Yes, Virginia, We Are Having Church on Sunday

Why are we having church on Sunday?  Christmas morning?  The kids want to start tearing open their presents, and there are big Christmas dinners to cook.  Some of the biggest churches in town are cancelling services, after all.

It seems to me that once every seven years, when Christmas falls on a Sunday, we have an opportunity to remind ourselves, and our children, that Christmas really is about Christ.  Not presents, not big dinners.  It is an opportunity to prove the priority of worship. 

It’s Jesus’ birthday.  We get the presents.  And HE is the present that gives it all meaning.

This Ain’t The Teacups, Gang

Some time ago I preached about the difference between roller coasters and the teacups.  The life God has in mind for us is a lot more like the roller coaster.  When you are on the teacups, you are in control.  Sure, someone else is spinning the big wheel, but you along control the speed of your teacup.  You can really work it and see if you can make yourself and your fellow travelers sick, or you can have a nice leisurely spin along with everyone else.  You go around and around in circles, getting nowhere fast.  There is no sense of danger, no sense that you lack control, no highs, no lows.  Just round and round, what goes around comes around (just like Ratt sang back in the ’80′s). 

The coaster is a completely different experience.  You strap in at the beginning of the ride, with no particular idea what lies ahead of you, and hold on tight.  You abandon all control.  You are entrusting yourself completely to the competence and good graces of those who designed and maintained the coaster. 

Here there be highs.  There be lows, aye!  There be gut-wrenching twists and turns.  How many people would dare ride a roller coaster without a measure of confidence that some benevolent soul designed it with the intention that its riders survive? 

When we are told in Proverbs 3:5 to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding, we are being handed a ticket for the grandest roller coaster ever designed.  When Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:7 that we live by faith and not by sight, we are being invited to step out of the line for the teacups, yield control, and join him on the ride of our lives.  You don’t have to know what’s coming next — THIS IS LIFE!!!! You’re NOT going to know! 

Lighten up.  Enjoy the ride.

Sunday, August 28 – Keeping the Peace

Once again I didn’t manage to record the message Sunday morning.  Due to popular demand I have typed up some of the main thoughts from the message, which you can read by clicking on Keeping the Peace. 

Gird yourself for action!  Don’t wait, start now!  Stop looking at the storm around you, start looking at Jesus!  Don’t agree with the devil; shut hell’s mouth and speak what God is speaking.

The Baptism With the Holy Spirit and Speaking In Tongues

We will be looking at questions about the Baptism with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues on Wedneday nights for the next couple of weeks.  Click Baptism with the Holy Spirit to view the notes (PDF file).

Fireworks!

Independence Day is coming up fast, and we’re excited about our July Fourth “fun raiser” to support our building fund.  Our fireworks stand is fully stocked and we are looking forward to helping James Island make some noise!  Everything is tax-free and all proceeds go directly into our building project. 

Come out and see us!  We’ll be open on Saturday afternoons in June and from July 1st to 4th.  (Cash only, please!)

Sunday, May 29 – “Elevate Your Expectations”

I recently caught myself hoping for something to happen, but preparing for the opposite. I found that God had placed a dream in me which I did not expect Him to fulfill.  If we are honest with ourselves, there is a difference between our hopes and our expectations.  God wants us to be so convinced of the things He has done in our lives that we expect to see them manifest.  Listen to the whole message by clicking here.

“Good Luck, Israel.”

That seems to be the new American policy.  I missed this on my first read of the president’s speech:  “As for security, every state has the right to self-defense, and Israel must be able to defend itself – by itself – against any threat.”

Pray for the peace of Israel!

The President’s Speech on the Middle East

The full text can be found here.

This section is of particular interest to Christians and all friends of Israel:

As for Israel, our friendship is rooted deeply in a shared history and shared values. Our commitment to Israel’s security is unshakeable. And we will stand against attempts to single it out for criticism in international forums. But precisely because of our friendship, it is important that we tell the truth: the status quo is unsustainable, and Israel too must act boldly to advance a lasting peace.  (Note:  as if they have never done this before.)

The fact is, a growing number of Palestinians live west of the Jordan River. Technology will make it harder for Israel to defend itself. A region undergoing profound change will lead to populism in which millions of people – not just a few leaders – must believe peace is possible. The international community is tired of an endless process that never produces an outcome. The dream of a Jewish and democratic state cannot be fulfilled with permanent occupation.

In other words, Israel has failed to negotiate in good faith and needs to abandon occuppied territories, even though doing so will provide even greater challenges to their national security. 

On the bright side, the President does say this:

Recognizing that negotiations need to begin with the issues of territory and security does not mean that it will be easy to come back to the table. In particular, the recent announcement of an agreement between Fatah and Hamas raises profound and legitimate questions for Israel – how can one negotiate with a party that has shown itself unwilling to recognize your right to exist.

This would be a good time to be praying for the peace of Israel. 

 

 

Receiving His Peace

In John 14:27, on the night that He was betrayed, Jesus said to His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.”

Jesus’ disciples were still arguing over which of them would be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven just a few short hours before deserting Him.  Knowing this, He left them His peace, undeserving though they were.  There were not yet equipped to receive it.

