Free to Serve

Sunday Reflections

--We left the Gospel of John, for now. Sunday we thought about the royal official who came to Jesus thinking he was just a miracle-worker but left with faith he was the Messiah. After listening to Jesus' rebuke, the father continued to plead for his son's healing. Jesus declared his son would live and the father left, taking Jesus at his word. He trusted Jesus. So should we.

--I didn't speak much yesterday about miracles. We live in a post-Enlightenment world where faith in the miraculous seems primitive. Not so in Jesus' day. In fact, even the most skeptical Jews did not doubt that Jesus performed miracles--they just doubted he did them as the Son of God. They thought his miracles were satanic (see Mark 3:20-30). For those of us who remain skeptical about miracles, the real test is the resurrection. Did God the Father raise his Son from the grave? Certainly the earliest disciples thought Jesus was raised--and they were willing to die for this conviction. If the resurrection is true, then every other miracle recorded in the Bible is certainly credible. 

--We closed the day unusually with Dr. Bill Warren, a member of MVBC and the founder of the Good Samaritan Health Center. I interviewed Bill, but began by reading from the parable of the Good Samaritan. I love how Bill observed that in this parable we see the Savior. LIke the Samaritan, Jesus took pity on us, went to us, and bandaged our wounds by healing our sins. Then, as Christians who have known the mercy of Christ we can go and be merciful to others. Bill and others at Good Sam spend their days seeking to show the mercy of Christ. 

Sunday Reflections

--I had a great opportunity to begin the day in a Sunday school class with senior women from MVBC. They graciously accepted an offer I had made to discuss with them a constitution proposed by the deacons. We had a great conversation. I explained our current structure of leadership and why I thought it was a good idea to move from this to an elder/deacon model of leadership. At one point, someone said something like, "Change is hard, but I don't want to be someone who doesn't do something because it is not how we've always done it. If it is biblical, I want to do it." What a joy to shepherd those with this kind of heart.

--Then to the sermon about our responsibility to bear witness from Christ. Jesus told his disciples that the fields are ripe for harvest. Therefore, we should make the most of every day to make the gospel known. In God's providence, today was the day MVBC wanted to draw attention to a ministry we love, the Good Samaritan Health Center. There are numerous opportunities there for Christians willing to share their faith. I ended the sermon with four questions we should all ask ourselves when it comes to evangelism: 1) Do you believe that now is the time? 2) Do you believe the need is real? 3) Do you believe you must bear witness? 4) Do you know how to bear witness?

--Sunday afternoon, the deacons approved some amendments to the proposed Constitution. Those will be made available to the church soon. It has been fantastic working with these brothers!

--We ended the day with a deacon installation service. Seven men have stepped up to serve this congregation in a time of transition. They shared their testimonies and we had an extended time of prayer. Hearing how the Lord saved each of them from their sin was a huge encouragement and reminder that God is alive and at work.

Sunday Reflections

On Saturday night about forty of us gathered in a home to ask Jim Wood questions about Mount Vernon (where Jim was pastor from 1985-1991), Wears Valley Ranch (where he presently serves as executive director), and adoption (Jim and Susan have adopted four children!). Jim's faithfulness is a real encouragement to me. I look forward supporting Wears Valley in the years ahead.

Sunday morning, during the shepherding group hour, we had the first session of Knowing MVBC--the membership class. I love teaching the first session. We work through our church covenant, a summary of the promises that we make to God and to each other. So many Christians are eager to be part of a church that takes commitment seriously. They don't want to be names on a list. They want to minister and be ministered to! I am excited about the men and women the Lord is about to add to our number.

Jim preached during the morning service from Nehemiah 13. It is a hard passage about God's holiness and the requirement that His people be holy. It never went well for Israel when they married out of the family of God. Jim's application for us: 1) Christians should marry Christians. Sadly, this simple, biblical command is too often ignored. 2) The church should be holy. When visitors come to MVBC, they should not see a group of people trying to attract the world by being like the world, they should see a congregation that looks different because we are aiming to reflect the holiness and glory of God.

During the evening service, I interviewed Clayton, Jim's son, who is now working for World Orphans. Then I interviewed Jim again. As a church, we prayed for both their ministries. Please pray for Jim and Clayton as they head to Moldova to encourage churches involved in orphan care. The day ended with a brief devotional from Gary. Gary became a believer 23 years ago, under Jim Wood's preaching. He delivered a strong message about God's gracious adoption of us--a great way to end the day.

