Movement at the Speed of Light

Flanders on Salvation

2010-09-29T16:32:00.003-04:00

This week at the Movement Campus Church we continue our series The Gospel of Ned Flanders, by building upon the contrast of Christian vs. Secular worldviews. In this sermon we will tackle the all important doctrine of salvation.

The Day after Babel
Religion has always been a little wacky. All religions share a common origin in confusion, the day after mankind was spread from the fertile crescent. From that point on we have been struggling to contextualize our relationship with God or gods, depending upon the perspective. But there is one element that survived the collapse of the tower; the feeling that mankind must earn the favor or grace of the gods.

Christian Mythology?
As long as there has been a combination of weather, natural disaters and blonde haired women, the result has produced the idea of sacrifice and mythology. In this capacity we are tempted to join with the atheists and proclaim religious insanity. My rationality is simply not prepared to accept throwing a person in a volcano, much less feeding Anne Darrow to King Kong. And yet, while many "enlightened" Christians would scoff at the idea of appeasement of the gods of Mt. Olympus, they share many of the same human religious characteristics.

First, like the ancient Greeks, they recreate God in our own human image, sharing in our knowledge and playing by our rules. Moreover, they have exchanged the ideas of collective interaction with God for a personal relationship. (Zeus no longer zaps with lightning bolts, that is God's job during the tribulation.)

The end result is no different from Babel. The focus is placed on us instead of on God. To pacify an angry god we offer sacrifice, to please god we offer worship, and to move a lethagic god we offer service. Our focus becomes what can we do for God, instead of what God has already done for us.

Our lives become thinly veiled failures of a reality that "we are none good, NO NOT ONE."

This is the nonChristian-Christian worldview presented in the gospel of Ned Flanders. It speaks the truth in frustration that no matter how hard we try, we can just not reach that standards of making God love us through our religious works. Many a faith has died along that journey in the knowledge that our sacrifice is always blemished and eternally unacceptable.

Enter the Gospel
The Bible presents an alternative view of christianity, as it speaks of salvation in terms of what Jesus has already done on our behalf instead of what we must continue to labor to accomplish for him. It illustrates the long lost relationship of God and man as a father to a son. It reveals that as a father loves his son in spite of his failures so also does God to those whom He has adopted through His spirit.

Hebrews 9:11-14
But when Christ appeared as a high priest, then he entered once for all into the holy place, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls sanctify the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve God.

The Movement Campus Church Fall Schedule!

2010-09-24T12:36:00.002-04:00

Welcome the Movement Campus Church.

All services are held at Krannert Auditorium in the Kranner Business School Building on the Purdue Campus in West Lafayette, IN.

Weekly services are held at 1pm.

Semester Sermon Series: The Gospel of Ned Flanders

Friday,Sept 10th- Kickoff Tent Revival with Rev. Aaron Arrowood and Rev. Robert McManue.- 8pm Memorial Mall Lawn

Sunday,Sept 12- Opening Service- Flanders: Jesus

Sunday.Sept 19- Flanders: The Ministry

Sunday,Sept 26- Flanders: The Church

Sunday,Oct 3- Flanders: Salvation

Sunday,Oct 10- Special Guest Speaker

Sunday,Oct 17- Flanders: The Christian Lifestyle

Sunday,Oct 24- Flanders: The Christian Man

Sunday,Oct 31- No Service Special Holloween Party

Sunday,Nov 7- Flanders: The Christian Woman

Sunday,Nov 14- Flanders: The Christian Family

Sunday,Nov 21- Flanders: The Christian Calling

Sunday Nov 28- No Service- Thanksgiving Break

Sunday Dec 5- Final Service and Series Conclusion- Flanders: The Kingdom of Heaven

*For midweek activities please Contact Scott Wilkinson @ 765-490-5212

Flanders: The Church

2010-09-24T12:15:00.004-04:00

When World-views Collide

This semester at the Movement Campus Church, we have been comparing and contrasting two ideological world views, both within the context of Christianity. A world-view is simply defined as the context or way in which an individual sees the world. The first, what we call a NonChristian Christian world-view, is an ideology developed by secular people to define and redefine Christianity for the mainstream conception and consumption. In contrast, we are studying a Biblical world-view, an ideology developed by first century men writing under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, to define Christianity from generation to generation, unaffected by cultural shifts or changes.

Representing the two conflicting ideas are the gospel of Flanders, preached by the writers of the Fox sitcom "the Simpsons" which has been redefining all aspects of Christianity since 1987. In comparison we find the Epistle to the Hebrews, writer unknown, which defined all aspects of Christianity since the mid first century A.D., when it proclaimed,"Jesus Christ- the same yesterday, today, and forever."

In the past two weeks we examined the Christ found in the gospel of Flanders vs. the Christ presented in the Hebraic epistle. Christ therefore being the Good Shepherd, in the second week we studied the role and the responsibilities of the shepherds (the ministry) in religion, the relationship between God and man. This week we will study the relationship of the husband to the wife, as the war of words focuses in on the bride of Christ, His church.

Please join us on Sunday September 26th, at 1pm in the Krannert Auditorium for an hour of Campus worship.

Flanders: The Ministry

2010-09-15T13:51:00.004-04:00

This week at the Movement Campus Church we continue our series The Gospel of Ned Flanders. Building upon the contrast of Christian vs. Secular worldviews, we will be examining distinct definitions of the Ministry with the help of Rev. Timothy Lovejoy, "Presbamethodist" pastor of the First Church of Springfield and its faithful saint Ned Flanders.

Religion Saves?
We begin with the question of the importance of religion. Increasingly today, the worldview among Non Christians and Christians alike has moved toward religion being irrelevent. The common battlecry for this coming generation is "Everything is Spiritual," the argument that spirituality has replaced the need for religion.

Religion Kills?;
Since religion has become little more than mere zealotry and pumped up legalistic ritual, the worldview of many people argues that religion must be replaced and its institutions destroyed. But is this worldview of Christianity Biblical? What does the Bible say about the role that religion in salvation?

Hebrews 3:1-2
Holy brothers, who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house.

The writer of Hebrews speaks of Jesus Christ and His work of salvation for us in religious terms. He calls Jesus our High Priest who works diligently in God's House. Why then would we need a high priest if religion is worthless routine? The Biblical answer is evident: Religion does not save us, the process of religion keeps us saved.

There is no point in a high priest if there is not a lamb; likewise their is no point in a lamb without a high priest to make intercession over and to perform the sacrifice. Jesus Christ was both our Lamb and High Priestt! The role of the ministry (religion) is therefore pertinent to salvation. Paul echoes this while he writes to the Romans saying, "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God... and how shall they hear without a preacher?"

Herbrews 1:5-6
Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify, but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if we hold fast our confidence.

Jesus perform the priestly duties in Christians who are the temple of the Holy Ghost. He perform daily intercession, sacrifice, and cleansing in his imperfect vessels. The daily submission to religious oracles keeps our confidence in the lamb's sacrifice on Calvary.

Without Calvary's lamb, none will come to salvation. Without Calvary's High Priest's daily ministry, none will come to salvation.

Religion Loves
Many will argue that ministry has been used to steal, kill, and destroy. That actions or deeds done in the name of religion have made the world a worse place. We do not deny this, yet Biblically we find multiple definitions of ministry along with stern Godly rebukes towards those who would corrupt its heavenly intentions.

Please consider joining us Sunday as we unpack the role of ministry, especially if you feel that ministry has been: manipulative, greedy, judgmental, ecumenical, or hypocritical. We will discover together that the ministry that is faithful in the example of Jesus is none of these things the gospel of Flanders claims it to be in the secular worldview. Instead it is "absatively posilutely" the opposite:

Hebrews 4:14-16
we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God. we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The Gospel of Ned Flanders

2010-09-09T10:47:00.008-04:00

Satire and Allegory:
We are all a part of a bigger story. Our lives are characters on the stage of life, each of us a different part to play. The irony lies within our mindset: that each of us play the leading role in this cosmic performance, we all play the star.

We are in a comedy. The Director of this play has a sense of humor. He weaves together all aspects of performance with delight; irony, parody, allegory, and satire. The Apostle Paul says in his letter to the Corinthians, "it pleased God to confound the wise with folly, with the foolish things of the world."

But deep into the third act, the actors lost the plot, lost the sense of humor with which our Director created, wrote and designed us into existence. Christianity may be guilty of an ab-libbed performance. We have forgotten our lines or even worst rejected them as insufficient to the play itself.

There was a scene in Act Two, when Christianity was the driving force in art and lifestyle. A time when we spoke the words of creation in the image of our Director. Instead of re-creating our own Christian label, (safe harbors apart from the vile and wicked humor of "stand in" performers), it was Christians who set standards of cultural development and societal pursuits. Now we have been "Left Behind" and humorless, interacting only amongst ourselves, each the most self important part to play.

God intended our worldview to be communicated by humor and story. Instead we rewrite our part to communicate it with ritual and fear. Allegory is understood only through preaching points and satire is often rejected all together (we have lost all ability to poke fun at ourselves). The church, with all of its solemn piety, just doesn't get it. They didn't understand Dante even when he named his epic poem Divine Comedy nor do they understand that Ned Flanders (of the Simpsons) has become one of the most important voices of Christian worldview in our society today, far more influential than any single pulpit or ministry.

Ned Flanders,the annoying neighbor and supporting character in the globally popular American sitcom "The Simpsons", is written to be the embodiment of American Christianity. Through his character, non-Christian writers present a Christian worldview, they are painting a portrait of what it means to be a Christian.

At the Movement Campus Church, this fall semester, we will be studying the Gospel of Ned Flanders verses the book of Hebrews. We refuse to be afraid of using humor and satire to communicate the gospel of the One who created it. We will examine the difference between the Bibles definition of following Christ against the the accepted societal normative of Christianity. We seek to reclaim our Director's voice in the presentation of His performance, our story.

All My Children: Outrun Your Past?

2010-07-23T13:32:00.004-04:00

A dark past begins somewhere, unfortunately it often in childhood.

The scars left from childhood wounds are not addressed adequately behind the pulpit and lectern. Far too often we expect the infilling of the Holy Ghost and the waters of baptism to change an individual once and for all. While it does cleanse of all sin, only continuing in the Word of God, prayer, and church unity will hinder the scars of the past from reopening.

Genesis 25:24-28
And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, [there were] twins in her womb. And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac [was] threescore years old when she bare them. And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob [was] a plain man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of [his] venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Many people today are struggling to deal with issues that occurred during childhood. Absent fathers, disinterested mothers, self absorbed and hedonistic families...the list is never ending. These grown up are mere children lost in the struggle of favoritism (Daddy and Mommy Issues), sexual, and physical abuse. These things, when done at a very early age, become a foundation of personality and the rest of their character development is built upon this shaky sand. I know this to be true from my own personal experience in dealing with a family divorce.

God uses people to accomplish His will on earth. Why then does the church often leave these "scary" issues to the psychologist couch? Maybe because we believe salvation is complete in Acts 2:38 and not when we cross the threshold of Heaven. Acts 2:38 is not the cure of sin, it is the first and only effective treatment. Acts 2:38 is the plan of salvation... the labor in building the house has only begun.

The Bible speaks of "many being defiled by the root of bitterness". Bitterness is backward looking and thinking. We, as pastors, ministers, and lights to the world, must deal with issues of the past, instead of naively believing them to go away gently into the night.

In Jacob's case, the past was a name that was given to him at birth by a disinterested father.

The definition of Jacob's Name: leg puller, heel.

Contrary to popular teaching, Jacob's name does not translate into thief or liar. Instead, every time someone called his name, he was reminded how he was second in line, how he came up short. In short, he was reminded of a failure in childhood. Isaac exacerbated the name by showing favor to the older son Esau, the son in whom he had more in common. (How many fathers today are guilty of the same sin of favoritism? Mistaking an interest in sports or cars or hobbies to be the measure of their sons' character)

Worse yet, Jacob lived up to the name given to him in childhood. He was a leg puller so he might as well live up to the reputation and get what little was coming to him. What a fine environment for the root of selfishness and bitterness to thrive.

