Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
“It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”
Philippians 1:3-11 NIV
No matter where we stand together as Christians, we are bound together by one Spirit in unity. From the east to the west, there is one God; sharing His love to one people; sending His Spirit to minister for one purpose.
Those who stand before the Lord giving Him praise in a small town in Ohio stands together with those worshipping the Lord two-thousand miles away. The Church is one regardless upon denomination. The ‘blood of the Lamb’ is the essential which binds all who believe.
The Apostle Paul makes note of this when he preaches ‘partnership in the gospel’ here in this passage to the Philippians. He understood this important part of the Christian doctrine and even preached it from a prison cell in Rome. This would be the last place anyone would think unity could exist because his life was isolated, removed from society.
Yet he knew there was a bond of unity which united him with others. It was Christ which bound him with others in one God, one love, and one purpose.
The Word proclaims to each one of us: “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10 NKJV
As the future becomes the present, we must not only eliminate any division which divides churches who stand united two-thousand miles apart; but we must eliminate the divisions which exist with our own Church.
Unity strengthens us as the body of Christ and allows the purpose God set forth for the Church to become a reality. Division is the barrier to the mission God has ordained each one of us to complete.
Therefore we must start unity building through love and allowing it to complete its work in each one of us.
Prayer request
Ernie – pray for continued health with wife and her difficulties of her knee, pray for dear friends facing a financial crisis, pray for his own health
Tim – pray that Tim will be able to effectively guide and talk with son Dan
Dick – pray for strength as he helps lead others through any division in the church over those ushering
Chad – pray for friend’s mother-in-law which is battling cancer
Norman – pray for daughter with clinical tests this week trying to determine cause of siezures
Kelcy – pray for family in the sudden death of his uncle
David – pray for the ability to become an effective witness
Mark – pray for family in Ohio that they may be strengthened by the love of Christ, pray for stronger unity within family in Ohio, pray for finding the best healthcare for future child
***Pray for relationship building throughout the Northshore Christian Church
Continued prayer needs
Carmine – pray for strength in working two jobs and finding time within others, pray for relationship with family
Gary – pray for strength in working with IRS, praise and prayer for staff infection, pray for stepdaughters in their struggles
Ramon – pray for safe travels to California, pray for continued healing with wife, pray for sister-in-law
Larry Miller – pray for strength and guidance in leading marriage ministry at Northshore
Randy – pray for release of addictions of the flesh
Michael – praise for Michael finding a Church in Alabama for himself and family
Chris – pray that he finds Christ and His purpose
*** pray also for the men’s ministry in developing Godly leaders
Future Meetings
Wednesday, October 31st, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at the Northshore Christian Church (call Mark for directions) Topic: “Power of Prayer”
Wednesday, November 14th , 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting with site and topic to be determined (we will establish location at October 31st meeting)
Challenge
Live life in the ‘unity of the Spirit’ in our minds so it may translate out into the Church…
Monday, October 29, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Alive in its beauty or alive in its reality?
I will never forget the day: a bright sunny afternoon, unseasonably warm October day, driving through an unnamed small town in the middle of Pennsylvania. On this Sabbath day as we were driving, it showed itself unexpectedly; a large stone church, magnificent in its imposing power, dated to the beginning of this country, pointing skyward to heaven.
If the strength and glory of the Church was built upon the visible beauty this church claimed in the middle of this small town, we would be close to heaven because I have never seen such a startling picture of a church. Yet the contrast to the world we live in quickly led me to this part of the Word.
For it is written:
"To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.” Revelation 3:1-2
It was difficult to watch person after person come out of this magnificent church who was in their sixties or older and not question: ‘Where are the youth in this church?’ Now I know I did not sit there and watch every member come out after the service was over. Nor did I ask any member in the congregation if there were any youth at the church. Maybe there was a youth service or a youth retreat happening? Maybe it is because of where the youth live?
But the picture was startling because of which generation was coming out of the church while we were passing by. There was a definite tilt on the generation gap to where it did not take long for my wife and I to strike up a conversation on the topic. All this happening while there were kids driving their parent’s car, bumping to rap music right outside of this gorgeous structure sitting there in honor of our God.
The reputation of a church such as the one I saw this morning must be about how it has survived the test of time. It is definitely a testimony to how God is glorified by beautiful houses of worship man can construct. The deeds of this church on these two facts alone represent great glory given to God. But this means nothing if this church is like the church in Sardis in the book of Revelation. For the building is just a building and can never represent the state of the church.
