The other day I was reading the account of Moses' call into ministry. I have always loved this account because I can relate to it in this way: God puts have an amazing calling on our lives and we are pumped to serve him! Then reality sets in and we begin to say "I'm not good enough!" It's a shame that a lot of times our human insecurity casts a dark shadow on the will of God. Instead of leaning into God and trusting that His will and purpose for our lives will lead to "greater things" as Jesus said, we lean into our insecurity and begin to fall prey to a lie. When God gives a call to a person, he provides for that person what they will need to fulfill the calling! I find it interesting though that Moses still trusted more in his insecurity than the power of God. However God still provided for him! Moses told God he couldn't speak well. God tell's Moses: "Who gave man his mouth?" Moses still wimps out and says God please send someone else! (Ever been there?) God became angry at Moses for not trusting completely in His power but He still provided for Moses! God gave Aaron to Moses to speak for him. This part is interesting: God told Moses, Aaron would be like Moses' mouth and Moses would be like God to Aaron. God makes it clear though that He will help these guys by teaching them what to do! God would have taught Moses by himself, but Moses trusted more in His insecurity. God also gave Moses a sign and a promise through his staff. So remember, lean into God. He alone is our provider of security: He bought us at a high price! Remember that the next time someone comes to you to fight against the visions and decisions GOD GAVE YOU for your ministry!
Just one more thing I want to point out. Everything is going awesome for Moses in terms of fulfilling God's plan. God gave him the call at the burning bush, God gave him Aaron to speak for him, and Moses is on his way back to save his people. Then there is a bump in the road, which there often is in man's life. Exodus 4:24-26 says that while Moses, his wife and child where lodging along the way "The LORD met Moses and was about to kill him." That is comforting. God gave you this amazing call, he provides for your needs to fulfill that call, and now he is going to kill you. Lots to look forward to as a Pastor or leader in the church! Actually the point here is very clear and that is why I love God's Word. God is a just God, and he cannot allow Moses to lead his people out of Egypt unless Moses himself is following the law that God gave to his native people. Moses neglected to circumcise his son therefore neglecting the covenant God made with his people through Abraham. The long and short of this is that God cannot allow a person to serve Him without accountability! Serving God is pretty serious stuff. In fact, teachers in the church will be held to a higher standard of judgment! Take this lesson from Moses and get rid of sin in your life if you know where that sin is! God has provided our forgiveness of sin through Jesus, so don't, as the Apostle Paul says, live in it anymore. It was crucified with Christ. Be free and serve God, fulfilling the calling God has placed on your life!
The Two Main Points:
1. Trust God alone. He called you. He'll teach you and provide for you.
2. Get rid of sin. Serve free.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Last Sunday, I Saw The Church, For The Unchurched, And It Rocked
Last Sunday I had the opportunity to preach at an outdoor service called "Church In The Park" in Butler, PA. I can honestly say that I saw the Church working perfectly this day! There were leaders of all different ministry areas that came together to do church for people who are definitely not churched.
How do I know they aren't churched you ask? Because when we asked them to stand for worship they stood for the beginning prayer and then sat down. Those who had come with us to serve, were standing and worshipping, it didn't phase our guests who sat in their chairs, never sang a word to any of the songs, and looked at those who were standing like they were weird. It was awesome! It was awesome because God brought us to a group of people who were seriously unchurched. The thing I love about unchurched people is that God loves them. They have no presuppositions about what church should be, they just know that they have a desperate need in their life. A need that they can't put their finger on. When we told them about Jesus they responded! They responded because Jesus loves them unconditionally and they realized they it was Him that they were designed to know. Those who had come to serve reached out and loved on the people who came. These are the kind of people that most Americans wouldn't even look at in the eyes, let alone talk to them. Many would look down on or even forget about these people but we were there because we love them, because God loves them. The people's response to us being there could be compared to water gushing in a dry and weary land.
So where did I see the church working perfectly? In those who came to serve. We all came with no expectations except that God would do something greater than we could have hoped or imagined! I know God did this because after the service was over and everyone went home, we all were filled with a joy that I don't think we have been filled with for quite a while. A joy that passes all understanding. The joy of the Gospel going out into the world and coming back full of new life (which it will always do!). The church is found in those who took the time to plan, prepare, and risk. There was no guarantee that anybody would show up. But we believed that God would do something bigger than we could plan, prepare or risk for. And He did. It was such an awesome day!
Last Sunday, I saw the Church for the unchurched. I saw people serve people out of love. All because Jesus served us on the cross. (By the way, do yo know the cross screams I LOVE YOU!) I saw people reach out, pray, and give food to those who came to "church". Without Jesus, we are sinful, hopeless, and condemned. But with Jesus we are forgiven, hope filled and full of new life in Him. We knew the kind of people we were: Poor, weak, and depressed losers. But when we meet Jesus He says to us, that's a lie from the Devil. You are mine, and I love you. My father loves you. I went to the cross for you. I took your poverty, depression, and condemnation to the cross and crucified them there. I turned your mourning into joy! Now I offer new life, full of joy, full of grace, full of Me. All because I love and value you.
