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A new message series begins February 1st. “Deadliest Catch” – lessons from the life of Jonah.
Most people have at least a passing acquaintance with the story of Jonah - the guy in the Bible who got swallowed by a whale, right? – but his story could be our story… We run from God and reap the consequences of our disobedience… We gripe and complain when God doesn’t do things the way we want Him to… And if we’ll get still and be quiet for a moment, we just might get to see God’s amazing mercy and love for people.
This four-part message series will draw us deeper into a story we thought we knew – and show us that there’s a little Jonah in all of us. You won’t want to miss it!
The start of a new series is a great time to invite friends, relatives, co-workers, and neighbors who are not involved in church. Call someone and invite them to come. Offer to meet them in the parking lot or foyer, and to sit with them during the service. If they’re not ready to “go to church” just yet, that’s ok – offer to get them a CD of the message, or hook them up with the web adress where they can listen online. Let God use you in your unbelieving friend’s journey back to the Father.
Always remember – we’re here for good.
Right up front, let me be clear – I believe that the preaching of the Cross is the power of God unto salvation. I believe we need to lift up Christ, who said He would draw all men unto Him. I believe we must “preach Christ crucified” to see genuine life change in the people we minister to. I don’t give ‘talks’ on how to improve your marriage, advance your career, or raise happy, shiny children. I preach textual/topical messages from scripture – which, by the way, provides us with God’s principles and directions for doing all the aforementioned and much more…
If anything you read from here on causes you to think otherwise, please re-read that paragraph.
I’m just getting really tired of Christians “picking on” other Christians because of how they do outreach.
It happens anytime a church does something a little different. Maybe it’s an edgy or provocative mailer or advertisement… A sermon series on a controversial or sensational topic… An unusual method of appealing to unsaved and unchurched.
And the protesting pit-bulls for Jesus begin to bark and show their teeth…
It cheapens the Gospel…
The Gospel has held up pretty well the last 2000 years even though it’s been ridiculed, rejected, and ignored. I think it can endure church coffee shops and frank messages on what the Bible says about sex.
What you win them with you win them to…
This is supposed to mean that whatever attracts someones attention will be necessary to keep their attention… It sounds good, like it could actually be true, but only in the absence of good teaching and preaching that lifts up Jesus – when no effort is made to disciple or help people mature. I’ve seen families get involved in church because they first came to a church-sponsored Easter egg hunt, and they don’t show up every Sunday with baskets in hand looking for jelly beans and hollow bunny handouts.
And the silver bullet, it’s worldly…
Yeah, there are some places in outreach that I’m not going to go. There are some current forms of evangelism that I find tacky, silly, and distasteful. My solution? I don’t do those things in my church, AND I resist the urge to throw a brother or sister under the bus because they do.
So what if they’re doing it wrong? When Jesus’ disciples got upset that someone who wasn’t part of their circle was doing ministry, Jesus said, “He who is not against us is with us.” Paul said of those whose motives and methods were suspect, “The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.”
Of course, part of the problem is that often the assumption is made that Christ isn’t being preached in a church that’s stooping to such “unseemly” methods. And if we’re going to make such assertions, we’d better be daggone sure we have full knowledge of what’s being preached and taught in those churches.
Every fisherman has run into that guy who knows how to fish better than you do and isn’t shy about telling you. He’ll criticize your bait choice, your equipment, your location, and your casting style. He infers or implies, and in a lot of cases flat out says his way is right and yours is wrong. He’s a nuisance, but at least he only treats you like you’re stupid, and not like you’re a sleazy, worldly sell-out.
(And yeah, I know there are negative people on both sides of this issue. Some “rock star” pastors in cutting-edge churches throw off a really arrogant and condescending vibe – They act like everybody who doesn’t do it like they do is hopelessly out of touch and outdated. That attitude stinks, too.)
Bottom line is catching the fish – whether it’s on a bamboo pole with a bent paper clip for a hook or a $700 Sage® Z-Axis fishing rod… I remain committed to anything short of sin to reach unbelieving people.
Maybe instead of critiquing the bait, we should get excited when folks are fishing, and pray that the hook will always be the Gospel.
Yeah, I’m going to brag a little… Our almost-19-year-old son was pretty much born talking, and basically taught himself to read. He was always a very verbal kid. He is also an amazing young writer. I featured his Christmas poem a few weeks back.