We must concern ourselves about the future of the Church from experiences such as these. We must wake up and become alive again for Christ. This means passing on our beliefs to our children and sharing the good news to the next generation. I am really afraid that many churches are already dead because they have failed to pass on biblical truths to the next generation and keep them from falling prey to the god of this age.
If a generation gap does exist in churches and we do not involve our youth in the church, how can we not fall into the trap the church of Sardis so warns us of? We must strengthen the Church by strengthening our youth in Christ. If we do not, churches will become museums. We will come back and look at the glory we gave God in the past and not find this worship toward our God anymore in the society around us…
We will ask of these glorious churches—are they alive in their beauty or are they alive in their reality?
If the strength and glory of the Church was built upon the visible beauty this church claimed in the middle of this small town, we would be close to heaven because I have never seen such a startling picture of a church. Yet the contrast to the world we live in quickly led me to this part of the Word.
For it is written:
"To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.” Revelation 3:1-2
It was difficult to watch person after person come out of this magnificent church who was in their sixties or older and not question: ‘Where are the youth in this church?’ Now I know I did not sit there and watch every member come out after the service was over. Nor did I ask any member in the congregation if there were any youth at the church. Maybe there was a youth service or a youth retreat happening? Maybe it is because of where the youth live?
But the picture was startling because of which generation was coming out of the church while we were passing by. There was a definite tilt on the generation gap to where it did not take long for my wife and I to strike up a conversation on the topic. All this happening while there were kids driving their parent’s car, bumping to rap music right outside of this gorgeous structure sitting there in honor of our God.
The reputation of a church such as the one I saw this morning must be about how it has survived the test of time. It is definitely a testimony to how God is glorified by beautiful houses of worship man can construct. The deeds of this church on these two facts alone represent great glory given to God. But this means nothing if this church is like the church in Sardis in the book of Revelation. For the building is just a building and can never represent the state of the church.
We must concern ourselves about the future of the Church from experiences such as these. We must wake up and become alive again for Christ. This means passing on our beliefs to our children and sharing the good news to the next generation. I am really afraid that many churches are already dead because they have failed to pass on biblical truths to the next generation and keep them from falling prey to the god of this age.
If a generation gap does exist in churches and we do not involve our youth in the church, how can we not fall into the trap the church of Sardis so warns us of? We must strengthen the Church by strengthening our youth in Christ. If we do not, churches will become museums. We will come back and look at the glory we gave God in the past and not find this worship toward our God anymore in the society around us…
We will ask of these glorious churches—are they alive in their beauty or are they alive in their reality?
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Weekly Message / Prayer Request
Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship
“Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:2-11 NIV
Getting through the flesh and considering it a loss for the sake of Christ is one of the most difficult tasks we all face. For it is the flesh which causes us to become mired in our own world, separated from all strength and purpose God intends for us.
Even Paul, a man of great heritage in worldly connections, found himself not able to boast about what the flesh could offer here in this passage to the Philippians because of its sinful nature.
Yet there are men everyday in our lives which believe it is through our strength alone that we may live a life full of purpose. They rip apart others through slander and eyes of judgment saying ‘if they only looked this way’ or ‘had this worldly trait’ then maybe they would be successful. They put full confidence on what the flesh can offer.
Nothing of this world matters. The worldly things will all be taken away at our passing; therefore should we not consider what is eternal and matters to a God full of love and grace?
Christ answered this question with a parable in the gospel of Matthew:
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44,45 NIV
If we accept this teaching, and we must as followers of Christ, then we shall notice that there is nothing of value in this world. Everything of any value exists within the kingdom of heaven and we should “sell” everything if necessary to obtain this prize. Nothing of this world should burden us from obtaining this end.
But we must also know that we are not alone in this endeavor. We are brothers joined together in unity. This bond is why our fellowship exists and is the reason why any relationship exists. It living out what the Apostle Paul makes clear at the end of this passage from Philippians 3—there is power through Christ by His resurrection and ‘the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings.’
Fellowship—powered by love for one another. This power, which Christ demonstrated by suffering on the cross for our sake, allows us to break free of the burden of the flesh and put our life into that which springs eternal.
