Warning Against Neglecting SalvationTherefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 2:1-4Awake? Paying Attention? What’s going on? Are we sticking to and focusing the message and salvation?If salt loses it’s saltines, it is worthless and is thrown out. (Jesus — Gospel of John)Are these the same two messages? That we need to stick with it, not neglect, and pay attention to what we have heard. It might seem simple, but how often can we lose focus and suddenly we are focusing on something that is not as important as this message from God, as our salvation? I am not even sure we even realize we are doing it, and then we are there…our eyes are focused on something completely different from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as revealed in scripture.Maybe that’s the key. Scripture. Scripture is what reveals Christ, the message and salvation to us. Are we in scripture enough to be focused on those messages? If just for a moment we take our eyes off Christ, we can find ourselves sinking like Peter, or focusing on a class, or a person, or a building, or tolerance, a meal, or a ministry even. When they are our focuses, we are out of focus. Paul said he preached Christ crucified and that was the most important thing. Focus on Christ above everything else. Yes classes, people, buildings, tolerance, meals, ministries aren’t in themselves bad, but they become idols when the focus becomes those things over what the Bible repeatedly tells us to focus on: Jesus Christ and Christ alone.What does that look like today? That solidarity focus? Maybe you are saying that we have to have all these classes, people, buildings, tolerance, meals, ministries to have a successful church. Honestly reading through the Bible, the early church didn’t seem to have much of any of those things. Actually the early church was persecuted to the point of death, and it grew exponentially through the Holy Spirit. So just hear me out…maybe we need more Holy Spirit, more focus on Jesus Christ and salvation. Maybe we need focus? Or is focus a lost art today in a world of “multitasking”? Maybe we need to reinvent the idea of focus and say no to “multi-tasking” and therefore focus on Christ Jesus and Christ Jesus alone. Maybe take a season in life and make that a priority. Make Him (Jesus Christ) a priority and focus on Him more specifically.
A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight
As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man
was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked
what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He called
out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him
and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have
mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be
brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do
for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight;
your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed
Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. Luke
18:35-43
Wouldn’t
life be easier if we were blind beggars? Then, we would know that we needed
healing, right? We would know without a doubt that we needed to see because we couldn’t.
I’m
willing to bet the blind beggar knew he was blind. What about people today? Do
they realize their spiritual infirmities? It is easier to see physical
infirmities. So many of us have those physical infirmities, and we are praying
for healing! God is the Great Physician!
But
what about our spiritual infirmities…can we see those? Do we even realize that
we need healing?
I’m
praying that we might learn to REALLY see as Jesus Christ would have us see. To
know Him, and to see HIM first.
What
does it mean to see Christ? Maybe it means that we take our eyes off ourselves
for a few moments and look beyond ourselves to something greater than
ourselves. Maybe its about submitting, humbling ourselves to a Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. Maybe it means living for Him.
Once
we see Him, let’s work on personally seeing like Christ. To actually see those
around us as Jesus Christ sees them. How do we know how Christ sees them? The
Bible does a good job showing how Jesus Christ sees people, how he sees
religious people, and how he sees those who are in need.
As we have been talking about Worshipping Weekly for two Sundays, I have mentioned Justin Martyr (100-165 AD), an
early Christian apologist. He has a wonderful piece on early Christian worship
dated around 150 AD. This gives us a picture of how the early Christians
worshipped in the first century. The beauty of it is our worship is still very
similar! Isn’t it beautiful that worship in its truest form has not changed
much over the last 2000 years. Yes the music changes, of course, they didn’t
have an organ in 150AD or any type of music that we have in our worship service…But
the basic elements and form of worship hasn’t changed for 2000years! Even
reformed contemporary worship still holds to the basic format of worship from
2000 years ago. Need I say… God is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow and
forever and ever AMEN!
Read how Justin Martyr described worship:
Weekly worship of the Christians:
And we afterwards continually remind each other
of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep
together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we bless the Maker of
all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day
called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one
place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are
read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president
verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we
all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended,
bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers
prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent,
saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that
over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is
sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each
thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succors
the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are
in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers so journing among us, and
in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is the day on which we
all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having
wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ
our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day
before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is
the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught
them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration.
