When is the last time you were completely in awe of what happened? Sometimes it just catches us. We weren't expecting to be impressed but we are. We were thinking it was an ordinary day and something happens that makes us stop and realize we are not in an ordinary life. When was the last time it happened in church?

 We tend to think of church as being the same thing every week. The sermon is not the same; it is a different topic and uses different scriptures. Some preachers always end at the same point of conversion but not everyone. The prayers are by different people. The communion is done by different people. The elements that we take during communion are the same and it is to remember the same event. Neither the song leader nor the songs are the same every week. So, why would we think it is the same?

 It is the same format many times but the same format is used for many things. We go in and buy a ticket to see a movie, buy popcorn, watch the movie and go home. The movie is different but the process is the same. We go to a restaurant to eat. We are seated, given a menu and we choose from the same menu that has been around for years. We may order different things but it will still be food we have had before. You may go to a different restaurant but the process is the same. Chances are we will order the same thing even if the restaurant is different. So why aren’t people bored with movies and eating out?

The one thing that is the same is us. When we go see a movie we are excited about what we are going to see. When we eat at a restaurant we are excited about eating out with someone even if it isn’t about the food. When we go to church… we aren’t excited. We aren’t looking forward to it. We don’t expect anything to happen. We think it is the same when many people have done a lot to make sure it is never the same. If we are the same bored person going to church and not paying attention we will get the same thing out of it. Nothing.

 What can we do? Pay attention. Expect that we will get something good that week. Look forward to who we will meet there; namely that we will meet God there. Look at what the sermon topic will be before you get there and think about what you know on that subject. (It is on the web.) Enter in to every prayer, song and thought with great interest. Unless you think God may be doing the same thing… meeting some boring people that don’t care anything about being with him. And if we are meeting someone that thinks we are boring it will be difficult to change his mind. Let’s try to do it this week.

 Terry

 Friday, November 11, 2011

When we talk about freedom the first thing we think of is that we fight for freedom. Sometimes the fight is necessary. There are always ones in control who want to take away freedom. People who want control over others take away freedom. Even if the ones in control claim it is for their best it still takes away the people’s freedom. Even if they don’t know any better and they will be better off it still takes freedom away. We do not get to the control other people without their consent.

 When they agree that they need help then they place themselves under someone else’s control. Even if they do that they don’t intend for the one helping to control everything. The one who helps will not use more control than is necessary. To do so is not helpful. They have limitations that keep them from developing true freedom. They are not able to have complete freedom until they grow beyond their limitations.

 We help our children grow up. That means we gradually exercise less and less control and allow them more and more responsibility. The more responsibility they take, the less control they need. The good parent will enable them to control their own life and live responsibly before they need to move out of the house. They can experience freedom with responsibility. They have matured past the need for control.

 Jesus first request of his disciples was to follow him. They left their regular business to follow Jesus. They put themselves in submission to him. He became their master with control over every part of their life. Why would the disciples allow that? They realized they didn’t know about life and wanted to learn. They were starting over like children. The learned new ethics and new character. They learned what was important and how to please God. They made mistakes and Jesus corrected them. As soon as they were trained he allowed them to teach. He gave them miracles when he thought they could handle it. He left them to be responsible before they thought they were ready.

 After Jesus trained them the disciples had real freedom. It was not just to do what they wanted. It was freedom to become something better. They were able to be what God had intended for them to be all along. They had freedom to stand on their own as children of God and not be controlled by the scribes and the Pharisees. They were responsible for their actions and their faith. They lived as free children of God and changed the world around them. God wants to give us that kind of freedom.

Terry

 Wednesday, June 29, 2011

School has started. Students sometimes complain that they are expected to learn things in class that they will never use. That just means they are not planning to do anything in life that would allow them to use that information. Their view of life is very limited. They will never have activities that require that knowledge. They will never help their children with homework that would need that knowledge. They will only do things in life that are simple because they stopped the learning cycle by only learning what is necessary with day to day living.

What This Belief Means in Our Lives

(A) Spirit-Led Living

Living by the Spirit means that we do not gratify the desires of the flesh/sinful nature.

• Being Spirit-filled means that we live in accordance with the Spirit and have our minds set on what the Spirit desires.
• We acknowledge that it is God who works in us to act according to his will and purpose and therefore deserves all the credit for the good that we do.
• We believe the only way possible to live up to the standards of the Christian life is by the Holy Spirit within us and that the power does not belong to us.
• We seek to be boldly open to the opportunities the Spirit provides in service and outreach.

(Gal. 5:16; Rom.8:5; Phil. 2:13)

(B) Prayer

When we pray, we are intimately worshiping our loving Father in Heaven and that prayer is absolutely necessary for the believer to build a powerful and personal relationship with God.

