As we have been seeking direction for Bend City, Scott and I have decided to do some fasting in January and will likely ask the rest of the body to fast at some point in February. Since there may be some that are not familiar with the idea and practice of fasting, I thought it would be helpful to write briefly about it and why we are deciding to do it.
First off, I think it is helpful to note that fasting is not commanded in the New Testament. There are many direct commands throughout the gospels and letters of the New Testament, but fasting is not one of them. With this said, although it is not commanded, fasting is spoken of often. At one point, when Jesus is asked why disciples do not fast, he plainly tells them that his disciples will fast when he leaves the earth. Jesus was sure that his disciples would fast.
Matthew 9:14-15
Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees
fast, but your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding
guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.
Other times fasting is mentioned in the New Testament are Matthew 6:16, Acts 13:2, Acts 14:23, and 1 Corinthians 7:5.
Purpose of Fasting
When Jesus was on the earth, his disciples did not fast. When Jesus returns and we are with him, we will not fast. This gives us insight on the purpose of fasting. Fasting exists because we are not yet with Jesus. Fasting should come from a longing to be closer and have deeper relationship with God while we are not physically with Him. There are very practical ways that fasting creates deeper relationship with God. Once a God-given pleasure such as food or marital relations is voluntarily removed for a time, it is constant reminder of the giver of all gifts and a reminder of the necessity of the giver. Also, if fasting is combined with seeking God in prayer, the hunger caused by fasting can remind the faster to seek God in prayer. This is obviously not meant to be an exhaustive explanation of fasting, but a general overview.
What Fasting Is Not
There are 3 main pitfalls that I can see regarding fasting that bear mentioning.
1. Fasting is not a means to earn acceptance from God
Luke 18 tells of a Pharisee that was excited because of all that God had allowed him to do and was basing his acceptance from God on his works. One of which was fasting twice a week. Jesus explains in Luke 18:14 that this Pharisee, despite his twice a week fasting, was not justified before God
2. Fasting should not be done to distinguish yourself as a good Christian to others
Matthew 6:16-18
"And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
3. Fasting is not an arm twisting of God for Him to answer your prayer
This is probably the most subtle of issues that can arise. The chain of events can go like this. We have a prayer need. We’ve decided to not only pray, but to pray and fast to seek God’s guidance. When the answer does not come as expected, we feel cheated because we were really devoted to God and he didn’t fulfill his end of the bargain.
Fasting must be done in an attitude of humility as we seek guidance and direction from an all-knowing, all-wise God. God, in His wisdom, may choose to withhold what we think we need or answer in an unexpected way.
Why Call Bend City to Fast
As we are entering our second year as a local church, there are 2 issues that we see needing direction and wisdom from the Lord. Among other needs, these are going to be the 2 needs we focus on during our time of prayer and fasting.
1. Direction of Discipleship- Jesus commanded the church to make disciples and to teach the disciples. This is a given. What is not a given is how this is done. We feel God will give us specific direction and wisdom to teach and train the disciples, raise up leaders from among the body, and create an atmosphere for making disciples that make disciples.
2. Ministry to the City- We are expectant that God will make more clear where we are to focus our efforts in being a light to the city of West Bend. More specifically, where can God’s people be empowered by God’s spirit to do acts of service to the world around us.
Fasting- The Practice
Some will argue that fasting must be done in such and such a way. If you feel called to fast from a certain food or only eat certain foods or fast from entertainment, etc., that is excellent and you should be obedient to your Godly conviction. From Scripture, I do not see a certain prescribed method of fasting, and thus, believe there is some freedom on the matter. Scott and I will be fasting from certain foods similar to what Daniel had done in Daniel 10. Other methods of fasting that can be done are eating only bread and water, drinking only juice, abstaining from TV and internet, or abstaining from other forms of entertainment. Remember, the goal is closeness with God, not how much can I resist proving I am Godly.
Looking forward to seeking God with you for His glory.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
The Night Joseph Chose Mercy
For Christmas this year I wrote a story around the birth of Christ. Here is the poem from the end of the story. You can get the rest of the story here.
