If you read Acts 17, in verse six, a mob of people went into the house of Jason looking for the followers of Christ (Paul, Silas, etc.). They dragged some of them out, and said, these men "have turned the world upside down."
Is your Christianity impacting this world for Christ? Is it turning the world upside down for Christ? Is your love for Christ and your love for others setting you apart (John 13:35)?
There's something wrong with our faith if everyone likes us (I Peter 2:8 "rock of offense"). There's something wrong with our position in Christ if we're living a life of ease and facing no persecution (II Timothy 3:12 "shall suffer"). There's something wrong with our Christianity if were not impacting our neighbors, friends, co-workers and relatives for the Lord (John 1:40-46 "Come and see").
How do people come to Christ? According to a particular survey...1% are walk-ins at church, 5% are from revival services at church, 8% are through church outreaches, 10% are the result of the pastor's influence, but 76% are through believers developing friendships at work, home, or in the community.
How's your Christianity?
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
LET'S NOT FORGET
*Remember those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom!
WWI- over 116,000 deaths
WWII- over 405,000 deaths
Vietnam War- over 58,000 deaths
Korean War- over 36,000 deaths
American Revolutionary War- over 25,000 deaths
War of 1812- over 20,000 deaths
Mexican-American War- over 13,000 deaths
Philippine War- over 4,000 deaths
Irag/Afghanistan Wars- over 5,000 deaths
*Remember Christ who has paid the ultimate price for our spiritual freedom!
John 10:11- "I am the Good Shepherd, and the Good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep."
John 15:13- "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
WWI- over 116,000 deaths
WWII- over 405,000 deaths
Vietnam War- over 58,000 deaths
Korean War- over 36,000 deaths
American Revolutionary War- over 25,000 deaths
War of 1812- over 20,000 deaths
Mexican-American War- over 13,000 deaths
Philippine War- over 4,000 deaths
Irag/Afghanistan Wars- over 5,000 deaths
*Remember Christ who has paid the ultimate price for our spiritual freedom!
John 10:11- "I am the Good Shepherd, and the Good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep."
John 15:13- "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Holiness in an Unholy Church Age
A.W. Tozer once said, “What I say here may hurt, but I say it anyhow. We have lived with unholiness so long that we are almost incapable of recognizing true holiness. You cannot study the Bible diligently and earnestly without being struck by an obvious fact- the whole matter of personal holiness is highly important to God!”
The book of Leviticus has much to say about the subject of holiness. The word “holy” is mentioned 150 times, and the word “clean” is referred to 186 times. God desires that you and I be a holy people.
Are you holy in your thoughts? Your conversations? Your ambitions, motives, and entertainment? What does God see when no one else sees? Is your marriage holy?
Leviticus 11:45 says, “For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.” Psalm 24:3,4 says, "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart…” I Thessalonians 4:7 says, “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”
The book of Leviticus has much to say about the subject of holiness. The word “holy” is mentioned 150 times, and the word “clean” is referred to 186 times. God desires that you and I be a holy people.
Are you holy in your thoughts? Your conversations? Your ambitions, motives, and entertainment? What does God see when no one else sees? Is your marriage holy?
Leviticus 11:45 says, “For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.” Psalm 24:3,4 says, "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart…” I Thessalonians 4:7 says, “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”
Monday, April 5, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
An Early Look at Easter
Because He lives, you and I can live! Job asked, “If a man die, shall he live again?” Easter answers Job’s question.
The resurrection of Christ is the core of our faith. The Apostle Paul stated: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9,10). Jesus said: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:14-15).
The resurrection of Christ is foundational. It is the cornerstone of Christianity. Just as our heart pumps blood to every organ in our body, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the heart of the Gospel that pumps life to every doctrinal truth. It is central! In the New Testament alone, it is referred to 104 times. Peter’s first message at Pentecost that led to a great revival was founded and built around the truth of the resurrection.
I Corinthians 15:12-19 reveals that everything stands or falls with Christ’s bodily resurrection. If Christ did not conquer death by rising from the tomb, we would all be false witnesses still dead in our trespasses and sins.
I Corinthians 15:17- “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain (worthless); ye are yet in your sins.”
Acts 4:33- “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.”
Matthew 12:40- “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
I Corinthians 15:3-4- “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
The proclamation of Christ’s resurrection was the very heart and theme of the early church. The fact that He arose was the motivation behind every suffering and sacrificial endeavor for Christ. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the fundamental doctrine of Christianity. The following passages reveal it is clearly an essential part of the Gospel.
