Church

April 1, 2014

“Noah” – Heresy Repackaged?

As Christ followers we must stay focused on Christ, the Real Christ, the Christ of God’s Word, the One True and Living Way.

“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.” (Colossians 2:8 NLT)

I am currently teaching a Valley Fellowship Christian Academy (VFCA) high school Bible class – New Testament Survey (NTS). As we continued our review of the Book of Colossians today in class, I was struck by how old heresies (false teachings) seem to return time and again. Paul was certainly concerned that the believers to which he wrote not fall prey to the enemy’s deception. Paul does not provide a formal definition of the false teaching to which he addresses much of the Book of Colossians, but we have some idea about the nature of the “Colossian Heresy.”

Robert Gundry, the author of our VFCA NTS textbook highlights aspects of the Colossian heresy.

The heresy:

Diminishes the person of Christ, so that Paul stresses the preeminence of Christ (1:15–19)

Emphasizes human philosophy, that is, human speculations divorced from divine revelation (2:8)

Contains elements of Judaism, such as circumcision (2:11; 3:11), rabbinic tradition (2:8), dietary regulations and Sabbath and festival observances (2:16)

Includes the worship of angels as intermediaries keeping the highest God (pure Spirit) unsullied through contact with the physical universe (a pagan feature, since although orthodox Jews have constructed a hierarchy of angels, they do not worship them or regard the materiality of the universe as evil [2:18])

Flaunts an exclusivist air of secrecy and superiority, against which Paul stresses the all-inclusiveness and publicity of the gospel (1:20, 23, 28; 3:11).

The Colossian heresy, then, blends together Jewish legalism, Greek philosophic speculation, and oriental mysticism. (A Survey of the New Testament, 4th edition, pp.419-419)

I encourage you to read the first half of Colossians and let God’s Word sink into your spirit.

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2 NASB)

After refocusing your thoughts on Christ, you might want to consider how heresy tries to creep into United States culture. For example, the new movie “Noah” is definitely not about the Noah of which the Book of Genesis expounds. I don’t know a lot about Dr. Brian Mattson, but his critique of “Noah” should open some eyes. Check out his journal post from yesterday titled “Sympathy For The Devil”.

March 3, 2014

God’s will is perfect FOR you even if it isn’t doesn’t seem perfect TO you.

God’s will for you is perfect FOR you, even if you don’t think it’s perfect from your own perspective. Some people mistakenly assume that troubles or difficulties in life are some kind of sign that they are missing out on God’s perfect will for their lives.

The reality is – you can be right in the middle of God’s will for your life and experience tremendous hardship. No one can escape all trouble. Ultimately, God’s perfect will is accomplished when the circumstances of our lives allow HIS GLORY to shine through our lives.

God’s Word has many examples of men and women right in the middle of God’s perfect will who still faced misfortunes, hassles, and trials. Joseph certainly faced disruption – trapped in a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused and thrown into prison – but God used all of those difficulties to save Joseph’s family and God’s chosen people. David was the God-chosen next king of Israel, yet he suffered through years of jealousy, betrayal, and rejection before he was humanly-recognized as king. Paul was unjustly beaten with rods, stoned to death, shipwrecked, mocked, and ridiculed, but God’s message was still be clearly delivered through Paul. Jesus endured the cruelest inconvenience of beatings, crucifixion, and even death without ever stepping outside of the Father’s perfect will for His life on earth.

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that God isn’t finished yet. Paul stresses, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2 NLT).” I have heard people misrepresent this verse into somehow justifying a substandard for God’s will. Some suggest Paul is delineating three paths, but Paul’s word choice mentions only ONE will. In Greek, the verse DOES NOT break up God’s will into three kinds – good will, pleasing will, and perfect will. The word Paul uses for “will” is singular, not plural. Good, pleasing, and perfect all relate to one singular will.

Disturbance in your life is not an automatic signal that you have somehow missed God’s will for your life. That disagreement with your spouse shouldn’t send you into depressed anxiety about God’s will for your marriage. That rebellious child isn’t a sign that you aren’t called to be a parent. That cantankerous coworker giving you fits, doesn’t necessarily mean God doesn’t want you working at that location. Your flat tire on the interstate doesn’t mean you lost your way.

