07-14-13 WHO CONNECTED YOU TO JESUS AND HIS CHURCH?

WHO CONNECTED YOU TO JESUS AND HIS CHURCH?

FAITHBOOK: God’s Social Network

DRAMA:   You sitting next to me in the pew.

Philippians 2:1-4

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

A recent facebook conversation of mine

ME:   Patty - I see you "liked" my comment about the Georgian Heights parade and that we have 8 mutual friends - Did you grow up in Georgian Heights and or go to West? You look familiar but the memory part of my brain keeps getting older - don't know why that happens.

Patty Archer Terry:    I grew up on Briggs Rd right across from Wedgewood’s old field. I also met my best friend Becky Radel who lived 2 houses down when we were 3 yrs old & still are best friends. We used to ride our bikes everywhere. Going straight down Briggs Rd to Georgian Heights school was a blast to watch the great parades. I also loved the Holly Hill parade. We were very fortunate to have such a great childhood community :) I went to Eakin, Wedgewood, then moved away to Franklin Heights.

Patty and I have 8 mutual friends on FB.  David Hendrickson, Greg Hall, Sonya Wills, Tim Schroeck, Joe Merz, Tom Webb, Don Wolfe, Terry Henson.

           If facebook can bring together a convoluted connection like that, imagine what it will be like in heaven.  This is part of why I say it will be an eternity of discovery in heaven.  We will not only find out how we are connected to people we never really knew but also to people who were living prior to and after us.  The possibilities boggle the mind.  In this life people study 6 degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon – in heaven we will talk about degrees of connection, not separation.

This idea of connecting people with people is an amazing gift but not more than connecting people to Jesus Christ and His church.  WOW!  How does that happen?  How did that happen for you?  For me:

Mrs. Bland; Mr. Meford; Zach Willcox and Awana; Mark Leach and Young Life; Bryan Hitch and Pat McClaskey with Bob Laurent and the Good News Circle.

God’s Social Network is vast and vital.

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FAITHBOOK: God’s Social Network?  What people to people connections come to mind when you think about the Bible?

How about Adam and Eve: the first people – the first parents – the first sinners.

Noah and his children restarting the human race.

Moses and Joshua – The first Law givers moving God’s people from slavery in Egypt to the promised land in Canaan (Israel).

Naomi and Ruth

The Israelite Naomi lost her husband and two sons in a foreign land, one daughter in law decided to leave her people and return with Naomi to her home with that famous speech: Ruth 1:16-17  Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.  Talk about connections and God’s Social Network!!!

Elijah and Elisha – Prophets

Elisha was the faithful disciple of the prophet Elijah, and his successor. He had followed his master from the moment they met, when Elisha was a young man, plowing his father's field near the ancient town of Abel-mecholah in northern Israel. Elisha saw his master disappear in a fiery chariot, going up to heaven, without dying first. At that moment Elisha cried: "My father, my father, the chariot of Israel...!" and tore his clothes. He knew then that he was to carry on the great work of Elijah, to spread the knowledge of God, to bring relief and blessing to his people, and teach them to be kind and charitable.

Elisha picked up the mantle which Elijah had cast off when he went up to heaven. He felt the spirit of Elijah within him, and when he had to cross the Jordan to return home, he waved Elijah's mantle against the water, and they parted suddenly and made a way for the prophet to cross the Jordan on its dry ground.

Paul and Barnabas

Acts 14:1-3

At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed.  But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.  So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.

Jesus and the Church

Acts 20:28-29

Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

Eph 1:15-23

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to  which  he  has  called  you,  the  riches  of  his  glorious

3inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

1 Cor 12:27-28

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Matt 16:17-19

Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.   19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

        If God cared enough about you to connect you to Himself through His Son by the Holy Spirit so that you could be a literal part of His body ‘the church’, how should we respond?  First in Thanksgiving and second by working to connect other people to the same vital life giving work of Jesus and His family of love known as the church.