1)Anticipated and announced in the Old and New Testament
•Psalm 118:22-24
“The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
•Isaiah 52:13; 53:10-12 (Isaiah spoke of a future day of redemption)
•Jonah 2:1-9 (Jonah is a type of Christ- Matthew 12:39-41)
•Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:17-19 (Jesus regularly referred to this before His disciples)
•John 2:22 (The disciples finally remembered after it was a fact)
•Acts 13:33
•Matthew 27:63-64 (The enemies of Jesus remembered)
2)Post-resurrection witnesses
•1st appearance- Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9-11)
•2nd appearance- Other women (Matthew 28:8-10)
•3rd appearance- Peter (I Corinthians 15:5)
•4th appearance- Two men on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32)
•5th appearance (Sunday evening)- 10 Apostles in the Upper Room without Thomas (John 20:19-25; Luke 24:36-43)
•6th appearance (The following Sunday)- 11 Apostles and Thomas believes (John 20:26-28)
•7th appearance- 7 disciples by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-14)
•8th appearance- 500 at a mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20; I Corinthians 15:6)
•9th appearance- Half-brother James (I Corinthians 15:7)
•10 appearance- The disciples again in Jerusalem (Acts 1:3-8; Luke 24:44-49)
3)Christ’s Ascension to Heaven
•Acts 1:11
“Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
•Mark 16:1-20
•Luke 24:50-53
The resurrection of Christ is the core of our faith. The Apostle Paul stated: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9,10). Jesus said: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:14-15).
The resurrection of Christ is foundational. It is the cornerstone of Christianity. Just as our heart pumps blood to every organ in our body, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the heart of the Gospel that pumps life to every doctrinal truth. It is central! In the New Testament alone, it is referred to 104 times. Peter’s first message at Pentecost that led to a great revival was founded and built around the truth of the resurrection.
I Corinthians 15:12-19 reveals that everything stands or falls with Christ’s bodily resurrection. If Christ did not conquer death by rising from the tomb, we would all be false witnesses still dead in our trespasses and sins.
I Corinthians 15:17- “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain (worthless); ye are yet in your sins.”
Acts 4:33- “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.”
Matthew 12:40- “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
I Corinthians 15:3-4- “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
The proclamation of Christ’s resurrection was the very heart and theme of the early church. The fact that He arose was the motivation behind every suffering and sacrificial endeavor for Christ. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the fundamental doctrine of Christianity. The following passages reveal it is clearly an essential part of the Gospel.
1)Anticipated and announced in the Old and New Testament
•Psalm 118:22-24
“The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
•Isaiah 52:13; 53:10-12 (Isaiah spoke of a future day of redemption)
•Jonah 2:1-9 (Jonah is a type of Christ- Matthew 12:39-41)
•Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:17-19 (Jesus regularly referred to this before His disciples)
•John 2:22 (The disciples finally remembered after it was a fact)
•Acts 13:33
•Matthew 27:63-64 (The enemies of Jesus remembered)
2)Post-resurrection witnesses
•1st appearance- Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9-11)
•2nd appearance- Other women (Matthew 28:8-10)
•3rd appearance- Peter (I Corinthians 15:5)
•4th appearance- Two men on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32)
•5th appearance (Sunday evening)- 10 Apostles in the Upper Room without Thomas (John 20:19-25; Luke 24:36-43)
•6th appearance (The following Sunday)- 11 Apostles and Thomas believes (John 20:26-28)
•7th appearance- 7 disciples by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-14)
•8th appearance- 500 at a mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20; I Corinthians 15:6)
•9th appearance- Half-brother James (I Corinthians 15:7)
•10 appearance- The disciples again in Jerusalem (Acts 1:3-8; Luke 24:44-49)
3)Christ’s Ascension to Heaven
•Acts 1:11
“Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
•Mark 16:1-20
•Luke 24:50-53
Thursday, January 7, 2010
January 2010 Events/Services
Weekly- Sunday school (9:15AM); Worship Service (10:30AM); Wednesday night prayer meeting (7:00PM); Visitation
Monthly- Mission gift designated to a particular missionary family or individual (Jan.- Van Delinder family)
Jan. 10th- Church business meeting to follow our morning service (2010 Budget; outreach plans)
Jan. 31st- Sunday 9:15AM, 10:30AM- Missionary guest Jeremy Van Delinder and his family (They are planting a church in Austin, TX, later this year.); 6:30PM- Pizza/Game night with missionary family
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Contemplating Christmas
As we focus on Christmas, consider what I John 4:9 says, "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him." Charles Spurgeon said, "The holiday will come and go, so we must now take the opportunity to exalt Jesus Christ."
Christmas is not just a date on our calendar. Christmas is the heralding of the entrance of God into human history! It is heaven descending to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. Our response should be the same as the angels on Christmas Eve: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:14).
