Regeneration

A few days ago I became an uncle again.  Owen Morgan can into this world and I got to hold him for a few minutes.  In just a few weeks, our second grandchild will be born (Timothy Jude Lyda).  I am so excited about these new births.  Its just such a picture of God and His perfect creation.

Physical Birth and Spiritual Birth.

R.C Sproul has written a commentary on 1st and 2nd Peter.  In it he addresses the topic of Regeneration.  In this blog, I want to share just a small portion with you.

About 1 Peter 1:3-5 Sproul writes:

We find in the opening statements of this epistle not only a reference to election but also a specific reference to regeneration or rebirth. This is commonly distorted in our culture by the idea that we have to have faith in order to be reborn or elect, but the sovereign God, from all eternity, decrees those to whom He will give the gift of faith, which is the fruit of regeneration, not the cause of it.

The Reformation church declared that regeneration precedes faith, which is a distinguishing article of Reformed theology. We tend to get that backwards and think that our faith is what causes us to be reborn. Unless we are born of the Spirit, as Jesus said to Nicodemus, we cannot see the kingdom of God, let alone enter it. Regeneration is what provokes and plants faith in our souls. The very condition that God requires for justification is by His grace sovereignly supplied. If we try to place faith before regeneration, we expect the impossible: the natural to rise up to the supernatural.

We expect those who are dead in sin and trespasses to exercise spiritual life. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians that God “even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” (Eph. 2:5). Every pregnant woman knows the human experience called “quickening,” which happens when she first feels life in her womb. That is the metaphor Paul gives to the Ephesians of what the Holy Spirit does to people while they are dead. We are as passive in our rebirth as we were in our natural birth. We had nothing to do with causing the conception in our mother’s womb.

Sproul, R. C. (2011-03-02). 1&2 Peter: St Andrew's Expositional Commentary (p. 29). Good News Publishers/Crossway Books. Kindle Edition.

I encourage you to find your JOY in the one who brought to life which was dead.

Heading North
Pastor Tim

Awakening

Awakening: people who are already converted are awakening from their spiritual slumber and lost people are being saved. I have notice that during a awaking there are 3 reactions: Opposition / Indifference / Obedience.

Opposition – People continue to demonstrate that it takes no intelligence to criticize. I see this mostly with religious people that become threatened by a movement of God that can’t be explained away. Many times this is fueled by jealousy or pride within ones heart.

Indifference – People hear Gods voice and feel drawn to Him, but respond with indifference. Not vocal opponents, but simply chose to delay their decision. A decision to delay is a decision against.

Obedience – A desire for revival is a desire for Spiritual Life. This desire once acted on by obedience to God, is when the awakening happens
In the past several months as I prepare to start a new chapter in this walk with Jesus, God continues to expose things in my heart, my understanding of Him, and allow me to have a front row seat of His greatness… I sense a Great Awakening in my walk with Him.

I have been so consumed with getting to New England that it would be easy for me to miss the spiritual awakening going on around me here in S.C. My friend Ken called me while I was out of town on a business trip saying that he needed to talk to me. By the next day I had a chance to have lunch with him, and he proceeded to tell me about growing up as Catholic but never understood that God wants a relationship, not a religious activity from people.

He continued by telling me that I was the first to learn that he is now a follower of Jesus. To use his words “It was like I was so drawn to Him and I had to have Jesus”….I got to eyewitness a Great Awaking down in Anderson that day. Ken is so in love with Jesus, he now has pre packed meals in his car that he gives to hungry people that he meets along with a note that tells how Jesus changed his life.

There is an Awaking or I should say a Movement of God happing all around us and reaching all the way North to where God is calling us to plant the Gospel.

Ephesians 5:14
for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says "awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you".

NOTE: We desire your prayers as God continues to prepare us for this new work in Manchester CT. Take a look at the tab “Help Us Plant” for ways you can pray and support.

Heading North
Pastor Tim

Meet Me on the Playground or Die

This week I was traveling back from Grand Rapids MI, and has the pleasure of sitting beside 9 year old Zack ( a third grader). He asked me if ever had "In School Suspension". NO I said. He said that he had. I asked why? His mother then leaned over and told him to ZIP IT! Zack looked between his legs and said "I'm good", and then continue to tell me, that he gave a kid a note that said "Meet me on the playground or die". That was enough to get him 3 days of ISS.

