October 1, 2013

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

The year was 1995, the date was October 15, and the scene was the United Center arena on Chicago's west-side. What normally serves as home for the Chicago Bulls and Black Hawks, housed an overflow crowd of 20,000 plus as the Willow Creek Community Church gathered to celebrate their 20th anniversary as a church.

It was an inspiring evening of music and worship and testimonies. But the highlight of the event happened when all the lights were shut off across the arena and it was pitch dark. Shortly after the darkness settled across the vast room, these instructions came over the PA system, "If you have come to know Jesus as your Savior during this past twenty years in Willow Creek, please switch on the pen light you were handed when you came into the arena this evening."

One by one across that darkened arena points of light began to appear until glow of 20,000 pen lights pierce the darkness and illuminated the room! For a moment a holy hush fell over the arena as the significance of the light dawned on them! But then a thunderous roar arose and resounded across the room in celebration of lives transformed forever by the grace of God!

I get a chill down my spine as I ponder on what that moment must have been like!

That's evidence of a great church! A church that is great in its passion to reach lost people! A church that teaches its people how to shine their lights in a dark world.

It has been nearly 20 years since that momentous event and 20,000+ more have been reached by this ministry! 

Are you a follower of Christ?

Then you have a light! That light must shine brightly in a dark world! Let's each one reach one this year!

Through the month of October I will be sharing from a book entitled "Just Walk Across the Room" authored by the pastor of this Chicagoland church. In this book he shares the simple steps they teach and use to win people out of spiritual darkness into the light of salvation!

Let's light up this town!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

September 30, 2013

"The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" Matthew 8:27

Fundamental life changes can happen in a moment, can't they?

It only takes a second to utter, "I do!", but it alters your life forever!

The second they hand you that newborn baby, there is an immediate transformation that happens within you!

In the moment it takes a doctor.to announce, "I'm sorry, he's gone" your life radically changes.

Such was the dramatic change that happened in the hearts and minds of the disciples when they witnessed Jesus stop the storm and still the sea with a simple sentence. They suddenly  saw Him  in a whole new light. In  a moment they went from being fearful to fearing God.

"Wait a minute, Brad! That sounds like a contradiction!"

My answer to you is, "There is fear (being afraid for your life) and there is fearing God (having a deep reverent awareness of His holiness and power)." The disciples changed from one to the other in a matter of moments!

Mark and Luke give a better insight to that in their account of the incident- Mark says, "they feared exceedingly"; and Luke, "they being afraid, wondered": they were filled with astonishment and fear, or reverence: there was such a shine of majesty, such a lustre of divine power appeared in this affair.

Want to live fearlessly? Fear God!

Consider these verse verses:

Job 28:28 "And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.'"

Isaiah 11:2-3 "And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD."

Jeremiah 5:22 "Should you not fear me?" declares the Lord. "Should you not tremble in my presence?"

Hebrews 7:11 -"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."

As you walk with God today, will you ask Him for a fresh glimpse of His power and majesty so He can fill you with a holy fear of Him so you will fear nothing else!

September 29, 2013

"And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Hebrews 9:10-14

The value of anything is a function of its demand and its availability.

Also, value is determined by the price someone is willing to pay.

This is why redemption is such a highly prized commodity. Everyone would love a second chance in life but those are hard to come by. In fact, it was impossible to have a second chance until Jesus purchased it through the shedding of His blood upon the cross of Calvary. On that cross He bought back in blood what Adam had lost by his sinful rebellion against God.

Adam sold us out when he disobeyed God in Eden. God had created him especially to tend the garden and produce food to meet the needs of his family. When he allowed himself to be deceived by Satan he surrendered the power and authority given him by God. Jesus, born sinless and living without sin, He became the sacrifice for our sins to settle the debt for those sins.

Being redeemed means you have been bought back out of slavery and into God's glorious freedom. Through the shed blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God, God paid the price to ransom you from slavery to sin and death and hell. As the song declares, "He paid a debt He didn't owe to release you from a debt you couldn't pay".

