This past Sunday David continued C3’s sermon series on marriage, in which he focused on the importance of beginnings. For marriage, it’s important to spend time where Scripture first introduces the idea of marriage. The beginning of marriage is found in Genesis chapters one through three, and it’s in these chapters that David spent our time unpacking God’s Word.
In his breakdown of Genesis 1-3, David presented two principles that provide us with a foundation for our understanding of marriage. First, in chapter one of Genesis we’re presented with the truth that God created man and woman in His image for His glory. This truth, further broken down, means that humankind, both men and women, were created to resemble and represent God to the world. We were created to resemble God, meaning that everything that we are is like God. In John 14:8 Philip says to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us,” in which Jesus responds, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” Jesus was acknowledging the fact that he was “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15 ESV), meaning that he so perfectly resembled God the Father that to look at him was to see God. The bride of Jesus, who is one with Him (Ephesians 5:31-32), was established to do the same. Men and women who follow Jesus are being conformed to His image (Romans 8:29), so that they may reflect the image of God to a broken world. Marriage is such a sweet gift from God, through which men and women are made able by the power of Christ to resemble God with their relationship. Likewise, men and women were created to represent God. Not only do men and women who follow Christ resemble God with their lives like Christ, but their task is also identical to Christ. Like Christ, we are called to be ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) who proclaim the good news of Jesus in which people place their faith in Christ and submit to the sovereign rule of God. This is what it means to usher in God’s kingdom and continue the work that Christ began until His return. In the sermon David mentioned Philippians 2:14-15, in which believers are challenged to do all things without “grumbling or questioning, so that we may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom we shine as lights in the world.” The challenge is clear, that we would so resemble and represent God with our lives that we shine as lights in the midst of darkness. Again, marriage is such a sweet gift from God in which believers are able to do so. As men love their bride as Christ loves the church, and as women willfully submit to their husband as the church does unto Christ, the image of God is on display and the gospel is proclaimed, in which the power and righteousness of God is seen (Romans 1:16-17) both of which provide testimony to His glory. Therefore, this first principle is essential in understanding marriage, man and woman were created in God’s image for His glory.
Second, David presented us with the principle that while men and women were created equal they were also created distinct. There is no doubt that men and women equally share in their identity in Christ (Galatians 3:28), and therefore are equals through Christ in resembling and representing God for His glory. However, God purposefully created man and woman with equal but distinct roles in which to do so. There is little doubt that this truth, specifically in the context of willful submission by wives, is under attack in our culture today, but the cultural attack should not change our understanding of God’s truth. There seems to be a heavy amount of shame and disdain attached to the thought of submission in our world today, but for us there should be no shame in identifying with Christ. Jesus willfully submitted to His Father’s will by making himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, and being born in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:6-7), and Christ so willingly submitted to His Father’s will and the hands of men that He allowed Himself to be crucified. There is no shame in submitting; there is only the opportunity to further identify with Christ. Marriage is a sweet opportunity for both men and women to further identify with Christ, as men love their bride as Christ loves the church and women willfully submit to their husbands. Therefore, the second principle is essential in understanding marriage, men and women were created equal but distinct.
For me, in personally reflecting upon the sermon, it can be challenging seeing as though the message was speaking to marriage and David spent a lot of time addressing the woman’s distinct role. It can be challenging, because as many may not know this about me, I am both single and a man. Nevertheless, the truth that all believers, whether man or woman/ single or married, were created in God’s image with distinct roles to both resemble and represent Him stands true. I was created in God’s image, an image that is being restored in Christ, and is an image that I am called to reflect to the world around me. This is a truth that has shaped everything about who I am and how I live, and it is a truth that I love. Also, although being single, I am not quick to overlook the fact that God has used married men and women to train, equip, and transform me. I love the marriages that I see all around me, because it is from these marriages that I have learned what it truly means to be a man of God and what a woman truly pursuing an identity in Christ looks like. For me this marriage series is sweet, because as I listen to David preach and look around at the marriages all around me, I am reminded that marriage is such an amazing gift from God when rooted in Scripture and pursued through Christ.
--C3 College Minister - JT
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Sermon Reflection::1Peter2:9-12
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.
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 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
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Sermon Reflection::2Thess1:3-12
We focused on three points of why we must ask for his power to fulfill his good resolve (found in 2 Thess. 1:11-12)
1. This is how God will make us worthy of his calling: Are we worthy of God's calling? No, but God is sufficient and He is Sanctifying us to His Calling. Verse 11 says "...that our God may make you worthy of his calling…" we cannot make ourselves worthy for the calling. We cannot live morally upright lives to live up to God's calling, Morality DOES NOT EQUAL Christianity. The end goal is giving Christ the glory not living a socially acceptable/philanthropic life - though that may be a fruit of Christianity, it is not the end goal.
2. We Glorify Him by asking for His power to fulfill His good resolve. For many of us, if we really step back and are honest with ourselves, when we put ourselves in the balance with God, He outweighs us in importance only by a small amount in our mind. David gave a good analogy that we are like the moon, we think we are so bright and shine down over all of the earth, but in reality we are only a small speck of dirt in the sky that only can reflect light from the sun or in this case God's Glory.
3. He will Glorify us in Jesus' name when we ask for His power to fulfill His good resolve. In Romans 8:30 it says "…those whom He called, He also justified; those whom He justified, He also glorified." When He calls us he will make us worthy of His calling, by justifying, then sanctifying, and when we go home to Him we will be glorified in His name. I look forward to this day that I can go home and share with Christ in Glory.
-- Phillip Slaughter
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Sermon Reflection::James1:5-8
Last week we learned that trials are a part of God’s design to produce steadfastness and endurance (James 1:2-4). This week we learned the response that God desires from us when we face those trials (James 1:5-8). When you approach the Lord, do so with the understanding of his character. He is the creator, the author, the beginning, and the end. He is full of love and of wrath. He created you with a single purpose: to glorify Him. Pray with a pure heart and the single intent of receiving wisdom in this trial. If your heart is not in the right place, return to your knees and plead for a faith that is consistent and pleasing to Him.
While I am no stranger to trials, my responses have not always been glorifying to Him. There are so many other ways I have addressed and dealt with these hard times. I recently read something that convicted me, and screams this text: “Have you prayed about it as much as you’ve talked about it.” Wow. While seeking the counsel of friends, elders, and mentors is not bad – It should not take the place of wrestling over the issue with the Lord.
My friends, pray for a consistent and pleasing faith that only the Lord can provide. The Lord gives generously and without reproach – face your trials, do not run from them, and see them as opportunities to show God’s glory!
--C3 Member - Rachel Evans
While I am no stranger to trials, my responses have not always been glorifying to Him. There are so many other ways I have addressed and dealt with these hard times. I recently read something that convicted me, and screams this text: “Have you prayed about it as much as you’ve talked about it.” Wow. While seeking the counsel of friends, elders, and mentors is not bad – It should not take the place of wrestling over the issue with the Lord.
My friends, pray for a consistent and pleasing faith that only the Lord can provide. The Lord gives generously and without reproach – face your trials, do not run from them, and see them as opportunities to show God’s glory!
--C3 Member - Rachel Evans
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