Why did you do that Zack?

He told me that he needed to get the boys attention, and thought that a note would be good enough. Apparently the dude that received the Zack note, had been treating a girl in the class very bad, and Zack was not going to let another day go by without correcting the wrong that he had been witnessing. I'm loving Zack by now. I asked him about his 3 days of ISS. He said it was the best 3 days of school ever in his life! For three days he was in Mr. Carson's office (the principle) making copies and talking ALL DAY to Mr. Carson.

He is a Good Shepherd.

As leaders of the church, are we willing to call things for what they are and protect the sheep, even from themselves? The Called Pastor must protect the flock from false preaching and watered down, feel good teaching. Many claim to be called but their lives still look very similar to the world that they claim that they have been called to change. The sheep and the church suffers when we don't address those issues

The question is:

Do I love people more that I love being safe?

"If Christ so loved the souls of men as to lay out Himself and deny Himself at this rate for salvation, then surely the ministers of Christ should be ready greatly to exert themselves and deny themselves and suffer for the sake of the salvation and happiness of souls"

- Jonathan Edwards

Matthew 10

Be Blessed!

Pastor Tim

Spiritual Muscle

I love the fact that many of my family and friends are turning the ship in their personal health. Everything from P90X, Triathlon training, and walking & running. My wife Lynn has just completed her very first 1/2 marathon, and will run the Cooper River Run this year. I plan to ride in my 5th Mt Bike race this year. Some would joke that this is just a fad and we all will eventually just land on the couch. That could be true, but if it is so, it would be because we had no plan and no goals in place.

What about building Spiritual Muscle?

Sometimes we wonder why we end up in spiritual and emotional train wrecks, and say "I can't believe that I am here, or why did I make such poor decisions". Satan wants us lulled to sleep and will feed us anything to keep us from waking up to the fact that we do not have to live as slaves.

I want to encourage you to put a plan in place and get into the practice of praying and doing something about your Spiritual Growth.

As a start, turn off the TV and use S.O.A.P. as you read God's word:

S = Scripture, meaning to read and to hear the words read.

O = Observation, meaning looking at a verse and look for the key words and main point or points

A = Application, meaning that you have to ask yourself, "how does this verse impact my Life?"

P = Prayer. Ask God to open up your eyes and soak in the truths and and life giving water from this LOVE letter that He has for us.

If you just don't know where to start on a plan for building Spiritual Muscle, I would love to talk to you or encourage you to attend the "Starting Point" class that we offer every 7 weeks at LifeSong Church - tim@lifesongcurchonline.com

Luke 21:19 "By Standing Firm you will gain life"

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Nominal Christianity

Many Atheist state, that the Church is responsible for so much injustice. This statement is made by people who take a intellectual stand against a background of personal disappointment with Christians and churches.

In Tim Keller's new book "Reason's for God" a question is asked: If Christianity is the truth, why are so many non-Christians living better lives than the Christians?

The answer? Nominal Christianity

I believe that the issue is "Nominal Christianity" which means a person is Christian in name only, who does not practice it and perhaps barely believes it. What brings a Christian to this state? They have never experienced a authentic love relationship with Christ and with other Christ Followers. Someone who is connected with Christ that seeks to please Him and allow Him to take control, will find themselves longing to share that intense experience with other Christians.

Preaching will never be enough.

For the person that claims Christianity, preaching alone will not provide sustaining power or growth. In a big group atmosphere, a person can slide in when the preaching starts, become convicted maybe even cry, then slide back out without anyone saying to them"how can I help or pray for you"? That will never happen in a smaller community of believers such as a lifegroup.

I am of the opinion that LifeSong Church will only continue to grow numerically, if we grow spiritually. There enough churches that give value to the atheistic statement about Christianity, and the only way to turn that tide is to be authentic with the King of Kings, and seek to have authentic relationships with other people that have the same goal of worshiping the King.

Gather, Grow, & Go

Pastor Tim

LifeGroups

As we approach August, I hope that you are anticipating the start of the new year of LifeGroups. If you have never been a part of one, I want to share with you that it has changed my life, and impacted my walk with Christ in major ways. There is no way to quantify the amount love and support that comes from other lifegroup members.

I often wonder how those who claim Christ as Lord in their lives and never develop a transparent and godly relationship with other believers, move toward the goal of running a good race.

