Wow, what a wonderful Passion Week at Harvest Bible Chapel, West Olive. God worked in each of the services throughout the week and then He blew the roof off on Sunday morning. With over 900 in attendance on Sunday morning, the worship was awesome as we celebrated the good news of resurrection Sunday and the fact the Jesus both lives and transforms. If you were with us, I trust you are sharing that life changing message with those around you.
During the month of May I’m going to be doing something I’ve never done in 28 years of ministry. The elders here at Harvest have asked me to “unplug” from ministry for the entire month, no preaching, no counseling, no nothing. The purpose for such a break is to give my wife and I the chance to rest and be refreshed both physically and spiritually. While I love what I do and the people with which I do it, the break is welcome and I look forward to spending time with family and catching up on some of the odd jobs that need to get done around my home. For the last ten days of the month, Renee and I will be out of town enjoying some warmer weather in South Carolina.
With this break, I obviously won’t be blogging for a month, so check back in June for the latest post. Until then, keep living your life from God’s perspective!
April 26, 2011
April 18, 2011
Saving Worms
As we enter into Passion Week, I trust that you are reflecting upon the death of Christ upon the cross and the great sacrifice that He made on your behalf. It is with that loving and gracious sacrifice in mind, that I am reminded of the following story.
Several years ago a friend of mine, who was a school principal at the time, was making his way into the school early one morning. On his way, he noticed a young girl kneeling on the sidewalk. As he approached, he saw that she was carefully removing earthworms from the sidewalk which had gathered there due to heavy rain the night before. When he got next to the girl, my friend asked her what she was doing. As she picked up another worm and placed it in the grass, she replied, “I’m saving worms!”
Every time I think about that story, it reminds me of what Jesus did for me. In many respects I am like that worm, so far separated from a holy God because of my sin and in no way deserving of His love, mercy and grace. Just like the earthworms on the side walk, I would have perished in my sin had Jesus, God Himself, not come along, and by His death and resurrection, lifted me from my sinful condition and granted me forgiveness from my sin. Though I didn’t deserve it, just like that little girl, God entered His creation, reached out in love, and did the unthinkable. He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to die in my place upon the cross.
Reflecting upon the death of Christ upon the cross, the hymn writer, Isaac Watts, said it this way in his beloved hymn, At the Cross.
Alas, and did my Savior bleed?
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?
At the cross, at the cross
Where I fist saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
As you celebrate Passion Week, join me in celebrating the fact that God saves worms!
Several years ago a friend of mine, who was a school principal at the time, was making his way into the school early one morning. On his way, he noticed a young girl kneeling on the sidewalk. As he approached, he saw that she was carefully removing earthworms from the sidewalk which had gathered there due to heavy rain the night before. When he got next to the girl, my friend asked her what she was doing. As she picked up another worm and placed it in the grass, she replied, “I’m saving worms!”
Every time I think about that story, it reminds me of what Jesus did for me. In many respects I am like that worm, so far separated from a holy God because of my sin and in no way deserving of His love, mercy and grace. Just like the earthworms on the side walk, I would have perished in my sin had Jesus, God Himself, not come along, and by His death and resurrection, lifted me from my sinful condition and granted me forgiveness from my sin. Though I didn’t deserve it, just like that little girl, God entered His creation, reached out in love, and did the unthinkable. He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to die in my place upon the cross.
Reflecting upon the death of Christ upon the cross, the hymn writer, Isaac Watts, said it this way in his beloved hymn, At the Cross.
Alas, and did my Savior bleed?
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?
At the cross, at the cross
Where I fist saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
As you celebrate Passion Week, join me in celebrating the fact that God saves worms!
April 12, 2011
Church Membership
This past weekend my wife and I enjoyed a wonderful meal with a couple that is relatively new to our church. Like most of those first time dinners go, we talked about a host of things including family, hobbies, work, and of course church life and ministry. It was a wonderful time and I even violated my self imposed Saturday night curfew just to enjoy a few extra minutes of fellowship. During the course of the conversation, one of the questions that I was asked related to church membership and why I believe it to be important.
Now before I give you my response, let me first anticipate an objection. Over the years it has been pointed out to me on more than one occasion that church membership is not in the Bible. That is true to a degree. While we have no biblical account of someone joining a church as is typically done today, people were connected to a local body of believers. Most of the New Testament is written to believers in specific cities/churches such as Corinth, Thessalonica, and Ephesus. In reality, we have very few instances of unconnected believers.