Now listen to what Joseph learned
In the hour of his great trial
As he journeyed down the path
When he rode upon his mule
God spoke to Moses through a bush
That the flames did not consume
Our great God is a consuming fire
Consumed with love for you
For God’s great heart was torn when he
Heard of the slave woman’s cry
And torn His heart is greater still
When to sin we yield our lives
Moses sent –
as a man of God to set
The captives of Egypt free
Jesus Christ –
the only son of God has come
To free Sin’s Slavery
To sway the angel of death away
A Passover lamb was slaughtered
Christ is the Lamb of God for us
And For us his life was offered
God struck his final blow to Pharaoh
Baptized in the in Red Sea’s flood
To sin God gives his final blow
Being baptized in Christ’s blood
From Mount Sinai where God spoke at first
Of the slave woman’s misery
Back to Sinai to receive the law
To show us our true slavery
All who sin are true slaves to sin
With only one hope for liberty
That Christ was born in a stable low
As any Passover lamb would be
A broken and contrite heart oh God
I know you will not despise
May the law of Moses do it’s work
And lead us to your side
On this day in Bethlehem lay
A greater one than Moses
For Moses led us to the law
So that Christ could redeem us
Now listen to what Joseph learned
In the hour of his great trial
As he journeyed down the path
When he rode upon his mule
God spoke to Moses through a bush
That the flames did not consume
Our great God is a consuming fire
Consumed with love for you
For God’s great heart was torn when he
Heard of the slave woman’s cry
And torn His heart is greater still
When to sin we yield our lives
Moses sent –
as a man of God to set
The captives of Egypt free
Jesus Christ –
the only son of God has come
To free Sin’s Slavery
To sway the angel of death away
A Passover lamb was slaughtered
Christ is the Lamb of God for us
And For us his life was offered
God struck his final blow to Pharaoh
Baptized in the in Red Sea’s flood
To sin God gives his final blow
Being baptized in Christ’s blood
From Mount Sinai where God spoke at first
Of the slave woman’s misery
Back to Sinai to receive the law
To show us our true slavery
All who sin are true slaves to sin
With only one hope for liberty
That Christ was born in a stable low
As any Passover lamb would be
A broken and contrite heart oh God
I know you will not despise
May the law of Moses do it’s work
And lead us to your side
On this day in Bethlehem lay
A greater one than Moses
For Moses led us to the law
So that Christ could redeem us
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Christmas Eve Service
Bend City will be having a Christmas Eve service at 4:00pm. Come join us as we sing about Jesus' birth, read through the Christmas story, and break out some candles in the process.- Shane
Monday, December 6, 2010
Out with the New in with the Old
2010 is coming to a close and 2011 will be here before we know it. Is it just me or does each year seem to pass more quickly than the year before? Maybe it's because I'm getting older! Granted, I am getting older and that has to be part of it, but I also think that we live in a day that values fast and is always looking forward to the newest thing.
One generation ago the microwave was invented to make things fast. I still remember getting our first microwave (in fact, my parents still use the same one twenty-some years later). Now, our generation stands in front of our microwaves wishing they would hurry up. Google just came out with "instant search". I've been using it - definitely helpful. Google claims that it will save people between 2 and 5 seconds a search. I still remember doing research for my high school term papers. No google and no internet. Just a handful of books from the libary and a few magazines. The first internet searches saved us days and weeks of research, now google is shaving off seconds.
Technology is progressing more quickly today than ever before. We are always looking for the newest toy and tweeking the latest invention. Xbox just released Kinect - an attachment that reads your body movements and in essence makes the person the control. We got to see one in action on display at Old Navy. Kaylee jumped right into the dance game. I have to admit it was pretty cool. No sooner did Microsoft release Kinect than someone hacked it so that it could be used as a Windows controler. Check out this video:
using kinect to control windows
"Fast and new" describes our generation, but sometimes the very thing that we need is to slow down and hear from a perspective outside of our own. A year ago I made it a goal to read a few more books from Christians outside of our generation. We have a lot to learn from the people who have lived before us. It's good for us to dip our feet into Christian streams of thought that were flowing long before we lived. After all if Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever than I think that we may have something to learn from these Saints. Here are the older Christian books that I read this last year and I am recommending them to you in order.
Hind's Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
The Confessions of St. Augustine by Augustine
Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
Spurgeon - A New Biography by Arnold Dallimore
The Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards
The Mortification of Sin by John Owen
Let me know if you have any older Christian book suggestions because I want to continue this throughout next year as well.
One generation ago the microwave was invented to make things fast. I still remember getting our first microwave (in fact, my parents still use the same one twenty-some years later). Now, our generation stands in front of our microwaves wishing they would hurry up. Google just came out with "instant search". I've been using it - definitely helpful. Google claims that it will save people between 2 and 5 seconds a search. I still remember doing research for my high school term papers. No google and no internet. Just a handful of books from the libary and a few magazines. The first internet searches saved us days and weeks of research, now google is shaving off seconds.
Technology is progressing more quickly today than ever before. We are always looking for the newest toy and tweeking the latest invention. Xbox just released Kinect - an attachment that reads your body movements and in essence makes the person the control. We got to see one in action on display at Old Navy. Kaylee jumped right into the dance game. I have to admit it was pretty cool. No sooner did Microsoft release Kinect than someone hacked it so that it could be used as a Windows controler. Check out this video:
using kinect to control windows
"Fast and new" describes our generation, but sometimes the very thing that we need is to slow down and hear from a perspective outside of our own. A year ago I made it a goal to read a few more books from Christians outside of our generation. We have a lot to learn from the people who have lived before us. It's good for us to dip our feet into Christian streams of thought that were flowing long before we lived. After all if Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever than I think that we may have something to learn from these Saints. Here are the older Christian books that I read this last year and I am recommending them to you in order.
Hind's Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
The Confessions of St. Augustine by Augustine
Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
Spurgeon - A New Biography by Arnold Dallimore
The Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards
The Mortification of Sin by John Owen
Let me know if you have any older Christian book suggestions because I want to continue this throughout next year as well.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Death in His Grave
I've never plugged music before on the blog, but was listening to John Mark McMillan's album "The Medicine" this morning and thought I'd post. There sometimes seems to be a lack of creative artists with biblical lyrics, so when somebody comes along that has both it's good to get the word out. Listened to "Death in His Grave":
On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke with keys
Of Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave
Check it out- Shane
ps Future of Forestry EPs are the most played on the home ipod these days.......by me at least
On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke with keys
Of Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave
Check it out- Shane
ps Future of Forestry EPs are the most played on the home ipod these days.......by me at least
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Deceitfulness of Riches
As I was preparing my sermon this week on thankfulness I read through various portions of the gospels and I was thinking long and hard on something that didn't make it into the message so I thought I would write a post on it.