Jacob's Selfish Mistakes:
1- Tricked Esau out of his birthright
2-Stole Esau's blessing

The Past- Your Weakest Link

Jacob's Past Returns
1- He was tricked into marriage of Leah instead of Rachel. (Karma?)
2- His home life was not much better than the one he fled in Canaan as he constanly dealt with quarreling and thieving wives and sons

Leah and Rachel had a war over Jacob that extended to their children. Leah begin to name her children according to Rachel's barrenness.
Jacob continued the cycle of favoritism as he sent other sons over the river before Rachel's two children Joseph and Benjamin. This decision would eventually get Joseph thrown into a pit.

Never mistake a chance in surroundings and situation to be the solution to a painful past. The only way to overcome the past is to face it down in the present.

Genesis 32:24-29
Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What [is] thy name? And he said, Jacob And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. Jacob asked [him], and said, Tell [me], I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore [is] it [that] thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.

In the end, the past reveals us to be both perpetrators and victims of our own devices. Like Jacob, we are left alone, weak, and fearful.

But God's covenant for Jacob (and for us) is that He will never leave nor forsake. He will be there: past, present, future. It may be time to wrestle against your greatest weakness. Don't expect it to be a quick match. It took years to lead up to all night. The battle may leave a limp. But in Jesus we will emerge victorious.

Bold and Biblical: All My Children

2010-07-21T16:17:00.005-04:00

God is in the business of doing the complete opposite of human instinct, logic, and intuition. He uses the foolish things to confound the wise, the weak things of this world to overcome the strong, He delights in death to reign in life.

It delights God to use broken, weak, and incomplete people to bring about His perfect will on earth as it is in Heaven.

God is a covenant maker... While He will not break His word or take away from it He does add special and personal promises to each and everyone of His children based on the relationship He has with them. One such child of God was named Jacob.

Genesis 28:12-15
And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I [am] the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I [am] with thee, and will keep thee in all [places] whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done [that] which I have spoken to thee of.

Jacob was very self-aware. Every story the Bible records about Jacob, from the very moment he was born, is tainted with selfish intentions.

He was a man that had faith in the promises of God to come true, only his faith was less in the power of God to fulfill prophecy, and more was in the power of Jacob to accomplish it. The covenant God made with his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac was well and good but Jacob needed something with his name on it, and there was nothing that was going to hinder or get in his way.

Jacob's faith in himself led into very dark situations. It put scars on him that would resurface in the worst of times. Yet God infused Jacob with confidence to lead him down the ultimate path of surrender. The extension of God's covenant is that Jacob would never be able to outrun God. He would be with him every step and misstep along the way.

Dynasty: Covenant Ceremony (Pt. 2)

2010-07-16T11:28:00.005-04:00

God is leading us on a journey of faith, just as He led Abram. He has promised to travel with us from the beginning, continuing through every battle scar and every pain.

Make no mistake: this is a journey of perfection.

Such a long journey every child of God must make. From enemies of God(faithless and fearful) into adopted sons and daughters in the family of Jesus.

Those among us who struggling with faith as Abram struggled; realize that it does not disqualify any from the family of God. Instead it justifies all. In your weakness, His strength is made perfect.

Romans 8:15 says we have not received again a spirit of fear but a spirit of adoption whereby we may cry Abba Father.

The Great News! We can do nothing to void God's covenant! Instead let us become the strength of God in faith by coming boldly unto the throne of grace! And we shall find that God will add promises earlier thought impossible. God will add to His covenant and never take it away. Come expecting and believe!

Genesis 15:1-6
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I [am] thy shield, [and] thy exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house [is] this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the LORD [came] unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

The Ceremony

Runaway Bride
Each of us struggles with different issues, for some it may be faith as it was with Abram. But a realization must be made through confession that any weakness cannot break God's covenant... Only the willful decision of the bride can break God's covenant, and cancel the wedding ceremony. In short, you are a no show, leave God at the altar of His eternal covenant. We break the covenant by not coming to the throne of grace, not showing up to the wedding ceremony. Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you. There are no excuses, only doubt.

But for those who will not be deterred from a relationship with God; we must enter into the covenant marriage as the bride of Christ.
Two things will happen as happen in most marriages.
You will receive a new name and a new covenant/vow.

New Name:
Genesis 17:1-7
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I [am] the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, As for me, behold, my covenant [is] with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

God accepts Abram scars, wounds and all. He accepts him as he is, and includes Hagar and Ismael in the covenant. The promise now includes that Abram changes his name to Abraham the father of many nations and not just one. The journey from Abram to Abraham had many ups and downs but in the end, God's covenant remained as oringal as the day it was given and so much more. This is how God welcomes people into His family, by imparting His name unto them in the waters of baptism.

New Covenant:

Genesis 17:9-10
And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This [is] my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

Finally a covenant, like a wedding vow, must be exchanged. It takes two parties to enter into a covenant. A vow to change, a vow to forsake but be performed at the altar of repentance. Before the spirit fills up and we are become new. A relationship that began in faith is made perfect in obedience. An invitation for all people everywhere.

Dynasty: Covenant Ceremony Pt.1

2010-07-14T16:00:00.003-04:00

For better or for worse.

In sickness and in health.

In weakness and in strength.

It is divine irony that we think of faith and Abram synonymously, better yet it is an outright testament to the grace and power of God.

Faith was not Abraham's strength... It was his weakness that was disciplined into his strength. We return again to God's mysterious plan of using weak people to promulgate strength. (2 Cor. 12:9). As the family of God continually illustrates; the weakness/thorn in the flesh will be turned around to become our strength in the end.

What Happens in Egypt Doesn't Stay in Egypt

Genesis 16:1-4
Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name [was] Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

Abram's weakness originated in his reliance upon himself and logic instead of God's mysterious plan. (When ye think ye stand, take heed lest ye fall).
What may people call faith, God calls sin and doubt.
Abram made two damning mistakes:
1- He listened to the voices around him instead of listening to the voice of God.
2- He put his faith into the hands of his own works/actions (he attempted to help God help him)

But the root of doubt began some where else... An overlooked mistake years before. It didn't start with fornication... It started with a lack of faith in Abram's surroundings. God's original covenant was based upon leaving his country and family and going into a land that God would give him... Abram obeyed and dwelled in Canaan. But like so many of us, Abram must have expected it to be a peaceful process from the inception of the call and obedience.

Famine, family and circumstances were not supposes to be part of the promise.
And in an ultimate weakness Abram left the promises of God and went into Egypt.
Self preservation is a powerful factor.

Abram was allowed through grace to return into God's covenant and promises... But it was not without bringing baggage with him. Many people have testimonies of the redeeming ability of Jesus in their lives but they also have outward scars of the missteps along the journey. Sometimes wounds heal and other times they fester.

Hagar was an infection to God's plan.

When we are called out of darkness into the light of Christ we must stay in the light as He is in the light and let the blood of Jesus cleanse us of all sins, scars, and wounds. If not they will be our weakness and point of venerability.

Still: Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Shall scars or deformities? Disease or wounds? Mistakes or faithlessness?

Nay, in all this weakness, our God says I do.

Bold and Biblical: Like Father Like Son

2010-07-12T15:02:00.002-04:00

Like Father Like Son
It is not by coincidence in God's backward plan that a fatherless and homeless man Abram would be called to become a dynasty...

The last resort is often the most likely possibility.

First, Abram was old.
Second, Abram's wife Sarai was also old and barren.
Third, Abram had no true heir and therefore his parenting skills were lacking greatly. He had no practice at being a Patriarch... Because He wasn't born that way.

Genesis 12:11-13
And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou [art] a fair woman to look upon: Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This [is] his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. Say, I pray thee, thou [art] my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.

Abram was a man just like us. The false notion that God needs perfect people to prepare His will on earth is a great force for evil in the world. This idea that perfection or goodness is attainable is downright demonically inspired and has 'shut up the kingdom of God' for many people. Just because we say that Abram was faithful doesn't mean that he didn't struggle with faith. In truth, the Bible paints a darker, faithless portrait of Abram, one seldom illustrated in our Sunday School manuals.

Before Abram could become a father of many... he needed to become a husband of one.

If a man's heart desires to be in the family of God, he must learn first how to be a husband (this includes me in a month or so...).
Abram was old but he wasn't blind, he could see that his wife was still good looking. But he couldn't see that his plan for protecting her was dishonest, lacking in the faith of God's protection, and downright selfish to point of self preservation as his ultimate goal.

Abram was more willing to lose his wife than lose his life. He thought he was protecting the promised dynasty but instead was protecting his own hide.

Most unfortunately, this action set a dangerous precedent for Abram's continuing life and marriage. Sometimes mistakes are far more costly to leaders than they are to followers. Husbands must remember this when making decisions on their own. One decision can reflect the way your relationship with your wife will develop.

Genesis 26: 6-7
And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:
And the men of the place asked [him] of his wife; and he said, She [is] my sister: for he feared to say, [She is] my wife; lest, [said he], the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she [was] fair to look upon.

Fathers remember your children watch and mimic your actions and decisions. They may seem too young now but a child remembers the strangest things. A children may speak hatred with their lips, but dependence with their action. Parents are the biggest influence on their lives. Don't be physically or emotionally absent in parenting. If you are cold spiritually don't cry to the church when your children are as well.

Abram made this maddening mistake twice in his life and it should be no surprise that his son Isaac, his legacy, his dynasty followed suit with the same mistakes.

Protect your covenant, not just at church but also at home. Protect the promises of God no matter what situation and back alley following after them may take you.

You will become a dynasty of something, it may one of faith and obedience or one of sin.

Bold and the Biblical: The Covenant

2010-07-08T16:27:00.001-04:00

The Bible is all about a covenant not about a group of dispensations.

As Christians in the 21st Century Church we must wake up and realize that God has made an Everlasting Covenant with each one of us.

From the very first moment the mankind (Adam and Eve) disobeyed God, we call this the fall, we weren't good anymore. But instead of swift and utter destruction and judgment, God met man with an everlasting covenant that applies always and forever.

Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

This covenant, the promise of a coming Messiah that would redeem the human race from their sin, was offered thousands of years before the birth of Jesus, yet under no circumstance can time erode away God's original and eternal covenant with our father Adam. There will be times in our lives when Satan, sin, and life itself snip painfully at our heels, but God has promised, ordained, and spoken, that Christ on Calvary and Christ in us has overcome this world. We are more than conquerors through Christ, who has placed all things including the head of Satan under His feet. It is time for the people of God to wake up from the slumber of doubt and awake to a new world where all things are possible with God.

God is not a liar, He does not, will not break His covenants. This covenant, this promise is for you and for your children.. And to all who are afar off, even as many as He will call.

God is a covenant maker... While He will not break His word or take away from it He does add special and personal promises to each and everyone of His children based on the relationship He has with them. One such child of God was named Abram.

Genesis 12: 1-3
Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Abram was called to be first... Most people also would like to be first, the status symbol and the power. Abraham is considered the father of all three major monotheistic religions- Judaism, Christianity, Islam. Most want to be first. Called and covenanted like Abram to become a Dynasty. No one wants to be called last. But here is the perfect and perplexing part of God's plan: He says that the first shall be last and the last shall, be first. Jesus tells a parable of the workers that are called but an hour before the end of the work day- yet all received the same wages as those called in the morning.

Whether God has called you to preach, teach, cook, or clean... We all receive the same reward. It is about waking up our faith and when God makes a covenant to accept.

Dynasty: The Bold and the Biblical Week One

2010-06-03T15:41:00.002-04:00

It has been about two weeks since my last post. I hope that everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. I had a wonderful time with family boating on Lake Keystone in Mannford, Oklahoma. It was a wonderful start to a very busy summer that will include a heavy dose of sermon series, weddings (My brother and my own), and overall preparation for the beginning of a new life with my wife to be Dacia...

Week One: Dynasty

Isn't is a bit strange how God chose to save the world?

Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians, in the first chapter, speaks about the foolishness that is preaching, he talks about the folly of the Cross of Jesus and how it is a stumbling block to the intellectual, military, and logical minds of the world. Paul in this portion of Holy Scripture comes the closest, I believe, to shedding even the smallest bit of light on the will and totality of God's eternal plan.

God is in the business of doing the complete opposite of human instinct, logic, and intuition.

He uses the foolish things to confound the wise, the weak things of this world to overcome the strong, He delights in death to reign in life.

Paul had to learn this conclusion the hard way as he prayed three times for God to remove 'a thorn in the flesh' as he called it, only to have God's reply to be that in weakness His strength is made perfect.

