Let's continue our reflections on Pastor Sam's sermons from this past Sunday.
Pastor Sam made the point that, on occasion, there are signal spiritual events that happen. Those events are markers, landmarks, that are intended to be a lasting testimony in the lives of the people who experience it, and also in the lives of people who hear about it. The triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem is one such marker.
The tragedy, of course, is that the people who were present for the experience didn't understand what was really happening. They were swept up into the excitement of a spontaneous parade. They were following the crowd. But, as Pastor Sam said, they were also following the crowd on Good Friday, crying out for the crucifixion of the man they had been exalting just a few days earlier.
So, on to our question of the day:
What does it mean when we shout "Hosanna to the Son of David"?
Or I could ask you, Do you know what you're saying?
"Son of David" is not just a trite slogan to be tossed around. It is an indicator of kingship. It is an indicator of the King of whom God has said, 'His kingdom will never end'.
Some of you may recall Handel's great choral work "The Messiah", and the famous anthem that closes Part Two of that work: "Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth... and He shall reign forever and ever..."
If we believe that this statement of eternal reign is true, then our exaltation of this glorious Christ must extend beyond singing and shouting. There must be a response that is continuous and consistent. We must live our lives in a way that shows the world how we love and adore this King: not just when the crowd is shouting, but also when the crowd has deserted Him.
Will you still wave your palm branches and shout 'Hosanna' when you're the only one doing it?
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
That Is What We Do!
A blessed Holy Week to you!
On this past Sunday, Pastor Sam stuck to his tradition of going through the Palm Sunday story found in Luke 19. Some of us were privileged to attend not only the services at Bronx Bethany, but also an evening service at Butler Memorial United Methodist church where Pastor Sam was the guest speaker. For this week's blogs, I'll be sharing reflections from both the BBCN and the Butler sermons.
What was interesting about the sermons was that, although the Luke 19 passage is the traditional reading for Palm Sunday, there was nothing traditional about the sermons. Every year, and in each service, the Lord leads us to learn new insights about the passage and the resultant implications for us as we seek to walk more closely with the Lord.
Perhaps the great challenge of "sticking to tradition" is that, in its familiarity, there is the danger of engaging in religious activity only because it is 'something that has always been done'. That is, there is no love for God, no desire for spiritual growth, no longing for a deeper relationship with the Lord. When church attendance, prayer, Scripture reading, or worship activity becomes simply a routine, we are putting ourselves at risk. We'll talk about some of those risks this week.
In preparation for this week's blogs, I encourage you to re-read Luke 19:28-46. See you tomorrow my friends!
On this past Sunday, Pastor Sam stuck to his tradition of going through the Palm Sunday story found in Luke 19. Some of us were privileged to attend not only the services at Bronx Bethany, but also an evening service at Butler Memorial United Methodist church where Pastor Sam was the guest speaker. For this week's blogs, I'll be sharing reflections from both the BBCN and the Butler sermons.
What was interesting about the sermons was that, although the Luke 19 passage is the traditional reading for Palm Sunday, there was nothing traditional about the sermons. Every year, and in each service, the Lord leads us to learn new insights about the passage and the resultant implications for us as we seek to walk more closely with the Lord.
Perhaps the great challenge of "sticking to tradition" is that, in its familiarity, there is the danger of engaging in religious activity only because it is 'something that has always been done'. That is, there is no love for God, no desire for spiritual growth, no longing for a deeper relationship with the Lord. When church attendance, prayer, Scripture reading, or worship activity becomes simply a routine, we are putting ourselves at risk. We'll talk about some of those risks this week.
In preparation for this week's blogs, I encourage you to re-read Luke 19:28-46. See you tomorrow my friends!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
That's What I Want!
The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. (Exodus 33:11)
Joshua had the privilege of being present to see the encounters that occurred between Moses and the LORD. Some of you might be able to speak in a similar manner: that is, maybe you have a family member or mentor whose walk with God is open to your scrutiny. Or maybe you've seen a pastor engaged in intercessory prayer.
Do you want what they have?
Do you long for it badly enough that you remain in the presence of God, even knowing that you don't currently have the sort of relationship with God that would allow you to have a "Moses"-like experience? Or are you merely a curious onlooker with no desire to encounter God for yourself?
We serve a gracious God who knows our hearts. If our delight is in Him, He will fulfill our heart's desire (see Psalm 37:4). Joshua was able to experience the transition from being a spectator to becoming a full participant in the plan of God. How about you?
Lord, please help us to want a deeper relationship with You!
Joshua had the privilege of being present to see the encounters that occurred between Moses and the LORD. Some of you might be able to speak in a similar manner: that is, maybe you have a family member or mentor whose walk with God is open to your scrutiny. Or maybe you've seen a pastor engaged in intercessory prayer.
Do you want what they have?
Do you long for it badly enough that you remain in the presence of God, even knowing that you don't currently have the sort of relationship with God that would allow you to have a "Moses"-like experience? Or are you merely a curious onlooker with no desire to encounter God for yourself?
We serve a gracious God who knows our hearts. If our delight is in Him, He will fulfill our heart's desire (see Psalm 37:4). Joshua was able to experience the transition from being a spectator to becoming a full participant in the plan of God. How about you?
Lord, please help us to want a deeper relationship with You!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Tempted By An Angel.