(from chapters 61-67 of Justin’s First Apology
150AD)
“He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30
What comes to mind when you see pelicans flying together? Carter and I FINALLY made it to the beach to chill out for a couple hours the other day. We saw pelicans fly over the ocean as well as above our heads and the sandy beach. On both occasions, the pelican who was initially the leader switched spots with a fellow pelican friend. I smiled, looked at Carter, and said, “That’s what leadership is all about. Our young men and women studies as well as the adult Sunday school class are doing this!!! How awesome is that?”
So often in the work place, churches, bible studies, people get in a routine. Let’s just sit here and let ONE PERSON do all the work. “I’m not good enough.” “I don’t know the Bible well enough.” “That makes me move out of my comfort zone.” “I can’t do that.” “You know more than I do.” “I don’t have time.”
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
James 4:10
I remember the first time I prayed out loud…bright red faced and sweating like crazy. Or the first time I co-taught a lesson for a Women’s Study with a mentor…scared to death, as nervous as I could have been. We all have to start somewhere, right? We all have these “I can’t do it” moments. I have said it many times, “If I, Kristin, were the one leading, I wouldn’t be! God is the One leading through me!” It’s so not about me, it’s about Him!!!!
It’s been awesome watching the baby steps being taken for our Young Adults here at PIPC. Some have found out they LOVED spending time with the youth or children. Or, “I survived teaching Sunday School! That wasn’t bad at all.” Or, “I can read scripture out loud…” “God equips me so that I can glorify Him!!!!”
Boy is God at work, and we love it! We see it all the time, but enjoy when others see it and share as well. Carter and I can’t do it all. We appreciate all who have trusted God, stepped out in faith, and have joined us in leading our children, youth, and young adults! Love you!
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:10
Where are you in the line of pelicans? Are you ready to shift forward? If so, go for it! (I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Phil 4:13) If not, what’s holding you back?
Many of you were praying for us as we jumped on the opportunity to Walk in Jesus’ Footsteps over in Israel and Jordan this summer for two weeks. Stories will be shared here and there in regards to this amazing trip. One that keeps replaying in my mind occurred while traveling the LONG, desert roads of Jordan, where you pretty much saw only sand and dust for miles. We were in the middle of nowhere. As we drove and I gazed out the bus windows beyond the endless miles, I felt God tell me, “Keep on going. Don’t give up.”
Hmmm…why did God tell me this at that particular time? Was it because I was frustrated that my sensitive stomach wasn’t holding up as we travelled? Was it about things going on teaching-wise? Was it because I was having anxiety towards a variety of things going on? How can I do ____? (Many things can fill in that blank.) Was it that I was questioning how I was going to be able to help facilitate another Women’s Bible Study in the Fall? Was it because of veterinary challenges/possibilities? Marriage busyness? Friends and what they are going through? How can I keep going at the pace we are? How can I be this and that and show up here and there day after day? The list and questions continued… I definitely didn’t have the answers then nor was I able to put my finger on the specific reason or worry of why God spoke loudly about this.
What I do know is that God’s word is there to teach us, encourage us, be grasped in truth, and to be the light when we land in darkness. That darkness can be something as simple as confusion, frustration, wanting to give up, etc. Basically anything that pulls you away from God…
Some verses that came to mind were:
It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. Psalm 18:32
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Heb. 12:1
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. I Cor. 9:24
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
My question to you is: where in life are you ready to just throw your hands up? Where do you want to give up? Do you have a favorite scripture verse that you lean on when you hit the “want to give up” wall? Lean on Him. Lean on His Word. Hand over fully any worries or stresses you have to Him. God is with us and wants the best for us! Keep running the race…towards Our Father. If you are praying, why worry? Are we glorifying God through how we respond to situations like the above ones mentioned? I could write on for hours about what all has gone through my mind and still fills my heart from just this one of many “God winks” from this trip. We could venture down many trails of conversation for this one…
Frogs and lizards are both amphibians, right? But they are very different, aren’t they? I am not a
science person, (my wife Kristin is a science person) but I know there are some major differences between frogs and lizards.
Frogs — They have tongues that extend to catch their food as the food “flies” by them. The frogs sit and wait for their food to come to them, and then they fling their tongues out to catch their prey.
Lizards — I actually caught an Anole when I was younger and had him (I just assumed it was a he) as a pet for a few weeks. I went to the bait store, they gave me 2 crickets, and I put them in the cage with my Anole. I was lucky enough to be there and watch as the Anole was running around chasing the cricket. Finally I saw him spring into action and lunge after the cricket and swallow his meal whole. The lizard doesn’t sit around and wait for food; the lizard goes out and hunts his food.