INVITATION TO CONNECT

Our God is ALL about relationships.  About connecting with us and having us connect with one another.  Why did God create Eve?  For Adam to be in relationship with.  Why did God create the family unit?  For us to be connected.  Why are there partnerships and friendships – because God designed us to connect.  Why is there a church?  For us to connect with each other and to help others connect to God.  How often do you hear, “I don’t believe in church, but I have a personal relationship with Jesus.”  No you don’t – maybe a distant relationship but not a vital personal one.  If you did you would know he designed you to be a part of his body = THE CHURCH which he expresses through local units known as churches.

Don’t get me wrong – this is not about being part of the church as of more importance than being part of Christ as some religions promote themselves as the one true church and that becomes the primary focus.  Our connection focus is to Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness found in Jesus alone – but Christ design for connect us is through his body – the church!  Therefore, If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

07-07-13 Declaration of Independence Vs. Declaration of Dependence

Declaration of Independence Vs. Declaration of Dependence

Scripture                          Philippians 2:5-11

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation…..

Speaking of King George of England…

          He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

 

It had been proposed in draft form by the Committee of Five (John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson) and it took two days for the Congress to agree on the edits.

Here is the price people paid for adopting and signing the Declaration of Independence according to that great historian Chuck Norris.

 

At least 12 signers had their homes and property taken, ransacked, occupied or burned. Philip Livingston lost several properties to the enemy. John Hart’s farm was looted, and he had to flee into hiding.

Francis Lewis had his home and property destroyed. The enemy then jailed his wife, and she was held for months before being exchanged for wives of British soldiers.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, lost his ships and cargo to the British navy.

Thomas McKean wrote to John Adams in 1777 that he was “hunted like a fox by the enemy, compelled to [move] my family five times in three months.”

Five signers were captured by the British as prisoners of war and had to endure deplorable conditions. One signer lost his son in the Revolutionary Army, and another had two sons captured.

On Nov. 30, 1776, one signer, Richard Stockton, a lawyer from Princeton and longtime friend of George Washington, was captured in the middle of the night by loyalists and jailed by the British. Stockton endured months of brutal treatment and starvation. (Over the six years of war, more than 12,000 prisoners died in prisons compared to 4,435 soldiers who died in combat.)

And that’s just a sampling of what these men sacrificed, and why we honor what they did for us annually on Independence Day.

            Many men and women over 200 years ago sacrificed much that we might live in a new country free of a tyrant king.

 

Celebrating our nation’s Independence, I want you to consider the sacrifice of one man whose act of valor gives us the freedom to become dependent on a great king and become citizens of his kingdom.  First let’s consider the king:

 

Ps 145:1-7

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name forever and ever.  Every day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever.  Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.   One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.  They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.   They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.  They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

 

1 Tim 6:15-16

God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

 

Dan 2:20-21

"Praise be to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are his.  He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them.  He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

 

Jer 10:10

But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King.

 

Declaration of Dependence Upon God*

WHEN in the course of human events it becomes necessary for a people to declare their dependence upon God, to proclaim their allegiance to His Word, and to reaffirm their calling as ambassadors of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, an appropriate response to God requires that they should declare before humankind the causes which bind them to this station.

THEREFORE, we, as the citizens of heaven, inheritors of the incorruptible and unending Kingdom of God, children of God through faith in Jesus Christ alone, members of the Church, both visible and invisible, under Christ the Head thereof, hereby solemnly publish and declare the following:

We declare our dependency on the one true and living God, the Father Almighty, the Sovereign King, who is immortal and eternal, infinitely perfect both in His love and in His holiness, who alone is the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, including this nation, and who sustains and sovereignly rules over the United States of America;

We declare our dependency on the Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of the one true and living God, the Judge of this nation, who being very and eternal God, of one substance and equal with the Father Almighty, the one and only way to salvation through faith, and together with whom we are heirs of God’s glory and Kingdom and all that is His;

We declare our dependency on the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, divinely equal to God and Jesus Christ, eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son. 