LifeGroups is where I have gained Spiritual muscle. The bible studies are meant to challenge us in our walk as Christ followers. I ask that you prayerfully consider your involvement in LifeGroups in our next sign-ups. You may consider being in a group and or offering your home to host a group.

August 23rd we will have online sign-ups posted on the LifeSong website. There you will be able to see who is leading groups, the location of the group meeting, as well as what will be studied. The 1st week of LifeGroups will begin September 13th.

Leader training for new leaders start this week. Keep those leaders as well as the returning leaders in your prayers as we enter this time of preparation.

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

The Pursuit of Man

A.W. Tozer wrote: "We should pick what we read the same way that we pick our friends". Why is that so important? Well, we are influenced by what we read and who we hang out with.

For those of you that don't read much, I suggest that you start and be selective in what you consume. If we are not careful we can develop a manufactured religion with man made doctrine wrapped up in the coat of Christianity.

I have just finished reading "The Pursuit of Man" by Tozer. I would like to share just a small portion:

The subject of a spirit filled life:
Are you sure that you want to be filled with the spirit who, through he is like Jesus in His gentleness and love, will never the less demand to be Lord of your life? Are you willing to let your personality to be taken over by another, even if that other be the Holy Spirit of God Himself? If the spirit takes charge of your life He will expect unquestioning obedience in everything. He will not tolerate you in the self-sins even though they are permitted and excused by most Christians.

By the self-sins I mean self-love, self-pity, self seeking, self-confidence, and self-righteousness. You will find the spirit to be in sharp opposition to the easy ways of the world and of the mixed multitude within the precincts of religion.

He will be jealous over you for good. He will take the direction of your life away from you. He will reserve the right to test you, to discipline you, to chasten you for your souls sake. He may strip you of those borderline pleasures which other Christians enjoy, but which are to you a source of refined evil.

Be Blessed this week!

Gather, Grow, and Go
Pastor Tim

What do you Measure?

I’m preparing for a mountain bike race in May. I have competed in this race in 2005 and 2006. The results of those races are not worth bragging about. 2005 I completed the race in 1 hour and 4 minutes. 2006 my race time was, I hour 5 minutes and 35 seconds. That’s right, it got worse. So what’s the goal? Compete in as many races as possible, or to improve on my previous race times? My goal is to break 60 minutes.

This week I had an opportunity to go to a Chaplaincy luncheon/workshop, at the Sheriff’s Department. The workshop was great. Most of the Chaplains there were also pastors of churches in S.C.

Lunch time was pockets of clamor about how much money these churches give to different Baptist organizations, how many people were in their congregations and so on. I think you get the picture. Then I was asked about LifeSong. As I began to share the vision and passion of being missionaries were we live work and play, the clamor almost stopped and I thought for a moment that I had said something wrong.

I shared many of your stories of how God has changed your lives. I shared how going through the Purple Book together as a church has caused many of you to get excited about reading God’s word. I shared about our time and money that is invested in the community and that most of you are sharing life together through Lifegroups. That’s one Pastor spoke up and asked, “are other congregations talking about you?”

Hybels says, that when you get serious about your walk with God, and that impacts the church, and the church begins to impact the community, that the biggest critics will be other believers, other congregations. Example: Jeff Hickman is crazy about Jesus, and is passionate about reaching the Precious. That sometimes can cause a stir.
LifeSong Partnership is approaching 200 and we are seeing about 300 each week in worship. I don’t give much concern if we have 200 or 2000, but that YOU experience God in a way that you have a career change. Full Time Foot Washer.

So if you ever have the urge to “brag” about LifeSong Church… don’t. Let’s share the love of Jesus Christ and His amazing Love, Forgiveness, and Grace. I don’t want a cup cake to get in the way of improving my mountain bike race time… don’t allow measuring the wrong thing to cause you to lose focus of what God is doing in you and LifeSong Church.

Gather, Grow & Go
Pastor Tim

Korea DMZ

Can you think of a time when you felt “the most” lonely?

The most, loneliest time of my life was the 365 days that I was stationed a few miles from the North and South Korean Border. Separation from the ones you care for the most, creates a crisis in our lives.

What about people who claim Christianity that are lonely? I know that there are numerous reasons why a person finds themselves alone, but what about those of us who are alone and don’t have to be?

