Not Surprised-When God is God-Playing Religion

Another hindrance to the growth of the church is what I would call Religiosity. There are people who at some point in their lives became associated with the church by going through the motions of what their denominational system required. For some this includes infant baptism and confirmation, others walking an aisle to pray to accept Christ and later be baptized, still others being born in a faith and following the decrees of the church. You can debate the validity of these paths if you like, but the fact is that no path guarantees that a person actually become a born-again, Holy Spirit filled follower of Jesus. In fact Jesus said it this way…

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21 NIV

In every church there are those who have jumped through every hoop and completed every ceremony, but seemingly have no idea what it truly means to be “in Christ”. For them, church attendance becomes their weekly dues…but don’t ask them to pay more than is required. Church better not run long, and the music better not be loud, the youth pastor better keep the teenagers quiet, and…well you get the picture. Again, it is easy to see how having too many religious but not born-again attenders can slow the growth of the church.

During my first few weeks at a new church where I pastored, a couple approached me and commented that the services seemed to be running longer since I came to the church and they wanted to know if this change was going to be permanent. I explained that we had extended the services 15 minutes to allow for more worship and creative elements. They announced that this would be their last Sunday at the church, that church was “supposed to be an hour”, and they would be transferring a church that had services that lasted an hour.

I could give countless other examples, but really this attitude comes down to one prevailing thought, "what's being offered for me?" Worship is supposed to be the offering that we bring to God, not something that is offered to us by God or the church. Who would really want to be part of a church where people were focused on what they want all the time?

Not Surprised-When God is God-Competing Priorities

It is interesting that the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against the church, but some homegrown apathy and half-hearted commitment can bring it to a near standstill.

Why?

While there are many factors that have contributed to the decline of the American church and it would be impossibly difficult to really nail down one particular cause, let me suggest a few over the next few days...

Competing Priorities

We live in the busiest culture on the planet. We rush from one commitment to the next. Too many people simply feel overwhelmed and struggle to prioritize what is most important in their lives. As a result, their personal relationship with God and church attendance falls somewhere in between soccer practice and the new season of The Walking Dead.

When Jesus called the disciples, He didn’t ask them to see if they could make some time to fit Him into their busy lives. He called them to truly “follow” Him and make Him the prevailing priority in their lives.

Jesus stated it this way when addressing the crowds…

Then He said to them all: “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23 NIV)

Some take this to mean that their entire lives must become centered around religious activity, but I think Jesus is saying that our commitment to Him and God’s word should be the prevailing priority in our lives. From this one commitment, all other priorities will fall in line with God’s will and desires for our lives.

For example, a thirty something who is married with three children who has made following Jesus the prevailing priority in his life would understand that developing his relationship with Christ is his prevailing priority and that from that would follow being the best husband and father he could be. This would be followed by his career, his friends, his hobbies, and more. (This is the same for a wife and mother.)

However, the average thirty something makes his career and providing for his family his prevailing priority. In juggling this pursuit, he tries to make time for his wife and children, his friends and hobbies, and also church and spiritual matters. Invariably, church and spiritual growth get swallowed up by the tyranny of the urgent of work deadlines, soccer practice, etc. Church attendance with his family is sporadic at best as is any Bible study or prayer. When this family does come to church on any given Sunday, they are detached from the body life and have little to no excitement about being there. (Again, same for a wife and mother as well).

As this becomes more of the norm than the exception, it is easy to see how church attendance has suffered and how excitement is at an all-time low in some churches .The church always suffers with competing priorities.

Not Surprised-When God is God-Part 1

On Sunday morning December 7, 1941, Japanese planes approached Pearl Harbor in Hawaii for a daring attack on the American naval fleet that was anchored there. The Japanese purposely attacked when they did because they knew the naval base would be slow to wake up on a Sunday morning. The result was catastrophic…in less than 2 hours more than 2500 people were killed, 1000 more wounded, 18 ships were damaged or destroyed and nearly 300 planes were lost.

As word quickly spread across the country, the nation was in shock. How could this have happened? There was an immediate cry for a declaration of war and retaliation. While the general public was shocked and surprised, those within the military and government had been keeping a close eye on the Japanese movements for months, even years. They had feared an attack but couldn’t predict the time or place.

The truth is the Japanese were simply acting according to who they had become, a war-mongering nation of fanatical zealots who would obey the emperor’s wishes at any cost. In the decade preceding the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese had untaken a plan to conquer and control the entire Pacific rim. The Japanese Army raped and pillaged their way through China, Korea, Burma, the Philippines, and much more. It was only a matter of time before they would have to engage hostilities with the United States. The Japanese were simply acting according to the nature, who they had become as a people. Pearl Harbor was a wake-up call for the United States who would no longer be surprised by an attack from the Japanese.

