Keith Myer

Did You Just Compare John Piper to Joel Osteen? [Text Messaging]

2009-03-29T21:24:00.002-04:00

I appreciate this question, texted to me during my sermon today.

In making my point on Psalm 1:1-2, that we are to be people of the Word, I did mention Joel Osteen and John Piper (and I think I threw Charles Stanley in there as well).

Here's the text:

1:1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

The point was this:
We are to delight in the Law of the Lord. We are to meditate on it day and night.

The primary source of our devotion and study is to be the Word of God.
Not Bible Study Handbooks, though they are helpful.
Not Small Group studies, though they are helpful.
Not Sermons from preachers (here's where I mentioned Piper, Osteen, and Stanley.)

I appreciate the question, because it could be intimated from the way I made my point that I consider the three men on the same 'level.'

I certainly try to obey the 'Steve Brown' rule and pick heroes who are dead... they are less prone to embarass you. I've found Piper to be a great inspiration, and thoughtful commentator, and a deep thinker. But... He's not the Word, and he would, I am sure, point us away from his own messages and encourage us to read the word.

I like Charles Stanley. Almost everyChristian knows who he is, and has listened to In Touch on the radio, or seen him on TV. He's everywhere. I like Piper's preaching style more, but he is a good man, with a good heart. But... He's not the Word, and he would, I am sure, point us away from his own messages and encourage us to read the word.

I've never heard a whole sermon by Joel Osteen, and I don't know the guy. I look at his church and the sinful voice inside of me says, "He can't be bringing the gospel with a church that big..." but I don't know. I do think some of his prosperity theology is dangerous (the idea that God wants you to be healthy and wealthy, and you can claim that in Christ), but like I've said, I don't know his teaching well enough to speak out about it. But... He's not the word, and while I don't know if he would point us away from his own messages and encourage us to read the word, I hope he would.

We're called to embrace Jesus. We are called to embrace His Word. Let's read the book first and foremost.

thanks for the question!

Get Your Nose in the Book [Bible Reading]

2009-03-28T22:06:00.002-04:00

Psalm 1 says that God blesses the man who steers clear of the was of the wicked and swerves into His Word, meditating on it day and night.

In the spirit of opening up the possibilities for your own devotional bible reading, I wanted to share some resources that might help you develop the habit of reading God's Word.

We are called to be workmen who are devoted to the Word, accurately handling it so that we will not be ashamed. A primary way we accomplish this is to READ God's Word. We must be in it if we expect to KNOW it and OBEY it.

Ask yourself:

Do you have a plan to read God's Word?
Have you set a time to read God's Word?
Have you set a place to read God's Word?

If not, and if you're anything like me, then you won't! Let me encourage you to invest the time... take 20 minutes before basketball starts this afternoon, and find a place. Put your bible there. Put a pad and pen there. Make sure there is a light if you are going to be reading in the morning... and then plan to be there to read. Here are some plans to get you started:

I appreciate the list of plans assembled at this website. Which one is the right one? I'd say any one which gets you into the Word. New to the bible? Check out this one. Never read through the bible? How about this one. Looking for something new? Stories you've never read? Right here. Eager to spend some time with Jesus? Right here.

We're counting down the days until we celebrate the Lord's Resurrection. Why not read the Gospel accounts of His final week? Some members of our church are going to be studying this in their small group... they might find the harmonized accounts of Jesus final week (which i put together in 2006) helpful for study. Jesus Final Week

Another plan I am experimenting with allows you to read as much as you want per day, as long as you read the whole section in a week. This is a mighty goal, not for the faint of heart. More details on how to use this plan are here. Weekly "Chunks" Plan

For years I've used Robert M'Cheyne's plan, but it can be a merciless taskmaster if you allow yourself to feel the guilt of missed readings. The plan has you read in four places each day, and takes you through the whole bible in one year. I like it because it challenges me to read all over the place. Preaching and reading on this plan allows a pastor to make 'mad connections' as he reads through the Bible. It all fits together... if we read it, we'll see it. The author himself describes how to use it here.

I am once again using my own bible reading plan, connected with another that lets me read through the NT twice in one year. Figuring this out is pretty easy. This plan gets you through the NT twice, with all the other readings. I ran this off, cut it nice and small, and am planning on ignoring columns 1 and 2 and reading from column 3. I also print one of these off and stuff it in the front of my bible. It's not really patented or trademarked. I just wrote that to be funny... I cross off the chapters as I read them, and so I know which areas of the Bible I am neglecting.

Finally: Read. Read some more. Pray and ask God to help you understand what you are reading. My pastoral mentor used to say that "a man makes time for what is important to him..." If God is your treasure, then you should express that with your time in a solid commitment to be in His Word. May we all be devoted to His "law", so we will stand in joy and awe before Him on that last day.

What We Owe To Those We Disagree With [Theology Reader]

2009-03-18T10:18:00.001-04:00

Enjoying this brilliant article by Roger Nicole. There is some theological "rough sledding", but if you assume the gentleness and wisdom of what he is saying in those parts, there is much wisdom here.

There are three major questions that we must ask; and I would like to emphasize very strongly that, in my judgment, we need to ask them precisely in the right order: (1) What do I owe the person who differs from me? (2) What can I learn from the person who differs from me? (3) How can I cope with the person who differs from me?

Many have put on blue or grey and taken sides in blogging wars, in theological, political, and intellectual circles. No matter what side you are on, there is water for your soul here. Drink deep and grow.

http://www.founders.org/journal/fj33/article3.html

He Decides What It All Means.

2009-03-13T12:39:00.002-04:00

A good friend just emailed me this video. This might scare some, but it fills me with a great sense of expectation. Knowledge is increasing, communication is increasing, and while that might mean uncertainty and market volatility, it means that the ability to communicate the Gospel in new and creative ways in increasing. We have greater ability to take a stand for the Gospel of Jesus Christ now than ever before. We have greater ability to communicate with clarity and humility.

We ought to embrace technology, embrace humility, and communicate with passion and conviction, for the sake of those who have yet to hear, yet to decide, yet to believe.

After all, all things are created by Him, and for Him, and through Him. He decides what it all means... he should get the glory. Let's us the future for what it is for: Him.

Redeeming the Time... instead of waiting for voicemail...

2009-02-04T22:44:00.002-05:00

I have a lot to do. I know you do too.

So I was thrilled to learn that most voicemail systems in businesses and most mobile phone carriers have ways to skip the prerecorded messages.

I didn't believe it, so I tested my own phone... it worked!

For most voicemail systems, try hitting #, 1, or *. That may enable you to dodge the message.

For mobile carriers, try:

1 for Verizon (It works!).
# for T-Mobile.
1 for sprint.
7 for Cingular and AT&T.

Try this if you are constantly leaving messages for the same person who has a two minute message telling you what you already know:

- they aren't there.

- leave a message.

- leave your number.

- they'll call back... (will they?)

Don't spend your precious time listening to recordings. Go do something to honor the Lord Jesus.

(BTW - I posted this so I can look it up later... and because it might help.)

John 7 [Text Tuesday]

2008-12-02T03:00:00.000-05:00

Here's the text I'll be preaching from this Sunday, December 7th, 2008.

[Note #1: If you are reading this post on facebook, you can comment here or preserve your comments at keithmyer.blogspot.com.]

[Note #2: If you are one of my non-Christian, non-churchy, non-Jesus following friends, I like you! I respect your thoughts and opinions even if I don't agree with you, let me know what you think!]

[Note #3: Podcasts are coming. You'll be able to hear the finished sermon, which takes your input into account. Your input is valuable, and I love hearing from you! I'm trying to focus more on comments, but also trying to keep the content a-rolling. Thanks!]

7:1 After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. 2 Now the Jews' Feast of Booths was at hand. 3 So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. 4 For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For not even his brothers believed in him. 6 Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. 8 You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After saying this, he remained in Galilee.

10 But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private. 11 The Jews were looking for him at the feast, and saying, “Where is he?” 12 And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the people astray.” 13 Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.