"I will send an angel before you... but I will not go with you" (see Exodus 33:1-3)
"If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here" (see Exodus 34:15)
What an offer. God, after striking the Israelites with a plague (because of their sin), tells Moses that an angel will be sent to lead the people into the Promised Land. Moses, in turn, pleads with God to remain with His people. Moses's question is one we can contemplate today: "What else will distinguish me and Your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" (see Exodus 34:16).
Some years ago, I heard a sermon that referenced this passage. The preacher asked a question of the congregation. It went something like this: "If you knew that you would get everything God promised you, but you wouldn't have the benefit of His Presence, would you be okay with just following an angel? Would you have to think about the offer before answering?"
There is an old hymn that says 'I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today'... Really? You want Him more than your job? More than wealth? More than health? Moses had his priorities straight: yes, the Presence of God mattered above all else.
My prayer is that when we are faced with the offer of "everything but God", we will forsake everything and cling to our Lord. May His Spirit help us to do that.
"If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here" (see Exodus 34:15)
What an offer. God, after striking the Israelites with a plague (because of their sin), tells Moses that an angel will be sent to lead the people into the Promised Land. Moses, in turn, pleads with God to remain with His people. Moses's question is one we can contemplate today: "What else will distinguish me and Your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" (see Exodus 34:16).
Some years ago, I heard a sermon that referenced this passage. The preacher asked a question of the congregation. It went something like this: "If you knew that you would get everything God promised you, but you wouldn't have the benefit of His Presence, would you be okay with just following an angel? Would you have to think about the offer before answering?"
There is an old hymn that says 'I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today'... Really? You want Him more than your job? More than wealth? More than health? Moses had his priorities straight: yes, the Presence of God mattered above all else.
My prayer is that when we are faced with the offer of "everything but God", we will forsake everything and cling to our Lord. May His Spirit help us to do that.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tongue-Tied.
During this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Rosemarie mentioned in passing a profound truth that we don't want to lose:
We cannot do battle in prayer if we hold unconfessed sin.
In other words, we become "all talk and no action" if our hearts are still bound to people, systems, or objects that God has warned us to let go of. And this is a great danger to the effectiveness of the body of Christ.
That's it, friends. No need to elaborate on this point. If you know that you're outside of the will of God, please don't act as if you have eternity to repent. Repent today.
We cannot do battle in prayer if we hold unconfessed sin.
In other words, we become "all talk and no action" if our hearts are still bound to people, systems, or objects that God has warned us to let go of. And this is a great danger to the effectiveness of the body of Christ.
That's it, friends. No need to elaborate on this point. If you know that you're outside of the will of God, please don't act as if you have eternity to repent. Repent today.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tent- Ative.
"Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshipped, each at the entrance to his tent." (Exodus 33:10)
"Moses heard the people of every family wailing, each at the entrance to his tent. The LORD became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled." (Numbers 11:10)
At the beginning of this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Rosemarie asked an important question: what is happening at the entrance to our tent?
Worship brings honor to God. Friends, what would our church look like if we each, individually, were diligent in seeking the face of God? Have we relegated the task of intercession to the "Moses and Joshua"s of the world, or would a peek into our homes and hearts reveal a longing for God's program to be accomplished in the world? What an incredible response the Israelites showed: "God is speaking to our leader: I'm going to worship the LORD while He speaks to Moses." Would you be willing to do that for Pastor Sam and our pastoral team? "Lord, I worship You and I am trusting that as I worship You, You are revealing Your word to our pastors."
Wailing brings dishonor to God. When God has given us something to sustain and nourish us (as He did in ancient Israel by feeding them with manna), it's very dangerous to complain in the face of God's gracious provision. The Numbers 11 passage closes with the death of the Israelites who despised the manna and craved other food. Why? Because they angered God with their complaining and their continued longing after Egyptian cuisine. What were they saying? "God, we'd rather have remained slaves in Egypt than to walk with You." Wow. I hope we're not doing a modern-day equivalent of that sort of grumbling.
So, are you worshipping? Or are you wailing?
"Moses heard the people of every family wailing, each at the entrance to his tent. The LORD became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled." (Numbers 11:10)
At the beginning of this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Rosemarie asked an important question: what is happening at the entrance to our tent?
Worship brings honor to God. Friends, what would our church look like if we each, individually, were diligent in seeking the face of God? Have we relegated the task of intercession to the "Moses and Joshua"s of the world, or would a peek into our homes and hearts reveal a longing for God's program to be accomplished in the world? What an incredible response the Israelites showed: "God is speaking to our leader: I'm going to worship the LORD while He speaks to Moses." Would you be willing to do that for Pastor Sam and our pastoral team? "Lord, I worship You and I am trusting that as I worship You, You are revealing Your word to our pastors."
Wailing brings dishonor to God. When God has given us something to sustain and nourish us (as He did in ancient Israel by feeding them with manna), it's very dangerous to complain in the face of God's gracious provision. The Numbers 11 passage closes with the death of the Israelites who despised the manna and craved other food. Why? Because they angered God with their complaining and their continued longing after Egyptian cuisine. What were they saying? "God, we'd rather have remained slaves in Egypt than to walk with You." Wow. I hope we're not doing a modern-day equivalent of that sort of grumbling.
So, are you worshipping? Or are you wailing?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Tapestry!
Hello Friends!
The Lord has called us to demonstrate authentic Christian community through holy living, and through contemplative disciplines such as fasting and prayer.