We declare our dependency on the holy Scriptures, the infallible Word of God written in the Old and New Testaments, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and has supreme authority in all matters of faith, life, thought, and conduct, and which promises that if God’s people humble themselves and pray and seek God’s face and turn from their wicked and sinful ways, then God will hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and will restore and heal their land;

THEREFORE, motivated and compelled by our love for the United States of America and its people, in an age where individualism, secularism, and relativism are heralded as a panacea, we declare that the Triune God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ are the only hope for this nation, the only answer to its ills, the only repairer of broken families, the only salve of wounded souls, the only pacifier of angry hearts, the only lasting comfort to the mourning, the only guide by which decisions and decrees are to be determined, the only solution for racism, sexism, and class and generational conflict, the only standard by which character and culture are to be examined, the only solution for injustice and abuse, the only restorer of the afflicted, the only foundation for all knowledge, wisdom and teaching, the only authority by which all proclaimed truths are to be tested, and the only rock on which all should stand;

And to this end, for the glory of God, we appeal to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, and mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fervent prayers, and our sacred honor.

© Jesus Awakening Movement for America. All Rights Reserved. *First declared and signed on July 2, 2008 at JAMA’s New Awakening 2008 National Conference in Philadelphia, PA.

 

People have suffered from the very beginning to gain our freedom for independence from a tyrant king.  Jesus Christ suffered with the sin of the entire world upon his flesh as he was murdered so that we could declare our dependence on the King of kings and become citizens of his eternal living kingdom – praise be to God and his son Jesus Christ!

 

Are you a signer on the Declaration of Dependence, and willing to receive its benefits as well as going into battle for the sake of your family and for those whom you will never know?  If so, make your declaration by standing.

 

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.                                                                   Philippians 2:5-11

 

Prior to the message we said these pledges:

 

Flag of the United States

I pledge Allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with Liberty and Justice for all.

 

Christian Flag

I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag

and to the Savior for whose Kingdom it stands.

One Savior, crucified, risen, and coming again

with life and liberty to all who believe.

 

The Bible

I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God's Holy Word,

I will make it a lamp unto my feet

and a light unto my path

and will hide its words in my heart

that I might not sin against God.

06-30-13 MISSION TRIP

                                                                 Ministry

                                                                 In
                                                                 States
                                                                 Salvation
                                                                 In
                                                                Other
                                                                Nations

 Scripture                                     Matthew 25:37-40

 

This was the day the 8 participatants shared about thier OHIDAHO mission trip.  You may find the video link at www.firstb.info under "worship" and "video messages."

6-9-13 Get out of here

GET OUT OF HERE!

Scripture                                 Matthew 28:16-20   NIV

Then the eleven disciples (Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James) went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

 

Matthew 28:16-20         Message

Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. 17 The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. 18 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: 19 Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 20 Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."

 

Jesus said “ALL AUTHORITY” – authority = the right to use power.  The root of authority is author – they have the ability to construct or write your story.  Jesus tells us how our story will go.  He first establishes his right and ability to do so – ALL AUTORITY  The entire Gospel of Matthew stresses the authority of Jesus Christ. There was authority to His teaching (Matt 7:29). He exercised authority in healing in forgiving sins (Matt 9:6). He had authority over Satan, and He delegated that authority to His Apostles (Matt 10:1). At the close of his Gospel, Matthew made it clear that Jesus has ALL authority.

When we read the Book of Acts, we see that the early church operated on the basis of the Lord's sovereign authority. They ministered in His name. They depended on His power and guidance. They did not face a lost world on the basis of their own authority, but on the authority of Jesus Christ

The Greek verb translated go is actually not a command but a present participle (going). The only command in the entire Great Commission is "make disciples" ("teach all nations") Jesus said, "While you are going, make disciples of all the nations." No matter where we are, we should be witnesses for Jesus Christ and seek to win others to Him.  Acts 11:19-26

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The

Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

The term "disciples" was the most popular name for the early believers. A disciple is one who has believed on Jesus Christ and expressed this faith by being baptized. He remains in the fellowship of the believers that he might be taught the truths of the faith. He is then able to go out and win others and teach them. This was the pattern of the New Testament church.

