Why are we here? What is our purpose? Does it even matter if we know why? What is true? Is truth absolute? If I believe that something is not true, does that change the fact that it is true? Is truth and meaning found in what I believe? If God is real, then why does he allow suffering, pain, sickness, death? Why do I have so many questions?
Last week, we answered the question, "What is our purpose?" from 2 Corinthians 5. You are here to develop a heart for God ("love the Lord your God"), and you are here to determine to speak for God ("love your neighbor"). This week, we'll begin a series called, "DESIRE", where we'll uncover what every soul craves. We'll answer some of our questions from the book of Romans, but I also want to encourage you to pick up a copy of "Soul Cravings" by Erwin McManus, and read the third section entitled, "Meaning".
Life is full of questions, and I know where to find the answer! Do you?
1.28.2009
1.22.2009
We Need Each Other
It isn't very often that I miss a meal. I'm very blessed in that regard. Most medical doctors say that a human in good health can go 4 to 6 weeks without food and still survive. There have been people who survived longer than that and also people who didn't make it that long, but it really all depends on your health before you stopped eating. But the reality is that most of us could miss a few meals and it wouldn't affect our over all health. Which brings me to my point. We need each other. Spiritually we need a community of believers around us if we are going to survive the spiritual battle that is taking place around us. My youth minister, who is now a preacher is Kansas City, Kansas, spoke about this very thing a few months ago. He said that we can miss church on occasion, like missing a meal, and it doesn't really affect us, but if we don't stay connected to our church body, spiritually we will begin to shut down.
We need each other. We need to look out for each other. We need to notice when people in our community aren't around. We were never meant to try to live this life alone, God wants us to be in community with each other. Will you commit to being a part of this community and help each other live like God wants us to live?
We need each other. We need to look out for each other. We need to notice when people in our community aren't around. We were never meant to try to live this life alone, God wants us to be in community with each other. Will you commit to being a part of this community and help each other live like God wants us to live?
1.13.2009
Are You Making A Real Difference
I have come across three stories this week that are great examples of how we - as followers of Jesus - could make a real difference and impact our community one person at a time.
First, there is a website called xxxchurch.com. Craig Gross is a minister who decided to make a real difference, and instead of preaching at a church, he started a ministry to help people get out of the porn industry and prostitution; he also has accountability software for people who want to monitor the internet surfing on their computer, and a blog that helps men and women struggling with internet pornography to confess and overcome their addiction. Craig recently decided to move from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada ("Sin City") to begin a church on the Las Vegas strip called Stripchurch.com. He is trying to minister to people who really need God. What an incredible concept. Craig, his wife and their two young children made the move recently. Nightline was interviewing them, and they asked Craig's wife how she could move her family to such an awful place. They asked, "Isn't this the worst place to raise a family?" She replied, "Yes, this is the worst place to raise a family, but God has called us to this ministry; so (in tears) how could we not come?" Now, that's making a real difference!
Second, my wife, Sharla, watched a news report on News9 this weekend, and it told of some young people who have moved into a downtown OKC apartment building that used to be a crack house. They are intentionally moving into the area to give hope to hopeless people and call them to accountability by taking care of the community. They all have jobs and cars, and they come from as far as California. The Refuge will also be sharing the love of Jesus with these lower-income people in downtown OKC. One girl said, "You're knocking on people's doors in the morning to use the bathroom, and it's not comfortable, and it's not what you thought it'd be, but you feel like you want to love Jesus more than you want to be comfortable." Now, that's making a real difference.