Our guest speaker, Pastor Rosemarie, continued the exhortation that was begun by our elders (Pastor Joy, Pastor Sam, and Pastor Benji) over the past few weeks. This week we'll reflect on her sermon, "Being Distinguished By The Anointing".
As has happened before with other guest speakers, God used Pastor Rosemarie to confirm and reaffirm His word which was already shared by our own local pastors. Oh, I hope we're listening to Him.
Well, it might be helpful to take time to re-read Exodus 22 and 23 in preparation for this week's blogs. So I'll trust you to read those on your own, and we'll continue tomorrow.
*Special note for BBCN family and friends: for those of you who attended Pastor Rosemarie's seminars over the weekend, some of the material she used was from her book "The Cry God Answers". Because it is copyrighted material, I will not be extracting from it for this week's blogs. The book can be purchased at the "Book Nook", Sundays after each service.
The Lord has called us to demonstrate authentic Christian community through holy living, and through contemplative disciplines such as fasting and prayer.
Our guest speaker, Pastor Rosemarie, continued the exhortation that was begun by our elders (Pastor Joy, Pastor Sam, and Pastor Benji) over the past few weeks. This week we'll reflect on her sermon, "Being Distinguished By The Anointing".
As has happened before with other guest speakers, God used Pastor Rosemarie to confirm and reaffirm His word which was already shared by our own local pastors. Oh, I hope we're listening to Him.
Well, it might be helpful to take time to re-read Exodus 22 and 23 in preparation for this week's blogs. So I'll trust you to read those on your own, and we'll continue tomorrow.
*Special note for BBCN family and friends: for those of you who attended Pastor Rosemarie's seminars over the weekend, some of the material she used was from her book "The Cry God Answers". Because it is copyrighted material, I will not be extracting from it for this week's blogs. The book can be purchased at the "Book Nook", Sundays after each service.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
...Yes, And Vitamin "A".
Friends, let's end this week with one last reflection on Ephesians 6.
We are admonished to take "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (see Ephesians 6:17).
Pastor Benji referenced the account of the temptation of Christ (found in Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:9-13, and Luke 4:1-13). And, our dear pastor reminded us that not everyone who quotes Scripture has our best interests at heart. After all, even the devil came to Jesus with Scriptures rolling off his tongue.
What is the point of knowing Scripture? What's the purpose of having this word of God hidden in our hearts? How do we effectively use this "sword"?
-The sword of the Spirit accomplishes the agenda of the kingdom of God. In the temptation of Christ, the devil attempted to use Scripture in order to undermine God's agenda. There is a danger present when we quote Scriptures as a form of justifying ourselves or our selfish motives.
-The sword of the Spirit anchors our souls in the truth. Yes, this word of God firmly plants our security in God. His word, handled correctly, is capable of crushing lies and revealing truths. Jesus's accurate handling of the word made it clear that He was the one in complete control, and that even in human form He was not subordinate to the devil in any regard.
-The sword of the Spirit authorizes the actions of the believer. Jesus, when confronted by the devil, was able to immediately give Biblical reasons for why He refused to engage in certain exercises that seemed spiritual on the surface, but in reality were actually affronts to the character and sovreignty of God.
What's the point of holding a weapon if you aren't sure how to use it? Friends, let's seek the help of God: to know His word, and also to know how to use His word. It's the only ammunition we have.
Here's to victory in Jesus!
We are admonished to take "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (see Ephesians 6:17).
Pastor Benji referenced the account of the temptation of Christ (found in Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:9-13, and Luke 4:1-13). And, our dear pastor reminded us that not everyone who quotes Scripture has our best interests at heart. After all, even the devil came to Jesus with Scriptures rolling off his tongue.
What is the point of knowing Scripture? What's the purpose of having this word of God hidden in our hearts? How do we effectively use this "sword"?
-The sword of the Spirit accomplishes the agenda of the kingdom of God. In the temptation of Christ, the devil attempted to use Scripture in order to undermine God's agenda. There is a danger present when we quote Scriptures as a form of justifying ourselves or our selfish motives.
-The sword of the Spirit anchors our souls in the truth. Yes, this word of God firmly plants our security in God. His word, handled correctly, is capable of crushing lies and revealing truths. Jesus's accurate handling of the word made it clear that He was the one in complete control, and that even in human form He was not subordinate to the devil in any regard.
-The sword of the Spirit authorizes the actions of the believer. Jesus, when confronted by the devil, was able to immediately give Biblical reasons for why He refused to engage in certain exercises that seemed spiritual on the surface, but in reality were actually affronts to the character and sovreignty of God.
What's the point of holding a weapon if you aren't sure how to use it? Friends, let's seek the help of God: to know His word, and also to know how to use His word. It's the only ammunition we have.
Here's to victory in Jesus!
Friday, March 19, 2010
"B" Vitamins...
I sometimes describe our BBCN pastors as "dangerous". I don't mean to imply that they should be avoided. Rather, I mean that they are true soldiers on the battlefield:
They are battle-trained- they are excellent students of Scripture, and they are wearing the full armor of God.
They are tactical- they are adept in fighting the enemy of our souls through spiritual warfare: prayer, discernment, and proclamation.
They are strategic- they aren't waiting for something to happen. Instead, they are making things happen in the kingdom of God.
They are compliant- they are quick to obey when a directive is given by our Commander-in-Chief, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pastor Benji, in one section of his sermon, gave some detailed tactical information regarding what we must be aware of as we engage in battle against the forces of evil seen and unseen.
