September 21, 2014

"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."  Romans 12:4-8

As an avid sports fan I really appreciate a well executed play.

When a running back blasts through the line of scrimmage and breaks free for a long touchdown run and brings the fans to their feet. It is a spectacular play that makes the running back look like a star. But then the slow motion replay reveals there were several stars involved in the play. The quarterback received a perfect snap from the center and the center flattened the nose guard with a devastating block while the quarterback executed a perfect fake before handing the ball to the running back. At the same time the guard on the left side moved the defensive tackle and the fullback blocked the linebacker to open the hole for the "star" running back. Down field and out of the view of the TV camera a wide receiver threw a block that took out the final tackler to seal the touchdown run.

Perfection!

Every member of the offensive unit had a role to execute and they used their unique set of skills and ran it to perfection. One player carried the ball but the entire team got the score! Oh, the beauty of team sports!

A team needs a good quarterback but a team of eleven quarterbacks on the offense would be a joke. So it would be with eleven centers or eleven guards or eleven ends! It takes eleven players each one skilled at one of the eleven positions to have a chance to win at football.

To take a group of players with various gifts and skills and put them into their positions so they work together is the challenge of the coaching staff. Getting eleven players with differing backgrounds, interests and skills to function as one in the spirit of team work is no small task. It is why successful coaches make the mega salaries.

I can think of something more exciting and beautiful than a perfectly executed touchdown play. That would be a team of believers within a local church who work together within their areas of giftedness develop disciples for Christ!

God, in His great wisdom gave a variety of gifts and talents to every church body. The challenge of the leaders in those churches is to identify the gifts and put those players in the right positions! He has designed the ministry dynamic of the Church so that the variety of gifts and talents and skills will divide the fellowship if they don't depend on the Holy Spirit to unite and anoint those gifts, talents and skills.

One of my mentors, Bill Hybels, in order to answer a call to ministry walked away from a multi-million dollar family business that he had been groomed to lead and eventually inherit. When asked about that choice he expresses no regrets and clearly affirms, "I have the greatest leadership challenge imaginable! I am called to lead the most important organization on the planet and accomplish the most important task in the universe and I get to do it with volunteers!" (BTW - he has built one of the largest and most effective churches in the world in the process)

If you attend a local church, God has led you there to be part of a winning team that can help win the world for Christ. 

Will you discover your spiritual gift? Your pastor can help you!

When you know your gift will you play your position?

September 20, 2014

"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." Hebrews 10:25

I have heard it and so have you.

Perhaps you have said it.

"I don't need to go to church to be a Christian. I can worship on the lake or in the mountains or yada........yada......yada......."

The purpose of this post is to address the absurdity of that notion.

First of all it contradicts the Bible. Since the Bible is the Word of God and God is absolute Holy Truth, then that idea of being a Christian without going to church is a lie.

Second, the idea just doesn't pass the common sense test.

Can you join a sports team and never show up for practice? You won't hear anyone say, "I made the varsity football team but I don't have to go to practice. I'll go practice at the lake."

Can you get hired for a job and never show up for work? You won't hear anyone say, "I like my job but I don't have to show up at work every day. I can do my job on the golf course."

So, you can become a follower of Christ and then neglect attending the very group He refers to as His body - the Church? Does that make sense? Does it make sense that you can claim to love Christ and then neglect the fellowship He died for?

Claiming you can be a Christian and neglect church is the equivalent of RGIII claiming, "I don't need the rest of my team to beat the Philadelphia Eagles. I can handle them by myself."

Would you make the bold claim, "I can defeat the forces of evil by myself"?

Not if you are in your right mind!

How would that work?

Back when I was involved in team sports, I was able to enjoy several championships because I practiced and played with a group of other friends. I couldn't have accomplished it by myself. Not even the star players on the team could have done it alone.

I will never find out if I can do faith alone because I will not even try. Why should I when I can share the journey with some of the best Christ followers on planet Earth? Why should I miss that?

I need Jesus. You need Jesus. We need Jesus together in fellowship and worship and discipleship! The Bible says so, and I have found it to be true.

Don't try to do life and faith alone. Find a fellowship of believers where the Bible is taught and the Spirit is present. Commit yourself to that place and do not forsake meeting with them!

September 19, 2014

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33

I believe one reason for the popularity of team sports is because it's easy for everyone to know where they stand every moment of the game.