My point is, a Christian without a church home or (small group) is like an organ without a body. Can the liver survive without the body, or can the body survive without the liver?

It is an Unnatural state when a Christ follower separates themselves from other Christians.

Ephesians 2:19
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Why do you need a church family?

Identifies you as a believer and moves you out of isolation. John 13:35

Develop spiritual Muscle 2 Corinthians 4:15

The body needs its liver 1 Corinthians 12:7

Share Christ’s mission to the world Ephesians 2:10

Living in the house of loneliness is your choice

Each Christian must take responsibility for his/her own Emotional & Spiritual Health, which includes walking through loneliness.

It may not be your fault how you got there,But it is your fault for staying there.

Ephesians 4:15-16
15God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love--like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. 16He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.

Gather, Grow, & Go

Pastor Tim

Communion

Communion & Spiritual Family

So far Chapter 7 of the Purple Book has proven to be one of my favorites. Specifically Acts 2:42-47 embodies the heart beat of LifeSong Church. Personally being a part of the LifeSong family has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Has it been perfect and without pain? Absolutely not, but to eyewitness Gods movement in my life and in the lives of people who have no hope, but through HIM, has been amazing.

We have been touched by the Savior!!

The Acts 2 Christ followers were involved in biblical teaching, having dinner together, and prayer. They went to the synagogue to worship together. They were more concerned that the needs of people around them were being met. They were more concerned with glorying God than themselves. “Are we there yet”? I don’t think that we will ever be while on this side of Glory, but I know that we must not lose focus and gravitate to “Me Church”!

Chapter 7 Lesson highlights:

Ephesians 4:3 – To KEEP Unity

Ephesians 4:12-13 – A Pastors job and command is to Equip, not to coddle and a
Shepherds job in the 1st century was to make sure the sheep reproduced themselves.

Proverbs 16 - says what about Gossip?

1 Corinthians 11:28 – We should examine ourselves before we take Holy Communion.

Matthew 26:26-29 The Message
26-29During the meal, Jesus took and blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it to his disciples: Take, eat. This is my body. Taking the cup and thanking God, he gave it to them: Drink this, all of you. This is my blood, God's new covenant poured out for many people for the forgiveness of sins."I'll not be drinking wine from this cup again until that new day when I'll drink with you in the kingdom of my Father."

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

What are Spiritual Gifts?

A spiritual gift is an expression of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers which empowers them to
serve the body of Christ, the church.

Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30; Ephesians 4:11; and 1 Peter 4:9-11 contain representative lists of gifts and roles God has given to the church. A definition of these gifts follows.

· Leadership—Leadership aids the body by leading and directing members to accomplish the
goals and purposes of the church. Leadership motivates people to work together in unity
toward common goals (Rom. 12:8).

· Administration—Persons with the gift of administration lead the body by steering others to
remain on task. Administration enables the body to organize according to God-given purposes
and long-term goals (1 Cor. 12:28).

· Teaching—Teaching is instructing members in the truths and doctrines of God’s Word for the
purposes of building up, unifying, and maturing the body (1 Cor. 12:28; Rom. 12:7; Eph. 4:11).

· Knowledge—The gift of knowledge manifests itself in teaching and training in discipleship. It is he God-given ability to learn, know, and explain the precious truths of God’s Word. A word of
knowledge is a Spirit-revealed truth (1 Cor. 12:28).

· Wisdom—Wisdom is the gift that discerns the work of the Holy Spirit in the body and applies
His teachings and actions to the needs of the body (1 Cor. 12:28).

· Prophecy—The gift of prophecy is proclaiming the Word of God boldly. This builds up the
body and leads to conviction of sin. Prophecy manifests itself in preaching and teaching (1
Cor. 12:10; Rom. 12:6).

· Discernment—Discernment aids the body by recognizing the true intentions of those within or related to the body. Discernment tests the message and actions of others for the protection
and well-being of the body (1 Cor. 12:10).

· Exhortation—Possessors of this gift encourage members to be involved in and enthusiastic
about the work of the Lord. Members with this gift are good counselors and motivate others to
service. Exhortation exhibits itself in preaching, teaching, and ministry (Rom. 12:8).