-When we are planning, our enemy is also planning. Pastor Benji gave the example from Job, where Satan stands to accuse Job in the face of Job receiving God's commendation.
-We must resist the temptation for exhibition in an environment that requires production. Here, Pastor Benji shared the analogy of a person who trains and lifts weights to show off their physique, but who does not engage in any form of vocation (beyond fitness competitions) that requires such a level of strength. In other words, and pardon my yelling, THERE'S A LOT OF POSING AND GRUNTING GOING ON IN THE BODY OF CHRIST. BUT WHERE ARE THE WORKERS?
-We must always be conscious of who the enemy is. No, it's not the lady who got to church before you and sat in your favorite seat. And it's not the person who yelled at you at the office. Your enemy is Satan, the accuser of the children of God. Pastor Benji used the analogy of the war on drugs: the war is way beyond that guy on the corner selling dope. The real war involves persons of affluence, those who orchestrate an elaborate international supply system. In our war against sin, let's expend our energies in prayer against the top-level adversaries: principalities, powers, rulers, and other spiritual forces of evil (see Ephesians 6:12).
Lord, please help us to be true soldiers on the battlefield. Make us dangerous to the dominion of darkness! We want to be part of Your strategy for victory: yes, the world for Jesus. Thank You for enlisting us. In Jesus's name, Amen.
They are battle-trained- they are excellent students of Scripture, and they are wearing the full armor of God.
They are tactical- they are adept in fighting the enemy of our souls through spiritual warfare: prayer, discernment, and proclamation.
They are strategic- they aren't waiting for something to happen. Instead, they are making things happen in the kingdom of God.
They are compliant- they are quick to obey when a directive is given by our Commander-in-Chief, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pastor Benji, in one section of his sermon, gave some detailed tactical information regarding what we must be aware of as we engage in battle against the forces of evil seen and unseen.
-When we are planning, our enemy is also planning. Pastor Benji gave the example from Job, where Satan stands to accuse Job in the face of Job receiving God's commendation.
-We must resist the temptation for exhibition in an environment that requires production. Here, Pastor Benji shared the analogy of a person who trains and lifts weights to show off their physique, but who does not engage in any form of vocation (beyond fitness competitions) that requires such a level of strength. In other words, and pardon my yelling, THERE'S A LOT OF POSING AND GRUNTING GOING ON IN THE BODY OF CHRIST. BUT WHERE ARE THE WORKERS?
-We must always be conscious of who the enemy is. No, it's not the lady who got to church before you and sat in your favorite seat. And it's not the person who yelled at you at the office. Your enemy is Satan, the accuser of the children of God. Pastor Benji used the analogy of the war on drugs: the war is way beyond that guy on the corner selling dope. The real war involves persons of affluence, those who orchestrate an elaborate international supply system. In our war against sin, let's expend our energies in prayer against the top-level adversaries: principalities, powers, rulers, and other spiritual forces of evil (see Ephesians 6:12).
Lord, please help us to be true soldiers on the battlefield. Make us dangerous to the dominion of darkness! We want to be part of Your strategy for victory: yes, the world for Jesus. Thank You for enlisting us. In Jesus's name, Amen.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Ready To Rumble.
Well, at about this time yesterday some of us were attending the funeral of Sidney's mom.
She was not much older than me. And, in the face of attending the funeral of this 44 year old woman, I decided to spend the day reflecting on the event in light of Pastor Benji's sermon.
The day before the funeral, Pastor Benji had reminded me of one statement from the sermon: oftentimes, the place of your blessing is also the place of your battle. Yes, some of us have undergone very difficult battles. Not battles with guns and bombs, but battles being waged in our minds and hearts as the devil seeks to destroy us from within.
What does Paul do in Ephesians 6? He shows us how to cover ourselves. Truth. Faith. Righteousness. Peace. Salvation. If these things are bound to us, then we are bound to be victorious. This is a battle we can win.
Sometimes, the victory might not be visible to anyone else but ourselves. There may still be pain, sickness, and distresses, but deep within our hearts we know that something has happened to us... we know that God has rescued us. We are at peace and we have confidence in the power of God.
Friends, I pray that you have this confidence to live, and to die, covered in the full armor of God.
She was not much older than me. And, in the face of attending the funeral of this 44 year old woman, I decided to spend the day reflecting on the event in light of Pastor Benji's sermon.
The day before the funeral, Pastor Benji had reminded me of one statement from the sermon: oftentimes, the place of your blessing is also the place of your battle. Yes, some of us have undergone very difficult battles. Not battles with guns and bombs, but battles being waged in our minds and hearts as the devil seeks to destroy us from within.
What does Paul do in Ephesians 6? He shows us how to cover ourselves. Truth. Faith. Righteousness. Peace. Salvation. If these things are bound to us, then we are bound to be victorious. This is a battle we can win.
Sometimes, the victory might not be visible to anyone else but ourselves. There may still be pain, sickness, and distresses, but deep within our hearts we know that something has happened to us... we know that God has rescued us. We are at peace and we have confidence in the power of God.
Friends, I pray that you have this confidence to live, and to die, covered in the full armor of God.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Loan Dr.