When God redeemed you from slavery He didn't take you as a slave but He adopted you as a child! As a child of God you are a joint-heir of all the riches and all the authority that belonged to Jesus. So, redemption means you were set free - you were bought back from abject poverty and absolute slavery into glorious freedom as God's child! You have gone from having nothing to having everything!

"Redemption" is a term of endearment! Now you understand why?!

September 28, 2013

"When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”  So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly." Luke 19:5-6

While there is not much that is typical about Jesus, this encounter with Zacchaeus was typical of the way Jesus lead people to faith. He met them where they were, engaged them in a conversation, turned the conversation to spiritual issues and then called them to salvation.

Here it was Zacchaeus.

The last few days we talked about the man on the mat lowered through the roof by friends.

Then there was Nicodemus the religious leader who came to Jesus under the cover of darkness.

Don't forget the Rich Young Ruler who came to Jesus hopeful but went away sad.

And, there was the Samaritan woman who Jesus met by the well, changed her life and then she later saved her city.

You would think that someone like Jesus would have concentrated on throngs of people and attempt to convert them by the thousands at large campaign type rallies. But he didn't! He tended to meet people and convert them one-on-one.

Maybe if Jesus had held large tent revivals all across the country with the lute player and the most accomplished harpist to provide musical support, maybe He would have left behind more that just 120 followers.

What was He thinking?

Perhaps He was thinking about the value of each individual person He encountered.

As it turns out, Jesus picked some winners!

The Samaritan woman was so changed after she converted that most of her town!

Nicodemus later used  his influence to protect Jesus when He was being grilled by the Pharisees.

Why do you think Jesus did evangelism one-on-one rather than in multitudes?

Your guess is as good as mine but I am thinking it may have been that way because salvation is a personal and individual decision. If people did get saved in a large gathering it still had to happen individually and one at a time.

The world changes one conversion at a time. Never underestimate the importance of your witness! Don't lose sight of the power of your influence through friendship. Learn to leverage your friendships into evangelism opportunities and we can change our world!

September 27, 2013

"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'" Luke 16:22-24

The drama continues but the scene changes as well as the scenery. Both the rich man and the beggar have died, their locations have changed and their roles have reversed.

From this insightful story we learn a significant fact about our eventual destiny: Existence Is Eternal

When the beggar died he was carried by an angel into heaven. In this version of the story it was Abraham who was the central figure in heaven. I'm sure Jesus told the story this way because he was telling it to people devoted to Judaism and they revered Abraham. Also, this is prior to His own sacrificial death and resurrection which was an absolute game changer.

Later, the wealthy man passed and the news is not so good for him. He found himself in hell, still alive but extremely tormented. To add to his torment was the fact that he could look up into heaven and see what he had missed.

We believe that the Bible teaches that each of us exist for eternity. From the moment we are conceived and life begins we become eternal beings. The only question is where we will exist. 

And that is a HUGELY important question.

The nine months we spend in the womb is short compared to the length of our life after we are born. But what happens in that period is extremely important to how life happens after our birth.

In the same way, our earthly life is very short when compared to eternity, but the choices and commitments we make during that life-span is vital to where we will spend eternity.

This story that Jesus told tells us that existence is eternal. The fact that you exist is evidence that you are eternal.

Where will you spend your eternity? Will you live happily ever after?

September 26, 2013

"Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.  When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:2-4

This is just a great story in every way!

I want to focus on another aspect of the story. I want to call your attention to the four men who brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus!

Are you concerned about bringing your friends to Jesus? 

These men show how to do it!

Bringing your friend to Jesus takes a concern. These four cared enough about their needy neighbor that they came up with a plan to carry him to Jesus!

How can you say you are concerned about a friend if you don't have a plan for getting him to Jesus?

Bringing you friend to Jesus takes a conviction. These men had a strong belief that their paralyzed neighbor needed to be saved and healed. They also had a firm belief that Jesus could heal their friend if they could somehow take him to Jesus. Their conviction was demonstrated by their actions.

