Meeting Our Maker

I didn’t plan it this way but with the passing of two iconic figures in the entertainment world the subject of death, grieving, and heaven are hot topics right now. So this week as we continue the series Parousia we turn to I Thessalonians 4:13-18 where Paul instructs the Thessalonians about the reality of death but also the believer’s hope in the resurrection. Apparently the new Christians in Thessalonica where being overwhelmed with grief because of the inaccurate messages they were receiving about what had happened to their loved ones who had died. It is out of a deep pastoral love that Paul shares the hope of the return of Christ because it will be a time of reunion with their friends and relatives who had passed away.

Grief over the death of loved ones and friends is also a reality for believers today.  What we’ll come to find in this section of Thessalonians is that the believer’s hope is bound up in the promise that the same God who raised Jesus from the grave also has the power to bring back his followers who have died.  This understanding gave great HOPE to Christians in Paul’s day and should do the same for us today.

Rocking the Boat

 

Which "Boat" Are we?

I love boats! In a sermon I preached last year (February 2008) I took the time to compare the many different types or styles of boats out there to the many types of  churches I see.  Below is what I came up with: 

 

• Rubber Raft Church: not a whole lot to it, provides some edification, but really is full of air, which means there’s a lot of talk and philosophizing but it doesn’t do much.

• Cruise Ship Church: Like a Disney or Carnival cruise ship it’s all about the vacation. This church values leisure (Sabbath “rest”), eating, and being entertained.

• Dingy Church: used for “short trips” generally an emotion driven church that lacks substance and depth this church can never take you on the journey God has in mind.

• Competition Ski Boat: flashy, hip, financially well off, church that looks great, and scores some big ministry events every now and then but can’t seem to really have a sustained ministry since the members are comfortable they don’t see the need.

• Canoe church: one or two people or are “paddling” doing all the work of ministry while others applaud their hard work from the shore.

• Paddle Boat church: Hard working, “works” oriented church that cruises around looking at things and people to pass judgment on.

• House Boat church: a church that is all about family, but they never reach anybody else because they only think about themselves.

• Kayak church: this church seeks out the biggest spiritual thrill available – personal spiritual fulfillment is the most important – these church people often church hop – or attend big religious events to get their fix but can never stay with one church long enough to become part of a community.

• Rescue Boat church: a socially conscious church this church is motivated to rescue the most vulnerable and desperate of people. It often lacks enough organizational skill to pull off what it needs to do and it is in constant financial crisis because it can’t turn anyone away.

• Power Boat church: like the classic wooden inboards or the more contemporary “cigar” boats they are made for looks and power – generally located in a religious ghetto next to a major denominational institution where church leaders attend.  Full of spectators and people attracted to power but very little gets done for the kingdom.

• Super Yacht church: this church is plush, sophisticated, and equipped with the latest and greatest of technology. It is cushy and lacks nothing except for a real mission that will move it out of the lap of luxury. 

Staying Alive

George Bullard on (BullardJournal.org) has identified 20 factors that empower denominations to survive in the 21st century. They have been condensed to 10 here. I thought about Adventism when I read this so I’m posting it here and just for fun take the time rate each point on a scale of 1 (poor) to 10 (excellent) and let me know your overall score by posting a comment.

1. They proactively acknowledge and function with the understanding that real denominations serve congregations, and all they do points to enhancing the vitality of local congregations.

2. They unite on a clear and compelling message that seeks to make a transformational difference in the world. That message is so powerful that it gives them great reason to work through issues that seek to divide them.

3. They develop clarity around their doctrinal values that focus on core doctrines and allow flexibility for congregations who do not agree with every non-core doctrine espoused.

4. They empower congregational multiplication movements that result in a number of new congregations each year equal to three percent or more of the number of congregations already affiliated with their denomination.

5. They adopt and adapt effective models for helping congregations to develop readiness for transition and change, and ultimately transformation.

6. They help faithful, effective, and innovative congregations move to the next level of effectiveness in reaching their full kingdom potential.

7. They rediscover the core, highly valued activities of the denominations, and move secondary endeavors such as institutions to the back burner.