We are so blessed at Bronx Bethany! Not just one, but five very competent preachers. This past Sunday, Pastor Benji brought a word from the Lord that was timely and challenging. Pastor Sam said it well: Pastor Benji, in the style of a general, has laid out clear plans and prepared us to take the field for battle.
Some of you may have memorized the passage concerning the "full armor of God", found in Ephesians 6. Pastor Benji focused on this passage in the third and final installment of his sermon series "The Path Of Spiritual Effectiveness".
For those of you who don't remember the first two parts of this sermon series, check out my archived blogs to refresh your memory:
From Part One ("Being Established"): November 10, 11, 13, and 14, 2009.
From Part Two ("Being Equipped"): December 1 through 5, 2009.
Lastly, I'd recommend that we all read the "full armor" passage, Ephesians 6:10-20.
Pastor Benji reminded us that this is a battle we fight on our knees, in prayer... so let's pray.
Lord, thank You that You have established us and equipped us for the work You want us to do. We ask that You would give us courage and wisdom to put on the full armor of God, so that as we engage in spiritual warfare we will only do so fully clothed in the things You have given for our protection: faith, salvation, truth, righteousness, peace, and the word of God. We pray knowing that You hear, and believing that You will answer. We love You, Lord, and we pray this in Jesus's name. Amen.
Some of you may have memorized the passage concerning the "full armor of God", found in Ephesians 6. Pastor Benji focused on this passage in the third and final installment of his sermon series "The Path Of Spiritual Effectiveness".
For those of you who don't remember the first two parts of this sermon series, check out my archived blogs to refresh your memory:
From Part One ("Being Established"): November 10, 11, 13, and 14, 2009.
From Part Two ("Being Equipped"): December 1 through 5, 2009.
Lastly, I'd recommend that we all read the "full armor" passage, Ephesians 6:10-20.
Pastor Benji reminded us that this is a battle we fight on our knees, in prayer... so let's pray.
Lord, thank You that You have established us and equipped us for the work You want us to do. We ask that You would give us courage and wisdom to put on the full armor of God, so that as we engage in spiritual warfare we will only do so fully clothed in the things You have given for our protection: faith, salvation, truth, righteousness, peace, and the word of God. We pray knowing that You hear, and believing that You will answer. We love You, Lord, and we pray this in Jesus's name. Amen.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Red Letter Day.
Today, let's finish out the rest of the alphabet...
Unconditional love, sincerity, & authenticity: I don't think we need to elaborate on this.
Valuing time: The wise use of every day, every moment, that God has given us.
Witnessing by our lifestyles: Yes, the loudest sermon you preach is not with your lips, but with your actions.
Xerox (TM) of Jesus: Everything He does, we copy Him.
Yearning to see more people saved: If you're not interested in seeing more people saved, then you're not an authentic copy of Jesus. Remember, the Lord doesn't want anyone to perish.
Zealous for the cause of Christ: Related to the previous five points, our zeal is expressed in our love, our lives, our planning, our execution of those plans, and our desire to see Jesus glorified on earth as He is in heaven.
A special thank you, again, to Pastor Joy for her obedience to the Spirit, and for her sharing of this list that will helps us all to draw nearer to the Lord Jesus.
See you next week, my friends!
Unconditional love, sincerity, & authenticity: I don't think we need to elaborate on this.
Valuing time: The wise use of every day, every moment, that God has given us.
Witnessing by our lifestyles: Yes, the loudest sermon you preach is not with your lips, but with your actions.
Xerox (TM) of Jesus: Everything He does, we copy Him.
Yearning to see more people saved: If you're not interested in seeing more people saved, then you're not an authentic copy of Jesus. Remember, the Lord doesn't want anyone to perish.
Zealous for the cause of Christ: Related to the previous five points, our zeal is expressed in our love, our lives, our planning, our execution of those plans, and our desire to see Jesus glorified on earth as He is in heaven.
A special thank you, again, to Pastor Joy for her obedience to the Spirit, and for her sharing of this list that will helps us all to draw nearer to the Lord Jesus.
See you next week, my friends!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Lingua...
Almost there! Let's continue our journey through Pastor Joy's sermon, in which she shared with us an alphabetical list showing the characteristics of Christian community.
Praying as we pursue purpose: We're not guessing. We're fully aware of what God has told us to do, and our prayers are reflective of our certainty.
Quick to show gratitude and peacefulness: In other words, when we're in a position to do something we do it right away. There's no reason for hesitation when it comes to being thankful and extending peacefulness to everyone.
Radical in our obedience to Christ: Whatever it takes, we must obey God rather than men. The first seven chapters of Acts are a wonderful testimony of radical obedience to our Lord Jesus.
Submitted to godly leadership: If you believe that God is leading your pastors, then submit to the leadership of those pastors.
Touching the untouchable: Intentionally loving and serving the disenfranchised of our community, reflecting into their lives the image of Jesus.
Tomorrow, we'll finish the alphabet. Today, let's take time to pray that these characteristics will be evident in our lives, for the sake of our Lord and His kingdom.
Praying as we pursue purpose: We're not guessing. We're fully aware of what God has told us to do, and our prayers are reflective of our certainty.
Quick to show gratitude and peacefulness: In other words, when we're in a position to do something we do it right away. There's no reason for hesitation when it comes to being thankful and extending peacefulness to everyone.
Radical in our obedience to Christ: Whatever it takes, we must obey God rather than men. The first seven chapters of Acts are a wonderful testimony of radical obedience to our Lord Jesus.
