The Power of the Gospel

Gospel Transformation, through Gospel Regeneration, via Gospel Saturation...this is Church Planting! How is this accomplished...for, in and through Gospel Communities on Mission.

Sermon Player

2012

Well I can't believe it's been over a year since I "blogged." Seems like 2011 went by faster than I can even imagine. Life has been good and God has been doing some amazing things in the Greene family.

First, my position at Grand Canyon University has been a huge blessing for our family. GCU has provided for us financially, spiritually and academically over the last year and I'm just so thankful for God leading to that great University. Second, we are now back in Phoenix and loving every minute of it. Through God's providence we have bought a home in North Phoenix (around the Anthem/Carefree area) that has given us the space and location we desperately needed. The kids have a new school, sports and friends that have made this transition amazingly smooth; my wife is reconnecting with her friends here in Phoenix, working on finalizing her new book (that should be out soon), and taking a very active role as a coach for both the kids' basketball and t-ball teams. Sandi seems to be revitalized since leaving Cottonwood...in fact we all have been. Finally, God has been giving me a passion and vision for church planting again. This comes as a huge shock to me, as after Crossroads I thought I was ready for retirement, but God had other plans. We are in the developmental stages for a new church plant here in the Tramonto/Anthem area of Phoenix. I've got meetings scheduled over the next few weeks with potential churches, pastor and people who may be interested in helping us make this vision/dream a reality. If any of you would like more info. about this new church plant, please email me and I will send you the proposal I've worked up.

All in all, God is good and has been blessing us, teaching us and drawing us a family back to the Gospel. I'm excited about what He has in store for us in the future and I've been so blessed to be on this journey so far. Thanks for letting me share.

Update

Tons of stuff happening since I last blogged in. First, God opened up an opportunity to teach Religion/Theology part time at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. I am currently adjunct teaching Christian World View via online studies. Second, about two weeks into teaching this class, I was offered a Full Time position at Grand Canyon, teaching the same class in the same format. Grand Canyon is exploding and the online learning environment has just been growing like crazy. So, I'll be Full Time starting this Monday, January 11th. Third, I had the opportunity to preach this past Sunday at Verde Baptist Church in Cottonwood. The message went great, so if you'd like to listen to it you can log into iTunes and search for: Tattoo Pastor | Sermon Audio. You can also listen by clicking the message board on this blog. The message is entitled, "Don't Be Disappointed." Finally, I'm getting ready to speak at a Younglife Camp this weekend. 300-400 Jr. High students are having their yearly Winter Camp, and I'm the featured speaker. I'll do four main sessions (Fri. Night, Sat. Morning & Evening, Sun. Morning) and then a Breakout Session on Saturday after lunch. Should be an awesome time, and I feel so honored just to be invited to participate in such a cool event. I've forgotten how much I enjoy preaching, so it's neat how God has brought that back into my life...regardless of how long I get opportunities. I'm thankful for what He has given me and hope and pray that I'll get more opportunities. Thanks to everyone for the prayers and support over these last few months. God is good and He always has our best interest in mind...may we never forget how much He loves us!

Job Hunting

Well, I finished my Master's degree at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary last week, and graduated on Saturday. Feel's great to be finished with this leg of the journey and I'm really excited about what God has next. No idea what that is, but excited none the less. I would like to ask you be to in prayer for my next step in life and ministry. Resumes are flying out to churches that look promising, I'm filling out applications at several online universities in which I hope to teach Bible, Theology, and Christian Philosophy in an adjunct role, the hand is healing slowly, and God has been really working on my contentment. I'm reading through the book of Ruth for my devotions, and I'm seeing an amazing picture of how Jesus is the ultimate redeemer of all things. Life is really good right now, summer is on it's way, and it's all good. Please keep me in your prayers as you go about your life the next few weeks, and thanks to all who follow the teaching/preaching on iTunes. If you happen to hear of any churches looking to hire, or have any suggestions for college/universities I could apply to, please shoot me an email. God bless!

