Yes, I am coming soon! - Revelation 22:20

In the book of Revelation (from Jesus Christ) we are told that, "God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near." I am not going to read the book to you.  I will read it to you if you ask me to as we would both be blessed! You really should read it or listen to it if you didn't do it when doing your group study.

I have been away for the last 10 days in New Jersey helping Joyce look after our grand kids while their parents are away on a mission trip. Before coming here, I bought another Bible. Please don't ask me how many I have now! Many in our men's group have been using the new New Living Translation (NLT) Bible ... so I guess, "I had to have one!" And it's been worth it! While in New Jersey, since the kids have been in school most days and since we don't have TV to watch and since I was left with only a few DIY / Grand Dad / Honey Do projects, I have been able to invest a great deal of time reading my new Bible.  I started in Romans and just finished Revelation this morning.

I use to listen to the New Testament on cassette tape when I had a 45 minute commute to work.  It took about 15 hours to listen to the 15 tapes ... so it probably takes about 15 hours to read the New Testament too. Just think ... if I read 2.5 hours per day, I could read the New Testament every 6 days.  Imagine reading it 52 times per year!!  Well I won't set my sights that high ... but since I do plan to cancel my TV subscription ... I almost wrote "prescription" ... which maybe more accurate, because it can become like a drug or addiction!, ... I think I will try to devote much more of my time each day to reading and studying and thinking about the Word and learning how to apply it - i.e. obey and actually "do it" and hopefully become more like Jesus in the process and learn how to LOVE like He and the first Century believers did.

That's seems to be what the Holy Spirit wants to teach me right now ... What does it really mean to love my brothers and sisters in the Lord? What does it really mean to love my neighbour as myself.  What does it really mean to love my enemies. What does it really mean to love God with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind.  I know that God is love, that Jesus loved us so much that he died for my sins and paid my debt, and that others will know that I am one of his disciples if I obey his command to "Love one another". But, how do I really put into practice loving others His way?  So LOVE will be my subject and emphasis over the next few months. I'll let you know if I learn anything!

Back to Revelation ... here are some things that popped out while I was reading it this morning. As part of the church and as individuals, we need to examine ourselves and if we have "spiritual" ears to hear, "listen to the Spirit" and what he is saying to us.

1. We may not be loving Jesus and others like we did when we first came to him. 
2. When persecuted and suffering we may want to throw in the towel and say its not worth it to follow Jesus anymore. 
3. We may be mixing the worlds ways and teachings with God's ways and His Word.
4. We may appear to be "good" Christians outwardly but involved in secret sexual sin and idolatry of things of this world.
5. We may be now asleep or dead spiritually speaking.
6. We may be actually doing pretty good and deserve our "well done" when Jesus returns.
7. However, we may be just getting by and becoming "luke warm", straddling the fence with one foot in the world and the other foot wanting to pursue His kingdom but no longer 100% committed to doing His will.  We have perhaps become ashamed of the gospel as Paul puts it. 

If we ask the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts we will know whether we are one who needs to repent and turn back to God and our first love or whether we are indeed on the path to receiving a "well done".  When we turn every area of our lives over ... all our dreams, pursuits and ambitions over and reckon ourselves dead and desire Jesus to live his life in you, we won't have to worry about not receiving our "well done" because we will be doing what He wants - His will in His way in Him.

I also love reading chapter 21 and 22 of Revelation.  I remember that I preached my first sermon over 35 years ago on these chapters.  I was still a relatively young believer / follower and probably pretty naive, I guess, back then.  My Mom and Dad was there to hear me preach. Like most parents, they were proud of me, even though they were not believers yet.  In chapter 21 we see where we are going to live forever in the New Jerusalem ... there will be nothing like it in this world!  

I love the invitation that is extended to everyone in Rev 22:17 ... 'The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." Let anyone who hears this say "Come." Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.'

Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords, ends his revelation to us with the words, "Yes, I am coming soon!" 

   

Well Done Paul!

It's hard to believe that our study series in The Story is almost over.  I personally wish we would have spent more time on both Jesus' and Paul's life and ministry. However, we will have lot's of time to get to know them better in the days ahead as we read the Word, study it and meditate on it over and over again. There will also be other studies (I am sure) that we can do as small groups that will allow us to go deeper into their lives and teaching, so that we can become more like Christ.