14 About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. 15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” 16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17 If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” 20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” 21 Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. 22 Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man's whole body well? 24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

25 Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? 26 And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? 27 But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” 28 So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from? But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. 29 I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” 30 So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. 31 Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”

32 The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him. 33 Jesus then said, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. 34 You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.” 35 The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? 36 What does he mean by saying, ‘You will seek me and you will not find me,’ and, ‘Where I am you cannot come’?”

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

40 When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So there was a division among the people over him. 44 Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” 46 The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” 47 The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? 48 Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” 50 Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” 52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”

Using Facebook Biblically [Wise Wednesday]

2008-11-26T03:00:00.001-05:00

Theology moves so fast these days. I was interested to find this article with some helpful thoughts about thinking biblically about Facebook.

Nine things we should avoid:

1. The trend of using status updates to complain

2. Measuring your worth/identity by number of Facebook friends/Facebook interactions

3. Greater concern over forming Facebook (virtual) friends rather than real friends

4. Diminishment of face-to-face time with people/enjoying and working on real relationships

5. Dual identities (saying/doing things online you'd never do in person)

6. Hurting and excluding others (intentionally or unintentionally)

7. Facebook and online life can make you more distracted

8. Can tempt you away from your calling/work (celebrating the insignificant)

9. Thinking about yourself more than you already do.

I can think of a few other things that need to be avoided:

1. Judging others by the groups they join.

2. Feeling hurt by not being invited to 'this party' or 'that event.'

3. Checking people out to see if I am doing 'better' than them.

6 ways we can use facebook for Jesus:

1. Get back in touch with old, far-away friends in an easy way, showing them how you’ve been changed by Jesus

2. As an extension of face-to-face relationships/can be used to enhance time with people

3. To think about yourself less and others more (pray for people!)

4. To sharpen/discipline what you do with your time

5. To quickly announce/make great things happen

6. To influence other people for Jesus. Create a new culture with your status updates..

Paul instructs us to make the most of our time, because the days are evil. We're called to be redeemers, using what God has given us for Jesus. What other ways can you think of using new technologies for Jesus?

John 6 [Text Tuesday]

2008-11-25T03:00:00.000-05:00

Here's the text I'll be preaching from this Sunday, November 30th, 2008.

[Note #1: If you are reading this post on facebook, you can comment here or preserve your comments at keithmyer.blogspot.com.]

[Note #2: If you are one of my non-Christian, non-churchy, non-Jesus following friends, I like you! I respect your thoughts and opinions even if I don't agree with you, let me know what you think!]

Here's the text:

6:1 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”

15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

22 On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.

25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— 46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?”68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him.

Empty CD Cases [Music Monday]

2008-11-24T16:07:00.003-05:00

[Note: Facebookers - you'll need to look at the original post if you want to click the links.]

So the wife and I went on a cleaning spree Saturday. Actually, she was cleaning and I went on an organizing rampage. My cd collection has been destroyed, manhandled, scratched and mutilated since kids came along.

I'm pretty sad about the empty cd cases. Does anyone have any of these cds? I'll give them back, I promise.

- Audio Adrenaline, Worldwide

- Bryan Duncan, The Last Time I Was Here.

- Cedarmont Worship For Kids, Volume 1

- Steven Curtis Chapman, The Great Adventure

- Steven Curtis Chapman, Signs of Life

- Michael W. Smith, This Was Your Time

- Michael W. Smith, i 2 (Eye)

- Michael Card, The Life, Disc 2

- Third Day, Offerings, A Worship Album

Sadder than a caseless cd, or a cd-less case, is the thought that there are cds I have purchased and lost case and all, and fail to remember. Oh well. We live here for a time, and we do not take anything with us when we go. Why cry over that which is lost and cannot be brought to mind or reclaimed?

Instead, we ought to enjoy what God has given us in the now, delight in it for His Glory and our joy. I got to listen to Tormato by Yes yesterday for the first time in a long time. Brilliant, in a 'care for the creation' kind of way, and also the 'what were they thinking' kind of way. The boldly beautiful and piercingly painful keyboarding of Rick Wakemen is my favorite.

Just a sample for your listening delight:

Repost due to grammatical neglect and total lack of an obvious youtube video for email subscribers

2008-11-20T11:11:00.001-05:00

I reposted my thursday post. Click here. please.

Oh, to Change the Anthems in Our Hearts [Thinkin' Thursday]

2008-11-20T11:00:00.001-05:00

I'll admit it.

Sometimes I feel like this guy. And if I'm honest, I like feeling like this guy. It feels good.

And then I think of this. Especially verse 10. It breaks my heart, and I pray God continues to give me the grace to repent and put my trust in Him as I continue to submit to His will.
Ever feel like that?

Internal Rot [Wise Wednesday]

2008-11-19T18:34:00.002-05:00

Reading the Bible to my squirmy kids at dinner tonight we came across this passage:

Where there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.

But with wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is stability.

- Proverbs 28:2

So... is it we the people who need to take a long hard look at ourselves? Or do we blame our leaders? Or... is it both?

Confident in the Face of Evil [Wise Wednesday]

2008-11-19T08:00:00.001-05:00

Dr. Charles Young, while preaching in the chapel at CIU recently, made this point about possible 'antichrists.'

Now... I don't think Barack Obama is the Antichrist. But there are some who do. And the some who do seem to be worried. They are worried and angry about the coming of the Antichrist.

Dr. Young's text was Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein...

He said that he's not worried about this president being the antichrist, "because I believe in the Bible. I am not disturbed by the antichrist. I'm looking for him. His arrival does not negate God's investment in this world." W

That's wisdom. Stop digging your bunker. Don't worry about the end of the world.

The earth is the Lord's. Honor the king, love your neighbor, preach the gospel.

Relax. God is in control.

Text Tuesday: John 5:1-47

2008-11-18T13:49:00.000-05:00

This is the text I'll preach on this Sunday. Will you help me think through it? I've written a primer on thinking through the text which I think you might find helpful. Consider some of the questions included in the primer and reflect on the meaning and application of the text with me.

John 5:1-47

1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.

Now that day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. 31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not deemed true. 32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”

Music Monday: What If His People Prayed?

2008-11-17T12:44:00.000-05:00

What if? What if we trusted Him? What if we did what He calls us to do?

A pastor friend (actually, a brother in Christ I've never met) posted this quote:
“Faith is transferring your trust from your own efforts to the efforts of Christ. You were relying on other things to make you acceptable, but now you consciously begin relying on what Jesus did for your acceptance with God. All you need is nothing. If you think, ‘God owes me something for all my efforts,’ you are still on the outside.”
- Timothy Keller, How Can I Know God?

That applies to salvation, and the life of faith, but it also applies to ministry and the Church. We can try to perfect the music, sharpen the preaching, focus on programs, curriculum... and still fail if we fail to ask God to stir the hearts of His people, to call His elect to Himself, to call upon the Spirit to move hearts to repentance.

If true faith is to engage the heart of God as He has revealed Himself in His word, then we should pray more, and pray in continuity with His word. What would happen if we prayed?

PS - don't give up on serving, and doing. Be strong in the strength of the Lord and His might (Eph 6:10-12). Pray and Do.

Words to Anthony on the Day of His Ordination to the Gospel Ministry

2008-11-16T11:00:00.000-05:00

To Anthony, my brother in the faith and co-laborer for the Kingdom of our God and Savior Jesus Christ,

It has only been a few hours since we sat and grilled you for answers at your ordination council, and those hours have given me time for reflection on the years that we have known one another. I thank God for your willingness to learn, for your openness to be challenged, and for the boldness to leave what you know and be trained for ministry. Your years in the ministry are ahead of you, and yet you have already come so far. As Mike has already expressed, the fruit which you will harvest in ministry is in a sense our fruit, for you are the fruit of my ministry, and the fruit of his. You cannot know what great pleasure it gives me to know that First Baptist Church of Union will set its seal upon you and declare you a minister of the gospel.

