People R Us

 

Years ago I pastored a small church and to supplement my salary, I took a second job with Publix Supermarket. ( Great company to work for.)

During orientation, we were taught that Publix was in the people business, not the food business. Great attention was given to customer service. When a customer entered the store, they were to be greeted within 45 seconds.

I think the local church sometimes forgets they are in the people business as well. The church must not look at people as a means to build a large church but rather as an opportunity to serve. Philippians 2.4

I have often heard people say they are looking for a church that would meet "their" needs. That's the wrong focus. Jesus came not to be served but to serve Mark 10.45 and we should have the same attitude.

Are You Out Of Your Mind?

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" Philippians 2:5

If you have been a Christ-follower any length of time, you are aware that the way you see life is often the opposite of those around you. The reason is they have a different mindset or perspective. For the Christ-follower; we have the "mind of Christ." We view everything through a Biblical lens; while non-believers see things from a non-Biblical viewpoint. Our lifestyle is confusing to some because they don't understand our motivation.

But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. 2 Corinthians 2:14 i.e. If you attend church more than once a week; people might say you are "out of your mind." That is true; not in the sense we are insane, but we are out of our 'natural' mind and rather have the mind of Christ.

Sometimes we get frustrated with non-believers but we must remember that they do not understand the truth as we do. Not that we are superior, we are traveling a different road.

Jesus the Magnet

 When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him... Matthew 8:1

We read throughout the New Testament that everywhere Jesus went He drew a crowd but He never intentionally drew people to Himself. In John 6 we have the account of Jesus attracting a crowd of over 5,000. I have been thinking a lot about why people are not drawn to me [or churches] like they were Jesus. Why are churches closing by the hundreds even though they are using a host of venues to attract people? What was Jesus 'secret' in drawing people?

• Jesus loved unbelievers People called Him the "Friend of Sinners."The command to love is the most repeated command in the Bible. We need to love people where they are.
• Jesus attracted people by meeting their needs. Jesus frequently asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" Many churches are more interested in meeting their own needs rather than meeting the needs of others. They need to know that they will be loved and accepted.
• Jesus' teachings were relevant. Jesus usually taught in response to a question or problem from someone in the crowd. Jesus' goal when teaching was to transform lives. We do not have to make the Bible relevant - it already is. When people understand how the Bible can affect and change their lives; they will be drawn to that church.

Some churches become like the world. Some isolate themselves from it. A third option is better - infiltrating the world! Jesus walked among people, in their world.

 

Ripples

Have you ever thrown a stone into a lake and watched the ripple effect? No matter the size of the stone, they all make a ripple. So it is with our witnessing for Christ. Just a simple word will cause a ripple effect in people's lives.

Early one Sunday, a young man dragged himself home from a night of partying. He collapsed into bed, setting his radio alarm for mid-afternoon. When the radio came on, he was jealous awake by the preaching of Donald Barnhouse, who was asking: " Suppose you were to die today and stand before God and he asked you, what right do you have to enter into my heaven - what would you say?"

That's the moment the Holy Spirit touch James Kennedy, one of America's eminent pastors, who is now with the lord. At the time, however, no one knew the results of that broadcast. It was unknown to Dr. Barnhouse, to the producers of the show. To the supporters who had given their gifts to put it on the air, or to the workers in the studio. Only heaven can tabulate the result of that Sunday afternoon broadcast.

Do not ever underestimate the handful of stones you're throwing into the pond whenever you say a word for Christ.

I Will Bow My Knee

 

I am sure that most of us are familiar with athletes kneeling during the playing of our national anthem. This act has been debated on both sides of the issue. Those who support these athletes say it is part of a silent protest against racial inequality and injustice. The other side says it is alright to protest against these issues but kneeling when everyone else is standing shows disrespect for our nation.

No matter what side of this act you support; there is a day coming when everyone will knee. No matter what you believe about Jesus Christ; the Bible says He is coming back to this world to judge all mankind. And He returns every person, living and dead, will acknowledge His Deity and Lordship.

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

It is not a matter of choice. Believers and non-believers alike will knee and confess Him as Lord.

Pridefully humble

 

If you’ve spent any time on social media, you see all types of posts. Some that make you laugh, some that make your eyes roll, and some that make you wonder how people get through life without killing themselves due to the craziness they post. But the one that stands out to me more than the rest is what I call the “Pridefully Humble.” This is the person that while he tries to give glory to God, just can’t help but put the focus on them. It looks a little something like this.

“Praise God for all He has done for me as He has helped me break the addiction I had to cigarettes. I’ve been smoking for over 20 years. But it's only taken me two weeks to break the habit. I asked the nurse, and it's the quickest she's ever seen.

We as humans have a hard time taking ourselves out of the picture. Matthew 6:3 tells us, “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”

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You don’t see Jesus announcing from the street corner, “I’m going to the cross today. Look at me! I’m going to be beaten and whipped and pierced for your iniquities.” He didn’t tell people how many thorns there were, and you didn’t know how far he walked with the cross. The scripture said, “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

If you are going to humble yourself to God and serve Him, then do just that. Stop bragging about all the things you’ve done. many he had handed out.

Christian, go to your cross and do it humbly.

The Three D's Of Destruction

 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy... John 10:10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy... John 10:10

Most people have their own view of what being a Christian is. Their view is usually centered on their comfort. They live like Christianity is a playground; while the Bible says it's a battlefield. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

The idea of a real devil is not popular today but the Bible confirms his reality and his plan to destroy us. There is no peaceful coexistence! 2 Corinthians 2:11 tells us "This is so that we won’t be taken advantage of by Satan, because we are well aware of his schemes." His scheme entails three major attacks:

Division Satan wants to divide us as a nation, socially, and spiritually. He gets us to focus on our differences rather than the things we can agree on. Most churches do not split over theological differences but rather over personal conflicts and power struggles. Satan knows if the church ever becomes unified; we would be unstoppable.

Distraction ... I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10.10b Satan wants to distract us from our mission; the salvation of people. Not to build a bigger church or be successful!

Discredit Satan know the world is watching our Christian walk. If he can get us to sin; it will discredit our witness and thereby lose our effectiveness in reaching the world for Christ. 

Though Satan is powerful; we can defeat him through God's power. "for he [Christ] who is in you is greater than he [Satan] who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy... John 10:10

Most people have their own view of what being a Christian is. Their view is usually centered on their comfort. They live like Christianity is a playground; while the Bible says it's a battlefield. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

The idea of a real devil is not popular today but the Bible confirms his reality and his plan to destroy us. There is no peaceful coexistence! 2 Corinthians 2:11 tells us "This is so that we won’t be taken advantage of by Satan, because we are well aware of his schemes." His scheme entails three major attacks:

Division Satan wants to divide us as a nation, socially, and spiritually. He gets us to focus on our differences rather than the things we can agree on. Most churches do not split over theological differences but rather over personal conflicts and power struggles. Satan knows if the church ever becomes unified; we would be unstoppable.

Distraction ... I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10.10b Satan wants to distract us from our mission; the salvation of people. Not to build a bigger church or be successful!

Discredit Satan know the world is watching our Christian walk. If he can get us to sin; it will discredit our witness and thereby lose our effectiveness in reaching the world for Christ. 

Though Satan is powerful; we can defeat him through God's power. "for he [Christ] who is in you is greater than he [Satan] who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

#Bi