What does all this apply to Matthew chapter one? It answers the question on the lips of every single human and it reveals an error in the practical understanding of God' Word and eternal plan.

It delights God to use broken, weak, and incomplete people to bring about His perfect will on earth as it is in Heaven.

The people of the family of Christ were both Heroes and Villains of the faith simultaneously. Their lives resemble the most dramatic of soap operas... But shortcomings would not hinder them from coming boldly to the throne of grace.

I am aware that these two statements fly in the face of 20 years of Sunday School, and 50 years of pew dwelling. Abraham was 'The Father of the Faithful'! David was a 'man after God's own heart' and a perfect worshipper of God... These are the types of men and women that God calls, uses, and befriends. These are the men, the bloodlines, of whom God, birthed the Savior into this world. And all we are today are fragile children with limited faith, striving to be like our father Abraham, with less power, less faith.

The reality of the situation could not be more opposite. To this generation, God has sent His Holy Spirit to turn the world upside down. With us here, today, the power of the Holy Ghost grants us the power to lay hands on the sick and see them recover, to say to any mountain or obstacle, Be removed and be cast Into the sea. The book of Hebrews speaks of the heroes of the faith, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their exploits... But then it continues to speak of nameless eternal followers of Christ, whose faith is greater than there names, who shut the mouths of lions, 'of whom the world was not worthy!

This my friend can be me and you... While our names are not written in Matthew chapter one, they can be written in the Lambs book of life.

Learn from Biblical characters, their triumphs and their defeats, their success and failure. They are an example but not your goal. God used them in spite of them and how much more will He use you in spite of you?

In the family of God we find men lacking faith, liars, cheaters, men who slept with their daughter in laws, that's just the beginning. We find, heathens and strangers, adulterers and murders, and prostitutes... We find bad fathers, bad mothers, disobedient sons and daughters... We even find a man with a thousand wives... This alone should make you feel better about you situation

God likes a dysfunctional family... And that is precisely why He is trying to adopt you.

The Bold and the Biblical

2010-05-13T15:14:00.005-04:00

We are excited to announce a new summer series (Sunday mornings June and July) entitled The Bold and the Biblical.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

This series will follow the first chapter of Matthew through the soap opera genealogy of Jesus Christ, revealing the strengths and weakness present within the family of Christ. Our point is that God uses imperfect people to bring about His perfect plan of redemption. Our application is that if Jesus invited Murders, Liars, Prostitutes, and Heathens into the earthly family of Jesus, there is then no fault or sin that should keep anyone from the heavenly family of God!

Sunday June 6- Dynasty: The Sins of the Father (Abraham and Isaac and Jacob)
Sunday June 13- All My Children: The Past Always Catches Up (Jacob and his 12 sons)
Sunday June 20- The Days of Our Lives: Imperfect Praise (Judah and Tamar)
Sunday June 27- Another World: Strangers in the Midst (Salmon and Rahab, Ruth and Boaz)
Sunday July 4- Passions: (David and Uzziah's Wife)
Sunday July 11- The Young and the Restless: (Solomon and Rehoboam)
Sunday July 18- One Life to Live: (Hezekiah and Manasseh)
Sunday July 25- Never to Young: (Amos and Josiah)

If you have any ideas or input, please let me know throughout the month of May.

The Wikipedia Effect: WikiFaith

2010-05-11T12:48:00.004-04:00

WIKIFAITH… 'Always Searching, Never Finding'

The promise of the world is the grass is always greener on the other side, there is a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow that never ends… Continual access is given to limitless information that never runs out. We create new, fast, powerful search engines… to satisfy our desire for endless information. Keep clicking on the search engine, eventually a justification or a result will come along.

Searching is not longer the task it is become the point… finding is optional.

We are becoming a wikireligion lead by wikifaith on a wikijourney. We have become obsessed with constant searching, obsessed with the fantasy of something new.

'We have become the church of search'- Bro. Paul Mooney.

Wikifaith is placed in what lies ahead… not in what has already been established.

Isaiah 28:7-12
7. But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way ; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.
8. For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.
9. Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
11. For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
12. To whom he said , This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest ; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

The good report is the world filled with people actively searching for answers… people of every nation, creed, and tongue are searching. The bad news is that searching is all that a wikifaith can offer. Isaiah prophesied that people would err through wine and strong drink… they would become drunk and intoxicated on searching for some high, some enlightenment. Insomuch that their religion would compare to binge drinking and drunkenness. Isaiah reveals they will turn to their spiritual leaders, (priests and prophets) who will lead them on old paths, disguised as new. But these are the same paths of searching on which many a previous traveler has tread.

The end result: Many are called but few are chosen. Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction. The world will become an unclean place filled with of the vomit of broken dreams and marriages, the filthy stains of endless searching.

But straight is the gate and narrow is way that leads to life everlasting. Knowledge and truth is revealed to those who seek with the purpose to find!

We have been given the spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost.
At the end of searching is a resting place… to dwell in the Holy Ghost. We end our search at the foot of the cross, finding in Jesus our ALL in all! Do not exchange reality for an experience… but find your answer, your rest!

Blog One: Wiki Gospel
Blog Two: WikiTruth
Blog Three: WikiChurch
Blog Four: WikiJesus
Blog Five: WikiFaith

The Wikipedia Effect: WikiJesus

2010-05-05T13:06:00.004-04:00

The neutrality of this article is disputed. Please see the discussion on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until the dispute is resolved.

WIKIJESUS… 'Not Authoritative'

Wikipedia is not allowed in any university or high school in America as an academic source.

It simply does not carry the accuracy or authority required of a quoted source. Yet this little factoid does not stop over 2.5 billion people a month from using Wikipedia, many of them multiple times. People don't need authority or accuracy because we have become their own authority for their own life and hate any claims that challenge our own perspectives. Life dictates that we still need daily flow of information, we just want it on their own terms. We need a Jesus... but the biblical character is too absolute, so we have created a WikiJesus.

Simple Solution?

Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 13:8-9
13. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
14. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

The spirit of Antichrist is in the world today

The WikiJesus is very strange and ridiculous, yet has ascended as the dominant view of Christ in the world today. Its this idea of a weak minded, effeminate, crybaby Jesus walking around hugging, kissing, and loving everyone. The idea is that Jesus came to justify sin through association with sinners and not through His sacrifice on the Cross, the idea that justification is based on His words instead of His actions. The WikiJesus throws ideas at a global dartboard of problems to see which one sticks. He gives options, lessons, suggestions for living a better life. He carries as much authority as you, me, or the text books for anatomy class we neglected to purchase. But we keep Him around because we enjoy His love, His lack of requirement, and His social opportunities and constructivist tradition.

This is a fable, a farce of the real Jesus as the gospel of Matthew records:

Matthew 7:28-29
28. And it came to pass , when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29. For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Jesus taught with all the authority of God. He taught with the urgency of the kingdom of heaven being at hand. He taught with the passion and fervency of saving the whole world. He wrote our faith… and He finished it on the cross. It requires a man to be scourged and nailed to a tree without crying out, not the work a life coach. It takes a man, a strong husband to endure undeserved shame for His bride the church's infidelity.

In a world of change… Jesus never changes. In a religion of changing doctrines as diverse as the wind, Jesus stays the same, yesterday, today and forever. He is the authority of this world, at His name every knee should bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord.

Which Jesus do you follow? Does He come with a label like this one:
The neutrality of this Savior is disputed. Please see the discussion on the talk page. Please do not remove His message until the dispute is resolved.

Blog One: Wiki Gospel
Blog Two: WikiTruth
Blog Three: WikiChurch
Blog Four: WikiJesus
Blog Five: WikiFaith

A Video is Worth a Thousand Pictures

2010-04-21T04:07:00.004-04:00

Philippines Dispatch 3- Purity, Everywhere and Always

2010-04-19T18:47:00.005-04:00

Purity: Everywhere and Always

Once again, early morning greetings from the other side of the world. I pray that your Mondays were as good as mine and from my vantage point Tuesday is going to be much better. Your heard it here first.

It is political season in the Philippines (elections are May 10th) which means street arguments, party brawls, and above all political flyers teeming by the millions. It is no exaggeration to say that every available square inch of wall has been covered by political flyers proclaiming their candidate as the one who loves the poor and aims to destroy all the corruption of government (it seems the FIlippinos have been paying attention to their American cousins). For a country that is struggling to provide jobs for a vast majority of it's work force- it sure seems they have plenty of pesos to spend on politics. Politcal flyers as far as the eyes can see.

But there is another flyer that hang on the far wall of an outdoor gym at the East City Secondary School in Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro.

It simply reads Purity: Everywhere and Always.

What a stark contrast to the flyers of pride, corruption, and greed that choke the rest of the country.

It is here at the North Mindanao Summer Youth Camp that students from all over the region have poured into the rented school property. Student from as far as 350 kilometers (a tremendous distance in an island nation) have come to worship, sing, and experience Jesus together.

I arrived at last nights opening concert to the hustle and bustle of campers and parents trying to settle into their dormitories. At first glance it would appear to be any other Monday at any other UPCI campground in America. At first glance...

The boys all stand in semicircles, their hair spiked and gelled to the imperfect perfection, their demeanor of "I don't care" screaming loud and clear despite their casual and frequent glances in the direction of the girls... Just to make sure they are still watching them. The girls in turn play their part in the Pentecostal mating game, wearing their Sunday best in spite of the scorching heat that lingers on after thte fall of darkness.

But it is here that the similarities begin to dissipate. Now I remember the old Indiana campgrounds fondly... And I have scars to prove it. I remember the days before the sanctuary or dorms were air conditioned, before the new cafeteria, before the adjustable basketball goals. I am among the chorus that knows what a 5 day camp sun burn, heat stroke, and frozen shower experience feels like. But as bad as we had it back in the 80's and 90's, it pales in comparison to our Philippine brothers and sisters.

To begin, the price of registration is 200 pesos per camper (1 dollar = 46 pesos so the price is roughly $2.20 for the four day camp). This sounds very cheap for an American but it is the maximum amount the cam staff can ask for the average camper to afford (registration does not include food). The camp staff spends the weeks before e camp sweating out the finances of renting the facility (4 day rental is about $300), hoping at enough campers will show up to alleviate the costs. There was a tremendous sigh of relief amongst the staff when nearly 500 campers registered.

As I wrote earlier, the food is not included in the price of registration, innovative as they are, e camps staff has set up a makeshift cafeteria under a borrowed Coca-Cola tent, for the children to buy meals for around 10-15 peso per meal. Last night I dined with the campers to a traditional meal of pork stomach lining and pork fat, a piece of fried fish, and of course a helping of rice. It makes the "panfakes, facon, and feggs with sunny d" a delicacy of epic proportions. (I would love to eat and Indiana Camp frito boat right now).

The concert began and the student stormed the gym. The first 300 hundred of them found a seat... The unlucky two hundred or so are forced to stand (tonight we are expecting maybe 700 with visitors). The staff could only afford to rent 300 hundred chairs on their stretched thin budget.

After a few hours of worship songs, featuring IBC... And the appearance of the drama with the life house song with a Filippino Jesus holding Hell's demons at bay ( some of you know exactly what I am talking about)... It was time for the campers to return to their dormitories... Er classrooms. The dorms are the classrooms of the school that they are renting. The children sleep on the school tables and the hard concrete floors with whatever bedding they had room to bring on the buses and Jeepneys to get to the camp.

It was heartbreaking to see.

It a world of ministry that values hip, cool, and groundbreaking as the model for growth, these students lead the way to the heart of Christ following after the Spirit, meeting in fellowship, joining together in worship.

It is so old school that I predict it will become new school.

It really is all about Jesus... Not just in phrase but in deed.

And in a world marked by poverty and corruption, the banner of Purity: Everywhere and Always stands tall and clear. Now that is being salt and light in the world.

IBC Heroes

2010-04-18T19:41:00.006-04:00

Good Morning from Mindanao,

My sleep schedule is improving... Last night I stayed up to the wee hours of 8pm and woke up at 5:30 am (which is sleeping in by jet lag standards). If this continues I can expect to be fully on Fililppino time just in time to return to the US. Thank you everyone for your prayers and well wishes.

Yesterday was exciting in Iligan City. I preached in the local church, pastored by Frank Tameta (of whom I have affectionately nicknamed Tomato). Service was beatiful. It began with 8:30 Sunday school. With the aid of jet lag this wasn't such a problem but it is still not an idea that I would bring back to America.