This week I read these two parables:
Matthew 13- Parable of the Sower, v. 1-9, and the parable explained, v. 18-23
and
Matthew 22- Parable of the Wedding Feast, v. 1-14
In the post, I will focus my comments on a common theme in both, the deceitfulness of riches.
Just a little background for me personally and what life stage I'm at. I'm am currently 32 years old and have a growing family (5 kids). I'm no longer a twenty something and my oldest son is 8 years old. As I grow into my thirties, I'm seeing people my own age changing lifestyle to be at home more, think about the future more, and planning more. I live in America, so culture has large opinions on what what those decisions should look like in terms of working life, material accumulation, and future goals. I find myself re-thinking goals and what I envision the present and future to look like. I'm very glad for the Bible.
Matthew 13:7
In this parable, Jesus speaks of the seed of word of God and what keeps it from being fruitful. He only mentions 4 things: not understanding, not having deep root, the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches. I find the seed in the thorns to be a very scary warning. The way it reads, one can understand the word (the first seed), one can receive the word with joy (the second seed), and have deep root (the third seed did not get scorched by the sun) and still be unfruitful for the kingdom of God. Why? At some point after having all these good things the hearer become deceived by the cares of the world or the deceitfulness of riches. The seed had grown and had deep enough root to not be scorched by the sun, but the thorns grew and choked what was there. Lord, help me not to be deceived.
This week I read these two parables:
Matthew 13- Parable of the Sower, v. 1-9, and the parable explained, v. 18-23
and
Matthew 22- Parable of the Wedding Feast, v. 1-14
In the post, I will focus my comments on a common theme in both, the deceitfulness of riches.
Just a little background for me personally and what life stage I'm at. I'm am currently 32 years old and have a growing family (5 kids). I'm no longer a twenty something and my oldest son is 8 years old. As I grow into my thirties, I'm seeing people my own age changing lifestyle to be at home more, think about the future more, and planning more. I live in America, so culture has large opinions on what what those decisions should look like in terms of working life, material accumulation, and future goals. I find myself re-thinking goals and what I envision the present and future to look like. I'm very glad for the Bible.
Matthew 13:7
Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.Matthew 13:22
As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
In this parable, Jesus speaks of the seed of word of God and what keeps it from being fruitful. He only mentions 4 things: not understanding, not having deep root, the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches. I find the seed in the thorns to be a very scary warning. The way it reads, one can understand the word (the first seed), one can receive the word with joy (the second seed), and have deep root (the third seed did not get scorched by the sun) and still be unfruitful for the kingdom of God. Why? At some point after having all these good things the hearer become deceived by the cares of the world or the deceitfulness of riches. The seed had grown and had deep enough root to not be scorched by the sun, but the thorns grew and choked what was there. Lord, help me not to be deceived.
Matthew 22:5
I can't help but fast forward to judgement day when actual people are standing before the creator of the universe to give account for there life and realize they gave up paradise with the Lord for more work and riches in this life. At the same time, I know the pull to have more now. In Matthew 25:34 Jesus explains that there is a "kingdom prepared foy you (and me) from the foundation of the world". Yet, many will not see this kingdom and some will be deemed "not worthy" as the king said in Matthew 22:8 because of the deceitfulnes of riches in this world.But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business
I pray that we God would remind us of his warnings and lead us not into temptation.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Be careful not to get sideswiped
A few months ago I was driving up Decorah hill behind a very slow driver. As I can get impatient at times, I remember thinking, "Come on, I have to get somewhere today". Just as the slow poke driver turned to the right on 7th Ave a minivan, coming from the right, blew the 7th Ave stop sign and flew right through Decorah. I realized that it was God who put that slow driver in front of me and I was quite thankful.
Scott
Three days later, after finishing up some work, I was driving home on Hwy 33 from Allenton doing at least 55mph. All of the sudden a minivan that was stopped for the traffic on Hwy 33 but that did not see me pulled out directly in front of me. When she noticed me she stopped, but she happened to stop directly in my lane. I slammed on the brakes and noticing that there was no oncoming traffic I swerved hard to the left. Because I didn't want to pull it hard to the right again I came to a stop in the oncoming shoulder.
I sat there shaking for a bit because I had my daughter in the back seat, and I realized that something very serious could have happened. I looked back at her and all was well - she was dosing to sleep. I regained myself and drove the rest of the way home in my burning tire smell filled car thankful to God that nothing happened.
All of this filled my mind for the next few days and I would often times think over what had happened - I was almost in a very serious accident on two different occasions within three days. I found myself very alert when I was driving, realizing that something could happen. One day when I was thinking about it at my kitchen table I felt the Lord ask me this question, "Which is more dangerous - being sideswiped by a minivan or being sideswiped by sin?" I realized that the Lord was telling me to be alert and on the look out against sin.
1Peter 5:8, "Be soberminded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."I wasn't going to write about this in a blog post, but just this week someone called me to tell me of a dream that they had about an accident. They went into some detail of what happened. This person felt that it was a warning to be alert against sin. They had no prior knowledge about what I felt the Lord had told me after my near accidents. I believe that his dream was from the Lord so, I decided to write to encourage the body to be on the lookout.
Stand alert. Satan is very cunning and he is looking for an opportunity to bring ruin into your life through sin.