Submitted to godly leadership: If you believe that God is leading your pastors, then submit to the leadership of those pastors.
Touching the untouchable: Intentionally loving and serving the disenfranchised of our community, reflecting into their lives the image of Jesus.
Tomorrow, we'll finish the alphabet. Today, let's take time to pray that these characteristics will be evident in our lives, for the sake of our Lord and His kingdom.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Spelling, Be.
Well, we're about halfway through the alphabet. Pastor Joy's sermon went into a lot more detail than my blogs will, but I hope this is sufficient to get you thinking about your walk with the Lord.
Kingdom builders: our job is to promote the agenda of the kingdom of God.
Lavishing grace: yes, we could argue that some people don't deserve the grace of God. But that argument would be wrong. God pours out His grace freely; we must follow His example.
Merciful to the unmerciful: As Pastor Joy said on Sunday, and as Jesus said millenia ago, it's an easy thing to reciprocate to those who love you. But our task is to go the extra mile and show mercy to those who, in our estimation, have not earned it.
Not for hire: Christianity is a full-time status, so we cannot hire ourselves out to the devil for moments of sin. No room in our schedule for that.
Oasis for the thirsty: give yourself away. Be an ambassador of Christ to reach the lost.
Kingdom builders: our job is to promote the agenda of the kingdom of God.
Lavishing grace: yes, we could argue that some people don't deserve the grace of God. But that argument would be wrong. God pours out His grace freely; we must follow His example.
Merciful to the unmerciful: As Pastor Joy said on Sunday, and as Jesus said millenia ago, it's an easy thing to reciprocate to those who love you. But our task is to go the extra mile and show mercy to those who, in our estimation, have not earned it.
Not for hire: Christianity is a full-time status, so we cannot hire ourselves out to the devil for moments of sin. No room in our schedule for that.
Oasis for the thirsty: give yourself away. Be an ambassador of Christ to reach the lost.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Love Letters!
Today, let's continue walking through the alphabet of Christian character.
Forgiving: that's it, folks. We forgive. Unforgiveness excludes us from the community of faith.
Gregarious through Christ: because we belong to Him, we love and live through Him.
Healing community: the admonition is to repair relationships at all costs.
In sync with the Spirit: we see what He sees, we say what He says, we do what He tells us.
Just in all our interactions: we live a lifestyle that demonstrates fairness and equity.
Tomorrow, we'll continue with the middle of the alphabet.
Forgiving: that's it, folks. We forgive. Unforgiveness excludes us from the community of faith.
Gregarious through Christ: because we belong to Him, we love and live through Him.
Healing community: the admonition is to repair relationships at all costs.
In sync with the Spirit: we see what He sees, we say what He says, we do what He tells us.
Just in all our interactions: we live a lifestyle that demonstrates fairness and equity.
Tomorrow, we'll continue with the middle of the alphabet.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Kids, Don't Try This At Home!
Friends,
In a tradition-breaking mode, Pastor Sam didn't preach on Communion Sunday. He asked Pastor Joy to preach on the first Sunday of March. And Pastor Joy brought a challenging word to us, packaged in an alphabetical list.
For the next few days, we'll go through the alphabet she shared with us. Let's take time to pray about each of these aspects of Christian community. And let's ask ourselves: are we hitting the mark? Can God count on us to be mature, faithful, and trustworthy?
Atypical in our attachment: the things of the world don't have a hold on us.
Bankrupt of self: like the Acts 2 church, we don't hoard. We give freely to those in need.
Commitment to servanthood: in our world, "servant" is not a bad word. We are saved to serve.
Developmentally ready: we don't send boys to do a man's job. Spiritual maturity is a prerequisite to being able to carry out the mandates God has given us.
Energized by our vision: if we are not on board with the vision, then we really are not part of the community.
In a tradition-breaking mode, Pastor Sam didn't preach on Communion Sunday. He asked Pastor Joy to preach on the first Sunday of March. And Pastor Joy brought a challenging word to us, packaged in an alphabetical list.
For the next few days, we'll go through the alphabet she shared with us. Let's take time to pray about each of these aspects of Christian community. And let's ask ourselves: are we hitting the mark? Can God count on us to be mature, faithful, and trustworthy?
Atypical in our attachment: the things of the world don't have a hold on us.
Bankrupt of self: like the Acts 2 church, we don't hoard. We give freely to those in need.
Commitment to servanthood: in our world, "servant" is not a bad word. We are saved to serve.
Developmentally ready: we don't send boys to do a man's job. Spiritual maturity is a prerequisite to being able to carry out the mandates God has given us.
Energized by our vision: if we are not on board with the vision, then we really are not part of the community.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Caution: God At Work.
During the second service, Pastor Aurelio (while in the middle of his sermon) gave Pastor Sam a prophetic word. I won't repeat the prophecy here, but I do think it might be helpful if we consider how to respond in instances when the Spirit of God empowers a man to speak prophetically.
We respond in prayer.
We respond in faith.
We respond in support.
Of course, we have two assumptions going into today's blog: first, we are assuming that God still speaks prophetically through His servants; and second, we are assuming that it indeed was the Spirit of God who prompted the prophetic word shared by Pastor Aurelio. (I hope the Church of the Nazarene still believes in the ministry of the Holy Spirit as indicated in Scripture: if it doesn't, then tell me... so I can bail out.)
