From Leland Ryken, in his book Redeeming the Time--commenting on the biblical injunction to, you guessed it, "redeem the time."
"One of the features of contemporary life is therefore a prevailingly personal attitude toward time; with time felt to be so hurried, people are almost forced to protect their time as their own possession. This is especially true of time apart from one’s job, since one-the-job time is pretty much coerced and not felt to be our own.
The result of personalized time is a loss of shared time. People feel less obligation to give their time to others than they once did, and so the social dimension of time is in jeopardy today. While influential social critics ascribe this to individualism and self-absorption, I am inclined to attribute it to current attitudes toward time. It is partly our time famine that leads people to think that they have no time to share.”
Who owns your time?
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Lost Art of Loving God (w/Scriptures)
This past Sunday we looked at a variety of Scripture passages related to self-deception and proper self-examination concerning our love for God. For those whose pen, pencil, or iPhone couldn't keep up--or for those who would just like to review these verses again--here's the breakdown. There are some bonus passages included here too. (You can look any of these up quickly by going over to www.biblegateway.com)
God's greatest commandment is 100% love for Him and our neighbor:
Matthew 22:33-40
Three passages that reveal our self-deception, telling ourselves that we are accepted by God based on other criteria:
Revelation 2:1-7
Revelation 3:1-6
Matthew 7:21-23
Overview of deception in Scripture:
Satan is a deceiver: Genesis 3:13, Revelation 12:9
Sin is deceitful: Hebrews 3:13
Satan's followers are deceived: 2 Timothy 3:13, 2 Corinthians 11:13
(Notice the deadly 3:13's!)
Big problem. Our hearts are deceitful:
Jeremiah 17:9
Galatians 6:3, 7
James 1:26
1 Corinthians 3:18
1 John 1:8
Deceptive Unbelief:
Romans 1:18ff
Deceptive Immorality:
Ephesians 5:6
Galatians 6:7
Deceptive Morality:
Revelation 2:1-7
Luke 18:9-14 and 18:18-30
A prayer to keep ourselves in the love of God:
Proverbs 30:7-9
An exhortation to keep ourselves in the love of God:
Jude v.21
Promises that we will be kept in the love of God if we are in Christ:
Romans 8:31-39
The love of God is an art, not a science. Remember your first love!
God's greatest commandment is 100% love for Him and our neighbor:
Matthew 22:33-40
Three passages that reveal our self-deception, telling ourselves that we are accepted by God based on other criteria:
Revelation 2:1-7
Revelation 3:1-6
Matthew 7:21-23
Overview of deception in Scripture:
Satan is a deceiver: Genesis 3:13, Revelation 12:9
Sin is deceitful: Hebrews 3:13
Satan's followers are deceived: 2 Timothy 3:13, 2 Corinthians 11:13
(Notice the deadly 3:13's!)
Big problem. Our hearts are deceitful:
Jeremiah 17:9
Galatians 6:3, 7
James 1:26
1 Corinthians 3:18
1 John 1:8
Deceptive Unbelief:
Romans 1:18ff
Deceptive Immorality:
Ephesians 5:6
Galatians 6:7
Deceptive Morality:
Revelation 2:1-7
Luke 18:9-14 and 18:18-30
A prayer to keep ourselves in the love of God:
Proverbs 30:7-9
An exhortation to keep ourselves in the love of God:
Jude v.21
Promises that we will be kept in the love of God if we are in Christ:
Romans 8:31-39
The love of God is an art, not a science. Remember your first love!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Every Pastor Needs a Pastor
Every pastor needs a pastor. This is because every pastor is a human being and therefore needs shepherding in the form of advice, instruction, admonition, and example. Most pastors I know seek to find this through fellowship with other pastors, or through a "coach" of some sort.
I would also recommend that every pastor download sermons from a respected fellow pastor, every week--religiously. Just as we expect others to come to church each Sunday to hear God's word preached, we should make this weekly commitment to hear God's word preached from someone other than ourselves.
This is a great way to remember that we are Christians first, pastors second.
Some tips:
1. Commit to one particular pastor. Don't listen haphazzardly to whatever looks interesting on iTunes each week. (Just as you wouldn't want the people of your church to rotate between a half dozen churches.)