Now he has written a piece that is beautiful, challenging and thought-provoking. It humbles me and, frankly, scares me a little to discover that he really was listening all those times he heard old dad preach and teach. It makes me proud that he didn’t swallow whole what I was laying down, but he thought about it, discussed it with friends and family, even disagreed with some of it – or at least reached some different conclusions.
Anyway, here it is – I hope you enjoy it…
Good News – by Ben Gamel
(Part one is dedicated to my dad, who taught me what Grace is all about. Part two is for anyone I have talked theology, religion, or philosophy with in the past year and a half. And Part three is for Friction. I love you guys.)
-1-
In the beginning
There were three things created
Heaven, Earth, and us
Everything else
Well it came out of a big bang of words
And these days
It’s no secret that we say too much
‘Cause in the beginning there was a word
One word.
And the word was LOVE
So ever since
We have been babbling nonsense
Just trying to catch up
But I have good news
It is that we can cease striving
‘Cause when one word becomes one man
That has to die twice
Well, I have heard that love has the power
To bring a dead man back to life
So we can stop trying
Stop trying to make our lives right
Because the amazing saving grace
Of the Raised Man does not fade
And the good news is
Grace has a wonderful way
Of making us into saints
-2-
There are some that say
That we are like living words
The masterpiece poetry of God himself
But when I see myself
I wish that God was a better writer
Because I was born with the brave gift of brutal honesty
Set to rhythm in a heart-beating whirlwind of words
Sometimes I feel like Solomon
Setting my mind to seek and explore
By wisdom
All things under heaven
And all is vanity
So honestly
Sometimes I’m a cynic
And sometimes I have my doubts
So I write these words out for you
With all my suspicions and mistakes
And maybe we can talk a while
With all my god-questions and yours
Like what if the answer
To our final test
Is nothing more than our best guess
But I have to believe
That there is more to life than just existence
Because maybe the question is less of “what if”
And more of who we believe God is
And my God
Is love
-3-
Sometimes
It’s hard to find the good
In the bruises of this messed up world
‘Cause we all could use a little gospel
We all need something good
So in our beautiful brokenness
We hold onto the hope in knowing
That Love has the power
To bring us back to life
I’m a rock ribbed conservative, but I feel a strong sense of hope for our new President. He appears to be a committed family man, an honest person, and one who is willing to reach across ideological lines. Though I disagree with some of his stated positions, I truly believe he cares for this country and wants to improve things for all people. We only have one president at a time, and I choose not to mirror the rancor and disrespect shown to GWB by liberals everyday for the past eight years.
One of my favorite bloggers, and a pastor I look to for inspiration and guidance, David Foster had a great post yesterday. It made me think and has inspired me to follow his lead. Here’s the essence – slightly edited:
Here are my seven promises to President Obama as he makes history and begins his presidency.
1. President Obama, I promise to pray for you each and every day that God would give you wisdom and favor and that He would protect you from those who are evil.
2. I promise to respect you for not only what you have achieved personally and how you’ve taken advantage of all your opportunities, but also for the fact that you fulfill the role of President of my country, an office worthy of respect. Though the men who have occupied it have been imperfect, its ideal still abides; a Democracy ruled over not by a King, but by a President elected by the people.
3. I promise to support you where I can and to reserve judgment over those things I disagree with, believing that you may know more about the subject than I do.
4. I promise to believe the best about you. I won’t listen to conspiracy theories and throw you under the bus at the first sign that you may not be doing something the majority of the people agree with.
5. I promise to be the kind of American worthy of a great President.
6. I promise I will not expect you to do for me what I should be doing for myself. I’m glad I don’t live in a Socialist state. I live in a Democracy driven by Capitalism, the idea that I am personally responsible for my actions. So I’ll not ask you to pay my house payment or feed me unless I have a catastrophic disability. I’m willing to pay my taxes and my fair share and fully take responsibility.
7. I promise to remember that you’re human; that you occupy an office that no human can be expected to perform flawlessly. I’ll try to put myself in your place even though it would be hard to do.
This is a day of new beginnings for our country. I plan to be in on it. I’m not going to sit on the sidelines and throw stones. I want to be a part of the solution, the change that we all hope and pray will happen. As a man of faith it is my obligation and responsibility. And as a citizen, it is the covenant I signed up for.
Read Foster’s original post HERE.
Thoughts that are jumping across the pond in my head…
- What an amazing day we had at Jubilee yesterday! It was cold and icy and snowy, but we had very strong attendance.
- Worship was smokin’! You guys flat brought it yesterday!
- We had at least a dozen first time guests – it was very cool to see that a couple of them had signed up to help with the Chili Supper!