Jesus encourages us to ask the Father to "lead us not into temptation". We don't ask this because the Father is in the habit of leading us into temptation, rather we ask this so that He would lead us away from temptation. There is a difference between asking God to do something and asking him to stop doing something. There is a difference between asking God to lead me away from temptation and asking God to stop leading me into temptation. One relies on the lead of God and his protection and the other is afraid that God wants to lead me into temptation. I believe that Jesus was encouraging his disciples to cry out to the Father looking for His lead which can help us avoid temptation. Jesus taught us to pray this way because God can help. So I pray that the Lord would lead us - that He would lead us to still waters where we hear Him, that he leads us to His promises, that He leads us far away from any temptation, that He leads us "not into temptation".
I am also asking that each of you pray for the Christian leadership in this community. Please pray for the leaders here at Bend City Church, but also pray for the leaders at Community Church, Kettlebrook, New Life, and the Refinery. Please pray:
- That the leaders would be on their guard against sin.
- That they would walk in integrity and uprightness of heart placing God before everything.
- For their marriages - that they would honor their wives in all that they do as a coheir of grace
- For their families - that they would lead their families well in the fear of the Lord.
Scott
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
10/03/2010 Godly Marriage
For all of our Facebook friends here is a link so that you can listen to the message.
http://bendcitychurch.podbean.com/2010/10/06/godly-marriage/
http://bendcitychurch.podbean.com/2010/10/06/godly-marriage/
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Sunday Morning Kick-Off
As we have been preaching through the vision of Bend City Church this summer and fall we have been looking forward to the time when we would have a full worship team, children's church, and nursery on Sunday mornings. Slowly we've been adding the different elements to our Sunday gatherings, one step at a time. At the same time, we've taken 3 able men through some leadership training as our next small group leaders.
As we've grown as a church body in these areas, we've tabbed Sunday, October 24th as a kick-off Sunday for Sunday services. The reason we are having a kick-off service is to give a special emphasis on inviting those we hope to one day be a part of our local church. The truth is, Bend City Church is already a church, a small local church at this point and we want to see people know Jesus and come to be a part of our fellowship.
The past few weeks we have started the children's ministry meeting on Sunday. For the time being, the topic has been the life of David and what God can teach us through the man that the word says was "after God's heart."
The next few weeks will see a few changes in the church:
1. Scott and Lisa Christophersen will be starting a small group on Monday nights in their home.
2. We will begin practicing with a full worship team and have that team lead the worship on Sunday mornings.
God has been doing a great thing in the church and we've been excited to see the fruit of His work in our lives. That's all for now.-Shane
As we've grown as a church body in these areas, we've tabbed Sunday, October 24th as a kick-off Sunday for Sunday services. The reason we are having a kick-off service is to give a special emphasis on inviting those we hope to one day be a part of our local church. The truth is, Bend City Church is already a church, a small local church at this point and we want to see people know Jesus and come to be a part of our fellowship.
The past few weeks we have started the children's ministry meeting on Sunday. For the time being, the topic has been the life of David and what God can teach us through the man that the word says was "after God's heart."
The next few weeks will see a few changes in the church:
1. Scott and Lisa Christophersen will be starting a small group on Monday nights in their home.
2. We will begin practicing with a full worship team and have that team lead the worship on Sunday mornings.
God has been doing a great thing in the church and we've been excited to see the fruit of His work in our lives. That's all for now.-Shane
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Message Sunday 9/19/2010
Hey guys,
It was very hard to hear the prayers for the leaders so we faded out after the teaching.
It was very hard to hear the prayers for the leaders so we faded out after the teaching.
Monday, September 6, 2010
New Look
You may have noticed the new look. We changed to a different template - one which gave us more flexibility so that we could fit the podcast feature to the right.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Our New Place
Check out some pics of our new meeting place. We will begin meeting here the first Sunday in September.
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| The Church |
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Preparing leaders to do the same
The last few months Scott and I have been blogging through the mission of Bend City Church and the 5 main areas we feel God has called us to focus on as we attempt to fulfill the mission. The final area that we are looking at is Preparing Leaders to Do the Same. The first question rightfully asked about this point is, to do the same what? Obviously this point cannot stand on its own, since it is built on the previous 4 points. So it would probably be helpful to review.
The mission of Bend City Church is we exist to make disciples that live for the glory of God, enjoying him completely. The first four vision points we see as crucial to fulfill the mission are:
1) Praying with utter dependence on Christ
2) Proclaiming the gospel to believers and unbelievers
3) Pursuing live of worship and service in community
4) Partnering in ministry for the sake of the gospel
This leads us to our fifth and final point, Preparing Leaders to Do the Same. We aim to prepare leaders to have a growing passion for first four points listed above. A fruitful church will have a vision that is continuously growing in the hearts and minds of the community of believers. As the mission is being accomplished through the community and the sense of mission is growing stronger, individual members of the body are prepared to lead others into this mission. Jesus chose 12 disciples to pour His life into. These 12 disciples became the 12 apostles and were sent on mission to change the world. From this beginning, we see preparing leaders as an important part of the early church life. The apostle we hear from the most in the New Testament is Paul. We see Paul not only give himself to the preaching of the gospel and the ministry but also to developing and encouraging his “children” in the faith. These “children” are men who he feels a direct responsibility to encourage to shepherd the flock of God. We see his heart clearly in 2 Timothy 2:2;
Paul wants not only his hearers to know the truth of the gospel, but he tells them that they need to find faithful men who will teach others also. We also see his earnestness in preparing, teaching, encouraging, and warning a few of these leaders, Timothy and Titus, in 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. Just as Paul did, we aim to prepare faithful followers of Jesus to join us on mission. For us, that means joining us to pray with utter dependence on Christ, proclaim the gospel, pursue a life of worship, and partner with others in this ministry for the sake of Christ and the gospel.
