Sermon Desk of Pastor Eric

OUR TASK TO SHARE THE GOSPEL - Matt. 28:19

2009-10-09T12:55:00.000-07:00

I recently read a stirring book on World Evangelism by Oswald J. Smith entitled, “The Cry of the World.” Below is a portion from the chapter “Why has the Church failed to Evangelize the World?” I also included his answers to that question; along with my thoughts.

In referring to God’s command to go and make disciples of all nations, Smith writes, “God’s commands are always accompanied by His enablement. We could have done it. He would not have mocked us by asking us to do the impossible. “The Gospel MUST be published among ALL nations. Why then has it not been done?”

1) Because of the Enemies of the Gospel
There are a number of enemies to the spread of the Gospel. They are real and powerful. Two are primary. First and the one most talked about, Satan, the author of evil. He mounts attacks against the spread of the Gospel through persecution, hard hearts, and alternant religions. Second a most hidden enemy, self – that is you and me. My soul resists sacrifice. I don’t want to give up my comforts for the advance of the Gospel.

2) Because of our Emphasis on Education
Education is important. Education can also be an excuse for not engaging in ministry and evangelism which is difficult. It is always easier to talk about ministry and evangelism in the classroom. At some point the classroom stops serving to advance the Gospel. I believe it is important to be trained just enough, then go practice what you’ve learned. With this foundation, you can continue to grow as you practice ministry.

3) Because of many Closed Doors
I don’t have much to say here except there are still many closed doors to the Gospel. This would refer to countries and people groups who are antagonistic to the message about forgiveness in Jesus Christ.

4) Because we have not sent out a sufficient Number of Missionaries
There are not enough people willing to sacrifice by leaving the comforts of home behind to preach the Gospel through words and actions. There are also not enough people willing to sacrifice by living on a lower household income so that more can be given to support those willing to go.

5) Because we have not Followed the Pauline Methods
Paul’s method of evangelism was to go and disciple, to go and disciple, and to go and disciple. He never got too comfortable in one place very long. We are in the habit of getting comfortable. I am in the habit of getting comfortable. As a missionary, Paul never stayed in one place very long – maybe two years. He focused on establishing local leadership and then moved on to a new town.

6) Because we have not been Convinced that the Heathens are Lost
This one hurts a little. Are we really convinced that people who have not surrender their lives to Jesus Christ will not be in heaven forever but instead eternal punishment and alienation from God. People who don’t know Jesus – really are lost. Their thinking is corrupt. Their morals are broken. Their ethics are bent in a self-serving direction. This doesn’t mean Christians are perfect – but Christians are no longer slaves to being lost.

So in conclusion, are we going to get the job done? These roadblocks are insignificant in comparison to the power of Christ. It is said of him, “all authority in heaven and on earth [are given to him].” (Matt. 28:18)

We should respond, “YES, I will go, give and pray!”

MY OWN HEART FIRST - Ez 3:10

2009-10-02T11:12:00.001-07:00

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV)

It is so easy to see what is wrong with someone else. I’m a profession at making recommendations, a novice at making personal changes. I’m working to focus on self improvement – but it concerns me, I need to focus. It requires no effort to fix my friends or family.

There is a great saying, “Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes before criticizing them.” This statement was proved true again this past week while I working in my middle son’s classroom. I’ve never been tempted to criticize his teacher because she seems to be doing a great job – but working with 26 First and Second Graders for 4 hours will help you resolve to never think remotely critical again.

However, this fresh realization was not the most illuminating discovering that day. It was actually a walk back from recess alongside another teacher carrying the only two four-square balls to be shared by 400 children. I asked her if my son could bring a ball to be shared by his classroom because he was not certain he could. She said, “Yes, but also went on to say how she was applying for a grant to buy balls for the school.” A grant for purchasing balls, are you serious? In America, we need to apply for a grant to buy balls for children attending school. As I thought about it, another question came to mind, "Do we really want our teachers writing grants to purchase balls?" It’s weird and so unrelated to their primary function. The reality: few of us really understand the pressure and demands on American teachers from writing grants for play equipment to helping emotionally troubled children, and to teaching second-language learners.

Jesus said, “Don’t judge.” If you do judge, then you will be judged by the same measure you lay down on someone else. He challenges us to start by inspecting our lives, pointing us to remove the log in our lives before confronting our fellow brothers and sisters to remove their speck. The big idea: God wants me to deal with My Own Heart First.

This is the topic for my next Sunday sermon. Let his Word sink deep into your heart before you go out to challenge the world. Let his Word transform you before you confront evil face to face. If you don't deal with Your Heart First, then you are positioned to fail.

FINAL JUDGMENT - Rev. 20:11-15

2009-09-23T11:35:00.000-07:00

This message concludes our study on many of the beliefs we hold to be true at Hillside. There are many other beliefs we could talk about but we’ve covered the major issues. It is foundational that we believe the Bible contains the Words of God, that Jesus sacrificed his life to free the world from Sin, that we may have eternal life and walk by the Spirit of God in every day decisions. We only need to submit ourselves to God through Jesus Christ. It is a great life!

Our focus in these past two weeks has been on the end of time. The end of all things will come soon. I hope you are ready to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. The one item that will make you ready is your name written in the Book of Life. You get your name written in the Book of Life by surrendering your life to God through belief in His Son Jesus. (Romans 6:23, Rev. 13:8)

I had an interesting experience this week that got me thinking about my readiness to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Twice a year, I will gather with a group of other Assembly of God Pastors to interview new candidates for licensing with our Fellowship. Sometimes, we must decide that a person needs to wait on receiving their licensing until they finished other requirements. So this week, one of the candidates was returning after about 6 months because we had rejected his application for licensing. He and his wife had taken care of the things we had asked; even going further than we had requested – cutting back fixed expenses and completing more theological training. We all felt confident about approving them for licensing with the Assembly of God Fellowship. They had made some real changes in the past few months.

The exciting part of this experience was listening to the sacrifices they had made in an effort to loosen the world’s hold on their lives – more affordable rent, saving account, and budgeting for one-time expenses in advance. It was refreshing to hear how they had adjusted their life to meet the Call of God upon their lives to minister the Gospel. Then, one of my partner interviewers asked this question, "Do you feel like moving into a smaller home is a great sacrifice?" The candidates responded, "No, the house is still big enough for our family, but for less money. It has allowed us to live in freedom while still receiving a 10% decrease in pay from my job because of economic troubles." Amazed.

How wonderful…God will empower us to break the hold of the world on our lives. This is what I believe is the point of studying the end of time. If you read the book of Revelation from this prospective you will get so much more from it. Many people study what the Bible says about the end of the world in an effort to figure out all the details of how it will happen. Revelation was not written so you would know exactly how everything would happen, but to encourage Christians to let go of the world and concern for the world, instead holding tightly to Jesus. I hope more than anything that you make the decision to hold tightly to Jesus.

JESUS WILL RETURN - Acts 1:9-11

2009-09-16T11:30:00.000-07:00

Jesus will return - this topic is debated with passion among Christian Denominations because no one really knows how it's all going to end. Most Christians are in agreement that Jesus will return to Earth, it's just the how that's confusing. What we do know is that some things are going to change, which is what I will focus on in this blog.

