This was one of the most exciting Sundays we have had in my brief time as pastor at Mt. Tabor. We had two new families join the church - Don and Sue Coffey and Norm and Terri Sharbaugh. The church was very excited about the additions. We had 197 in attendance and I enjoyed preaching on Heaven from Revelation 21.
On Sunday evening, we had an ordination service for our three new deacons: Dave Starkey, Mark Powers, and Scott Ludlow. Each of the men shared their personal testimony of salvation, and I did a little Bible study with the church on the subject of "Laying on of Hands" and how that was used in Scripture for church leaders. The current deacons: Steve Hine and Russ Dulin seem to be relieved to have some more men join the group.
Following the service, we had a reception for the deacons and a good number of folks showed up for cake and punch.
This week, we will be making preparations for the Missions's Conference that starts Sunday and goes through Wednesday. I am praying that God would enlarge our church's vision for missions.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Handling Conflict in Relationships
Are you dealing with some form of conflict in any of your personal relationships: marriage, children, parents, co-workers? It is likely that you are in conflict in some form or another, because conflict is inevitable in any relationship. James 4:1-10 gives us practical advice on how to deal with conflict that arises.
From whence [come] wars and fightings among you? [come they] not hence, [even] of your lusts that war in your members?
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts.
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and [your] joy to heaviness.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
God wants us to have good, healthy relationships, but Satan is out to destroy all of our relationships, because he knows if he does that, he can rob us of our joy and take away our accountability. Satan wants us to isolate ourselves from other believers.
Pride is a major cause of conflict in relationships. God resists the proud; this means God will not help you when you are proud. Pride keeps you from admitting wrong and keeps you from praying for wisdom to know how to resolve the conflict.
God gives us four steps to deal with conflict here.
First, we are to submit to God. "Submit yourselves therefore to God." This means that we let our will be lost in God's will. We stop fighting against God and accept the things he allows in our lives. Die to self; realize one cannot be filled with self and with the Spirit of God at the same time. An exchange must take place: his will for yours. Most human relationship conflicts are a result of an inner unrest attributed to not accepting God's will for your life.
Secondly, we are to resist the Devil. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." To "resist" means to be prepared for his tactics and withstand him. We need to wise up to Satan and realize it is his goal to destroy our relationships. The thoughts he puts into our minds about our loved ones are never true. The ideas he plants need to be ignored. Renew your mind daily in God's Word so you are prepared when Satan attacks your mind. Then, he will run and find someone who is not prepared for him.
Thirdly, we are to get close to God. "Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you." How do we get close to God? The answer is spending more time with Him. We must increase our time in prayer, in His Word, and in His House. We should pray every day before our quiet time and before every church service, "Lord bring me closer to you." Then, as we get closer to God, He gets closer to us. I have found that I am easier to get along with and it is easier for me to get along with others, when I have spent quality time with the Lord.
Fourthly, we are to be willing to ask forgiveness. "Cleanse your hands ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double minded." The hands speak of the things we do, while the heart speaks of our attitudes. We must confess both sins of action and attitude to God first and make things right with Him. We are to be truly sorry for our sin, not flippant about it. James says, "Be afflicted and mourn...." That is brokenness over sin. Then, once we have made things right with God, we should go to the people we have hurt, humble ourselves, and ask forgiveness. Don't let stubborn pride keep you from admitting your part of the wrong, even if you consider yourself to only be 10% wrong. Take care of your part and turn God loose to deal with the other person.
Do not allow conflict to go on, whether it is in your marriage or with someone in your local church. Humble yourself and apologize for your part in the conflict. Pray for God's help to display kindness to the one who has offended you. God will give you the grace to do it as you humble yourself and eliminate your stubbornness. Is it really worth it to hold on to your pride and lose that relationship as well as God's blessings in your life?
From whence [come] wars and fightings among you? [come they] not hence, [even] of your lusts that war in your members?
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts.
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and [your] joy to heaviness.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
God wants us to have good, healthy relationships, but Satan is out to destroy all of our relationships, because he knows if he does that, he can rob us of our joy and take away our accountability. Satan wants us to isolate ourselves from other believers.
Pride is a major cause of conflict in relationships. God resists the proud; this means God will not help you when you are proud. Pride keeps you from admitting wrong and keeps you from praying for wisdom to know how to resolve the conflict.
God gives us four steps to deal with conflict here.
First, we are to submit to God. "Submit yourselves therefore to God." This means that we let our will be lost in God's will. We stop fighting against God and accept the things he allows in our lives. Die to self; realize one cannot be filled with self and with the Spirit of God at the same time. An exchange must take place: his will for yours. Most human relationship conflicts are a result of an inner unrest attributed to not accepting God's will for your life.
Secondly, we are to resist the Devil. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." To "resist" means to be prepared for his tactics and withstand him. We need to wise up to Satan and realize it is his goal to destroy our relationships. The thoughts he puts into our minds about our loved ones are never true. The ideas he plants need to be ignored. Renew your mind daily in God's Word so you are prepared when Satan attacks your mind. Then, he will run and find someone who is not prepared for him.
Thirdly, we are to get close to God. "Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you." How do we get close to God? The answer is spending more time with Him. We must increase our time in prayer, in His Word, and in His House. We should pray every day before our quiet time and before every church service, "Lord bring me closer to you." Then, as we get closer to God, He gets closer to us. I have found that I am easier to get along with and it is easier for me to get along with others, when I have spent quality time with the Lord.
Fourthly, we are to be willing to ask forgiveness. "Cleanse your hands ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double minded." The hands speak of the things we do, while the heart speaks of our attitudes. We must confess both sins of action and attitude to God first and make things right with Him. We are to be truly sorry for our sin, not flippant about it. James says, "Be afflicted and mourn...." That is brokenness over sin. Then, once we have made things right with God, we should go to the people we have hurt, humble ourselves, and ask forgiveness. Don't let stubborn pride keep you from admitting your part of the wrong, even if you consider yourself to only be 10% wrong. Take care of your part and turn God loose to deal with the other person.