The mission of Bend City Church is we exist to make disciples that live for the glory of God, enjoying him completely. The first four vision points we see as crucial to fulfill the mission are:
1) Praying with utter dependence on Christ
2) Proclaiming the gospel to believers and unbelievers
3) Pursuing live of worship and service in community
4) Partnering in ministry for the sake of the gospel
This leads us to our fifth and final point, Preparing Leaders to Do the Same. We aim to prepare leaders to have a growing passion for first four points listed above. A fruitful church will have a vision that is continuously growing in the hearts and minds of the community of believers. As the mission is being accomplished through the community and the sense of mission is growing stronger, individual members of the body are prepared to lead others into this mission. Jesus chose 12 disciples to pour His life into. These 12 disciples became the 12 apostles and were sent on mission to change the world. From this beginning, we see preparing leaders as an important part of the early church life. The apostle we hear from the most in the New Testament is Paul. We see Paul not only give himself to the preaching of the gospel and the ministry but also to developing and encouraging his “children” in the faith. These “children” are men who he feels a direct responsibility to encourage to shepherd the flock of God. We see his heart clearly in 2 Timothy 2:2;
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
Paul wants not only his hearers to know the truth of the gospel, but he tells them that they need to find faithful men who will teach others also. We also see his earnestness in preparing, teaching, encouraging, and warning a few of these leaders, Timothy and Titus, in 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. Just as Paul did, we aim to prepare faithful followers of Jesus to join us on mission. For us, that means joining us to pray with utter dependence on Christ, proclaim the gospel, pursue a life of worship, and partner with others in this ministry for the sake of Christ and the gospel.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Partnering in ministry for the sake of the gospel
It's been a while since we last blogged about anything, and a lot has been happening with us at Bend City Church during the interim. For one, we started meeting on Sunday mornings. It's been great. We felt that it was time to begin meeting on Sundays for two reasons. 1) To cast vision through teaching Scripture and 2) To provide fellowship for all the members of our now multiplied small groups.
If you've been following along with our blog for the last month you know that Shane and I have been blogging about the five p's of Bend City Church which are:
There is only one body of Christ. No matter where a person lives, what color they are, what race they claim, or what language they speak - if that person is a believer in Jesus then they belong to the same body of believers that every other true believer in Jesus belongs to. It is not enough to say that we are a part of the same body of believers as everyone else that we meet with on Sunday morning. This is true, but we also need to realize that we are a part of the same body as our brothers and sisters who are suffering for the gospel right now in China, Iraq, Indonesia, and countless other countries.
Every member of the body of Christ is joined together by God's spirit so that we are part of one another. For this reason it is necessary that the different parts of the body have an attitude of "part"nership. Christians, as individuals, are just a part of the body. An eye is a wonderful part of the body, but would be completely useless sitting in some laboratory jar. It only achieves it's intended purpose in partnership with the rest of the body. But in what ways must the body of Christ partner?
Again, the body of Christ must partner together to see our great mission from Christ accomplished. The accomplishment of this mission was a goal of the apostle's preaching. In Acts 3:19-20 Peter exhorts the people to repent so that God "may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you". We could live to see this mission accomplished. The gospel could be preached to every people group in our lifetime, but it will only happen as the body of Christ partners together for this great mission.
Local churches must keep their eyes on this. We have no need to compete with each other, but we have a great need to partner with each other.
If you've been following along with our blog for the last month you know that Shane and I have been blogging about the five p's of Bend City Church which are:
- Praying with utter dependence on Christ
- Proclaiming the gospel to believers and non-believers
- Pursuing lives of worship and service in community
- Partnering in ministry for the gospel
- Preparing others to do the same
1Corinthians 12:12-14 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many.
There is only one body of Christ. No matter where a person lives, what color they are, what race they claim, or what language they speak - if that person is a believer in Jesus then they belong to the same body of believers that every other true believer in Jesus belongs to. It is not enough to say that we are a part of the same body of believers as everyone else that we meet with on Sunday morning. This is true, but we also need to realize that we are a part of the same body as our brothers and sisters who are suffering for the gospel right now in China, Iraq, Indonesia, and countless other countries.
Every member of the body of Christ is joined together by God's spirit so that we are part of one another. For this reason it is necessary that the different parts of the body have an attitude of "part"nership. Christians, as individuals, are just a part of the body. An eye is a wonderful part of the body, but would be completely useless sitting in some laboratory jar. It only achieves it's intended purpose in partnership with the rest of the body. But in what ways must the body of Christ partner?
- To Care For The Body
- The Mission of Christ
Again, the body of Christ must partner together to see our great mission from Christ accomplished. The accomplishment of this mission was a goal of the apostle's preaching. In Acts 3:19-20 Peter exhorts the people to repent so that God "may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you". We could live to see this mission accomplished. The gospel could be preached to every people group in our lifetime, but it will only happen as the body of Christ partners together for this great mission.
