People who aim for something usually hit it. As the Apostle Paul reached the end of his life, he declared in 2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT) “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” How likely is it that you will be able to make such a statement? Do you know what race you are entered in? Do you know where the finish line is? Can you go the distance? If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time.
If your life lacks aim, confidence, hope and success will elude you. God-followers live lives that are aimed at something. Pagans (Self-followers) don’t. In Matthew 6:24-34, Jesus gives a simple way to distinguish between God-followers and Self-followers. God-followers rarely lose sight of Who’s calling the shots (v.24). God-followers know who can count on God’s support (v.25-32). God-followers know what race they are running(vv33-34).
If someone measured your life by these words from Jesus what proof would there be that you are or are not a God-follower?
Imagine you were in Jesus’ audience when he first taught this. What response would he have hoped for from you?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
ENVISIONING 2009 - Habakkuk 2:2
The Lord said to the prophet Habakkuk: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it." (Hab. 2:2) I hope this Sunday "to write" the vision down with my sermon so that we, as a congregation, may run with it.
God has placed us in a valley with tremendous spiritual need. A conversation I had with Bryan McLemore today bears witness to this reality. He and Fuel Interns conducted a survey in Napa on Wednesday at three key points in the city (Whole Foods, Raley's, and Nob Hill). They spoke to over 40 people, asking them qeustions like: "what is your level of concern about world events and how interested are you in world religions." They were amazed at the answers they received. However, one answer was consistent; "religion is fine, just don't cram it down my throat." Out of 40 random people, not one was positive toward Christianity.
Because we live in a spiritually dark valley, God is gearing us up to host spiritual revival. There is a simple pathway for this revival; something Hillside Leadership put together over the summer.
CONNECT to God and Others
LEARN to Live like Jesus
SERVE the World
Here are some scriptures from the sermon; study them in advance:
Matthew 11:28-30
Matthew 18:19-20
1 John 2:6
Mark 10:14-16
Luke 19:10
Mark 10:45
Acts 20:35
Here are two statements to start thinking about:
“God’s work is proven in relationship with others.”
“Your life will not be complete until you start serving.”
Here is a list of ongoing serve opportunities and serve events in 2009:
Crisis Care, Street Evangelism, Tutoring Elementary Children, Sunday Morning Celebration Services, Ministry Teams, Small Group Leadership, Pastor Prayer Teams
Elementary School Clean Up – March 8
Spring Carnival – March 28
Donation Drives to Support Serve Teams – Throughout Year
Easter Breakfast – April 12
Travel to Serbia – May 21-29 & Sept. 17-25
Travel to Zimbabwe – June 17-30
4 Friend Day Bar-be-que – May 31, June 28, July 26, Aug. 30
Family Film Festival – Fridays in September
Foster Family Christmas Party – December 5
Become part of the vision - run with it! Pastor Eric
God has placed us in a valley with tremendous spiritual need. A conversation I had with Bryan McLemore today bears witness to this reality. He and Fuel Interns conducted a survey in Napa on Wednesday at three key points in the city (Whole Foods, Raley's, and Nob Hill). They spoke to over 40 people, asking them qeustions like: "what is your level of concern about world events and how interested are you in world religions." They were amazed at the answers they received. However, one answer was consistent; "religion is fine, just don't cram it down my throat." Out of 40 random people, not one was positive toward Christianity.
Because we live in a spiritually dark valley, God is gearing us up to host spiritual revival. There is a simple pathway for this revival; something Hillside Leadership put together over the summer.
CONNECT to God and Others
LEARN to Live like Jesus
SERVE the World
Here are some scriptures from the sermon; study them in advance:
Matthew 11:28-30
Matthew 18:19-20
1 John 2:6
Mark 10:14-16
Luke 19:10
Mark 10:45
Acts 20:35
Here are two statements to start thinking about:
“God’s work is proven in relationship with others.”
“Your life will not be complete until you start serving.”
Here is a list of ongoing serve opportunities and serve events in 2009:
Crisis Care, Street Evangelism, Tutoring Elementary Children, Sunday Morning Celebration Services, Ministry Teams, Small Group Leadership, Pastor Prayer Teams
Elementary School Clean Up – March 8
Spring Carnival – March 28
Donation Drives to Support Serve Teams – Throughout Year
Easter Breakfast – April 12
Travel to Serbia – May 21-29 & Sept. 17-25
Travel to Zimbabwe – June 17-30
4 Friend Day Bar-be-que – May 31, June 28, July 26, Aug. 30
Family Film Festival – Fridays in September
Foster Family Christmas Party – December 5
Become part of the vision - run with it! Pastor Eric
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
COFFEE BREAK
Coffee break - not really, but I am taking a break from the pulpit this Sunday. Pastor Steve Edwards, President of Global Passion Ministries, is preaching. Always delivering a powerful, inspiring Word from God.