After teaching a youth class of almost 30 students on the importance of baptism in Jesus name, the main service was underway. Well over a hundred people poured into the sanctuary under a tin room. Just as the first song began, rolling brownouts caught the city, causing the lights, and much to my chagrin, the fans to immediately sputter out. You could feel the temperature rise and it wasn't just the heat... After a small delay, a car battery and cables were produced which spit out just enough power to blast the keyboard and bass. Song after song filled the cramped neighborhood area, located around the church. (If you are a neighbor of the church- you would never miss a service especially when the microphones are on... Talk about taking the message to the streets).

Unlike my previous mission experiences, I recognized almost every song the worship team was singing. They were all contemporary worship songs but then I realized- they were all IBC songs (more on this later). After the worship service, prayer for the sick, and offering- the entire church cam forward to shake my hand and welcomed me to preach to them- talk about a confidence builder (this is an idea that I would like to take back with me to the states).

The remainder of the service was divinely anointed as people from the front to back shed tears and fell on their faces before the Lord. I preached myself into a puddle. But then again that is pretty typical of me even with air conditioning, this time I enjoyed an excuse.

After the service had concluded it was time for pictures. More pictures than a wedding party. Filippino people love pictures with white people... I empathized with animals in a zoo. But what really caught me off guard was a question by a few of the music team members.

"Do you know Alicia Hudson?" one of the young girls asked in a thick Filippino accent.

After deciphering what she said, I responded, "Well yes, I suppose I do."

"Oh, I just love her," she replied, "But my friend loves Jessica Petty more. They are our heroes. Did you sing with them when you went to In-gee-anna Bible College?"

I have never wished that I was into music ministry more. Here I was soaked from head to toe in sweat, 10,000 miles from home losing points because I can't tell the difference between a half rest note and a whole.

"We love all the songs that IBC sings and we watch them all online (the most recent CD they owned was 2007)," she continued.

Later in the day, it hit me what an impact that IBC has on the world that goes completely unnoticed, whether it is an unknown graduate that plants a home mission church in South Dakota to an IBC Praise singer inspiring a young Filippino girl. I have had critical things to say about IBC in the past, but you cannot overlook the enormous impact it makes on our world.

What IBC lack in formal education standards (accreditation) it makes up for in the opportunity it gives each of it's students. The opportunity to become a hero of the faith.

Now before this becomes a commercial for Indiana BIble College (I wasn't at the Allumni Banquet by the way), it's not just IBC or any other Apostolic Education Institute- it's the empowerment of today's Apostolic youth to follow after the spirit and take ownership of the gifts and talents that God has created them with.

It's Chad Thomas who has a burden for intervention ministries... Something much needed in Apostolic circles.

It's Corey Taylor who loves UFC so much that he started a blog, scored a major interview with "the Fight Pastor" and had e opportunity to see and report the undercurrent of Christianity spreading through the sport. (for more info search Fist to Mouth)

It's Jaydee Johnson who is on her seemingly 100th tour of West Africa missions.

Today's heroes are tomorrow's legends. Tomorrow's heroes are today's students.

We can be heroes... Follow your God given passion not your human creativity.

Dispatch from Illigan City, Philippines

2010-04-17T19:09:00.002-04:00

Greetings from a wearied traveler,

After a 20 plus hour flight, a 12 hour time zone change, and two restless nights of jet lag... I am happy to report that I have reached the area of my final destination. It is scorching (100+) from the moment the sun rises- sometime around 5am- I know cause I had breakfast with the sun the last two days. The preachers joke here that they have two seasons in the Philippines, Hot and Hotter, April is the in the latter.

Illigan is a busy city on the sea with bountiful harvest of seafood; last nights dinner was calamari, sweat and sour chicken, and fried chicken. While certainly and eclectic mix, it was tasty and lighter than one would imagine, and as is with everything in the Philippines served wi a huge plate of rice. Better yet was the beautiful view from the restaraunt porch as we dined on the shores of the Pacific setting sun. Waves crashed gentily against the rocks as the surf and tides swept slowly along the shore. Children and families played peacefully in the sand, presenting a view of paradise most Americans seldomly experience- those from the Midwest at least.

But beyond the natural beauty of the islands is the raw experience of the people. Friendly and welcoming as they are all hustle and bustle throughout their daily lives. Illigan, unlike the madness on the streets of Manila (one of the most populated cities in the world) produces charming and warm people with warm smiles and an eagerness to help you- for the small sum of any donation you are willing to supply.

This being my second excursion to the Philippines, I cannot help but observing the large large element of aging, white American and western European men. One will see them walking hand in hand down the street with Philippino women a fraction of their age. To be perfectly honest, the sight of them creeped me out in my first visit. But this time I met one such gentleman on my plane ride from Manila to Cagayan de Oro.

Let's call him Terry from Arkansas.

We struck up and easy conversation being the only two Americans on the plane and being about a foot taller than everyone else. Through Terry's thick good ole boy accent, i sensed an underlying nervousness. He admitted that this was His first ever flight. I then asked the most natural follow up question,"how is it that your first flight was to the Philippines?"

"Because of Annie."

Annie was a Fillipino woman half his age from the pictures he showed me.

"Annie saved my life," he said in His thick accent. " I've never met her in real life but I feel like I know her more than I have ever met anyone before. This time I am going to do the marriage thing right," the father of four confessed.

And there it was... A human face on what I had previous thought somewhat disturbing.

We are all looking for redemption. Some of us just know where to look better than others. Some travel the world looking for a second chance. The truth is that God has given us the task of preaching, bring, giving the Gospel free of charge. The Gospel is the truth of the redemption of all men through Jesus Christ. Yet some how Terry found himself halfway around the world looking for what Jesus purchased for Him on Calvary.

This Sunday morning I am glad that my searching is over. I praise God that my journey is not one of inquest but of commission. That when I was like Terry, lost and confused I found in Him a resting place, the Holy Spirit. Be thankful for your church and your relationship with God. Without Him the world is a very big place.

Because of the way all airports are set up in the Philippines me and Terry walked out together. I told him that I was a pastor and to be encouraged that everything would be alright. He asked me to pray, and I did right there by the baggage claim. As we left the airport a young woman that I recognized from the picture in his wallet ran toward him and jumped in his arms.

" Because of Annie?"

No, Terry, because of Jesus.

The Wikipedia Effect: The WikiChurch

2010-04-13T20:17:00.007-04:00

WIKICHURCH… 'Collaborate, Add, and Remove.'

Because Wikipedia is open source, it operates on the assumption the majority opinion is the right opinion, or by consensus, truth can be achieved by majority. By everyone expressing their individuality that the truth will emerge. This is an old lie repackaged as a new idea; the democratic approach to universal truth.

All opinions combined will lead to truth… sort of like all roads lead to heaven. Each person works together to produce the finalized information, the product. Each person feels entitled to add to the product or take away from the product.

Sadly, today's Christians have difficulty divorcing political belief from Christian living as democratic thinking has morphed into modern Christianity. Christianity is NOT a democracy. The end result is the Wikichurch, a church very different from the one established on the day of Pentecost.

The Church of Thyatira

A Wikichurch has members which feel entitled to be participants in the functions of the service and the natural growth of the church. The modus operandi is majority opinion of the saints dictates how the church should operate. A Wikichurch gives special ear to the desires of the saints who give more, they outreach certain groups of economic status. When saints begin to collaborate together, it can easily become the breeding ground of entitlement.

The Church of Ephesus

Feelings of entitlement grow up and choke the seeds of joy, privilege, gratitude that were gifts accompanying the Holy Spirit. It is easy to forget our first love; just to belong in the church triumphant, called out of darkness into His marvelous light! Paul catches the spirit of the Wikichurch:

2 Timothy 4:3-4
3. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

The Church of Pergamum

A Wikichurch is one that adds and removes. They cannot endure sound doctrine like a legalistic church that cannot endure the preaching of sufficient grace, like universalistic church that cannot endure the preaching of eternal judgment. They reject the preacher, the pastor, the word that does not fit their definition of religion. They will not worship, unless the music fulfills their own lusts for their own musical tastes, whether young or old! They reject the notion of a sacrifice of praise.

They add those teachers and interpretations and stories of the things that fit their agenda, their church program.
They remove all aspects and requirements that hinder their desires and their version of Christianity.
"I know MY pastor preaches against that, but I just don’t feel convicted" and "Do you understand how hard it is to raise children in this day and age?"

The Church of Symrna

But the church triumphant, the church that Jesus purchased with His own blood on Calvary's Cross, is set up a little different. It is a church where everyone is equal at the foot of the cross. There is no rich or poor, no color.

The Church of Philadelphia

There is no seniority in redemption there is only love. There is no one beyond God's grace and mercy! Everyone comes together not because the sacredness is in the assembling because the sacredness is in the moving of the Holy Spirit connecting people through worship and rebuking and rebuilding them through the word of God! The saint of 35 years is no more "saved" than the person that stumbles in form the street.

The spirit moves freely… and the people pray without ceasing… and the preacher preaches truthfully. This is the church in motion. Paul illustrates:

2 Timothy 4:1-2
1. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2. Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove , rebuke , exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Paul to Us by way of Timothy- Don’t worry about Wikichurch Timothy, young preacher, pastors all over the world. Yes, they will not like what you are saying… But preach the word. They may rip pages out of the encyclopedia forever but the page is still in the printing office in the sky. (Psalms 119:89), The Word is bound on the cross and printed on the hearts of all believers on Pentecost.

The Wikipedia Effect: WikiTruth

2010-04-06T12:14:00.004-04:00

The WIKITRUTH… 'Always Changing'

Wikipedia is an open source format. Anyone, no matter their education, knowledge, or intelligence level can change the definition of any of the topics that can be searched. China constantly edits out information from their page and the CIA has been known to remove information pertaining to the JFK assignation.

Wikipedia and its information is always changing. It is never solid, never consistent. The question that Pilate asked Jesus at the hour of His execution, 'What is truth?' is alive and well. Truth is relative and changes from one person to the next how ever they choose to edit it or define it for the world.

Truth, by definition, cannot be relative. The way one chooses to live their life has consequences on the people around them. There is a universal truth that is good for everyone. That is the truth of Jesus Christ. No redefinition needed.

Paul deals with the advent of Wikitruth in Romans 1:20-25:

20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful ; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened .
22. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools ,
23. And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator , who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Pauls argues from an unchangeable truth as the foundation of everything: God exists and has created all things with mankind as the crown of His glorious creation, created in His own image (Imago Dei). All of creation is the testament to God's eternal power. Through creation, Paul argues that God is revealed, and through man's ability, unlike every other creature, to reason and recognize God, we understand we were made to have dominion.

There is no excuse for not recognizing God in the intricacies of His wonderful universe. We then, are without excuse yet have continually generated them from generation to generation. It is in our failure to recognize God that man must recreate truth.

To reject God's truth is the same as rejecting God.

Man is left to recreate truth, seeking wisdom and education but not the answer to all things. Our imagination is only to the extent of ourselves… what mankind could conceivably do, create, accomplish. In this vanity and foolishness there is no need for faith and without faith it is impossible to please God. All the education in the world makes one foolish if it refuses to recognize the most elemental aspect. God is here. God is truth.

Paul continues to explain our origins of delusion. Because man cannot accept God's law we recreate God into our own image instead of the created order. We create demigods of life, replacements, representations and theories that speak on His behalf, yet it all has a common thread of the capacity of humanity and our desires.

In short; Paul says that mankind has exchanged the truth of God for a lie, according to human desires, ambitions, and goals. Worshiping ourselves and our accomplishments, has not solved world hunger, genocide, disease, or even weather patterns.

When Christians preach and believe the Wikitruth such as: Follow Christ on our terms not His. Follow the words of Christ but not the example of Christ. Take the things that you like, ignore the rest. We are no better than the Rich Young Ruler of the gospels who obeyed every commandment to his own destruction. His observance of the law was futile as he was lost.

Changing truth has a singular root- Love of the world. Because we love the world, the love of the father is not in us and we become blind guides who do not know the way.

But Jesus says' I AM the way, the truth and the life… no man comes to the father but by me!'