· Shepherding—The gift of shepherding is manifested in persons who look out for the spiritual
welfare of others. Although pastors, like shepherds, do care for members of the church, this
gift is not limited to a pastor or staff member (Eph. 4:11).

· Faith—Faith trusts God to work beyond the human capabilities of the people. Believers with
this gift encourage others to trust in God in the face of apparently insurmountable odds (1 Cor.
12:9).

· Evangelism—God gifts his church with evangelists to lead others to Christ effectively and
enthusiastically. This gift builds up the body by adding new members to its fellowship (Eph.
4:11).

· Apostleship—The church sends apostles from the body to plant churches or be missionaries.
Apostles motivate the body to look beyond its walls in order to carry out the Great Commission
(1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11).

· Service/Helps—Those with the gift of service/helps recognize practical needs in the body and joyfully give assistance to meeting those needs. Christians with this gift do not mind working
behind the scenes (1 Cor. 12:28; Rom. 12:7).

· Mercy—Cheerful acts of compassion characterize those with the gift of mercy. Persons with
this gift aid the body by empathizing with hurting members. They keep the body healthy and
unified by keeping others aware of the needs within the church (Rom. 12:8).

· Giving—Members with the gift of giving give freely and joyfully to the work and mission of the
body. Cheerfulness and liberality are characteristics of individuals with this gift (Rom. 12:8).

· Hospitality—Those with this gift have the ability to make visitors, guests, and strangers feel at ease. They often use their home to entertain guests. Persons with this gift integrate new
members into the body (1 Pet. 4:9).

God has gifted you with an expression of His Holy Spirit to support His vision and mission of the church. It is a worldwide vision to reach all people with the gospel of Christ. As a servant leader, God desires that you know how He has gifted you. This will lead you to where He would have you serve as part of His vision and mission for the church.

If you would like to complete a Spiritual Gift inventory, which is a questionnaire that will help you discover you Spiritual Gift, contact your LifeGroup Leader, or come by my office at church and I can get a copy for you.

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Forgive?

As we approach our 2nd week of the Purple Book, I am moved in my Spirit by two loud truths from God’s word.

God wants us to have a transforming influence on the world around us – not the other way around. (Matthew 5:13-16)

(from page 27) – The quality of our relationships with other believers is a crucial testimony to an unbelieving world. We should be able to forgive not just our friends, but even our enemies. We Must Realize That We Are In A Spiritual Battle, and we must be trained and determined not to allow bitterness and unforgiveness to push us into darkness. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Is there a person or persons on your list of people that you need to forgive or to ask forgiveness from? Don’t let next Sunday come and go before you give the very thing that Christ gave you.

Marriage Conference:
There is a sign up sheet as well as a brochure, at the entrance of the sanctuary for the February 20th & 21st Marriage Conference. Cost is $25 per couple. Sign up OR email Jane Blackwell Jane@lifesongchurchonline.com

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Far from God

This past week as reading and making more notes on the first chapter of the Purple Book, I couldn’t help but to reflect on times in my life when I felt most far from God. Kind of “marking the trail” (Jeremiah 3:21). There have been times when I was way more excited to meet my Bacon & Eggs in the morning, than talking to the God of Peace, the maker of the Universe.

My far from God times in my life seem to have some common elements.
I Loved me more than God.
I Loved me more than my neighbor.
I was more concerned what others thought of me than God.

This past week has been full of potential “Far from God” moments.
1). I nearly ran the BMW paint shop out of Pearl Silver paint,
2). There is some animal (That God created) that is restacking the selves in our basement in the middle of the night, which was causing me to focus on “where is a good nuke when you need one”, and that was killing my early morning time with God.
3). Lynn had an allergic reaction to medicine which brought an ambulance visit to Ridge Road.
4). A conversation that I had with someone, comes back to me with false info of “he said she said”. I always wonder why my phone seems to be silent during those types of gossip… oh yeh, we live in “this present darkness” Ephesians 6

In all of these moments I was able to see God, and to be honest when I look at the past trails that I have been on, I couldn’t see Him because of the distance I had put between me and God.

The rich still got to purchase their Pearl Silver Beamer, the animal found a new residence and I didn’t have to buy a Nuke, Lynn is healed, and I have had multiple God conversations of encouragement with the Lost & Hurting, and have received phone calls of encouragement out of the blue.