Our desire is to be like Christ .. act like him, talk like him, love like him, work like him, serve like him. You know what I mean!  Paul's desire was obviously that too!  Look at his life ... look at his actions ... look at his dedication ... his perseverance ... his love for one another ... his commitment ... his teaching ... everything about Paul exemplifies Jesus. He imitated Christ completely. He even said to us "imitate me as I imitate Christ"! He fought the fight, he finished the race. He knew he was going to suffer and die for what he believed and taught but he also said, "For to me, living means living for Christ and dying is even better." Philippians 2:21

I hope that I am becoming more and more like Paul, more and more like Jesus. I hope that we can all have this attitude and desire and that the Holy Spirit would continue to place that desire in us and teach us and transform us into his likeness.

Jesus said "Abide in me". Paul said yes to that command. He said, "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20. Paul was completely dependent on God. He walked in the spirit and was lead by the spirit and he exhorts us to do the same. His life was difficult and included much suffering like Christ, but his life produced much fruit and still does today.

During his life (after his encounter with Jesus), his mission was to do what Jesus commissioned him to do. "Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to the kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name's sake." Acts 9:15,16  ... and we can see from his letters that he spent day and night, tirelessly, accomplishing this mission in the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit.

In the process of serving Jesus, his personal goal was to know Jesus intimately. He says in Philippians 3:10, "I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead." Wow! Do you see his heart? Does this reflect what you desire? I believe Paul accomplished his goal and indeed he will be resurrected from the dead as all believers will ... this is our assured hope!

Yes Paul died. We are told he was beheaded. He died, however, full of joy and peace and satisfaction that he did God's will and that he would be with Jesus forever.

Before he died, like Jesus, he gave Timothy (and us) work to finish, aligned with Jesus' great commission of course! He said, " your name here, my dear son / daughter, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others." Paul said this to Timothy (and us), but doesn't this just sound like something Jesus would say to us. Of course it does!

Jesus was in Paul and Paul was in Jesus. Jesus, too is in us, and we ought to be in and remain in him. If we do, we too will leave this world a tremendous legacy of much fruit and be a blessing to countless as we live a selfless life in Jesus Christ.


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Summary - Small Group Leadership Meeting - April 10th

Below is a summary of our last Small Group Leadership meeting held on April 10th. We had 19 people in attendance representing 10 of our 22 small groups.  

1. I shared my vision for small groups which can also be your own personal vision.  It is aligned with the great commission that Jesus has given to us - to make disciples and be fruitful.  We can do that by recognizing that we must reckon our selves dead to self and alive in Christ (Galatians 2:20) and continually be filled with and lead by the Holy Spirit as we seek to expand His kingdom. We desire to look like Jesus, act like Jesus and lead like Jesus.  I pointed out several spiritual disciplines (our part in the sanctification process) that we need to be incorporating into our lives to help us become more like Jesus ... see banner below the triangle.  There is also a partial list of scripture references that support this vision.   

2. We gave time for each table to think about, discuss and share answers to the following 3 questions:
a) Share one of two "good" things that are happening in your small group?
b) Share some things in your group that you think are "not so good" that may be frustrating you?
c) What suggestions do you have for me that I could do to help your groups function better or to help you become better leaders of a small group.

3. We introduced the idea of forming "pods" of 2 or 3 small groups working together, not only to encourage one another but to also work together as a team to do ministry and outreach together.  This idea was
well received.

4. We also brain stormed a number of ideas of what small group or small group pods could possibly do. Here is a list of some ideas - some are one shot events, some may be ongoing.

5. Pastor Jeff also provided us introductory teaching on a model of leadership - discussing Character (Who we are), Competency (what we can do well) and Influence (on those we interact with) and how Our Spirituality (In Christ) plays a vital role in all these other areas.

We learned that the small group leaders would like to meet approximately 3-4 times per year going forward to receive training / input and have a chance to share.

In the near future, I will be sending out a questionnaire to get further feedback and input from all the small groups so that we can firm up plans for September restart.

Thanks for your leadership and commitment.

Paul' Mission and Attitude - Not Unlike A Typical Mother

One of my favourite characters in the Bible is Paul.  Perhaps it is because he was inspired to write much of the New Testament and actually lived what he taught and he kept doing what he was commissioned by Jesus to do until, like Jesus, he was killed.  Even though he suffered greatly, he kept on sharing the gospel (good news). He never seemed to be discouraged despite the hard work of breaking new ground and getting the message out to the Jews and the Gentiles.  In fact he seemed to rejoice when he was beaten or stoned or thrown into jail.  It was a privilege to be counted worthy to suffer for Christ.  Lord, I hope and pray that I might have this same attitude, especially if / when faced with opposition as I share God's message with others.