Local churches must keep their eyes on this. We have no need to compete with each other, but we have a great need to partner with each other.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Pursuing Lives of Worship and Service in Community
When the letters were written by the apostles to the various churches of the day, they didn’t contain the headings, chapter breaks, and verse breaks that are found in the modern day bible. Often times, the flow of these letters can build to a climactic point the author was attempting to make. The book of Romans is one of these letters and a verse in chapter 12 has its foundation made in the previous 11 chapters. Before we look at the verse in chapter 12, let’s take a walk through Romans to see the foundation Paul is laying in order to give a command to the followers of Christ.
Paul begins in chapters 1 through 3 speaking of the wrath of God that is and will be poured out on unrighteousness. He explains that each human being has the law of God “written on their hearts” v2:15. That all men “have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” v3:23. The letter turns to the work of Christ, that Christ “died for the ungodly” v5:6. That “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” v5:8. The end of chapter 5 makes the connection between our being born in the likeness of Adam, a sinner, and Christians having “God’s abundant provision of grace” and “life through the one man, Jesus Christ” v5:17. The Old Testament law, in fact, has its purpose and fulfillment in Christ: “The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more” v5:20. Chapter 6 explains that we were once “slaves to sin” v6:17, but now Christ has “set us free from sin” v6:22 and we have become “slaves to God” v6:22. In this new life as a slave to God, Paul realizes that even he finds that “when (he) wants to do good, evil is right there with (him)” v 7:21. He asks “Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God- through Jesus Christ our Lord!” v7:24-25. Paul continues his glorious explanation of the gospel with writing that “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” v8:1, that we have “received the Spirit of son ship” v8:15, that “glory will be revealed in us” v8:18, that “God works for the good of those who love Him” v8:28, that “we are more than conquerors through him” v8:37, and nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” v8:39. Chapters 9-11 then tell the amazing story of God’s plan for humanity, focusing on the sovereign Lord who works all things according to his purpose. The entire 11 chapters end with an amazing summary of the glory of God:
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
"Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?"
"Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"
For from him and through him and to him
are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
The letter could have ended there being an amazing telling of the true God of the universe, who is working out all history according to his plan of redemption. But we know this letter did not end here. The 11 chapters were written as a foundation for what comes next:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 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. (Romans 12:1-2)
The deep and powerful foundation of God himself now becomes the grounds for the response of God’s people to Him. In view of God’s mercy that was held high in the previous eleven chapters, a response of whole hearted worship is commanded by Paul. Because our God has created all things, is working in all things, and pours grace into our lives, it is a correct response to live a life of sacrifice to Him. This a high calling and a demanding command. What should this look like practically?
As a start, we can say assuredly the Christian life does not merely consist of attending a weekly worship service or being casually involved in religious things. It should be the aim of every Christian to live every aspect of their life as a follower of Christ. From marriage, to fatherhood, to being in the workplace, every sphere of our life should find its direction and meaning in the lens of Paul’s words. What does it mean to offer my body as a living sacrifice as I raise my children? What does it mean to offer my body as a living sacrifice as a neighbor? What does it mean to offer my body as a living sacrifice in the workplace? This is why we use the word pursuing. We must be active in pursuing a life of worship to the Lord in all things. It is our hope that we would grow more and more into a community of believers that lives with this focus as a response to what God has done, is doing, and will do in our lives. Would you join us in pursuing lives of worship and service to the Lord?
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Large group meets Sundays 9:30 - 11 beginning June 13th
We've reserved a room at the Hampton Inn on 18th Ave near Walmart to begin to meet together as a larger group.
The room is reserved from 8:30 until 11:30 but as of right now we plan on meeting from 9:30am until 11am. Mark it down. Childcare will be provided for children 4 years old and under.
Sunday June 13th is coming up quickly.
The room is reserved from 8:30 until 11:30 but as of right now we plan on meeting from 9:30am until 11am. Mark it down. Childcare will be provided for children 4 years old and under.
Sunday June 13th is coming up quickly.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Community and Outreach Events
One of our small group focuses lately has been to pray for specific unsaved friends. This has been a highlight for me personally. I love hearing the prayers that have been prayed asking God to open eyes to who He is.
We are going to be doing a few events in the summer just for the purpose of building community and getting to know those that we all have been reaching out to. We've planned these outreach/ community events for the following dates:
June 18th
July 17th
August 8th
There is now a link to the calendar on the right under "useful links". Take a look at the calendar from time to time to see what else we have coming up.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
proclaiming the gospel to believers and non-believers
For the past few weeks Shane and I have been blogging about the five p’s of Bend City Church. Today, as I am sitting in our Romanian apartment, I am posting my blog about “proclaiming the gospel to believers and non-believers”.
Some of you might read that and think a couple of different things. First you might be wondering what I am doing in Romania. I’ll save that for another time. Second you might be wondering why I am talking about proclaiming the gospel to believers. After all, you might be thinking, believers don’t need the gospel preached to them – they are already saved.
If believers want to live a life of faith then they need to be reminded of the gospel often. So, I’ll expound on proclaiming the gospel to believers and I trust that it will be self-evident why we think it is important to tell unbelievers about the gospel.
Paul’s mission was not just to call people to obedience. Read the verse again. It says that he was calling people to the obedience that comes from faith. God is calling all people to a different type of obedience. One that responds to all that God is for us in Christ. Our obedience is a response to God’s acceptance of us through the cross of Christ not a means of trying to earn God’s acceptance. This type of obedience leads people to humility because a person understands that they could never do enough to earn God’s acceptance. Our acceptance is earned only through Jesus paying the price. We believe and therefore we obey.