We have celebrated each step of the way. As is your way, your celebrations have been different others I have known. We studied the joy of redemption over open bibles, and you had the greek word for redemption tattooed across your back. We discussed being yielded to the Lord for His use in the world for the gospel, and you left your home and your church to be trained as a minister. We discussed how purity and holiness and marriage were symbols of our relationship with Christ, and you found the girl of your dreams and we celebrated your wedding in a graveyard in Petersburg, Virginia. Each step has been burned in my mind, and rehearsing the steps brings joy to my heart. You are a joy to me.

You have done well, and on this day of solemn celebration and joyful seriousness I would like to encourage you as we delight and celebrate this day.

Four recommendations I would encourage you to focus on as you begin your ministry.

1) Find your Home in the Cross: Pastors can find a million things to do with their time, and there are endless things that can be said in the pulpit. Current Events and Hot Topics ensure that you will never be without something to say, but Paul shows us a better way. He says in 1 Cor 2:2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. Anthony, make the cross of Jesus your home. There is no greater subject to focus on, no more worthwhile object of attention. If there is no salvation except through Jesus, why would you preach anything other than Jesus? Find him in every text. Point to His work in every sermon. Be sure you appeal to his death as the solution for sin, his resurrection as the source of new life, and his coming as our greatest and only hope. Anthony, make the cross your home.

2) Apply yourself to Diligent Study of the Word: As one of the wise professors at CIU once said, we call it ‘commencement’ because it is the beginning, not the end. Ordination is not an end in itself, it is another beginning. You have left the hallowed halls of learning and are now out on your mission field. You will find a great deal of time on your hands which can be put to many uses. Be sure to apply yourself to the Word. Wherever you go, people will look to you as a trained expert. Be sure that they receive from you the only thing of value you have to offer: the truth of the word. Paul assures us that this is why God gave us the scripture, in 2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. Anthony, Apply yourself to Diligent Study of the Word.

3) Preach and Teach with Conviction: You do not have years and experience to appeal to, but do not let that get in the way of declaring the word with authority. You will be tempted to take shortcuts. You will be encouraged to buy into programs and fads. You may be disregarded at times because of your age. Be mindful of the words of Paul in 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Be sure that all of the words which come out of your mouth can be trusted. Continue to develop your teaching and preaching skills. You have come far, but I urge you to continue to devote yourself to growth. Remember that the same Word which brings the cure of the Gospel should also bring the cuts of correction. Warn people of the dangers of disregarding the call of God. Plead with them to be made right with Him through the cross of Christ. Urge them to lay aside their sinful ways and to embrace Jesus as Lord and King. If you, the messenger of the gospel, do not warn them, no one will. Anthony, preach and teach with conviction.

4) Finally, Seek to Imitate Christ in All that you Do: Listen again to the words of Paul in 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Your integrity is bond of trust that will bind you to your people and give you an ability to minister in a profound way. There are many who know the wisdom of the Word, and many who are willing to apply the word to the lives of others. Fewer and more precious are those who delight in the Law of the Lord and seek to honor him in all they do. Seek to love those who fight with you. Live in a way that inspires both young and old. When the Word seems at odds with conventional wisdom and all within you cries out that God demands foolishness from you, be a fool who honors Him. Study the life of our Lord and the words of His servants, and apply their character to yours. He makes no promise that following Him will be easy, but calls us to join Him in glorifying the Father. Anthony, Seek to Imitate Christ in All that You Do.

I am honored to know you and to call you my friend. I am delighted that you have found a jewel in Monica. Treasure her, and love her as Christ loves the Church. I am unable to be with you today, but I look forward to days of celebration to come, as I hear what God is doing through you in ministry. And I look forward to that day, the day when with tears in our eyes we will cast down our crowns, abandon our preaching awards, refuse any compliments and celebrate the one who has redeemed us from our sins. We will delight together in Him in His Kingdom.

God is Good, All the Time. Anthony, take a moment and reflect on where He has taken you from and where you are today. Congratulations. Carlos and Lydia, Your son is a delight, and I know you are proud of Him. Celebrate this day and this achievement.

Now pack up your treasures and achievements and forget them. We are beggars. We deserve nothing but punishment, yet we rejoice to receive His grace. We have the honor of laboring for Him in His field, and the joy of celebrating the ingathering of His Harvest. Be hard at work and labor to spread the gospel of Christ. I will see you in the field.

For His Glory and Your Joy,

Your Brother,

Keith

Thinking on Thursday: How to Think for Preaching

2008-11-13T14:01:00.000-05:00

I love to teach the Bible. One of the things I love about interactive Bible teaching is when I get to say, "Hmmm... I never thought of that before." I love to be challenged in my thinking. Often in preaching you don't get a whole lot of reaction from the people you are speaking to... My mentor once told me not to judge people's attention by their faces. "The look of confusion and the look of conviction can often be the same," he said. I've found that to be true. The person who looks lost often chimes in with a perceptive at-the-door comment. The guy who looks asleep asks, "what did you mean when you said ___________?"

I love that. It means that people are thinking about the text. I'm hoping that folks from Harvest, and my pals from the web (facebook friends and random readers) will help me think through the Bible text on a weekly basis... assisting me to find applications, observations, even challenging the assumptions of the text. The Word is strong enough to withstand any scrutiny.

So here are some Questions to ask from the Text to pursue its meaning for preaching and Bible study. I've used a personally challenging sermon from another pastor to frame the questions (all the explanation is mine, the headings are his, though of course there is overlap):

Framing Questions, From Pastor Mark Driscoll's Sermon, "Preaching Jesus"
1. The Biblical Question: What does the Scripture say? What is the meaning of this particular section of text? Why is this section of Scripture in the Scripture (or, what unique idea or truth do we gain from it?)
2. The Theological Question: What are the implications of the text? This is not to ask the postmodern what-does-this-mean-to-me question, but to ask "What did it mean to the original audience?" "What does God want us to know?" How can we apply this?
3. The Homiletical Question: How do I communicate this text? (Honestly... skip this one in discussion on this blog... instead, write your own sermon, and share it in a youth, sunday school, or pulpit situation.) Ask how does this text communicate with our culture? What common elements are there? What major ideas?
4. The Apologetical Question: Preaching is a kind of war. We resist the truth as it is proclaimed to us. So we need to ask, "How will people fight the truth of this text?" "What questions will people have? What objections?" Paul did this often in his writing (Rom 6:1, 15), which makes me think he did it in his preaching.
5. The Missional Question: Most of us know that the Bible applies to our lives. Go one step further and ask "How does this apply to God's community? To marriages? Families? Cities? How does this change and challenge the community? What are the implications for the community if we don't live this text out? What if we fail to apply this?
6. The Christological Question: How does this text teach that Jesus is the answer? How does it exalt his character or point to his cross, his resurrection and second coming? How does it point to his present work and his future reign?

These aren't all the questions we could ask, but they are sufficient to pry the meaning out of a text and to start conversations about its meaning.
Comments?

Working Wisely - Email

2008-11-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

Helpful tips on writing emails.

How to Write Better Emails, from What's Best Next. I appreciate his comments on better subject lines, writing the main point early, and not forwarding without summarizing what you expect someone to do with what you've written to them. I've sent out dozens (hundreds?) of emails with useless titles like 'please read' or 'interesting.' Not helpful.

I really appreciate his focus in writing the posts on his blog. His purpose is not only to help himself be more productive, but to enable others to be more productive as well. That's humble and servant-oriented. I think God smiles at that.

And I really like the EOM idea I picked up from Lifehacker. Why make someone click open an email if you can make the subject the whole message? "Meet you at La Tolteca @ 12 Tuesday - EOM"

Brilliant.

Text Tuesday: John 4:46-54

2008-11-11T11:00:00.000-05:00

John 4:46-54

46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. 54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.

This is the text I will preach on this Sunday. I've already done some initial research, but I'm wondering if you might help me think through this passage.

What do you see as the main point? What does it tell us about Jesus? What does it tell us about ourselves? What good things about people does it affirm? How does it confront our sinfulness? What does it exalt about our God? How does it encourage us to persevere?