Do you have a friend or family member who needs to be saved? Do have a strong conviction that unless they are touched by Jesus they will perish eternally? Are you ready to act on that conviction?

Bringing your friend to Jesus takes commitment. These men had to take time and effort to get their friend's bed carried to the house where Jesus was speaking. After they carried this friend on his bed all the way across town their commitment was challenged when they discovered there was no way to get through the crowd and into the house. What now? Should they give up and go back home? No! They were committed enough to carry their need friend up the back steps and onto the roof, then tear a hole in the roof and then carefully lower the bed down into the house.

Do you have a friend or a family member who needs Jesus? How committed are you to carrying him to Jesus?

Bringing your friend to Jesus may take cooperation. These men obviously all cared about the spiritual and physical welfare of their neighbor. Each of them wanted to see their friend meet Jesus. But due to his situation and circumstances none of them could get their neighbor to Jesus by themselves. To get his man to the Savior was going to require the cooperation of all four. Because they were willing to work together their friend was healed and saved by Jesus!

Christians are not called to be lone rangers. We need each other's talents, gifts, support and encouragement. By cooperating in worship, giving, prayer and serving we can get more people to Jesus than any of us can working alone!

In part, this is what this Sunday's Pigskin & Pig-picking event is about!

Getting people to Jesus is the calling that God has given to His followers. It is the Great Commission not the good idea or the best option!

Be inspired by the example of these four men who had enough concern, enough conviction, enough commitment and enough cooperation to get their neighbor to Jesus. 

Be inspired enough to follow that example!

September 25, 2013

"A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why  does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 1:1-12

Sunday at FredWes we are having a "Pigskin & Pig-Pickin' Party!"

Why would we do such a thing?

We are doing it in the same spirit of the four friends who carried their friends to Jesus!

We are having a "Pigskin & Pig-Pickin' Party" as a way of bringing our friends to Jesus! We will use something they are familiar with and love - football - to introduce them to Someone we are familiar with and love - Jesus! And we  don't apologize for that!

The "Pigskin & Pig-Pickin' Party" is about faith, fellowship, food and fun! It is a way of tearing holes in some roofs that may have kept some people from getting to Jesus before.

One of the roofs that has kept people from getting to Jesus is the roof of tradition. You may be familiar with the seven last words of the church - "we never done it that way before".

I am going out on a limb to suggest that these four men had never ripped open a roof before. But they did that day!

These weren't destructive men they were determined men desperate to get their friend to Jesus!

Another roof that has kept people from getting to Jesus is the roof of fear. There is the fear of criticism, "What if people get angry at me for ripping up the roof?" There is the fear of rejection, "What if people don't like me for ruining the roof?" There is the fear of failure, "What if he is too heavy for  us to get up to the roof?" "What if the roof is too hard to rip open?" Or, there is fear of involvement, "What if they make me pay to get the roof fixed?" 

A very common roof is the the roof of indifference. "What lame man?"  "What roof?" "What difference does it make?"

So, we are having a "Pigskin & Pig-Pickin' Party" - a roof ripping, friend carrying, Jesus finding and life-changing day!

Let's raise the roof!

September 24, 2013

"A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 1:1-12

What a great story!

This is one of my favorite stories in the Gospel because of what happened, how it happened and why it happened!

Four guys had a friend who was lame. Lame means he lacked the strength in his legs to stand up and walk. That is a terrible way to have to live. He was essentially helpless.

What could be worse than that?

He was soon to find out!

Word spread into his village that the Healer was coming - that man named, Jesus, from Galilee! If only he could get to Jesus there would be a chance that he might get healed! But how could he get there when he couldn't walk?

He would be so close to a miracle, yet so far away!

Meanwhile, down the block, four of his friends were excited about seeing and hearing this Nazarene rabbi. As they were making their plans to head across town to the house where He would be teaching, the idea dawned on one of them. "Hey", he said, " Why don't we swing past Sam's house and carry him over to see this Jesus. If he can get to Jesus maybe he can get healed!

