Let the Neighbors Be Glad - (Listen Online).
As the last sermon in this series, Pastor David reiterated the call to make disciples and the arguments about reaching “neighbors” from the previous weeks. But what about the method of actually making disciples? It is wrapped up in verses 1 Peter 2:9-10 about our identity, followed by the simple strategy in verses 1 Peter 2:11-12.
First, our Identity will drive our focus. We are a chosen people, making reference to Israel in Ex 19:5-6. A special and treasured possession(1 Pet 2:4-5). We are set apart to be radically different from the World, in our allegiance, beliefs and actions. We are called priests, ones who intercede and sacrifice for a people, as well as pray to and praise the Lord. The goal is Praise to God.
The Strategy is REALLY easy and simple to memorize – Fight Sin, do Good Deeds, Trust God!
How do we fight sin? We could run away and live in a cloister, but then we would never have a personal outreach. We could be stealthy and relate to World by living and looking like it; and the World would say that we are NO different than them. We are called to renounce the World system (Phil 3:7-8, Eph 3:8) counting Worldly gain as “loss”; and seeking a heavenly reward.
Doing Good Deeds means we do the things of God and Speak of him to others. The Good Samaritan did the first part. The Lord commended that as an example of love, preaching without words. Lest any think we are just NICE folks we need to also tell of the change that Christ is working in us and can do in them.
Trusting God - David mentioned the Theology of Sleep (a bedrock principle for farmers). Work hard and do all you can, then don't worry, but trust God for the increase. This works for farm crops and spiritual “fields” too. Live like a Child of God (life preaching), Speak of Him (verbal preaching), Trust Him (to work His will). Doing ALL for the glory of God.
--C3 Member - Steve Barrett
Check out our C3forChrist.org website and learn more about our families, Community, beliefs and joys as we embrace all our callings in Biblical faith together.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Sermon Reflection::Luke10:25-37
The importance of the message is found in the context of the narrative. In it the question is raised: who is our neighbor? In this text the lawyer’s question to Jesus is not far from our own lips. Who is our neighbor? In addition, a deeper question we might seek to gain from the answer is: who is not our neighbor? To me this is such a normal and relatable question. Who should I be investing in? Who should I not be? Who should I be loving? Who do I have permission not to? Who should I be pouring myself out to, and who shouldn’t I? The truth presented in this text is one which wrecks me. Jesus’ response to the lawyer is one which calls us to take our judgment off of those we try to assess and place our judgment rather on ourselves. Our question to God as to who is our neighbor, is sovereignly overturned with His question and calling to us which screams WHO are you? Is our affection, heart, mind, motive, and method anchored in Him or a legalistic morality of dos and don'ts? That is the question.
The method is the messenger. As the messengers, may we reflect the glory and likeness of the First Messenger… Jesus Christ our Lord.
--C3 Member - Austin Lambert
Check out our C3forChrist.org website and learn more about our families, Community, beliefs and joys as we embrace all our callings in Biblical faith together.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Sermon Reflection::Matthew 24:14
At C3, we are a church that is about the Word. We stay true to the Scriptures and fight for each person to have a clear understanding of God’s redemptive plan. We are about Family and Community and creating Relationships that become unbreakable bonds. You can ask anyone, from our Elders down to Brady, Lily or Drew – “What is your purpose?”, and the answer [in one form or another] is – “To Bring Glory To God”. These things are all Great things that give me confidence about our body and the direction God has set before us.
In my opinion, David laid into one of the heaviest texts in the Bible last Sunday (listen online). God Demands for us to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of Christ to ALL Nations. Sometimes I think we forget this truth in the light of our beliefs in election and predestination. It becomes relatively easy to dismiss evangelism if you justify it with: God has already written that person’s fate. However, we are charged to proclaim the Gospel; to endure hate and hardship for the name of Christ (Mark 13:13); to declare throughout the Earth as a Testimony [as Proof, as Evidence, as a Witness] to every Nation.
If you were to ask me how I spend a regular day, [what things consume my time], I would probably answer: Life. On a day to day basis, a large portion of my time is consumed with work…pursuing the top of the corporate ladder. This is not “Life”. 1 John 2:15-17 hit it home for me. The desires of the flesh are not of the Father and will pass away. We have to be in the world because that is where/how we declare the Kingdom. However, our purpose should be to live for Him! My daily fight [because it is a fight] is to remember what is important, put away my fleshly desires, and do the will of God. I, a sinner saved by Grace, need to be constantly on my guard, waiting patiently and doing the work [Proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom throughout the Whole World] that GOD CHARGES TO US.