Music Monday: Graverobber

2008-11-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's Monday, and I'm off. But I thought I might try an automated post to celebrate some of the great music written by believers to communicate their hope and faith.

When we lost our little girl in 1998, I bitterly realized the reality that we will all expire, one day. Like milk in the fridge, we have a date stamped on us that no one can revoke. This week I spoke to a friend about her dying father, I prayed with a woman who has cancer and is one chemo, and I heard about the death of Michael Crichton, an author whose works challenge me intellectually while being compelling and readable.

I heard this song a few years ago... and it expresses the futility and hopelessness we all feel in the face of our loved one's coming death, and in the inevitability of our own. I can respect this artist's grappling with his own sense of tragedy and struggle with the reality of accidents, wrongful death, and the knowledge that we all have our time. (Mild content warning: some scenes may be mildly disturbing. Nothing more violent or tragic than you would see on TV after 8. Still... be warned.) Gravedigger, by Dave Matthews Band.

But the hope which the Christian has in the face of death is not in supernatural healing, or the prolonging of life beyond 'our time.' The bible tells us we are flowers quickly fading, grass in the sun, fog being burned away by the dawn (James 4:14). The hope (Titus 2:13) that we have is in the coming of our great God and King, the Lord Jesus Christ to collect us from our graves and take us to be with Him (1 Thess 4:13-18). In one of the darkest hours of my life, this song by the band Petra reminded me of that hope. It's a treasure.

I'd welcome you to reflect on this with me in the comments. Where is your hope? What hope do you have in the face of death?

Sunday Six: Things I am Thankful For

2008-11-09T22:25:00.000-05:00

1. Indoor Pools (and friends who own condo units with Indoor Pools)
2. Corned Beef, Soup, and Quiche
3. Gayla Parker, the women's retreat speaker, who encouraged my wife and the women of Harvest.
4. Matt Drudge, from www.drudgereport.com who links to the best news, left or right, but mostly right.
5. All the pastors and thinkers who blogged and encouraged me not to be a stick in the mud about the election, but to thank God and pray for our President-elect. Thanks especially to Josh Harris.
6. My Wife, who laughed a lot, telling me about having fun this weekend @ her retreat.
Bonus: Earl Grey Tea, Hot. Nancy just fixed me a cup.

Pastoral Prayer for the President Elect

2008-11-09T21:25:00.000-05:00

King of the universe,

We come before you this morning both with concern and elation. In this past week, we elected a new president, and our nation has spoken decisively.

Lord, we understand that our elections are usually not decided by a wide margin, but by a narrow one, with a few million on one side or the other. While this reveals the winner, it also reveals that we are bitterly divided. Many of us are polar opposites on the issues, and we understand that the job of loving one another and agreeing to disagree becomes harder when the differences are so stark, but it also becomes more important.

Lord, for our president elect, we want to come before you in the spirit of Romans 13:7 and 1 Tim 2:1-2. We know that we are called to honor, respect, thank and submit to this man as your appointed agent over us. We also know that your law is higher than the law of any king or official or president, and that he is called to submit to you, to thank you, to give you respect, and to honor you as God.

We pray that you would preserve this man, that you would keep him from the pressure of compromise with regard to your law, that you would help him to be a champion of all that is right. We pray that he would display wisdom and justice, and that he would surround himself with those who are wise.

Lord we pray that as he deals with moral, fiscal, domestic and international problems that he would not shy away from commitments of the past, that he would stand up to evil, that he would be wise with regard to our nations resources and would protect the weak and vulnerable from tyranny and oppression.

We pray that as a husband, he would have time for his wife. We pray you would help her to love him, to honor him, to support him. We thank you for her commitment to her family, to motherhood, and for her concern to protect and nurture her family.

We pray that as a father, he would have time for his daughters. We pray you would shield them from the criticism and abuse and pressure which will be heaped on them from all sides. Protect them.

Lord, we believe that the election of this man says something about the state of our nation. For hundreds of years we have lived with the stigma of black slavery, a legacy of inequality, abuse and hate. We have been divided by our vision which shows us black and white. We pray that in some way that we can see through your color-blind eyes, your eyes which delight in the diversity of our skin as we celebrate unity as the children of Adam and Noah.

Lord, we know that a president is not a king. A president cannot save from sin. We need a king, and we thank you for your son. He is the only leader who can save us from our deepest need, salvation from our own sins and the sin of Adam. We confess our need before you this morning. We thank you for your loving gracious guidance, we pray for your merciful protection int he years to come.

We thank you for the grace you have given to this country. We pray that as you have blessed us, we may be a blessing to you. May you delight in our ways, and may we be great as we do works of goodness which reflect your will.

In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ the Righteous we pray. Amen.

Feminine Awareness: First Mom

2008-11-07T10:09:00.000-05:00

One of the things I have been grappling with since Tuesday is spending time trying to think of ways to thank God for our president-elect. In this election the American people have demonstrated that racism is not as alive and well as some might think. This alone gives me cause for joy.

I am also deeply impressed with our president-elect's family life. I know his values are different in certain life issues, and that will be an area in which I cannot agree with our president-elect. Our future first lady has also made some comments which give me pause and demonstrate that there is a divide in thinking between she and I as well. But, politics and policies aside (if you detect them, be charitable and ignore them)... this is a delightful little article which demonstrates what Michelle Obama sees as her first and highest calling.

I believe the best and highest form of 'liberation' and 'equality' for women comes in embracing the values which are intrinsic to them (given by God): beauty, motherhood, femininity. This is a strong woman, one who knows who she is and what is important.

Thank you, Michelle, for loving your family more than politics.

Article from the Times

For Bill Petuck: Gone Home

2008-07-09T10:40:00.001-04:00

To be read at the funeral of my friend, Bill Petuck.

2 Timothy 1:12 But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.

I was saddened to hear of this news about our brother in Christ, Bill Petuck. I can remember Bill in what I believe are some of my earliest memories. I can see him sweeping up at First Baptist out of the corner of my eye. I can remember sneaking around the church, looking in cabinets for something to eat with my brother, or hiding in the choir room upstairs, or in the youth room, and hearing footsteps, and seeing Bill come around the corner, telling us it was time to leave the church.

When I was young, he was the church security guard. He kept things under control and under supervision. As I grew older, I had the opportunity to serve with Bill on the board of trustees, and to see his loving care for the church building. He described in detail how he had repaired or improved different sections of the building, using his World War II ingenuity and frugality to keep costs down and keep First Baptist Church looking beautiful. He would focus on completing a task... like repairing the front steps or replacing a worn out and leaking baptismal, and he was faithful to remind the church that we needed to care for the church.

Part of me believed that he was mistaking the church building for the family of God.... but this was far from the truth. Bill was a faithful follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, a constant attender. When Marge died in 2001, I had the honor (and terror) of presiding over her funeral. It was my first funeral, but Bill encouraged me, told me he believed in me, and rather than finding a more experienced minister, let this young kid in to one of the most significant tragedies of his life.

I learned a lot about Bill in the months after that. He was a man passionately dedicated to his wife. He never stopped missing her. In a discussion we had one night in the hospital, he quoted this verse, with tears in his eyes, "2 Timothy 1:12 But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me." He told me, "I have but one hope: My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I so desperately long to be with my beautiful savior, and my beautiful wife. I long to go and be with them, yet I trust that the good Lord has me here for a reason, and I am content to be here, though I long to be with him, and with Marge." His bright outlook through his darkest tragedy was a great encouragement to me. I had come to the hospital to encourage a sick man, I left encouraged by him.

Bill was concerned to provide for those around him. He poured out his life for a building, because the building held the family of His Savior. He walked in honesty and integrity because he loved his Lord. He loved and encouraged others, because He longed to be loved and encouraged by His Lord and Savior, and to see his beloved bride again. He had but one hope that guided him through the dark of these past few years, one which we would do well to remember: Saving Righteousness that comes from Jesus Christ sacrifice on the cross is our only hope of salvation. If we cling to that, and trust in Him, we can weather any storm, survive any tragedy, and still live with joy.