The Gifts of Christmas
The Magi had seen Christ's star in the east and had come specifically to worship the newborn King. They were humbled by Christ's coming and fell at His feet (Matthew 2:11). They presented to Him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Observe how these gifts symbolize precious truths concerning worship and sacrificial giving. Should we not fall down before Him and worship Him with our gifts?
1. Gold - Nothing less than a gift of gold was worthy of their act of worship. The dignity of the occasion required the best that they could give. Gold was a recognition of Christ's sovereignty. "What an indictment this is on our approach to worship in our day! So often we hurry to church without real preparation of heart and mind"(Olford).
2. Frankincense - This was used by the priests in connection with an offering of sacrifice to God. Figuratively, it speaks of devotional fervor and recognition of Christ's deity (Jesus is God).
3. Myrrh - Nicodemus brought myrrh and aloes to the grave to embalm the body of Jesus (John 19:39). Myrrh speaks of suffering. This was a recognition of Christ's humanity.
"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11)
Bible Verses for Christmas Evangelism
John 10:10,11
"… I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: The good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
I Timothy 3:16
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."
Isaiah 9:6
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."
II Corinthians 8:9
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."
I John 2:1-2
"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
Fulfilled prophecies of Christmas
God never works haphazardly! He is a God of order. At precisely the right time in history, Jesus Christ was born (Galatians 4:4-5). Furthermore, Isaiah predicted that the Messiah would come at just the right time in Israel's history (Isaiah 49:8). As the Jewish fathers choose the time for their sons to become adult sons, so the Heavenly Father chose the time for His Son to arrive.
The message of Christmas was prophesied over 700 years before the birth of Christ. The theme of Old Testament prophecy is the coming of a king. There are at least 189 prophecies in the New Testament that associate Christ to His coming as King.
1. He would be born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:5). "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2)
2. He would be called out of Egypt (Matthew 2:19-21).
3. There would be weeping in Rama (Matthew 2:17-18). " Rachael weeping for her children" (Jeremiah 31:15)
4. He shall be called a Nazarene (Matthew 2:23).
5. He shall be virgin born and rise out of Israel. "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6) "…there shall come a star out of Jacob and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel." (Numbers 24:17)
As you contemplate Christmas this year, make sure that your focus is on the CHRIST of Christmas.
Christmas is not just a date on our calendar. Christmas is the heralding of the entrance of God into human history! It is heaven descending to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. Our response should be the same as the angels on Christmas Eve: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:14).
The Gifts of Christmas
The Magi had seen Christ's star in the east and had come specifically to worship the newborn King. They were humbled by Christ's coming and fell at His feet (Matthew 2:11). They presented to Him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Observe how these gifts symbolize precious truths concerning worship and sacrificial giving. Should we not fall down before Him and worship Him with our gifts?
1. Gold - Nothing less than a gift of gold was worthy of their act of worship. The dignity of the occasion required the best that they could give. Gold was a recognition of Christ's sovereignty. "What an indictment this is on our approach to worship in our day! So often we hurry to church without real preparation of heart and mind"(Olford).
2. Frankincense - This was used by the priests in connection with an offering of sacrifice to God. Figuratively, it speaks of devotional fervor and recognition of Christ's deity (Jesus is God).
3. Myrrh - Nicodemus brought myrrh and aloes to the grave to embalm the body of Jesus (John 19:39). Myrrh speaks of suffering. This was a recognition of Christ's humanity.
"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11)
Bible Verses for Christmas Evangelism
John 10:10,11
"… I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: The good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
I Timothy 3:16
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."
Isaiah 9:6
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."
II Corinthians 8:9
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."
I John 2:1-2
"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
Fulfilled prophecies of Christmas
God never works haphazardly! He is a God of order. At precisely the right time in history, Jesus Christ was born (Galatians 4:4-5). Furthermore, Isaiah predicted that the Messiah would come at just the right time in Israel's history (Isaiah 49:8). As the Jewish fathers choose the time for their sons to become adult sons, so the Heavenly Father chose the time for His Son to arrive.
The message of Christmas was prophesied over 700 years before the birth of Christ. The theme of Old Testament prophecy is the coming of a king. There are at least 189 prophecies in the New Testament that associate Christ to His coming as King.
1. He would be born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:5). "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2)
2. He would be called out of Egypt (Matthew 2:19-21).
3. There would be weeping in Rama (Matthew 2:17-18). " Rachael weeping for her children" (Jeremiah 31:15)
4. He shall be called a Nazarene (Matthew 2:23).
5. He shall be virgin born and rise out of Israel. "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6) "…there shall come a star out of Jacob and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel." (Numbers 24:17)
As you contemplate Christmas this year, make sure that your focus is on the CHRIST of Christmas.
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