Sunday Reflections

--We had Mack Stiles, the CEO of Gulf Digital Solutions and an elder at Redeemer Church in Dubai, United Arab Emirates here all weekend. What a joy!  He brings with him a sense of gospel urgency. As Mack tells him, the day after 9/11 he put a for sale sign in front of his house and prepared to move his family to Dubai. He has been working there and serving the church ever since. We plan to have him back next August. On Saturday night he answered the question, "Is Jesus the Only Way?" This is part of our Mount Vernon Dialogues series. These events are great for skeptics. We hope to have another one soon.

--Our series in the gospel of John continued, this time looking at Jesus' conversation with the woman at the well. He revealed his compassion by speaking to a woman most every other Jew would have ignored. Ultimately, Jesus revealed his compassion by dying for those who hated him. Then Jesus revealed his gift. It is living water, the gift of eternal life. We receive it one way: repentance and faith. Then Jesus revealed our sin. This is why we don't want the gift. This is why we reject Christ. We can't see our need for him until we see the depth of our sin. Then Jesus revealed our purpose: to worship God in spirit and truth. This is a call for the entirety of our lives to be lived for the purpose of serving Christ. Finally, Jesus revealed himself. He is the Christ--our Redeemer and Lord. 

--We had another Constitution Conversation Sunday afternoon. The next one is Thursday, August 19, at 7pm. Changing the Constitution is important in the sense that we want our church leadership to be as biblical as possible. But it is merely a means to and end. We are here for the worship and glory of God. I believe that the more we model our lives and church after the pattern of his Word the better equipped we will be to pursue that end goal. This is a long process--but an important one.

Sunday Reflections

--Last week I didn't post the outline online. I'm trying to figure out how to link to a downloadable file so it can be easily printed off for those who want to bring the outline into the service. No long term commitment here, I just want to see if this helps. As for yesterday's sermon, the outline was straightforward. I asked three questions, rooted in John 3:22-36 to help us see that someone with a living faith follows Jesus. First, what does it look like to follow Jesus. We saw in John 3 that disciples were baptized. But to help us understand, today, what it looks like to follow Jesus, I noted we must die to ourselves and identify with Christ. The Christian life is radical, isn't it? That's what we see in John the Baptist! There is a reason Jesus said in Matthew 11 that no one was greater than John the Baptist. John modeled what it meant to die to himself and identify with Jesus. That was the answer to the second question, do we have an example of following Jesus? Finally, I asked why we should follow Jesus. As a Christian you probably sorted that out long ago. But in truth, I think we are constantly sorting this out, constantly being reminded of Christ's goodness and our need for him. We found two answers in John 3. Jesus is above everything and he gave up everything. So for me this week, I'm praying I'd have a greater sense of the grandeur of Christ and the grace of Christ.

--I was aware as I preached on verse 36 that I didn't address an objection some people have. In verse 36 of John 3 we read that those who reject or disobey Jesus will remain under God's wrath. Some wonder if that means we have to explicitly disobey or reject Jesus to be condemned. In other words, if someone does not know Jesus (and thus does not have the opportunity to reject him) will he still go to hell? I'd encourage anyone in town struggling with this to come to a special talk we are having at MVBC Saturday night. It's at 7pm and is entitled, "Is Jesus the only way to heaven?" But the short of it is the Bible teaches that we are all under God's wrath--whether we hear about Jesus or not. We are condemned because of our sin, not because we reject or disobey Christ (though that is certainly sinful, too!). I think that's why John says in verse 36 that for those for him who rejects Jesus, "God's wrath remains on him." He already deserved punishment and the only way to find forgiveness is to believe in the Son. To trust in his death and resurrection. That's the gospel.

--Announcing yet another new birth and the need for elementary and preschool workers impressed upon me that the church is growing and it is growing younger. We should thank God for this growth but we should also pray that we would be equipped to handle it. Spend time with a young father or a young mother. Open the Word and pray with them for wisdom and strength. Dig into the lives of others.

--Spending Monday with the family. We are off to the safari. Seriously. If I get eaten by a lion, well, know I love you!

Sunday Reflections

--It is always great to end the morning service with a baptism. It is even better when the morning sermon is on the new birth from John 3. There are quite a few visitors wondering what it means to be born again, wondering what it means to have eternal life, wondering what they need to do. This is the exact kind of thing we need to be talking about regularly.

--Great lunch on Sunday with some folks who have visiting the church. We had them over with a couple who have been members for a while. It was good conversation and one of them said what I hear a lot: MVBC is a very friendly church. I'm so thankful for this. I've experienced it personally. I know that we desperately want others to see our joy, and I think it comes out every day.

--Four times a year we have a Church in Conference. This is our members meeting. We had a number of members come out to hear about the proposed constitution and to vote on membership matters. God is adding people to the church. This is a stunning privilege and a sobering responsibility.