You may be squeezed today, but you can live for God’s glory!

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing (James 1:2-4 NLT).”

I am praying today for God’s strength to live for His glory and to trust His perfect will for my life – even if it upsets my preconceived plans and personal comfort. How about you? Are you ready to live for His glory?

February 14, 2014

I Love My Church Family!

I LOVE MY CHURCH FAMILY. Did you hear me? I love my church family. I get to minister and to co-labor beside the best group of folks in the world. Valley Fellowship Church is my church family and on this Valentine’s Day, I want the world to hear it.

I enjoy hanging out with the people of Valley Fellowship Church – attending a basketball game, talking about life, watching MMA, celebrating new births, eating Asian cuisine, singing new songs unto the Lord, discussing news, teaching children, shooting handguns, cleaning buildings, studying God’s Word, playing games, attending small group meetings, praying with fervency, driving golf carts, and sharing life.

I think I can relate to the apostle Paul’s affection for the church at Philippi. “It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart.” (Philippians 1:7 NIV84)

Not just on my heart
Not on my nerves
Not on my Christmas card list
Not on my lips as to complain
Not on my minds as to worry

I love and appreciate the people with which I get to worship on a weekly basis. We are a family. I hope that every person who attends senses that we love one another.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Valley Fellowship!

February 7, 2014

Hold The Rope!

For whom are you holding a rope? For whom are you putting your life on the line? Who are you lifting up? Who are you pulling out into freedom?

Is it a family member, a newly-made friend, the person who sits in front of you during church services? Are you faithfully calling on to the Lord on their behalf? Don’t let go now. The answer, the release, the resolution could be any moment.

Don’t quit. Don’t grow tired. It’s worth the effort. Hold on to that rope!

HOLD THE ROPE – like four men in Mark chapter two who refused to let a crowd stand in their way, making a hole in a roof and using ropes to get their paralyzed friend close to Jesus’ healing hands.

HOLD THE ROPE – like unnamed disciples who held the rope for Saul’s basket to reach freedom beyond the walls of Damascus, not knowing the incredible impact the new Christ follower would have on the world (Acts 9:23-25).
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HOLD THE ROPE – like a repentant prostitute risking her life to liberate Israeli spies down a rope from her window in the wall of Jericho. “So she [Rahab] let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall.” (Joshua 2:15 NIV)

HOLD THE ROPE – like the Israelis who released Jeremiah, pulling “him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern.” (Jeremiah 38:13 NIV).

“Prayer pulls the rope below and the great bell rings above in the ears of God. Some scarcely stir the bell, for they pray so languidly; others give but an occasional pluck at the rope; but he who wins with heaven is the man who grasps the rope boldly and pulls continuously, with all his might.” (C. H. Spurgeon, Feathers for Arrows, 1870, p. 171)

Don’t quit. Don’t grow tired. It’s worth the effort. Hold on to that rope!

How can you hold the rope for someone else? Invest yourself spiritually. Pray and willingly submit to God’s plans. Spiritual investment includes big prayers and more. Are you praying, faithfully calling on to the Lord on behalf of someone else? Involve yourself physically. Give your time and your energy, in tangible activity. Real service is love in work clothes. Sacrifice financially. Sacrifice your money to meet needs and to expand God’s Kingdom.

Don’t quit. Don’t grow tired. It’s worth the effort. Hold on to that rope!

February 3, 2014

We Need Each Other

I need you and you need me. That isn’t hard to type, but it is often hard to live out. Why do I struggle sometimes to admit that I really need people?

I need my wife and Patti needs me. We are interdependent upon one another. Without a flow of love and mutual ministry between us, there would be a tremendous hole in our emotions. God gave me His gift of marriage because I need it and Patti needs it. Patti and I need each other.

As the pastor of a local congregation, I need the people that make up Valley Fellowship. I’m not all by myself. I am not self-sufficient; I can’t do “church” on my own. Even the pastoral and preaching ministry I have received from the Lord couldn’t happen without believers standing with me, helping, praying, giving, loving. God put you and He put me into a body of which we are a part. I am not every member of the body. You are not every member of the body. WE need each other.

