Friday, October 29, 2010
Equipped?
So recently I have heard the quote "God doesn't call the equipped he equips the called" which is a valid statement, thrown around a lot. However, I feel that this leaves an opportunity to not change. We sit and we say "oh God will equip me as I'm called" but we stay in our sin, believing that as he calls us, we will move past the sin. At least that's how I feel.
This isn't how it works though. We have to be in a place where we can hear God's call in the first place. Being there means we have to be seeking after Him. Seeking after Him means we have to be removing sin, digging into Scripture, praying, ect.
If we just sit here, waiting to be equipped, God will use someone else. God wants us, to want Him. I think that that's the hardest thing for me to grasp right now. God has amazing things, that he will equip us for, but we have to want Him to do that. If we don't want Him to do amazing things through us, then he won't. He will leave us in the dust, using people who are willing to do amazing things for Him.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Real Learning
Throughout our lives we hear this term cramming. You know putting things together at the last minute to try to pull off a successful project or exam score. When in the long run the benefits of actually learning the material is the better idea. This is especially true when it comes to prerequisite courses.
I think this happens to us when it comes to church as well. We spend each Sunday sitting in our seats, hearing the message, but do we apply it? We spend all this time, "hearing" the message, but when it comes to applying it to our lives its missing. In order for us to be true Christians we must be applying what we are learning to our lives.
Searching for God
We are often times more focused on being taught about God than being taught by God!
This statement was sent to me by my dad earlier this week. I don't know if I agree fully with it though.
Sure we go to church and learn about God, typically not focusing on what God is teaching us. However I feel that the thought is beyond that. Within our generation it seems that we are searching for information about God and then trying to figure out how it "fits" into our life.
This seems to be the generations reaction to religion and its lack of authenticity, sometimes even lack of theology. As they search for who God is, they miss the need to be taught by God.
This statement was sent to me by my dad earlier this week. I don't know if I agree fully with it though.
Sure we go to church and learn about God, typically not focusing on what God is teaching us. However I feel that the thought is beyond that. Within our generation it seems that we are searching for information about God and then trying to figure out how it "fits" into our life.
This seems to be the generations reaction to religion and its lack of authenticity, sometimes even lack of theology. As they search for who God is, they miss the need to be taught by God.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Spiritual Gifts
Some of you have heard this before, everyone has individual spiritual gifts and we are called to use them in unique ways tonight we will look at what spiritual gifts are and then talk about how to apply these gifts to our lives.
We will look at 1 Corinthians 12 to gain a better understanding of what spiritual gifts are.
1Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b]11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
1. Wisdom 2. Knowledge 3. Healing 4. Prophecy 5. Discernment 6. Miracles 7. Faith 8. Speaking in Tongues 9. Interpretation of Tongues
Understanding which spiritual gift you relate to the best, as well as understanding how the others work, is integral to your relationship with Christ as well as your position within the body of believers. Very much like how you understand how to communicate with others, understanding these will allow you to assess how to further reach God’s Kingdom as a whole.
12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire[e] the greater gifts.
And now I will show you the most excellent way.
In the passage from Corinthians it mentions the use of tongues and interpretation of tongues. In our general theology (as Baptists) we see tongues as different languages. This meaning that a person speaks in their own language (such as english) and someone is able to understand in another language. The day of Pentecost at the beginning of Acts is where this is referenced.
As we can see in the passage of scripture read above, everyone has a part in the body of Christ. As we assess the topic of spiritual gifts the passage in Corinthians you may have heard the gifts mentioned differently than you have before and so now we will look at Romans 12 where they have also been mentioned.
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
1. Prophecy 2. Ministry 3. Teaching 4. Exhortation 5. Giving 6. Leading 7. Mercy
You may be able after hearing these two different passages on spiritual gifts be able to understand where you fit amongst these. You may also be more lost than ever. There are several quizzes online built to help you understand what your spiritual gift may be. http://www.churchgrowth.org/cgi-cg/gifts.cgi
As you gain a better knowledge of spiritual gifts, try discussing which gift fits well where, and how group members have seen gifts used effectively before.