• Our attitude in prayer is one of devotion, gratitude and thanksgiving as we petition God to forgive us, bless our loved ones and use us to touch the lives of the hurting with the love of Christ.

(Matthew 6:6; Philippians 4:6; Col. 4:2)

(C) The Bible Is Our Sole Authority

• The entire Bible was given to us by God to teach us what is true and makes us realize what is wrong in our lives and helps us do what is right. It is our manual for living.
• The Scripture alone is the reliable and truthful authority in religious matters today. It corrects false theologies, when interpreted the way the Lord intends.
• Our first question when faced with a decision is ”What does the Bible say?”
• We practice regular Bible reading, Bible study, and obey strictly the commands of Christ.

(2 Timothy 3:15-17; Matthew 28:20)

(D) Sharing Our Faith in Christ With Others

• We prepare ourselves to be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks us the reason for the hope that we have.
• It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the gospel with those to whom God brings us into contact.
• We fulfill our great commission by teaching about Christ crucified, buried and resurrected and by inviting friends and loved ones to worship.

(1 Peter 3:15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

(E) The Priesthood of Every Believer

• We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a people belonging to God, that we may declare the praises of him who called us and offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
• The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation.
• We practice this truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry.

(1 Peter 2:5, 9; Rev. 1:5)

(F) The Autonomy of Each Local Church

Christ is the recognized head of this body of disciples, His church.

• No other person, group or council has the authority to dictate our beliefs or practices.
• We believe every local congregation to be self-governing and independent from any outside control.
• Although autonomous, the churches of Christ fellowship with each other because of their commonality of the gospel message and their cooperative interpretation of Scripture.
• In matters of faith and salvation we have unity. In disputable matters of opinion we have liberty. And in all things we have mutual love and respect.

(Colossians 1:18; 2 Timothy 2:15)

(G) Giving

• We practice the New Testament blueprint for the supporting of the mission of Christ’s church.
• We recognize that giving God the ”first-fruits” of our income is the Biblical standard.
• Many give beyond ten percent in expression of their love for God.

What We Believe

(A) About God

• God is a Spirit who is intelligent, eternal, holy, true, good, sovereign, just and merciful.
• He is infinite in power and wisdom, who lovingly creates and sustains all things.
• God the Father’s greatest desire is to enjoy His children’s companionship.

(John 4:24; Psalm 139; Eph. 4:6-7)

(B) About Jesus Christ

• Jesus Christ is God, the Son and is both divine and human.
• He is coequal with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
• Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross.
• Through Him alone can we reach the Father in heaven.
• He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death.
• He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to bring His people home.

(Isaiah 9:6; Matt. 1:22-23; John 14:6-30; Acts 1:9-11; Rom. 1:3-4; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; 1 Tim. 6:14 Tit. 2:13; Heb. 4:14-15)

(C) About the Holy Spirit

• The Holy Spirit is divine, coequal with the Father and the Son of God.
• He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ.
• He is given to live in every Christian at baptism to provide them with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.
• He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved.
• As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.

(John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; I Cor. 2:12, 3:16; II Cor. 3:17; Gal. 5:25; Eph. 1:13, 5:18)

(D) About the Bible

• The Bible is God’s Word to us.
• It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.
• It is the supreme truth source for Christian beliefs and living.
• Because it is inspired by God, it is trustworthy and without error.

(Psalm 12:6, 119:105, 160; Pro. 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

(E) About Human Beings

• People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character.
• People are the supreme objects of God’s creation.
• Although every person born has tremendous potential for good, eventually everyone is marred by an attitude of selfishness and disobedience toward God. This is called”sin.”
• This attitude separates people from God and His blessings and causes our problems in life.

(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 59:1, Romans 3:23)

(F) About Salvation

• Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it.
• We can never compensate for our sin by self-improvement or good works.
• Only accepting by faith God’s gracious offer of forgiveness through Jesus Christ can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty.
• When we turn from our self-ruled life, confess Jesus as Savior and Lord, and are baptized into Him, we are born again, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit and the promise of eternal life.

(Acts 2:38, 22:16; Romans 6:3-4, 6:23, 10:9-10; Galatians 3:27, Titus 3:5)

g)      (G) About Eternity

• People were created to exist forever.
• In the afterlife, we will exist either separated from God by sin, or with God because of grace and salvation through Jesus Christ.
• In eternity, to be separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven.
• Both Heaven and Hell are actual and real places of eternal existence.

(John 3:16, 5:24-29; Rom. 6:23; Rev. 20:15)