Why? In this article we are going to evaluate this battle and try to understand where it is going. learningworksca.org generic sales viagra Following the complete guidelines while taking Kamagra dose, one can get the relief from ED canada viagra cialis in the first day. Meanwhile, a large number of macrophage accumulations in abdominal cavity can be caused due to endometriosis prices for cialis right here disease. Another advantage of buying Kamagra oral jelly online from an online store to save a lot of money into developing, researching and testing the new canada viagra cheap loved that drug had a side effect that they did not expect. My experience with the amazing people who make up Valley Fellowship Church, make it easy for me to understand Paul’s joy when he wrote, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5 NIV). I don’t stand alone. Patti and I don’t just stand together. For more than twenty-five years, we have been partnered with the greatest church family on earth. I have benefited from the sacrificial investments of so many people. Thank you! I need you and we need each other.

We cannot do ministry or life alone. God’s work isn’t finished. I am asking God to deepen my appreciation for the partnership I share with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I am also praying that God will give you a deep understanding of what our partnership together is doing in the Tennessee Valley and in you. Thank you, Lord! My heart is filled with joy! I am made for connection and so are you.We need each other.

Hey, partner, are you ready to enjoy the journey together?

January 31, 2014

You Can Persevere in God’s Strength

It’s human nature to feel tired when trouble comes our way or when we haven’t had enough rest or when we have selflessly given out to serve other. We’ve all had moments when our bodies just don’t want to put out any more energy. We’ve even had days it seems like everything is working against us. If we’re not careful, those days can turn into weeks and weeks into months. Next thing we know, we’re tired, discouraged, angry, and burning out.

I certainly enjoy ministering around the world, but even ministry can be tiring. God can still use us – even when we are physically drained – but we do need to take time to rest.

We may be stretched, but God doesn’t want His followers to lead exhausted lives. God wants to give us strength to live every day to the fullest. The apostle Paul asked God to strengthen every follower of Christ with an inward spiritual strength “through His Spirit (Ephesians 3:16).” In 2 Timothy 2:1, Paul compelled Timothy to “be strong strengthened inwardly in the grace that is to be found only in Christ Jesus.” Just as Paul encouraged Timothy to rely on God for physical and spiritual strength, you can rely on the Lord and to preserve in His strength.

“Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10 GNT)

Throughout Scripture, God reminds His people that we need to run to Him when we feel weary. “The Lord is like a strong tower; those who do right can run to him for safety (Proverbs 18:10 NCV).” In Psalms, He refers to Himself as our “refuge” and as a “very present help” (Psalm 46:1). These images are strong illustrations of God as a safe haven for our immediate problems – both spiritual and physical, large and small. Even when troubles flood our lives God promises, “I am with you: do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you (Isaiah 41:10 NIV84).

Isaiah 40:31 is another promise from God’s Word that has sustained me:

But those who wait for the Lord and expect, look for and hope in Him, shall change and renew their strength and power, they shall life their wings and mount up (close to God) as eagles (mount up to the sun); they shall run and not be weary: they shall walk and not faint or become tired (AMP).

God has promised we can run the race of our lives with Him and with much strength, advancing from glory to glory and from strength to strength.

Refresh yourself in God’s strength by spending time in His Word. Using your own Bible or biblegateway.com, read the many Scripture references I have listed in this article. Take time to think about them. Meditate the Word of God (John 6:53-66). Keep yourself free from sin that drains away your strength (Ephesians 5:4; Colossians 3:8; Hebrews 12:15). Drink from the living water of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-38).

Don’t let bad days become bad weeks. Don’t grow weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9). Don’t burn out. Set time aside to rest (Matthew 11:29). Stay connected with the Holy Spirit and discover rest in His grace and mercies because they are new every morning. As we pay attention to God’s Word and trust His promises we’ll become stronger each day.

November 5, 2013

Garden Hose for Jesus?

“Be a garden hose, a PVC pipe, a channel for God’s healing power,” Dad encouraged. “You don’t have to be fine china to be used by God. In fact, the Lord delights in using styrofoam cups, ordinary people just like us.”

