Posted by David on September 5, 1999 under Bulletin Articles
Several thousand years ago, God made the promise to childless Abraham. “In you, all families of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Abraham died, and God worked.
God renewed the promise to Jacob. Jacob was a greedy thief who deceived. Jacob died, and God continued to work.
God acted on the promise when He used Moses to free Israel from Egypt. Moses led Israel out of Egypt through the wilderness. Then he died, but God continued to work.
The period of the judges was a time of extreme ungodliness. Israel gravely disappointed God. They were the useless enemy of His purposes. Still, God worked.
God hand-picked Saul to be king of Israel. This humble, unassuming, merciful man became an arrogant, impetuous, insecure leader. He died, and God worked.
God hand-picked David because his heart was God’s property. David made mistakes, but he also lifted faith and the praise of God to a new level. He died, and God worked.
The nation of Israel divided. Both Israel and Judah became extremely corrupt and idolatrous. Still God continued to work. God sent His son. We humans killed him. Jesus died, but God continued to work powerfully. God raised him from the dead and enthroned him as Lord of lords.
God powerfully used Peter (who denied Jesus) and Paul (who persecuted Christians). They died, and God continued to work.
Philip, Stephen, Barnabas, Silas, Titus, Timothy, John, Peter, Mark, Mary Magdalene, Mary, Martha, the daughters of Philip, Lydia, Lois, Eunice–God used them all as He kept the promise. They all died, and God still continued to work.
We seek to be God’s people. Because of our faith and repentance, we committed to God by being baptized into Christ. But, in the arrogance of small faith, we look at the future with grave concern. We act as if the future can destroy the promise of God. As always, we will die, and God will work. Only God’s judgment will bring His work to conclusion. Humans never cancel the promise or prevent God from continuing His work. All our arrogance aside, the fact is this: humans cannot cancel God’s promise or stop God’s work.
Posted by David on August 22, 1999 under Bulletin Articles
The erosion of family values and family relationships is a source of deep concern. Two basic beliefs characterize Christians. (1) God is the origin of the family. (2) Godly relationships are the foundation of a successful family.
Too many men marrying do not know how to be a husband. They did not witness Dad successfully interacting with Mom on a year-by-year basis. Too many women marrying do not know how to be a wife. They did not witness Mom successfully interacting with Dad on a year-by-year basis.
Family interaction is rare. In a typical week, hectic individual schedules mean that the whole family is seldom together. Years ago the national average for an entire family eating a meal together was once a week. Car travel used to be a “natural” for family interaction. Seldom does a family travel in one car today. When it does, often head phones replace talking. In many families, disagreements replaced communication, and verbal abusiveness replaced disagreements.
Those are not intended to be “doom and gloom” statements. I intend them as evidence for a single point: too many families do not know how to function as a family.
A congregation is to function as God’s family. Commonly, our sense of family is lost as we exist in “the real world.” To the degree we suffer that loss, we face major struggles as we attempt to be God’s family. We can function as God’s family. But, that will happen through determined godly relationships, not by accidental occurrence.
One of our commendable practices is “the family meeting.” The elders seek to have a “family meeting” at least once a quarter. In this meeting, the elders seek discussion and input. Men and women may ask questions and share insights.
Much of this Sunday evening will be devoted to a “family meeting.” One discussion will focus on the development of a ministry to be a companion to our care groups. This ministry’s objective is to nurture and develop members spiritually. The need exists. Do we wish to address it? Your input will assist in evaluating a possible role for this ministry in our West-Ark family.
As a healthy family of God, we must function together for the good of the individual and the whole. The family needs you. The elders want your input. Please come!
Posted by David on August 15, 1999 under Bulletin Articles
Motivation is a key issue in life. Self-motivation is essential to the person. Spousal motivation is essential to the marriage. Parental motivation is essential to the family. Employee motivation is essential to the job. Owner motivation is essential to success.
Good things happen when people act on good motives. Good depends on excellent motives and effective motivation. Godliness is no exception. Godliness is the highest form of good. Godliness depends on Christlike motives and Godlike motivation.
Spirituality involves motivation. Spiritual motivation is a “double emphasis” challenge. (1) It teaches people that godly motives are understood only by understanding Jesus. Examples? Love your enemies. Be kind to those who mistreat you. Treat others as you wish to be treated. Forgive without limits. Show mercy. Humility is the path to God’s acceptance. Honor God by serving people.
(2) It teaches people that the motivation is as important to God as the act. Jesus powerfully stressed that truth (Matthew 6:1-18). When the motivation for religious acts does not focus on honoring God, God does not acknowledge or reward the act.
Many motivations lead people to surrender to God. Some feel a sense of fear. The awareness of sin terrifies them. Some feel a sense of responsibility. Serving the Creator God is something that “ought to be done.” Some feel a sense of duty. Because God is “greater than me and my concerns, I should do my duty.” Some feel a sense of obligation. He or she understands his or her indebtedness to God.