The phrase "the end of the age" indicates that our Lord has a plan; - His plan is to do for others what he has done for you and to use you to help him do that.

 

That is a high calling – a great commission

See this video from General Secretary of the American Baptist Churches, Roy Medley - http://youtu.be/Mom6DrqxN1o

 

American Baptist have always been people on fire for mission.  Our church building has been transformed into a roller coaster theme park as a way to reach local kids for Jesus.  Friday night, Marsha Eden and I, along with our local ABC church leaders met with Kyle Williams – new ABC missionary.  Some of our women were at the ABW conference for missions. Our youth are about to embark on a week-long mission trip across the country.  Kim and I will be attending our national biennial – now developed as a Mission Summit. You will get to hear from two mission minded men over the next two Sundays.  In 2 weeks Rev. Brooks Andrews will speak at our service. Brooks' dad, Rev. Emery E. (Andy) Andrews, served as a pastor at the Hunt Relocation Camp. His father had been pastor of the Japanese Baptist Church in Seattle. Since many members of his congregation were sent to the Hunt camp, he followed them. Brooks lived with his parents in Twin Falls and went to Lincoln School. Brooks is currently retired but serving as Interim Pastor of the Japanese Baptist Church. Next Sunday Clint Webb will preach.  Clint accepted the Lord at Cathedral Pines Camp and several years later received a call to serve the Lord at Cathedral Pines.  Ordained - 1st Baptist Church – Boise, Pastored 30 years at 1st Baptist Church - Oak Harbor (Church on the Rock). Director of American Baptist Churches of the Northwest L.C.C. Mentor Pastors.  God is at work in the mission life of First Baptist Church.  But this is just the beginning.

At the mission summit in Kansas City, we will celebrate three awesome mission experiences in the history of our denomination where ABC took the lead for the kingdom of God in America and the world. – 175^th anniversary of the emancipation proclamation /

200^th anniversary of the Judson’s / 375^th anniversary of the founding of the first ABC in the USA (well not really – even the current building was erected and first used in May of 1775 a year before we became the USA).  In each of these celebrations point out that American Baptist have been an adaptive people who rightly use the authority – the power of Jesus Christ.  We don’t do what we do because it has always been done that way. We look at contemporary society and adapt ourselves by the power of Jesus to meet needs; not to make people adapt to us.  We have always been a people on mission extending ministry wherever possible.

Do you realize what ministry will be extended because three of our adults and 5 of our youth are going to a mission field in Ohio.  They will be staying and working at the Christian Conference Center. It is 8 beautiful acres in the midst of a depressed residential area.  The center works with dozens of children each summer through day camps.  They have a field that needs reclaimed for more space for music day camps and volley ball camps that attract children that no church camp or church could ever reach.  We will be going to camp Kirkwood, a camp that the ABC/Ohio could no longer afford to keep open and several ABC churches got together and are effectively running that camp today much like our own cathedral pines.  Camps who reach 100’s during the summer are always in need of laborers to help make their efforts far reaching.  We will be on mission at the west side free store that provides clothing, food and friendship to those in the greatest need. We will be working at our host church Hillcrest Baptist that has been a blessing to the church at large – in a 21 year period sent 20 people into some form of vocational ministry (I am one of those).  They minister to people in this same depressed poverty stricken area.  We will get our hands dirty working in a community garden that helps people provide for themselves.  We will provide free laundry and conversation for those people who can’t afford the luxury of a washer and dryer in their home.