8. They make peace with the parachurch world, and even become more parachurch in nature themselves. They partner with parachurch organizations to increase effective service to their congregations.

9. They find ways to conduct the basic services and systems of the denomination in a manner that spends as few resources as possible and still maintains basic services to congregations. They do this by becoming resources brokers and coaches, rather than resource providers and consultants.

10. They understand multiple funding streams will have to be developed and cultivated to pay for denominational resources and services. They realize it is not likely the offering plate dollars in their affiliated congregations will provide the financial resources needed for future denominational vitality.

Pastor’s Note: You Wouldn’t Like Me When I’m Angry!

 

Don't Make Me Mad

“You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry!”  This is that memorable line from the late 70’s early 80’s TV show, The Incredible Hulk. The show featured the late Bill Bixby as a rather mild-mannered David Banner who when pushed or bullied would transform into a green muscle-bound giant of a man played by world-class bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno. As the “hulk” he demonstrated enormous strength and power to defeat the bad guys.

We might be tempted to think that God is a little like the Incredible Hulk in reverse. The God of the Old Testament appears to be an angry, all-powerful, wrathful God who doles out justice in an instant. In the New Testament God sends His Son as a humble, itinerate, Jewish teacher who heals the sick and demonstrates abnormal kindness to those He encounters.  Yet even the New Testament doesn’t avoid the issue of God’s wrath and even in the gospels where Jesus ministry is highlighted John issues this warning, “but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” John 3:36

In first Thessalonians Paul speaks of God’s “wrath” 3 different times and we can’t ignore them even though it can be rather uncomfortable to talk about. So as we continue our series called “Parousia” we’ll look specifically at the issue of God’s anger or “wrath” and attempt to understand how it fits with Paul’s teaching on the gospel and the return of Christ.

Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations

I came across an article recently that talked about the 5 practices of fruitful congregations. I thought you might like to read them and see how our church (Wasatch Hills) or your church (wherever you attend) is doing.  The article was written by Robert Schnase and can be found on www.sermoncentral.com

Here are the 5 practices as outlined in the article:

RADICAL HOSPITALITY (Romans 12:9-21)

PASSIONATE WORSHIP (John 4:21-24)

INTENTIONAL FAITH DEVELOPMENT (I Corinthians 9:19-24)

RISK-TAKING MISSION AND SERVICE (Matthew 25:14-30)

EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY (2 Corinthians 9:6-15)

So how about your church?  How are you doing when it comes to being a fruitful congregation?

A Strike!

Video Blog

done

“Parousia” New Message Series

 

I’m excited to begin a new series this Sabbath (May 2) focusing on the New Testament books of I & II Thessalonians. The word “parousia” is from the Greek and means “coming”, “presence”, “arrival” and is most often used in reference to the second coming of Jesus. There are a total of eight chapters between both books written by the apostle Paul to the  Thessalonians and in each chapter there is a specific reference to the “parousia”. I’ve really sensed a call to preach this series mainly because there are so many things going on in our world right now. With the current economic downturn, ongoing war, and recent news of a “swine flu” many are wondering if indeed Christ return is imminent. We’ll take the next 6 messages (possibly more) to journey through I & II Thessalonians together and find that indeed Christ will return for His people.

BowlFest 2009

Hello everyone,
On May 4 I’ll be in “sin city” Las Vegas, NV to support a great cause. I’ll be bowling 100 frames to support my ministry friends at Fireproof Ministries/www.xxxchurch.com. I would love to have you sponsor me and support this incredible ministry that is reaching out to so many with the gospel.  JUST CLICK ON THE “first giving” button above.  Thanks!

Satan and Demons “Nightline Face Off”

 

Check out this debate on Satan & Demons with Mark Driscoll, Depok Chopra and some other folks. I don’t agree with Mark Driscoll on everything but I do like him and I like his approach with Mars Hill Church, Seattle.  Obviously the Bible teaches that Satan is real and seeks to destroy all that God has created especially you and me. (Ephesians 6:11-13)

 

http://abcnews.go.com/nightline/faceoff