Bill was one of a kind. A treasure that cannot be replaced. I will miss him. Honor his memory with your devotion to His Lord.

Thank You,
Keith Myer
- - - - - - -
William J. Petuck

PETUCK William J. Petuck Schering-Plough retiree, WWII Army vet, 90 William J. Petuck passed into eternal life on Sunday, July 6, 2008, at Cranford Health and Rehabilitation Center in Cranford. He was 90 years old. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 10, 2008, from the McCracken Funeral Home, 1500 Morris Ave., Union. Entombment will follow at Hollywood Memorial Park, Union. Family and friends are invited on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Mrs. Petuck was born in Hazelton, Pa., to John W. and Elizabeth (nee Lemmert) Petuck. He resided in Union since 1957 before moving to Cranford two years ago. He served his country in the United States Army during World War II. Mr. Petuck worked as a tablet coater with Shering-Plough in Kenilworth prior to his retirement. He was a member of the Union Masonic Lodge and the First Baptist Church of Union. He is survived by his brother, Carlyle and wife, Justine Petuck, of Cranford, and a sister, Ruth Petuck of Hunterdon County.
Published in the Star-Ledger on 7/8/2008.

Three Sons

2008-06-24T13:42:00.000-04:00

From the Harvest newsletter, Summer 2008 Edition:

Three young princes sat in the gates of the city, presumably handling the affairs of their Father, the King. The youngest sat on a fraying rug, tossing a few small pebbles at a nearby clay jar, the corners of his mouth turning up with satisfaction each time the rock hit the mark, producing a satisfying 'plink!'

The middle son was busy explaining the trade policies of the King to a group of merchants who were looking to offload their imported treasures. He made a face at his younger brother, who was probably too young to be about the King's business, but was regularly sent along by their Father to 'learn the ways of the kingdom.' "We sell high quality goods here, nothing shoddy. Dishonesty is not tolerated. We value an honest measure and we treat our customers..." his voice went on and on.

The eldest son rolled his eyes and turned back to the group he was talking to. He was bored with policies and rules and speeches. He was celebrating his success in the recent spring battles. His crowd of awestruck boys, swooning girls and forward thinking bootlickers were hanging on his every word, listening to his every word, watching him twist and slash with his sword as he retold the battle in the minutest detail. "...and while others sat in the gates DISCUSSING THE PRICE OF FISH HEADS I was on the battlefield, surrounded by the enemy, tired, but unwilling to yield. In spite my wounds, I regained my feet, and..."

The eldest voice merged into the buzz of the city gates. This was the center and heart of the kingdom. Authority was seated on the throne, but the power of the king was made known here in the gates day in and day out.

A clear voice rang out, "If I may have your attention please..." All eyes turned to see the King's shield bearer entering the gates. The princes turned to take in the words of the King's closest advisor. "The King has been called to attend to immediate business. He will return, but the matter is important and cannot be delayed. The princes must assume leadership. Your father has left a precious gift for you in his throne room; you must make your way there. He has cared for you for all of your days, now he asks you to care for his kingdom. Use his gift wisely."

The little prince was the first out the door. His bright smile flashed as he laughed and ran. "Stop! We must all go together," shouted the middle prince. The oldest ran next, sheathing his sword and breathing fury toward his little brother, "We must get there before he ruins everything. He won't use the gift like I will!"

The middle prince ran after as well. Long days pondering books, thinking about policies, debating and researching hadn't helped his running ability. But he was clever... he stopped to ask the shield bearer if the throne room was locked. It was. He smiled and took the key from him and set off to the castle.

"I am the fastest!" thought the little prince. "I am the best! I am first! The kingdom will celebrate me because I took the gift!" he shouted, but his race was cut short by the imposing figure of his older brother. "Speed is nothing without skill and strength, and you prove that you are little fool by not knowing that! I will take the gift. It is my right, and the people will honor me in the place of the King, and they will see you for the wretch you are."

The crowd gathered around to see the two princes engaged in their scuffle, but their attention was quickly drawn to the sound of the well-oiled gate opening.

"But neither of you can access the gift without wisdom and knowledge, and my skill has trumped yours... because I secured the key! My gift proves that I alone am fit to rule the kingdom while our father is gone!"

But the middle son possessed neither skill nor speed, and as the oldest son prevented the gate from slamming shut, the little prince slipped inside and leaped violently on his brother. Fists and curses flew. A tooth lost its home. The people gaped and wagged their heads at the spectacle the boys were making. The distinct sound of metal scraping meant the eldest was drawing his sword... as the littlest opened the small box sitting before the throne. A small scroll, bound with a neat ribbon and sealed with the king's signet ring was produced.

"What does it say?" demanded the eldest.

"I cannot read!" cried the youngest.

"Give it to me! Here!" demanded that middle, with a smile of triumph on his face.

"My dearest sons," he began to read in a confident voice, "I have watched you grow from children to men fit to rule a kingdom. You are my pride and joy, and I delight in you. All that I have is yours. Lead and guide my people, my greatest treasure. They will look to you guide them. Remember, you have different gifts, but when used together for the good of the kingdom, your differences produce strength. Remember what I have always told you, since you were boys..." the voice of the middle son cracked and then wavered…

The eldest hung his head in shame and the youngest fell to the ground and began to weep.

"...they will know you are my children by the love you display to one another."

This the Power of the Cross

2008-06-16T12:32:00.000-04:00

The organizers of the convention were sweet enough to invite this sister in Christ (and her awesome pipes) to minister to the messengers in song. Posting this both for your listening pleasure, to build you up in your faith, and in hopes that Steve will hear it and be 'inspired.'

Steve: hint hint! I love you man. Keep bringing the blessing of joyous worship to us.

I was at a pastor's conference in 2005 where a speaker mentioned that we need to become less psalmic in our praise of God, and more centered on New Testament worship. Psalmic worship has its place in our worship services: praising God for the blessings He heaps on us, for His goodness to all humanity, for His faithful provision throughout history. In truth, all humanity can worship Him for these blessings.

When the church assembles to worship, we are celebrating something very specific. We are rejoicing in the fact that though we are the worst of sinners, God has given us the most precious of gifts. He has purified us and given us the adoption of sons by virtue of the death of his beloved Son. We are able to stand in His presence because of Jesus, and the cross, and His blood and body broken for us. This is what we are called to praise God for.

I mentioned this in passing yesterday, but i'll mention it formally here. I am thankful for the leadership Steve and Tim bring to us each Sunday. We are blessed at Harvest with humble, Godly leadership in this area, aren't we? (Hint to all: You can say yes in the comments. If they get big heads, we'll blog on that.)

Enjoy the videos.

I'll verify, but I think that Mrs. Getty's husband wrote this song as well, with Stuart Townsend. Truly, these beleivers have been given to the church as a gift for edifying us through worship.

Psalms of David

2008-06-04T13:37:00.000-04:00

Maybe of interest to some, but a great help in preparing for upcoming sermons on the life of David.

The Psalms of David

Using superscriptions from the ESV bible. View that at ESV.com

Not Very Holy - But Prospering!

2008-06-04T09:37:00.001-04:00

Apparently, I'm a big failure when compared to this guy (not the author, the guy he is talking about.)

Although it's nice to be listed among such prominent company.

(Thanks Chris!)

One of the guys mentioned, Mark Driscoll, preached a sermon on suffering from Philippians, where he compared the health and wealth gospel preached by a prominent promoter of that school of thought with a profound idea.

The prosperity gospel says you should be at peace financially (cash), physically (health), socially (family) and in every other area.

Yet... none of this applies to Jesus. He had to borrow a coin to make an illustration. He had to send Peter to fish to pay the temple tax. He had no place to lay his head, though foxes have holes and birds have nests. He was afflicted, often hungry, frequently tired and exhausted by the demands of ministry. Oh... and his family? They thought he was nuts. And everyone else? Remember the kind of prosperity he enjoyed: Rejection. Death.