After their betrayal, confronted with their human frailty and utter powerlessness, they huddled together in an upper room, doors shut and windows barred.  Jesus appeared among them and spoke peace to them.  He imparted His peace — and His Spirit — to them. 

Jesus does not give as the world gives! 

The world gives to the deserving; Jesus gives to the undeserving.

The world gives with conditions; Jesus gives unconditionally.

The world gives as little as possible; Jesus gives liberally, generously, above and beyond all we can think to ask.

The world gives to manipulate; Jesus gives to bless.

The world gives to earn favor; Jesus gives to bestow favor.

The world gives out of obligation; Jesus gives out of love.

The world gives and takes back; Jesus gives, and gives, and gives, and gives, and keeps on giving. 

The peace He freely gives is available to you today, and He will not rescind the generous offer of His peace.  It is free to anyone who will believe and receive it.

Sunday Sermons

Here are my messages from the last two weeks.

Sunday, May 8:  Receiving Divine Position.

Sunday, May 15:  Receiving His Peace.

Good Friday Meditations

About the Stations of the Cross.

A Protestant version of the Stations.

The seven last words of Christ.

A physician’s perspective on the crucifixion.

The Gospel Is Good News, Unless You Want To Work Your Way To Heaven

Here is an article entitled, “The Raging River of Religion.” 

The gospel is simple.  The author, Brant Hansen, writes, “But that’s too simple, for many of us, because, honestly, we like our religious efforts.  Religious efforts take — you know — effort.” 

So we look at “spiritual” people around us, “holy” people, who look like they have “made it” or “earned God’s favor.”  We try to be like them, and that is a dangerous place to be. 

Read it for yourself here.

Holy Week Services

During Holy Week we will be having the following special services:

Wednesday, 7 pm – our weekly Bible study will be focusing on the coming of Jesus’ kingdom.

Thursday, 7 pm – communion service.  We will commemorate the institution of the Lord’s supper on the night He was betrayed.

Good Friday – the church will be open for prayer and meditation at 6 am (when He was judged), 9 am (when He was nailed to the cross), and 3 pm (when it was finished).

Resurrection Sunday – 10:30 am.  Join us as we celebrate our risen and living Savior!

Update on the Folly Road Gun Battle

The Post and Courier’s coverage from today can be read here.

The Gospel of the Kingdom

For the next couple of Sundays we will be looking at the gospel of the Kingdom.  Studying this topic has blessed me tremendously, and I believe it will be a blessing to you as well. 

Matthew 4:23 and Matthew 9:35 tells us that Jesus went about teaching in the synagogues, preaching the gospel (or the good news) of the kingdom, and healing.  When He sent His disciples out, He told them to preach, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  (Matthew 10:7, among others)  The kingdom of heaven (or the kingdom of God — I believe they are used interchangeably; others argue they mean different things) is a recurring theme in Jesus’ preaching and teaching.  It should be no surprise, then, that the apostles take up the same theme in their writings. 

Here are some things we need to know about “the kingdom” that Jesus was talking about.  If you will just read these scriptures, meditate on them, and ask God to give you understanding, you will discover some amazing and life-changing truths.  (BIG IMPORTANT THING TO PAY ATTENTION TO:  SOME OF THESE THINGS SEEM CONTRADICTORY!  It is well worth your time to consider how two seemingly contradictory truths can be true at the same time.  Don’t be afraid of this kind of mental exercise — and pray it through.)

The kingdom is at hand (or near).  (Matthew 3:2 and a host of others)

The kingdom is good news; its manifestation is healing.  (Matthew 4:23, et. al.)

It is to be sought first, as a priority.  (Matthew 6:33)

Parables were used to describe what it is like.  (Matthew 13, 18, 25, Mark 4, Luke 13, and others)

Child like faith is required to enter it.  (Matthew 19:14, Mark 10:4, Luke 18:16)

It is God’s pleasure to give it to you.  (Luke 12:32)

It doesn’t come by observation (or strict obedience to a set of laws or religious traditions).  (Luke 17:20)

The kingdom is within you.  (Luke 17:21)

You must be born again to see it.  (John 3:3,5)

It is not of this world.  (John 18:36)

It is entered through many trials.  (Acts 14:22)

It is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.  (Romans 14:17)

It does not consist of words (logos, or logical discourse), but power (dunamis, or miraculous ability).  (1 Corinthinas 4:20)

Some cannot inherit it.  (Galatians 5, 1 Corinthians 6)

Flesh and blood cannot inherit it.  (1 Corinthians 15:50)

The blood of Jesus translated us into it.  (Colossians 1:13)

It cannot be moved.  (Hebrews 12:28)

We are to pray for its coming.  (Matthew 6:10)

It, “suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.”  (Matthew 11:12) 

I’d suggest careful study of that last verse if you’ve never noticed it before, taking a look at it in the different versions available to get a sense of what it is saying. 

Finally, I’ll mention what I heard someone say a few days ago:  “It is good news, not good advice.”

May the Lord bless you with understanding as you read and pray through these passages.  I hope we’ll see you in church this Sunday!