counsel an addict it's not just about what they're addicted to, but about what they're trying to cover up with their addiction. What are you trying to cover up? Let Jesus roll away the stone! When you're willing to 'take away the stone' and allow God to deal with what's behind it, will life change happen. You are loved...

Christ Is Totally Credible (2)

'...Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said..."It is finished!"' John 19:28-30 NKJV

Believing the scriptures and communicating them is one of the hardest things for some people. In the beginning it was hard for me, I just didn't want to do it. I stumbled over my words until I realized that if I didn't believe in Christ's credibility how could others. When someone asks you, do you really believe in this Jesus? Can you communicate that from the moment of His birth to the hour of His death, Christ's life was predicted in detail by Old Testament prophets. That He fulfilled about forty different prophecies during His lifetime. That statistically, the chances of that happening are less than one in a trillion! Why is it important to understand this and when people ask be able to have the answers? Because voices are being raised that question His virgin birth, His deity, His miracles, His resurrection, and His soon return. Evidently the same folks were around when Peter lived. He writes: 'I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone. For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw His majestic splendor with our own eyes when He received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to Him, "This is My dearly loved Son, who brings Me great joy." We ourselves heard that voice from Heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place-until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet's own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.' (2 Peter 1:15-21 NLT) You are loved!

Christ Is Totally Credible (1)

'...Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said..."It is finished!"' John 19:28-30 NKJV

Sitting in my office today still experiencing Gods presence from yesterday. I'm blown away from your response at the alter as the invitation was given for a double portion of Gods Spirit in your lives. Amy and my prayer is that you take what you received and ask God for more. Many of you didn't see the ministry happening in the foyer as well. A new guest to our church was overwhelmed by the Spirit in worship and the team ministered and prayed for her; so keep her in your prayers. We are beginning to see God move in our midst in many different ways. I'm excited and I hope you are too! If you are witnessing to anyone the next couple of days are for you as we will be looking at Christ's credibility. What made great intellectuals like CS Lewis commit their lives to Christ? His credibility! Observe some of the Old Testament prophecies Jesus fulfilled during His lifetime: (1) He would enter into Jerusalem on a donkey: '...Behold, your King...He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey...' (Zechariah 9:9 NKJV) (2) He would be betrayed by a friend: '...My own familiar friend in whom I trusted...has lifted up his heel against Me.' (Psalm 41:9 NKJV) (3) He would be sold for thirty pieces of silver: '...So they weighed for My price thirty pieces of silver.' (Zechariah 11:12 KJV) (4) They would gamble for His garments: 'They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.' (Psalm 22:18 NKJV) (5) Not one of His bones would be broken: 'He guards all His bones; not one of them is broken.' (Psalm 34:20 NKJV) (6) He would be buried in a rich man's tomb: 'They made His grave with...the rich at His death...' (Isaiah 53:9 NKJV) (7) That He would be raised again from the dead: 'You will not leave My soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.' (Psalm 16:10 NKJV) John records: 'After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!"' In full possession of His mental faculties, with His mind unclouded, He checked off the prophecies He was supposed to fulfill right down to the last one, and said, 'It is finished.' (v30 NKJV) Christ-He's totally credible, and you can trust Him! You are loved!

Learning to be apart of the Family

'...you will know how to live in the family of God.' 1 Timothy 3:15 NCV

I'm going to close this week out with a couple of the biggest things that hurt people in the church Favoritism and Gossip. Amy and I love to have a garden every year. It's not huge but we grow what we like and have fun watching it grow. The church is like a garden; it has great potential for growth and beauty. But cultivating a garden calls for time and labor; it also requires being on the lookout for weeds and pulling them up before they grow and kill your plants. Two of the most common weeds in the church are: (1) Favoritism. 'Then Peter began to speak: 'I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel...' (Acts 10:34-36 NIV) Peter, who struggled with prejudice, said, 'I now realize...that God does not show favoritism.' How about you? Do you realize that too? Or do you mix only with 'your own kind'? Cliques in church are high treason to the King of Kings. If there's one lonely soul in your church, you have work to do! The Bible says that God 'gives families to the lonely.' (Psalm 68:6 TLB) When people are shy, wounded, insecure or lacking in trust, you must reach out and bring them into your circle of fellowship. (2) Gossip. 'Don't speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters...' (James 4:11 NLT) When you hear gossip about someone, stop it dead in its tracks. Unless you are willing to talk directly to the person, don't talk about them. And don't let anybody else talk about them either. That is slander. Gossip is the art of saying nothing in a way that leaves practically nothing unsaid. If you want to promote harmony in the family, don't indulge in it. Instead do what Jesus told His disciples to do, "speak the truth in love." When you do it builds the family of believers up, not tear them down. You are loved...