None of this is to deny that there is indeed prosperity in the gospel. But of what kind? What quality? We have peace with God through the gospel. We have freedom from sin in the gospel. We have every spiritual (read: spiritual, not cash) blessing in him (eph 1:3).

That's real prosperity, the kind not affected by the price of milk or gasoline.

Snapshot - June 4, 2008

2008-06-04T09:05:00.001-04:00

My Current Study Project:

David wrote 73 Psalms (corrected). Investigating the superscritions to connect them with the timeline of his life. Expect to see some sort of pdf or spreadsheet here in a few days.

Sermon Text for this Week:

Either 1 Samuel 16, or 1 Samuel 16:1-17:58

Things to pray for:

Voting on Elders & Constitution this Sunday
Southern Baptist Convention, next Monday to Wednesday
We have a new puppy. His name is Frodo. (As in "He is small, and does not know the way.")
Concert Ticket sales: Apologetix in concert, this Saturday night at Harvest.

Praises:

Generous brother and sister in Christ put "the Silver Bullet" back on the road. (That's my car... not a beer can.)
Corn is growing on the sun porch.
Sawhorses built. Ready to build swing set, set up pool.
Finally... changed the oil on Nancy's car.
Garage Door fixed. (Can you tell the kinds of things that have been stressing me out?)

The Seed

2008-04-15T14:31:00.001-04:00

From Our Church Newsletter, Pre-Easter Edition.
I plan on posting the next one as soon as I wirte it.

Just about a hundred years ago on a small farm in the Midwest of the United States, there was a stubborn little grain that had an independent mind and a hunger to see the world. “Planting season is almost here,” said the grain, “and that means I'll get put into the ground, and buried... and that's the end! Not for me!” So the little kernel gathered his courage and determined to avoid his fate.

“Where are yooooou going?”mooed the cow, “It's almost planting time! Yooooou've spent the whole winter safe and dry, getting ready for this time. It loooooks like you're planning on running away!”

“I've been thinking it over,” said the seed, “and being buried and broken just isn't for me. Besides, shouldn't a seed have a right to do what he wants with his own body? No one is going to force me to give up my freedom and put me two inches under!”

“But where will the children get milk if there is nooooo hay for me to eat? They'll be thirsty!”

“They'll figure something out,” said the kernel, walking on.

The kernel walked along, and by midday had reached the front stoop of the farmhouse, where the farmer's wife sat repairing the farmer's tattered trousers. “Where are you going, little seed?” she asked, careful not to poke her fingers with the needle as she sewed, “It's almost planting time! We harvested you at the end of last season, and after looking you over, we selected you as the finest of the bunch, sure to bring in a great harvest and provide for all our family's needs.”

"I've been thinking it over,” said the seed, “and giving up my independence for a family I don't really even know just isn't for me. Besides, shouldn't a seed have some say in being picked to provide for the needs of others? No one is going to convince me to forfeit my own life for the benefit of a family that might not deserve it.”

“But how will we survive if you don’t? We'll starve! This is what you were created for!”

"You'll figure something out,” said the kernel, walking on.

The kernel made his way out toward the field, shuddering as he thought of the fate that would overcome him if he were to be planted in that deep, rich earth. The darkness surrounding him. The water that seeped down to penetrate his husk, his insides bursting apart as massive green tendrils snaked out from him, looking for water. It would be the end for him... he would cease to be. What had he done to deserve this? What could possibly justify this sacrifice?

The kernel was jolted from his daydream when he noticed the massive booted foot before him. He looked up to see the farmer bent down over him, his weathered face looking down, its hardness broken with a happy smile.

“Where are you going, little seed?” asked the farmer. “It's almost planting time. It is time to give yourself over. That is what the First Seed did. When the Farmer sent Him to be planted, He gave up himself so that He would be the first of the Harvest. You have been given life by Him, and He calls you to play your part, so that many will grow from your sacrifice. If you go away, if you do not do this... there will be no others. You will be the last, and there will be no Harvest.”

“I... I've been thinking it over,” said the seed, “and it seems like everything falls on me. Will everything suffer if I refuse?”

“It will be worse than suffering. It will be the end. You are our hope. The Farmer has planned it this way,” said the farmer.

“Then... I embrace the future that has been chose for me... I will not run,” said the seed.

Smiling, the farmer scooped up the little seed, placed him in a tiny hole, and covered him over with dirt.

John 12:24 says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” In this season when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we give thanks to the one who did not despise the shame of the cross, but gave himself over for our benefit. He welcomed what he did not deserve, so we could receive what we could never earn. His sacrifice purchased life for us. We are called to lay down our lives to pass along the life He gave to us. May every green shoot that sprouts from the ground remind us of the seed below that gave its life so that life could begin.

Let us marvel at the glory of the sacrifice of Christ. He gives himself up, and though He is destroyed, His life does not end. It is the glory of the Son to give Himself so that others can live, it is the glory of the Father to raise the Son again. It is our glory to lay aside our prerogatives, give ourselves to others, and pass His life along.

Men's Rock Scramble - 2008

2008-04-05T22:55:00.001-04:00

Old Rag Mtn, VA

What is the task of Preaching? Updated: Now with corrected spelling.

2008-03-25T10:12:00.000-04:00

Going through scraps of paper in my giant pile, I found something I wrote down while talking with a pastor friend from Ohio.

"The Text has given prominence to an Idea."

Thinking about preaching the Word of God, this is the task of study: What is the text saying about the idea contained there?

It is easy to read all kinds of things into Bible texts. We can use texts to prove things that they were never intended to say. The task of preaching is to find the author's emphasis in the text, expose those ideas to God's people in a way that connects to them and their lives, and show them how they apply in real life.

This is the question I try to ask myself every week: Am I making these points because I want to seem brilliant or creative or to wow my audience, or... is this what the authors (God, and the human author, working by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) intended to say here?

The Scripture is unique, and yet like other books. It is unique in that it is the sword of the Spirit, the very living and active Word of God which accomplishes God's will and desire in the world. On the flip side, it is very much a book, with syntax and grammar and authorial intent. We can never say that the bible means something other than what it meant when it was written.

(Of course, prophecy can be produced to prove this point otherwise, but the exception proves the rule.)

The Text has given prominence to an Idea.

In God's strength I pray I never bring His people anything but that.

On the Physical Death of Jesus

2008-03-20T12:01:00.000-04:00

A classic the moment it was released 20 years ago. I first heard Dobson read this article on the air in 1996 while painting the apartment I would move into with my bride. It brought me to tears then. Some might find it mildly disturbing, but our faith points us to a dying man on a cross and says, "That is salvation." It can be helpful to be disturbed once in a while.

Link

HT: Justin Taylor

LEAD Audio from 031808

2008-03-19T14:20:00.000-04:00

Esnips is giving me a hard time.
Here's the link to the audio.

No search of the internet turns up Chad Allen's "Team Wheel". This is his idea, I have some paper files, and want to give him adequate recognition:

Chad - Thanks for this great idea. I appreciate you. I am using your idea.

More to come on this in future meetings.

We'll be focusing on Solid Relationships (with an emphasis on growing in fellowship and recruiting for ministry), Clear Roles, Effective Processes, and Clear Communication in our future meetings.
Here is my re-creation of the Team Wheel. One of my youth group kids gave me a card with this color scheme on it a few years back, so when I recreated the team wheel, I used the colors, threw the card away, and now have this watermelon-ish pallette without any clutter. TMI?

Discipleship... a format that works at the speed of life.

2008-03-04T10:20:00.000-05:00

How does discipleship work? Jesus commands us to "make disciples" in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) which involves teaching them to obey all He commanded.

How does this process work? What would it look like for you to live it out on a daily basis? Two things occur to me:

1) You need to be the prototype. A desire to fix someone else or to be a leader is not enough. While we will never be perfect in this life, we are called to discipline ourselves for the sake of Godliness (1 Tim 6:7) and to show ourselves as models of godliness (Titus 2:7-8) so that when we teach, we need not be ashamed, embarrassed our rebuke by our own lack of character.

