HIS IS THE ONLY WINNING SIDE!
“And at once they left their nets and [yielding up all claims to them] followed [with] Him [joining Him as disciples and siding with His party]” Mark 1:18 Amplified Bible
I’ve come to believe that our coming to the Lord and walking this Christian walk can actually be compared to “joining a party”. Already the talking news heads, and political pundits have started the early hype about who will run against the incumbents in next year’s mid-term elections, and which party will win the presidency in 2012. With all this party talk, I’ve been thinking about the most important party…God’s!
As Christians, we believe in one cause, which is to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. After all, He is our ultimate leader. As Christians, we are urged to drop all self-centered plans and ambitions and live according to His will. It is our duty to be loyal to His cause. The agenda is simple. We want to see our enemy Satan defeated. We want to see souls delivered out of his grasp and enter into God’s saving grace. Now that is a platform we should all support!
I’m so glad that unlike other parties where the leader serves for a specified term, Jesus serves forever. The Bible says He is eternal (Deuteronomy 33:27). There is no end to His term. He is not voted in so He cannot be voted out. He can be neither impeached nor dethroned. His term is the same as His Kingdom. It is from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 145:13). Aren’t we glad indeed?
Friends, Jesus Christ is still inviting people today to join “His Party.” He wants us to be like Andrew and his brother Simon Peter who set aside their plans and ambitions, and followed Him so that His plans and His purposes could be fulfilled in their lives. Sadly, I must admit that, many are like the rich young ruler who was unwilling to give up what He had, in order to follow Christ (Luke 18:18-23). Too many refuse to understand, that when it comes to Jesus, He cannot lie, He cannot fail and that what He says, He will do. Friends, you can count on Jesus to keep His word! He told His disciples, the first 12 members of His party to “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men” and He did just that.
What side are you on today? To which party do you belong? I want to be like Joshua who decided for the Lord and declared “As for me and my house we shall serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15). Why not pause on this busy Tuesday and be sure that you have joined His party. Why not be on the right side, and side with Jesus? I can guarantee that you will never regret joining Christ’s party. The reason you ask? Simple! Ultimately, His is the ONLY winning side!
Have a great Tuesday and rest of the week.
Serving by Your Side,
Pastor Darryl
Monday, September 28, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
“Not Just A Great Place To Worship, It Is Also A Great Place To Belong”
As a Pastor myself, I am always doing my best to encourage my Pre-Christian friends and associates to give our church a visit and come worship with us. I tell folks that we’re open every Sunday and Wednesday for business. That usually receives a chuckle and the point is subtly made. I know as do you that it is our friendship base upon which we will have the greatest impact. Still, we mustn’t forget that we will usually win people to ourselves before we will win them to our Jesus. So friendship evangelism is paramount in the life of the Christian, and where we attend church does offer a validation of our verbally stated life of faith.
I’ve seen so many people throughout my ministry that really aren’t in love with the church. Now don’t get me wrong, I mean that they are not really involved in its life daily, but rather, are just more or less, ‘Dating the Church’ – you know – going to it but not committing to it enough to be truly owning it as a vital part of their life. By belonging I’m not talking about church membership, but rather church involvement that is intentional because we love our church and want to see it grow as we meet the needs of those around us.
I’ve just finished reading Joshua Harris’ little book Stop Dating the Church. It is actually a pretty quick read and I must say it is well worth the short time investment of the two hours or so it takes to complete this little gem. He has some great illustrations to say the least and it really does get your attention – well, for sure, it certainly got mine.
In the book, Joshua Harris defines what we know to be: “THE CHURCH”. He clearly tells us why both God and all those who claim the name “Christian” are supportive of it. He talks about why the church needs Christians to take part in an active, supportive, passionate participation. He gives the reader 10 clear things to look for in a church, and gives practical tips on how to get the most out of every Sunday and every service. Here’s a quick quote:
“You see the strongest argument I know for why you and I should love and care about the Church is that Jesus does. The greatest motivation we could ever find for being passionately committed to the Church is that Jesus is passionately committed to the Church.” (A quote from page # 31)
Recently our church board stepped out on faith and had a professional production company create and produce a one minute commercial about out church. It has been uploaded, and it is now on the town of Avon, Indiana’s web site. We did this so that anyone from anywhere can know that our church is here. They will now also know that Avon Parkside Church is “Not just a great place to worship, it is also a great place to belong.” Because we’re in the second fastest growing county in the state of Indiana, we want people who will be moving to Avon, to know that we are here and that our ministries are available to them.