Resurrection Week

This Sunday is Easter, the time we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The 28th chapter in the book of Matthew gives us an amazing account of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection confirms His identity as the only true Savior and that, His accomplishment at the cross was accepted by God the Father.

Matthew doesn’t give us the explicit way in which Jesus rose from the tomb, but what he does make clear is that Jesus had risen. As the women approach the tomb (v.1), we see an angel descending from heaven, with an appearance like lightning and clothes that were as white as snow, touching down on the ground with a great earthquake, rolling back the stone and then sitting on top of it (vv.2-3)–not so Jesus could get out of the tomb–but so the women, the guards, the disciples, and the entire world could go in and see for themselves that the tomb was indeed empty.

The angel becomes the first messenger to proclaim the news that Jesus had in-fact risen from death (vv.4-7). As I look at this account, I think about how cool it must have been for the angel to get this call. I’m sure there are many cool jobs that angels could do, but this one had to be the mother of all assignments. Imagine that God calls you and says, “You have the task of announcing the Resurrection of my Son, Jesus Christ.” How awesome would that be? Yet, for those who God regenerates and saves, He also gives this same assignment of proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus. Sometimes we can get wrapped up in the “supernatural accounts” found in the Scriptures of other great heroes (angels, disciples, etc.) but we need to remember that while those accounts are cool, God has given us the same call to be witnesses of the greatest event in human history…the resurrection of Jesus.

After hearing the testimony from the angel about Jesus’ resurrection, the women take off to tell and proclaim the great news to the disciples (vv.7-8). Jesus then meets them on their way to prove the testimony of His resurrection. The women are so overcome with joy that they physically fall down in worship, grabbing hold of His feet. They experienced the physical, resurrected body of Jesus. They didn’t just see Him, but they touched Him as well. Jesus accepts their worship, acknowledging that He was in-fact deity, receiving worship as God. He allows the women to put Him in the place of ultimate in their lives, something only God would allow, further signifying that He truly is the God-man, the Savior, the Messiah, the One.

Notice also that the angel doesn’t point to himself as the one they should want to see, but Jesus. It’s not the miracles of healing in our lives, the appearance of angels, the testimonies of witnesses that we should focus on, it’s Jesus. He is the one we should be chasing after, the one we should desire to see, the one we should desire to follow and serve. Every human heart has a natural hunger for something more than this world and life. Even if we don’t understand what that desire is or realize the impact it has in our life, it’s still there. Only Jesus can fill this hunger. The reason Jesus died was so that we might live, and the reason He rose again was so that we might serve a risen, victorious Savior.

This Easter, I hope that you can see the truth found in Scripture about Jesus. I want to experience what the women and disciples experienced! I want to know that Jesus has risen, that He is available, that He wants to show Himself to me. Do you want to see Him, to touch and experience Him? The great news is that the tomb is empty, the testimony has gone out, and Jesus has revealed Himself to the world. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to meet Him and become a witness to the most amazing miracle–the miracle that out miracles every other miracle in human history. Happy Resurrection Week!

The Journey to Jesus

Life...from start to finish it’s the most important game any of us will ever play. But what are the rules? How do we win? Do we get any “do-overs”? The answers to these questions may surprise you! No matter where you are across the board, as Christians we need to know how to navigate the ups, downs, twists, turns, and learn how to win the Game of Life!

I believe the answer is Jesus! Jesus Christ is the only person in history who completely reveals salvation to us. He provides the way to forgiveness of sin, reconciliation to a Holy, Sovereign God, and gives us unlimited do-overs in this game of life.

The question I would like to ask you today is, “What kind of Journey have you been on?”

Go ahead and turn in your Bibles to Jeremiah 17. Here is a little recap of Jeremiah- The people of Judah at this time had been turning to false gods and foreign alliances for protection. Instead of trusting God, they chose to turn to worldly, selfish things. They were not on a Journey to Jesus! So, Jeremiah contrasts the way of the wicked with the way of the righteous.