2) You need a format that works. Chances are you can't stop working and make discipling your full time work. People are busy, and discipleship takes time. Someone once asked the question, "How do you eat an elephant?" prompting the response, "One bite at a time."

For discipleship to be effective, it needs to be regular, ongoing structured times of one-on-one work. Don't just fall into a discipleship pattern, ask someone to join with you in study. Tell them what the plan is... and get some resources to help guide you and give you some content.

Some folks out at this church helped me boil a discipleship meeting down into its essential elements. Here they are:
- Meet at least every other week. Meet too often and no time is left for truth to sink in and take root. Too seldom and there is no accountability and encouragement... the green growth of fresh faith withers and dies...
- Try not to accomplish too much too fast. Discipleship involves sifting through deep areas of the soul. Allow time to develop a connection with the person you are meeting with. Take some time to find out about the person you are working with: kid's names, how long they have been married, their testimony, etc.... this information is essential to relating the truth of the gospel to the life of the person you are working with.
- There are four essential areas of discipleship (Thanks, Gary Delashmutt)

Bible Study: Opening the Word and discovering all that Jesus taught his people to know and do.
Prayer: Asking God to invade our life circumstances and transform them for His glory and our joy.
Personal Issues: How are they doing in their personal life? Is the family okay? Are they walking in purity? Where do they set their affections? What does the heart and mind worship? Are they in regular prayer? Reading the word? Trusting in Christ?
Ministry Issues: How are they passing on the grace of God? Church involvement? Who are they sharing Christ with? How is their ministry in the church going? Do they have a ministry at all?

I try to focus on a 2:4 ratio. Always pray. Make sure you always get in prayer and something else, but don't let it always be the same thing. Ideally, prayer and bible study should lead to commitment in areas 3 and/or 4. Finish with prayer for life change.

Good resources:
- 3o Discipleship Exercises
- The Lost Art of Disciple Making

Principle to Keep in Mind While Making Changes

2008-02-29T16:14:00.001-05:00

Taken from "Healing for the Church". Harold Ewing Burchett, 1989.

Very real, steady growth will follow the real, steady investment of proper effort.
Right attitudes and wrong methods are generally to be preferred above right methods and wrong attitudes.
Never back into a position. (Your posture or stand on important matters must be positively motivated, or you might be repulsed into extremes.)
Knock against nothing legitimate until you have something better already going - then still do not knock.
Similarly, never discard something good for something better until that better thing is functioning.
It is generally not good to change labels (of various programs or structures) until that better thing is functioning.
Some friction is inevitable, but expressing appreciation for people of former days and older methods will ease much of the tension. Do not consider things of the past as necessarily evil.
Avoid frightening, agitating, driving, or forcing. Lead with life.
Let the dead bury the dead. Involve the more vital ones in spiritual functions.
New growth in love will make it easier to implement organizational changes, but mere program and organizational changes will not in themselves bring new life.
Watch carefully so that you do not trip over your new insights.

Harvest Book Club

2008-02-27T10:53:00.001-05:00

In the interest of growing in our faith, several folks at Harvest have suggested we start a book club.

Despite my unswerving devotion to the works of C.S. Lewis (and my nagging habit of continually quoting him) there is a bit of a buzz about a new book by Jerry Bridges called "Respectable Sins." Look for the link to amazon.com at the bottom of this post.

Here are the "rules" for the book club:
1) We'll try to make this kid-friendly. The Wii is a great kid-distraction.
2) We'll focus on getting together early in the evening, and eating together.
3) We'll do dinner "finger-food" or "covered dish" style, to keep the burden off of any one person (suggestions here?)
4) We'll pick our next book at our first meeting (suggestions?)
5) If we get 20 people into this... we'll find a better location.
6) You'll have a month to read the book.
7) We'll discuss the book after dinner.
8) There will be lots of good coffee.

More details as they occur to me.

Progress of Redemption - Week 2

2008-02-27T09:28:00.000-05:00

As we continue our study of the whole Bible,week 2, we'll be looking at the Prologue to the Bible, found in Genesis 1:1-11:32. (Click on the previous link to read it.)

Study begins at 7:00. We may be moving to the classroom outside of the nursery. See you tonight.

LEAD 02-19-08 God's Part in Ministry

2008-02-20T09:29:00.000-05:00

Audio from the Teaching portion of Lead last night.

LEAD_021908.mp3

Link to the original.

Well... I'm Not in Favor of Boring...

2008-02-05T16:29:00.000-05:00

I don't know that I'm willing to concede that preaching should be boring... but I'm okay (as some of you have noted...) with long.

See what Michael McKinley has to say on the subject.

Looking for A Few Good Members

2008-02-04T10:42:00.000-05:00

"Discovering Church Membership" is coming.

We'll be beginning March 2, 2008 at 9:30 AM sharp.

If you're not a member of Harvest, or a member from "before the transition", or you know someone in the church who isn't a member and isn't on this list... Let them know.

All are welcome, no requirement to join upon completion of the Class.

Update: I'll be posting audio, documents, etc... on the blog. So sign up for the email update, or put this in your "feed reader" so you'll be updated when things are posted.

What is Progress of Redemption?

2008-01-31T13:12:00.000-05:00

You can read the Bible for years without getting a handle on what it's really about.

We're sure it's about Jesus, Paul spreading the Gospel, Moses and the Ten Commandments, King David and Saul... but how does it all fit together? What does it all mean? Why does it happen this way?

Progress of Redemption - the gradual unfolding of God's salvation plan for humanity is a plan for studying the Bible that will help you integrate and understand why God does what He does in scripture (at least, in the areas that He chooses to tell us...) and what He is accomplishing.

What is God doing? Why is He doing it? Does the Bible really fit together? Does it make sense? Can it make sense to me?

These are questions you may have asked yourself. You can know the answers.

Plan to be there on Wednesday nights as we move... (quickly!!!) studying the whole Bible.
(BTW - we'll cover Genesis 1-11)

What a bunch of "Welcoming Folks."

2008-01-30T10:57:00.001-05:00

What a blessing it is to be a pastor. People are wonderful and friendly, they cook you dinner, they make jokes about your sermons, and invite you into their deepest joys and pains. I love being a pastor and being welcomed into the lives of others.

The people of Harvest Baptist Church are a friendly bunch, no doubt. Matter of fact... of the four or five churches I've attended (and the two I've pastored)... all of the churches I've spent any significant time at were filled with friendly people.

I've heard a common complaint wherever I go (and complained about it myself) that visitors get overlooked. "They are friendly, but they're all being friendly with one another... and ignoring me."

Should we feel guilty about our love for one another? No. But we shouldn't neglect our guests and visitors either.

I was searching for something called the "rule of three" this morning and turned up this article on a website. (I'll post it here in the article for your convenience, link here.)

I'm hoping you'll read this thoughtfully and make this part of your regular practice on Sunday Mornings. I love you folks... go show those visitors and guests why they are going to love you too.

First impressions are lasting ones. People make up their minds about your church within the first 10 minutes of contact. Long before the preacher preaches, people most often will have decided if they plan to return. These ideas and definitions may help your church make a life-changing impression on those who are new to your congregation.

TWO TIPS FOR THE WHOLE CONGREGATION TO DO EACH SUNDAY:
CIRCLE OF 10: Greet anyone, member or guest, who comes within 10 feet of you. Make a special effort to greet the people you don’t already know within your Circle of 10.
RULE OF THREE: Try not to talk to other members for the first three minutes after the service. Talk only to those you don’t know and to people that you know are guests. It takes guests about three minutes to exit the church after worship so it’s important to make sure someone has made contact with them before they leave.
SOME EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE YOU WILL ESPECIALLY WANT TO WELCOME:

Remember that welcoming is a lifestyle that extends well beyond shaking hands at the door of the sanctuary. As your church grows a more welcoming lifestyle, you will probably want to design different ministries and follow-up activities for these and other groups of people.