2. Set aside a time each week to listen and take notes. Don't just listen while you're driving or jogging or otherwise multitasking. Take it seriously.
3. Choose either a well-known "pastor to pastors" such as Tim Keller, John Piper, or Mark Driscoll, or someone who was a personal mentor to you. If that pastor puts his sermons on the web, your relationship with him can continue as you listen to his weekly messages.
4. If you choose the well-known "celebrity" pastor, be careful. Don't let the listening be mere entertainment or curiosity.
5. Take the message seriously. Put it into practice. Not just as a pastor/leader, but as a Christian, husband, dad, soccer coach, etc.
6. Be careful not to listen to too many messages per week. One is plenty to pray over, repent over, and put into practice.
7. Pray for this pastor, just as you hope your people pray for you!
I would also recommend that every pastor download sermons from a respected fellow pastor, every week--religiously. Just as we expect others to come to church each Sunday to hear God's word preached, we should make this weekly commitment to hear God's word preached from someone other than ourselves.
This is a great way to remember that we are Christians first, pastors second.
Some tips:
1. Commit to one particular pastor. Don't listen haphazzardly to whatever looks interesting on iTunes each week. (Just as you wouldn't want the people of your church to rotate between a half dozen churches.)
2. Set aside a time each week to listen and take notes. Don't just listen while you're driving or jogging or otherwise multitasking. Take it seriously.
3. Choose either a well-known "pastor to pastors" such as Tim Keller, John Piper, or Mark Driscoll, or someone who was a personal mentor to you. If that pastor puts his sermons on the web, your relationship with him can continue as you listen to his weekly messages.
4. If you choose the well-known "celebrity" pastor, be careful. Don't let the listening be mere entertainment or curiosity.
5. Take the message seriously. Put it into practice. Not just as a pastor/leader, but as a Christian, husband, dad, soccer coach, etc.
6. Be careful not to listen to too many messages per week. One is plenty to pray over, repent over, and put into practice.
7. Pray for this pastor, just as you hope your people pray for you!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Pastor According to God's Heart
Today I'll be preaching on leadership within the church, based on Ephesians 4:11-12 in particular. The leaders Jesus provides to His church are gifts, as Ephesians says. In fact, they are long-promised gifts, as Jeremiah 3:15 prophesies:"I will give you pastors (literally shepherds) according to Mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding."
John Shaw preached a sermon on this passage from Jeremiah back in the day... August 25, 1752. It is in print as a short but helpful booklet: The Character of a Pastor According to God's Heart.
Here's a snippet:
"Ministers according to God's heart are men of prayer. They are much in prayer. ... Verily, they may preach even to paleness and faintness, until the bellows are burnt, until their lungs and vitals are consumed, and their hearers will never be the better, not one sinner converted until God is graciously pleased, by the efficacious working of His Spirit, to add His blessing. ... All will be in vain, to no saving purpose, until God is pleased to give the increase. And in order to this, God looks for their prayers to come up to His ears."
They are not only men who pray but who lead godly lives:
"If not afraid of running into the fire themselves, will they be zealous to pull their hearers out of the flames? If they do not tremble at the thought of trifling themselves with heaven and hell, with salvation and damnation, will they faithfully warn their hearers against doing so?"
Lord, help us to be faithful men!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Prayer is not an ATM
I wrote this as a comment on a blog devoted to prayer, and afterward thought a modified version would be helpful to share here. This is something I need to always remind myself!
I think that we (meaning I) often think of prayer as a way we make a transaction with God. I do this thing called prayer and the Lord, in turn, does what I ask. This confuses exactly who is "Lord," but nevertheless, this is how we (meaning I) often look at things.
When that transaction is not completed--that is, when God doesn't dispense the desired answer to prayer quickly and efficiently--we begin to doubt His goodness. We think our divine ATM machine is broken. We might even bang it with our fist, though that doesn't help.
But in reality, prayer is not fundamentally about getting stuff from God. It is most fundamentally about fellowship with God, our heavenly Father. This includes requests, just a child looks to his father for his needs, but is much more. And even the requests are not transactions intended to prove or disprove whether God is really there caring for us, as if we could put him to the test.