It seemed like such an obvious solution to a burdensome problem! It was a no-brainer! "Let's do it!", they unanimously decided!

So they did!

The each picked up a corner of the mat he laid upon and carried him in the direction of Jesus! 

In their excitement they made very good time getting across town to where Jesus was! But, once they got there they discovered that they were on the outside looking in! Literally!

How disappointing was that? 

Now what?

In a rush of the sort of creativity that can only be inspired by desperation, the idea came! What if they were to climb up to the top of the house, tear open the roof and then lower their buddy right down in front of Jesus. Jesus would have to do something then!

Well, they did tear a hole in the roof, and they did lower him down, and their friend not only got healed - he got saved, too!

Mission accomplished! And then some!

Wow! They were so sure of their faith in Jesus and so desperate to see their friend healed, they refused to allow anything to come between them!

I am inspired by this story! I find it admirable that these friends where so committed to getting their friend to Jesus they refused to let anything stop them!

I am impressed by this story because of their creative way of removing an obstacle that stood between them and Jesus!

But mostly, I am convicted by this story because I don't I have been that determined to bring my friends to Jesus.

I need to repent and have a change of heart.

How about you?

September 23, 2013

"I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'" Luke 15:19

When the foolish young son took the money and ran, he left home sick of son-ship and tired of having to live by his dad's rules. He was ready to be large and in charge.

Each of us have a little of the younger son in us. We don't want to conform, we don't want to cooperate, we want to control! We think, just as he did, "When I run the show, life will get a whole bunch better!"

So when we read this little parable we are not just reading about him we are also reading about us! How did Jesus know that? I wonder.

Well, let's see how this First Century version of hope and change worked out for the kid. You know the story. When the money ran out so did the friends, the fun and the freedom. Now he was destitute, desperate and despising life. He went from being a partner in the family enterprise to being a pig feeder for a stranger. He discovered the huge difference between son-ship and slavery. Suddenly, son-ship was looking good. In a matter of weeks he had gone from living in luxury surrounded by the lavish love of his father to hustling the hogs for some husks.

How could he have been so wrong? Why couldn't he see that he had been surrounded by love and yet unable to experience that love? His selfish desire for power kept him from receiving the love of the father.

But that was then and this is now. Now he was headed home smelling like a hog and hungry as a horse. Once hoping to be a big shot, now he was hoping to catch a break. If he was going to be a slave he may as well see if he can hire on with his dad.

He left home feeling smug, now he was heading home feeling small. If he could just catch on as a servant for his father his life would get better and his future would be more certain.

Here's the point in this episode. Selfish pride keeps you and me from receiving the lavish love of the father. BUT, when we return to the father with the heart of a servant things change. There is room for love in a servant's heart.

How about your heart? Are you enjoying the lavish love of your Father? If not, are their some pride issues? Some control issues? Don't live another day outside of the lavish love of God.

September 22, 2013

"I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you." Luke 15:18

The lost son had lost his appetite for the pleasures of the world. He had run out of money and out of luck and out of friends. He was fighting hogs for husks and still coming up hungry.

Desperate for a better option, he made a life-changing decision. He chose to get out of the pigpen and head home to the ranch. If he was going to fight with pigs for food, he may as well be fighting his father's pigs. He remembered how well his father took care of his pigs and he knew he would be better off there.

But, he could not be sure that his father would hire him back? After all, it was his idea to leave and he had blown a share of his father's fortune. Why should his father want him back?

On the long trip back, growing faint from hunger, he began to examine his plight. It is funny how clearly we can think when we are hungry and desperate. Now that his dream was shattered and his tummy was empty it was obvious to him how foolish he had been. He was hit by an attack of honesty, "I will confess my sin to my father and fall on his mercy," he thought. It was worth a try. It was his only hope.

All the way down the dusty road he rehearsed his confession and with each repetition he became more honest. And as he faced the truth about himself and his foolishness, his attitude began to change. He was ready to receive whatever the father would choose for him.