Jeremiah 17:5-8- Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,in an uninhabited salt land. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream,and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

The essential truth God wants us to take hold of if we are going to be on The Journey to Jesus is:

We cannot trust in both God and…(Luke 16:13)
If we turn to anything (a person, spouse, child, etc.), we intentionally turn away from God. We all must make a choice of who or what we will serve.

So how do we stay focused on this Journey called life? I believe the Bible explains what we must do if we want to stay on mission and finish well. We must realize:

1) It All Begins With Jesus (Colossians 1:15-20).

2) Focusing On Ourselves Will Never Reveal God’s Will
(Romans 12:1-3).

3) We Were Made By God And For God (Ephesians 4:17-24).
Until we understand this, life will never make sense.

Result- Jesus is not just the starting point of our lives; He is the source of life. To discover our purpose in this life we must turn to God’s Word (the Bible), because it is the instruction manual, given to us by God, on how to have purpose in our lives. Scripture gives us three insights into our purpose:

1) We find our identity through a relationship with Jesus
(Ephesians 1:11-12).

2) God called to us long before we ever called to Him
(Romans 8:29-30).

3) Without Jesus, there is no forgiveness of sin
(Romans 5:8-11 & Acts 4:10-12).

Closing- The person who accepts Jesus is blessed because his trust and confidence is in Christ. The person who trusts Jesus will be given the gift of faith, they will find their purpose, their lives will be full of strength, grace, and mercy, we know this because the Bible clearly states in Jeremiah 29:11- “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” If you haven’t put your Full trust in Jesus Christ today, would you make Him your priority this morning? If you do- He will show you the purpose of your life, He will help you better enjoy this Journey we call life, and He will guide and direct you to the greatest, game-winning finish you could ever possibly imagine.

When a Church Cares

Over the last two weeks, we’ve talked about why we as a church worship and why we need to pray. With those questions answered, it’s important to see that another of the characteristics of a true church that represents Jesus is that it really does care.

The church in Philippi really cared for Paul. This church was the first church Paul planted in Europe. They cared so much about him that they sent him money while he was in prison in Rome. He had probably already thanked them for the gift, but in our Scripture today, we see that he ends his personal letter to the church with a reference to their care for him and what it had meant to him.

Philippians 4:10-20- I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last you have renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me, but lacked the opportunity to show it. I don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship. And you, Philippians, know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that is increasing to your account. But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, a welcome sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

From their example as a church, let’s look at what happens when a church cares.

When a Church Cares
1) It Gives Expression to Concern (Philippians 4:10a).
It is easy to say that we are concerned. We can make the proper facial expressions, use the right tone of voice, and even say the right words. But what the world is looking for is an expression of that concern.

Paul knew this church was concerned for him because they expressed it tangibly by sending him money.

How can we as a church express our concern for others?
When a mother is sick- care for the kids, do the laundry. When a person suffers loss- take them some groceries, deliver a meal. When a person doesn’t know Jesus- Share Jesus with them.
*Concern must be expressed tangibly!

When a Church Cares
2) It Seizes the Opportunity to Act (Philippians 4:10b).
The church always cared for Paul, they just had not had the opportunity to act before. When we really care, we will take the opportunity when it comes. We cannot always schedule when other people might need our help. It is not a matter of doing what is expected of us- anyone can do that. It’s about doing the unexpected because it is what is need at that time.

When a Church Cares
3) It Shares in the Lives of Others (4:11-16).
Paul praises the church for sharing in all that he had done and accomplished for Jesus. They became a part of the life and ministry of Paul by helping him financially. In the same way, we become a part of the lives and ministries of those we help.

When a Church Cares
A) It Receives a Blessing Itself (Acts 4:17-20).
B) Caring Blesses the one who gives as well as the one who receives.
C) Caring Causes us to shift our attention from ourselves to others.

Closing– When a church cares, that care is expressed in actions. We know the world is not going to care, so it’s up to us. Imagine what would happen in our community if all of us began to act out the kind of care that the church at Philippi did, the kind of care Jesus modeled. I believe it would energize and empower people to see and experience the Grace and Forgiveness of Jesus Christ. And I believe that it would radically change the time and season in which we live. We need to be people who care- because if we don’t, who will?