I recently asked someone who is just getting to know the Bible (he learned John 3:16 recently) what he thought prayer was for. I assumed his answer would be something about asking God for stuff. Instead he said, “I guess it’s a way to be close to God.” That’s a great answer!
I hope we (meaning I) will answer the same way when asked.
I think that we (meaning I) often think of prayer as a way we make a transaction with God. I do this thing called prayer and the Lord, in turn, does what I ask. This confuses exactly who is "Lord," but nevertheless, this is how we (meaning I) often look at things.
When that transaction is not completed--that is, when God doesn't dispense the desired answer to prayer quickly and efficiently--we begin to doubt His goodness. We think our divine ATM machine is broken. We might even bang it with our fist, though that doesn't help.
But in reality, prayer is not fundamentally about getting stuff from God. It is most fundamentally about fellowship with God, our heavenly Father. This includes requests, just a child looks to his father for his needs, but is much more. And even the requests are not transactions intended to prove or disprove whether God is really there caring for us, as if we could put him to the test.
I recently asked someone who is just getting to know the Bible (he learned John 3:16 recently) what he thought prayer was for. I assumed his answer would be something about asking God for stuff. Instead he said, “I guess it’s a way to be close to God.” That’s a great answer!
I hope we (meaning I) will answer the same way when asked.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Don't Waste Your Easter
Jeff is a good friend of mine from seminary. I learned, when we were in seminary together, that he's not a morning person. At least, he wasn't back then. He was the type to roll out of bed and into class, whether class started at 8:00 or 9:00... or 10:00. On the other hand, I tended to rise pretty early.
Jeff loves the outdoors. In fact, I became friends with Jeff during an 18-mile hike... lots of conversation can happen over 18 miles.
One day we decided to go hiking early in the morning, before class, at a park not far from the school. Since I was the morning person and Jeff was not, it was my job to wake him up. So at some early hour, before it was quite light outside, I walked over to Jeff's apartment pondering just what it would take to get him out of bed.
It didn't take much. His eyes opened right up. In fact, it was unclear whether he had even been asleep. And off we went.
In the first-century narratives of the Resurrection that we find in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, there are a few consistent themes. Worship and joy are on the list, for example. But N.T. Wright points out something that we often fail to notice--that these gospel accounts consistently give us the following message:
"He is risen! We have work to do."
For example, in Matthew 28, the women grab Jesus' feet to worship him. He send them off to tell the disciples that He has risen. He appears to those disciples later... and tells them that as Risen Lord He is sending them out to share the news. Each account moves quickly from Resurrection to Commission. From joy to joyful duty.
The message is not: "Hey, this guy Jesus rose--how cool is that?"
Instead, the message is: "Jesus is the Risen Lord. And He is using his infinite capital to put us to work."
Here's where my friend Jeff comes in. When we think of "work," especially connected to religion, it's often a very negative connotation. Work is something that we do because we must...forced labor. (Aren't there laws against that kind of thing?) But the work we are called to is one we do because we enjoy it--in fact, can barely help it. Like my friend Jeff--it was hard for him to sleep, not hard for him to rise, when the task involved something he truly loved.
If Easter is something less than stimulating, I fear it is because our affection for Jesus Christ is fairly platonic. We might appreciate Him or applaud Him, but perhaps we don't truly love Him. As a result, the fact that He is Risen Lord doesn't get us so excited. But I think that the more we come to understand the beauty of His majesty--and how glorious it is that He is Lord rather than so many other rascals!--we will desire to do the work to which He calls us.
(In case you weren't there--this post is based on a short message I gave at our Easter Sunrise Service.)
Jeff loves the outdoors. In fact, I became friends with Jeff during an 18-mile hike... lots of conversation can happen over 18 miles.
One day we decided to go hiking early in the morning, before class, at a park not far from the school. Since I was the morning person and Jeff was not, it was my job to wake him up. So at some early hour, before it was quite light outside, I walked over to Jeff's apartment pondering just what it would take to get him out of bed.
It didn't take much. His eyes opened right up. In fact, it was unclear whether he had even been asleep. And off we went.