You can find a way to let people know that your church is available to them. The New Testament Church model that is presented in Acts 2:42-47 is a tried and true method. It’s God’s plan for every church to operate just that way. Most people are quick to recommend a great restaurant to friends, why not recommend the place where you are spiritually fed? Do you love your church? Do you bring your Pre-Christian friends? Are you excited about what your church is doing in your community? I so, Great! If not, why not do a ‘Church Check-Up’, and renew your commitment to the place where you worship. You’ll be so glad you did!
Why not make a personal commitment on this busy Tuesday to be sure and tell everyone God brings into your life that you’d love to have them worship with you at your church. Tell them that your church is ‘Not just a great place to worship, it is also a great place to belong.’
Have a great Tuesday and rest of the week.
Pastor Darryl
As a Pastor myself, I am always doing my best to encourage my Pre-Christian friends and associates to give our church a visit and come worship with us. I tell folks that we’re open every Sunday and Wednesday for business. That usually receives a chuckle and the point is subtly made. I know as do you that it is our friendship base upon which we will have the greatest impact. Still, we mustn’t forget that we will usually win people to ourselves before we will win them to our Jesus. So friendship evangelism is paramount in the life of the Christian, and where we attend church does offer a validation of our verbally stated life of faith.
I’ve seen so many people throughout my ministry that really aren’t in love with the church. Now don’t get me wrong, I mean that they are not really involved in its life daily, but rather, are just more or less, ‘Dating the Church’ – you know – going to it but not committing to it enough to be truly owning it as a vital part of their life. By belonging I’m not talking about church membership, but rather church involvement that is intentional because we love our church and want to see it grow as we meet the needs of those around us.
I’ve just finished reading Joshua Harris’ little book Stop Dating the Church. It is actually a pretty quick read and I must say it is well worth the short time investment of the two hours or so it takes to complete this little gem. He has some great illustrations to say the least and it really does get your attention – well, for sure, it certainly got mine.
In the book, Joshua Harris defines what we know to be: “THE CHURCH”. He clearly tells us why both God and all those who claim the name “Christian” are supportive of it. He talks about why the church needs Christians to take part in an active, supportive, passionate participation. He gives the reader 10 clear things to look for in a church, and gives practical tips on how to get the most out of every Sunday and every service. Here’s a quick quote:
“You see the strongest argument I know for why you and I should love and care about the Church is that Jesus does. The greatest motivation we could ever find for being passionately committed to the Church is that Jesus is passionately committed to the Church.” (A quote from page # 31)
Recently our church board stepped out on faith and had a professional production company create and produce a one minute commercial about out church. It has been uploaded, and it is now on the town of Avon, Indiana’s web site. We did this so that anyone from anywhere can know that our church is here. They will now also know that Avon Parkside Church is “Not just a great place to worship, it is also a great place to belong.” Because we’re in the second fastest growing county in the state of Indiana, we want people who will be moving to Avon, to know that we are here and that our ministries are available to them.
You can find a way to let people know that your church is available to them. The New Testament Church model that is presented in Acts 2:42-47 is a tried and true method. It’s God’s plan for every church to operate just that way. Most people are quick to recommend a great restaurant to friends, why not recommend the place where you are spiritually fed? Do you love your church? Do you bring your Pre-Christian friends? Are you excited about what your church is doing in your community? I so, Great! If not, why not do a ‘Church Check-Up’, and renew your commitment to the place where you worship. You’ll be so glad you did!
Why not make a personal commitment on this busy Tuesday to be sure and tell everyone God brings into your life that you’d love to have them worship with you at your church. Tell them that your church is ‘Not just a great place to worship, it is also a great place to belong.’
Have a great Tuesday and rest of the week.
Pastor Darryl
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
"You Know, I was thinking…”
“You know, I was thinking…” No Doubt, we have all said that to someone at one time or another, haven’t we? I have often thought myself about how God created us and has blessed us with the capability of independent thinking. He also has given to us a Free Moral Agency in the area of our personal choices. It’s a fact that our ability to reason as humans truly separates us from the animal world. We operate on a higher level, a higher plain than simply that of instinct. We are able to analyze and discern truth and reality. Never take it for granted my friends because this is a God-given gift for which we are most blessed.