I would also point out that while the process of being connected with a specific church via membership probably has little resemblance to what the church does today; Christianity in the first century was also vastly different. Back then there simply was little casual Christianity. What I mean by that is that for those who followed Christ there was often a cost. Those who came to Christ often lost their families, their jobs, and their property. With the price of discipleship so high, people did not join the church because it was the socially or culturally acceptable thing to do. In Acts 5, after God brings judgment upon Ananias and Sapphira for lying about their giving, we read these words in verses 12 and 13, “Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem.” Did you catch that in verse 13? “None of the rest dared join them.” With a God who was serious about sin and obedience, people weren’t knocking down the doors to join the church. The cost for many was simply too high.
Today, especially in the United States, we live in a different world. Church, and I use that world very broadly, is often the acceptable thing to do. For many people church is a place not only to worship God, but also to make friends, find a mate, and build business contacts. While those things aren’t necessarily bad, the point I’m trying to make is that often the church is filled with people who aren’t that serious or even interested in following Christ. With the possibility of unbelievers in the church, people who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I believe the church has the responsibility to, in some way, identify those who share its beliefs and support its ministry. While the membership process can take many forms, I believe church membership is first and foremost about commitment. It is the way to identify those who want to be committed to and supportive of the church and its ministry. It is a way for people to say, “This is my place of worship. I believe what it teaches. I support what it is striving to do, and the church can count on me to be involved in and committed to what goes on here.”
Sadly, that kind of commitment is quickly fading in the American church, in my opinion. Today, many people practice, what I call, “smorgasbord church.” They go to one church for the sermon, another church for the youth group, and still another for whatever else meets their needs. Rather than supporting a specific body and ministering to the needs of others in and through that church, many seek only to satisfy and meet their own needs. People want the privileges of membership without the responsibilities of membership. This “me first” approach is a practice far different than the one prescribed by Jesus in Luke 9:23. There He described a disciple as one who denies self. Here’s the point: I believe church membership is important because it is a significant way to demonstrate commitment to and support of the work of God and the people of God.
A second reason to become a church member is to invite spiritual accountability. In Matthew 18, Jesus spells out a process in which the church comes along side those who fall into sin in order to lovingly restore them to obedient living. In my experience it is difficult, if not impossible, to bring that loving accountability to those who have not invited it through church membership. While many who are not members of the church say that they want that kind of accountability, their tune almost always changes when they are living in sin. At that point, they typically tell me I have no right to confront them and essentially tell me to get lost. By becoming a church member, you are entering into a spiritual relationship with like minded believers who are committed not simply to the church, but to Christ. You are taking responsibility to watch over your brothers and sisters in Christ and inviting them to do the same for you, even as you worship and serve together.
Do we twist peoples arm to join the church, at Harvest Bible Chapel in West Olive, Michigan? No! But we do encourage it when and where possible, including through this blog. If you are not a church member, I would invite you to prayerfully consider it. If you are a church member, be one that demonstrates your commitment through faithful support, encouragement, and service. If you approach church membership seriously, I believe you will find it a source of joy and fulfillment in your spiritual walk with Christ.
Now before I give you my response, let me first anticipate an objection. Over the years it has been pointed out to me on more than one occasion that church membership is not in the Bible. That is true to a degree. While we have no biblical account of someone joining a church as is typically done today, people were connected to a local body of believers. Most of the New Testament is written to believers in specific cities/churches such as Corinth, Thessalonica, and Ephesus. In reality, we have very few instances of unconnected believers.
I would also point out that while the process of being connected with a specific church via membership probably has little resemblance to what the church does today; Christianity in the first century was also vastly different. Back then there simply was little casual Christianity. What I mean by that is that for those who followed Christ there was often a cost. Those who came to Christ often lost their families, their jobs, and their property. With the price of discipleship so high, people did not join the church because it was the socially or culturally acceptable thing to do. In Acts 5, after God brings judgment upon Ananias and Sapphira for lying about their giving, we read these words in verses 12 and 13, “Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem.” Did you catch that in verse 13? “None of the rest dared join them.” With a God who was serious about sin and obedience, people weren’t knocking down the doors to join the church. The cost for many was simply too high.
Today, especially in the United States, we live in a different world. Church, and I use that world very broadly, is often the acceptable thing to do. For many people church is a place not only to worship God, but also to make friends, find a mate, and build business contacts. While those things aren’t necessarily bad, the point I’m trying to make is that often the church is filled with people who aren’t that serious or even interested in following Christ. With the possibility of unbelievers in the church, people who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I believe the church has the responsibility to, in some way, identify those who share its beliefs and support its ministry. While the membership process can take many forms, I believe church membership is first and foremost about commitment. It is the way to identify those who want to be committed to and supportive of the church and its ministry. It is a way for people to say, “This is my place of worship. I believe what it teaches. I support what it is striving to do, and the church can count on me to be involved in and committed to what goes on here.”