When a Church Prays

Have you ever longed to break through the barriers and limitations in life in order to experience a life transformed by God? I know I have. According to Scripture, the earliest followers of Jesus asked Him to teach them to pray. Prayer is the tool we have that can help us break through every barrier, every limitation in our life. Probably one of our greatest weaknesses as a church is our weakness in prayer, our reluctance to pray. I know for me, prayer is one of the elements I neglect and struggle with in my daily life, something I don’t spend enough time being part of. Would you say that this is true in your life?

Prayer is (and needs to be) a priority in our lives. Prayer is one of the significant ministries of the church. This morning we will look at what happens when a church prays and hopefully we will be encouraged and empowered to be a church that prays.

Acts 4:23-31- When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’ for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

1) Prayer is a Response to God’s Grace (Acts 4:23-28).
When Peter and John were released from prison, they joined the other Christians in Jerusalem. When they were set free, they didn’t hold a conference, try to find a way to keep from getting arrested again, or plan a retaliation- No, they prayed. Prayer is the natural response of the Believer to God’s Grace.

2) Prayer Is A Request (Acts 4:29).
Notice that the early Church’s request centers on obedience to God and to the task of witnessing for God. They didn’t pray, “keep us free, safe, and don’t let us get caught again.” Instead they prayed- The Bobble- “Lord, help us keep the main thing, the main thing. Help us stay on task and get on with the Job of proclaiming the Gospel”. We need to constantly be praying for boldness in proclaiming the Gospel. Because, the good news of Jesus is the only way our city is going to experience hope, joy, peace, purpose and change!

3) Prayer Is A Resource (Acts 4:30).
The early church prayed with expectancy. They expected God to do something amazing. They knew that there was an adequate and powerful resource, and they claimed it. They claimed the power of God in Jesus- this same power is available to all Believers. All of God’s resources are available to us through prayer.

4) Prayer Produces Results (Acts 4:31).
The early church had prayed in v.29 for boldness in speaking the Word of God. In v.31 we are told that they spoke the Word of God with Boldness.

Conclusion- What Results from Prayer?
A) We Experience the Presence of God.
B) We Experience the Power of God.
C) We Receive Boldness for Ministry.

Closing- When a church prays, that church can Experience boldness in ministry. A major ministry of the church is prayer. As we’ve seen through Scripture today, when a church prays…it has power.

When A Church Worships

Have you ever wondered why we do what we do as a church? What does this church really consist of? This month we will be looking at what the Bible says church could and should be about. We will examine how if we as ordinary people simply follow God’s blueprint and put into practice what the Bible teaches, will experience an environment and community that fulfills people’s needs, as well as God’s desire for His church.

This morning we will look at how the very first church in Acts wasn’t caught up in the things that are prevalent in “church” today. There were no fancy programs or paraphernalia; instead we see them busy doing what Jesus called and commissioned them to do. Today we will look why the church worships.

Acts 2:42-47- "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."

1) There’s a Designated Time for Worship (Acts 2:46-47).
Worship is all about Jesus. The first church dedicated a time to praise and worship Jesus. We start with a time of praise & worship at the beginning of our weekly service. Praise and Worship are parts of our service, not killing time before the preaching.
*We all need to designate time for worship daily!

2) There is a Purpose for Worship (John 20:19-20).
Notice that the disciples were glad to see Jesus. We, too, want to see Jesus when we worship. There is a time when we need to move aside all of the other things in life that crowd out Jesus. We worship at the beginning of our service to prepare our hearts to respond to all God has done in our lives, in thanksgiving, and expectation of the message He has prepared to speak to us.

3) Jesus is the Center of Worship (Matthew 18:20).
Jesus’ presence as our focus is what sets worship apart from any other gathering.

4) The Product of Worship (John 20:21-22).
A) We Receive Comfort & Peace from Jesus.
B) We Receive a Commission to Serve Jesus.
C) We Receive the Spirit of Power from Jesus.