May I be able to demonstrate all that is written here this week as I travel home to see family and friends…
Prayer request
Dick – pray for strength as he helps lead others through any division in the church over those ushering
Ernie – pray for continued health with wife and her difficulties of her knee, pray for dear friends facing a financial crisis, pray for his own health
Tim – pray that Tim will be able to effectively guide and talk with son Dan
Chad – pray for friend’s mother-in-law which is battling cancer
Norman – pray for daughter with clinical tests this week trying to determine cause of siezures
Kelcy – pray for family in the sudden death of his uncle
David – pray for the ability to become an effective witness
Mark – praise for the trials over the health of Amara, pray for the new additional to the family and “his/her” health, pray for safe travels and that it may be a Christian visit with family and friends
***Pray for relationship building throughout the Northshore Christian Church
Continued prayer needs
Carmine – pray for strength in working two jobs and finding time within others, pray for relationship with family
Gary – pray for strength in working with IRS, praise and prayer for staff infection, pray for stepdaughters in their struggles
Ramon – pray for safe travels to California, pray for continued healing with wife, pray for sister-in-law
Larry Miller – pray for strength and guidance in leading marriage ministry at Northshore
Randy – pray for release of addictions of the flesh
Michael – pray for guidance in finding a Church in Alabama
Chris – pray that he finds Christ and His purpose
*** pray also for the men’s ministry in developing Godly leaders
Future Meetings
Wednesday, October 31st, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at the Northshore Christian Church (call Mark for directions) Topic: “Power of Prayer”
Wednesday, November 14th , 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting with site and topic to be determined (we will establish location at October 31st meeting)
Challenge
Live life in the ‘unity of the Spirit’ in our minds so it may translate out into the Church…
“Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:2-11 NIV
Getting through the flesh and considering it a loss for the sake of Christ is one of the most difficult tasks we all face. For it is the flesh which causes us to become mired in our own world, separated from all strength and purpose God intends for us.
Even Paul, a man of great heritage in worldly connections, found himself not able to boast about what the flesh could offer here in this passage to the Philippians because of its sinful nature.
Yet there are men everyday in our lives which believe it is through our strength alone that we may live a life full of purpose. They rip apart others through slander and eyes of judgment saying ‘if they only looked this way’ or ‘had this worldly trait’ then maybe they would be successful. They put full confidence on what the flesh can offer.
Nothing of this world matters. The worldly things will all be taken away at our passing; therefore should we not consider what is eternal and matters to a God full of love and grace?
Christ answered this question with a parable in the gospel of Matthew:
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44,45 NIV
If we accept this teaching, and we must as followers of Christ, then we shall notice that there is nothing of value in this world. Everything of any value exists within the kingdom of heaven and we should “sell” everything if necessary to obtain this prize. Nothing of this world should burden us from obtaining this end.
But we must also know that we are not alone in this endeavor. We are brothers joined together in unity. This bond is why our fellowship exists and is the reason why any relationship exists. It living out what the Apostle Paul makes clear at the end of this passage from Philippians 3—there is power through Christ by His resurrection and ‘the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings.’
Fellowship—powered by love for one another. This power, which Christ demonstrated by suffering on the cross for our sake, allows us to break free of the burden of the flesh and put our life into that which springs eternal.
May I be able to demonstrate all that is written here this week as I travel home to see family and friends…
Prayer request
Dick – pray for strength as he helps lead others through any division in the church over those ushering
Ernie – pray for continued health with wife and her difficulties of her knee, pray for dear friends facing a financial crisis, pray for his own health
Tim – pray that Tim will be able to effectively guide and talk with son Dan
Chad – pray for friend’s mother-in-law which is battling cancer
Norman – pray for daughter with clinical tests this week trying to determine cause of siezures
Kelcy – pray for family in the sudden death of his uncle
David – pray for the ability to become an effective witness
Mark – praise for the trials over the health of Amara, pray for the new additional to the family and “his/her” health, pray for safe travels and that it may be a Christian visit with family and friends
***Pray for relationship building throughout the Northshore Christian Church
Continued prayer needs
Carmine – pray for strength in working two jobs and finding time within others, pray for relationship with family
Gary – pray for strength in working with IRS, praise and prayer for staff infection, pray for stepdaughters in their struggles
Ramon – pray for safe travels to California, pray for continued healing with wife, pray for sister-in-law
Larry Miller – pray for strength and guidance in leading marriage ministry at Northshore
Randy – pray for release of addictions of the flesh
Michael – pray for guidance in finding a Church in Alabama
Chris – pray that he finds Christ and His purpose
*** pray also for the men’s ministry in developing Godly leaders
Future Meetings
Wednesday, October 31st, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at the Northshore Christian Church (call Mark for directions) Topic: “Power of Prayer”
Wednesday, November 14th , 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting with site and topic to be determined (we will establish location at October 31st meeting)
Challenge
Live life in the ‘unity of the Spirit’ in our minds so it may translate out into the Church…
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
The Unity factor of the Holy Spirit
Once again it is after a Wednesday evening at the Church. Each week, I am uplifted by seeing the Spirit bring people together to seek the truth and study the Word. It is this evening each week where I am encouraged by witnessing people in the Church interested in seeking out the truths which unite all of us as Christians.