Once Paul knew what he was called to do and after he was filled with the Holy Spirit, he fervently, boldly and unashamedly began to preach the good news about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and salvation through Him every where He went.  The Bible says He went to the Synagogue each Sabbath day (since he was Jewish) and there he had a built-in audience of people to hear the good news when ever he was given the chance to speak. Often someone was healed by him or signs and wonders occurred which attracted many others to be interested in hearing his message. This made the religious leaders angry and jealous. They saw how they would lose control over the people and ultimately their power and position if everyone began to follow Paul's teaching and become part of The Way.  Paul taught truth about who Jesus was and why He had to die for our sins and from the letters he wrote to the churches we learn how to live by faith in Christ Jesus.  Many responded to Paul's teaching and house churches or small groups were established everywhere he went.  It's amazing what Paul accomplished for the kingdom of God.

Paul had many followers who wanted to be with him and help him in his work and also support him. I know that if I was living during that time period and in that region and became a believer back then, I also would want to follow and work with a man like Paul. I say that because I see the fruit of his ministry over an entire life time and ope that someday my life will bear much fruit like his did and that I also will hear the words, "Well done my good and faithful servant" when we meet Jesus face to face. Thankfully, today we also have many Godly examples around us that we can also learn from and follow their example.

We see in Paul's life the fruit of the Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control -Galatians 5:22. You can also see how he loved and cared for people and encouraged others to live a life of love. He taught us how to live IN Christ and reckon ourselves dead so that others would see Christ in us. He puts in us a desire to pursue Christ and know Him intimately because that was his desire and goal - to know Him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. (Philippians 3:10,11) Paul accomplished his goal and he discipled many who also were encouraged to disciple many others. We are followers today because of what Paul did back almost 2000 years ago.

There is so much to say about Paul and learn from Paul! You must read about his life in Acts and read his many letters to the church and individuals like Timothy and Titus. Imagine being personally discipled by Paul like Timothy, Silas, Barnabas, and hundreds of others (see Romans 16 for a short list). And yet we can also be discipled and learn from Paul's teachings by reading, studying and meditating on His Word and putting it into practice.

Sometimes we may get discouraged because we think we could never be like Paul or Peter or some other "spiritual giant"... but we can become what God wants us to be in Christ. We are all called to serve Him and grow in Him. I am encouraged by the many around me who I see living for Christ and being the hands and feet of Christ as they serve their families, give of themselves sacrificially (both time and resources) to ministry, serving and helping others, praying for one another, loving one another, showing hospitality, leading and teaching others, and the list goes on.  We have many great examples of godly lives being lived out before us.

Being Mother's Day this weekend, I also want to give thanks and praise to God for all the mothers who sacrificially serve and care for and love their families 24 / 7! I know as a Dad, I have tended to be more selfish (I know selfishness is sin!) with my time and less sacrificial than my wife and other mothers. I know most dads can't do all the things that moms do and continue to do for our families. Thankfully, all Dads are not that way and thankfully I am personally doing a little bit better at being a grand dad! Thank you Moms for your Christ-likeness in the area of mothering, managing the home and for all you do sacrificially.  You are amazing! I don't know how you do all that you do! Even Paul would have learned a few things from mothers - come to think of it, he probably did.  May God bless you and reward you for the blessing you are to your family and others.  Well done!  

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:1 "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." Jesus says, "Follow me." Let's all follow and remain in Him, obtaining what we need from God as we obey His Spirit and Word and continue to love one another ... as the greatest gift that we have is love.

The Promised Gift of God To Us (All)

This week we are looking at the Early Church and reading Acts 1-10,12.  I started this blog entry while away on vacation but realized I shouldn't really send it out until now, otherwise I would be ahead of where we are in our sermon series.  While away I had a chance to read through the recommended chapters of Acts twice and since being home I've also read the same passages again in "The Story" Bible which many have a copy of. Each time I read these passages I get excited! The promised Holy Spirit was poured out on Jesus' followers! My prayer is that we see this same Holy Spirit power operating within in our lives and our church body.