"If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9

The word "confess" in the original language means "to agree with God". What can be more honest than agreeing with the father. When we get agreeable with God, God gets generous with us.

What was it that allowed the lost son to receive the lavish love of the father when the other son did not? It had to do with his hunger and it had to do with his honesty.

Are you hungry for God today?

Are you in agreement with Him about your need?

September 21, 2013

"Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned." James 5:12

I find it interesting that when a witness is sworn in by the court to testify he promises to "tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth."

Hold that thought as you take a look at our text this morning. Let's first take a look at this oath and then take a look at this verse and see how they intersect.

First, take a look at the oath. Does the oath imply that it is possible to tell a partial truth? It almost sounds like it. We know better. There is no other truth but the whole truth!

Second, by taking this truth are you conceding that you are normally a liar? It almost sounds like that. To me it sounds like when you take that oath you are in effect, saying "I normally lie but this time I am going to tell the truth."

How much confidence does that inspire?

Third, if you can choose to tell the truth sometimes then why would you not tell the truth all the time?

If you appreciate the irony of this then you can understand the point that James is making in verse 12. Remember, too, that he is giving counsel and advice to Christians. That being true you would wonder why he has to tell them not to lie.

What are we called to do within a local church?

Right, we are to love each other.

What is important to being able to love each other?

Trust?

Right!

Respect?

Correct!

Trust and respect are foundations upon which love is built. You will find it hard to love someone you can't trust or respect. That is one reason why truth telling is essential to a healthy church. 

Who wants to be part of a fellowship where you can't trust one another?

Me neither.

So, the purpose of a legal trial in a court room is to arrive at the truth via evidence and the testimony of witnesses. Understanding that, how many lies would it take to subvert that process? Not many! Maybe one!?

The purpose of the church is to proclaim the truth through the evidence of honest living and truth telling. How many dishonest people does it take to negatively impact the testimony of a church? 

Not many! Maybe one.

In a court room, a false testimony could cost the life of a defendant.

In the church fellowship distorting the truth could cost an eternal soul.

When you made the decision to become a Christ-follower you committed to become a truth-teller. As a Christian you are in a personal faith relationship with Jesus - The Truth. So how can you walk in faith and not live in truth. You don't need an oath you need obedience. Seek the truth and speak the truth.

Will you walk in truth today?

September 20, 2013

"For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us." II Corinthians 8:3-5

Over the past two posts I have detailed two approaches to giving like the Corinthians did, beyond your ability. I talked about the Faith-Promise approach and I talked about the Self-Denial approach. I recommend them both. I do both.

What went without saying probably needs to be said is that these two approaches need to be practiced in addition to tithing. Faith-Promise is recommended but optional. Self-Denial is also optional. Tithing is required by Scripture. 

This is why I refer to this approach as "3-D Giving" - it is giving in three different ways.

In addition to a 3-D approach to giving there is also a 3-D attitude that is expressed in these verses. I want to challenge you with those attitudes.

I GIVE MYSELF TO GOD – “They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.”

What God desires the most from you is your love and your loyalty. If He has your heart He will get your checkbook. Give yourself to God as your Sovereign and Christ as your Savior.

When God meets the deepest need in your life He brings a spiritual transformation within you. Because of that fundamental change that happens you will become concerned about the needs of others and more generous toward them.

GOD GIVES HIS STUFF TO ME - “For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.

When you get to know God in a personal way He adds a whole new dimension to your life! That dimension is the dimension of faith. With that faith you begin to trust God to supply your needs and to use you to provide the needs of others!

Once you know God by faith, you have access to all of His resources plus you have possession of His goodness and generosity.

I SHARE GOD’S STUFF WITH OTHERS – “Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.”

When you get God's nature giving becomes second nature for you!

The 3-D attitude of a giver gives himself to God as Savior, then acknowledges God as his source and then sees himself as a steward of God's blessings! When these three things happen life takes on a new dimension!

Are you a 3-D giver?