The topic this evening was no different. We had the opportunity to dig deep in the Holy Spirit and His power in each of our lives. It is amazing to see how He is the action behind the Christian doctrine. Every word which describes the Holy Spirit’s personality is a word which describes action in each of our lives as Christians. And to hear how He is a free gift given to all of us from God is so encouraging.
But the truth behind the Holy Spirit is how He unifies the body of Christ. It is through His presence that all of us is united by the blood of Christ into one body—each having different parts playing out a specific mission we have been called to achieve.
I believe we must begin to recognize this powerful truth about the Holy Spirit. We must begin to find commonality which exists between all of us as Christians and become like-minded in our thoughts. For there is so much more that unites us then there is what divides us. It is the petty worldly views which divide. Our calling is to overcome by allowing the Spirit to unite us together into the one body Christ so willingly died for.
The Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Philippians addresses this topic with heartfelt sincerity and truth. We must be likeminded and live our lives putting others before ourselves out of utmost humility. By this love, we may live out the Christ-like nature God so eagerly wants in each one of us.
Therefore as I depart for a trip back east to see family and friends, may my prayers continue to live here with all of you. May my heart rest in unity with all of you during the struggles which the Church will ultimately face. May the fellowship of this group grow and find its place in the minds of all those who wish to glorify God.
The topic this evening was no different. We had the opportunity to dig deep in the Holy Spirit and His power in each of our lives. It is amazing to see how He is the action behind the Christian doctrine. Every word which describes the Holy Spirit’s personality is a word which describes action in each of our lives as Christians. And to hear how He is a free gift given to all of us from God is so encouraging.
But the truth behind the Holy Spirit is how He unifies the body of Christ. It is through His presence that all of us is united by the blood of Christ into one body—each having different parts playing out a specific mission we have been called to achieve.
I believe we must begin to recognize this powerful truth about the Holy Spirit. We must begin to find commonality which exists between all of us as Christians and become like-minded in our thoughts. For there is so much more that unites us then there is what divides us. It is the petty worldly views which divide. Our calling is to overcome by allowing the Spirit to unite us together into the one body Christ so willingly died for.
The Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Philippians addresses this topic with heartfelt sincerity and truth. We must be likeminded and live our lives putting others before ourselves out of utmost humility. By this love, we may live out the Christ-like nature God so eagerly wants in each one of us.
Therefore as I depart for a trip back east to see family and friends, may my prayers continue to live here with all of you. May my heart rest in unity with all of you during the struggles which the Church will ultimately face. May the fellowship of this group grow and find its place in the minds of all those who wish to glorify God.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Weekly Message / Prayer Request
ACTS 2:42 MEN’S FELLOWSHIP
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:1-11 NIV
We are united by something far greater then anything this world has to offer. There is a brotherhood which brings us together for one purpose—in order to bring glory to God the Father. And it begins with the blood of Christ which has stained us all.
But the world would rather differ and promote the individual as the highest unit in society. The belief outside of this brotherhood is that it is all about what the world can offer you. This voice says that your needs outweigh the needs of the group. Nothing matters unless the world gives you what you want.
The Apostle Paul preached something completely different by understanding the importance of unity and where it grows from. His view was not of the world, but was about unity of the blood of Christ and its binding power. This gift given to us by God changes everything and we no longer stand in this world as an individual, but as part of a body.
There is no question that our lives are intended to be lived within these connections. Our God is a relationship driven God down to His very core. One only has to look at the many passages which describe how Christ prayed to the Father, the Father exalted his Son, or how the Father sent the Holy Spirit. All of these exist in the Word because it is necessary to see how the three can become one in their relationship with one another.