I make the practice of underlining key words and phrases that begin to pop out as I read the Bible.  I also underline promises and commands and those things we can expect to happen when we believe and / or obey the word.  Consequently my Bible has lots of marks on it, especially in the book of Acts after reading it again several times! Underlining also helps me to remember His Word and find things more easily.  

The early church started and continued to grow as a result of the promised "gift" - the gift of His Holy Spirit. Jesus gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit".  Acts 1:4,5

Jesus also said, "... But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

When Jesus ascended, the disciples (120 followers in all) gathered together and prayed and waited for the promised gift. On the day of Pentecost (10 days after Jesus ascended to heaven), the place shook and "They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."  Acts 2:3,4  They were declaring the wonders of God as prophesied.  "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people..." Acts 2:17

Peter preaches his first sermon ... the resurrection of the Christ who died for our sins.  "God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.  Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what what you now see and hear." Acts 2:32,33 ... keep reading ... Peter says ... "Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off  (you and I too! ) - for all whom the Lord our God will call"  Acts 2:28,39 They accepted Peter's good news message and 3000 get added to the church that day! Acts 2:41

Peter heals a cripple in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. A crowd gathers and Peter gets to preach again proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.  "Many who heard the message believed and the number of men grew to about 5000." Acts 4:4

When Peter was questioned by the high priest who asked him "By what power or what name did you do this? (i.e. heal the cripple?)  Peter, recognized as an unschooled, ordinary man by those who knew him, but now, filled with the Holy Spirit and courage, He responds and again shares the gospel, ...  "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:13.  

Peter and John were told by the chief priest not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  They responded, "we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:20. Everyone was praising the Lord and they gathered and prayed and the place where they were meeting was shaken.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."  Acts 4:31

Miraculous signs and wonders were performed among the people.  Crowds gathered, the sick were brought and all of them were healed.  They are persecuted.  They are put in jail.  An angel of the Lord gets them out and they are told to keep telling the people the full message of this new life (in Christ). "The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Saviour that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.  We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." Acts 5:32

"They never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ."  Acts 5:42  So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith." Acts 6:7

Now we read the story of Stephen, the first martyr who was stoned to death.  Notice he was actually an ordinary, committed follower like you and I but filled with the Holy Spirit, like you and I can be.  He is described as a man full of God's grace and power, and one who did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Acts 6:8 His opposition, the high priests of the Sanhedrin could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by which Stephen spoke.  Acts 6:10

Philip was another follower like you and I, who was filled with Holy Spirit and did miraculous signs and healings and we see how he was obedient to the Spirit's leading and how he effectively shares the gospel with someone who was seeking God.

We then learn about Sauls' conversion how Jesus appears to him and confronts him on the road to Dasmacus and choses him to be his apostle to carry his name to the Gentiles and their kings. Paul was also filled with the Holy Spirit.  After spending several days with the disciples in Damascus he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 

The next scene we see, in Acts 10, is that Peter is called to minister to a Gentile named Cornelius. Peter shares the gospel with him (see Acts 10:34 - 43) and while he was still speaking the Holy Spirit is poured out on all who were hearing the message. Gentiles also receive the Holy Spirit!  Finally! Yeh!

Do you get the picture?  As a believer in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord we have also been given the promised gift of the Holy Spirit.  When we are obedient to Him and desire to share the good news with others, he gives us wisdom and boldness and courage so that what we can share with power.  People will be added to the kingdom of God.  People will repent and believe and also be filled with the Holy Spirit.  The message will continue to go forth and many will be saved. When others see our love, they will want what we have.  We need to be prepared to share your testimony and the good news of the gospel with others who are seeking.  

Let's be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Let's receive him in all his fullness by faith.  God has promised us the gift of His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit equips us with power, courage, boldness and wisdom to share the good news with others. Let's use the gift(s) He has given us. Let's not fear. As we go, in His name and authority, let's love one another, serve one another, love and serve our neighbours, and be prepared to tell our story of how we came to know Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and why Jesus means so much to us.

Let's let Jesus live his life in us by His Holy Spirit and as we abide in Him we too will see much fruit. Remember that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever and he has provided us with His power and authority and says that he will be with us always as we serve Him and demonstrate His love for others. He has given us the same Holy Spirit as was given to the 120 that were baptized with fire on the day of Pentecost!  Let's serve Him boldly!