VISITORS
Igniting Ministry defines visitors as people who attend a worship service or event at a church but are not likely to be regularly connected to the congregation (they live out of town, have another church home, etc.). Remember, welcoming is not about growing your church; visitors deserve special attention even if you never
see them again.

GUESTS
Igniting Ministry defines guests as people who attend worship or another event, perhaps at the personal invitation of someone from the church, who may reasonably be expected to return and get involved in the congregation. Those treated as “honored guests” are likely to return.

NEWCOMERS
Igniting Ministry defines newcomers as people who are relatively new to a congregation—not yet members; no longer first-time guests; interested in connecting with the church and its members. Newcomers are trying to find a way into the life and ministries of your church, so it’s important to remove barriers and serve their needs.

Radical Biblicism

2008-01-30T10:17:00.000-05:00

Few things really bother me.

I confess... I get annoyed by certain things. Red lights, lots of unnecessary noise... election cycle phone calls. Theologically, there is a lot to be troubled about... but one thing gets me more than any other within the church: Many believers refuse to embrace a true, radical Biblicism.

What is the right structure for a church government? For what purpose did Jesus come preachign and teaching? Why should we pray? Why do bad things happen? Should women be pastoring churches? Why do churches exist? Does God think divorce is okay, in some situations? What is God's desire for each and every Christian? Is abortion immoral? Does the Holy Spirit speak God's will to us? Does God really send people to Hell?

Important questions? Sure they are. Simple answers? Sometimes, but often Christians disagree.

What is important is not what we think, but what the Bible "thinks." There is a system of thought revealed in the Scriptures, and our thinking needs to be informed by the Scriptures, not our feelings. We are called to think intelligently, but our thinking needs to be informed by the scriptures, not vice versa. So often we allow our theology to dictate what the text of scripture means, rather than allowing the scripture to inform our theology. So often what I think and feel becomes the standard by which I judge the Word, rather than allowing the Word to judge my thoughts and feelings.

To be a Christian who is following God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength means to fully submit every thought and intention of the heart to the Word of God. If we're not convinced, from Scripture, from the whole of Scripture, then we can't say we are acting in good faith... at least not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jack Crabtree writes a compelling article I think every Christian needs to grapple with. Look at this quote:

I have followed with interest the latest battle for the Bible. The committee of scholars that determines the text of the New International Version of the Bible has apparently been working on a revision. In this revision they intended to bring their translation into the 1990s by purging it of language that might denote one gender to the exclusion of the other. World magazine, getting wind of the proposed revision, created quite a stir by publicly criticizing it.
Both sides frame the controversy as a debate over what constitutes an accurate translation. But in truth, neither side's preferred translation is more accurate than the other. The NIV's original translation of Genesis 1:26-27 ("Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image....' So God created man in his own image...male and female he created them") is no more nor less accurate than the gender-neutralized translation ("Then God said, 'Let us make human beings in our image....' So God created human beings in his own image...male and female he created them"). If one translation is preferred over the other, it is on grounds other than accuracy.

Crabtree goes on to articulate that difference between being Radically Biblical and just finding an idea you like in the text and calling it "what the Bible teaches" and therefore Biblical.

I read this article about five years ago, and it challenged me. Let me challenge you: Print it out. Pore over it. Give it some time, and let it inform your thinking. You won't regret it.

Note: The article contains what some might consider "Adult Themes." If you're an adult, they shouldn't offend you. There's no simple way of talking about certain subjects, but Crabtree does it with class. His argumentation is powerful, biblical, and convicting.

Do You Understand What You Are Reading?

2008-01-26T01:23:00.000-05:00

"Do you understand what you are reading?"

An important question, asked by Philip in his conversation with the Ethiopian Eunuch.

"How can I, unless someone explains it to me?" was the response.

I often find myself falling into browsing mode when reading the Bible. I try to get through it each year, but often I find I'm not thorough, or I'm not connecting to what I'm reading.

Here are two resources I find helpful:

1. A reading plan (for being thorough). I like the discipleship journal reading plan, but I also like the daily reading plan found here, and this is also a good site for reading plans. This year i've tried to solve the problem of losing my reading plan sheet by reducing it in size so it tucks in my Bible, and securing it with a rubber band. How can I keep track of what I read if I keep losing my reading record? I've thought about making a log for Google Docs, but I don't want to need to connect to the Internet to know what I am supposed to be reading, and keeping it updated will be simpler this way.

2. A good outline (for staying connected). Having a good bible commentary helps, but a simple outline of what is going on can also help. The first chapters of Jeremiah are downright confusing without a guide. A simple map can make all the difference. I appreciate these resources from Bethel prof Dr. Paul Ferris to make reading the prophets a little simpler. I'm looking for more... and I'll post some if I find them.

Audio: Lead Meeting 01-15-08

2008-01-16T00:04:00.000-05:00

Here's the audio from our meeting.
Feel free to pass it on to other Lead folks, church folks, or odd folks who know nothing about Harvest who might find this interesting.

Also - feel free to comment in the comments section below.

LEAD_011507.mp3

Notes From Lead 01-15-07: Why Leaders?

2008-01-15T22:08:00.001-05:00

Here are the notes from tonight's Lead Meeting:
(Audio to follow soon.)
Thanks for all the input and participation.

Here's credit to the originators of the material. All errors and limitations are probably from me.

Why do Churches Need Leaders?

What makes a ministry successful?
- Key to success in ministry getting in line with what God wants to do, or is doing.
- Biblical concept of ministry is "serving God or other people in a way that furthers God’s will or purpose."
- True ministry must be empowered and directed by God.
- "It is the Spirit that quickens, the flesh profits nothing." (John 6:63)
- "Unless the Lord builds the house, they do labor in vain that build it." (Psalms 127:1)
- Paul "glor[ied] in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh." (Phil. 3:3)

Contrast - Human Agency is important:
Acts - People planted the church in each city.
Why does God give gifts? - 1 Cor. 12:4-7
How does God build faith? - Rom. 10:14
How much human involvement is needed to succeed? 2 Cor. 5:19

The task of Leadership:
God has delegated the task of reaching the world to Christians.
God expects Christians to Lead in getting that work done.
"Fellow workers with God." (1 Cor. 3:7)
Where did OT leaders come from? Where do NT leaders come from?

Matt 9:37,38 The Harvest is plentiful... but...
Leaders must be prayerfully raised up. Prayer and Training are critical.
The Divine Bottleneck. The human bottleneck. Which can we fix?

If all ministry were God's activity, all groups would be equally effective.
Groups with poor leadership suffer.
Encourage, Train, Excite, Imagine.

Ministry Implications:
1. Ministry plans that don't conform with what the scripture says about How God works are doomed to failure and not worth pursuing. What should be central in our ministry activities?

2. We can be "successful" without Divine empowerment. We want God's level of success, not our culture's vision. If God isn't in it, no matter how flashy or big, we don't want it. How do we discern between biblical success and cultural success? Where do we find the answers?

3. Leadership is more Watchful than Forceful. Where is God moving? What is God doing? Force - PRessuring, Dragging Along, Manipulating. Watchful - careful scriptural observation. Leading by example and influence.

4. Leaders who view ministry through God's eyes are less prone to imbalance. Failure is less depressing and Success is less inflating. Ultimate responsibility for the kingdom lies with the king.

5. A huge people driven ministry should be less desired than a small faithful God driven congregation. Size matters not... commitment to truth and grace does.

6. "Learning" and "Trends" are not the same as the Hand of God. Prayerful discernment is difficult business, and prayer is required from all of God's people.

7. We should be continually scanning our area of influence for potential leaders.
What are the qualifications for leadership in the Church?
Faith. Baptism. Obedience = Fruit. Standards.
- Discipleship and Mentoring often bring out potential ministry problems. This is an opportunity for growth and ministry.
- All believers have gifts to be used in Ministry. 1 Cor 12.
- Key to Leadership Replication = Faithful Feeding, Discernment, Mentoring.
- Discipleship is intensive, inefficient work. Frustrating, Don't Become Frustrated.