The Holy Spirit gives us the power to receive the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection; and empowers us to be the witnesses for Jesus, to share with others the forgiveness we’ve personally experienced and accepted.

Closing- Worship is the stating point of a Church’s Ministry (that’s why we begin and end our service with Worship). When a church worships Jesus, wonderful things happen: people find forgiveness, friends, community, support, purpose & encouragement. When a church worships, lives are transformed, destinies are changed, needs are met and Jesus is glorified.

Things You Never Expected To See In Church

I never expected to see a guy get hit in the head with an offering plate. Luckily it was actually an offering bag (thanks Baptists') and the guy who got hit was actually me. Total accident, and the lady that scrambled my eggs was so sorry. As I reflected on the hilarious event (tuning out the pastors sermon completely), I wondered if God wanted me to give more? I've heard that sometimes God has to knock you around to get your attention, but this was ridiculous! I think I did get the picture though, so next Sunday I'll be putting in 2 checks! Thanks for the reminder God...no further lesson is required!

Check out this Tim Hawkins Christmas Carol

Encountering the Mysteries of God (Part 12)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

Paul seems to want to focus on three big ideas in these concluding verses:
1) We can be strong because we are empowered by God's strength (v.10).
2) We can stand against the enemy because we stand under God's power (v.11-23).
3) Grace comes to all who love Jesus (v.24).

Everything we do in this life is done by the power of God. Our coming to Him is by His effectual call when we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, our acceptance is by His irresistible Grace, and our perseverance is continued by the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul makes this clear as he points everything back to the all sufficient, sovereign will and power of God.

In verses 10-20, Paul gives us the practical or "what now" ways that we prepare for the spiritual battle that each of us faces in this life. The certainty of this battle is clear, and Paul makes the point that everyone (whether in Christ or not) will fight in this battle. The question is, "do we want to fight on our own or do we want the King to fight for us?" Those who put their faith and trust in Jesus, who have been called by the Father, have the certain victory. Those who reject the saving Grace that Jesus brings, choose to fight an enemy they can't possible beat. The reality for believers is that we fight this battle in and through the power of God. He gives us the strength to do these things, and the responsibility of doing them with the intent of growing us deeper and closer to Himself in relationship. The natural outcome of the work He does in us is worship, to glorify Himself. The heart of God is for us to know Him deeper, to trust Him fully with every part of our lives, thus showing that He is ultimate for us; that we constantly desire Him and His Glory. Our glory does not enter into the equation, it's all about Him.

The question that this brings up in my heart is, "what or who do I worship?" "Is it Jesus? Is it someone or something other than God?" Answering this question will be key in our spiritual development. We must realize that God wants to know us deeper, He wants to love and provide for us. Why don't we want to know Him more? Do situations and circumstances dictate our relationship with God? These are the questions I have been asking for the past few months, and honestly some of the answer have been disappointing and sad. I'm learning what I hold as ultimate in my life, and often (I'm sad to say) it's not God. Coming to this realization and revelation breaks my heart, but perhaps that's what God is doing to bring about my regeneration and sanctification. I pray as Paul did, that I might draw closer to Jesus in everything I do, and that the Gospel will be evident in my life, for the Glorification of God and the reconciling of others to Him!

Encountering the Mysteries of God (Part 11)

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

The issue here in Ephesians 6:1-9, is submission. Paul has just laid out the orders for husbands and wives; and now turns to children to parents; slaves to masters; masters to slaves; and how parents should deal with their children.

God doesn’t judge on the basis of if you are a slave, child, parent, master, etc. He judges and rewards every faithful person equally. The issue is to be Biblical in everything we do, as if whatever it is (honoring our parents, or raising our kids), is done to and for God Himself and His Glorification. That’s what Paul wants us to get here– that everything we do should be done because we get to serve God, represent Him, and that ultimately our actions will bring Glory to God. I like to think of it by way of challenge: Look at everything God has put me over (family, parents, church, job) as if it were His not mine (because all of it is His, we are just stewards) and look for ways to glorify God in everything I do.