- Message 3 in the “Plan A” series, focusing on the essential message of the Gospel – “Christ died for our sins, and He rose from the dead. We have to trust in Christ and in His sacrifice on the cross as payment for our sins.” A simple, consistent message will help our unbelieving friends move along in the process of coming to God.
- A young man trusted Christ as Savior, and a young woman re-committed her life and wants God to use her to reach her unbelieving friends. THAT’S why we do what we do!
- We’re still building momentum folks – but the “breakout” phase will be here sooner than we think. We HAVE to be ready.
- Another great class in Financial Peace University! We wrote our total consumer debt, not counting mortgages, anonymously on index cards, which were then added together. I think everyone was blown away by the total… 3 or 4 families cut up credit cards last night! I’m loving the relationships that are building. We’ve got a common goal – get a better grip on our finances!
- “52 Books in a Year” update – I didn’t quite finish “Visioneering” last week, so I plan to finish it up this week, then start “Simple Church” (Rainer) – a book everybody and their brother has read and recommended but I’m just now getting to it. I’ve still got “It” and “Crazy Love” in my sights for upcoming weeks…
- So, it’s the Steelers vs. Cardinals in the Super Bowl… I appreciate Kurt Warner as a Christ follower who has fought hard for what he’s achieved, and I noticed Roethlisberger gave the Lord a shout out after the game last night. I’m happy for the Cards making it to the Big Show for the first time, but I’m gonna remain true to my AFC and pull for the Steelers. Yeah, I know they’re a Colts “nemesis” and truthfully I’m just going to enjoy the game, no matter who wins.
- I’m hoping to blog more this week – got a couple of interesting things rolling around in the brain. Stay tuned…
- Let’s be driven not by what God has done through Jubilee in the past but by what He is going to do! “Greater things are still to come, greater things are still to be done in this city!”
Have a great week!
Thoughts that are jumping across the pond of my mind…
- Very good day at Jubilee yesterday – considering the weather, we had a great crowd and some returning guests.
- Message #2 in the “Plan A” evangelism series – focused on building relationships that help our unsaved friends move through the evangelism process. We have to be real, a “natural” friend, we have to be willing to speak up when the time is right, and we have to be willing for God to use other people in our friend’s lives.
- BTW, in the message I revealed the plot to a “romantic comedy” script I’m writing! You’ll have to listen to the message to hear it, though… Listen HERE.
- Another great class in “Financial Peace University” last night. The excitement and optimism in the group about getting control of family finances was AMAZING! Keep taking those “baby steps!”
- I was totally NOT expecting the Titans, Panthers, and Giants to get beat yesterday! I’m going to remain loyal to the AFC and pull for the Steelers… I think it will be them and the Ravens in the Superbowl.
- One of the kids who went ice skating yesterday slipped on the ice – in the parking garage, not the ice rink - hit his head and got a concussion! Brody, man, I’m so sorry that happened to you. Get well, not soon, but RIGHT NOW!
- “52 Books in a Year” update – “Sticky Church” by Larry Osborne was an incredible book, one that is causing me to rethink some stuff about small groups. Next up, a reread and finish up of “Visoneering” by Andy Stanley. I got sidetracked about a third of the way in, so I’m going get that done this week. After that, either “It” (Groeschel, not Stephen King) or “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan.
- I started my second week back in the gym today – upped my elliptical time a little and worked in some interval stuff on the recumbent bike. My legs felt like jelly afterward. But I’m inspired by Lonnie, a local guy who walked into the gym for the first time a few months ago weighing over 400 lbs – he’s lost more than 70 lbs so far!
- While I was editing this post, I heard that the Indianapolis Colts will announce coach Tony Dungy’s retirement today… This makes me sad – I was so hopeful that he’d come back for one more year. I really think the world of Coach Dungy – he’s a fine Christian man, and a great coach. Other than geography, he’s the main reason I became a Colts fan. Today, I’m True Blue, and I have high hopes for the future under new head coach Jim Caldwell, but I will miss Coach Dungy.
- I’m officiating at two funerals this week – one of them for Steve, who told me last Wednesday afternoon, “I believe in God and Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior!” AMEN! Steve passed away Friday morning.
- I’m so excited about changing the world from a cornfield! We’ve got a lot of hard work in front of us – installing/improving systems, leadership development to name a couple of things – but we’re a charting a new course in our community. Remember: If we want to reach people who have never been reached, we’ve got to do things that have never been done!