Big Surprise

In many churches today, I am afraid it has become much the same scenario. Sleepy congregations meet each Sunday morning going through the same motions they went through the week before. There is little to no expectation that anything exiting will happen in the service, much less have God show up in His power and turn the place upside down. Unfortunately, if something amazing did happen, many people would be irritated that the service ran long or that they were taken out of their normal routine.

Progressing alongside these attitudes has been the steady decline of the American church over the past few decades. Is it any wonder that church attendance is declining in general when so many supposed followers of Jesus view anything out of the ordinary as an inconvenience or annoyance?

For many churches across our country, new people rarely visit, few ever inquire about salvation, even fewer commit to Christ or are baptized. (In fact, current statistics say that around 6% of churches are growing...thank God for these churches and that Bethany Church is one of them!!) The few that do are simply the children of those who have attended in decades past. So when a new couple visits with their children or someone seeks counseling for salvation, many congregations are surprised. It is sad what the church has been reduced to in these days.

The church about which Jesus told Peter…

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18 NIV

has become something else. It is interesting that the gates of Hell cannot prevail against the church, but some homegrown apathy and half-hearted commitment can bring it to a near stand still.

What are the real reasons for this? We will look at this tomorrow...

Unbelievable Transformation-A New Family

Saul's Unbelievable Transformation...

• included him in the body of Christ who provided PROTECTION for him.

But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall… He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him.30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. Acts 9:25, 29-30 NIV

As hard as it might be to believe, the church proved itself to be the extraordinary body of Christ in that it accepted a known murderer and terrorist into the fellowship. In contrast to the judgmental and condescending attitude of the Jewish priests and governmental leaders who were focused on retaining their power by any means necessary, the followers of Jesus understood that it was the by the grace and mercy of Jesus that they had life. How could they who had been forgiven much, turn away Saul who had also been forgiven much?

Because of Saul's education and knowledge of the scriptures, he was able to preach and debate with great power and authority. Those in the churches of Damascus and Jerusalem were able to understand that more was st stake than just one man's life. Saul had great potential to change the world and spread the gospel wherever he went. So it was the church took in a man forgiven by Jesus and made him part of their family. I imagine that this may have been just as transforming to Saul's heart as everything else that had happened. The followers of Jesus were truly different!! When the time came, they believers there in Damascus saved Saul's life and protected his ministry for the years to come.

• was a POWERFUL WITNESS of the transforming power of Jesus.

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. Acts 9:31 NIV

I suppose it is an obvious result that the church would grow when the most notorious opponent was converted. With Saul now away in Tarsus at a spiritual "boot camp" of sorts the church moved forward with little opposition. I also believe that there were those who trusted Jesus because of the testimony of Saul. Possibly some thought "If Jesus can save Saul and change him the way we have witnessed, then I will surrender to Jesus as well!" There is far better testimony than a life lived well for Jesus!!

What about my life? Your life? Is it possible that others are drawn to Jesus because of what they see in us?

Unbelievable Transformation-Hard to Miss

       As we continue to think about Saul's amazing transformation after his encounter with Jesus, let's consider two more things we see in Acts 9:20-31.

Saul's Unbelievable Transformation

• couldn’t be IGNORED by those who came in contact with Him. 

All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. Acts 9:21-22 NIV

Because Saul was such a public figure and because he had made such a name for himself opposing the church and the followers of Jesus, people were understandably surprised when he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus truly was the Messiah. Not only were they surprised by this, they had to have been "astonished" by the compete change in Saul's attitude and demeanor. The change in Saul was so pronounced that it simply could not be "stepped over" like one would step over a log laying across a trail. Saul's growing testimony for Jesus just couldn't be ignored.

What about our testimony for Jesus? Can others see Jesus living in us or would others be surprised if we told them we attended church, and read the Bible, and were a followers of Jesus?

• provoked a STRONG REACTION from those who opposed the church. 

After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. Acts 9:23-24 NIV

As you can imagine, those who traveled with Saul to Damascus were none too happy about this change in Saul. He was the reason they were there and he was their leader and now he had become a traitor!! It is not too hard to believe these same men went to the Jews in Damascus and provoked them to rage against Saul. As the days and weeks passed and it bcame obvious that Saul was not only sincere but also an amazingly powerful preach of the gospel, it should come as no surprised that Saul would now make the "hit" list. How ironic that the very man who traveled to Damascus to persecute the followers of Christ and destroy the church would become a wanted man himself for the exact same things!!

Do we provoke a strong reaction from people in our lives because of our passion for Jesus? Have you been rejected by your family, friends, coworkers?

Saul was "on fire" for Jesus and whole world took notice and watched him burn...but some burned with anger!!

