Weekly Message / Prayer Request

Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30 ESV

This passage of scripture may be only seven words in total in the ESV, but they represent the entirety of a Christian’s service to Jesus Christ because this statement from John the Baptist represents what true Christian service is all about.

We start here today because of how important this message is and how difficult it is to practice. For nothing is easier then to make yourself “larger” then Christ in this world and believe your ministry is the most important one or can make the largest difference in someone else’s life. Yet unfortunately, this human desire of success can sometimes be the largest impediment to what true success really is. Instead it is about allowing God to work through you, not relying on the works of men.

Early on in this ministry we dealt with the tension of ‘Him increasing vs. the human desire of success’ quite often. We asked the question—what is the meaning of success for the Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship? Over time we began to come up with our own answers. Some people said success was greater attendance. Some people felt it was the sharing of more biblical knowledge. Others felt it was reaching out to new believers or those who have not come to Christ. Even recently someone said it was about fellowship.

Yet the truth is that in some way it was probably all of the above without using a measuring stick because true success can only occur through Christ. Everything we are is only the instrument that God uses to share Christ to others. This mindset I believe must be at the forefront of everything we are as leaders. John the Baptist realized this profoundly which is why these were probably the last words that we have from John till the despondent message from the dungeon in Machaerus whether Jesus is after all the Messiah (Luke 7:19, Matthew 11:2).

This tension (‘Him increasing vs. the human desire of success’) unfortunately at times still exists within me which shows that first, ‘I am human, born into sin’ and that second, I have a long way to go to become Christ-like. I still struggle sometimes with success on what it should look like and many times I am way too hard on myself when I do not reach that artificial goal.

Through the process of meditating on this verse, I realized that John the Baptist was sharing three qualities which must be at the forefront of any ministry. First, humility must be present in knowing that it is not by you that the message is heard. And second, we must have a willingness to be esteemed as nothing in this world in order that Christ can be glorified.

Jesus said it best when He said: ‘Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it’ (Matthew 10:39 ESV). This should tell us that the standard of this world is corrupt. Yet how many times do we see people defending their actions or standing up for their decisions based upon factor x or standard y. Jesus said He is the only standard, not our life.

Difficult. Very difficult to put into action. But we should know that it should not deter us from serving our Lord because John the Baptist was sharing with us a third quality which should not be overlooked—we should feel honored that God calls upon us to share the god news of Christ.

American Presbyterian theologian Albert Barnes (1798-1870) said it best when he wrote: “It shows us, also, that it is sufficient honor for man if he may be permitted to point sinners to the Lord Jesus Christ. No work is so honorable and joyful as the ministry of the gospel; none are so highly honored as those who are permitted to stand near the Son of God, lead perishing men to his cross.”

The prophet Daniel shared with us this glorious calling when he said:

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:3 NIV

Therefore may we not be deterred by the difficulty of the road that lies ahead. For those who serve Christ are most exalted by God.

But as we move forward, as this ministry moves forward, my prayer is that all of us may decrease and realize that everything in this world that we raise up can do nothing but impede the message of Christ. We must raise up Christ and increase Him in everything we do and make it our lifelong goal to take us to a place of nothingness if it be that Christ is glorified.


Prayer requests

Brett S – pray that he will be able to stay strong in the Word and continue to come back to this fellowship

Calvin – pray that the men of this church will become energized for God and become the backbone for the church, home, and family

Richard – pray for reconciliation with his brother, pray that God will help him remove any anger he may be feeling at times

Ernie – pray for wife who is having some health problems and is not feeling well, pray for granddaughter who is having some financial problems

Dick – pray for continued strength during these times of uncertainty

Stephen G – pray for strength in teaching kids at school so they may learn and become better students

Steve S – pray that he will be able to trust more in God

Tim D – pray that he will be able to continue doing devotions with his children

Paul – pray that God will guide him during the moving process and allow everything to go smooth, pray that His purpose will be made clear over in Prosser

Mark – pray that Ephesians 1:18 will be realized in the hearts of men here at Northshore and that people will become energized to follow the Lord, pray for continued financial discernment during tight times, pray that I will continue to find strength in the Lord

***Pray that Northshore can continue to make an impact in the local community for our Lord Jesus Christ


Continued prayer needs

Greg – pray that his family will all find and keep a Godly mind, pray for all the churches who are being persecuted from those against Proposition 8

Nelson – pray for the President-elect that he will be a man of God, pray for his brother Bob

Tim W – pray for wife who is going to Germany to visit parents who may not be doing well, pray that a great deal of success came from the auction which happened on Saturday night

Bill M – praise God that everything has been healed from his prostate surgery, pray that he will continue to remain healthy and return to the group next year

Ramon – pray that God will continue to heal his wife Tina and give her strength in the coming days

Larry Miller – pray that he will be able to find work, pray that he will be able to strengthen the marriage ministry at Northshore

Vince – pray that he can be a Godly example to others

Sky – pray that the move to Bellingham will be smooth and he will be able to attend school up there to pursue some of his goals

Kevin – pray for his youngest daughter and her boyfriend that they make smart choices, pray for exwife

David – pray that he will be able to serve in the children’s ministry and make a difference in the lives of kids

Ralph – pray that he will be able to surrender to God in everything

Tim H – pray for his wife to find her ministry

Gary – pray for strength as he works through all the various stresses of life, pray for the health of his wife

Craig – pray that he will become more diligent in joining with others in fellowship, pray God will comfort him during times of loneliness

Joe – pray for all the military members who are in harms way for their safety and quick return

Kelcy – pray for all the pastors and leaders within the Church

Brent – pray that he will find clarity and guidance for finding the right person to marry

Carmine – pray that he can deal with the stresses of work

Keith – pray that their youngest daughter will be able to do well in college

Chad – pray for continued seeking of purity in his life


Future Meetings

Wednesday, December 10th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church in Room C214 on the Academy side of the Church

**** Wednesday, December 17th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church

Monday, December 29th, 7:00-9:00 pm, the annual Christmas/New Year Meeting (Monday meeting) with the location to be determined

**** Wednesday, January 7th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church

Wednesday, December 29th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church – Start of the study of Ephesians


Group Happenings

Coming January 14th, 2009… “Ephesians: The Wealth of God in us”—A study through the book of Ephesians, verse by verse, chapter by chapter, so we can discover all we have been given by God…

As the world continues to tell all of us all what we do not have and what we are lacking; as each one of us continue to struggle through tough economic times; as the Church continues to face new challenges; I believe there is no better time then to truly discover all we do have as Christians. We have been blessed beyond measure through our Lord Jesus Christ and by Him have access to all of God's promises.

By studying all the topics covered in the book of Ephesians together in this fellowship of men, my prayer is that all of us will truly come to understand that we have "The wealth of God in us".

Pray that this study will be a tremendous blessing to each one of us, a blessing to the Church, and an opportunity for the Acts 2:42 Men's Fellowship to continue the calling God has placed on all of our hearts...

I invite you to invite others so that through this study, we can minister unto others and share the love of God.

God bless and I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.

In Christ,
Mark


Meeting Topic Schedule (for the rest of 2008)

December 3, 2008 - Abiding in Christ (Tim)

December 10, 2008 - The Coming Messiah (Mark)

December 17, 2008 - The Arrival of the Messiah (Tim)

December 29, 2008 (Monday Meeting) - Blessings -- here, now and tomorrow (Mark)


Memory Verse

“But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” 2 Chronicles 15:7 NKJV