Kingdom Work

The older I get, the more I want to jettison the things in my ministry that are not about kingdom work. Last week in my devotions I was listening to a podcast that reminded me to think about the difference between the things that are essential and the things that are cultural or habit. For instance, to worship God is essential. The style of our worship is cultural.

Old patterns of doing things may have worked in ages past, and some may still work today, but the way we do things is not the essential element. The older I get the more I want to focus on the essential.

A good example of this is what we have done with our children’s ministry. The essential element is that we present Jesus to our children. The cultural non-essential is whatever pattern of presenting Jesus we use or have used in the past. The old way of presenting Jesus in most United Methodist Churches is called Sunday school – placing children in a room for an hour with a teacher and a lesson plan. We decided the method was not what was essential, but rather that we find a way to present Jesus to our children that would be impactful and life changing. Our old Sunday School program, just a year and a half ago, had 6-12 children. We decided that what we were doing was not working for us so we started what we call Kingdom Kids. Kingdom Kids has their own worship team, a puppet ministry, their own place to meet, and we use a variety of methods to teach the children about Jesus (the essential).

The last three Sundays we have had over 60 children attending this new program and parents are amazed at what the children are learning and retaining about Jesus. Sunday School worked at one time and might still work in the right setting. What we found more impactful was a new method and we were not afraid to try it.

We must be more concerned with kingdom work than the survival of an old method, process, or institution. We cannot fall in love with the structure and allow it keep us from being as impactful as possible in our kingdom work. Time just does not allow it.

When we started our season of ministry together one of the first things I mentioned was I was more concerned as a pastor with us doing kingdom work than with the survival of our church setting. I would rather close this location of the church, doing kingdom work as we go, than have the location survive, at the cost of kingdom work. I tried to say that as clearly as possible. The institution can survive while doing kingdom work, but the focus needs to be on the kingdom work, not survival. Does that make sense?

This brings me to the point I wanted to write about this week and will write about again. Did you know that within five miles of Mt. Oak there are nine United Methodist Churches? That was amazing to me when I did the research online. I began to look at each church and ask the question – why so many with so little connection? We call ourselves a connectional church, yet, within five miles there are essentially nine congregations of the same denomination (I’m sure I would be floored by the total number of Christian churches within 5 miles of Mt. Oak) with very little contact or connection.

I have had conversations with some pastors about how we can connect. I have also had conversations with denominational leaders around this subject.

There is a variety of ways to connect. We can share some ministries, some resources, and staff. We can officially connect or informally connect. We can share our calendars. Just think what could be accomplished for the kingdom with over 2,000 United Methodists working together in this area verses each individual church location trying to do things alone.

What tends to be the roadblock to connectional ministries in some cases is the sense of independence at each location. Whether they have a worshiping body of 20 or 400, each location of the church has some sense of autonomy and the survival of their location becomes more important than the kingdom work that can be accomplished together.

Pray with me that we would focus more on kingdom work and ask the question – how can our location and other resources be best used for the kingdom rather than – what can we do to survive!

In future articles I will write about ways we can connect in a more concrete way. Maybe you have some ideas you could send me as fodder for future articles. God bless you!

Why were we born where we were born?

I have a question I have never been able to answer - maybe you can help me.

Why were we born where we were born? Is it completely random that I was born into the majority race, to middle class, educated, moral and Christian parents?

Israel was called from among the nations - beginning with Abram - as God's chosen nation. They were chosen for service - not for priviledge. They were called to tell the nations about God, yet they began to call the other nations pagan, godless. They withheld the knowledge of God from the world, in many cases. Even the Disciples had a hard time with Paul taking the Gospel to the Gentile world.

You may not be the most privileged in our society - but compared to the world - all of us are the most privileged.

Why were we born with the privilege we have? And if for a reason, are we fulfilling it?

Luke 12:48b - From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. NIV

Luke 12:48b - For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. NKJV

What is Unique?

What is unique about Mt. Oak compared to other churches?