There are several places within the BCM even that you can connect and use your spiritual gifts, these areas include: Evangalism, OutReach, Missions (both International and Local), Noonday, FUEL, Discipleship, DNOW, Intramurals, Church Relations. As Followers of Christ we are called to be a part of a community of believers. So please don't hesitate to get connected to people in a ministry that uses your spiritual gifts.
We will look at 1 Corinthians 12 to gain a better understanding of what spiritual gifts are.
1Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b]11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
1. Wisdom 2. Knowledge 3. Healing 4. Prophecy 5. Discernment 6. Miracles 7. Faith 8. Speaking in Tongues 9. Interpretation of Tongues
Understanding which spiritual gift you relate to the best, as well as understanding how the others work, is integral to your relationship with Christ as well as your position within the body of believers. Very much like how you understand how to communicate with others, understanding these will allow you to assess how to further reach God’s Kingdom as a whole.
12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire[e] the greater gifts.
And now I will show you the most excellent way.
In the passage from Corinthians it mentions the use of tongues and interpretation of tongues. In our general theology (as Baptists) we see tongues as different languages. This meaning that a person speaks in their own language (such as english) and someone is able to understand in another language. The day of Pentecost at the beginning of Acts is where this is referenced.
As we can see in the passage of scripture read above, everyone has a part in the body of Christ. As we assess the topic of spiritual gifts the passage in Corinthians you may have heard the gifts mentioned differently than you have before and so now we will look at Romans 12 where they have also been mentioned.
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
1. Prophecy 2. Ministry 3. Teaching 4. Exhortation 5. Giving 6. Leading 7. Mercy
You may be able after hearing these two different passages on spiritual gifts be able to understand where you fit amongst these. You may also be more lost than ever. There are several quizzes online built to help you understand what your spiritual gift may be. http://www.churchgrowth.org/cgi-cg/gifts.cgi
As you gain a better knowledge of spiritual gifts, try discussing which gift fits well where, and how group members have seen gifts used effectively before.
There are several places within the BCM even that you can connect and use your spiritual gifts, these areas include: Evangalism, OutReach, Missions (both International and Local), Noonday, FUEL, Discipleship, DNOW, Intramurals, Church Relations. As Followers of Christ we are called to be a part of a community of believers. So please don't hesitate to get connected to people in a ministry that uses your spiritual gifts.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Supporting Causes.
So there is a phenom with my generation. This is the "Causes" phenom. Supporting different non profits, organizations help people such as social justice, poverty, ect. Doing these things make a difference. This is exciting stuff.
There is a sad part of this however. The church was meant to do these things. However, they didn't. The church did this for a while, but for some reason in recent times they have dropped the ball. Granted there are pockets that still do, Mission Arlington and The Simple Way to name a few.
Recently I took part in supporting as well. I purchased a pair of Toms. But that's not special right? I think not as well. The Toms I purchased support bloodwater mission as well. This is the only reason why I purchased the Toms, because it is supporting another cause, like a double whammy.
I have also recently decided to start sponsoring a compassion child. This is going to be an exciting journey, however I will write more about that next week..
Which means, to be continued...
There is a sad part of this however. The church was meant to do these things. However, they didn't. The church did this for a while, but for some reason in recent times they have dropped the ball. Granted there are pockets that still do, Mission Arlington and The Simple Way to name a few.
Recently I took part in supporting as well. I purchased a pair of Toms. But that's not special right? I think not as well. The Toms I purchased support bloodwater mission as well. This is the only reason why I purchased the Toms, because it is supporting another cause, like a double whammy.
I have also recently decided to start sponsoring a compassion child. This is going to be an exciting journey, however I will write more about that next week..