Since it is football season let's use a football game to illustrate the point.

A football field is clearly marked with bright white lines so you know when you are on the field and exactly where you are on the field. 

Also, because of the scoreboard you know which quarter you are in, you know how much time is left in that quarter, you will know what down it is, and how long you have to go to get a first down. 

Every coach and every player and every fan can know instantly who is winning and who is losing and how much time is left in the quarter and which quarter of the game. When the final score is reported it will include the scoring by each quarter of the game that led to the final score. In fact, the down and distance is a primary factor in determining which play the offensive and defensive coaches will call.

The yardage markings on the field make it possible to keep statistics for rushing and passing for teams and individual players. 

One second after the game ends everyone knows who won and who lost. One second after the game you know who had a great game and who had a poor game. One second after the game all the coaches, all the players and all the fans know exactly where they stand.

Unfortunately, real life doesn't work that neatly. You may set tight schedules and goals to measure your growth and progress, but you still don't know from minute to minute where you stand in the game.

One second after you die you will know exactly where you stand, but unfortunately it will be too late to make necessary adjustments.

So, what are you supposed to do to make sure you are on the winning team when the clock runs out for you?

Jesus gives the answer quite clearly in His Sermon on the Mount. The message of this teaching is summarized in our text - "Seek to know God everyday and to live His righteousness in every way."

To receive His righteousness you must confess your unrighteousness and turn from your self-righteousness and surrender all attempts to save yourself.

Then you can know by trusting Christ as Savior you have been made righteous. And you can be sure that one second after you die you will be with Him!

September 18, 2014

"Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

Winning teams have a winning attitude that is based on a winning philosophy.

In a shout out to my alma mater, Indiana Wesleyan University, I point to their head basketball coach who recruits his players and molds his teams around the "I Am Third" philosophy.

Coach Greg Tonagel, who owns a 235-75 career record at IWU, and this year guided his Wildcats to the school's first Men's Basketball National Championship (the ladies have two) has done it using the "I Am Third" credo. To reinforce this mindset, Coach Tonagel takes the entire men's basketball team on a Summer mission trip every year to witness for Christ and to learn to love and trust each other.

What is "I Am Third"?

It is a commitment to live by the principles of the Great Commandment, God first, others (team) second and self third. It is submitting to the primary tenant of the Christian faith. It is the core truth that sent Jesus to the cross to make it possible for us to obey.

Granted, it is impossible to improve on a philosophy that originated in the mind of God but it is not easy to pull it off. If it was easy to be third, everyone would be doing it! His teams have managed to accomplish this for each of the nine seasons he has lead the program. As a result he not only produces championship teams but he molds champions for Christ who go out to serve their Lord in their communities and churches.

Doesn't it make sense that a Christian coach at a Christian college should apply Christian principles to develop disciples for Christ?

Doesn't it make more sense for the most important teams (like families and churches) to also operate by the "I Am Third" principle?

Try to image the difference in your home if every family member committed to the "I Am Third" lifestyle.

Try to image the difference at FredWes is every regular attender committed to the "I Am Third" mandate of the Great Commandment.

The IWU Wildcats are part of the proof. So is 2,000 years of Christian faith and witness!

It works every time it is tried!

Give it a try today!

September 17, 2014

"But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”  Luke 13:4-5

Repentance hasn’t gone out of style but it seems that talking about it has. Have you noticed that or is it just me?

John the Baptist talked a lot about it. Jesus did, too.

Why do you suppose people aren’t talking about it much today?

I can’t say for sure, but I can offer some ideas.

Maybe it has to do with a misunderstanding of grace. There are those who are of the opinion that since Jesus died for our sins all we have to do is believe in Him and He forgives us just as we are. Repentance doesn’t fit in that scenario.

Perhaps some think calling people to repentance is too confrontational and may offend people. Political correctness can lead to theological incorrectness and that can be deadly.

To repent is an admission that God is right and you are wrong. That is something the sinful nature doesn't want to do.

I fear, however, the real reason that people have lost the sense of urgency over repentance is because they have lost a sense of urgency about sin. Repentance isn’t that big of a deal if sin isn’t that big of a deal.

In the verse above Jesus mentions two times that if you don’t repent you will perish. I don’t know but that sounds serious to me! Especially when you understand that perish means more than just dying – it means eternal death or spiritual death.

According to Jesus it comes down to two clear choices: either you choose to repent of your sin OR you choose to perish in your sin. Either of those is a big deal! Repenting of your sins and finding eternal life is a big deal. Failing to repent and perishing in your sins is also a big deal.

Repentance is having a godly sorrow over sin and turning away from it. Repentance is turning your back on sin and seeking God's Face. Acts 3:19 says, ^"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,"

I think we ought to talk more about repentance. And we ought to do it! It’s a big deal!

September 16, 2014

"Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself."  Matthew 26:74-27:5

God has a lot of big ideas. I guess that is one reason He's God. And, it is why you're not!

As Christ-followers it is our responsibility to get our minds and hearts around those life-changing concepts and let the mold our spirits.

One of those big ideas that doesn't get much air time anymore is repentance. I have been studying and meditating on it (and doing it) this week for my message on repentance. If you don't understand repentance you won't be able to get many of God's other big ideas.

While I was out walking my dog this morning the Spirit quickened my mind about the difference between repentance and regret. The classic examples are Peter and Judas. Both had regrets but only one repented while the other is still having regrets.

Let's examine this a little closer:

1) Both were disciples of Jesus

2) Both denied Him at critical times

3) Both did it to their own advantage

4) Both realized their mistakes and felt deep regret

5) But Peter humbled himself while Judas hung himself.

BIG difference!

Repentance is all about humility. Regret is often about pride.

Both were proud men, why did they have such different responses to their failures?

Let me offer an idea and you do some searching of your own.

Peter understood who Jesus really was. It was Peter who declared that Jesus was the "Son of the Living God". Jesus commended him for this insight. When you know Who Jesus is then you also know who you are - and aren't.

Judas misunderstood who Jesus really was. He wanted Jesus to set up His Kingdom on earth by overthrowing Roman oppression and restoring Jerusalem. He was basically following Jesus for selfish ambition. Once he realized Jesus wasn't Who he wanted Him to be he looked for another deal.

Because Peter understood Who Jesus was, he wanted to save faith after he had failed.

Because Judas didn't know Who Jesus was, he wanted to save face after his failure.

Repentance is the response of someone who really gets the big idea of who Jesus is! Living in remorse and surrendering to regret isn't.

I guess the question this morning is, "Will you be Peter or will you be Judas?"

September 15, 2014

"Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”  Luke 13:1-5

I want you to imagine a scenario that you may be all to familiar with and one we all dread. Having not felt well for awhile you finally go to the doctor for a physical exam. Your doctor finds some things that concern him so he sets you up with an appointment with a specialist. As you leave your Drs. office you are anxious because he seemed so concerned.

You see the specialist and he runs several tests. Upon getting the results he sits you down and explains to you that they have found a cancerous tumor and it has to be removed as soon as possible. He seems pretty confident that if you will have surgery you should have a high probability of beating the cancer. His recommendation is to have it done as soon as you can.

God forbid that should happen, but if you were faced with that decision I am sure you would want that cancer taken out - all of it. I doubt if you would tell the surgeon to take most of it but leave a little of it in there.

And yet we often take that attitude toward sin.

We are like the shoplifter who got saved and wrote to a department store, "I've become a Christian and I can't sleep at night because I feel guilty, so here is $100 I owe you."

Then he signed his name and in a little postscript at the bottom he adds, "If I still can't sleep, I'll send you the rest!"

Repentance is to sin what surgery is to cancer. And sin is like a cancer because it can kill you and like cancer you need to get it all out. When you repent you turn from sin - every known sin in your life - and turn to God. It is a spiritual and moral u-turn! It doesn't work to repent of some sins while holding on to a few. You can't flirt around with sin. You can have in for a pet. It will destroy you if you don't repent of it.

Jesus gave this choice - Repent OR Perish! If you want to perish don't bother to repent. But if you don't want to repent then you will perish.

Wabush, a town in a remote portion of Labrador, Canada,was completely isolated  years.  But recently a road was cut through the wilderness to reach it. Wabush now has one road leading into it, and thus, only one road leading out. If someone would travel the unpaved  road for six to eight hours to get into Wabush, there is only one way that person could get out of town - by turning around and going back the other way.

Everyone of us, by birth, arrives in a town called Sin. As in Wabush, there is only one way out - a road built by God himself. But in order to take that road, one must first turn around.and that complete about face is what the Bible call repentance and without it there is no way out of town - no way out of sin.

Jesus says to you as He did to these men, "Repent or perish."