There is one truth- Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Blog One: Wiki Gospel
Blog Two: WikiTruth
Blog Three: WikiChurch
Blog Four: WikiJesus
Blog Five: WikiFaith

Youth Revival in the Philippines

2010-04-05T11:39:00.002-04:00

This month (15th-23rd) I have been given an incredible opportunity to travel to the Philippine Islands. This will be my second trip to the nation as I am preparing to preach a four day Youth convention in Caigon City (19th-22nd).

I am asking everyone to pray for this event. I feel that God has impressed upon me to pray and fast for 500 young people to be baptized in the Pacific Ocean during this convention.

I will use whatever technology I have available to me during this convention to give twitter (follow me - @theocracy15), Facebook- Jordan Parnell, and blog updates on the status of this event. Until that time- please join me in faith believing and prayer that God would move in a mighty way.

-Jordan

The Wikipedia Effect

2010-03-31T11:35:00.009-04:00

The WIKIGOSPEL… 'Quick, Easy, Convenient'

As many already know, Wikipedia is a website, setup in 2001, considered a Top 40 Web site with broader reach than the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, MSNBC.com, Wall Street Journal, and Chicago Tribune combined. Wikipedia has about 2.4 billion page views a month, and is visited by 7 per cent of ALL Internet users everyday. Despite this success Wikipedia is still hampered by its inability to guarantee that information appearing on the website is true. It includes more than two million entries in English and covers 252 languages. However, its unique structure, by which anybody can add, remove or edit information, is at once its strength and weakness.

The “wiki” format, which takes its name from the Hawaiian word for “quick”, means it can draw on a vast pool of expertise from individuals all over the world, it is also vulnerable to deliberate abuse. Many companies and individuals are known to keep an eye on their own entries, inserting promotional material and removing potentially embarrassing details. More insidiously, some users engage in deliberate vandalism, deleting whole passages of text or inserting errors.

The gospel is the good news of God's saving grace to all mankind. It is the message of the cross and sacrifice Jesus gave on Calvary. Jesus death is the example of the process of salvation for all Christians everywhere to follow. It illustrates suffering, rejection, sacrifice, pain, subjection to a higher authority.
Jesus was in every way born to die. This was His purpose and essence. It is also our purpose and essence to die out to our own sinful desires.

The mix-up occurs in the nature of gospel as good news. This does not mean it is quick, easy, or convenient, only that it is good. The gospel provides the only way of escape… it never claimed to be easy. In fact those who carried the gospel initially faced great martyrdom, persecution, and public ridicule. The Apostles were not without warning- as Jesus constantly warned of the difficulty in carrying the gospel to the world. He said if the world hated Him, they would also hate His followers. He said in Acts 1:8 that those carrying the gospel would give their lives in the process.

This is the old way of doing "Christianity". The appeal was in the passion, commitment, and desire to know the truth. It was established firmly in martyrdom and it worked every time. It was approved by God Himself.

Compare it to yesterday's the Encyclopedia Britannica sold door to door which sat on the shelf waiting for the reader to use it, unlocking its secrets and information and guidance. Like the 12 volume set in the bookcase, the gospel is bound and established. Its methods of spreading and relating information are updated generation to generation with newer volumes but the information is still the same. The definition of a cat is still a cat.

In 2001 things changed for the encyclopedia business. Gone are the door to door salesmen, proclaiming the greatness of their information. Even the existing copies of encyclopedias have been rendered mere relics decorating library shelves collecting dust, its information unused and undisturbed by seekers.

The Internet killed the business with it's creation of the largest encyclopedia in the history of the world, Wikipedia. But Wikipedia is not like the encyclopedia before it.

In its effort to be a quick, easy, and convenient resource the game has been changed for every of life… namely the world of Christianity and religion, which has been searching for its identity to present to a new and uncertain generation. In doing so… religion, Christian churches everywhere, to keep up with the times, have begun to forsake the old gospel, for the new quick, easy, and convenient WIKIGOSPEL.

Text: 2 Timothy 3:1-7
1. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come .
2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4. Traitors, heady, high minded , lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away .
6. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7. Ever learning , and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Paul gives a long list of how people will be in their lifestyle in the last days… but what most people fail to comprehend is that he is not referring to the world or sinners or even the Antichrist… Paul makes clear in verse five that he is referring to the Church of the living God, those who have a form of godliness but deny the information… the power that Godliness reveals!

How wikipedia has destroyed the encyclopedia, the wikigospel will attack the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Already gone are the door to door expressions and lifestyles of faith… replaced with fancy music and life style programs. Gone are the hills of crucifixion, martyrdom, and the Roman arenas of persecution… replaced with large fancy buildings and houses of worship, buildings the early church could not have even comprehended. Most importantly, gone are the messages of suffering, rejection, sacrifice, pain, and subjection to the will of God.

The WikiGospel will seek to replace the pain of Christ's sacrifice… with an easy 'blessed' overcoming life free of problems (Prosperity Doctrine), replace the authority of God with the authority of man, (Paul in Romans 1:they are lovers of themselves and pleasure more than lovers of God, they are traitors to the gospel, intellectuals always searching but never able to find truth because they have already rejected it as hard, slow, and inconvenient).

The gospel says go. The wikigospel says follow and enjoy the journey.

Remember wikipreachers of the wikigospel are always ready to lead away 'silly' people captive in their sins… by preaching a gospel of no sacrifice, no change, no requirements… follow, learn, journey… but never find!

Blog One: Wiki Gospel
Blog Two: WikiTruth
Blog Three: WikiChurch
Blog Four: WikiJesus
Blog Five: WikiFaith

Basic Training: Exorcise 1 -Know Your Enemy

2010-03-26T15:22:00.003-04:00

Preview for this Sunday Service- 1 Timothy Chapter One
(Our Campus Church will been studying the Apostle Paul's two letters to Timothy for the next two semesters)

We are excited to announce our new sermon series 'Basic Training: A Field Manual for the Christian Soldier' at the Movement Campus Church. Over the next two semesters, we will be examining Paul's instructions to Timothy in the model of the US Army's Basic Training Program- Red (tear down the civilian mentality) White (recreate the soldier) and Blue (equip and train the soldier with necessary tools for warfare.)

In the first chapter of the first letter to Timothy, Paul quickly begins tearing down the civilian mentality by establishing the chain of command. God- Paul- Timothy. We must also establish the same order. God- Pastor- Church.

Paul then begins to tear apart any illusions that Timothy may have towards his environment and surroundings. Paul is quick to illustrate that we are in fact at war, and before engaging in Battle we must know who are our enemies.

1- Those who proclaim friendship by swerve from truth. (Traitors)
2- Those who promote and proclaim a lifestyle of sin. (Enemies of God)
3- Our own sinful flesh.

Finally Paul concludes with the indoctrination of the cause of righteousness. That Jesus calls Christian Soldiers out of darkness to train them to overcome that same darkness and proclaim the coming of our Captain and savior the Lord Jesus Christ.

Please Join us this week at 1pm (3-27-2010) in the Krannert Auditorium on the Purdue University Campus in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Letters to the Cross: Victory!

2010-03-25T11:35:00.003-04:00

Letters to the Cross: Week 4 Propiation and Expiation

2010-03-16T21:59:00.002-04:00

This Sunday at Christ Memorial Temple we will be continuing our Easter Sermon series called Letters to the Cross. Over the five Sundays in March, we will be examining the doctrines of the Cross and how it applies to us today.

Week One: Substitutionary Atonement
Week Two: Justification
Week Three: Redemption and Reconciliation
Week Four: Propitiation and Expiation
Week Five: Victory

Week Four Introduction: It was 2000 years ago… what does the Cross do today?

God is angry.

He is not just angry at sin. He is angry at us.

We humans are guilty of reversing God's creative order… instead of being made in the image and likeness of God… we are continually remaking God in our own image and likeness. In Biblical times, this manifested in stone carved idols and wooden images. Today our idolatry manifests itself into the abstract images of time management. Our gods fit our time schedule. What we have time for, that we worship. Therefore we need a much more understanding and merciful God… than they did in the Old Testament. We need a new Jesus.

Christians today draw a large line between the Old and New Testaments. It's as if the God of the Old Testament and Jesus were two separate people entirely. (You would think Oneness theology would help avoid this pitfall but not so .) We seem think that O.T. God was going through a hormonal imbalance High School phase; one minute He is welding lightning bolts and fire balls, the next minute He is pouring out manna from the sky. Jesus, in contrast, is God in His fourth semester of college who has discovered His identity as a philosopher and walks around loving everyone and forgiving all our misdeeds. O.T. God was into smiting, N.T. God was into suffering. In between these crazy definitions is the true God, who claims to be 'unchanging and eternal' of whom the writer of Hebrews boldly declared as "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever! (Hebrews 13:8)

If we believe Jesus is truly the One God we claim Him to be, we must not label His nature so differently from the Hebraic revelation of God. The New Testament reveals more in depth the attribute of God's love but it does nothing to discourage the attribute of God's wrath and judgment. Jesus, too got angry. He hit men with whips and cords, He overthrew tables. He told the Pharisees they 'were going to hell and making converts twice the hell spawns.' He told them they were children of the Devil. Jesus, consistent with O.T. Jesus has always hated false holiness. The Bible constantly reveals the attribute of God's Holiness. It records His holiness more than it speaks of His love or mercy. In short God is Holy. We are not. And that keeps God very angry.

The saying, God loves the sinner but hates the sin, sounds nice and non confrontational, but it is not Biblical (Psalms 5:5, Romans 9:13). God loves everyone at creation, but He equally hates us in our evil deeds. A man can love someone and still be vengefully angry at the same time. Often we punish those whom we love. The mercy of God is in the fact that Bible says God is slow to anger… not without it. He hates our sin because it defiles us completely in the same way that a wife would hate her adulterous husband (she has anger because she loves him, if there was not love there would be no emotion). In a very real way, God's hatred of our sin shows how much He actually loves us. We share this disgust toward sin with God, however we tend to only be disgusted at the sin of others and not at our own.

All sin is ultimately against God as it fractures His relationship with His children, and that is just cause for anger. In Genesis , God is grieved with the sight of man, and Jesus would later say in Matthew, "As it was in the days of Noah…" Like a father who returns home to be informed that his children have chosen a new dad, or a husband that finds out his wife has chosen a new man… God is righteously angry! Our idolatry and worship of the creature more than the Creator invokes the wrath of God.

It is going to get bloody.

Welcome to savage church. Imagine church as a place where we drive up our cars and the ministry staff uses baseball bats to destroy it before setting the engine on fire. Then the next week, you are forced to bring your family pet (dog or cat), and stand on the platform, in front of the entire congregation and place your hands on the animals head to confess all your deepest and darkest secrets. Afterward, the preacher would take the pet from your arms and cut its throat as the animal would squirm and yelp. Does this sound very seeker sensitive? Does it seem too graphic, watching your loved possessions suffering and being destroyed even though they were not to blame? We are to blame. We are guilty. We are the real Goats.

This is how church is conducted without Jesus. Where a sinner comes face to face with the consequences of their sin.

Like savages that try to appease God by throwing a girl into a volcano or offering a blonde to King Kong, there is instinctual understanding that God is angry, His judgment is nigh, and we have a bull's-eye painted on our heads. Our sins put Christ on the cross, our status as sinners made us enemies of God, and our willingness to live in sin makes us slaves. Put all of this together and the Jonathan Edwards sermon, "Sinners in the hands of an angry God comes to mind. The streets are ready to run red with blood, Armageddon style. Cue the fire balls. It's the end of the world as we know it…

In this is Love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His son to be the Propitiation for our sins.(1 John 4:10)

That is what the cross is today… our propitiation. When the blood of goats and bulls could not take away our sins or appease the wrath of God, Jesus satisfied all on Calvary.

Letters to the Cross: Redemption and Reconciliation

2010-03-10T12:48:00.004-05:00

Letters to the Cross: Justifcation

2010-03-05T13:14:00.003-05:00

This Sunday at Christ Memorial Temple we will be continuing our Easter Sermon series called Letters to the Cross. Over the five Sundays in March, we will be examining the doctrines of the Cross and how it applies to us today.

Week One: Substitutionary Atonement
Week Two: Justification
Week Three: Redemption and Reconciliation
Week Four: Propitiation and Expiation
Week Five: Victory

Week Two Introduction: It was 2000 years ago… what does the Cross do today?