July 20, 2014, I introduced the concept of Frogs and Lizards... Remember, I talked about how, in the Scripture we looked at how Peter and John were frogs, and Phillip was a lizard. Frank and I are the frogs in the congregation...we are seminary trained and people come to us. We teach, preach, and train lizards. You, the congregation, are the lizards, each and every one of you. You are called to share your story wherever you go and to share Christ everywhere. (Acts 8:4 “Those who had been scattered preached the Word wherever they went.”) People who are lizards are always mobile, see people, and go after them eager to share their story. Frogs are not as mobile; they sit and people come to them.
I mentioned that Frank and I are only 2, and the congregation is 460. What’s the difference between 2 and 460? HUGE. Your influence could be great! Think of the thousands of places Jesus Christ can penetrate if 460 lizards of the congregation share Christ wherever they go! It is truly amazing to think about what could happen, isn’t it?
I asked two questions in the service: 1-Is PIPC a congregation full of lizards? 2-Are you a lizard?
What do you think? Are you going out wherever you go...to country clubs, work, civic organizations, on vacation, the grocery store, (you fill in the blank), school, EVERYWHERE... sharing your story and sharing Christ? Our congregation needs to scatter, go out, and share Christ with others wherever we go!
Where are you going next?
Frogs — They have tongues that extend to catch their food as the food “flies” by them. The frogs sit and wait for their food to come to them, and then they fling their tongues out to catch their prey.
Lizards — I actually caught an Anole when I was younger and had him (I just assumed it was a he) as a pet for a few weeks. I went to the bait store, they gave me 2 crickets, and I put them in the cage with my Anole. I was lucky enough to be there and watch as the Anole was running around chasing the cricket. Finally I saw him spring into action and lunge after the cricket and swallow his meal whole. The lizard doesn’t sit around and wait for food; the lizard goes out and hunts his food.
July 20, 2014, I introduced the concept of Frogs and Lizards... Remember, I talked about how, in the Scripture we looked at how Peter and John were frogs, and Phillip was a lizard. Frank and I are the frogs in the congregation...we are seminary trained and people come to us. We teach, preach, and train lizards. You, the congregation, are the lizards, each and every one of you. You are called to share your story wherever you go and to share Christ everywhere. (Acts 8:4 “Those who had been scattered preached the Word wherever they went.”) People who are lizards are always mobile, see people, and go after them eager to share their story. Frogs are not as mobile; they sit and people come to them.
I mentioned that Frank and I are only 2, and the congregation is 460. What’s the difference between 2 and 460? HUGE. Your influence could be great! Think of the thousands of places Jesus Christ can penetrate if 460 lizards of the congregation share Christ wherever they go! It is truly amazing to think about what could happen, isn’t it?
I asked two questions in the service: 1-Is PIPC a congregation full of lizards? 2-Are you a lizard?
What do you think? Are you going out wherever you go...to country clubs, work, civic organizations, on vacation, the grocery store, (you fill in the blank), school, EVERYWHERE... sharing your story and sharing Christ? Our congregation needs to scatter, go out, and share Christ with others wherever we go!
Where are you going next?
Walk in the footsteps of Jesus...
We’ve just spent the best part of the last two weeks walking where Jesus physically walked. WOW, what an experience! If you have never walked in the footsteps of Jesus, I encourage you to put it on your “Bucket List.” I’ve been told by a few people that they really want to go but couldn’t make it this year. We will share about our trip sometime and you can see pictures and get excited about the next time we take the trip. Hopefully, you can plan to join us then.
We walked in the footsteps of Jesus, but it isn’t the most important thing to do actually. Walking where Jesus walked doesn’t mean much if we aren’t walking WITH Jesus. We walked in the physical place, but without spiritually walking with Christ, there isn’t much meaning to the trip. The goal this year at PIPC is to be “Like Christ” and we have set up eight disciplines that help us become like Christ. Who can remember what those eight disciplines are? How are you doing with those eight disciplines? Are you growing and becoming more like Christ by committing to those eight disciplines? If you are... You are walking in the footsteps of Christ in your life, which is what we are called to do as Christians.
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| Recommitment of Baptism in Jordan River |
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| Mt. Carmel 1 Kings 18 |
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