Can the world see our fire for Jesus?

Unbelievable Transformation-The New Has Come

Yesterday we considered Saul's immediate and complete transformation that occurred after his conversion on the Damascus road. But the truth of his transformation was more than just earthly...something supernatural had literally changed the fabric of who Saul was.

Saul, who later became known as Paul, reflected on the significance of this change in 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV...

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Notice 3 things that Saul received at his conversion..

He received...

1. a NEW POSITION.

After his encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road and his conversion, Saul was immediately adopted as a son into God family. We see this truth in John 1:12-13

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Saul became a child of God with all the rights and privileges that come with being a part of God's family.

2. a NEW PERSONALITY.

Prior to his conversion, Saul was simply Saul, driven, obsessed, filled with bitterness and rage. However, when he was filled with the Holy Spirit, his entire personality changed. As he surrendered his will to the power of the Holy Spirit, his life began to reflect the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23...


But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

People must have been amazed at the radical change in Saul's attitude and demeanor...what a true change it was!!


3. a NEW POTENTIAL.

Before his conversion, Saul was one of the most important men in all of Jerusalem and Israel for that matter. He was a true leader and a visionary for the Jewish faith. Once Jesus won his heart, he humbly became one of the most important men in history. The potential he received when he surrendered to Jesus was limitless!


If you are "in Christ" all these things are true of you as well. Did you know that you have received a new position in God family, a new personality that reflects the Holy Spirit, and a new potential to make a kingdom impact for eternity?

Unbelievable Transformation-The Immediate Change

Unbelievable Transformation is the seventh message in our series "Unbelievable" leading us verse by verse through chapters 5-12 of the book of Acts. 

Unbelievable Transformation is really part 2 of our message from last week (Unbelievable Conversion), detailing the unbelievable conversion and Transformation of Saul into the Apostle Paul.

Looking in Acts 9:19-31, we emphasized 5 important characteristics of Saul's transformation.

Saul’s Unbelievable Transformation…

    1.  brought about an immediate COMPLETE CHANGE in Saul.

Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. Acts 9:18-20 NIV

Saul was no ordinary man; he was one of the most influential leaders in all of Israel. Saul was a leading Pharisee and was a member of the Sanhedrin, the 70 member ruling body of the Jewish people. He had made an even greater name for himself as he "breathed out murderous threats" against the church and the followers of Jesus. He was literally on a campaign of murder and destruction when Jesus met him on the road to Demascus.

When Saul got to the outskirts of Damascus, he was suddenly dazed by a blinding flash of light. As he fell to the ground, he heard a voice: “Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me?”

He said, “Who are you, Master?”

“I am Jesus, the One you’re hunting down. I want you to get up and enter the city. In the city you’ll be told what to do next.” Acts 9:4-6 MSG

At this moment, everything changed in Saul's life. Blinded by the encounter, Saul spent 3 days fasting and praying. His whole world had literally been turned upside down...this Jesus who he was convinced was a conman was really the Messiah.

I believe that God looked at Saul's passion and said "there's a man who could change the whole world." One problem...convincing Saul that he was wrong. I am convinced this is why Jesus chose to directly intersect Saul's life. To Saul's credit, after meeting Jesus on the road, he changed his mind completely and, with the same passion he persecuted the church, he began to preach the gospel.

This change was immediate and complete. Saul had a wealth of knowledge about the Old Testament scriptures so he was able to preach with wisdom and power beyond any of the disciples. He wasted no time doing it.

What about you? Have had a personal encounter with Jesus? How did it change the way you think and the way you live? What does God see when He looks at your life? 

The Great Promise-Struggling with Doubt

Sometimes the historical accounts in scripture leave so much up to our imaginations. The account of the life of Abram is no exception. This past weekend, we took a close look at Genesis 15 where we find Abram seemingly doubting God's promises.

The chapter opens with "After these things...". This is an important detail for the story. What are "these things"? The answer is found in Genesis chapters 12,  13 and 14. In these chapters, Abram flees to Egypt to escape a famine in the promised land to save his neck, lies that his wife is his sister to save his neck, parts ways with his nephew Lot to save his family's neck, and then has to go on a military campaign in to order to save Lot's neck from the kings of Sodom.

Apparently all of this "neck saving" rattled Abram to his very soul because chapter 15 opens with God speaking to Abram "Do not be afraid Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward."

This is one of those places where we need to read between the lines of scripture. On first glance we are more drawn in by Abram's complaints than God's attempts at calming his soul. To me though, I am more deeply touched by God insistence in trying to calm Abram's fears. Abram's heart was gripped with fear and he was paralyzed by the thought that maybe he had heard God wrong.