We have the right to remain silent… anything we think, say, or act will be used against us. When we could not afford an attorney, One was provided for us.

In the book of Zechariah, the third chapter, Satan is called the accuser of the brethren- the prosecutor of the guilty. We are the guilty, the accused.
Yet, we do not stand alone… the High Priest (Hebrews reveals as Jesus) stands with us in account for the accused people as Satan argues against us and "resists" us.
Satan has plenty of evidence that testifies to our guilt. He produces endless lists of accusations each and every one of them a damnable offense.
Worse still, the High Priest, our attorney is clothed in filthy rags and garments, the sins of His people (3).

Even our very appearance testifies against us. We are guilty and we cannot escape our punishment of death. Satan's evidence has no answer and we hang our heads in shame and condemnation.

Suddenly, when all hope seems lost, the righteous King and Judge rebukes the prosecutor (2) and takes away the filthy sins of the people for a new perfect raiment (4).

Satan is defeated at Calvary, his accusations cannot come through the blood of the lamb. "Behold all things have become new." Our counselor has made intercession for us and Satan cannot overcome it.
So our weak and wounded accuser must change His tactics and approach. If Satan cannot beat our counselor in the court of Judgment and Justice than he must even the playing field.

He must convince us to represent ourselves before judgment and forgo the court appointed lawyer High Priest… He wants us to become our own justification.

Satan hates the cross because it by itself is our justification. Because of the cross of Jesus we don’t suffer the same fate of damnation that Satan will receive.
As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:17, when it becomes about us and our wisdom… "it makes the cross of no effect"

The only way around the cross for Satan is if He can get us to rely on ourselves instead of on Jesus sacrifice.

There are two ways we can become our own justification:

1- Morality- This is when we put our eternal security in the hands of the great checklist of our own accomplishments and the way we lived our lives.

People justify themselves daily with thoughts such as "I am a good person" and "I follow a good code of conduct"
They give to charity, love others, follow the rules that society places upon them. They believe in the end that they will get to heaven and two great list will be produced.
If the lists of their good deeds outnumber the lists of their bad deeds than they are a good person and therefore are rewarded of eternal life based on their own merits.

This would work if the Bible didn’t proclaim the exact opposite of this ridiculous salvation theory… By the way if this theory did not come from God (meaning it is not found in scripture) it could have only come from one other source (Satan)

Instead Job, in the book named after him, asks God the question of what man is justified to stand in the presence of God. David proclaims multiple times in the book of Psalms, that there is none good but God.
Paul quotes this idea in the book of Romans 3:10 when he relates, "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."

We cannot save ourselves through our own goodness. We are not good. From the very second that Adam and Eve tasted the fruit we are sinners and we have all sinned, making ourselves enemies of God Himself. Yet so many today reject God on the basis that they are good enough on their own. Their goodness in life will prepare a place for them in eternity… this is true- unfortunately that place will be hell.

2- Religion- This is when we put our eternal security in the hands of the great checklist of what we have abstained from, the things we did NOT do over the course of our lives.
First, religion is not altogether evil. It is as much a tool in the hand of God as it is a tool in the hand of Satan. For many, including myself, religion has provided a system of belief and a structure for maintaining my relationship with God. Religion does help us walk the path of salvation but it in itself cannot save us. Unfortunately, many Christians have been manipulated by Satan to rely on it for their justification instead of the Cross of Jesus Christ.

For some our salvation is won through our strict adherence to a list of DO NOTS than its is on the justification of the cross. (I must take the time to reiterate that the cross is also an example for us in the measure of obedience as Paul writes in Philippians 2 that Jesus 'became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.' It is clear that we must obey to commandments of scripture - to do or not to do. If we do not obey it is sin… see James 4:17)

Disobedience to a list of DO NOTS CAN produce damnation, but it CANNOT produce salvation. Satan wants the church to rely on its religiosity over the cross of Jesus Christ.

This idea is destructive for many reason because it leads us to the following heresies:

1- Jesus will only love us if we follow His rules- A lie from Satan- Jesus loved us from the cross.
2- The world is full of good people (religious) and bad people (sinners) and religiosity is the measure stick by which we can measure the goodness of others. Another lie- There is none good, even the most religious among us.
3- Religion is about what we do… wrong the Gospel is about what Jesus has already done!
4- Religion will save me in the end. A lie because how much religion is enough to make you sure? How can we ever be certain that we have crossed the invisible threshold of salvation by church attendance, tithe paying, and Sunday school teaching. How can we achieve salvation by never smoking a cigarette, drinking a beer, wearing makeup? Shouldn’t we obey scripture without the reward of salvation?

In the end, God reserves some of the most graphic language in the Bible for describing His attitude toward our righteousness.
Isaiah 64:6 says, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. "

First- ALL of us are unclean. Second, EVERYTHING good that we do (our righteousness) God calls 'ED BEGED...

'ED- this is the word used for filthy which is the Hebrew word for the bodily fluids of a woman's menstrual cycle.
BEGED- this is the word referring to a rag or an undergarment.

Basically God is saying that the sum total of our morality and our religion adherence is a woman's menstrual rag. A filthy rag can be washed, but a menstrual rag is unusable and always discarded.
Satan wants us to justify ourselves, because then we cannot resist His accusations. But Jesus Christ was "made to be our sin" so that "we might become the righteousness of God"

We cannot justify ourselves… it is God who justifies us. And that is what the Cross does today. It Justifies!

Quit Your Dead-End Job

2010-03-01T20:03:00.002-05:00

Preview for this Sunday Service- John 21
(Our Campus Church has been studying the Gospel of John for the past two semesters)

In the 21st and FINAL chapter, the disciple whom Jesus loved (John), records the story of Jesus third revelation to the disciples after His resurrection.

In our lesson we will ask the all important question on the minds of students nation-wide, "What Now?" We will explore together the human tendency to return to what is normal, stable, or comfortable when staring in the face of uncertainty.

Even after three years of a life altering relationship with Jesus, including witnessing His rise from death, Peter, John and the rest of the Apostles were caught in a state of limbo, asking the question of what to do next. Peter's response to the situation was to "Go fishing" and the rest of the group seemed content to tag along.
Their solution was to return to their old way, old habits, old dead end job.

They forgot the calling of Jesus to something more, more purpose, more passion, more life. They were no longer fishers but fishers of men.

We will discover that once the Son has set us free... we cannot go back. Even if we do- like Peter and the gang- we are quick to discover that we lost our touch for this world after an experience with Jesus.

We want to remember our true purpose in this world, to be more than average, more than conquerors. And like Peter we will discover that the solution is not LEADING job hunts but FOLLOWING Jesus.

Please Join us this week at 1pm (3-7-2010) in the Krannert Auditorium on the Purdue University Campus in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Letters to the Cross

2010-02-26T22:55:00.002-05:00

This Sunday at Christ Memorial Temple we will be kicking off our Easter Sermon series called Letters to the Cross. Over the next five Sundays, we will be examining the doctrines of the Cross and how it applies to us today.

Week One: Substitutionary Atonement
Week Two: Justification
Week Three: Redemption and Reconciliation
Week Four: Propitiation and Expiation
Week Five: Victory

Week One Introduction:

It was 2000 years ago… What does the cross have to do with me?
Christianity is in danger of losing the cross. We have become commercialized and institutionalized to the level where the cross and Calvary are deemed irrelevant in the best cases and irreverent in the worst cases. Long gone are the ideas of suffering and hardship- to be associated within the Christian lifestyle. Instead we hire and desire preachers and chruches that preach a new age version of the power of positive thinking or victory and eternal security, but we rarely get around to talking about the price that was paid for us to enjoy these benefits.

Especially we Christians, the ones who label ourselves Pentecostal, are guilty of reducing the cross to a seasonal fable. (God forbid! an Easter ploy to boast church attendance.) We are guilty of screaming Pentecost Sunday at the top of our lungs while Good Friday becomes a whimper. We beat the drums of doctrine in Acts chapter two, but nary a squeak about John chapter 19. Our reality reveals that we have founded a religion that arrived at truth backward. The way we go about our religion is at times a threat to producing a Christianity without the Cross.

Acts 2:38 was not a part of Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost. HE DID NOT PREACH IT! Instead he preached a sermon about the death, burial, a resurrection of Jesus, "That same Jesus, whom ye crucified…" (Acts 2:36)
When the people heard the preaching of the cross… they were convicted (pricked) in their heart and wanted to know what to do to be saved…
Acts 2:38 is the altar call, not the sermon.
We want a revival of Acts 2 proportions, but we will never achieve it without the timeless preaching of the cross of Jesus Christ.

We have no Holy Ghost without the cross.
We have no Pentecost without Good Friday
We have no salvation without Jesus.

People don’t want preaching about the cross because it is a violent shameful story.
People don’t want preaching about the cross because it strikes a nerve of guilt in their own lives and hearts.
People don’t want preaching about the cross because the cross is offensive.

The cross was an offense. It’s a true story about murdering an innocent men. It's the story about how WE (not the Jews, not the Romans) killed God.

Lord of the Second Chance

2010-02-23T16:32:00.002-05:00

Preview for this Sunday Service- John 20
(Our Campus Church has been studying the Gospel of John for the past two semesters)

In the 20th chapter, the disciple whom Jesus loved (John), records the early morning hours of the first Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In our lesson, we will explore together the purpose of Jesus plan of redemption. We will discover that Jesus returned from death so that we also could be resurrected to a new life, new passion, new purpose.

We will examine how Jesus is the Lord of the second chance, granting reprieve to every character in the 20th chapter.

To John- a new relationship
To Peter- a new mercy
To Mary Magdalene- a new life
To Thomas- a new belief
To Us- a new way of salvation

As always we will discover Jesus, Who He was, Who He is, and What His plan has been from the beginning for us and our lives.

Please Join us this week at 1pm (2-21-2010) in the Krannert Auditorium on the Purdue University Campus in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Heavy Hangs the Head that Wears the Crown

2010-02-16T15:27:00.003-05:00

Preview for this Sunday Service- John Chapter 19
(Our Campus Church has been studying the Gospel of John for the past two semesters)

In the 19th chapter, the disciple whom Jesus loved (John), records the final hours leading up to and including the murder of Jesus Christ.

In the lesson we will explore the link between Jesus death and the prophecies of Isaiah and Zachariah- discovering who Jesus is- the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

We will discover that Jesus was God King hiding in the flesh. Sitting upon the throne of a cross, that Paul would later describe in 1 Corinthians chapter 1 as 'Folly' to the world's wisdom and knowledge.'

We will discover Jesus, Who He was, Who He is, and What His plan has been from the beginning for us and our lives.

Please Join us this week at 1pm (2-21-2010) in the Krannert Auditorium on the Purdue University Campus in West Lafayette, Indiana.

A Super Disappointment?

2010-02-08T12:18:00.004-05:00

In the spirit and style of my favorite Football columnist, Sports Illustrated's Peter King, here are my Top 10 'I thinks' from a disappointed Colts fan.

1- I think the Saints won this Super Bowl because they were the better team. I don't buy the excuse that the Colts played poorly... the Saints just played better.

2- I think the Colts greatest strength also happens to be their greatest weakness- Reliance on timing and precision offense. This strategy is indefensible in 95% of Colts games... it's the 5% that knock out the Colts rhythm- Unfortunately it seems to happen in the playoffs.

3- I think Peyton Manning is a machine! He is undoubtedly the smartest quarterback in the game- The only problem is Peyton as the calculating machine makes the rest of the league is mere humans, and humans are often more resilient. (Peyton threw the pick-6 because the numbers said it would work not because the player was open) Every week Peyton is studying the rest of the league... every week the rest of the league is studying Peyton. 1 vs. 100 eventually the odds catch up- They did last night.

4- I think the Colts decision to avoid perfection, however ridiculous and misguided, had NOTHING to do with last night's loss. The Saints also rested their players and won. And I do not buy the argument that the Colts would have played harder with a chance at perfection. If a team cannot get motivated to win the Super Bowl- odds are they wouldn't be playing in the game to begin with.

5- I think that last night's game was filled with irony at its finest. The Colts should have employed a strategy that most teams use against them... keep Brees off the field -aka RUN THE BALL MORE. On the flip side, the Saints beat the Colts using a bend but don't break defense the Colts have become known for the last few years.