And we are to become like Christ and live our lives the same way—relationship driven to our very core. We should be defined by the term ‘brother in Christ’ with other people and know of its important meaning.
About five years before the book of Philippians was written from prison by the Apostle Paul, this same message was preached to the church of Corinth regarding the importance of living your life in a relationship driven manner. It was written:
“…But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:24-27 NIV
We need to drive this home at the Church. Our heart and mind need to be transformed into the vision set forth by the Word here in 1 Corinthians 12. This humility would allow the Church to function within its highest level of efficiency and bring glory to God the Father like our lives were intended to do.
Therefore may we pray for unity and remove ourselves from the Western mindset that it is only about the individual and his needs. May we pray that we can begin to see the bonds which bind us together as ‘brothers in Christ’ and elevate that in our daily living through love and prayer. And may we stand together in unity within the Church that God has so lovingly composed…
Thanks for coming almost two weeks ago on Wednesday. Meeting with each one of you has been a tremendous blessing and encouragement on my life. I pray that each one of you feels the same and will join us this coming Wednesday…
Prayer request
Gary – pray for strength in working with IRS, praise and prayer for staff infection, pray for stepdaughters in their struggles
Dick – pray for continued strength in finding employment
Ernie – pray for continued health with wife and her difficulties of her knee
Tim – pray for oldest son which was discharged from the Marines early, pray for family support for Dan
Carmine – pray for strength in working two jobs and finding time within others, pray for relationship with family
Chad – pray for strength in living a Christian life
Norman – pray for the strength to focus on God (knowing who He is)
David – pray for the Lord’s guidance and to hear Him clearly
Mark – praise for the trials over the health of Amara, pray for continued discernment over the path God has set before me in doing His will, pray that I may stay focused on the task at hand with work and ministry allowing the future to come at His will
***Pray for relationship building throughout the Northshore Christian Church
Continued prayer needs
Kelcy – pray for healing of sickness and continued strength
Ramon – pray for safe travels to California, pray for continued healing with wife, pray for sister-in-law
Larry Miller – pray for strength and guidance in leading marriage ministry at Northshore
Randy – pray for release of addictions of the flesh
Michael – pray for guidance in finding a Church in Alabama
Chris – pray that he finds Christ and His purpose
*** pray also for the men’s ministry in developing Godly leaders
Future Meetings
Wednesday, October 17th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at the Northshore Christian Church (call Mark for directions) Topic: “The doctrine of the Holy Spirit”
Wednesday, October 31st, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting with site and topic to be determined (we will establish location at October 17th meeting)
Challenge
Live life in the ‘unity of the Spirit’ in our minds so it may translate out into the Church…
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:1-11 NIV
We are united by something far greater then anything this world has to offer. There is a brotherhood which brings us together for one purpose—in order to bring glory to God the Father. And it begins with the blood of Christ which has stained us all.
But the world would rather differ and promote the individual as the highest unit in society. The belief outside of this brotherhood is that it is all about what the world can offer you. This voice says that your needs outweigh the needs of the group. Nothing matters unless the world gives you what you want.
The Apostle Paul preached something completely different by understanding the importance of unity and where it grows from. His view was not of the world, but was about unity of the blood of Christ and its binding power. This gift given to us by God changes everything and we no longer stand in this world as an individual, but as part of a body.
There is no question that our lives are intended to be lived within these connections. Our God is a relationship driven God down to His very core. One only has to look at the many passages which describe how Christ prayed to the Father, the Father exalted his Son, or how the Father sent the Holy Spirit. All of these exist in the Word because it is necessary to see how the three can become one in their relationship with one another.
And we are to become like Christ and live our lives the same way—relationship driven to our very core. We should be defined by the term ‘brother in Christ’ with other people and know of its important meaning.
About five years before the book of Philippians was written from prison by the Apostle Paul, this same message was preached to the church of Corinth regarding the importance of living your life in a relationship driven manner. It was written:
“…But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:24-27 NIV
We need to drive this home at the Church. Our heart and mind need to be transformed into the vision set forth by the Word here in 1 Corinthians 12. This humility would allow the Church to function within its highest level of efficiency and bring glory to God the Father like our lives were intended to do.