I want to encourage you to DO Luke 10:27 and draw close to God. I was inspired by a close friend to read Romans 12 every week in 2009. A new Trail and a new Marker

I desire the prayers of my LifeSong family that I would honor Him with my life.

Gather, Grow, and Go
Pastor Tim

Get Stretched - Do Purple

Do you have questions about bible study? How to do it? Do you struggle moving around in God’s word? Great news for those of you that are in one of our LifeGroups. This week you will embark on a tremendous opportunity.

The Purple Book.


This is a “Blank” book that you will write. The whole book is “fill in the blank”. You will review it weekly in your LifeGroups. After 12 weeks, you would have written the book, which then will serve as a reference book for your Spiritual Library. What’s in the Purple Book? 12 chapters of the basics of Christianity, and it will transform and grow your bible study. Trust me on this one, you will gain confidence, and remove any fear about using and soaking up God’s word.

It will cost you in time about 15 to 20 minutes a day Monday through Friday. So turn off the TiVos & DVRs and “put a stake in the ground” for bible study.

Keep you Purple Book with your Bible everywhere you go. You never know when God will provide you with some unexpected time to do the Book.

If possible we are asking that you give $5 for your book, but regardless if you have the $ or not, do the Purple!

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Is it Murder?

During this Christmas of 2008, there is a lingering thought that is in my mind and I can’t shake it. The Answer to Death. Plain and simple, Christ’s birth. What does it say of us as followers of Christ, when we do not put feet to the prayers that we speak to God on behalf of the precious that do not know him yet. If you have not watched the video on Pastor Jeff Hickman’s blog this week, I would encourage you to do so now.

My Son, Matthew shared this quote with me from Spurgeon:

“If you want to murder a man, you need not stab him: rather just starve him. If you want to destroy a man you need not teach him to drink or swear; just keep back the gospel from him. Be in his company and never say a word for Christ. When you should speak be sinfully silent…Don’t you think that to deny a cup of cold water to a man and let him die of thirst is murder. To deny the gospel, to have no word to say for Jesus- is this not soul-murder?

Romans 10:14-17 (The Message)
“But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That's why Scripture exclaims, a sight to take your breath away! Grand processions of people, telling all the good things of God!”

Game time is over. Its time to answer the questions in Romans Chapter 10

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Coffee Time

I know, its been a while since you have heard from me. No excuses, but it truly has been a very busy few weeks for me.

Ever since my Army days, I look forward to having my daily coffee. Not just the coffee, but it also means a time to slow down and reflect. The past 2 weeks I have had reflecting moments. First one. I’m now hosting our second LifeGroup of the week on Thursday nights. One of the things we do is to share about ourselves to get to know each other. That activity always causes me to reflect on the family life that I had as a child, the experiences that God has brought me through, and my wife. I love to hear her reflect as she shares our early years of marriage with others.

Second one. In preparing for a ministry conference, I had to “look back on the timeline of my life” and list the experiences that made me who I am today. That was a big list. It caused me to look a both Positive and Negative experiences with family, church and work. As I pause with my coffee, I can truly say that I am thankful for all of those Life Mile Markers.

I challenge you to take pen and paper and “timeline” your life, and thank a Holy God for making you who you are today. I will not be easy, because you would be including some uncomfortable times. God will for us is not to be comfortable, but to be moldable. The questions today are:

Who do I have the passion for, to share the Love of God with?

How will I use my experiences to reach the precious?

How can I make a difference in the institutional mindset of “church” to be church?

First century Christians did not call themselves Christian, they called themselves Christ followers, because that was what they were doing. They were identified as Christian, by others, that saw their walk as a follower.

John 20:30-31
30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Adjustments

Nothing can change us more than the Application of scripture. No matter how much we hear the word of God through preaching often times it fails to bear fruit. Why? Scripture was not applied.

James 1:22-24
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

Wouldn’t you be just a little concerned with someone that got up in the morning, looked in the mirror, and walked away without making adjustments? That is exactly what happens when we encounter scripture and walk away without making changes in our lives.

A person, who looks in the mirror and makes no changes, does not understand the purpose of the mirror. The person that routinely listens to God’s word but fails to apply it, will experience self deception and no growth toward Christ.

As a Christ follower you should be making adjustments every time you are encountering God’s word. Wouldn’t be great to look back in the past 12 months and identify distinct areas of your life in which you have changed based on what has been reflected back to you from God’ word? This is another reason you hear me say so much about LifeGroups. LifeGroups are designed for Application.