6- I think Drew Brees just punched his ticket to the Hall of Fame and we should get used to hearing his name in conversations including Manning and Brady.

7- I think New Orleans deserved a title for living 40+ years in the cellar of Pro Football NOT for having gone through Hurricane Katrina. That 'logic' is akin to Pat Robertson's idiotic idea that God sent the storm to wipe out the voodoo in reverse. Just because an idea has an opposite conclusion doesn't mean it is operating under alternate premise, in this case very mystical. Give the Saints players credit for the win... not a storm that happened 5 years ago.

8- I think it was a much easier pill to swallow- loosing to the Saints- than losing to Brett 'Bigger than the Game' Favre. Guys like Favre and Clemens make me sick. Drew Brees makes me feel inspired. Enough said.

9- I think that Jim Caldwell became a better coach for losing this game, than if he would have won it. Now he moves outside of Dungy's shadow and Dungy's team. Classy to the end. Sean Payton, on the other hand, became a great coach for winning. If he would have lost, he would still be thought of as a great schemer.

10- I think the Focus on the Family ad featuring Tim Tebow and his mother was blown way out of proportion. If the pro choice crowd would have kept mum it would have been 30 seconds of free speech. Instead THEY made it headline news.

Finally, I want to take a line to mock the San Diego Chargers. Who have not won or participated in a Super Bowl since 94. Although GM A.J. Smith would never admit it- they took a step down when they parted with Hall of Famer Drew Brees for cocky Phillip Rivers. Now they are loosing LT, the best player (including Fouts) to ever don the lightning bolt. Maybe it is less the presence of Marty Shottenheimer and Norv Turner and more the lack of Drew Brees that is keeping your team from the Super Bowl Charger Fan?

I am disappointed... but the future is bright for the Indianapolis Colts... until next season- Boiler Up.

Alfred P. Twitter

2010-02-04T13:58:00.009-05:00

This is a short thought spurned from an interesting conversation with Dave Loyd...

Alfred P. Nobel was famous before he was famous.

We primarily know of Alfred today by the award named after him- an award, recently made famous to Americans, which was given to much maligned and celebrated figure, President Barack Obama. This award is 'usually' given to recipients based on multiple fields of study and research, yet always under the guise of the promotion of peace. But, as irony would have it, the highest award of peace is named after the inventor of dynamite, a creation that would take the life of many 20th century soldiers and citizens.

Irony is a funny fellow and the purest form of comedy indeed.

Like the infamous League of Nations in its beleaguered attempt to eradicate war only to lead to the largest, catastrophic war to date (WW2) OR the discovery of nuclear fusion leading to the capacity to eliminate humanity from the face of the earth, irony often smiles on the face of fortune and the best intentions.

Dynamite was the single greatest factor of American westward expansion, but try singing its praises in the trenches of World War One. Historical accounts record that Alfred Nobel was so disgusted with the application of his invention that it spurred him to create his now infamous award.

Peace... Peace... But there is no Peace.

Today, like never before, the world community is in the business of proclaiming peace. And why shouldn't they? The consensus would argue that their is no redeeming quality for war and that its promulgators like Edward Lutwak 'Give War a Chance' are tyrannical and heartless. The global community, not to mention the global economy, is built on ideal of peace.

How are we to succeed where all others failed? The answer is a resounding scream that echoes through every avenue of electronic media: technology and communication.

Technology can only go so far... before the robots rise up against us ... but technology coupled with information, this is the atom bomb invention of the postmodern era- only with no supposed dark side.

The internet + social networking = the marriage made in media heaven. Peace at last.

I realize the irony of lambasting technology by using the same technology, but did i not say irony is a funny fellow? When in Rome...

The Twitter Bomb that fell on America

When I first heard of the social networking website called Twitter, my initial reaction was 'How ridiculous!' Now, admittedly, I use it multiple times daily but at first the idea of a site based on your current status alone seem worthless at best, vain and narcissistic at worst. Little did we know then, just a few short months ago how twitter would change the landscape of worldwide communication and politics.

Twitter soon became so much more than a mere status update... it became a multimedia tool that development into a mini-blog news magnet. Twitter can go where a media van and Ron Burgundy could only dream about, evidence so aptly in the recent Iranian election. Major news corporations, like CNN, have moved quickly to incorporate these positive aspects of twitter and facebook into their productions.

It seems I was wrong about Twitter being worthless... or was I? It seems were have nothing to fear now that the dawn of high tech communication age is upon us... do we?

We have nothing to fear but ourselves

With the advent of information, one would think the human race to be gaining knowledge and getting smarter. Not true argues Mark Bauerlein- in fact just the opposite. Studies routinely prove that school test scores are down globally while, access to global media and the Internet increase exponentially. People are still learning... it is what they are learning that matters most. People are still communicating, but it is what they are communicating that will tell whether Twitter and other technology will be a catalyst of expansion or be the demise of our civilization.

Psychologist and sociologist are starting to catch on to a trend which reveals a lack of civic duty among the youth of today (Americans are Bowling Alone) and the promotion of self satisfaction through all avenues of social media. In short, few can name their congressman, but a plurality can identify current celebrity relationship status.

We will live and die not by the invention of technology, but by how we use it and apply it to our lives. Twitter and sites like it could be the invention that allows us to expand and explore the depths of communication and resources as never before, or it can be the bomb that destroys the will, dreams, and aspirations of human ingenuity through amusement and entertainment.

You'll know when Conservatives get up in arms because the latest Democratic President gets awarded the Biz Stone (founder of Twitter) Knowledge Prize.

Then again... what do I know? Tweet me your ideas.

The three books that shaped the proceeding opinion most heavily -I recommend them all!

1- The Dumbest Generation
2- Generation Me
3- Amusing Ourselves to Death

Suffering Little Children Part Five

2009-11-03T11:28:00.002-05:00

Waiting on the World to Change

No matter how much we focus and prepare to fight, suffering will always be here and now. It will always be with you. The is no escaping suffering. While my words were designed to help you, give you hope to carry on, there will be valleys and dark nights that lay ahead.

No sermon, no three step solution, no practical advice will help you through untold pain, through the suffering that life can bring. We all understand what it feels like being human. We, as a church, must not try to stop our suffering, but to recognize it in others, bear it together, and overcome it in the end. We must stop seeing our differences and see our common link. That we are all suffering little children, no different than those in India or around the world. We are all waiting on the world to change, saint and sinner alike. But we are not without a promise.

Romans 8:17-19
17.And if children, then heirs; heirs of God , and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together .
18.For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19.For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

If we are children than we are heirs with Christ, our suffering is NOT in vain. It will be worth it all! In the end the glory will overcome every trial! Every sacrifice! Every one of suffering, will be revealed in our promised hope of Jesus Christ. It cannot, will not even compare. The world is waiting for the revelation of the children who went through the fire and came out a son. The suffering little children that became the glorified sons and daughters of God! You may be going through it. But you have a promise that you are going through! Having done all you can stand! It shall not compare in the end!

Suffering Little Children Part Four

2009-11-02T12:41:00.002-05:00

Three Step Solution

When Paul is advising Timothy about suffering, notice that he calls him a child. He begins by saying "be strengthened by grace." Draw your power, your strength, not from yourself or your accomplishments or abilities, but by the weakness in need of God's grace! Be strong in weakness that you will not place yourself in a class of suffering or spirituality.

Timothy was the pastor of the church of Ephesus. Paul doesn’t call him a general, a spiritual father, a leader of the oppressed and suffering. He calls him a good soldier and advices him to share in the suffering of all the others soldiers of Christ. (You spirituality is not measured by how little or how much you suffer, it is measured in spite of it.)

The Paul gives three examples that I offer you today who are suffering...

A.WAKE- UP! (change your mind)
A soldier leads a life of suffering for the common good of his nation. As Christians we should stop trying to avoid suffering and embrace it as the life that we were called to. Paul says soldiers do not get wrapped up in the comparisons of civilian life. (Keeping up with the Jones') The goal is to please Jesus! Be unified in the army not divided in the civilian life.

B.WORK OUT! (prepare your body)
An athletic is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. Paul is telling Timothy to work out and train his body to suffer and not to avoid it. This means going the extra mile. Embrace suffering for its ultimate goal… a crown. If we cheat one second on our work out it may mean the finish line and our final reward. You won't win unless you suffer. Then all the tears, struggles, and pain were in vain, for nothing. If our only goal is the elimination of suffering and NOT the training of one another to endure… we will not make it past the first mile!

C.WEAR OUT! (fight in spite)
The hardworking farmer gets the first share of the crops. When we wake up to our real responsibility, when we prepare ourselves, training ourselves to go thrpugh anything, we are instructed to labor in spite of whatever suffering may come our way. Every aspect of our energy should not be focused on suffering both physically and emotionally, but on our responsibilities to God. This is not dwelling on suffering when it comes, not letting your circumstance keep you from working… and you will receive your reward of the labor and suffering you endured.

Suffering Little Children Part Three

2009-10-30T11:57:00.002-04:00

Part Three: Reality Check

Christianity is declining throughout all the affluent countries in the world, particularly in America. It's not because of the Devil and his army of demons, although they surely play a role. Nor is it simply because of our materialistic wants and desires, even while they continue to grow. The biggest problem is that we don’t live in reality. We, especially our church, are increasingly fragmented, only interested in the things that affect our immediate life, the things that alleviate our suffering. We have built walls around the our individual suffering, and we hide behind those walls pretending nothing goes on underneath the skin. We become business men, professional women, moms and dads, coaches, Christians, outreach directors, and pastors. All our titles and hats are nice make excellent Halloween costumes… but God doesn’t see our titles- He sees suffering little children.

We are ashamed of our suffering… We hide it from each other.

1 Peter 4: 15-16
15.Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
16.For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

We would stop hiding if we weren't so ashamed. It is a travesty that our churches have become halls of shame and guilt, places that mock God's grace!

God brings conviction by three things:
1)The preached and revealed Word. 2) The moving of the Spirit. 3) The life example of the saints. (Not the stares, whispers, traditions, or ideas of the saints.)

Where did we get this idea to pretend that we are somehow beyond suffering? When we act in this fictitious manner we alienate 100% of the truthful population. We cannot be real if we as a church are not transparent about our struggles, trials, and suffering.

We must wake up and realize that suffering is a part of life and no matter what I am going to I am going to be faithful to God! Faithful to church! Faithful to work and my family and my wife! Stop thinking that any thorn disqualifies you from God's favor and grace. It may have been God who gave you that thorn. We have to determine that we are coming through this suffering and while it my bring me down, affect my body, it cannot make me ashamed. We have hope and hope makes us not ashamed.
We are all suffering little children.

An Unspoken Agreement:

We think its respectful to ignore the suffering of others… We ignore their suffering, they ignore ours

Galatians 6:2-3
2.Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
3.For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

How dare we sit in church, thinking it prudent to not draw attention to other people's suffering and pain. We are in danger of becoming a group of doctors standings around in an emergency room talking and ignoring the sick while they stagger in injured and dying. This would be an appalling scene indeed. Yet, we don’t give encouraging words to our brethren. We have no problem discussing their suffering when they are not present (gossip), but when they are crying in their pew when they are fighting off depression at home we lose all the bars on our cell phones. We must completely reject the 'walking on egg shells' mentality.

When you dwell with suffering you can become immune to its effects. The suffering children of India made me want to stay in my house and never walk the streets. But as the months wore on the pain in their eyes became less painful to me and more of an inconvenience, before it finally became downright annoying.

What if God felt that way about us?

The Devil wants to destroy our unity and we are united in suffering. Reality dictates that suffering is not his tool and but God's tool. Therefore Satan is forced to manipulate our suffering and our minds. He has created classes, systems of suffering, different types so we can divide ourselves for his purpose and not fulfill the law of Christ which is our grace!

1 Corinthians 12:25-27
25. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it ; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it .
27. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Suffering Little Children Part Two

2009-10-29T11:02:00.000-04:00

Part Two: The End of Your Faith.

They say that the universal language of humanity is suffering. That the only shared emotion is NOT in fact love but loneliness. How fitting that we are born into a harsh world that does not love or appreciate our existence. A world that contains the possibility of death around every corner. The Bible says that we are all appointed once to die but many times before death we will reach the limit or the very end of our faith. We are all suffering as we are all dying. The problem is that, like the people of the Indian Caste system, we categorize our people according to our perception of their suffering, thereby creating support groups for different types of sin. One group for alcoholics, one for narcotics. We create places of habitation for others, bars and clubs for the pleasure seekers, churches for religious, and prisons for the criminals.