Therefore may we pray for unity and remove ourselves from the Western mindset that it is only about the individual and his needs. May we pray that we can begin to see the bonds which bind us together as ‘brothers in Christ’ and elevate that in our daily living through love and prayer. And may we stand together in unity within the Church that God has so lovingly composed…
Thanks for coming almost two weeks ago on Wednesday. Meeting with each one of you has been a tremendous blessing and encouragement on my life. I pray that each one of you feels the same and will join us this coming Wednesday…
Prayer request
Gary – pray for strength in working with IRS, praise and prayer for staff infection, pray for stepdaughters in their struggles
Dick – pray for continued strength in finding employment
Ernie – pray for continued health with wife and her difficulties of her knee
Tim – pray for oldest son which was discharged from the Marines early, pray for family support for Dan
Carmine – pray for strength in working two jobs and finding time within others, pray for relationship with family
Chad – pray for strength in living a Christian life
Norman – pray for the strength to focus on God (knowing who He is)
David – pray for the Lord’s guidance and to hear Him clearly
Mark – praise for the trials over the health of Amara, pray for continued discernment over the path God has set before me in doing His will, pray that I may stay focused on the task at hand with work and ministry allowing the future to come at His will
***Pray for relationship building throughout the Northshore Christian Church
Continued prayer needs
Kelcy – pray for healing of sickness and continued strength
Ramon – pray for safe travels to California, pray for continued healing with wife, pray for sister-in-law
Larry Miller – pray for strength and guidance in leading marriage ministry at Northshore
Randy – pray for release of addictions of the flesh
Michael – pray for guidance in finding a Church in Alabama
Chris – pray that he finds Christ and His purpose
*** pray also for the men’s ministry in developing Godly leaders
Future Meetings
Wednesday, October 17th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at the Northshore Christian Church (call Mark for directions) Topic: “The doctrine of the Holy Spirit”
Wednesday, October 31st, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting with site and topic to be determined (we will establish location at October 17th meeting)
Challenge
Live life in the ‘unity of the Spirit’ in our minds so it may translate out into the Church…
Monday, October 8, 2007
The beginning truth (Part 1)
“Fellowship of Men…”
Last week I mentioned that we were going to journey together into the foundational statement of this fellowship. A few things have come up this past week which has made it difficult to remain on schedule. But through prayer I have managed to make it to the weekend and find time to focus on the mission at hand.
This journey is about where we stand in awe of the glory of God. It is about where we take our first steps toward the ultimate purpose God has given each one of us. Through the unity of this group, it is the direction of the journey we have embarked on together.
God is the sole reason for our existence. Any purpose this fellowship finds worthy of following must recognize the power of God. His authority allows all things to remain in existence based upon His will for them to exist. At any moment, God by His divine authority and sole reasoning could end the existence of anything He chooses. Consequently we must come to an understanding that our ultimate purpose together is to give Him glory.
In this ultimate purpose and by His grace and mercy, He has brought us together to serve and glorify Him. It is by His design that we exist and it must always be kept on the forefront of our mind and actions. Nothing we do can outshine His glory and it must always remain grounded in this truth.
But every journey begins somewhere near the word ‘therefore.’ Something happens along the way and with the word ‘therefore’ then something beings to exist. It essentially is the reaction to a cause or the response to an earlier choice made which gives journeys their meaning.
The ‘therefore’ which occurred in this fellowship happened when the Lord called me to lead a group of men over the summer, faithfully in prayer and fellowship with one another. From this ‘therefore’ has come this group. We are established to continue down the path which God has set forth.
So we begin by addressing the first part of the foundational statement with the three words “Fellowship of Men…”
Nothing is more important in the life of a Church (outside of our relationship with God) then honest, meaningful fellowship. This group should recognize this fact and know that unity together as one body, coming together in the relationship bonds that God desires us to have, and building a community around our relationship with our heavenly Father is very important in our walk in faith. God is a relationship driven God and He has designed our lives to reflect this important quality.
There is a unifying fact about our relationship with Christ that has been written about in the Word. This unity in Spirit truly binds us to our heavenly Father and makes us all brothers in Christ.
“The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.” 1 John 1:2-4 NIV
Our joy is complete with this fellowship. In essence John is saying that nothing more is required in our joy other then our relationship with Christ. But he makes it clear that each person can have such fellowship together in the previous sentence. He says that all of us can be one in this joy.
Fellowship is this unifying factor and truly important to the Christian walk of faith. We cannot experience what it is to be a true Christian unless we have encountered the true experience of fellowship. Therefore I felt it was very important to make this the very first word of the foundational statement.