So what to blog about...still moving forward with my plan to read through entire Bible this year. I am reading in Job this week. I am reading according to a schedule of when books were written so it jumps around a bit. I will return to Genesis next week. Job - wow! This guy went through a trial. He was tested on every side. The Book is an amazing account of God's grace, mercy, justice, and allowance of evil (probably the most difficult part). Why does God allow evil? It is so destructive. Does anyone want to blog about this? Eric
So what to blog about...still moving forward with my plan to read through entire Bible this year. I am reading in Job this week. I am reading according to a schedule of when books were written so it jumps around a bit. I will return to Genesis next week. Job - wow! This guy went through a trial. He was tested on every side. The Book is an amazing account of God's grace, mercy, justice, and allowance of evil (probably the most difficult part). Why does God allow evil? It is so destructive. Does anyone want to blog about this? Eric
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
BUT, "GOD GAVE ME!" - Eph. 2:11-22
Last week, we studied the Apostle Paul’s address to Jewish and Gentile believers in 2:1-10. “He begins by showing that both groups of people were living in disobedience and sin; both stood in need of God’s mercy and love. The Good News in the passage is that a loving and gracious God acted to correct that through his Son. In union with Christ, believers become a new creation and are resurrected and exalted with their Lord. As such, they are lifted out of their former evil condition that they might share in Christ’s victory over sin and live a life of good works. Up to this point the emphasis is on the privileges that Jewish and Gentile believers enjoy in Christ.” In 2:11-22, we turn a corner as the Holy Spirit moves Paul to teach not about “our unity with Christ" but to "our unity in the church.” (Quotes from: Patzia, Arthur G. NIBC: Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon. P. 187)
Also last week I talked about defining the health of your Christian Life as being alive or being dead. I had a question about this after the sermon on Sunday, so I thought I would publish my answer here for others. Being alive doesn’t mean you are perfect, sinless, always correct, at peace, or happy. Each of us faces difficult moments and real temptations. Mistakes are made; we sin, and need to repentant. Being alive is sharing in the victory of Christ Jesus over sin (your choice to live not as a slave to sin) and living a life devoted to God.
Being Alive doesn't mean you will always by happy and blow stuff off as if it never happened. God doesn't expect us to walk around blindly to the challenges we face. Being alive means I face those challenges in the power (Holy Spirit empowerment) the Lord supplies (2 Peter 4:11).
The work of God is complete. He sets us right in spiritual relationship and sets us right in human relationships. In 2:11-22, Paul explains how this is possible. I am reminded of another analogy he uses to explain this creation of a new body in Romans 11:17-24 (you should visit this passage.). It explains how God has grafted wild branches into the garden-tame vine. How God has taken the sinner and grafted him into the sinless body of the church. Still with all our difference; big and small, God makes one new man (the church) to manifest His glory and presence in the world.
Here are some questions for your to consider:
1. Much like 2:1-10, there is a verse in this paragraph that marks the change which has occurred freeing us from the past? What is it? Who is the cause of our freedom? By what means is the change purchased?
2. What does it mean to you "through Jesus you have access to the Father by one Spirit"? (Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Timothy 2:5-6)
3. What does it mean that God's household (church) is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets? (Ephesians 4:11-16) Why are apostles and prophets selected from the list of 5? (Acts 1:21-22; 1 John 1:1-4)
Also last week I talked about defining the health of your Christian Life as being alive or being dead. I had a question about this after the sermon on Sunday, so I thought I would publish my answer here for others. Being alive doesn’t mean you are perfect, sinless, always correct, at peace, or happy. Each of us faces difficult moments and real temptations. Mistakes are made; we sin, and need to repentant. Being alive is sharing in the victory of Christ Jesus over sin (your choice to live not as a slave to sin) and living a life devoted to God.
Being Alive doesn't mean you will always by happy and blow stuff off as if it never happened. God doesn't expect us to walk around blindly to the challenges we face. Being alive means I face those challenges in the power (Holy Spirit empowerment) the Lord supplies (2 Peter 4:11).
The work of God is complete. He sets us right in spiritual relationship and sets us right in human relationships. In 2:11-22, Paul explains how this is possible. I am reminded of another analogy he uses to explain this creation of a new body in Romans 11:17-24 (you should visit this passage.). It explains how God has grafted wild branches into the garden-tame vine. How God has taken the sinner and grafted him into the sinless body of the church. Still with all our difference; big and small, God makes one new man (the church) to manifest His glory and presence in the world.
Here are some questions for your to consider:
1. Much like 2:1-10, there is a verse in this paragraph that marks the change which has occurred freeing us from the past? What is it? Who is the cause of our freedom? By what means is the change purchased?
2. What does it mean to you "through Jesus you have access to the Father by one Spirit"? (Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Timothy 2:5-6)
3. What does it mean that God's household (church) is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets? (Ephesians 4:11-16) Why are apostles and prophets selected from the list of 5? (Acts 1:21-22; 1 John 1:1-4)
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