So, our response in light of our assumptions:
We pray for our pastor. We pray that he will seek God to confirm the word. We pray that he will measure the prophetic word against the written word of God, because God will never contradict His written word. We pray that there will be no hindrances that block him from walking in obedience to God. We pray that the word of the Lord will be fulfilled.
We engage faith. In our case, it's easy to receive the prophetic word by faith because the word given by Pastor Aurelio is the word we have heard from so many other guest speakers. We also have our own personal relationship with God and can hear from Him ourselves. If someone asks "What has God said about Bronx Bethany?", then most of us who have attended Bronx Bethany over the past few years can give a clear answer. We are agreeing with what God has said. That's faith.
We respond in support. Why? Because the work of God's kingdom is never done alone. As Pastor Martha shared towards the end of service, we each comprise one small part of the body of Christ, and each small part is needed in order for the body to work to its optimum level. So beyond praying, beyond believing God, we have to do something. The saying is still true: faith without works is dead (See James 2:17).
So, as we close out this week, let's ask:
In light of the spoken prophecies, in light of the written word of God, and in light of the example of Jesus Christ, what can I do to support the ministry of Pastor Sam, Bronx Bethany, the Church of the Nazarene, and the Church around the world?
We respond in prayer.
We respond in faith.
We respond in support.
Of course, we have two assumptions going into today's blog: first, we are assuming that God still speaks prophetically through His servants; and second, we are assuming that it indeed was the Spirit of God who prompted the prophetic word shared by Pastor Aurelio. (I hope the Church of the Nazarene still believes in the ministry of the Holy Spirit as indicated in Scripture: if it doesn't, then tell me... so I can bail out.)
So, our response in light of our assumptions:
We pray for our pastor. We pray that he will seek God to confirm the word. We pray that he will measure the prophetic word against the written word of God, because God will never contradict His written word. We pray that there will be no hindrances that block him from walking in obedience to God. We pray that the word of the Lord will be fulfilled.
We engage faith. In our case, it's easy to receive the prophetic word by faith because the word given by Pastor Aurelio is the word we have heard from so many other guest speakers. We also have our own personal relationship with God and can hear from Him ourselves. If someone asks "What has God said about Bronx Bethany?", then most of us who have attended Bronx Bethany over the past few years can give a clear answer. We are agreeing with what God has said. That's faith.
We respond in support. Why? Because the work of God's kingdom is never done alone. As Pastor Martha shared towards the end of service, we each comprise one small part of the body of Christ, and each small part is needed in order for the body to work to its optimum level. So beyond praying, beyond believing God, we have to do something. The saying is still true: faith without works is dead (See James 2:17).
So, as we close out this week, let's ask:
In light of the spoken prophecies, in light of the written word of God, and in light of the example of Jesus Christ, what can I do to support the ministry of Pastor Sam, Bronx Bethany, the Church of the Nazarene, and the Church around the world?
Friday, March 5, 2010
The Best Precedent!
"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children..." (From Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
What will our legacy be?
How are we using our time and resources?
Are we leaving our loved ones the best legacy, which is a knowledge of the word of God?
How are we demonstrating that we are people of prayer?
Pastor Aurelio asked us these questions during this past Sunday's sermon, and we would do well to know the answers. Scripture is full of examples of men and women who were tagged for certain characteristics: Daniel was tagged as a man of prayer. David was tagged as a man of worship. Abraham was tagged as a man of faith.
We can think of modern men and women as well. There are those who have become so legendary in their passion for God that we know them instantly. Finney. Moody. Wilkerson. Cymbala.
And here at BBCN, yes, even our own Publio. The man who went from door to door, prayed over maps of the Bronx, walked through the neighborhood claiming souls for Jesus, laughed, danced, and loved honestly and deeply. We can say there was no question of his love, his faith, his worship, his prayer life. Everyone knew Publio was authentically and unapologetically Christian.
What will people say about you when you're gone?
What will our legacy be?
How are we using our time and resources?
Are we leaving our loved ones the best legacy, which is a knowledge of the word of God?
How are we demonstrating that we are people of prayer?
Pastor Aurelio asked us these questions during this past Sunday's sermon, and we would do well to know the answers. Scripture is full of examples of men and women who were tagged for certain characteristics: Daniel was tagged as a man of prayer. David was tagged as a man of worship. Abraham was tagged as a man of faith.
We can think of modern men and women as well. There are those who have become so legendary in their passion for God that we know them instantly. Finney. Moody. Wilkerson. Cymbala.
And here at BBCN, yes, even our own Publio. The man who went from door to door, prayed over maps of the Bronx, walked through the neighborhood claiming souls for Jesus, laughed, danced, and loved honestly and deeply. We can say there was no question of his love, his faith, his worship, his prayer life. Everyone knew Publio was authentically and unapologetically Christian.
What will people say about you when you're gone?
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Joyful, Joyful...
This past Sunday, Pastor Aurelio shared with us the importance of public testimony of our faith, particularly in the context of family. He stressed the value of parents allowing their children to see them pray, give, and worship our great God.
Pastor Aurelio also shared an important truism: children will remember what they see more than they'll remember what was said.
As parents, as leaders, as men and women of influence, let's be careful to live in a way that encourages our children to become complete followers of Jesus. How can we do this?
-Make an object lesson of our tithing. Show the children that we have taken the time to separate out the ten percent that belongs to God. Allow them to see open, joyful giving of our money into the work of the Lord.