Sunday Reflections

Morning

--Saturday night I sent out an outline of the sermon. I'm wondering if you thought that was helpful. If you did, let me know and I'll try to continue doing it. I'd love to have it out earlier but the reality is I don't typically have it done until Saturday.

--There is always so much that could be said about a text that isn't. In this case, Psalm 69, cited in John 2:17, does more than speak of a king with a zeal for the temple. It speaks of a king who will suffer. So when the disciples remembered Psalm 69 as Jesus was clearing out the Temple, I wonder if seeds were being planted about what the Coming King would be like. "For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face." Those word were first prayed by King David. After Jesus' death and resurrection the disciples knew it applied to King Jesus.

--Sermon introductions are an opportunity to prepare people for the text without presuming they are naturally interested in the passage. I began this sermon by noting that men are less likely to go to church than women. One reason: because pastors present a domesticated Jesus instead of the zealous warrior he is. It has been my experience that when the Gospel is faithfully and unapologetically preached, men and women of all ages come to hear.

Afternoon

--I had a great membership interview Sunday afternoon with a young lady who went to the latest Knowing MVBC. Lots of new members about to be voted on. Each has a unique testimony. Each will be a unique blessing to the church. Thank God for the people that He is bringing and adding to our number.

Evening

--So many things to pray about during the Sunday evening service! I'm always encouraged by the singing and the prayers, and the devotional. Pat Knowles spoke from Psalm 69:9. He gave us several points of application regarding how to be zealous for God. 1) Claim Christ--model His behavior. 2) Have a daily passion for His Word. 3) Pray for the church and her leaders. 4) Pray the church would be a house of prayer. 5) Persevere in this world by keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus. 

--We ended the day by meeting in the fellowship hall for homemade ice cream. Nice.

Sunday Reflections

• We finished our series through to book of Joshua and were reminded God is faithful, perseverance is necessary, we are helpless, and we need a Savior. That Savior is Christ, our prophet, priest, and king. I'm still amazed how the book of Joshua ends. Joshua, their prophet, is dead. Eleazar, their priest, is dead. Joseph, who died many, many years before was the last man to "reign" over Israel, and his bones are buried in the Promised Land. Being reminded of Joseph would make them wonder, "Where is our king, now?" Surely more prophets, more priests, and more kings would come. But not until the coming of Christ would God be the one to directly deliver HIs Word, present a sacrifice for His people, and reign over His church.
• No evening service due to the July 4 holiday. Good time grilling with friends, and then off to see fireworks at Lenox Square. Great finale!
• Speaking of July 4, the American Revolution is amazing. As I mentioned in the sermon, our Founders did not take it lightly--Jefferson even made sure to note in the Declaration of Independence that no one should approach such a revolt without careful consideration. Christians in general and Baptists in particular have given a great deal of thought to civil disobedience. When is it morally acceptable? One conclusion still holds true today: should the government seek to bind our conscience in matters pertaining to religion, it is morally acceptable to break the law, so long as you are willing to suffer the punishment for standing your ground. 
• Next week we return to the Gospel of John. Please join me in praying that this book would change our lives as individuals and as a church.

Sunday Reflections

--Sunday morning, Mount Vernon had the privilege of seeing a new believer baptized. This brother was born in Iran and has been on a long journey looking for truth. He finally found it in Jesus Christ. Before a baptism we ask the believer to share his or her testimony. It is not a requirement, but it is an opportunity to share the Gospel. He did just that. Please pray that the Spirit would protect and encourage and grow him in the days and months ahead.

--Every Sunday morning we have a pastoral prayer. I've been using Operation World to help us pray for the nations. I woke up early to spend some time getting prepared. Operation World divides the nations of the world among the days of the year. The nation for June 27: the Islamic Republic of Iran. We had several Iranians this morning joining us for corporate worship. God is sovereign!

--Our text was Joshua 23:1-11. This is the beginning of Joshua's Farewell Address to God's people. Joshua challenged Israel in three ways. First, to have faith that God is for them. Second, to be holy for God. Third, to love God. We can think of perseverance in the faith as a three-legged stool--faith, holiness, and love are all necessary for that stool to stand. Faith, holiness, and love are all necessary marks of a Christian!  For more on this, read the letter of 1 John.

--What an encouraging day! We were reminded that God is in control--saving sinners, imparting life, exercising His authority over creation. I began and ended the day praying these words from Valley of Vision:

Remember, O my soul, it is thy duty and privilege to rejoice in God: He requires it of thee for all his favours of grace. Rejoice then in the giver and his goodness, be happy in him, O my heart, and in nothing but God, for whatever a man trusts in, from that he expects happiness.