A garden hose not connected to a water source doesn’t do much to benefit grass or potted plants. But, in the hands of a master gardener a hose connected to water becomes a perfectly suited tool to connect thirty flowers with life-giving water. You and I are the perfectly suited instruments designed to release God’s love on earth.

“Do not look upon the vessel, but upon what it holds.” (Hebrew Proverb)

Why not keep streams of living water flowing out you to keep the water fresh? Get the kinks worked out of your life so that living water can stream without impediment.

Keep yourself free from rebellion or sin that clogs and contaminants. “In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:20-21 NLT)

I am willing to be a garden hose for Jesus Christ.

The Lord wants to use us to communicate His message, to impart His love, to extend His forgiveness, and to minister His healing power. Are you willing to let the healing power of the Lord flow through you? Are you ready to be a garden hose for Jesus?

October 24, 2013

5 Goals of Congregational Worship

How can any Christ-follower not be passionate about worshiping God? You and I are made to worship. Our corporate expressions of worship need to truly allow our spirits to touch and be transformed by the Holy Spirit. I deeply appreciate the incredible significance and impact of each time I get to participate in congregational worship.

I hope that you will take a moment to consider FIVE GOALS of congregational worship!

#1 WE ENCOUNTER GOD’S PRESENCE!

We want to draw closer to God EVERY time we congregate. We should never lose sight of this goal. God’s presence should be the hallmark of every meeting.

Why is this goal so important? We encounter God’s Presence:

To prepare (cleanse and focus) people to encounter God. Congregational worship awakens people to yield their total person to a place of TOTAL worship.
To bring people into the presence of the Lord. God’s manifest presence is our priority. “Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.” (Psalm 100:2 NASB)
To reveal the character and deeds of God. We gather to exalt the Lord. “Sing praises to the Lord, Who dwells in Zion! Declare among the peoples His doings!” (Psalm 9:11 AMP) When people see you worship, they should know that God is great by the way you praise.
To build a throne for the Lord’s rulership. We invite God to move among those worshiping Him. “Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3 NASB)
To make every person God-conscious. Yes, God is really alive – transcendent, yet immanent.
To receive direction, change, enjoyment, and encouragement. We celebrate! Commission, direction, and edification occurs.
To become more like Christ and to bring people into right relationship with Christ. Worship draws individuals to Christ (evangelism). Lives are changed in God’s presence.

# 2 WE RELEASE THE HOLY SPIRIT’S CONTINUING WORK.

Congregational worship should be an open opportunity for the Holy Spirit to do what He desires today. Hundreds of millions of Spirit-baptized believers on earth today (October 2013) testify: “It is not strange to experience the work of the Holy Spirit today!” Holy Spirit did not end His ministry in 100 AD. The Holy Spirit’s continued work through two thousand years of church history is not strange fire; it is holy fire.

Our corporate worship releases:

Charismatic expression (Gifts of the Spirit including tongues),
Prophetic flow (Consider how Elisha calls for musician in 2 Kings 3:15),
Conviction, comfort, and guidance,
Unity in the Body of Christ, and
God’s miraculous power and anointing that breaks yokes (healing, salvation, deliverance, etc.).

#3 WE ENGAGE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE AGAINST THE ENEMY.

“Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand, To execute vengeance on the nations, And punishments on the peoples; To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute on them the written judgment — This honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 149:6-9 NKJV)

#4 WE OFFER SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES TO GOD.

We serve God as priests – glorifying Him and pleasing Him. We come to the sanctuary with a focus to GIVE (not to GET). Our sacrifice of worship is an offering of something meaningful and valuable (consider the costs of our time, talent, treasure, energy).

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9 NIV)

#5 WE COMMUNICATE GOD’S WORD.

Congregational worship imparts truth, sound theology, strengthening, faith. Worship prepares people to receive God’s Word into their mind, into their hearts, and into their actual lives. Worship that touches heaven also inspires application and practice of the message.

Wow, have I see this! As a pastor called to teach and preach the Bible, I am still amazed by the impact of worship upon sermons. Congregational worship that really encounters God’s presence opens the way for the sermon and makes the delivery soooooooo much easier and much more effective.