Do not allow conflict to go on, whether it is in your marriage or with someone in your local church. Humble yourself and apologize for your part in the conflict. Pray for God's help to display kindness to the one who has offended you. God will give you the grace to do it as you humble yourself and eliminate your stubbornness. Is it really worth it to hold on to your pride and lose that relationship as well as God's blessings in your life?
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Recap - Sunday, September 12, 2010
Sunday was a beautiful, sunny day in Indy. The auditorium was fuller than usual with 196 in attendance and many visitors. It was a joy to preach from Luke 10 on "It's Harvest Time." It seemed as if God gave liberty and challenged our church to be laborers in His harvest.
On Sunday evening, I taught on the requirements and roles of deacons. Our church voted unanimously to elect three new deacons - David Starkey, Mark Powers, and Scott Ludlow. I am very thankful for these three men and their wives being willing to serve our church in this capacity. They are true servants of God! We will now have five deacons on the board. This coming Sunday evening, we will have an installation service for them, laying on of hands, and a reception for them in the Fellowship Center after the service.
Our church has been fervently praying for Randy Adkins, who has been in critical condition for several days at St. Vincent's Hospital. Praise God, he has made a turnaround and may be admitted to a regular room soon. What a mighty God we serve!
Our ladies are getting ready for their retreat this weekend in Edinburg. They are leaving Friday afternoon and returning on Saturday evening. It promises to be a physically and spiritually refreshing time for them, as Mrs. Patty Albert will be the special speaker. I think there are about 25 women attending.
We are making final preparations this week for our Missions Conference that takes place September 26-29. We are praying diligently for this meeting and expecting God to meet with us and challenge us for the cause of world evangelism.
Wednesday evening, I will continue our Bible study on the book of James. We will be in James 4:1-10 and will be looking at "How to Avoid Arguments". I think that is something all of us need help with!
On Sunday evening, I taught on the requirements and roles of deacons. Our church voted unanimously to elect three new deacons - David Starkey, Mark Powers, and Scott Ludlow. I am very thankful for these three men and their wives being willing to serve our church in this capacity. They are true servants of God! We will now have five deacons on the board. This coming Sunday evening, we will have an installation service for them, laying on of hands, and a reception for them in the Fellowship Center after the service.
Our church has been fervently praying for Randy Adkins, who has been in critical condition for several days at St. Vincent's Hospital. Praise God, he has made a turnaround and may be admitted to a regular room soon. What a mighty God we serve!
Our ladies are getting ready for their retreat this weekend in Edinburg. They are leaving Friday afternoon and returning on Saturday evening. It promises to be a physically and spiritually refreshing time for them, as Mrs. Patty Albert will be the special speaker. I think there are about 25 women attending.
We are making final preparations this week for our Missions Conference that takes place September 26-29. We are praying diligently for this meeting and expecting God to meet with us and challenge us for the cause of world evangelism.
Wednesday evening, I will continue our Bible study on the book of James. We will be in James 4:1-10 and will be looking at "How to Avoid Arguments". I think that is something all of us need help with!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Every Believer's Role in World Evangelism
Every Believer's Role in World Evangelism
The closer we get to the heart of God, the more missionary we become. That is because the heartbeat of God is missions. If a church is not involved in missions, it cannot rightly be called a church; it is nothing more than a religious social club if it is not involved in spreading the Gospel around the world. God only had one Son, and He made Him a missionary, and therefore, all of us as His disciples are to be missionaries by witnessing and sharing our faith with those in our circle of influence. God may want you to be a missionary in Africa or to be a missionary on your job, in your neighborhood, or in your school.
Every Christian in the local church should win souls, and every Christian can win souls. But, we must be willing to be a witness. Knowing that we should is one thing, but doing it is another. Satan wants you to think it is harder than it is. Just witness. Just give a tract. Just invite someone to church. Just tell someone about the difference Christ has made in your life. Certain people will either spend eternity in Heaven or in Hell as a result of our obedience to Christ to witness. Don’t be intimidated by people of social status and don’t fail to witness to someone because they look different than you. Realize people are more receptive to the Gospel than Satan wants us to believe.
The church at Antioch in Acts 13 became the first church to send out missionaries. It has become a model of what a local church should be – passionately devoted to world missions. Every local church should follow the example of Antioch as they passionately pursue closure to the Great Commission. Jesus said in Matthew 9:37, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few." That means there is great potential in missions; there is a great big world of people who have never heard the Gospel and way of salvation.
The harvest was plenteous - that is the potential. But he also said, "The laborers are few." That is the problem. I imagine Paul and Barnabas were fasting and praying for laborers to go into the harvest field, and when no one else went, God called them to leave Antioch and go. When you begin to pray fervently for God to send laborers, He may send you. There are other problems associated with missions, such as global economy changes, governmental intervention, cults, health care, and language barriers. We should be interceding for our missionaries as they deal with these issues.
There is a great price to pay if we are going to fulfill the Great Commission. It costs a great deal to send the Gospel around the world. For some, it costs people leaving their friends and family and moving to another location. It costs many months of deputation, raising funds. It costs laypeople doing without some of life's luxuries, and in some cases, people truly making sacrifices to fund the spread of the Gospel. It may cost you getting out of your comfort zone to speak to someone about Christ or invite them to church. Whatever it may cost you, the cost doesn’t compare to the price Jesus paid when He gave His life on Calvary!
What could you do to either begin making an impact or increase your impact as a part of God’s plan for world evangelism?
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