In the first-century narratives of the Resurrection that we find in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, there are a few consistent themes. Worship and joy are on the list, for example. But N.T. Wright points out something that we often fail to notice--that these gospel accounts consistently give us the following message:
"He is risen! We have work to do."
For example, in Matthew 28, the women grab Jesus' feet to worship him. He send them off to tell the disciples that He has risen. He appears to those disciples later... and tells them that as Risen Lord He is sending them out to share the news. Each account moves quickly from Resurrection to Commission. From joy to joyful duty.
The message is not: "Hey, this guy Jesus rose--how cool is that?"
Instead, the message is: "Jesus is the Risen Lord. And He is using his infinite capital to put us to work."
Here's where my friend Jeff comes in. When we think of "work," especially connected to religion, it's often a very negative connotation. Work is something that we do because we must...forced labor. (Aren't there laws against that kind of thing?) But the work we are called to is one we do because we enjoy it--in fact, can barely help it. Like my friend Jeff--it was hard for him to sleep, not hard for him to rise, when the task involved something he truly loved.
If Easter is something less than stimulating, I fear it is because our affection for Jesus Christ is fairly platonic. We might appreciate Him or applaud Him, but perhaps we don't truly love Him. As a result, the fact that He is Risen Lord doesn't get us so excited. But I think that the more we come to understand the beauty of His majesty--and how glorious it is that He is Lord rather than so many other rascals!--we will desire to do the work to which He calls us.
(In case you weren't there--this post is based on a short message I gave at our Easter Sunrise Service.)
Friday, April 10, 2009
Confidence in the Resurrection
Please join us for services this Easter Sunday -- 7am Sunrise Service, or 9:30am!
At 9:30 we will look at Acts 26, where we read Paul’s first-century, first-hand account concerning the Risen Lord Jesus. Acts was written between 62-64 AD, and along with the other biblical writings represents the earliest testimonies we have concerning Jesus’ resurrection.
Another key passage concerning why first century Jews were persuaded concerning the resurrection is 1 Corinthians 15, written even earlier—in 55 AD.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. (1 Cor. 15:1-10)
Paul’s confidence in the Resurrection (and ours) is based on historical, theological, and personal reasons. Skeptics often question the historicity of the resurrection, though often this is based on a cynical view of history. Yet God often works “backward”—first convincing us personally, then theologically, then historically. He certainly did this with the Apostle Paul, who firmly rejected and persecuted Christ prior to having a personal encounter with the living Lord!
At 9:30 we will look at Acts 26, where we read Paul’s first-century, first-hand account concerning the Risen Lord Jesus. Acts was written between 62-64 AD, and along with the other biblical writings represents the earliest testimonies we have concerning Jesus’ resurrection.
Another key passage concerning why first century Jews were persuaded concerning the resurrection is 1 Corinthians 15, written even earlier—in 55 AD.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. (1 Cor. 15:1-10)
Paul’s confidence in the Resurrection (and ours) is based on historical, theological, and personal reasons. Skeptics often question the historicity of the resurrection, though often this is based on a cynical view of history. Yet God often works “backward”—first convincing us personally, then theologically, then historically. He certainly did this with the Apostle Paul, who firmly rejected and persecuted Christ prior to having a personal encounter with the living Lord!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Summer Missions Trip - Feedback Needed!
One wonderful way to grow as a Christian and as a church body is through a summer mission trip. There is simply nothing like setting aside the other cares of life for a week in order to pray, worship, work, and serve together.
We have recently been researching a summer missions trip, and would like to gauge churchwide interest. If you or your family would like to participate in a week-long project please comment below, or send an email to the church office. You can also sign up on Sunday. (The only thing we're lacking here is an 800 number!)
Initial questions answered:
· When? A full week in mid to late July.
· Where? Within driving distance.
· What? The project would serve a needy community with VBS and/or work project.
· What next? Let us know if you are interested by commenting or emailing now. This does not commit you. Rather, knowing who is interested will help us as we determine specific plans to present to the congregation.
We appreciate your consideration!
We have recently been researching a summer missions trip, and would like to gauge churchwide interest. If you or your family would like to participate in a week-long project please comment below, or send an email to the church office. You can also sign up on Sunday. (The only thing we're lacking here is an 800 number!)