Are these “bad” motives? No. Can they provide effective motivation? Yes. Are some of them less effective? Yes. In today’s world, fear, responsibility, and duty tend to be short-term and spiritually immature. They easily produce a “control” mentality rather than a “surrender” mentality. Control mentality declares, “I exist to comply.” Surrender mentality declares, “I exist to serve.”
A spiritually mature motive exists. Its godly motivation results in total surrender. It is the sense of privilege. The highest privilege of existence: allowing the eternal God to work through “me” as He achieves His eternal purposes. In the motivation of privilege, we find our highest sense of honor and the greatest sense of destiny. Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, Jesus, Peter, and Paul understood the motivation of privilege. Have you discovered it?
Posted by David on August 8, 1999 under Bulletin Articles
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor (Isaiah 40:13ff)? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again (Job 41:11)? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen (Romans 11:33-36).
Human wisdom cannot comprehend the depths of God’s wisdom; not even a Christian can do that. Human knowledge cannot penetrate the depths of God’s knowledge; not even a Christian can do that. Humans can trust God’s judgments, but they cannot comprehend them. Humans can depend on God’s ways, but they cannot understand them. The human who declares that he or she comprehends God deceives himself or herself. In this self deceit, he or she likely will deceive others.
The Pharisees were convinced that they understood God. They were experts in the scriptures (Matthew 23:2,3). They had enormous confidence in their knowledge and understanding. They had enormous confidence in their interpretation of scripture and religious emphasis. They had enormous confidence in their religious systems and traditions. They were so certain that they comprehended God’s will and intentions that they dared contradict, chastise, oppose, ridicule, and conspire against Jesus.
Jesus was God in the flesh (John 1:1-5). If they had expert knowledge about God, how could they fail to recognize God in the flesh? If they were such experts in the scripture, how could they fail to recognize the Creator in the flesh? If they accurately knew how God would do things, how could they fail to see God’s work in Jesus’ deeds and teachings?
Amazingly, they encouraged the death of God’s Son because they were confident that they knew God. I find that frightening. Do you?
Just how big is the God Who sent us Jesus? Big enough to save us through His mercy. Big enough to sustain us in His grace. Big enough to use Jesus’ blood to redeem us from our sins. Big enough to sanctify us in Jesus’ death. Big enough to justify us in Jesus’ sacrifice. Big enough to turn a deaf ear to Satan’s accusations against us. Big enough to destroy our guilt. Big enough to give us peace in Christ.
Because we comprehend His wisdom and knowledge? No. Because we trust Him.
Posted by David on August 1, 1999 under Bulletin Articles
Churches existing in a Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Lowes, and Office Depot society must deal with that mind set. The majority in our society function on the “cheapest price, greatest variety, and maximum convenience” mind set. That is life today–everyday, everywhere in America. We acquire our wants to satisfy our desires. We surround ourselves with things and relationships that “suit us” to “give us what we want.”
Let all of us say a collective “amen.” Let all of us declare, “That is what’s wrong!” Let all of us illustrate that conviction. Our illustrations will arise from earrings to worship attire, from church programs to leadership styles, from sermon content to group study styles. And our illustrations commonly reflect our eyes, not God’s eyes.
So like those who went before us, we obtain our “build your own god” kits and construct God as we want Him to be. Just as Israel, and the Pharisees, and the Sadducees, and the Judaizing teachers, and even Peter did (before Jesus died).
Some want a god that they can manipulate. “I did this for you; now you do this for me.”
Some want a god they can control. “God would never think that, want that, expect that, or do that! If I cannot comprehend it God cannot and would not think or do it!”
Some want a god they can direct. “God thinks this. God holds this position. God approves of this. God condemns this.” Too often the correct translation: “God thinks and does what I have concluded that He thinks and does.”
Some want a god who affirms them. “God approves of my convictions, my conclusions, my behavior, and my lifestyle!” God’s function is to tell this person, “You are right!”
We are too sophisticated to build idols from wood, stone, or metal. We build our idols with thoughts, positions, perspectives, and inadequate convictions that are based more on desires and preferences than scripture’s full revelation of the sovereign God.
Modern idol builders fashion their gods. Christians surrender to Christ. Idol builders fill the gaps and justify behavior. Christians let Christ fashion them to serve the living God. Are you building a god or surrendering to a Savior? God exists to fashion us. We do not exist to fashion God.
Posted by David on July 25, 1999 under Bulletin Articles
The Bible opens with a simple, straightforward statement: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). To some believers this is interesting but meaningless. To some its significance is to be found in discussing “how He did it” or “when He did it.” The significance is found in the fact that He did it.