That is what I saw. People reaching out, loving other people, all because God loved us first. I saw people serving because Jesus Himself came to serve. (For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45 NLT) And it rocked.
For those of you wondering what we did. It was really simple. We met under a pavilion in a downtown park, had worship, a brief message, and then provided lunch for everyone. It was a really great day. There were many who put in much prep time and to them I say thanks for serving. I know you saw the fruits of your labor! God is GREAT!
How do I know they aren't churched you ask? Because when we asked them to stand for worship they stood for the beginning prayer and then sat down. Those who had come with us to serve, were standing and worshipping, it didn't phase our guests who sat in their chairs, never sang a word to any of the songs, and looked at those who were standing like they were weird. It was awesome! It was awesome because God brought us to a group of people who were seriously unchurched. The thing I love about unchurched people is that God loves them. They have no presuppositions about what church should be, they just know that they have a desperate need in their life. A need that they can't put their finger on. When we told them about Jesus they responded! They responded because Jesus loves them unconditionally and they realized they it was Him that they were designed to know. Those who had come to serve reached out and loved on the people who came. These are the kind of people that most Americans wouldn't even look at in the eyes, let alone talk to them. Many would look down on or even forget about these people but we were there because we love them, because God loves them. The people's response to us being there could be compared to water gushing in a dry and weary land.
So where did I see the church working perfectly? In those who came to serve. We all came with no expectations except that God would do something greater than we could have hoped or imagined! I know God did this because after the service was over and everyone went home, we all were filled with a joy that I don't think we have been filled with for quite a while. A joy that passes all understanding. The joy of the Gospel going out into the world and coming back full of new life (which it will always do!). The church is found in those who took the time to plan, prepare, and risk. There was no guarantee that anybody would show up. But we believed that God would do something bigger than we could plan, prepare or risk for. And He did. It was such an awesome day!
Last Sunday, I saw the Church for the unchurched. I saw people serve people out of love. All because Jesus served us on the cross. (By the way, do yo know the cross screams I LOVE YOU!) I saw people reach out, pray, and give food to those who came to "church". Without Jesus, we are sinful, hopeless, and condemned. But with Jesus we are forgiven, hope filled and full of new life in Him. We knew the kind of people we were: Poor, weak, and depressed losers. But when we meet Jesus He says to us, that's a lie from the Devil. You are mine, and I love you. My father loves you. I went to the cross for you. I took your poverty, depression, and condemnation to the cross and crucified them there. I turned your mourning into joy! Now I offer new life, full of joy, full of grace, full of Me. All because I love and value you.
That is what I saw. People reaching out, loving other people, all because God loved us first. I saw people serving because Jesus Himself came to serve. (For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45 NLT) And it rocked.
For those of you wondering what we did. It was really simple. We met under a pavilion in a downtown park, had worship, a brief message, and then provided lunch for everyone. It was a really great day. There were many who put in much prep time and to them I say thanks for serving. I know you saw the fruits of your labor! God is GREAT!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Living In The Spirit-The Promise Restated by Pastor B
Here is a video from Pastor Brad French from New Life Christian Ministries in Saxonburg, PA. You check out their webpage at http://www.newlifexn.org
Monday, August 9, 2010
The Relevant Podcast: Thoughts on John 15!
Click HERE to listen to this some thoughts on John 15 from The Relevant Pastor Podcast!
Comment below!
Music provided by Jazz Street Trio "Here I Am" available on Jamendo.com
Comment below!
Music provided by Jazz Street Trio "Here I Am" available on Jamendo.com
Get Back To Work by Pastor Steven Furtick
I've been following Pastor Steven Furtick for some time now. Pastor Steven is the lead pastor at Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC. Their church is very young, but God has blessed them in ways that only He can! Pastor Steven is one of the best leaders I've ever read and heard. I just wanted to share a link to his blog post about getting back to work. This post really helped me because I can totally relate to it! Maybe you can to. So check it out.
Here's The Link!
Here's The Link!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Good Quote
Here's a good quote from Dr. Chris Marshall at New Life Christian Ministries in Saxonburg, PA!
"Healthy growth is good. Unhealthy growth is cancer."
Good to remember as we strive to be more like Jesus. We're in one camp or the other. Stagnant growth is still cancer for our soul. As the Apostle Paul says, let's push on toward the prize!
"Healthy growth is good. Unhealthy growth is cancer."
Good to remember as we strive to be more like Jesus. We're in one camp or the other. Stagnant growth is still cancer for our soul. As the Apostle Paul says, let's push on toward the prize!
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