See you at LifeGroup!

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Sanctification / Justification

Sanctification
Theologian Wayne Grudem defines Sanctification this way:
Sanctification is a progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and more like Christ in our actual lives.

I believe that LifeGroups are an ideal environment for this process to take place. Not all small groups have sanctification in mind as a goal. In fact sometimes small groups can do more harm than good if the group is more of a social time and not focused on it intended purpose which is to fellowship in God’s love, study His word and apply it to our lives, then hold each other up in prayer. “to strengthen each others hand in God”. LifeGroups meet for a purpose, which is sanctification.

Justification
Is an instantaneous legal act of God in which he thinks of our sins as forgiven and Christ’s righteousness as belonging to us, and declares us to be righteous in His sight.

Justification refers to a Christian’s position before God. The moment you were born again, God justified you.

Sanctification refers to our practice before God. It is the ongoing process of battling sin and becoming more like Jesus.

Question:
If someone in your group pointed out what he/she thought was sin in your life, how would you respond?

1. Become offended and internalize it
2. Become offended and express it
3. Dissolve into tears
4. Point out sins in their lives
5. Thank him/he for care and concern

Read Romans 5:1-2
Meditate and be thankful

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

The past few weeks, I have been visiting our LifeGroups during the fellowship time and to share with the groups the direction that we are going. The one thing that seems to be very common with all of our groups is, everyone that comes through the door seems excited about being there. Fellowship is happening.

I feel very strong about this issue of fellowship within our groups. Genuine Fellowship has a way of squashing the “Me Church” mentality, and focuses more on the other person that God has placed in our lives. You are most likely tired of hearing me say this, but I see small groups as a priority for every Christian, and every church. Why? Scripture constantly underscores the centrality of relationships and fellowship.

J.I. Packer says:
“We should not think of our fellowship with other Christians as a spiritual luxury, an optional addition to the exercises of private devotions. Fellowship is one of the great words of the New Testament: it denotes something that is vital to a Christians spiritual health, and central to the Churches true life… The church will flourish and Christians will be strong only when there is fellowship”.

My prayer and goal is to have a place for everyone in LifeGroups. We are not there yet. We still need more homes to meet in and more people to Host the group for bible study.

Further Study:
How ought Christians to relate to one another in order to experience fellowship?
See 1 John 1:7

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Are you experiencing everything you should be?

Communism falls. In Romania there were many orphans who were warehoused in huge orphanages. They were understaffed and were only able to provide for the physical needs of the babies, such as food, and shelter. The babies were very hardly ever picked up and were never cuddled or played with at all. This neglect led to a condition called "failure to thrive syndrome". Whether they were several months old or even years old they still looked and acted like newborn babies. What they were missing was a family, even a surrogate family that would encourage growth through consistent contact.

Christians can have that same "failure to thrive syndrome" in our spiritual lives. Have you seen this Syndrome in any of your family or friends, which you believe to be Christian? I am of the opinion that if Christians that join a church, and don’t get connected in a smaller body of believers, will eventually leave that church and go into isolation.

Once in isolation it is very difficult to convince someone to come out of that lifestyle. Why? It’s a safe place where there is no effort needed for relationships. No one can hurt you therefore you don’t have to worry about forgiving others. If that sounds a little selfish, that’s because it is. Since Jesus defined forgiveness with His life, shouldn’t that thrust us toward relationships with others?

This is why Paul teaches that it is so important to be adopted into a fully functioning body of believers, a small group for instance.

In Ephesians 4:14, Paul says "Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth."

Praise!
There is a very special person in my life that I met in 2003 at my second job - BMW. He is a husband, father, and grandfather. He is also a person that others seem to be drawn to. Why? He is a person of Love. Plain and simple “Love”. He and I have and many conversations concerning Faith, God, and what in means to be a Christ follower. Two weeks ago I had an opportunity to share or answer a few of his questions concerning being a disciple of Christ and having eternal life in heaven. That day, he became more than a special person… he is my brother in Christ!

Praise #2, that weekend, he shared with his wife his good news. They attended church that Sunday, and you guessed it, she became a Christ follower as well. It’s funny how our love and Christ’s love seems to be contagious.

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim