August 13, 2017

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate." Luke 15:22-24

Some might be tempted to wonder, "Why would you give up church for a Sunday to have a meal in the park?"

It may surprise you that eating together as believers is just as Biblical as worshiping together! Often the two activities happen together! Both are powerful parts of a healthy and growing fellowship.

Actually, we will do both tomorrow!

But the tone of the church is to be one of celebration and joy! That tone should permeate both the worship and the fellowship.

Last Sunday it certainly did at FredWes! There was joy in the sanctuary! And it happened for the same reasons as in the Parable above! Lost sons had come home!

I believe that will carry over as we gather today under the pavilion in the park! I pray that becomes the norm at FredWes no matter where we meet! That is our heritage and our DNA!

As we learn the five healthy habits and they actually become habits we learn to live out we will "love people to LIFE" and regularly have reason to celebrate!

Worship is more a function of who we are than where we are. God shows up anywhere and everywhere His people are prepared to meet with Him!

As we are reminded of the spiritual impact of eating together why not make a commitment to cultivate the habit of eating together with at least three people every week for the purpose of evangelism and fellowship.

Let's come prepared to MEET for worship and then EAT for worship!

Let's not just label it a Summer Sunday Celebration let's make it one!

August 12, 2017

"Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 7:44-48

Jesus and I have at least one thing in common. We have both led people to a personal faith decision over a meal.

Meeting for a meal to discuss faith is an effective way to share your faith in Christ. It was a common strategy for Him. It needs to be more common for me.

You ought to try it some time if you haven't yet. 

Meeting over a meal gives you common ground with anyone because everyone eats. People generally arrive for a meal in a good mood and conversation is easier than usual.

Nearly all important meetings happen over a meal. Sales meetings often involve a dinner. Interviews often happen over a meal. Staff meetings can happen during a lunch. Dates almost always happen with a dinner. Award ceremonies are hosted around a dinner.

Don't underestimate the power of eating together!

When you share a meal together there are good social connections that develop during the discussion that is shared during a meal. 

In addition to good social connections that form during a meal there are strong emotional bonds that can form while eating together. Many a friendship began or grew deeper while sharing a meal on a regular basis.

Spiritual bonds can be formed or deepened over meals. We see Jesus leading people to the table for the purpose of reaching them with faith.

Never underestimate the power of the table! Jesus didn't! He made the most of meals and meal times using them to form bonds of friendship, bonds of fellowship and bonds of faith!

Anything that has that much power and influence in people's lives should be used to love people to LIFE! Will you give Jesus a chance to work through you over a meal? Will you establish the habit of eating with at least three people each week?

Eating To Remember, Eating To Give Thanks

"For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes." I Corinthians 11:23-26

Some people drink to forget shameful or painful experiences.

Jesus teaches His people to eat to remember His shame and His pain.

We call it "Communion". Some call it "The Lord's Supper". A few refer to it as "The Eucharist". It is considered a Sacrament by every Christian denomination.

As we have been discussing the power of eating together this week, I find it significant that when Jesus chose one way for His Church to remember and celebrate His suffering He framed it around a table.

It makes sense though, doesn't it!

Eating is something we have to do to survive.

Eating is something we enjoy doing.

Eating is something want to do.

Eating is something we do every day!

Rarely do we forget to eat.

As believers, every time we eat we stop to thank God. So, in that sense every time we eat a meal we are reminded of the goodness of God! And if we Christians pause before each meal to give thanks and remember just think how much more powerful and meaningful that makes it when the believers from a church gather together and take Communion together!

In addition, memories are powerful! You take pictures of every memory you make so that later when you look at them you experience again the emotions of that moment!

So, once again I marvel at the wisdom of God! When He instituted the Sacrament of Communion He combined two very powerful loves in our lives - the love of eating and the love of memories!

And it reinforces our strategy of using meals together as an evangelism tool!

Isn't God amazing!

As you eat your breakfast today or break for lunch and gather for dinner would to take time to remember and be thankful!

August 10, 2017

"Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Luke 15:1-2

In his book, "Surprise the World", Michael Frost tells this story which is a modern day iteration of Jesus eating with sinners and publicans.

"I remember meeting a Southern Baptist Pastor in Portland who told me his neighbor both claimed to make the best margaritas in all of Oregon and regularly hosted margarita-and-poker nights in his garage. All the men from the neighborhood attended, but the Baptist Pastor always declined under the invitations believing he was being faithful to his Christian witness.

When I (Michael Frost) heard this I asked the pastor how many times his neighbor had asked him questions about his faith? He answered, "Never."

I asked him how many times his margarita-making neighbor had asked him anything about his faith and again he replied, "Never". I responded, "Exactly! That's because a Baptist Pastor declining invitations to margarita- poker nights is not questionable. It is expected!" So, I urged him to do the questionable thing and accept the next invitation. 

When the next invitation was issued he accepted. He walked across the driveway, into the garage where he was greeted with curious gazes and some good-natured razzing. But he sat down to a Diet-Coke, played cards badly and guess what resulted from his questionable behavior? Yes! Questions!

That evening and over the following weeks and months the Pastor was presented with more opportunities to share his faith than in the previous years in the neighborhood!"

He discovered the power of living a questionable life. If He would have followed in the steps of Jesus he would have learned it much sooner!

Jesus ate with sinners! They pressed in on Him and learned from Him. Over meals they learned to love Him and they learned how much He loved them. 

At the risk of having His methods and His orthodoxy questioned by the Pharisees, His questionable behavior earned Him the ear of those He came to reach!

Are you living a questionable life?

Are you blessing at least three people every week?

Are you eating with sinners?

If not, you are not following in the footsteps of Jesus.

Share A Meal

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." Revelations 3:20

This is one of the most familiar verses in the Bible for most Christians for obvious reasons.

Nearly every soul-winning presentation includes this verse. Again, for obvious reasons!

If you grew up in church and Sunday School you are well familiar with this classic portrait:

Isn't that a powerful image?

Aren't you thankful for a Savior who seeks you?

Aren't you glad Jesus is a patient seeker rather than a brutish bully?

A close inspection of the portrait will reveal that there is not a door handle on the outside of that door. You control the entrance through that door. Unless you open it He will remain on the outside.

There is much to be said in regard to this gracious invitation from a Gentle Savior, but for this devotional I want to focus on His promise to those who open the door:

"I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."

What a powerful statement of the intimate act of eating together!

Jesus could have promised, "I will come in and worship with you!" 

It would be wonderful to worship with Jesus but He didn't promise that.

He could have promised, "I will come in and preach to you!"

I would love to hear Jesus preach but that isn't what He offered.

Jesus could have enticed us with, "I will come in and study the Word with you!"

Imagine how great it would be to study the Word with The Word! But he didn't offer that.

Jesus longs to share a meal with you!

Think about that! Jesus considers sitting down to a quiet meal next to you as the best possible pathway to a personal intimate friendship with you!

This is why I say, "What an insightful statement about the potential of sharing a meal!"

Think about what He has scheduled as our first great event in Heaven - A MEAL - A FEAST known as the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!

Think about the last intimate moment of His earthly ministry which happened around A MEAL!

If sharing a meal with a friend can be a pathway to intimacy why don't we make that a priority in our daily and weekly schedule. 

Why not begin with your spouse and children?

Why not capitalize on the discipleship possibilities of eating together?

Why not leverage regular mealtimes with non-believers as witnessing opportunity?

You will eat three times today and 21 times this week. Would you intentionally schedule ministry into your meal time? 

Will you plan three meals targeted at evangelism or discipleship?

August 8, 2017

"The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters." Psalm 24:1-2

Jesus Christ is sovereign Lord of the universe times two!

He is Lord because He is Creator. By His Word alone it all appeared! And, He is Lord because He is the Christ. He died to redeem creation and take back the keys to the Kingdom from the enemy! Then, He rose again to validate His victory.

Let me suggest that when you can speak mountains and oceans and planets into existence, then you can question His sovereignty. When you die and rise from the dead I will take your objections to His Lordship seriously.

Why would anyone question the sovereignty of God? Why would they want to?

To understand the answer you must comprehend the nature of sin. Sin is rebellion against God and a deviant desire to live as you wish without consequences. If God exists and is sovereign then there are conesquences to sin. So, over the past century there has been an all out war against God and the Bible.

Where has that gotten us?

The fact is you were created and you were created to need and desire God. So, if you try to eliminate God you will have to find an alternative god. That has taken several forms in 2017 America and none of them are pretty.

One alternative is godless hedonism where each person does what he wants when he wants however he wants and calls it okay. There are a number of problems with that philosophy, the least of which is that it leads to chaos.  If everyone lives according to his own desires everyone is basically out of control. When things are out of control someone will step in to take control and that is always the biggest, strongest person. It never ends well.

Another alternative is government becomes god. That is where we are in America today. Why else would mayors in four major cities get involved with chicken sandwiches? Why would government care how many guns you have? Why would government want control over your personal health care? Ultimately government becomes that biggest, strongest tyrant that becomes sovereign in your life.

"The earth is the government's and everything in it, and all who live in it........'

How does that sound?

I choose to make God the sovereign Lord and Ruler of my life - He is my Creator and He is my Christ.

How about you?

August 7, 2017

"The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters." Psalm 24:1-2

Psalm 23 is everyone's favorite as it celebrates our Great Shepherd, the Lord. Following, of course, is the 24th Psalm which confirms the Sovereignty of the Lord.

What does that mean?

In short, it means He is in charge and you're not. It means He is in control and you aren't. Those are true because He is the Creator and you're not.

When you acknowledge the fact of His sovereignty it changes everything because you are then confronted by your accountability to Him.

This raises the issue of reconciling His sovereignty and your freewill. If He is sovereign then what does your freewill really mean? Where does your will begin and His sovereignty end?

The late, great A.W. Tozer attempted to reconcile these seemingly contradictory ideas of God choosing or calling us and our choosing God with this illustration:

"An ocean liner leaves New York bound for Liverpool. Its destination has been determined by proper authorities. Nothing can change it. This is at least a faint picture of sovereignty.

"On board the liner are scores of passengers. These are not in chains, neither are their activities determined for them by decree. They are completely free to move about as they will. They eat, sleep, play, lounge about on the deck, read, talk, altogether as they please; but all the while the great liner is carrying them steadily onward toward a predetermined port (which they have accepted as their destination).

"Both freedom and sovereignty are present here, and they do not contradict. So it is, I believe, with man’s freedom and the sovereignty of God. The mighty liner of God’s sovereign design keeps its steady course over the sea of history."

I am glad God is sovereign!  Are you?

I am happy He is in charge! Are you?

I freely give Him control of my life! Are you?

I am thrilled that my Creator is also my Christ! What about you?