It is the gospel that reminds people that we need a savior and it is the gospel that reminds us that Christ is that Savior. The gospel stirs up faith within believers.
Some of you might read that and think a couple of different things. First you might be wondering what I am doing in Romania. I’ll save that for another time. Second you might be wondering why I am talking about proclaiming the gospel to believers. After all, you might be thinking, believers don’t need the gospel preached to them – they are already saved.
If believers want to live a life of faith then they need to be reminded of the gospel often. So, I’ll expound on proclaiming the gospel to believers and I trust that it will be self-evident why we think it is important to tell unbelievers about the gospel.
Romans 1:5 NIV - Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.Paul had a mission. That mission was to call people to obedience. But it wasn’t just obedience. Obedience by itself can be very dangerous. Obedience can be legalistic and self-righteous. A person can obey in such that they are trying to earn God’s approval (legalistic). Worse still, people can obey just for the bragging rights associated with doing something right (self-righteousness). These examples lead to two different things. Either a person feels like they will never measure up and gets disheartened or they feel like they do measure up and feel better than everyone else.
Paul’s mission was not just to call people to obedience. Read the verse again. It says that he was calling people to the obedience that comes from faith. God is calling all people to a different type of obedience. One that responds to all that God is for us in Christ. Our obedience is a response to God’s acceptance of us through the cross of Christ not a means of trying to earn God’s acceptance. This type of obedience leads people to humility because a person understands that they could never do enough to earn God’s acceptance. Our acceptance is earned only through Jesus paying the price. We believe and therefore we obey.
It is the gospel that reminds people that we need a savior and it is the gospel that reminds us that Christ is that Savior. The gospel stirs up faith within believers.
Romans 1:16-17 ESV - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel - a righteousness that comes from faith. I love the way that the ESV translation renders it. It says that it is revealed from faith and for faith so that we can live by faith. The gospel is revealed for faith. If we desire to call people to an obedience that comes from faith then we desperately need to remind them of all that Christ has accomplished for us. We need to remind them of the gospel.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Praying with utter dependence on Christ
Many things have been said about the importance of prayer and rightfully so. In order to review the importance of prayer, I thought it would be helpful to first start at a truth that lays the foundation for prayer. Namely, that we have nothing that we have not received from the Lord.
For an example of this truth, let's go to 1 Corinthians chapter 3 and 4. The situation is this. The Corinthians have apparently been experiencing the blessings of the Lord. At least in some part, the Corinthians have been puffed up by these blessings and it has caused divisions within the body. The body has been split as the individual members find pride in what their supposed group leader has done in the faith. It has gotten to the point where men are boasting over who they follow, whether it be Paul or Apollos.
Obviously, Paul is beside himself over this as both himself and Apollos know that they are nothing apart from Christ. Paul lays out a beautiful truth that as Christians we must constantly be reminded of:
These are not trick questions. Paul is just driving it back to the basics. The answer to the first question is Jesus. The answer to the second question is a resounding NOTHING. We have received nothing apart from the Lord. Paul is using this truth to battle pride in believers, but if we use this same truth to view the importance of prayer, it is equally powerful.
I think it best to pause here, and think about every detail of your life. Think deep. What do you have that you have not received? Whether it be material things, such as a house or car, or immaterial things, such as eyes to behold beauty, you have received it all. There is a giver for all things. The giver is God.
How does this truth affect prayer?
As we know from the Scriptures God does give good gifts because he simply is a good God. Sometimes these gifts are seemingly independent of prayer from his people (Matthew 5:45). At the same time, there is verse after verse that reinforces the fact that God, the giver of all things, hears prayer and gives in response to prayer:
I don't know about you but I find this truth incredibly motivating
to pray. First, the awesome truth that nothing we have comes from any
other source than God Himself. Second, that this all powerful God
beckons us to make requests of Him so that He can answer our
prayers. So, I ask you to join us in praying in utter dependence of Christ
as we seek His will for His church.
For an example of this truth, let's go to 1 Corinthians chapter 3 and 4. The situation is this. The Corinthians have apparently been experiencing the blessings of the Lord. At least in some part, the Corinthians have been puffed up by these blessings and it has caused divisions within the body. The body has been split as the individual members find pride in what their supposed group leader has done in the faith. It has gotten to the point where men are boasting over who they follow, whether it be Paul or Apollos.
Obviously, Paul is beside himself over this as both himself and Apollos know that they are nothing apart from Christ. Paul lays out a beautiful truth that as Christians we must constantly be reminded of:
For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you
have that you did not receive? (1 Cor 4:7)
These are not trick questions. Paul is just driving it back to the basics. The answer to the first question is Jesus. The answer to the second question is a resounding NOTHING. We have received nothing apart from the Lord. Paul is using this truth to battle pride in believers, but if we use this same truth to view the importance of prayer, it is equally powerful.
I think it best to pause here, and think about every detail of your life. Think deep. What do you have that you have not received? Whether it be material things, such as a house or car, or immaterial things, such as eyes to behold beauty, you have received it all. There is a giver for all things. The giver is God.
How does this truth affect prayer?