Which means, to be continued...
Why I write
So I have noticed a change in the way I write. Not particularly like how I write, but more of in who I target my writing at. This is an interesting transition. I began writing in order to try to reach other people. I felt that I had a message to be shared with the world. Big dreams, right? People actually followed too, which was a very interesting phenomenon for me. At this point I decided to "go big." I created this blog. It was cool I posted the same things both places pretty much, it was swell.
Then I had to blog for a grade. This is where things got tricky. Instead of having the time and thought to put into blogging, I was required to...Now trigger writers block...however this was easy to overcome. Once you figure out how to blog on command it's actually quite fun.
Something changed though as I began to blog on command...I no longer wrote for others, I wrote to sort my thoughts out. Writing to sort thoughts out isn't necessarily the funnest thing to read it would appear. However if you are writing about relevant topics, then people still might read. But I have noticed that people don't read as much. Hopefully I will be able to get back to writing for people and thus increase readership.
Then I had to blog for a grade. This is where things got tricky. Instead of having the time and thought to put into blogging, I was required to...Now trigger writers block...however this was easy to overcome. Once you figure out how to blog on command it's actually quite fun.
Something changed though as I began to blog on command...I no longer wrote for others, I wrote to sort my thoughts out. Writing to sort thoughts out isn't necessarily the funnest thing to read it would appear. However if you are writing about relevant topics, then people still might read. But I have noticed that people don't read as much. Hopefully I will be able to get back to writing for people and thus increase readership.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Thoughts on Joining a church
As college students, you are becoming young adults and encouraged to branch out outside of your family and "be on your own" so to speak. This includes finding a church.
Several things factor into finding a church, including what is the ideal church like and what should I look for in a church.
A great way to look at the church is through the Acts 2 model in verses 42-47. This seems somewhat extreme however, if you pull what comes from it other than "they met everyday" you can see things that should be evident in what kind of church you should join.
A side bar to this, if you are involved in a church you should be a member of that church, meaning if you spend the majority of your time at a church here in town, and are allowing yourself to be used by God at that church, you should be a member there and be tithing ect.
Other examples of churches in NT scripture come from Revelations 2-3.
As you look at these things, weighing what it is that needs to be evident in the church you should join consider these things.
It's not about the music.
It's about the Holy Spirit, granted we enjoy worshipping to modern music, but if the Holy Spirit is evident in a church that uses hymns, and the other factors line up, then don't allow this to hold you back from joining that church.
Join where your gifts are being used.
If you just show up on Sundays and Wednesdays and have no affect on the church other than your number, then you may need to question why you are there. Part of being an active member of a church is being involved there. If you know what your spiritual gifts are then that would mean using them in effective ways. If you don't know what those are, come back next week, that's what we will be talking about.
Several things factor into finding a church, including what is the ideal church like and what should I look for in a church.
A great way to look at the church is through the Acts 2 model in verses 42-47. This seems somewhat extreme however, if you pull what comes from it other than "they met everyday" you can see things that should be evident in what kind of church you should join.
A side bar to this, if you are involved in a church you should be a member of that church, meaning if you spend the majority of your time at a church here in town, and are allowing yourself to be used by God at that church, you should be a member there and be tithing ect.
Other examples of churches in NT scripture come from Revelations 2-3.
As you look at these things, weighing what it is that needs to be evident in the church you should join consider these things.
It's not about the music.
It's about the Holy Spirit, granted we enjoy worshipping to modern music, but if the Holy Spirit is evident in a church that uses hymns, and the other factors line up, then don't allow this to hold you back from joining that church.
Join where your gifts are being used.
If you just show up on Sundays and Wednesdays and have no affect on the church other than your number, then you may need to question why you are there. Part of being an active member of a church is being involved there. If you know what your spiritual gifts are then that would mean using them in effective ways. If you don't know what those are, come back next week, that's what we will be talking about.
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