Scientists tell us that our mind will think thousands of thoughts each and every day. Some research has noted that we can think as many as 3.5 million thoughts a year. Because these thoughts will cover all facets of our life, we quickly learn that this gives us the ability to deal with everyday situations and long-term planning. It also helps us to manage crisis as it comes. No doubt, thinking right helps us to live right.
We live in such a pluralistic world. It is a world that says, ‘let me think and do as I see fit and you do the same’. One of the overwhelming difficulties with that logic is that we end up encountering problems as another person’s actions seem to run cross current with ours. The result is definitely uncomfortable at best. What it yields is nothing short of a crisis. For example, those people who somehow come to the place where they no longer think that life is valuable quickly become a threat to those of us who do value life. As a pastor, I can tell you that thinking right is always an important exercise for Christians. Still I think it is also true that wrapped within right thinking, is what I offer to you today as three basic ingredients.
Ingredient # 1: There must be objective truth that we subscribe to. For the Christian this objective truth is the Holy Word of God. You see I am convinced that the Bible deals extensively with how we are to think, even though the world has overwhelmingly disagreed with that truth. But look around you; does anyone actually think that moving away from the Bible’s clear teachings has somehow helped our world? Indeed, it has had the exact opposite effect.
Ingredient # 2: We must be careful with whom we associate. As a result of our choices relationally, we are known by our environment. The company we keep influences and shapes our thinking more than we care to admit. From Children to Teens to Young Adults to Senior Adults, we can see that in time this truth is proven out over and over again. Those we hold onto, have a hold on us.
Ingredient # 3: The things that we allow our eyes to see as we read a book, watch the TV, view a movie, or peruse a magazine, and view via the technology of the internet definitely affects us. All of this will have a significant impact on how we see ourselves and others. Prolonged exposure to negative images is making our world less safe than ever. Sin is real, and we must never forget that it is also negative. I used to say that ‘Sin is the darkroom where Satan takes us to develop our negatives’.
In Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of the New Testament entitled The Message, the apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:8-9 “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious-the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into His most excellent harmonies.”
You know, I was thinking, that’s a pretty good way to live. What do you think?
As you have a Great Tuesday and rest of the week, remember this; you are all loved.
Pastor Darryl
“You know, I was thinking…” No Doubt, we have all said that to someone at one time or another, haven’t we? I have often thought myself about how God created us and has blessed us with the capability of independent thinking. He also has given to us a Free Moral Agency in the area of our personal choices. It’s a fact that our ability to reason as humans truly separates us from the animal world. We operate on a higher level, a higher plain than simply that of instinct. We are able to analyze and discern truth and reality. Never take it for granted my friends because this is a God-given gift for which we are most blessed.
Scientists tell us that our mind will think thousands of thoughts each and every day. Some research has noted that we can think as many as 3.5 million thoughts a year. Because these thoughts will cover all facets of our life, we quickly learn that this gives us the ability to deal with everyday situations and long-term planning. It also helps us to manage crisis as it comes. No doubt, thinking right helps us to live right.
We live in such a pluralistic world. It is a world that says, ‘let me think and do as I see fit and you do the same’. One of the overwhelming difficulties with that logic is that we end up encountering problems as another person’s actions seem to run cross current with ours. The result is definitely uncomfortable at best. What it yields is nothing short of a crisis. For example, those people who somehow come to the place where they no longer think that life is valuable quickly become a threat to those of us who do value life. As a pastor, I can tell you that thinking right is always an important exercise for Christians. Still I think it is also true that wrapped within right thinking, is what I offer to you today as three basic ingredients.
Ingredient # 1: There must be objective truth that we subscribe to. For the Christian this objective truth is the Holy Word of God. You see I am convinced that the Bible deals extensively with how we are to think, even though the world has overwhelmingly disagreed with that truth. But look around you; does anyone actually think that moving away from the Bible’s clear teachings has somehow helped our world? Indeed, it has had the exact opposite effect.
Ingredient # 2: We must be careful with whom we associate. As a result of our choices relationally, we are known by our environment. The company we keep influences and shapes our thinking more than we care to admit. From Children to Teens to Young Adults to Senior Adults, we can see that in time this truth is proven out over and over again. Those we hold onto, have a hold on us.