Initial questions answered:
· When? A full week in mid to late July.
· Where? Within driving distance.
· What? The project would serve a needy community with VBS and/or work project.
· What next? Let us know if you are interested by commenting or emailing now. This does not commit you. Rather, knowing who is interested will help us as we determine specific plans to present to the congregation.
We appreciate your consideration!
Announcements for Sunday, March 29
Jesus Christ is our Risen Lord! Let's prepare our hearts and minds to hear His word this Sunday morning.
Will Traub Visit. Will Traub and Sebastian Heck, who are ministering with Mission to the World (MTW), will be visiting with us. Will is preaching during the worship service. In Sunday school you will hear more about the work taking place in eastern Europe and specifically about the church plant in Heidelberg, Germany, where Sebastian and his family are located.
Palm Sunday Processional Rehearsal. Rehearsal will be held during the Sunday school hour. Children are to meet in the front of the sanctuary following the worship service. Next Sunday (Palm Sunday), children are to meet with their Sunday school teachers in their rooms at 9:15 AM. Please consider providing a costume for your child, i.e., head covering, robe, or shawl typifying the New Testament time period.
Youth Group Scavenger Hunt. The youth leaders have compiled what they believe to be a very unique, mysterious and entertaining video scavenger hunt list, so please plan to join us! Meet at the church at 6pm. Parents are welcome, too!
Will Traub Visit. Will Traub and Sebastian Heck, who are ministering with Mission to the World (MTW), will be visiting with us. Will is preaching during the worship service. In Sunday school you will hear more about the work taking place in eastern Europe and specifically about the church plant in Heidelberg, Germany, where Sebastian and his family are located.
Palm Sunday Processional Rehearsal. Rehearsal will be held during the Sunday school hour. Children are to meet in the front of the sanctuary following the worship service. Next Sunday (Palm Sunday), children are to meet with their Sunday school teachers in their rooms at 9:15 AM. Please consider providing a costume for your child, i.e., head covering, robe, or shawl typifying the New Testament time period.
Youth Group Scavenger Hunt. The youth leaders have compiled what they believe to be a very unique, mysterious and entertaining video scavenger hunt list, so please plan to join us! Meet at the church at 6pm. Parents are welcome, too!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Announcements for Sunday, March 6
New Adult Sunday School Class Starting this Sunday, March 8. A 10 lesson series about the beginnings of the early church and Christianity as revealed in the book of the Acts of the Apostles will be taught by Dave Taylor and will meet in the Fellowship Hall. Learn anew about the kingdom of Christ, church organization and worship, examples of conversion, the nature and purpose of miracles, and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Second Sunday Service, Sunday evening, March 8. Join us for an evening service of praise and worship tonight at a new time – 6:00 PM. Dr. Bob Stacey will continue his dynamic and interesting discussion of “The Christian’s Obligation to Civil Authority.” The Children’s Ministry will meet during the latter half of the service. Contact Karin Apgar if you would like to be involved with the Children’s Ministry. Nursery will be provided for children up to 3 years old. Prior to the service, we will share a spaghetti dinner at 5:30 PM in the “Small Hall.” Please indicate on the attendance card how many in your family will be attending the meal.
Youth Group, Sunday evening, March 8: We continue our series "This One Goes to 11." Come find out just what that means! Hint: It doesn't refer to the time youth group ends.
Second Sunday Service, Sunday evening, March 8. Join us for an evening service of praise and worship tonight at a new time – 6:00 PM. Dr. Bob Stacey will continue his dynamic and interesting discussion of “The Christian’s Obligation to Civil Authority.” The Children’s Ministry will meet during the latter half of the service. Contact Karin Apgar if you would like to be involved with the Children’s Ministry. Nursery will be provided for children up to 3 years old. Prior to the service, we will share a spaghetti dinner at 5:30 PM in the “Small Hall.” Please indicate on the attendance card how many in your family will be attending the meal.
Youth Group, Sunday evening, March 8: We continue our series "This One Goes to 11." Come find out just what that means! Hint: It doesn't refer to the time youth group ends.
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