Have a great week!
Blogged a “crazy idea” the other day that EVERYONE in our church should have a computer, and offered to find free training for anybody that took the challenge… (A friend of mine thought it was hilarious that I would challenge people to get a computer on my blog – where they wouldn’t see it… I just didn’t think it through. I’m putting the challenge out in other ways, too.)
I am an absolute rookie when it comes to tech-mo-nology – no comparison to some of the people I know who are completely plugged in to all things new and shiny and gadgety… But, yeah I have a blog, a Facebook page, and I Twitter…
And it’s that last one that totally stumps the computer illiterate.
“What is THAT?” they will say, while looking at me like I just said something dirty.
And when I explain that “Twitter is social networking through short form blogging, primarily answering the question, ‘What are you doing?’” I can see their eyes glaze over as they start to mentally balance their checkbook or organize their sock drawer.
Well, you know I’m all about the education – so here’s a brief video that explains the purpose and appeal of Twitter way better than I ever could. Watch it, go buy that computer, get the free training, and join the rest of us here in the 21st century… It’s nice here – I think you’ll like it.
The people at Jubilee have heard me say this many times – I can’t teach compassion. I can’t put on a seminar or form a small group Bible study, or hand out a book, and at the end of 8 hours or 10 weeks or 13 chapters produce a single person who isn’t selfish; who doesn’t try to impress others; who doesn’t just look out for their own interests, but takes an interest in others… In other words I can’t teach anyone to have “the same attitude Christ Jesus had.” (see Philippians 2:3-5)
See, I know that it’s His work in us, by the Holy Spirit, that works out our transition from selfish pig to selfless servant. But I also think there should be some evidence that we’re at least on the journey. Serving is the normal Christian life. Serving sets the stage for evangelism. If our friends are soil, and the gospel is the seed, serving is the way we till the soil. And that will never happen without a heart of compassion being formed in us.
That being said, I will continue to teach and preach about compassion, to point to the abundant scriptural examples and the less abundant, but still powerful, examples from current culture.
Case in point: A recent article by Rick Reilly – in my opinion one of the best sports writers/commentators working today – about a very unusual football game. Please click the link below and read the story. If you don’t tear up at least a little, check your pulse – you might be dead.
The Gift of Hope by Rick Reilly
Hat tip to Charles Hill for the article!
Musings for a Monday…
- It’s good to be back after a two week blog break. I read/heard/saw a lot of things I want to write about and pass along, so I hope to get and keep a head of steam for awhile.
- Planning some changes for the blog – mostly cosmetic. I just hope I don’t blow it up!
- Really good day at Jubilee yesterday – good crowd, some new faces… Loved the low-key, acoustic worship, we’ve just got to get more VOLUME out of you, Jesi, because yeah, you ARE that good!
- Kicked off the “Plan A” message series on evangelism… Key take-home truth: Evangelism is a process – not an event – and God uses people in a variety of ways in that process.
- Great (defined as AMAZING, FANTASTIC, UNBELIEVABLE – but I don’t want to say it that way because those words are majorly overused on many “pastor blogs”… So I won’t.) start to our very first Financial Peace University class. 14 families taking the class. No exaggeration: for the first time in my life I really have confidence that Vic and I can get a better grip on our finances… Can’t wait for next week!
- Got back in the gym today after a lengthy layoff due to: 1) The knee injury I wrote about HERE and 2) My character flaws of not liking to get up early and exercise. I did the elliptical and the recumbent bike, and was not at all surprised to find that – even after losing almost 40 lbs since October – I am sadly out of shape. I’ve got a long road ahead, but I’ve got to get healthy.
- One of my “stretch goals” for the new year is to read 52 books – basically a book a week. I got an early start over the weekend with Sticky Church by Larry Osborne – really enjoying it so far.
- I have the high privilege to pastor a church that is changing the world from a cornfield! My mind is going in 84 different directions at once – excited and a little overwhelmed at the possibilities of this year in the life of our church. BUT… We’re going to focus on two things: Systems and Leadership development!
- Today’s “Crazy Idea” – I won’t be satisfied until every person in the church is using a computer! Mac or PC, I don’t care - just get one and AT LEAST learn to use email! Seriously – not having one is like not having a phone or a car… And all your excuses – too old to learn, it’s too complicated, too expensive – are BOGUS! Here’s a deal: If you will get one, I will personally guarantee that we will get you the help you need to learn to use it – free of charge. How can you beat a deal like that?
That’s all for now. Catch you later!