If we assume that a church is Biblically based, and strives to make disciples of Jesus Christ, what makes us unique. How would you describe us to a friend who wanted to know about us?

Respond to this statement...

Christianity boils down to attitude. The position and condition of your heart speaks volumes about your relationship with Jesus.

Do not conform any longer

Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.

In what ways do you see the Christian church, in general, conforming to the world today?

In what ways do you see the Christian church, in general, being transformed in Christ's likeness?

09-09-09

Today is 09/09/09. It only comes around once a century. It is a special day. Do you have any special days in your memory banks? Maybe your birthday? Maybe your anniversary? I remember a couple at my last church that wanted to be married on 07/07/07. Dates like that are unique and make it hard to forget an anniversary – lol. Can you remember the day you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? It is THE most important day in your life. You were born of the issue of your mother’s womb, and that was a physical birth, but it will be followed by a physical death. Your salvation moment, being born of the Spirit, is a birth that leads unto everlasting life.

John 3:1-6 – 1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." 3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 4 "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" 5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

When were you born again? I know some believe you are saved through baptism. I don’t. I know some believe you can grow into salvation. I don’t. You may grow into your relationship with Christ, but at some point in time, you MUST make the decision to yield your life’s lordship to Christ. Do you know when that happened for you? Or have you sort of thought you grew up Christian and that you always were a Christian?

Romans 10:13 – for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

What does it mean to call on the Lord? Is Jesus the Lord of your life? Have you accepted His Lordship? Have you yielded your life to Him? The believer’s prayer goes something like this – variations are many – Lord, I need You. I confess that I am a sinner, lost on my own, in need of Your forgiveness. Forgive me and come into my heart and sit on the throne of my life, be my Lord and Savior. If you have never come to that place, to a prayer similar to this one, you may be fooling yourself, thinking you are saved. We must humble ourselves before Jesus and allow Him Lordship in our lives. Perfection will not immediately follow in the physical world, but in the Spiritual, we are justified, made just as if we hadn’t sinned, perfection in God’s eyes!

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

Doubting Thomas

So, after hearing today's message (Conquer the Thomas in You - http://www.mtoak.org/sermons.html), have you begun to think about where your limits are in your Spiritual Journey? Where are you a doubting Thomas, needing things proven to believe?

Where are you in your spiritual journey? Where are your growing edges in your spiritual journey where you need God, you need faith?

Maybe your growing edge or limit is reading the Bible regularly? Digging Into God's Word is what we are called to do but maybe you have a hard time doing this on a regular basis. Is this your growing edge?

Maybe your growing edge or limit is your prayer life? Praying is More Than Grace might have helped you approach this in a different way.

Maybe your growing edge or limit is walking in the Spirit? Leaning on the Holy Spirit might have presented this limit to you.

Maybe your growing edge or limit is attending worship on a regular basis. Gathering Together may have hit home with you.

Maybe your growing edge or limit is serving. Serving Others Required may have challenged your thinking.

Maybe your growing image is something else. Maybe it is trusting God with your money and tithing is your growing edge. Maybe it is witnessing to others, or holding your temper, or resisting temptations.

Next week the sermon series will sum up some of these questions. Live One Day at a Time will challenge us to seek first God and His kingdom. We will never be able to approach any of our growing edges or limits on our own. If we could, they wouldn't require faith.

So where is it in your spiritual journey that you need God? Where is faith required for you?

Controversy

Does it have to be something controversial to get people to respond?

The last six posts haven't gotten nearly the response of the seventh post.

Is Jesus who Jesus says He is?

Is Jesus who Jesus says He is?

One of my favorite passages about Jesus is the following;

Philippians 2:3-8 - 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing,taking the very nature of a servant,being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! NIV

I appreciate that Jesus, the Son of God, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, humbled Himself and became a human. He did not think equality with the Father, which is is, was and will be, was something to hold up and Lord it over us. He came as a man and lived as a man and died as a man, yet without sin, cause that is what He calls us to do. He set the example. If Christ can do this, I have nothing to say but, yes Lord, I will by Your grace.