Anyone who says that they can live out a true, authentic Christian life alone is erroneous in their thinking. A Christian lifestyle cannot survive alone. Why do you think God made it essential that Adam have a helper? Why did Jesus send out the disciples in two’s when He sent them to minister to others? All of this is because of the truth of fellowship. We were made for one another in order to demonstrate love. Living life alone free of any relationships is against the purpose and truth of Christian doctrine.
Therefore this group will hold this truth high and build a community of believers who know that we as Christians were intended to be relationship driven in love for thy brother.
In closing, God has a great purpose behind every fellowship which stands beside the truth in order to glorify God. It is exciting to see this fellowship make the transition into a long-standing purpose based upon the truth written about in the Word.
As leader of this fellowship, I am unashamed to say that I feel inadequate for the mission at hand. But I am relying on the strength of God to carry me through these months ahead. In every message I write, they are given as a way to provoke truth searching by all of us into the Word of God. I do not write from a perspective that I stand above anyone else or have any of these Christian doctrines mastered.
God has presented me with a mission. I am trying to answer the call in the best way possible. Therefore I would be honored to stand beside each one of you as we spread the message of light ‘far and wide’ into the darkened world which surrounds us.
Last week I mentioned that we were going to journey together into the foundational statement of this fellowship. A few things have come up this past week which has made it difficult to remain on schedule. But through prayer I have managed to make it to the weekend and find time to focus on the mission at hand.
This journey is about where we stand in awe of the glory of God. It is about where we take our first steps toward the ultimate purpose God has given each one of us. Through the unity of this group, it is the direction of the journey we have embarked on together.
God is the sole reason for our existence. Any purpose this fellowship finds worthy of following must recognize the power of God. His authority allows all things to remain in existence based upon His will for them to exist. At any moment, God by His divine authority and sole reasoning could end the existence of anything He chooses. Consequently we must come to an understanding that our ultimate purpose together is to give Him glory.
In this ultimate purpose and by His grace and mercy, He has brought us together to serve and glorify Him. It is by His design that we exist and it must always be kept on the forefront of our mind and actions. Nothing we do can outshine His glory and it must always remain grounded in this truth.
But every journey begins somewhere near the word ‘therefore.’ Something happens along the way and with the word ‘therefore’ then something beings to exist. It essentially is the reaction to a cause or the response to an earlier choice made which gives journeys their meaning.
The ‘therefore’ which occurred in this fellowship happened when the Lord called me to lead a group of men over the summer, faithfully in prayer and fellowship with one another. From this ‘therefore’ has come this group. We are established to continue down the path which God has set forth.
So we begin by addressing the first part of the foundational statement with the three words “Fellowship of Men…”
Nothing is more important in the life of a Church (outside of our relationship with God) then honest, meaningful fellowship. This group should recognize this fact and know that unity together as one body, coming together in the relationship bonds that God desires us to have, and building a community around our relationship with our heavenly Father is very important in our walk in faith. God is a relationship driven God and He has designed our lives to reflect this important quality.
There is a unifying fact about our relationship with Christ that has been written about in the Word. This unity in Spirit truly binds us to our heavenly Father and makes us all brothers in Christ.
“The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.” 1 John 1:2-4 NIV
Our joy is complete with this fellowship. In essence John is saying that nothing more is required in our joy other then our relationship with Christ. But he makes it clear that each person can have such fellowship together in the previous sentence. He says that all of us can be one in this joy.
Fellowship is this unifying factor and truly important to the Christian walk of faith. We cannot experience what it is to be a true Christian unless we have encountered the true experience of fellowship. Therefore I felt it was very important to make this the very first word of the foundational statement.
Anyone who says that they can live out a true, authentic Christian life alone is erroneous in their thinking. A Christian lifestyle cannot survive alone. Why do you think God made it essential that Adam have a helper? Why did Jesus send out the disciples in two’s when He sent them to minister to others? All of this is because of the truth of fellowship. We were made for one another in order to demonstrate love. Living life alone free of any relationships is against the purpose and truth of Christian doctrine.
Therefore this group will hold this truth high and build a community of believers who know that we as Christians were intended to be relationship driven in love for thy brother.
In closing, God has a great purpose behind every fellowship which stands beside the truth in order to glorify God. It is exciting to see this fellowship make the transition into a long-standing purpose based upon the truth written about in the Word.