Ingredient # 3: The things that we allow our eyes to see as we read a book, watch the TV, view a movie, or peruse a magazine, and view via the technology of the internet definitely affects us. All of this will have a significant impact on how we see ourselves and others. Prolonged exposure to negative images is making our world less safe than ever. Sin is real, and we must never forget that it is also negative. I used to say that ‘Sin is the darkroom where Satan takes us to develop our negatives’.
In Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of the New Testament entitled The Message, the apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:8-9 “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious-the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into His most excellent harmonies.”
You know, I was thinking, that’s a pretty good way to live. What do you think?
As you have a Great Tuesday and rest of the week, remember this; you are all loved.
Pastor Darryl
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
EVERY SUCCESSFUL ACT FOR CHRIST BEGINS INTENTIONALLY
Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish, but those that keep the law, happy are they.”
When you talk about vision, our passage today really is known as the hallmark of verses that deal with the subject. In his devotion book, My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers makes this statement about vision. “There is a difference between holding on to a principle and having a vision. A principle does not come from moral inspiration, but a vision does. People who are totally consumed with idealistic principles rarely do anything.”
I learned many years ago that principles are good and very important, but they are also standards by which we must stand firm in a world of shifting sand. I believe that Vision, on the other hand, could be worded as ‘Principle in Action.’ For instance, I, like you, want with all my heart to see every Pre-Christian I know, willingly come to a personal saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. As a dose of reality, I have learned that my wanting it to happen doesn’t make it automatically happen. Wanting this is a principle; but seeing myself used of God to reach certain people by putting a plan into place, well, that is what I call vision.
The reason that so many churches are dying today is because we so often mistake principle for vision. Note in our verse “but those that keep the law, happy are they.” Remember this; Principle gives us a position while Vision gives us Purpose. Solomon said that “where there is no vision, the people perish…” Let me take a brief moment and offer a little spin on that same verse as we apply it to our local churches and to the vision we must have for Pre-Christians. It goes like this: Remember this pastors and laymen, where there is no vision, the people will find themselves another Parrish!
On this very busy Tuesday I have a lovingly personal challenge to present to you. I challenge you to stretch yourself. Today, set a specific goal to take the time you need to focus on those you care about. Today, intentionally work on a personal approach for you to be able to lead just one person to trust Christ as their Savior. People don’t change their ways by accident. It is as true today in this the twenty-first century as it was in the very first century. The things that are getting done for Jesus Christ are not accomplished accidentally. Rather, in the same way, every successful act for Christ begins intentionally.
Have a great Tuesday and rest of the week!
Pastor Darryl
Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish, but those that keep the law, happy are they.”
When you talk about vision, our passage today really is known as the hallmark of verses that deal with the subject. In his devotion book, My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers makes this statement about vision. “There is a difference between holding on to a principle and having a vision. A principle does not come from moral inspiration, but a vision does. People who are totally consumed with idealistic principles rarely do anything.”
I learned many years ago that principles are good and very important, but they are also standards by which we must stand firm in a world of shifting sand. I believe that Vision, on the other hand, could be worded as ‘Principle in Action.’ For instance, I, like you, want with all my heart to see every Pre-Christian I know, willingly come to a personal saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. As a dose of reality, I have learned that my wanting it to happen doesn’t make it automatically happen. Wanting this is a principle; but seeing myself used of God to reach certain people by putting a plan into place, well, that is what I call vision.
The reason that so many churches are dying today is because we so often mistake principle for vision. Note in our verse “but those that keep the law, happy are they.” Remember this; Principle gives us a position while Vision gives us Purpose. Solomon said that “where there is no vision, the people perish…” Let me take a brief moment and offer a little spin on that same verse as we apply it to our local churches and to the vision we must have for Pre-Christians. It goes like this: Remember this pastors and laymen, where there is no vision, the people will find themselves another Parrish!
On this very busy Tuesday I have a lovingly personal challenge to present to you. I challenge you to stretch yourself. Today, set a specific goal to take the time you need to focus on those you care about. Today, intentionally work on a personal approach for you to be able to lead just one person to trust Christ as their Savior. People don’t change their ways by accident. It is as true today in this the twenty-first century as it was in the very first century. The things that are getting done for Jesus Christ are not accomplished accidentally. Rather, in the same way, every successful act for Christ begins intentionally.
Have a great Tuesday and rest of the week!
Pastor Darryl
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