--C3 Member - Wade Boggs
Check out our C3forChrist.org website and learn more about our families, Community, beliefs and joys as we embrace all our callings in Biblical faith together.
In my opinion, David laid into one of the heaviest texts in the Bible last Sunday (listen online). God Demands for us to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of Christ to ALL Nations. Sometimes I think we forget this truth in the light of our beliefs in election and predestination. It becomes relatively easy to dismiss evangelism if you justify it with: God has already written that person’s fate. However, we are charged to proclaim the Gospel; to endure hate and hardship for the name of Christ (Mark 13:13); to declare throughout the Earth as a Testimony [as Proof, as Evidence, as a Witness] to every Nation.
If you were to ask me how I spend a regular day, [what things consume my time], I would probably answer: Life. On a day to day basis, a large portion of my time is consumed with work…pursuing the top of the corporate ladder. This is not “Life”. 1 John 2:15-17 hit it home for me. The desires of the flesh are not of the Father and will pass away. We have to be in the world because that is where/how we declare the Kingdom. However, our purpose should be to live for Him! My daily fight [because it is a fight] is to remember what is important, put away my fleshly desires, and do the will of God. I, a sinner saved by Grace, need to be constantly on my guard, waiting patiently and doing the work [Proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom throughout the Whole World] that GOD CHARGES TO US.
--C3 Member - Wade Boggs
Check out our C3forChrist.org website and learn more about our families, Community, beliefs and joys as we embrace all our callings in Biblical faith together.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Sermon Reflection::Matt28:16-20
(promoting desiring god's arabic site launch)
David broke the Matthew passage into 4 truths:
1) The disciples' mission is our mission (Matt 28:19) The command is for the 11 and their disciples (and repeat) to make disciples “as they are going”. Christ said this would continue to the end of the age (not the end of their life). Matt 24:14 states that the world WILL hear and then the end will come. The law of Supply and Demand was stated – if God demands our actions he will supply the power to do it (Acts 2 confirms this)
2) How do we reproduce followers of Christ? (Matt 28:20) Shine the Light of Christ and The Word in a VERY dark world. We must be seen to be Christ's followers, with godly lives (in word and deed) that are markedly different from our previous worldly life. 6000 people groups have less than 2% of their population who have even HEARD of Christ. They are statistically unreached. We must be ready TO GO and teach them about Christ.
3) By what authority do you do these things? (Matt 28:18)
In verse 18 we see that all authority is given to Christ (also Philippians 2:8-11). No authority is withheld. Who can stand against God's will to reach the world??? NO ONE! (Authorities of Darkness – governments, religions, demons may oppose the gospel to varying degrees). Matt 16:18 says even Hell can NOT prevail against his Church.
4) Christ promises to be there as we go. Just as the disciples lived and walked with Christ for 3 years, that fellowship would continue with the presence of the Holy Spirit. We have the command and the promise to go in power and authority to reach the lost. Now the BIG QUESTION – Will we go?
Paul, in 2 Tim 2:3-5, references the suffering of soldiers (a universal truth!) to achieve a great and special task. When I was (much) younger I enlisted in the US Air Force. I traded the comforts of home, family and friends to serve as an airman. I gave up rights – I was a “slave” to my Air Force masters. If they wanted me to work 12 hour days, 7 days a week, I could not say no. If they wanted to ship me to another country at a moment's notice, I was gone. Inconvenience did not weigh into the decision. I was ordered where my superiors thought I was needed at the time. Sulking or complaining only brought a reprimand. I could have run away, but there were penalties for that. I was a servant and I HAD to serve.
Paul uses the imagery of a runner in 1 Cor 9:24-27, with the eye on the prize, which is only available for those who finish the race. He disciplines his body to run the race of sanctification and not be disqualified (by cheating or stopping). Soldiers who go AWOL or runners who quit do not receive praise (and may be vilified).
If humans can work so hard at exercise programs, climbing corporate ladders, and other earthly pursuits that have no gain for the kingdom, can't we work even harder to serve the Heavenly Master who gave His life for us??? Let us all strive to serve Christ well, so that one day we can all hear Him say “Well done, good and faithful servant...enter into the joy of your master.”
--C3 Member - Steve Barrett
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