Can you relate to this? I sure can. I can look back on more than one season where fear and uncertainty dominated my heart. It wasn't logical or rational, I knew the promises of God to be true, and yet I was traumatized by the panic that can come by asking to many "what ifs". I can attest that once this cycle gets started, it is hard to stop. I think that is why God's gentleness with Abram's heart speaks so deeply to mine.

Abram was seemingly stuck in an endless cycle of fear and doubt and doubt and fear. God simply (in not so many words) says, "Calm down Abram. I've got this. I am more powerful than your doubt. You can trust in Me."

Do you need to hear this today? Lately have you found yourself stuck in a cycle of doubt and fear?

Put your name in this statement, "Calm down ___________. I've got this. I am more powerful than your doubt. You can trust in Me." Let God speak this to you now.

Go back and read over Genesis 15 and let God's words to Abram speak to your heart today. Let God be your "very great reward."

The Great Call-What have we missed?

As we continue to think about this great call that God placed in Abram's life, we have to remember that have many advantages that Abram did not have. 

Each morning, we can make a cup of joe, open our Bibles and journals, and draw our hearts close to God through prayer an scripture meditation. As believers living in the golden age of the Holy Spirit, we have the Spirit who speaks to us "teaching us all things". When we need spiritual guidance and counsel, we can easily make a phione call or meet with someone who has walked with God much longer than we have.

Now let's consider Abram. He lived before there was any written scripture at all. We know that Moses wrote the Torah (The first five books of the Bible) and Moses lived many generations AFTER Abram. Although God had spoken to men who lived before Abram (namely Noah), It had been since the garden of Eden that God had walked in relationship with His creation.

Yet, here was Abram dealing with a profound voice from an unseen God calling him to leave everything he knew and to follow His guidance to a land of promise. 

I can't speak for you, but in many ways I envy Abram. He may not have had the Bible, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, or the benefit of spiritual mentors, but Abram spoke with God Himself.

Because none of these things were available to Abram, the scriptures teach that God appeared directly to Abram and spoke deeply into his heart. What an amazing experience that must have been!!! If you doubt it, just consider the results.

God appeared to Abram and called him into a deeper walk of faith and trust in Him. The scriptres tell us that Abram believed so strongly in God's call that he responded with obedience and lefy all he knew to journey to a new land filled with God's promises.

I imagine that Abram looked forward to His meetings with God and wondered when God would appear to him next.

We don't have to wait or wonder. We have God's word, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the time and availablity to seek God everyday. 

Do we make the most of this or do we waste our opportunities each day by being unfaithful to spend time with God each day? What have we missed because we haven't been faithful to spend time with Him each day?

If it has been a while since you talked with God, why don't you spend some time with him right now?

The Great Call-Return to The Lord

As we dive into this new sermon series, I want to start us off with one simple question...

What has God created you do to in life? What is your calling? 

One of the existential question every person struggles with in life is: why am I here? What is my purpose for living?

For those who don't have a relationship with God, who don't walk with Him...this question can be very intimidating, even depressing. But for those of us who have surrendered our heart and life to follow  God's plan for us, there is a clear answer to this question.

Jeremiah 29:11 is a much-loved passage that has been memorized throughout the ages...

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

This passage was written to the exiles in Babylon who believed that their hope had been crushed and that they had no future. Notice what God says in the peceding verse 10...

This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 

Because of their idolatry and unfaithfulness to God, they had suffered the consequences of their sin. Jerusalm was destroyed and they were prisoners in exile on the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Babylon. Even so, God still had a plan for them as a people, a plan to bring them home an to prosper them as a people.

Maybe you can identify with the Israelites. Maybe you are paying the consequences of some unwise choices and maybe you feel that God will not give you a second chance. Maybe you had a dream once, but that was too long ago and so much has happened. But notice what God says next...

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” 

Regardless of our past choices, of our current place in life...we can call on God and He will bring us back from our place of disobedience.  But that is the key...we must seek God with all that we are if we wish to be restored by His grace and mercy.

Then we can shout " Here I am God, what have you called me to do?"

Do you need to call out to God today? Do it right now and let God bring you back from your place of captivity onto His path for your life.

New Sermon series starts this Sunday!!

This Sunday, we are beginning a new sermon series called "Meant To Be". 

"Meant to Be" is a three week series about relationships, our relationships with God, our mates, and each other.

Week 1-Meant to Be Alive-exploring our relatiosnhip with God

Week 2-Meant to Be Together-exploring our relationship with our mate

Week 3-Meant to Be Loved-exploring our relationship with each other

To get started for this coming Sunday, begin to think about the following questions.

Are you the person God created you to be and meant for you to be?

Are you living life to the fullest...are you truly alive?

This Sunday is also "Jersey Sunday"...wear you favorite NFL team's jersey to service this week.

See you soon!!

Pastor Mark