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16 NASB)

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:18-19 NASB)

I gave you five goals; I will conclude with five things that congregational worship is not. Congregational worship is:

NOT Christian karaoke,
NOT a platform concert,
NOT a spectator sport,
NOT shallow or superficial,
NOT just music we play and songs we sing (no matter how long we have practiced or how much expression we put into it).

Worship is more than just words and music; actual communion with God is necessary. Worship doesn’t occur until spirit touches Spirit.

October 2, 2013

God Wants to Heal through You

The Lord wants to use us to communicate His message, to impart His love, to extend His forgiveness, and to minister His healing power. Heavenly Father wants your help. He wants to use you to bring His healing power to this generation. God wants His healing power to flow through you.

Jesus’ ministry on earth was characterized by teaching, preaching, and healing. Matthew summarizes Jesus’ earthly ministry as, “teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” (Matthew 4:23b NIV) Jesus Christ is the ultimate example for a Christ-follower, so we should have a lifestyle and ministry that reflect His. Am I reflecting His example? Not all believers will be full-time paid pastors or traveling healing evangelists, but every Christ follower should have a part in proclaiming the Gospel and in healing ministry.

Are you willing to let the healing power of the Lord flow through you?

There are several steps I recommend to so anyone who would surrender to be a channel for God’s glory. The first step toward releasing healing ministry involves a healthy relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Love flows as a result of an intimate bond with Christ. Compassion and the gifts of the Spirit flow should flow naturally out of a personal connection with God.

The second prerequisite is personal communication with the Lord. Talking and listening to God is not optional; it is vital. Prayer is indispensable for spiritual strength.

A third important step is immersion in the Word of God. Reading, studying, and meditating the Bible transforms thinking patterns and prepares the way for signs and wonders.

Experience in actually praying for someone is the next step. With each step of faith, expectancy is likely to grow.

Some people benefit from being mentored by another believer who is active in the healing ministry. Connect with a pastor or elder (or another Godly minister who regularly ministers healing) and accompany the pastor or elder during healing ministry (while visiting in a home or hospital, or while in a service). This exposure to the healing ministry will encourage you and give you insight. Encouragement and teaching also inspires confidence to operate in the healing ministry.

Because the Lord forgives, redeems, loves, and empowers, believers should expect to have some type of healing ministry. The Holy Spirit prepares and gifts people for ministry. The Bible demonstrates various means whereby healing is administered, and I expect the Lord to continue His kingdom demonstration with healing. As a pastor, I may not be able to clarify every difficulty surrounding sickness and healing, but I can believe God and step out in faith.

September 24, 2013

God Cares For People Through People

Jesus Christ wants to use you as a conduit for His healing power. Healing Ministry is for EVERY Christ Follower.

The Bible expects us to model the example of Christ’s life. “If we say that we remain in union with God, we should live just as Jesus Christ did!” (1 John 2:6 GNT) Jesus exhibits great concern for bringing people back to the wholeness of God’s plan for their lives. I should minister as He leads. You should minister as He leads. God’s healing power enables us to administer healing under the inspiration of the Spirit to people in need. Jesus assures His disciples of the ability to do the things that He has been doing and “even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father (John 14:12 NIV).” Failing to focus on Christ can easily lead to spiritual stagnation depleted of life-imparting potency.

Healing aids us in fulfilling the great commission of proclaiming the Good News. Jesus states, “signs will accompany those who believe (Mark 16:17).” The early disciples experienced the reality of the Lord confirming the message by the accompanying supernatural signs (Mark 16:20), and we need to look for God to continue His mission in and through our lives.

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In his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul clearly affirms the goal of “five-fold” ministry “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Eph. 4:12 NIV).” Based upon the commands of Scripture and from my own personal experience, I have learned that by myself, I cannot accomplish the healing ministry God desires at Valley Fellowship. As a pastor, I must train and entrust pastoral care and the healing ministry to others if I want to realize God’s full intention for Valley Fellowship. I must support and encourage believers to pray for others in order to meet the numerous emotional, physical, and spiritual needs within the body.

God cares for people through people. Take a step of faith and pray for someone today. Jesus wants to use you!