Some read Genesis 1 occasionally to be reminded of God’s incredible power. They feel it deserves brief emphasis. Then they feel the need to move on to “the important stuff.” The God who creates is “the important stuff.” The God who creates is a central Bible theme. The significance of the fact that God creates is beyond exaggeration.
In a beautiful, powerful presentation of Jesus, Isaiah introduced Israel to God’s Servant (Isaiah 42). In Him God’s soul delights. He will not break a bruised reed or extinguish the ember in a wick. He will establish justice on earth.
Then the God who creates challenged Israel to recognize His concerns. He challenged them to see the incredible promises the Servant would fulfill. He challenged them to react in understanding’s appreciation. Note that God would achieve His purposes through His Servant because the God Who creates would make it happen.
Centuries later Paul addressed the elite minds of Athens. They were among the world’s best educated philosophers. Paul discussed God with them. His beginning point? God is the God who creates. If they could not understand the significance of God being Creator, they could not understand Jesus’ resurrection.
What does God do for those who trust His Servant, the Christ? The Creator God recreates. God takes us creatures created in His image but ruined by evil and recreates us. He takes us who were hopelessly ruined and makes us new.
Read Ephesians 4:20-24. Christians must grasp what the Creator God does for us in Christ. If we do not, we will continue the existence we lived before we knew Christ. We must realize the work of the Creator God in us is renewal. Two things must happen. We must be renewed in the spirit of our minds. We must be renewed by becoming the new self the Creator God recreated us to be.
Is being created again in Christ important? The Creator God’s certain objective: banish Satan, destroy all evil, and renew His whole creation in a new heaven and a new earth. Only the renewed can live with God. Only being created again in Christ will prepare us to exist with God.
Posted by David on July 18, 1999 under Bulletin Articles
What is your immediate thought when you hear the word “authority”? Being human, you likely think “control.” Humans equate authority with control. Human possession of authority equals control. One controls because he or she has authority. Humans give the right to control by granting authority. Simply consider human authority figures: the military officer, the law enforcement officer, the C.E.O., the university chancellor, etc. To humans, authority equals the right of control.
Among humans, how one acquires authority is secondary to possessing authority. Regardless of how authority was acquired, it still conveys the right to control. You may seize it. You may be given it. You may win it. You may inherit it. You may acquire it by deceit. Regardless of how it is acquired, authority equals control: in the political world, in the business world, in world of education, in the church.
Thus we are accustomed to humans in authority who are less than honorable, less than honest, less than ethical, less than moral, and less than upright. We are accustomed to character “not mattering.” Even if he or she is not honorable, the person still possesses the authority, still exercises the control. Authority equals control. Authority has little to do with who or what you are as a person.
Not so with God. Is God the ultimate authority? The ultimate authority is the sovereign God. Is everything under the sovereign God’s control? Without question. Evil says differently, but evil asks you to consider only immediate circumstances and the short-term future, never the eternal. In terms we relate to, “Victory is not achieved by half-time scores, or scores after nine holes, or scores at the top of the ninth.”
We assume that God is in control because God has the authority. We assume that authority gives God control. Why? Because that is the reality of the human world. Our assumptions are false. God’s authority is based on His character. And so is His control. God is worthy to have all authority. God is worthy to be in control. He is the true One who keeps every promise. He is the righteous One filled with mercy. He is the just One who forgives. He is absolute purity and holiness. He is worthy.
Those who see God upon His throne fall before Him in awe. Because of His authority? His control? NO!!! Because of His worthiness!!! Read Isaiah 6:1-7 and Revelation 4. Heaven is filled with His glory because He is worthy.
Posted by David on July 11, 1999 under Bulletin Articles
First century congregation. Converted idol worshipper: I will never be part of a congregation that has Jewish Christians! They think they are so smart, and we are so stupid! They are know-it-all control freaks! Everything is their way or no way!
Converted Jew: I will never be part of a congregation that has converted idol worshippers! Their concept of God is ‘weird’! Their ignorance of scripture is unbelievable! You see it in their lives, in their marriages, and in their families! Their concepts of right and wrong are ridiculous!
Neither realized that God wants every kind of people in His church. They thought the church existed to please them and make them spiritually “comfortable.”
At the close of the 20th century. I hate change! Everything is in transition! All I want is to be with people who are like me! If I could find people like me, we would bond together and ignore transition and change. All God wants are people like me!
The church should be composed of people like me. If people thought like I think, did things my way, had my values, had my priorities, saw life like I see it, defined good and bad as I do, defined right and wrong as I do, everything would be simple. And comfortable. And easy. And if anyone wanted to be a part of the church, they would have to change to be like us. After all, God doesn’t love people with problems! God doesn’t want troubled, unstable people in the church!