-Make an object lesson of our praying. Permit the children to hear you as you pray for pastors and leaders. This indicates to them the importance of holding up our leadership in prayer. Encourage them to also bring their own leaders to the throne of grace in prayer: teachers, mentors, or other persons of influence.
-Make an object lesson of our enthusiasm for the things of God. Attend services as a family. Verbally express your excitement and love for the Lord, the Lord's church, the Lord's people, and the Lord's leaders whom He has given responsibility for preaching and teaching.
Of course, none of the above can be accomplished if you yourself are not a lover of Jesus, His church, His people, and His leaders.
Lord, help us to be excited about You! Help us to love You passionately and unreservedly! Help us to give freely and joyfully! Help us to be public about this passion we have for You, so that others will see and want to become involved in Your great work. In Jesus's name we pray these things. Amen.
Pastor Aurelio also shared an important truism: children will remember what they see more than they'll remember what was said.
As parents, as leaders, as men and women of influence, let's be careful to live in a way that encourages our children to become complete followers of Jesus. How can we do this?
-Make an object lesson of our tithing. Show the children that we have taken the time to separate out the ten percent that belongs to God. Allow them to see open, joyful giving of our money into the work of the Lord.
-Make an object lesson of our praying. Permit the children to hear you as you pray for pastors and leaders. This indicates to them the importance of holding up our leadership in prayer. Encourage them to also bring their own leaders to the throne of grace in prayer: teachers, mentors, or other persons of influence.
-Make an object lesson of our enthusiasm for the things of God. Attend services as a family. Verbally express your excitement and love for the Lord, the Lord's church, the Lord's people, and the Lord's leaders whom He has given responsibility for preaching and teaching.
Of course, none of the above can be accomplished if you yourself are not a lover of Jesus, His church, His people, and His leaders.
Lord, help us to be excited about You! Help us to love You passionately and unreservedly! Help us to give freely and joyfully! Help us to be public about this passion we have for You, so that others will see and want to become involved in Your great work. In Jesus's name we pray these things. Amen.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Sent On A Mission.
Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. -Joshua 1:6
Joshua had spent years serving as Moses's assistant. We see in Exodus that when the Tent of Meeting was set up, Joshua would often remain there even after Moses had left (see Exodus 33:7-11). It must have been quite an experience for Joshua to be a first-hand witness to the encounters Moses had with God.
Later in life, Joshua himself experienced the power of God. Moses commissioned him as successor (see Deuteronomy 34:9), and it was Joshua who experienced great success as he led Israel into the promised land and conquered Israel's enemies.
We can take encouragement in knowing that it was God who dictated the mission, and God who gave the strength and resources needed to accomplish the mission. Joshua 1:1-5 recounts the word given to Joshua by God for his instruction and encouragement. That might be a good place to end today's blog. I hope that, as you read these verses, you will know and believe in your heart that God can also give you a clear vision for His work in this age.
After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give them - to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates- all the Hittite country- to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Joshua had spent years serving as Moses's assistant. We see in Exodus that when the Tent of Meeting was set up, Joshua would often remain there even after Moses had left (see Exodus 33:7-11). It must have been quite an experience for Joshua to be a first-hand witness to the encounters Moses had with God.
Later in life, Joshua himself experienced the power of God. Moses commissioned him as successor (see Deuteronomy 34:9), and it was Joshua who experienced great success as he led Israel into the promised land and conquered Israel's enemies.
We can take encouragement in knowing that it was God who dictated the mission, and God who gave the strength and resources needed to accomplish the mission. Joshua 1:1-5 recounts the word given to Joshua by God for his instruction and encouragement. That might be a good place to end today's blog. I hope that, as you read these verses, you will know and believe in your heart that God can also give you a clear vision for His work in this age.
After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give them - to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates- all the Hittite country- to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Though Dead, He Speaks.
On this past Sunday, which was the first anniversary of the death of Pastor Publio Fajardo, we held services that combined the congregants of our English-speaking and Spanish-speaking congregations.
Our guest speaker, Pastor Aurelio, spoke on Joshua chapter one. We were challenged to consider our own mortality. We were also challenged to seize the opportunity to live lives that, when we are gone, will be spoken of by others as lives of influence.
I'd like to encourage you to read Joshua 1, and maybe we can take time today to remember men and women of influence that have paved the way for us:
A parent;
A Sunday School teacher;
A pastor;
A friend.
Lord, we remember these men and women that You sent into our lives, and we are grateful for their godly influence. Lord, please show us what we should be doing, who we should be reaching, so that when we are gone they will remember what we did, what we said, and who we were. Not for ourselves, not for any accolades, but for them to want to live as we did, to Your glory. Amen.
Our guest speaker, Pastor Aurelio, spoke on Joshua chapter one. We were challenged to consider our own mortality. We were also challenged to seize the opportunity to live lives that, when we are gone, will be spoken of by others as lives of influence.
I'd like to encourage you to read Joshua 1, and maybe we can take time today to remember men and women of influence that have paved the way for us:
A parent;
A Sunday School teacher;
A pastor;
A friend.
Lord, we remember these men and women that You sent into our lives, and we are grateful for their godly influence. Lord, please show us what we should be doing, who we should be reaching, so that when we are gone they will remember what we did, what we said, and who we were. Not for ourselves, not for any accolades, but for them to want to live as we did, to Your glory. Amen.