Lastly, Rick Reilly, from ESPN The Magazine wrote a story that I read about recently. It was about a high school football game in Texas between Grapevine Faith and Gainesville State School. Faith's head coach, Kris Hogan, wanted to do something nice for the Gainesville team (they were 0-8 coming into the game and Faith was 7-2). Faith had 70 players, 11 coaches, many fans, and the latest equipment. Gainesville had 14 players, 1 coach, no fans, and a lot of baggage. You see, the team from Gainesville State School was made up of inmates who had convictions for drugs, assault and robbery; many had been disowned by their families and they were wearing antiquated equipment. In fact, after the game, they lined up the 14 players, handcuffed them, and escorted them back to the bus for the ride back to their prison cells. So, Hogan decided to have 200 of the 400 fans for Faith switch sides for one night and cheer for the other team; they made a spirit line for them to run through, with a banner that said, "Go Tornadoes" for them to break through; they wore their colors; they cheered for them during the game. Hogan wanted to send this message, "You are just as valuable as any other person on the planet." Even though they lost the game 33-14, the inmates gave their coach, Mark Williams, a sports bottle water shower as if he had won the state championship. After the game both teams gathered on the field to pray. One of the inmates, Isaiah, asked to lead the prayer. He said these words, "Lord, I don't know how this happened, so I don't know how to say thank you, but I never would have known so many people in the world cared about us." As they walked back to their bus under guard they were handed a bag for the ride home (a burger, fries, a soda, some candy, a Bible and an encouraging letter from a Faith player). Gainesville's coach grabbed Faith's coach and said, "You'll never know what you people did for these kids tonight. You'll never, ever know." Now, that's making a real difference.
Are you making a real difference? Antioch will not be a place that is content to just exist for ourselves. With God's help, we will make a real difference, impacting our community one person at a time. Why don't you share stories that have inspired you? Leave a comment of ways in which people have made a real difference in your life... in the lives of others... in their community. Tell us your dreams about what you think God might want to do through you! Make a real difference!
First, there is a website called xxxchurch.com. Craig Gross is a minister who decided to make a real difference, and instead of preaching at a church, he started a ministry to help people get out of the porn industry and prostitution; he also has accountability software for people who want to monitor the internet surfing on their computer, and a blog that helps men and women struggling with internet pornography to confess and overcome their addiction. Craig recently decided to move from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada ("Sin City") to begin a church on the Las Vegas strip called Stripchurch.com. He is trying to minister to people who really need God. What an incredible concept. Craig, his wife and their two young children made the move recently. Nightline was interviewing them, and they asked Craig's wife how she could move her family to such an awful place. They asked, "Isn't this the worst place to raise a family?" She replied, "Yes, this is the worst place to raise a family, but God has called us to this ministry; so (in tears) how could we not come?" Now, that's making a real difference!
Second, my wife, Sharla, watched a news report on News9 this weekend, and it told of some young people who have moved into a downtown OKC apartment building that used to be a crack house. They are intentionally moving into the area to give hope to hopeless people and call them to accountability by taking care of the community. They all have jobs and cars, and they come from as far as California. The Refuge will also be sharing the love of Jesus with these lower-income people in downtown OKC. One girl said, "You're knocking on people's doors in the morning to use the bathroom, and it's not comfortable, and it's not what you thought it'd be, but you feel like you want to love Jesus more than you want to be comfortable." Now, that's making a real difference.
Lastly, Rick Reilly, from ESPN The Magazine wrote a story that I read about recently. It was about a high school football game in Texas between Grapevine Faith and Gainesville State School. Faith's head coach, Kris Hogan, wanted to do something nice for the Gainesville team (they were 0-8 coming into the game and Faith was 7-2). Faith had 70 players, 11 coaches, many fans, and the latest equipment. Gainesville had 14 players, 1 coach, no fans, and a lot of baggage. You see, the team from Gainesville State School was made up of inmates who had convictions for drugs, assault and robbery; many had been disowned by their families and they were wearing antiquated equipment. In fact, after the game, they lined up the 14 players, handcuffed them, and escorted them back to the bus for the ride back to their prison cells. So, Hogan decided to have 200 of the 400 fans for Faith switch sides for one night and cheer for the other team; they made a spirit line for them to run through, with a banner that said, "Go Tornadoes" for them to break through; they wore their colors; they cheered for them during the game. Hogan wanted to send this message, "You are just as valuable as any other person on the planet." Even though they lost the game 33-14, the inmates gave their coach, Mark Williams, a sports bottle water shower as if he had won the state championship. After the game both teams gathered on the field to pray. One of the inmates, Isaiah, asked to lead the prayer. He said these words, "Lord, I don't know how this happened, so I don't know how to say thank you, but I never would have known so many people in the world cared about us." As they walked back to their bus under guard they were handed a bag for the ride home (a burger, fries, a soda, some candy, a Bible and an encouraging letter from a Faith player). Gainesville's coach grabbed Faith's coach and said, "You'll never know what you people did for these kids tonight. You'll never, ever know." Now, that's making a real difference.