The reason that suffering persists no matter how much man tries to address and overcome it is because we are trying to overcome it through a broken system.

This is why so many people are depressed, suicidal. This is why so many Christians smile from a Sunday pew but secretly shake their fist at the sky on Monday morning.

We are guilty of living at the end of our faith! Holding on to the last few drops not because we believe it to work, because it is all that we have left. We separate suffering so that when the storm hits we can all retreat back into our individual sub-cultures and ideas that promote our worldview.

The church has been incorporated as a part of culture instead of creating culture itself. Our Christian culture has become isolated and shallow. The downright scary part is that our faith is born out of this culture, therefore it is subject to the same shallowness. It doesn’t take long to reach the end of our faith, a short trip before suffering overtakes us.

Because of sin, we are born to ask the question why. Some of us are only religious or spiritual because we want to find out that answer.

Why has God abandoned me? Why am I suffering? Why did I lose my job? Why is my family falling apart?

God hears the cries of the oppressed, all of them. He looks on us in the same way I looked the poor Indian beggars. He sees us as suffering little children. I cannot answer the question why but I can find what the Bible has to say about the question.

Why? Possible Answer 1 - It's the Devil's Fault that we live in a fallen world.

Romans 8:22-23
22.For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23.And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Churches are guilty of blaming all our problems and situations on the devil. This is partly true but not complete. The Devil was instrumental in the whole sin riddled falling away process in the garden and he has surely been hard at work since, yet he can only work through the actions of men. It is men who have allowed him to lead and guide them. The result is that we live in a fallen world. We live in competition with the very people that we are called to reach and love. It is the devil's fault, the world's fault, and our fault. We make a destructive team.

If you wonder why there is so much suffering in life start in Genesis where it all began. Everything gets cursed… man, woman, the devil, the ground, yes even the ground. The whole of creation groans in pain because we are fallen and we can’t get back up.

We travail in pain of continuing existence… and the idea that we can live in a new world free of pain and joblessness and divorce just because we are Christians is asinine or ludicrous. Paul says, even we who are filled with the spirit and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit are stuck waiting on Christ's return and His changing of the way the world works. He later calls his flesh a body of death.

We are suffering because that is the waiting room between birth and redemption.

Why? Possible Answer 2- It's Jesus' Fault for the perfecting of the saints.

1 Peter 4: 12-14
12.Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13.But rejoice , inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy .
14.If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.

Here's where a lot of people get squeamish. The problem is: the other person to blame for the suffering in the world is Jesus. Not that He has ever one time caused it, but He often allows it to come upon his children for their perfecting. How else could you explain the story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac in Genesis 22? Why else would the writer of Hebrews say that God is a consuming fire (12:29), Malachi prophesing that God will come nigh to his people in judgment like a fire, David singing that he was like silver purified 7 times in the furnace of fire?

The problem is we are so focused on our right now problems and God's ability to answer them all right now that we have lost sight of the end goal, the process of perfecting the saints!

Christ did not die so that you would never have problems or trials… He died so that you could overcome them!

We have become drunk on the religious idea that God will answer our prayers, we forget that it was possibly Him that allowed the storm. His goal is not for you to cake-walk frolic through this life. His purpose is that you emerge to glory by whatever means necessary.

I pray God blesses your business, but I hope He doesn’t if it starts to effect your eternal destination. When you realize that you are suffering… and you have examined your life and your spiritual condition and you still cant figure it out… it may be Jesus' fault.

Suffering Little Children Part One

2009-10-28T16:00:00.000-04:00

2 Timothy 2:1-10 esv

1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.

5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.

7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel,

9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!

10 Therefore I endure everything ...

I am very blessed. I have been so favored by God to see the world at such a young age.

Often I meet young men and women who desire to travel, to experience different cultures and countries but the necessities of life hinder them. I have seen things that will forever change the way I look at my life.

I had a instructor in college (Jim Sleeva) that would repeat the saying "exposure breeds a burden" at the end of all of his lectures and I firmly believe all that he said to be true.

The world is really a beautiful place, full of wonders that my mind cannot imagine or even grasp. Some of my experiences include: standing atop a hill in the African jungle and watching the sun set, bringing with it a mist that settled like a gray floor beneath the elevation where I stood. I have removed my shoes and walked into the splendor of the Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world. I have laughed (in horror) with friends as we removed leeches from our legs after crossing a river to get to church. These are some of the wonderful memories that we take with us on our continuing journey of life. These are mine and I am sure that each of you have been blessed with different yet similarly defining moments that have shaped your life and journey.

Yet not all passions and burdens are born of joy and happiness. Many are seared into our mind's eye out of need and devastation. Try as I might, there is one image that I cannot remove, so haunting an image that I carry with me as I write today.

In the republic of India there is a system in place known to us as the Caste system. What this means is that people are defined before they are born, their life path is planned out for them. If they are more to an impoverished group or caste, they will likely remain in poverty for the rest of their lives. They cannot escape their destiny which all to often becomes a cruel fate worse than death. To those children born of the lowest class, those deemed untouchables or now known as slumdogs, life consists of stealing and starvation, pain and untold suffering. They are cursed to roam the streets and byways of the nation begging for substance while there cries and pleas are willfully and dutifully ignored.

I cannot forget the feeling of being surrounds by scores of these young boys and girls, no bigger than my young niece Hayley, covered from in grime and stained with dirt. The clothes on their backs being their only worldly possession, they stare intently through their big white eyes under matted filthy hair. They have no problem looking you in the eyes. They accept who they are and their role in society, and no they are not too proud to beg. The speak quickly in multiple tones from languages even fluent Hindi speaker cannot understand, pausing only to cup their outstretched hands to their mouth as the universal symbol, "I need to eat."

India was a beautiful place filled with wonder and majesty, yet for many people, it is tainted by the lasting image of poverty that dilutes all its splendor. I remember the words of Jesus to his disciples, "Suffer the little children." and I wonder if these were the children that Jesus was talking about. These suffering little children were allowed to come to Jesus? They were allowed to talk to Jesus? Allowed to sit on His lap and play with His beard? They could come just as they were and Jesus would find time for them?

And then it hit me. We are no one different from one another, we are all suffering little children.

Depressing way to end... the story should continue...

Mark Driscoll is Not My Hero

2009-10-22T15:27:00.000-04:00

*This is not written to be mean-spirited or controversial in anyway...(Joe Friday's "Just the Facts Ma'am")

For those who may not know: Mark Driscoll is a Pastor of one of the fastest growing churches in America, Mars Hilll Seattle.

There has been a growing discussion among the leadership of the UPCI about the influence of the "Emerging or Emergent" church on the younger generations of ministerial leadership... my home church pastor, Paul Mooney was asked to give a presentation on the Emerging church and its impact to the general board.

*WITH ALL HONOR AND RESPECT- I believe the focus is misguided, while "Emergent" theology may have influence with fringe members of younger leadership, it is limited and fractious. The real influencing force that I have seen as a young leader is "the New Reformed Movement" whose brightest current voice is Mark Driscoll.

I like Mark Driscoll. Admittedly his blogs, twitter, podcast, and books have greatly influenced my ministry. It may seem strange that I would like his style, recommend his media, and admit his influence on me while decrying him in a blog.

Let me explain...

First, I believe that Christianity needs more Mark Driscoll characters and far fewer Rob Bell and Peter Rollins characters. I think what Driscoll is doing is cutting edge, innovative, and somewhat transformational. I admire his stand for the Bible and divine authority and his ability to grow a mega church in Seattle of all places. Above all, his greatest asset to the Christian community is his clear, resounding voice. He does not compromise or waffle in any of his beliefs... a true example in this post modern day.

That being said, I regret the majority of his influence on me, my ministry, and my brothers in the faith.

I have three key reasons to say this...

1) Doctrine DOES MATTER. I believe that Driscoll and Reformed Theology is appealing to pentecostal because of their conservative tone, and his implementation of that message through preaching in authoritative traditional pentecostal ways. (long way of saying he gets after people, hold strong to his message, and isn't afraid to scream) Moving past this shallow similarity we find an implication much darker:

Mark Driscoll believes that oneness Pentecostals are heretics and are all going to hell.
(please reread this as many times as it takes to sink in)

Reformed Theology follows Calvinistic predestination as opposed to our Arminian Pentecostal foundation. Driscoll himself uses the Holy Trinity as a fountain point out of which every last aspect of his doctrine and ministry flows. *The short end of the stick- If God has not chosen to reveal Himself to a person as the Holy Trinity they ARE NOT part of the elect for salvation. WE ARE GOING TO HELL. THERE IS NO COMPROMISE.

Some circle of Reformed Theology deny speaking in tongues, ALL deny that it is essential for salvation. To be fair Driscoll himself seems to allow for it, but not as essential.

On page 75, of his new book -Religion Saves (a mocking title), Driscoll diminishes modes of baptism as a nonessential doctrine and "holds it loosely in an open hand."

Finally, throughout his all his media, Driscoll makes it a point to "mock" and "make fun" of people with holiness standards, usually lumping them all into some sort of home-school mom jab.

2) While Driscoll and the Reformed are light years away from Emergent Theology, he seems to share the theology of the "destructive damning nature of religion." This is a trend that permeates throughout my generation in every aspect of their faith. One will hear, "I'm a Christian first and an Apostolic second" or "I am not religious I am spiritual." Finally, picking up the moniker from the new atheists (I doubt few people realize where they received it) "Religion kills" or "Religion poisons everything." This is a concerted effort to downplay foundations of our faith and replace them with individual spirituality.

I agree that we are saved by our faith alone. We are saved by Christ alone. We are saved by grace alone. But it is consistent religion that holds me accountable, renews me day by day, and leads me under authority to experience God. With out my pastor, my church, my friends I am left to my own devices... when left to my own devices i tend to ignore the voice of God. Faith in Christ's sacrifice and subsequent obedience to Scripture (Acts 2:38) saved me... Religion has kept me many times from falling.

I believe this is our generation's way of saying to the older generation, "We don't like your method, so we wont have a method." But not having a method is a method. As if we can really divorce religion from faith! Religion from Christianity! Religion from spirituality! It is saying no by saying yes.

3) I regret Mark Driscoll's influence because it SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PENTECOSTAL LEADER OF MY FAITH THAT FILLED THE VOID. This is what I like about Driscoll:
A) he is conservative and believes ALL of the Bible is the inspired word of God.
To which I say DUH! I was taught 2 Timothy 3:16 in Sunday School... it just somehow wasn't as cool.

B) His teaching and preaching is Bible based- instructional and entertaining. He teaches expository verse by verse. He lets the Bible speak for itself and every time I listen or read him I feel like I have learned something.
Here is the problem... Again WITH ALL RESPECT (THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE EVERY PREACHER)- I along with other young minister's feel like a host of our teaching and preaching in the UPCI has become overly topical. It is filled with inspiring stories of faith and entertaining personal illustrations. As a young evangelist I remember feeling the pressure to conform to this model. This was not our foundation by the way... we were built on the foundation of solid expository preaching, which somehow has now been interpreted by our audiences as less entertaining than the topical variety.
The problem with Driscoll is that while "he lets the Bible speak for itself," he is filtering it through his Calvinistic interpretation.

C) He is a proponent of new types of methods in evangelism. especially urban ministry. He is a living example of conservative Christianity growing and spreading.
He is growing on a lack of doctrinal truth. His church seems to include mainly young, hip, urban, white people. Everything about his ministry is not reflective upon UPCI churches. We are comparing apples to oranges, with the apple telling the orange it needs to be red.

In conclusion, I, like many of my young brothers in the faith, am drawn to Driscoll because I do not have a good mentor in the UPCI. (the most harsh thing I will say in this note) I want a Hero that marries the new missional ministries, with the old foundational truths and proven methods. I want to follow someone that is less political and more Biblical in authority. I believe my generation wants authority... but the voices on the left are louder and more attracting than the voices on the right which seem to harbor only suspicion. I AM NOT EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO "TALK" TO UPCI LEADERS IN A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION! I don't want to talk. I want to follow. I want a clear resounding message of authoritative leadership on doctrine and method.

Even so Lord, come qucikly...