And with whom would you cry when an unmarried granddaughter was pregnant? And with whom would you pray with when your son left his family? And who would comfort you when your wife died? And who would quietly put an arm on your shoulder and pray when your five-year-old had leukemia? And who would listen as you grieved over your husband’s alcoholism? And where would you go for support when you discovered your son’s sexual addictions? And who would help you fight your anger? And where would you go when you were the struggling person?
God-directed thinking for the 21st century. Because transitions alarm us, fears and reactions easily control us. Our simplest response to transition is: “I will not …” From Noah, to Abraham, to Moses, to Samuel, to David, to the prophets, to Jesus, to Peter, to Paul, to you, God achieves His purposes through transition. God cannot use people who react to transition with, “I will not … ” From Noah to you, God uses those who say, “I will do anything that allows God to use me to accomplish His purposes now.”
Posted by David on July 4, 1999 under Bulletin Articles
What is required to be “successful” as a congregation? That is an unanswerable question. It is much too broad. Before an answer can be attempted, two other questions must be asked and answered.
What is the definition of “success?” Favorable attendance statistics? Baptisms? People placing membership? Ministries functioning? Activities occurring at the building? Activities occurring in the home? Facilities available? Utilization of facilities? Utilization of congregational resources? Utilization of member resources? Transformation of individual lives? Biblical positions assumed? Struggling people helped? Marriages saved? Marriages strengthened? Families equipped and strengthened? Families preserved? Teens helped? Divorced persons helped and guided? Single parent families sustained? Single adults helped and utilized? Benevolent work in the congregation? Benevolent work in the community? Benevolent work in the world? Interaction within the congregation? Interaction within the community? Internal image of the congregation? External image of the congregation? Equipping people to serve? Quality of the preaching? Quality of the classes? Quality of the leadership? Percentage of the membership serving and involved? Preparation for the future?
What is the congregation’s basic objective? In what specific ways is that objective God centered? Christ centered? Spirit centered? mercy centered? forgiveness centered? service centered? people centered? freedom centered? eternity centered?
Considering only these matters, the essential link between being an informed and being a successful congregation is obvious. An informed congregation is composed of informed individuals. That means an informed “us” depends on an informed “me.”
Raising the awareness level of its members is an enormous challenge in any active congregation. For the staff and leaders, the challenge is (a) providing the information and (b) getting your attention. For members, the challenge is (a) caring and (b) staying informed.
Sunday evenings in July will be devoted to increasing awareness. The 4th: “Getting it Together.” The 11th: the Guyana report. The 18th: VBS 1999, which begins the next day. The 25th: C.U.R.E. presents a fifteen minute overview of 1999 projects.
Posted by David on June 27, 1999 under Bulletin Articles
The parable: Adam and Eve’s rebellion distressed God. They ruined everything! God’s “very good” creation; a sinless environment for human life; a human existence free of fear, shame, anxiety, and pain; the perfect marriage relationship; the ideal companionship–all irreparably ruined by their rebellion!
As human generations passed, God watched in horror as the human condition grew worse because people became increasingly evil. God watched and considered. His distress increased. He knew that He had to rescue people from the despair of evil.
God said, “I know what people need! They need ‘true religion!’ They need a world filled with church buildings! There people can affirm, defend, and argue ‘true religion.’ They can condemn the wicked ‘out there.’ They can condemn the faithless ‘in here.’ Everyone constantly can be reminded of what horrible failures people are. If people assemble in church buildings at least once a week for this experience, the world will be okay. Adam and Eve failed because they did not have ‘true religion.’ If there had been a church building where they discussed ‘true religion’ an hour or so each week, they would not have rebelled. My perfect creation would be intact if Eden had promoted ‘true religion’ in a church building!”
What is your reaction to the parable? Reactions likely run from bewilderment to anger. It deceptively misrepresents God’s concern and intent. It terribly distorts God’s solution. Perhaps most frightening is this: it represents a common Christian concept. Too many think that godliness is produced by going to church buildings and hearing discussions about ‘true religion.’
Adam and Eve’s problem centered in their behavior. Old Testament Israel’s problems primarily centered in their behavior. That was the message of God’s prophets. The Pharisees’ problems centered primarily in their behavior. That is the message of Jesus. The early church experienced numerous problems because of their behavior. That is the message of the epistles.
In each generation, behavior problems exist for two basic reasons. First, people do not trust God. Second, people’s decisions and interactions are governed by godless attitudes. As a result, faithless lives are guided by ungodly attitudes. The consequences: evil behavior curses their lives and assaults their relationships.
Christians must be (1) taught to trust God, (2) challenged to develop Christ-like attitudes, and (3) urged to devote themselves to godly behavior in all relationships. Only then do they oppose Satan. Anything less encourages Satan.
Read James 1:27 and note that it is behavior centered.