Are you making a real difference? Antioch will not be a place that is content to just exist for ourselves. With God's help, we will make a real difference, impacting our community one person at a time. Why don't you share stories that have inspired you? Leave a comment of ways in which people have made a real difference in your life... in the lives of others... in their community. Tell us your dreams about what you think God might want to do through you! Make a real difference!
1.05.2009
Don't Forget, He's In Your Face
We had a great Sunday yesterday. I am excited about the future of Antioch, and walking alongside of you in ministry for many years.
Yesterday, we talked about beginning 2009 by renewing our lives and by walking in the Spirit of God. In Romans 8, Paul says, "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies." He also says, "Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."
Many times, we see Jesus as a person who is "not here", so we can use him when we need him, and leave him when we don't. We attend church once or twice a week, we participate in a small group, we might even read our Bibles every once in a while, but when we get focused on the flesh (on the things of this world), we think we can leave Jesus behind. But, if the Spirit of God is leading our lives, we need to remember that he is ALWAYS with us... he is in our heart... he is in our mind... he is in your face! In other words, he is before you at all times, so what will you do with him?
When you are faced with a difficult decision, he is there. When you are tempted to think a lustful thought, he is there. When you are discouraged, he is there. When you want to say that bad word, or that crude joke, he is there. When you feel like giving up, he is there. When you don't know what to do, he is there. He is always there. He is in your face. He will help you... He will comfort you... he will provide the way of escape from the temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13)... He will keep your mind focused on what He desires instead of the distractions of the flesh that might choke out your faith (Luke 8:7, 14).
Take a moment right now, and acknowledge the presence of the Spirit of God. Thank him for the blessings you have received. Ask him to help you overcome temptation today. Give him the reigns of your life, and plead with him to always stay... IN YOUR FACE!
Don't miss this Sunday. Bryan and I will present the vision that the leadership of Antioch has for the future. You won't want to miss it.
Yesterday, we talked about beginning 2009 by renewing our lives and by walking in the Spirit of God. In Romans 8, Paul says, "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies." He also says, "Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."
Many times, we see Jesus as a person who is "not here", so we can use him when we need him, and leave him when we don't. We attend church once or twice a week, we participate in a small group, we might even read our Bibles every once in a while, but when we get focused on the flesh (on the things of this world), we think we can leave Jesus behind. But, if the Spirit of God is leading our lives, we need to remember that he is ALWAYS with us... he is in our heart... he is in our mind... he is in your face! In other words, he is before you at all times, so what will you do with him?
When you are faced with a difficult decision, he is there. When you are tempted to think a lustful thought, he is there. When you are discouraged, he is there. When you want to say that bad word, or that crude joke, he is there. When you feel like giving up, he is there. When you don't know what to do, he is there. He is always there. He is in your face. He will help you... He will comfort you... he will provide the way of escape from the temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13)... He will keep your mind focused on what He desires instead of the distractions of the flesh that might choke out your faith (Luke 8:7, 14).
Take a moment right now, and acknowledge the presence of the Spirit of God. Thank him for the blessings you have received. Ask him to help you overcome temptation today. Give him the reigns of your life, and plead with him to always stay... IN YOUR FACE!
Don't miss this Sunday. Bryan and I will present the vision that the leadership of Antioch has for the future. You won't want to miss it.
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