As leader of this fellowship, I am unashamed to say that I feel inadequate for the mission at hand. But I am relying on the strength of God to carry me through these months ahead. In every message I write, they are given as a way to provoke truth searching by all of us into the Word of God. I do not write from a perspective that I stand above anyone else or have any of these Christian doctrines mastered.
God has presented me with a mission. I am trying to answer the call in the best way possible. Therefore I would be honored to stand beside each one of you as we spread the message of light ‘far and wide’ into the darkened world which surrounds us.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Weekly Message / Prayer Request
ACTS 2:42 MEN’S FELLOWSHIP
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:1-6 NIV
Every person has been given a purpose from God. It is an individual calling for which we are to live our life toward—proclaiming the glory of God. But the Lord never designed us to live our lives as individuals alone and isolated from one another. Instead from the very beginning He has emphasized the importance of unity.
The Apostle Paul understood this concept well when he wrote from a prison in Rome to the church of Ephesus in 60 A.D on the ‘unity of the Spirit’. This passage from Ephesians 4 clearly shows we are of one mind, one body, and one Spirit when we enter a relationship with Christ as our Savior. It is the ‘unity of the Spirit’ which binds us together.
But it will only remain a concept and never come alive in each one of us unless we put it to practice in our own life. And this is not just about acting in one Spirit; it is about believing it and putting the concept deep into your heart and mind.
For Christ spoke clearly of the concept of unity before the scribes from Jerusalem in the gospel of Luke:
“Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: ‘Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.’” Luke 11:17 NIV
What I find fascinating and important about this passage is the first part of the verse where it says ‘Jesus knew their thoughts…’ The scribes did not even have a chance to bring up the possibility of disunity by their actions or words. It was their thoughts which prompted a response from our Lord.
I believe there is no difference today. The Lord will measure our thoughts of unity, not any action of unity. Just coming together as the ‘body of Christ’ once a week does not represent whether we are truly a part of the ‘body of Christ’. It is whether we are each unified in our minds to the body of Christ which matters to our Lord…
If this would happen and we each come to this realization upon where unity starts in our own life (in the mind), then I truly believe the Church will be changed and it will take on the understanding of the ‘unity of the Spirit.’
Then when troubles come to each one of us, the body will be there to raise each one of us up in encouragement and love…
*********************************************************
Thanks for coming this past Wednesday. Meeting with each one of you has been a tremendous blessing and encouragement on my life. I pray that each one of you feels the same…
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:1-6 NIV
Every person has been given a purpose from God. It is an individual calling for which we are to live our life toward—proclaiming the glory of God. But the Lord never designed us to live our lives as individuals alone and isolated from one another. Instead from the very beginning He has emphasized the importance of unity.
The Apostle Paul understood this concept well when he wrote from a prison in Rome to the church of Ephesus in 60 A.D on the ‘unity of the Spirit’. This passage from Ephesians 4 clearly shows we are of one mind, one body, and one Spirit when we enter a relationship with Christ as our Savior. It is the ‘unity of the Spirit’ which binds us together.
But it will only remain a concept and never come alive in each one of us unless we put it to practice in our own life. And this is not just about acting in one Spirit; it is about believing it and putting the concept deep into your heart and mind.
For Christ spoke clearly of the concept of unity before the scribes from Jerusalem in the gospel of Luke:
“Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: ‘Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.’” Luke 11:17 NIV
What I find fascinating and important about this passage is the first part of the verse where it says ‘Jesus knew their thoughts…’ The scribes did not even have a chance to bring up the possibility of disunity by their actions or words. It was their thoughts which prompted a response from our Lord.
I believe there is no difference today. The Lord will measure our thoughts of unity, not any action of unity. Just coming together as the ‘body of Christ’ once a week does not represent whether we are truly a part of the ‘body of Christ’. It is whether we are each unified in our minds to the body of Christ which matters to our Lord…
If this would happen and we each come to this realization upon where unity starts in our own life (in the mind), then I truly believe the Church will be changed and it will take on the understanding of the ‘unity of the Spirit.’
Then when troubles come to each one of us, the body will be there to raise each one of us up in encouragement and love…
*********************************************************
Thanks for coming this past Wednesday. Meeting with each one of you has been a tremendous blessing and encouragement on my life. I pray that each one of you feels the same…
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