As we know from the Scriptures God does give good gifts because he simply is a good God. Sometimes these gifts are seemingly independent of prayer from his people (Matthew 5:45). At the same time, there is verse after verse that reinforces the fact that God, the giver of all things, hears prayer and gives in response to prayer:
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)
I don't know about you but I find this truth incredibly motivating
to pray. First, the awesome truth that nothing we have comes from any
other source than God Himself. Second, that this all powerful God
beckons us to make requests of Him so that He can answer our
prayers. So, I ask you to join us in praying in utter dependence of Christ
as we seek His will for His church.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
a need for vision
Over the next five weeks Shane and I are going to be doing some blogging on each of the five p's of Bend City Church.
praying with utter dependence on Christ
proclaiming the gospel to believers and non-believers
pursuing lives of worship and service in community
partnering in ministry for the gospel
preparing leaders to do the same
I suppose that there are a good number of reasons why vision is important, but I only want to touch on two of them. 1) Vision Puts Life Into Perspective 2) Vision Helps Us Restrain Ourselves Toward That Which We Envision. We, as people, tend to be very short-sighted which makes it naturally hard to see any situation in light of the bigger picture and this can lead toward giving up at the first signs of hardship.
Vision Puts Life Into Perspective
Vision Helps Us Restrain Ourselves Toward That Which We Envision
So what do both Shane and I see? We see that one day all people will stand before the throne of the living God to give an account of everything that was done while in the body whether good or evil so that each person might receive what is due him from the Lord (2 Cor 5:10). This is why the mission of Bend City Church is to call all people to live for the glory of God enjoying Him completely. The five p's are what Shane and I feel that God is calling all of us at Bend City Church to restrain ourselves toward in order to prepare each other for that Day when we will give an account.
We hope that you join us as we blog about the five p's over the next five weeks and don't be afraid to leave a comment or two.
I suppose that there are a good number of reasons why vision is important, but I only want to touch on two of them. 1) Vision Puts Life Into Perspective 2) Vision Helps Us Restrain Ourselves Toward That Which We Envision. We, as people, tend to be very short-sighted which makes it naturally hard to see any situation in light of the bigger picture and this can lead toward giving up at the first signs of hardship.
Vision Puts Life Into Perspective
Hebrews 12:2 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.When Jesus looked at the cross He saw at least these two things: immediate shame and future joy. The immediate shame of the cross was put into perspective by the future joy that the cross was producing. This is what vision is supposed to do for us - put immediate life into perspective of future significance. The bible does not say that Jesus enjoyed the cross - no He endured the cross. The cross means pain, shame, and death. But Jesus saw a bigger picture. He saw himself seated at the right hand of the throne of God and He saw a means of salvation for all who would look to Him. In a word - He saw joy. Jesus was enabled to endure torment because of this vision of the future, and God has designed it so that we too are empowered to endure in light of a vision of God's future.
Vision Helps Us Restrain Ourselves Toward That Which We Envision
Proverbs 29:18a Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint. (ASV)A medical student with a clear picture of being able to help save lives will endure many years of study. Take away his clear picture of the future and the immediate hardships of school will overwhelm that student to the point of quitting. Sometimes we need more discipline but often times we need more vision. We need this short life put into its proper perspective.
So what do both Shane and I see? We see that one day all people will stand before the throne of the living God to give an account of everything that was done while in the body whether good or evil so that each person might receive what is due him from the Lord (2 Cor 5:10). This is why the mission of Bend City Church is to call all people to live for the glory of God enjoying Him completely. The five p's are what Shane and I feel that God is calling all of us at Bend City Church to restrain ourselves toward in order to prepare each other for that Day when we will give an account.
We hope that you join us as we blog about the five p's over the next five weeks and don't be afraid to leave a comment or two.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Mission
"We exist to call all people to glorify God, enjoying Him completely."
The mission of Bend City Church has 2 main points.
1) The first main point is that every person was created for two purposes, without exception. Every person was created to glorify God (Isaiah 43:6-7, 1 Cor 10:31) and to enjoy Him completely (John 15:10-11). Although each person could have a different gifting, personality, calling, life standing, or vocation, these two purposes are common to all men and women.
2) The second main point is that God has called His people to call others to fulfill these purposes in God. Jesus commissioned his disciples in what we call the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit, and teaching them to obey all He commanded.
Put these 2 points together and you get the mission of Bend City Church. It is our hope that the community of believers that makes up the church be on this mission; that Bend City Church would be a missional community.
The mission of Bend City Church has 2 main points.
1) The first main point is that every person was created for two purposes, without exception. Every person was created to glorify God (Isaiah 43:6-7, 1 Cor 10:31) and to enjoy Him completely (John 15:10-11). Although each person could have a different gifting, personality, calling, life standing, or vocation, these two purposes are common to all men and women.
2) The second main point is that God has called His people to call others to fulfill these purposes in God. Jesus commissioned his disciples in what we call the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit, and teaching them to obey all He commanded.
Put these 2 points together and you get the mission of Bend City Church. It is our hope that the community of believers that makes up the church be on this mission; that Bend City Church would be a missional community.
Monday, March 29, 2010
what's in a name
Bend City Church. There it is - we said it. This was definitely something that we were not looking forward to. Do we have to come up with a name? Can't we just call ourselves church? Well, actually, no we can't.
So, since we had to pick a name we wanted a simple name that speaks to the location where we believe God has called us to plant. The city of West Bend is that place. Bend City Church. It's a mix of "that's what we were trying to say" and "don't think about it too much".
So, since we had to pick a name we wanted a simple name that speaks to the location where we believe God has called us to plant. The city of West Bend is that place. Bend City Church. It's a mix of "that's what we were trying to say" and "don't think about it too much".
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