Sadly, that kind of commitment is quickly fading in the American church, in my opinion. Today, many people practice, what I call, “smorgasbord church.” They go to one church for the sermon, another church for the youth group, and still another for whatever else meets their needs. Rather than supporting a specific body and ministering to the needs of others in and through that church, many seek only to satisfy and meet their own needs. People want the privileges of membership without the responsibilities of membership. This “me first” approach is a practice far different than the one prescribed by Jesus in Luke 9:23. There He described a disciple as one who denies self. Here’s the point: I believe church membership is important because it is a significant way to demonstrate commitment to and support of the work of God and the people of God.
A second reason to become a church member is to invite spiritual accountability. In Matthew 18, Jesus spells out a process in which the church comes along side those who fall into sin in order to lovingly restore them to obedient living. In my experience it is difficult, if not impossible, to bring that loving accountability to those who have not invited it through church membership. While many who are not members of the church say that they want that kind of accountability, their tune almost always changes when they are living in sin. At that point, they typically tell me I have no right to confront them and essentially tell me to get lost. By becoming a church member, you are entering into a spiritual relationship with like minded believers who are committed not simply to the church, but to Christ. You are taking responsibility to watch over your brothers and sisters in Christ and inviting them to do the same for you, even as you worship and serve together.
Do we twist peoples arm to join the church, at Harvest Bible Chapel in West Olive, Michigan? No! But we do encourage it when and where possible, including through this blog. If you are not a church member, I would invite you to prayerfully consider it. If you are a church member, be one that demonstrates your commitment through faithful support, encouragement, and service. If you approach church membership seriously, I believe you will find it a source of joy and fulfillment in your spiritual walk with Christ.
April 4, 2011
The Church's Mission
Last week, I and the staff at Harvest Bible Chapel, West Olive, had a unique opportunity. We attended an event called The Elephant Room sponsored by Harvest Bible Chapel in Aurora, IL. The purpose of the day long event was to bring together seven influential pastors, (James MacDonald, Matt Chandler, Mark Driscoll, Steven Furtick, Perry Noble, David Platt, and Greg Laurie) all of whom share a common love for the Gospel but take different approaches to ministry, in order to have candid conversation about a variety of church matters and issues, including money, church planting, culture, compassion ministry, and the like. To say that the day was informative and beneficial would be an understatement. It certainly challenged my thinking and gave me and my staff plenty to talk about during the three and a half hour drive home.
One of the themes that seemed to run through the entire day at The Elephant Room was the church’s mission. While the pastors involved in the discussion had different opinions approaches, virtually everyone one agreed that the mission of the church was to make disciples which includes both the evangelism of the lost and the maturation of the saints. Now I certainly believe that, but the question is, how do we get that done? Some of the pastors at The Elephant Room see the corporate worship services as a primary way to reach the lost. Each message, or at least a significant portion of the message, would be geared toward the lost, in other words it would be evangelistic in nature. Now, I’m not down on sharing the gospel in a message. In fact, in preaching Romans 5:15-21 this past Sunday, I did exactly that. But I do not believe the primary emphasis of the corporate worship service is to reach the lost. Based on Ephesians 5:18-21, Hebrews 10:24-25 and other passages like them, I believe the primary emphasis of the corporate worship service is for followers of Christ to exalt God. We gather to bring our praise, adoration, thanks, service, etc. to God for who He is and what He has accomplished in our lives. If that is so, the question remains, how do the lost get reached? Where is the gospel brought to bear?
I believe the answers to those questions are found in Matthew 28:19. That verse begins by saying, “Go therefore.” The mission of the church is not to invite unbelievers to the church, though that is not a bad thing to do. Rather the mission of the church, as it relates to reaching the lost, is for followers of Christ to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in their daily lives. In the Greek text, the word “go” is not a command but a participle. In other words, the idea is, “in your going” make disciples. At work, at school, across the fence with your neighbor, wherever you go, live out your faith and share what Jesus Christ has done in you and for you. I wonder, how are you doing at that? We need to understand, evangelism is not the pastor’s job. It is every Christian’s job. All of us are commanded by Christ to be His ambassadors (II Cor. 5:18-21). That being the case, let me suggest four things we need to be, in order to get the mission accomplished.
Be prayerful. We need to be praying for the lost people that we know, asking God to prepare their hearts and open their minds to the truth of the gospel.
Be biblical. Make sure you are actually sharing the gospel in the way the Bible declares it. The Gospel is not simply “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” The gospel is that all men are sinners and the only way of escape from the power, penalty, and punishment of sin is through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. While that message certainly needs to be shared in a loving and compassionate way, we must be careful not to water it down or compromise it in any way.
Be personal. As you share the gospel, be sure to relate your story. While the biblical content is critical, it is also helpful to share the circumstances surrounding how you heard and received the gospel and the impact it has had upon your life.
Be bold. I know that many believers do not share the gospel because they are too afraid. They are afraid of the questions they may get asked or the rejection they may receive. Let’s be honest, sharing the gospel is not always easy, but Christ gave us the Holy Spirit so that we could get the job done (Acts 1:8). It is not our knowledge, logical argument, or outgoing personality that makes for an effective presentation of the gospel. Rather, it is the power of the Word and the power of the Spirit coupled with our obedience that brings people to repentance and faith.
When it comes to the church’s mission, I’m convinced time is running out. I urge you to redeem the time you have left by doing your part to reach the lost with the gospel. When we obey the Word of God and rely upon the Spirit, we will see God do great and mighty things!
One of the themes that seemed to run through the entire day at The Elephant Room was the church’s mission. While the pastors involved in the discussion had different opinions approaches, virtually everyone one agreed that the mission of the church was to make disciples which includes both the evangelism of the lost and the maturation of the saints. Now I certainly believe that, but the question is, how do we get that done? Some of the pastors at The Elephant Room see the corporate worship services as a primary way to reach the lost. Each message, or at least a significant portion of the message, would be geared toward the lost, in other words it would be evangelistic in nature. Now, I’m not down on sharing the gospel in a message. In fact, in preaching Romans 5:15-21 this past Sunday, I did exactly that. But I do not believe the primary emphasis of the corporate worship service is to reach the lost. Based on Ephesians 5:18-21, Hebrews 10:24-25 and other passages like them, I believe the primary emphasis of the corporate worship service is for followers of Christ to exalt God. We gather to bring our praise, adoration, thanks, service, etc. to God for who He is and what He has accomplished in our lives. If that is so, the question remains, how do the lost get reached? Where is the gospel brought to bear?
I believe the answers to those questions are found in Matthew 28:19. That verse begins by saying, “Go therefore.” The mission of the church is not to invite unbelievers to the church, though that is not a bad thing to do. Rather the mission of the church, as it relates to reaching the lost, is for followers of Christ to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in their daily lives. In the Greek text, the word “go” is not a command but a participle. In other words, the idea is, “in your going” make disciples. At work, at school, across the fence with your neighbor, wherever you go, live out your faith and share what Jesus Christ has done in you and for you. I wonder, how are you doing at that? We need to understand, evangelism is not the pastor’s job. It is every Christian’s job. All of us are commanded by Christ to be His ambassadors (II Cor. 5:18-21). That being the case, let me suggest four things we need to be, in order to get the mission accomplished.
Be prayerful. We need to be praying for the lost people that we know, asking God to prepare their hearts and open their minds to the truth of the gospel.
Be biblical. Make sure you are actually sharing the gospel in the way the Bible declares it. The Gospel is not simply “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” The gospel is that all men are sinners and the only way of escape from the power, penalty, and punishment of sin is through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. While that message certainly needs to be shared in a loving and compassionate way, we must be careful not to water it down or compromise it in any way.
Be personal. As you share the gospel, be sure to relate your story. While the biblical content is critical, it is also helpful to share the circumstances surrounding how you heard and received the gospel and the impact it has had upon your life.
Be bold. I know that many believers do not share the gospel because they are too afraid. They are afraid of the questions they may get asked or the rejection they may receive. Let’s be honest, sharing the gospel is not always easy, but Christ gave us the Holy Spirit so that we could get the job done (Acts 1:8). It is not our knowledge, logical argument, or outgoing personality that makes for an effective presentation of the gospel. Rather, it is the power of the Word and the power of the Spirit coupled with our obedience that brings people to repentance and faith.
When it comes to the church’s mission, I’m convinced time is running out. I urge you to redeem the time you have left by doing your part to reach the lost with the gospel. When we obey the Word of God and rely upon the Spirit, we will see God do great and mighty things!
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