The first big change will be the removal of the church or what some have called the Rapture. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 offers a clear picture of what will happen to the dead and living persons in Christ upon his return. The second big change will be the 1,000 year reign of Christ on Earth – that’s right – Jesus is going to establish a kingdom on Earth for 1,000 years. The Bible says, Jesus “will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south…then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.” (Zech 14:4-5)

It will be an awesome event for sure. Revelation 19:11-16 adds to Zechariah’s vision with a picture of Jesus, the King of kings, coming from heaven on a white horse to take possession of his kingdom. He has a sharp sword, wears a blood stained robe, and is followed by the armies of heaven. Again, it is an awesome event!

So what is the purpose of this reign? This Reign of Christ crushes the manifestation of Satan’s power. Up to this point in human history – evil has only been restrained from full manifestation as the Holy Spirit works through the church (God’s people). This explains our constant struggle with evil. At the rapture, the church is removed, so Satan has full range (or as Revelation talks about the Beast) to exercise his will on the Earth. The persecution of individuals who don’t want to follow the Beast, which means they are following God, will be great. Also, the judgment of God will be great, but the Beast and his followers will continue in rebellion against God. They get even more angry and bitter.

This period is often called the Tribulation. Evil is no longer held back, there are few witnesses to Christ’s work on the Cross, and God’s judgment is being delivered in full measure. Many people chart this period as a seven year period. The end of this period is marked by Jesus’ physical second coming to Earth to establish his kingdom (Rev. 19) – the restoration of King David’s rule. The Beast and Satan are locked away. People are free to live without persecution. There is still tension between those living within Jerusalem and those living outside. However, God’s Children will live in the presence of the Lamb of God, the Lion of Judah.

At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan is released and makes one last attempt to overthrow heaven. He is defeated, judged and thrown into the lake of fire. This is the official end, new Heaven and new Earth – we live in peace with God forever. (Revelation 20, 21)

Ah, a quick summary of the end for sure. There is so much we don’t know about the end of human history. You can see in the Bible pictures of the end times in Daniel and Revelation. Much of it is difficult to understand because the writers of these letters are seeing pictures of the future not necessarily specific details. They offer us sketches of the future, an overall perspective of the end, which is a picture of God as the final judge, one who is very powerful and merciful to those who put their trust in him. We have no need to worry about the end of time. God promises to meet our every need.

"For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:9

THE MINISTRY - 1 Tim. 2:5-7

2009-09-02T11:57:00.001-07:00

Even though Jesus Christ appointed apostles, pastors and such to bear testimony of his name and lead the church (both local churches and The Church - Christians worldwide), he entrusted the ministry of the church to ALL its members. And what I mean by ministry is the demonstration of God’s love and forgiveness to the world. The Great Commission; people being baptized and discipled, is in the hands of the church. Every believer is part of this administration of God’s message to the lost world. We are all ministering priests, actively serving with the gifts bestowed by the sovereign Spirit of God. Every one receives a gift(s) from God for the building up of the church (1 Peter 4:10).

The church is a living organism. As people are added to the assembly, they mature, reproduce, and care for each other by hurting with those who hurt and rejoicing with those who have victories. A church will grow in this envirnoment; as it does, there arises a need for the organism to provide the expanding community with capable leadership. If capable leadership is not chosen, the community will get off track; wandering down strange paths of teaching or becoming disorganized to the point of confusion and ineffectiveness.

In very practical terms, the church chooses a few members who show gifting and dedication for the leading of the organization to be set apart (Ordained) as its Ministers; all the while holding to the principle focus of every member of the organism a minister. These Ministers are gifted by the Lord Jesus for the quipping and organizing of the church. Ephesians 4:11-4 and 1 Timothy 3:1-16 talk in great length about these roles or offices given to the church. The Apostle Paul says at the opening of his letter to the church in Galatia, “Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father…” Paul clearly had an understanding of a special calling by God or an ordination (setting apart for service) on his life to serve the church. Throughout the New Testament, we hear of people being set apart for service or special mission on behalf of the Lord and His Church for ministry. (Acts. 13:1-3; 1 Tim. 4:14)

However, don't forget: the ministry of the church is entrusted to the people as a whole. Like it says in Revelation 1:4-6:
John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

Jesus freed you from your bondage to sinful living so that you could live for him as a priest serving God. A priest's function is to assist people in connecting with God, hearing confessions, and praying for the sick – all a witness of Christ’s love. Each of these activities and many more are entrusted to us (you) as the church. In summary, here are some questions to think about before Sunday:

1. Do I have an understanding of my role as a priest in the church? Scriptures: 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelations 1:-4-6; Hebrews 10:18-25; 1 Timothy 2:5-7

2. Do I have an understanding of my role under the ordained leader(s) of the church? Scriptures: Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:1; Acts 1:1-4; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Titus 1:5

3. Am I acting/functioning like a priest in the church?

4. Am I called to serve the church as a person set apart for a specific purpose?

AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS - 2 Timothy 2:22

2009-08-26T11:20:00.001-07:00

Awesome! Eleven people responded to the survey question about sharing your faith in Jesus Christ with others. Nice to know there are some people reading and responding to this blog.

I spent a good amount of the last two weeks thinking about Authentic relationships, which is the sermon topic for this Sunday. (Next subject in our WE BELIEVE series.) I think it would be good to share some thoughts here for your feedback. Also, I want to share my list of what defines an authentic relationship. It will help if you add to my list. And if you do; you may find your comments as part of this Sunday's definition of what it means to offer an authentic relationship to another person.

Authentic Relationships
1. Focus on Others
2. Not easily offended
3. Listen first, speak second
4. Assume the Best
5. Honest/Open
6. Permission to Ask
7. Sense of Ownership

Many of these points are self-explanatory, but I will address a few specifically.
Assume the Best: often I encounter people who are negative about others before they even begin to know them. In my mind, heart, and according to the Bible, I believe we must give an opportunity for people to explain themselves or their actions before we write them off. Communication is tricky business. It has always worked well for me to assume the best from another until I have solid, first-hand evidence of their intention to wound me.

Permission to Ask: Authentic Relationships are filled with both give and take. For some reason today, it is not acceptable to ask for help. You are seen as needy or weak, as a bother. I'm not sure when it happened, but at some point in modern history relationship became one way.
"You serve me."
"You meet my needs."
"You make me happy."
"And if you don't...then I'm leaving."

Maybe it is a result of our loss of community. I feel weird asking my neighbor for a cup of sugar. My mom feels weird asking her children for help chopping wood. Church members feel weird picking up the phone to say, "I'm struggling, help." Have we just lost an understanding that relationships are two-ways, give and take?

Ownership: In general, I see a dis-interest in people among people. There is an increase in benevolence organizations. Interest in Humanity projects is on the rise. But, what about your neighbor? Who is taking interest in the person you live next to, sit next to in a church service, or work with 40 hours per week? An authentic person who is offering an authentic relationship takes ownership of those in their circle of influence.
For example, I received word this morning about a Pastor who is possibly struggling at another church in town. This Pastor and I know each other, in fact, I would say we are friends. Wait; not really. I only talk to him 6-12 times a year. Seldom do our conversations last more than 10 minutes. But we know each other. So what do I do? If I am going to provide an authentic relationship, I am going to contact him and have our 13th conversation. I'm going to take ownership, not leaving it to someone else. Am I busy? Yes. Do I have time to deal with this? No. Am I going to benefit from this outreach call? Probably Not. But see, none of that is the point. I want to offer authentic relationships and be the recipient of authentic relationships.

Why? Because my knowledge of God grows while in authentic community with others. The Bible tells me to "Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace,
along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." ( 2 Timothy 2:22)

God has told me to flee and pursue alongside others who are called by Him.

UPDATE

2009-07-31T10:56:00.001-07:00

It's been several weeks since I've posted anything new on this blog. Took a few weeks off with the family and took a few weeks off from extra writing commitments.
Starting August 30, we turn a corner on our We Believe Series at Hillside to some topics which will require extra writing and research. The theological ideas we will be studying through August and September are too large to handle in one Sunday message. I will be posting more Scripture for you to study and research on your own. Eric

DEITY OF JESUS - Col. 1:15

2009-06-23T10:44:00.001-07:00

I will not have time to cover two very important descriptions of the person of Christ on Sunday: first, the significance of his full title in the Bible: "the Lord Jesus Christ" and second, "the Offices of Jesus Christ."

First, the Bible refers to him as the Lord Jesus Christ. The term "LORD" represents a direct tie to the Hebrew word Yahweh. This is the most reverent name for God in all of scripture. The title Yahweh is considered so holy by Jews even today that the word is not spoken out loud. Usually the name Adonai or Lord is subsitituted in its place. The Hebrew Scriptures left the vowels out of the word because they didn't even want to spell it. This is the name assigned to Jesus by many authors in the New Testament. One declaration of this title for Jesus Christ is in Philippians 2:9-11. This New Testament hymn, probably sung in the church often, is recorded by the Apostle Paul as a clear explanation of the death and exaltation of Jesus Christ. He is elevated to the position of LORD by the LORD.
The personal name "Jesus" comes from the Hebrew name Joshua, meaning "the Lord (Yahweh) is Salvation." It is the name given to God's son by the angel as Mary listened. It is an expression of his humanity. Not that He is only human but that the LORD has taken on flesh in the person of Jesus.
Now, "Christ" is the term that ties Jesus of Nazareth to the Old Testament prophecies about the Coming One. Christ means "anointed one." The term is used often to describe the Kings of Israel and the Prophets as God's anointed servants. Jeremiah 33, Isaiah 9 and 11, all look forward to the Anointed One who will come to bring deliverance and who will reign. (You should check these prophecies out - written 400 years before Jesus)

Second, bridging the teaching of who Christ is and what He came to do is the concept of divine offices. God appointed Jesus to be "Prophet," "Priest," and "King." Each of these terms represent a feature in the mediating work of Christ between our Father in Heaven and Humanity.
The term Prophet means "one who speaks forth." In Israel, the idea became associated with one who speaks for God. It carries with it the notion of proclamation and preaching. This is why people got so excited when Jesus quotes the passage from Isaiah 61, "The Spirit of the Lord is resting upon me..." He was putting himself in the place of filling this prophetic office. Jesus said in another place, "these words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me" (John 14:24) He took the idea of prophet utterance to the hightest level. He is truly the One who speaks for God because He is God.
Jesus also filled the office of Priest. A priest is an individual set apart to represent God to people. In the Old Testamenet, priests offered sacrifices to God to secure divine favor and forgiveness. The book of Hebrews places Jesus in the office of priest, but not as a normal priest who must continually year after year make sacrifices for atonement. Jesus made a sacrifice once for all - His Life (Heb. 10:1-18).
Jesus can also be called a King. He is our Priest, our Lord, and our Master. More than these, however, he is the Triumphant One over sin, death, grave, and eternity. The Old Testament prophecies foretold of one who would unite in himself the functions of prophet, priest, and king. David was promised that his kingdom would not end (2 Sam. 7:16). Isaiah looked forward to an individual on whom authority would rest (Is. 9:6, 9:7) And finally, the Book of Revelation pictures the Lamb of God in the final triumph reigning as King of Kings (Rev. 11:15)

Jesus is amazing! I hope you will spend time looking over these scriptures. I am available for questions if you have any...Eric

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS ON ONE TRUE GOD

2009-06-19T12:06:00.001-07:00

I've had several requests for the information I went over this past Sunday. Too many things to write down all at once. In addition to these notes, I closed the message illustrating the Trinity from Ephesians 1:3-15. Enjoy and happy studying. Eric

Nature
God is Infinite – without limit or limitation.
“But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!” 1 Kings 8:27

God is One – expression of unity
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:4-5

God is Transcendent – above and beyond the universe
“For this is what the high and lofty One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15

God is Immanent – present and active within the universe
“God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” Acts 17:27

God is Unchanging – eternal, faithful, steadfast, promise-keeper
“I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” Malachi 3:6
“…if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13

Attributes
God is Omnipotence – all powerful
“Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.” Isaiah 40:15

God is Omnipresent – everywhere present, not limited by space
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:7-10

God is Omniscient – having infinite, universal, complete knowledge and insight
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. Psalm 139:4

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:27-28

Moral Attributes
God is Good – loving-kindness, faithfulness, mercy
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy…” Ephesians 2:4

“I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us— yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.” Isaiah 63:7

God is Holy – pure, separate from the rest of creation
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16

God is Righteous – he will act with justice
“Now let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” 2 Chronicles 19:7

ONE TRUE GOD - Deut. 6:4

2009-06-10T22:11:00.000-07:00

The Bible never argues for the existence of God (Psalms 14:1). Everyone can know that God exists from what is already revealed in Creation, or what is called General Revelation (Romans 1:19-20). However, to know the nature of God, it is necessary to turn to special revelation, to the Bible. God discloses himself in a variety of ways in the Bible. God reveals himself through Divine Names, Descriptions of His Nature and Descriptions of His Attributes.

In the sermon this week, I will address the Nature and Attributes of God, so here I will list the names of God.
El (Elohim) – name meaning God. Usually connected to God’s creative power and providential care of the universe. (Genesis 1:26, 3:22, 14:18-22)
Yahweh – name meaning Lord. Emphasizing his covenant-keeping ability and God of promise. (Exodus 3:12, Malachi 2:5, 3:6)
El Shaddai – God Almighty (Genesis 17:1)
El Elyon – God Most High (Genesis 14:18)
El Ro’I – The God who sees me (Genesis 16:13)
El ‘Olam – The Eternal God (Genesis 21:33)
El Elohe Yisra’el – God, the God of Israel (Genesis 33:20)
Yahweh-ropheka – the Lord my Personal Physician (Exodus 15:26)
Yahweh-nissi – The Lord my Banner (Exodus 17:15)
Yahweh-shalom – The Lord is Peace (Judges 6:24)
Yahweh-ro’i – The Lord my Shepherd (Psalm 23:1)
Yahweh-shammah – The Lord is there (Ezekiel 48:35)
Yahweh-sabaoth – The Lord of hosts (God’s heavenly name)(Psalm 148:2)
Adonai – Master (multiple times in Old and New Testament)
Attiq-Yomin – Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9, 13, 22)
Qedosh-Yisra’el – The Holy One of Israel (29 times in Isaiah)
Tsur – Rock (throughout the Psalm)
Abba – Father (by Jesus and Apostle Paul)
Melek – King (Hebrews 7)
Go’el – Redeemer (Ruth)
Rishon wa-‘acharon – the First and the Last (rule over history)(Isaiah 44:6, Revelation 2:8)

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS ON INSPIRATION

2009-06-10T08:09:00.001-07:00

There are two important issues I didn't have time to address on Sunday morning: the Infallibility of Scripture and the Canonization of Scripture.

Infallibility of Scripture
This means that scripture has no errors and is not capable of misleading, deceiving, or disappointing us. Or another way to say it; the Scriptures are trustworthy.

Some scholars have challenged the accuracy of Scripture by noting that the Bible says God moved the sun back 10 spaces in 2 Kings 20:11. Or Jesus' reference to the smallest seed among garden plants being the mustard seed (Matthew17:20; Mark 4:31)). However, these references, when read within their immediate context will quickly show that no error is present. In the case of Jesus teaching his disciples about faith, he uses something common to them as an analogy of faith or the amount of faith needed to work with God. Jesus is not stating as fact that the mustard is the smallest seed among garden plants, but rather, the smallest seed in their common experience.

If you find discrepancies in the Bible, then it may be for one of these reason below:
1. Not understanding the verse within its Biblical context
2. Not understanding the verse within its cultural/historical context
3. Confusion over the different dating systems in Biblical times (Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans)
4. Failure to recognize type of literature (ex. Narrative is telling a story, not a legal document for court hearing, so detailed information is unimportant in communicating the message.)

Canonization of Scripture
We believe Infallible Revelation has ended and the Bible is closed. The word Canon comes from the idea in the ancient world of a ruler or measuring instrument. So when we speak of the Canon of Scripture, we are talking about the criteria each book of the Bible had to meet in order to be accepted as Inspired by God. For example, here is the Canonical Rule of the New Testament:
1. Apostolic Authority
2. Universality
3. Contents
4. Inspiration

So how does this work? The Gospel of Matthew was written by Matthew the Tax Collector, a Disciple of Jesus. It was widely read among the early Christian Church. Its contents, theological themes, witness of Jesus is consistent with other New Testament writings. And finally, many Churches in the 1st Century believed the Gospel of Matthew was Inspired by God.

Now apply the same criteria to the Gospel of Thomas, on which the recent book The DaVinci Code is based. It was written by Thomas a Disciple of Jesus. It was not universally accepted by the early church (in fact it was lost for many years). Its contents, theological themes, and witness about Jesus is inconsistent with other New Testament writings and with the Old Testament. There is also little record of church leadership believing it was inspired by God - therefore, it was not received in the Canon of Scripture.

Wow, I love it. These doctrinal ideas really do make decision making easier. I don't have to struggle with popular, modern day ideas that pop up here and there like the DaVinci Code or Mormonism. The Bible is light unto my path. It will answer all my questions.

SCRIPTURE IS INSPIRED - 2 Timothy 3:16

2009-06-03T10:46:00.000-07:00

For the next few months, I want to run through some of the important Doctrines of the Church. We don’t talk about our core theological beliefs very often. I am confident that if I asked most people to name 5 important Christian beliefs I would get blank stares. You may ask, “it looks like the Church is doing fine, so why do we need to focus our time understanding age old teaching (doctrine)?” Great question…the simplest way I can put it is “what you believe determines how you live.”

We don’t believe in ideas just to defend them or cherish them. We believe because in believing we are motivated to live. Columbus believed the world was round so he sailed for the edge of the known world to prove the end would land him at the beginning. England stood against Nazi Germany because she believed it was wrong for Germany to capture her. Likewise, Germany felt it her duty to rid the world of Jews because of belief in an idea. We could spend hours talking about actions people have taken, both good and bad, because of their beliefs, instead let's talk about the first important Christian Belief - Scripture is inspiration by God.

The belief that the Bible is Inspired (Authoritative) is based on the conviction that God is self-disclosing. God wants to communicate with humanity. We are invited to know a God who speaks, to understand what He says and live accordingly. It says in Hebrews 1:1-2, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.”

God has been speaking to humanity for a long time in a variety of ways. There are three main categories to think about when we say God speaks: Through Creation, Through Conscience, and Through Words. We will discuss all three of these ideas on Sunday. The third is most important because of its objective nature and its ability to bring correction in our lives. Paul writes Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…” 2 Timothy 3:16.

However, it is the third category of God’s conversation with us that is often hard to understand and thus believe. We find it agreeable to hear God in creation or through conscience but how does God speak through human authors? And can we trust them? This is what sets Christianity apart from other world religions – the claim of the Bible as ultimate authority.

There are a few misunderstandings about inspiration that I want to identify here because I will not have time in my sermon. First, when we talk about inspiration (God speaking verbally), we are not talking about what has been called Mechanical Dictation. This idea holds that God spoke through human beings to the extent that their individual personalities were suppressed. This is not a correct view of inspiration. We see in every book of the Bible the author’s personality, word choice, and grammar ability. The Bible gives us a little picture of the process of inspiration when it says, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:17-21

This Scriptures speak of the prophet (author) being carried along by the Holy Spirit. The Word’s origin was not from the prophet, but God. He delivered it in writing by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Second, we are not talking about what is known as Dynamic Inspiration. This view claims the Bible is not intended to present absolute truth about God, because God is unknowable. Said another way, the Bible only discloses how we are to live. Again, if we look back at our scripture in 2 Peter, then we find that the prophets did not speak from their will, but God speaks about Himself. Romans 10:14 talks about people believing in God, yet the question is asked, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?” The problem is solved in Romans 10:15 (or the question is answered) - by the preaching of the Word. The Bible is inspired by God to say something about God, so that you and I can know what we are to believe about God and how to live in a way that pleases Him.

Thinking of the Bible as Inspired from this advantage point changes everything. As Christians, we don’t make choices and conduct business through human reasoning (what I think is right or wrong) but through the authoritative Word of God. It is a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105).

In Serbia

2009-05-23T20:44:00.000-07:00

We begin the second day of our mission in Novi Sad, Serbia. The 5 guys I am traveling with have been great team members: flexible and ready to serve others. We have had some good laughs as well.

It has been a joy to see old friends face to face. This is now my third trip to Serbia. It is becoming familiar ground, a home away from home. It is great to see progress. Each time I have come, more of the vision God has given Pastor Sasa is being accomplished. We have come to help finish construction on their new Teen Challenge Women's Center. They are a few months away from moving into the new facility.

This morning (Sunday) we will be visiting the current Women's center. Listening to their testimonies and sharing some of our own. I woke this morning with the urge to pray for any sick among them, so we will make ourselves available for that as well. Watching to see what the Lord does through our and their faith.

I will share with you all the results. Later, Eric

STEWARDSHIP OF HILLSIDE: The Purse - Acts 4:32-37

2009-05-12T14:05:00.001-07:00

It has been a few weeks since updating my blog. I've been fighting off a terrible flu bug, traveling out of town, and helping my wife prepare a mother's day message. And of course, Angela did an awesome job this past mother's day, preaching on ending the spirit of judgment. Why? Because the full weight of that judgment will come to rest on you.

This week, I am back to the subject of stewardship, answering the question, how does God fund ministry? No, the answer is not money. The correct answer is through people giving. Ministry has always been funded by people giving: time, money, prayer, service and their abilities to benefit others for the glory of God. Without people, ministry will not happen on both the giving and receiving end.

I think one of the most beautiful stories on giving in the New Testament is Acts 4:32-37. I challenge you to read it and count the number of times the author uses absolute language such as "all" or "everything". It seems Luke, the author of Acts, wants us to see the outcome of extreme generosity. This is a testimony of a great church, with great people, exercising great giving and experiencing a great measure of God's grace and power through Jesus Christ.

It's the way church ought to be; a life-giving community where people are more concerned about each other than themselves. I watched some great giving at the end of 2008. One family in our church received a used car from their parents and then gave their car to Hillside for another family in need. While this transaction was happening, another family at Hillside received a used car from their brother, so they gave their old car to the same family at Hillside that the first used car went to benefit. Now this family had two cars, so they gave the car to a fourth family at Hillside. If you didn't follow all that: summary - 4 cars were given to four families at Hillside, each family ending up with a better car than they had before. It was trickle down economics for sure. Each family could have benefited from selling the extra car they had in their possession but realizing the blessing they had received compelled them to give away what they had to another. The blessing went deep into our church family. It was fun to watch!

God loves a giving community. The Old Testament Prophet Malachi says, "God will open the floodgates of heaven upon those who give according to God's instructions." Sign me up for that! Oh, there are instructions to follow. I don't get to decide how much to give or how much to serve. I cannot just give out of my overflow or excess. Yes, God has some things to say on this matter. If you want to read on your own, then look at Malachi 3:6-12; otherwise, see you Sunday.

CERTAINTIES OF BELIEF - 1 John 5:13-21

2009-04-15T10:30:00.000-07:00

WOW! This is the last message in this series on 1 John! I can think of no better way to close it than with a sermon titled, "Certainties of Christian Belief."

In these last 9 verses of John's letter, the word "know" is used seven times, and the word "confidence" is used once. I think the Holy Spirit is trying to tell us something. You can know for certain, these things about the Christian Life:

1. You can know you will inherit eternal life, being at peace with God.
2. You can know your prayers are heard by God, and will be answered.
3. You can know anyone born of God will not continue in sin.
4. You can know you are God's child and the world is under the Devil's control.
5. You can know Jesus has come to bring understanding, that you may know Him.

Five guarantees, if you will, for every Christian throughout history. You don't have to wonder, hope, question, or try figuring out where you stand with God. You can have confidence in approaching God because through belief in Jesus you are His child. No good father refuses entry of his children.

There is one confusing part about this paragraph (vv. 16-17). However, this week, I made sense of it. This discussion about sin being forgiven or not being forgiven is actually an example of the limitations of our prayers. We cannot ask for something against the Will of God and expect Him to perform it. Prayer is about lifting our will up to God's Will. We change, not Him. The example here is this: even if you pray for a person who is sinning, if that sin is unforgivable, than there is no use praying, because God will not hear you.

You may ask, out of surprise, what sin might this be? Of course, there is a variety of opinions on this issue. My opinion is that this reference to unforgivable sin finds its root in Jesus' dialogue with the Pharisees about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (slandering the Work of God) (Matt. 12:22-32). An utter disregard for God's grace, mercy and power is not forgivable. Remember, this is only an example, not the point of the chapter. The point of the chapter is that you can approach God with confidence and make your requests known to Him. He will hear you, and will answer you.

How exciting!

1 John: live like Jesus lived, love like Jesus loved, and trust like Jesus trusted.

GIVE ME THE BOTTOM LINE - 1 John 5:1-12

2009-04-08T14:17:00.000-07:00

John writes in these verses about the water and blood of Jesus (v. 7). Over the years, there has been a variety of opinions about what John was referring to in mentioning these symbols. Here are the three common views for Bible Scholars:

1. Some say the water and blood represents the two ordinances of the Church. The water baptism of believers, and the sharing of Communion (or The Lord's Table). These are the only two commands given by our Lord Jesus to the Church.

2. Some say the water and blood imagery points to a confirmation of the Lord Jesus' death on the cross. The soldiers at the crucifixion pierced Jesus' side with a spear and blood and water flowed, which was proof he was dead.

3. Some say the water and blood is John confirming Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God at his baptism and at his death on the Cross, which was a specific false teaching being addressed by John throughout his letter.

Of course, each of these views on the surface seem true and make good sense. Really there is nothing wrong with believing the water and blood referred to by John represents the two Ordinances of the Church (as in view 1). However, the context does not support this explanation. To teach about the Ordinances of the Church you need to go to other places in the New Testament, like 1 Corinthians 11. It is clear from the context of John's letter that he is addressing the miracles of Jesus being both God and man. He is confronting the false teachers' explanation that Jesus became God at water baptism and God left him at the Cross. This, of course, represents the third test - you must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God - only in Him does one have eternal life.

Jesus is at the center of the of the gospel story. "He who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."

DO I BELIEVE - 1 John 4:1-6

2009-03-27T10:23:00.000-07:00

I believe Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully human - the Doctrine of Incarnation. It is easy for me to take a belief like this for granted. First, I seldom fight a battle over this belief. Most people calling themselves Christians accept it as true. Also others in history fought to silence the arguments opposed to this understanding of the person of Christ. Second, I must confess, life is too busy and practical to be bogged down with such a weighty theological matter. I need self-help messages to keep my life headed in the right direction - I need wisdom, not theology.

Maybe you would agree with me; maybe not. Either way, there are huge implications for us who hold to the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Our paragraph for study this Sunday calls us to remembrance about the importance of the humanity and Deity of Jesus. Like a trumpet blast, John calls us to confess our belief is Jesus, "what do you really believe about the one they call the Christ?" The paragraph finds at its center this confession, "Jesus Christ, who has come in the flesh, is from God." It is this confession alone that reveals genuineness about our faith in God and citizenship in his Kingdom.

Why is this doctrine so important? Here are several implications of the doctrine of Christ's Deity & Humanity:

1. We can have real knowledge of God.
Jesus said, "He who has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9) If we would know what the love of God, the holiness of God, the power of God are like, we need only look at Christ.

2. Redemption is available to us.
The death of Christ is sufficient for all sinners who have ever lived, for it was not merely a finite human, but a infinite God who died. He, the Life, the Giver and Sustainer of life, who did not have to die, died.

3. God and man have been reunited.
It was not an angel or a human who came from God to man, but God himself crossed the chasm created by sin.

4. Worship of Christ is appropriate.
He is not merely the highest of the creatures, but he is God in the same sense and to the same degree as the Father. He is as deserving of our praise, adoration, and obedience as is the Father.

5. Help is available to us.
Jesus' intercessory ministry is dependent upon his humanity. If he was truly one of us, experiencing all of the temptations and trials of human existence, then he is able to understand and empathize with us in our struggles as humans.

(Reference Material on Implications of Incarnation: Erickson, Christian Theology. Pp. 703-706)

DO I LOVE - 1 John 3:11-24

2009-03-20T12:04:00.000-07:00

I continue my study through 1 John this week. As I read in one commentary, I was caught by this statement: "Loving everyone in general may be an excuse for loving nobody in particular."

Is this what the Holy Spirit is saying through John in verse 17, if anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?" The one who has, must take note of the one who has not. The blessings from God in our lives must flow to those in need around us. I remember reading a great book entitled Mountains beyond Mountains, in which the author said, "God gives but he does not share, that burden he places on humanity."

So John declares, "love with more than words, but in action and truth."

We are seeing lots of abuse of these principles in our country with the economic hardship hitting everyone. The greed and mismanagement of the financial sections of business are amazing. To many of us, these problems seem huge and overwhelming. Yet, this morning I read in the Napa Register about discussions among our City Council to cut spending on some important non-profits in the City - example: Women's Abuse Shelter. So there are many local ways we can show our love and lack of greed.

Think about this comparison from 1 John: Life doesn't exist where murder is present; neither does love exist where greed is found.

Love has a major emphasis in 1 John three times. Each time the emphasis builds, creating a peak of Love as the ultimate goal for believers. In chapter two, we are to love because Jesus loved and we are to follow the ways of Jesus. In chapter three, love is our way of life because we are God's children and love has been the sustaining force of life since the beginning of human history. Finally, in the third chapter, we are challenged to love because, simply, God is Love. It is the ultimate comparison. Three times in Scripture is God compared so closely to earthy things. God is Spirit, God is light, and God is love.

Our focus for this Sunday is the Primary nature of love (it is from the beginning). Here are some scriptures to illuminate this for you.
First of the Fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22
The Reality of Faith - Galatians 5:6
The Greatest of the Great - 1 Corinthians 13:2, 8, 13
The Keeper from Error - 1 John 2:10
Proof of the Supernatural - Luke 6:27-36

Review these scriptures and add to the list. Come prepared this Sunday to receive God's Spirit of love in your heart.

YOU MUST PASS 3 TESTS - 1 John 2:3-27

2009-03-06T11:59:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe that we are almost to the half way point in President Obama's first 100 days as our country's leader. As many presidents before him, he has accomplished so many things in these first days in office. Every major News Channel in the country is emphasizing the frist 100 days because so very much is at stake. Unemployment has gone up, the financial markets continue to be weak, and industry is still slowing down. Throughout history, we have seen these first 100 days as a test period or indicator of the remaining 3.5 years of an individual's presidency. How will he govern? What will guide his decision making? Who will be the key leaders that surround him? It is test time for President Obama and I believe he knows it. You can see it by the schedule he is keeping - pass or fail - that is the question on the table.

Life is filled with tests. School children confront this tension each week. Nathan started this year the weekly spelling test - oh, that brings back memories (not good ones). Every two weeks most of us are tested in our jobs. You know if you passed or failed by the paycheck you receive. We verify a great number of things each day by test them.

For example: How fast I should drive on the road? I know this by of course the posted speed limit, but also by testing my speed against other drivers. If I am passing more cars than are passing me, then I am probably going too fast. If too many are passing me, then too slow. Testing, testing, testing.

The churches around Ephesus were asking the Disciple John, how can we know we have eternal life? What test can you provide us? We want proof of a relationship with God.

The letter of First John is his answer, in which he lays out three tests:
1. The Righteous Test: Do like Jesus Did
2. The Love Test: Love like Jesus Loved
3. The Belief Test: Trust like Jesus Trusted

We will deal with each of these tests over the next 4 weeks. Will write again soon.

AN ENLIGHTENED PATH - 1 John 1:5-2:2

2009-02-18T12:01:00.000-08:00

I just finished Leviticus on Monday of this week as I’ve been following the Read through the Bible in One Year plan. I have read through Leviticus several times before and my response has always been the same; “Oh Lord, you gave the Israelites so many rules and regulations; how could you expect them to keep all your commands?”

But this last time of reading through was different, I couldn’t get past the word "value". Weird? It seemed like a strange word to describe my reading through Leviticus, yet it was stuck in my head. I think this is what I was really asking, “Do these rules and regulations communicate the high value God places on relationship with His Sons and Daughters?” God didn’t need relationship with Israel. He was not bound to create a pathway for them to fellowship with Him – a pathway toward holiness. He wanted it, and yet by the end of reading Leviticus you believe there is no way to fulfill it. God still thought it was worth a try.

Value. It is the only explanation. God placed a high value on relationship with Israel. In the sacrificial system, I see God creating a pathway for humans to have relationship with Him. He is pursuing us through this whole experience. As more of the pathway is revealed, the problem becomes more obvious: “we are not holy.” The Old Testament plays out this tension. Relationship found and relationship lost, because of an inability to keep the rules and regulations.

Still after a few thousand years of this tension, God places a high value on relationship with humans. This week I find myself studying 1 John and verse 5 says, “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” This is a commentary on the problem between humans and God. We are told in the following verses that our lives are full of sin, which is a parallel statement to darkness. The God of light values relationship with a people of darkness. God is trying to solve this in Leviticus: having relationship with a people caught in darkness, not created in darkness, nor destined to darkness, but simply, powerfully drawn to it. The challenge is before Father God. The value He placed on this relationship keeps Him in the game while still losing the fight for allegiance (obedience). The value increases as history plays on, until out of God’s own heart comes the perfect remedy. John writes with relief, “he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2) God provides His Son, Jesus, so that holiness is achieved apart from human effort. The constant failure (which was Israel’s and is ours) in fellowship with God our Father is eliminated. The pathway of holiness is still lived but now in light of “not that we loved him, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice.” (1 John 4:10)

It is a thrilling Gospel (good news). I am this loved by God? He places this kind of value on relationship with me; on relationship with the world? Yes, and you find it by confessing your sin and trusting in Jesus for forgiveness and cleansing. If you do, it will make your joy complete.

WHY I BELIEVE IN JESUS - 1 John 1:1-4

2009-02-11T10:24:00.000-08:00

Angela and I just finished 4 birthday parties last weekend. We had Andrew’s birthday party at the end of January, about 1 month after his actual birthday, because it is so close to Christmas. Nathan and Seth’s parties were this past Saturday, and then a family party on Sunday afternoon for all three boys.

You may be thinking – no big deal – a few birthday parties. But you are missing a key element to understanding the pressure of birthday parties around the Daniel house. Everything must be thematic. The drinks, snacks, games, and the cake. For example, because Andrew liked to play with rocks and dirt as a baby, the party’s theme was Turning One Rocks. All accompanying party details followed the theme: rock candies, chocolate coated rock shaped candies, breaking geodes, etc. Last year, there was the Star Wars party for Nathan and Andrew with Yoda Soda (yes, it was green and foamy). And this year, I watched or managed (not sure which) 14 boys (8 yrs. old) dashing in and out of the house on a treasure hunt to find lost dog owner, Penny from the new, hit movie Bolt; or was it pennies (each boy received about $2 worth at the end of the race). So my wife is amazing, and I just help.

On Monday, Nathan's actual birthday, the craziness of parties was over so mom and dad could relax at family dinner. We started to remember back to the arrival of our first baby boy at 9AM, 8 years ago. Angela recalled being awaken that first night and shouting with a low voice because of the hospital, “we have a baby.” Of course, as any good father and husband, I don’t remember her saying this, probably slept right through. Labor and Delivery takes a lot out of us guys.

Although I slept through my wife’s reminder of our new baby, it didn't change my excitement because “life had appeared.” We had waited over 2 years and endured a miscarriage before this moment. Life had come. Everything would be different; mainly a new fellowship had begun. Nathan and I would bond; have secrets and dreams, and adventures together. Because life appeared, fellowship began.

As number 2 (Andrew) appeared, and then 3 (Seth), I remember sitting in a couch chair at the hospital with three boys in my lap and thinking about the new level of fellowship. A fellowship I could embrace or reject. It occured to me: the appearance of life does not guarantee fellowship, only the potential for it.

The Apostle John opens his letter to the Churches around the City of Ephesus with similar words of greeting. Life has appeared. Fellowship has begun with Father God. You can enjoy it. We can enjoy it together. Not a guarantee of fellowship, only the potential for fellowship with God the Father as they choose to walk with the Father through the Life He has provided in his Son, Jesus Christ.

This Sunday marks the beginning of a walk we will take through the first letter of John. A letter written with clear purpose: "we proclaim to you...so that you also may have fellowship with us...the Father...and His Son, Jesus Christ." (1 John 1:3) Also at the close of the letter, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:13)

This lead off message is of great importance: Why I believe in Jesus. Because both fellowship with God and eternal life depend on it's answer. See you Sunday.

Study Week

2009-02-06T09:08:00.001-08:00

This coming Sunday (2/8) we have the extreme privilege of hearing from Pastor Bill, who has given his life to preach the gospel to those on the Islands of Fiji. Global Passion Ministries have sent several teams to work with Pastor Bill in Fiji over the years. Every trip is marked by God's miraclous power and provision. Steve, president of GPM, approached me in early December about Pastor Bill coming to the States in February and would I desire to have Pastor Bill share a message from the Lord with Hillside - "absolutely!" We need to hear messages from people who are meeting with God and serving God-sized missions. I trust you will come expectent this Sunday; ready to recieve a powerful word from the Lord.

Study Week - I called this post study week because I have been deep in study; preparing for a new teaching series on 1 John. I am excited to start sharing with you next week (2/15) "The Tests of Life." John wrote this letter to the churches around Ephesus because they struggled with the all-important question: "How do I know that I am saved?"

John sets forth three tests to verify one's salvation - come learn and listen to the test of righteousness, love, and belief.

AIMING AT NOTHING - Matthew 6:24-34

2009-01-28T16:46:00.000-08:00

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?

ENVISIONING 2009 - Habakkuk 2:2

2009-01-21T21:12:00.000-08:00

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

COFFEE BREAK

2009-01-14T20:17:00.000-08:00

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

BUT, "GOD GAVE ME!" - Eph. 2:11-22

2009-01-07T10:51:00.000-08:00

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)

BUT, "GOD LOVES ME!" - Ephesians 2:1-10

2008-12-30T11:52:00.000-08:00

Every month it seems something is in need of scheduled maintenance. Spark plugs need replacing, tires rotated, and oil changed in my vehicle (oh, I have two vehicles). I must have annual doctor visits to maintain a lower cholesterol count. Even my computer needs regular maintenance or unnecessary files will build up; slowing it down. I broke down this past year; buying one of those external hard drives so that we can do less deleting and more saving – something aches inside me – I’m just deferring the problem.

Do you know where I am leading you? Yes, I’m a Pastor; I care about spiritual things. It is true: you need spiritual maintenance. A couple good encounters with people who don’t live God’s way will leave you on the examination table needing repair. The world is a hard, selfish place. The Bible says, “Don’t be conformed to its image.” There must be a good amount of pressure from the world for the Bible to address it so straight up. You may say to yourself, “I don’t need any maintenance; I’m doing just fine.” Maintenance is still needed when we cannot see it. The need for your car to have a four wheel alignment will not be realized until many miles down the road as your tires begin to wear uneven. So it is with spiritual maintenance; you may not be able to recognize your need for a little adjustment now but in a few days, weeks, years, you will be in rough shape. You must allow the Scriptures to examine you, placing yourself under its diagnostics.

One of the primary Biblical texts to study for spiritual alignment is Ephesians 2. I will break it into two parts: teaching 2:1-10 on Jan. 4 and 2:11-22 on Jan. 11. Because I will be walking through the chapter verse by verse, I want this blog to turn a new corner. Here I will provide you additional scripture for further study and thoughtful questions to consider. I welcome your feedback.

Ephesians 2:1-10
This paragraph can be broken into two parts: Life without God (v. 1-3) and Life with God (v. 5-10). They are linked together by verse 4; the answer for getting across the line of life without God to life with Him. Another chapter in the Bible to help illustrate this transfer is Romans 6:1-11.

1. The result of sin is always the same, What? (Colossians 2:13; Romans 5:21, 6:23; James 1:13-15)

2. Will sin always keep you from God’s promises? (1 Corinthians 6:5-11)

3. Who took the initiative to move you from life without God to life with God? (2 Corinthians 5:18)

4. What motivated God to take such initiative? (Psalm 145:8, Habakkuk 3:2)

5. What three words describe the work of God in you? (Note: God does for you what God has already done for Christ.)

6. Think about the meaning of these three works in your life? What is their impact?

7. What is the main point of this paragraph: (Ephesians 4:17-32)

That you are saved by grace through faith.
That you are God’s workmanship, created in Christ, for good works.

TALE OF 3 STORMS

2008-12-17T10:51:00.000-08:00

In this final message on stress, and how it can strengthen us, Pastor Greg and I want to bring you the telling of 3 storms in the Bible. This is important because it give us the ability to evaluate the reason and meaning of storms from different perspectives. All three storms have the same elements: wind, rain, clouds, lightning, and thunder. Each storm creates the same reaction in its participants - fear. A storm is a storm and the effects of a storm are universal - what is often different is the "why"?

"Why am I experiencing this storm?"

Also, every financial crisis plays out the same: loss of income, bills cannot be paid, losing house and reputation, wounded credit rating, etc. However, the reason for the financial crisis can be dramatically different from person to person. I read today in the newspaper about many Jewish families now struggling financially, and not due to their poor choices. They are experiencing financial ruin because of a deceitful money manager, Bernard Madoff. Their financial crisis is for different reasons than the person who lost their job or the person who is being choked by debt because for the past 3 years he has purchased unnecessary toys on easy credit. Each of these financial situations would create feelings of stress. Although the cause of stress is the same, the reason you are in the storm may be for a different purpose. At some point, you must ask the question, "why am I experiencing this storm?"

The first storm to investigate is Jonah's storm (found in the book of Jonah). The second storm is Paul's storm on his way to stand trial in Rome for his belief in Jesus Christ (Acts 27:13-26). The third and final storm is the disciples' storm in the boat with Jesus (Mark 4:35-41). Read up on these before Sunday.

As you look at these three storms side by side, you will notice some similarities in people's reactions. Those individuals who knew God and how to hear God's voice fared much better than those who did not know God or understand His ways. After looking at these real accounts of storms, you will understand more clearly how to face stress, use the 7 identifying questions to give reason for your stress, so that you may surrender your life to God and grow through whatever circumstance you are facing.

Our desire (God's desire) for you is that you be STRENGTHENED BY STRESS.

STRESS: FROM STUPIDITY OR FOR SERVICE

2008-12-11T10:47:00.000-08:00

Pastor Ben here! I’m excited to share God’s word with you this Sunday. Because our time is filled up with a lot of good stuff I’ll make this to the point.

Life is hard, full of stress and life is not all about us. With those two ideas in mind, we can be strengthened by stress. Jesus knows exactly what is going on in our lives because He is always with us...and simply; He is a kind, engaged brother.

I’ve awkwardly entitled my message, “Stress: From Stupidity or for Service” because we are trying to figure out the purpose of our stress. By stress I mean pressure, not emotional turmoil. We need to investigate if our stress is the natural consequences of our stupid choices (I’ll define stupidity as knowing what’s best and choosing something else) or is it God using a hard time to prepare us to serve and minister to someone else.

Here are some of the scriptures we will be studying this Sunday: II Corinthians 1:3-6; Galatians 6:7-10; Daniel 3. See you then.

REJOICE YOU'RE GROWING - 1 Pet 4:12-19

2008-12-05T09:53:00.000-08:00

As I prepare my teaching for this Sunday, I received a phone call from my mother about my oldest cousin's 14 year old son who was hit by a car going 35 mph. Still a day later he is recovering in the hospital with some bleeding in the brain. They are concerned, not sure, is everything working right? They have him mildly sedated so that he may recover quicker. Everyone is worried, hoping, and experiencing a little stress.

Now back to studying about how we are Strengthened through Stress. Wow! What am I going to say. This is one of the real stressful circumstances we face - often calling it a tragedy. The Bible talks about the testing of the heart. These things sure test my heart.

If I believe this event is an opportunity for growth, does that mean God causes these things to happen? No, that cannot be right. I know Romans 8:28 says, "God works all things for the good..." It doesn't say, "God causes all things" but that He works all things. Some things just happen. Why? Because we live in a broken world. At creation, God made a perfect world - a world experiencing perfect balance. We know, because of what I taught last Sunday, that we experience stress when our balanced life is thrown into imbalance. We may say, "I was thrown a curve ball (like your 14 yr. old kid being hit by a car).

God's perfect design was put into chaos when we decided to not trust Him or play by His rules. We decided to eat from a tree that he said would hurt us. We didn't believe. We wanted the story to be more about us; and the rest is history. We allowed sin to enter our environment by not trusting. This caused an imbalance in the systems of the world. Now things don't work perfectly. The Bible talks about the world groaning too deep for words. So on most days, you and I experience the imbalance of our world which causes stress.

The way to grow from stress caused by circumstance meant to test you or sharpen you is to respond in the opposite of what we did in the Garden of Eden. Commit (Entrust) yourself to God and continue to do what is right. God promises to work everything out for those who trust Him.

~Eric

An after-thought: it is hard for me to trust Jesus when I don't like the potential outcome.

VALUING DISCIPLINE - Hebrews 12:5-13

2008-11-24T21:17:00.000-08:00

"Is it discipline?" One of the first questions you need to ask when facing a stressful situation. Often God will allow a difficult situation to blow against your house to discipline you toward maturity. Like a good parent disciplines their child so the Lord will discipline us.

Hebrews 12 offers a perfect picture of how discipline can help us grow in Christlike maturity. The Apostle Paul quotes the Proverb, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

What is interesting about this statement is the word rebuke, which means to expose, bring to light, and proving. This is true of stress - it exposes our weakness and reveals the strength of our faith.

Hebrews 12 uses the template of parenting to describe the discipline of the Lord and this Sunday is perfect to address this comparison because we are dedicating several parents and children to the Lord. Parenting is described by the Chinese as a tension between danger and opportunity. How true. Parenting is a dangrous occuption, the risk of success is huge, and the opportunity is great. I came across 10 tips for parenting this week in my study:

10 Tips for Stress-less Parenting
1. All kids can and do misbehave.
2. There are no perfect kids.
3. There are no perfect parents.
4. Parenting is a short season of your life.
5. Physical affection is therapeutic; give and receive hugs.
6. See humor (somewhere) in each situation.
7. Take a break. Exercise, listen to soothing music, read a passage from the Bible, or enjoy a cup of coffee.
8. Talk to other parents to ease frustration.
9. Overlook some behaviors.
10. Take comfort in knowing that the Perfect Parent (God) is available to help you. He has children who are out of control too.

If you are looking to be strengthened by stress, then you need to ask the Lord to show you how He may be using hardship to discipline you to maturity (don't get stressed out).

STRESS: IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK - Philippians 4:6-7

2008-11-19T10:01:00.000-08:00

We are living in one of the most opportunity-filled times in history. Opportunity - to share the Gospel with people who are stressed out. You know, Gospel simply means - good news. There are a lot of people in need of good news. What good news? - that God can strengthen you through stress. That is good news!

God created you to handle stress. In fact, your bodies react very well to stressful conditions, when you allow it to rest as well. Through this teaching series on stress, I believe God wants to prepare you for effective living and ministry in the coming months. There are several stressful pressures that will try to distract you from good, loving ministry. God is revealing the season to you. Like a good sailor predicting the condition of the winds or a farmer predicting the weather, the Lord wants you to understand how to live successfully with stress, through stress, and around stress. I like what one Pastor said about living through storms, "the key to surviving a storm is to outlast it."

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

The emphasis of the first teaching by Pastor Greg is on changing the way we look at stress. Far from being negative, stress is often the means by which we break new ground spiritually. The key is in viewing God, rather than the devil, as active in our stress. Our point of view on stress will change when we connect with God through worship in the midst of our stress. In this way we can gain God’s perspective, which will then enable us to see God’s purpose and activity in our stress. In short, to be strengthened by stress we must acknowledge God and worship Him in the midst of our stress.

Remember, God is not stressed and He can lead us to experience His confidence and peace.

THE NEXT 4 YEARS -Romans 12:9-21

2008-11-12T11:23:00.000-08:00

While studying and praying this week about the upcoming Sunday, I felt led to change my direction from a teaching on Water Baptism to a teaching on our response to the recent Presidential and National Elections. We are still going to witness the baptism of four individuals. What an awesome joy to witness a person finding forgiveness. Yet given the Election of a New President, Barak Obama, and the passage of several propostions and changing of political power in Senate and the House, I felt it was essential for us to reflect on God's thoughts about our changing environment.
The first statement that comes to mind is one from Jesus, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)
Love. It must be sincere. No Hypocrisy. Love is the most obvious sign of God's presence. "If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to benefit another, but have not love, I gain nothing." (1 Cor. 13:2-3)
My message for Nov. 9, the Next Four Years, is a reminder to take up the most challenging initiative ever given to humanity - "Love Your Nieghbor as Yourself." Romans 12 focuses on both loving people within your circles and outside it. I cannot teach through all of chapter 12 this Sunday; I will only cover verses 9-13. (It would take hours to teach the entire chapter.) There are 10 descriptions of Love given in these 5 verses, which I believe will shape our love toward all people. I will walk through these. It will give us a good start.
This is something we need to think about after Nov. 9. On Nov. 10, you and I will need to start applying verses 14-21 - the expressions of love toward outsiders, so allow me to give you 12 Expressions of Love toward outsiders. Once you resolve to love (from verses 9-13) - are consumed by it, you will find yourself given multiple opportunities to love those on the outside.

12 Expressions of Love Toward Outsiders:
(Romans 12:14-21)
1. Love blessing our Persecutors (v. 14)
2. Love interesting itself in Others (v. 15)
3. Love finding Points of Agreement (v. 16)
4. Love spurning unworthy Ambitions (v. 16)
5. Love consorting with the Lowly (v. 16)
6. Love avoiding Self-Esteem (v. 16)
7. Love refusing to take Revenge (v. 17)
8. Love endeavoring to Attract (v. 17)
9. Love keeping the Peace (v. 18)
10. Love entrusting its Cause to God (v. 19)
11. Love returning Good for Evil (v. 20)
12. Love winning the True Victory (v. 21)

Recongize, I only gave you the second half of this teaching. The emphasis is on being not doing; doing is the result and expression of being. Verses 9-13 focus on being while Verses 14-21 give the doing. God always works from the inside out. Think about it. Pray about it. Looking forward to your thoughts.
~Eric

A GODWARD PERSPECTIVE - Acts 4:23-31

2008-11-12T11:19:00.000-08:00

I started reading through the Book of Acts several days ago. I am surprised once again at the boldness of the newly forming Church to evangelize the world around them. Their lives were totally oriented around the person of Jesus Christ. No cost was too great, no sacrifice too small, in comparison to their desire to follow their Lord & Savior.
As Hillside comes to the close of two very exciting months of pulpit ministry, I was moved to remind us once again how to maintain a God-centered Perspective. There are many pressures trying to move us away from the Heart of Father God.
What will keep us thinking about others first, putting aside personal preferences for the good of another, or sacrificial giving that then enables another to go do the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Without continually reaching toward God's Perspective, we will not maintain a Vision for the Next Generation nor a Passion for Outreach & Missions.

SLEEPING GIANT - 8/24

2008-08-25T20:24:00.000-07:00

God's people are a sleeping giant. The potential blessing, miracle working power, and love ready to be released through the Church is immeasurable. Deuteronomy 28:12-14 is the launching point for this message. God makes some pretty big promises to the Nation of Israel about having great influence in the World; IF they obey. In this sermon, I explore the locked potential of God's people when their hearts are fully devoted to Him. Our role as God's Ambassadors is amzing.