Our church is on mission.  If we can stand on the promises of the Faithbook and serve the under the authority and by the power of Jesus Christ and accomplish so much in a two week period, what can we accomplish for Christ in the next two years.  Matthew 28:17 The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.  If you are on mission with us – praise God.  If you are not and you are just warming a pew – we love you and are glad you are here, just keep your hands and feet inside your cart because we are in for the ride of our lives.  Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

06-02-13 YOUR SERVE…

Scripture                                        Mark 10:45

Sticking with the 3^rd element of the church with heart / Mark 10:45  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Mark 10:32-45

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33 "We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise."  (180 degree turn – did they not hear what Jesus just said?)

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask." 36 "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. 37 They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." 38 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?" 39 "We can," they answered.  Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."

          41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

          When we come to faith in Jesus, God begins the character building process in us – to build in us the same character as in Jesus. Rom 8:28-29  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed (summorfos – having the same form, denotes an inward not merely a superficial conformity) to the likeness (eikwn - image) of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

          What does the mind of Christ – an authentic Christian servant look like in daily practice.  We jaded adults need to look to children to see how we should live:

          ILLUS:  Little Chad was a shy, quiet young boy.  One day he came home from school and told his mother he’d like to make a valentine for everyone in his class.  Her heart sank. She thought, “I wish he wouldn’t do that.” Because she had watched the

children when they walked home from school.  Her Chad was always behind them.  They laughed and hung on each other and talked to each other.  But Chad was never included.  Nevertheless, she decided she would go along with her son.  So she purchased the paper, glue and crayons.  For three whole weeks, night after night, Chad painstakingly made 35 valentines.

          Valentines Day came, and Chad was beside himself with excitement! He carefully stacked them up, put them in a bag and bolted out the door to school.  His mom decided to bake him his favorite cookies and serve them up warm and nice with a cool glass of milk when he came home from school.  She just knew he would be disappointed…maybe that would ease the pain a little.  It hurt her to think that he wouldn’t get many valentines-maybe none at all.

          That afternoon she had the cookies and milk on the table.  When she heard the children outside she looked out the window.  Sure enough here they came, laughing and having the best time.  And as usual, there was Chad in the rear.  He walked a little faster than usual.  She fully expected him to burst into tear as soon as he got inside.  His arms were empty, she noticed, and when the door opened she choked back tears.

          “Mommy has some warm cookies and milk for you.”

          But he hardly heard her words.  He just marched right on by and all he could say was, “Not a one!  Not a one!”  Her heart sank.

          And then he added, “I didn’t forget a one ,not a single one!”

          So it is when God is in control of the servant’s mind.  We learn that the greatest joy comes when God’s serving character lives through us as we serve and give to others.

          So we learned from a child what the heart of a servant looks like – but most of you are not children.  The question is not “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Rather, “What are you becoming now that you are grown?

          You are to be radically different than what the world says.  We push our children to be the best dancer, best soccer player, best violinist, best at math – how many parents are ever intentional about making their children the best servants?  That is why we have to learn it as grown-ups.  Most of us were not taught servanthood.  Become radically different than the person you thought you should be and instead become like Christ – a servant of all.

Galatians 5:13-14

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Serving costs you something – your time, money, energy, reputation.  But it also comes with rewards.

1 Corinthians 3:5-15

What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe — as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.  So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.  The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.  For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.  By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.  For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,  his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.  If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.  If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

It is said that there was once a monk who prayed much that he might have the marks of the Lord upon his hands and feet. A vision was given him in which he was shown a mark on the Lord’s body that the world had forgotten. It was the mark upon the shoulder, and the monk learned that he could only have the marks on the hands and feet as he first had the mark upon the shoulder. – where Jesus carried his own cross – his act of service – As we come to the table and remember Jesus serving us by carrying his own cross we hear his words echoing form the Faithbook: Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

COMMUNION

05-26-13 Uncle Sam wants you to serve in his army and so does your King

Scripture                                        1 John 3:16-18

GRANDPA’S WAR STORY

Grandpa, tell me a story."

It's getting harder to remember.

As the daily count of fallen soldiers mounts, it becomes ever easier to forget the person behind the name.

So it falls on the legacy holders. The parents, children and spouses. The ones who are left behind. They tell the stories the soldiers cannot.