He is either who He says He is or He is a liar.

Can you think of a Scripture that describes how Jesus has presented Himself to you in your life? Please share the Scripture and the story that goes along with it.

What is your favorite praise or worship song?

The previous question was about hymns or more traditional songs. This one is to find out your favorite contemporary praise or worship song.

Tell us what it is and why?

What is your favorite Hymn?

What is your favorite hymn or more traditional song.

Share your favorite hymn and why it is your favorite.

Inauguration's Opening and Closing Prayers

Did you hear the opening and closing prayers for the Inauguration? If so, what is your opinion of these two prayers?

What about Rev. Warren's prayer stayed with you?

What about Rev. Lowery's prayer stayed with you?

I will not print simply negative comments.

TULIP - 5 Points of Calvinism

TULIP is an acronym used by Calvinist - it is used for five points of their belief. I will try to explain them here and open us up for discussion.

1. Total hereditary depravity - we're born with Adam's sin and can do nothing to respond to the Gospel message

2. Uunconditional election - God chooses who will be saved and who will be condemned - the list is set from eternity

3. Limited atonement - Jesus did not die for everyone, only for those He knew would be saved.

4. Irresistible grace - Since God chooses who will be saved, when God sends the Holy Spirit, a person cannot resist.

5. Perseverance of the saints - Once saved, always saved.

Your thoughts on these theological positions?

Is there a hell?

Are you willing to bet your eternal soul there is no hell?

Listen to this YouTube broadcast and respond here for a discussion. The broadcast is less than 10 minutes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw4YkpzEVg4

Is there a hell?

Love is Patient

How about some discussion about love? We all want to be loved. We all seek love. Here is part of the love chapter in the Bible.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 - 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.

Love is patient - have you experienced love as being patient?

Rev. Joseph Lowery

I am wondering how Rev. Joseph Lowery could still be United Methodist with many of his personal stances - contrary to the stance of the denomination. Why would President Elect Obama pick him to give a prayer at the inauguration.

The ways of God and men are not the same for sure...

Read this article for more thoughts on Rev. Lowery - http://www.theird.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=884&srcid=884.

The two pastors that President Elect Obama has chosen couldn't be more different. They truly stretch the concept of pluralism.

What Hinders Your Daily Walk with Jesus?

What hinders your daily walk with Jesus? What is it that keeps you from living as a Disciple in all areas of your life? What keeps you from being a complete disciple in Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry and Evangelism?

My children have gotten into the Wii and play target games. I tried to play the other day and did OK but I didn't know where all the targets were, all the secret things to shoot at, so my score wasn't that high.

Knowing what to aim at or what hinders you from going forward in your walk as a disciple is important. God tells us through the author of Hebrews...

Hebrews 12:1-3 - 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

The passage says... let us throw off everything that hinders. In order to do that we must be able to identify that which hinders us. Is it the crowd we hang around? Is it an addiction? Is it our appetite for life, for sin? What is it that hinders you? Identify is and throw it off so that you can more fully follow Christ as His disciple.

A Pure Heart

A pure heart is something to be sought after...

Matthew 5:8 - Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

James 4:8 - Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

1 Peter 1:22 - Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.

Lord, work in us, through us, and in spite of us to create pure hearts. For only with pure hearts can we see Jesus clearly.

New Sermon Series

I pray for you and yours as the New Year approaches. I pray Christmas went well and that you will be safe for New Years.

Starting Sunday, January 4, we will have a two sermon series on the State of the Church – you won’t want to miss either sermon.

The State of the Church
01/04 Where Are We? Layer by Layer Habakkuk 3:2
01/11 Where Are We Headed? Is Our Vision Clear? Philippians 3:12-14

After these two sermons we will take a trip to the Doctors together in a series titled – The Doctor will see you now.

Make worship a priority in the New Year and see what God can do in us, through us and in spite of us.

Your Pastor and Friend,
Ray

Give Dione so loving...

Dione preached this morning at both services. How about giving some love, some comments about his sermon?