The world of a soldier is supposed to be unremarkable. Go in and get the job done as a team. Don't stand out. One military, one mind. No individuals.

Only after they have died will we learn their story.

War story, that is.

And it's not just Grandpa's war story, anymore. We've had five major conflicts in as many generations, so everyone's got one. It's the story of our little cousin who just graduated from high school. It's our daughter.

War becomes the great equalizer.

So we have one couple who are raising their grandson. The boy's mother died while serving in Iraq. They tell her story. And we sense that every time they speak of her, every time they say her name, they're sharing her with us.

Sometimes the stories have happy endings. Often they do not. And for many of the storytellers, the telling is a gift. All they ask is that we listen. No response is necessary. Now we know about their soldier. We're thinking about them. Our thoughts honor them.

We don't always need words to honor the memory of those who sacrificed. Photos give an insight into a world that we can only imagine.

We look at the images of the women who served stateside in World War II and wonder "Was this her first job? Was she afraid?" And more whimsically: "How'd her hair stay in those fantastic pincurls all day?"

This weekend as we hurry to the pool or rush to the mall, let's take a moment to honor those soldiers who have died and those left behind.

We may see a man wearing his military uniform on Monday.

(And it still fits, thank you very much.)

Memories flash across his face and we want to ask. But we can't. So we wait.

Then he starts talking. About the friends he lost, the one who saved his life, and the uniformed soldier becomes a person, a man.

He's not Grandpa, but suddenly all we want to do is sit on the floor and tuck our hands under our chin.

And listen.

LOVE EVERYONE

Love Everyone is the 3^rd of three parts of what it means to be the Church with Heart. 1) Love God, primarily through worship-the great commandment 2) Love one another, primarily through small groups-the great commitment and 3) Love All People

primarily through Ministry and Mission. Part 3 is the purpose of a soldier.  A soldier is a soldier to love all people.  We usually think of soldiers as tough non-feeling fighting machines.  Not so – the best soldiers are lovers.  They do what they do because of their love for family, country and all humanity.  I thought part two – love one another would describe a soldier, in this case meaning loving those from the United States.  Not so, our nation has a love and respect for all human life and we are not shy about defending others in a foreign land because we have a love for all people.  That kind of love is Christian love.  There are those who want war because they like to fight and there are those who are against war no matter what the reason.  The majority of soldiers who don a uniform for the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard do so as an act of love.

          As Christians, on this Memorial Day weekend, we honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice of love – their lives for our freedoms.

          This is a principle in our country based upon what we learn in scripture:

John 15:12-13

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Who is the greatest soldier who ever lived?  The one who paid the ultimate sacrifice out of love for ALL people – his name: JESUS!

John 10:14-18

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life — only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

          Even as much as Uncle Sam needs soldiers, so too the King is looking for a few good men and women. God is looking for soldiers to enlist in his army to

          Sing p for the Kin’s draft are taking place right now.  So does that mean anyone who enlists in God’s army must be willing to lay down their life for the King and his Kingdom?  Yes!...But not so fast, an equally important commitment is required.  Very few will be called upon to physically die for the savior – all are called upon to die to self AND to live for him.  Rom 6:11-12  In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

 

I recently watched a video from my ordination and the preacher talked about a soldier in the bible who lived for Christ the King and his Kingdom by bringing people to Jesus.  As a soldier he grew the army of God by bringing others to Jesus.

John 1:40-42

Andrew was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon Peter and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.

John 6:8-9

Andrew spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"

Matt 4:18-20

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."  At once they left their nets and followed him.

          Andrew was a soldier in the King’s army doing what he could to advance the kingdom by bringing people to the King – he didn’t wait for them to come, he went fishing for them.  He was a dedicated soldier laying down his life by living his life for the King!

Rev 3:1-6

"To the angel of the church in Sardis write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, (the soldier’s uniform) for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

1 John 3:16-18

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

Are you a soldier enlisted in the army of the King of kings – Jesus Christ?