Paul is speaking in regards to the 4th commandment. God uses the 4th Commandment to show us how we fall short of God’s plan and how we cannot always do what is required of us from Scripture. If we examine our lives we must all admit that we have broken the 4th Commandment more times and in more ways than we can imagine. That’s why we need Jesus! Jesus is our Savior! Jesus has come to give us the long life that we can’t earn for ourselves. Notice that Jesus kept the 4th Commandment perfectly for us. Not only did Jesus honor his earthly parents perfectly. Even more, Jesus honored His heavenly Father perfectly.

Jesus obeyed His Father and went to the cross to suffer and die for all our sins – including our failure to keep the 4th Commandment. If you struggle with guilt because of times you did not honor your parents; if you are burdened with guilt because you have not been the perfect mother or father, you can come to Jesus and know that you are forgiven and holy before God.

This same Jesus who forgives you and covers you with His own perfection, this same Jesus will give you a new heart that longs to keep the 4th Commandment. In fact, that’s what Paul means when he tells children to obey their parents “in the Lord.” Paul knows that we can’t obey the 4th Commandment no matter how hard we try. Only Jesus who forgives us and loves us can help us to begin to obey this Commandment. So, confess your sins to God and know that He forgives you. Jesus will help you to honor your parents.

As God’s mercy and love moves us to obey the 4th Commandment, we will have peace in our homes and, in turn, we will be a blessing to our communities. But even more, we can look forward to a long, eternal life with our True Father in heaven who serves us now through the authorities He has placed over us.

Encountering the Mysteries of God (Part 10)

"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

The apostle Paul takes nine verses to speak about the husbands duty as protector, provider, and pastor for the wife; and only three verses to talk about the wife's responsibility to her husband. Husbands are to love their wives in a self-sacrificing way. To give ourselves up for our wives. The reality is that I (we as husbands and men) need to come to this kind of understanding if I want my marriage to not only work, but be spectacular!

I need to put my wife's needs above my own and I need to love her. It's important that I meditate on what it means to lay my life down for my wife. It all begins with my understanding of the love and self-sacrifice that God has made by sending Jesus to be my substitute. When I'm able to wrap my mind and heart around the ultimate sacrifice that was made for my salvation, for God's plan of reconciliation to affect me, then and only then will I know how to love my wife. When I experience what the cross meant to the Father and to the Son, then giving up my life for the one I love most on this planet isn't actually that impossible. I know that because I'm in a constant state of Sanctification, though not perfect yet, God has equipped me to sacrifice what is most important to my flesh for my wife. I know I will not always do this perfectly, but thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit, I'm actually getting better (by God's grace and my wife's willingness to push through the difficult things).

If (and that's the big word), if I can love my wife and sacrifice my fleshly wants for material things, physical/sexual desires, and emotional needs, then I have taken the first step in leading her as pastor, protector and provider. Paul's point is that Biblical Submission becomes less of "I have to do this" and more of "I get to do this." Paul seems to lay this out as cause and effect. Submission to the husbands lead will flow out of the wife's love for Jesus, Scripture, and her husband.

My encouragement this week is to take some time and meditate on what it means to love and sacrifice myself for my wife. Ask God to reveal what this kind of love looks like in the life of the Christians husband. How do I love my wife?

"Called to Mission" Luke 4:42-44

This week I had the opportunity to preach at River Community Fellowship, and I wanted to share my notes from the message. We will be back in Ephesians next week, but I thought it would be important for all of us to see what Jesus was up to in Luke 4, and hopefully be encouraged and challenged to strive to be a part of God's mission. Hopefully this will stir up your passion to reach out to your community in tangible ways.

Introduction– Isn’t it true that the more a Christian believer comes to comprehend all he/she has in Jesus Christ, the more eager he/she is to share Jesus with others? I’ve come to realize that there must be three non-negotiable factors for my life as a Christ follower. The first, is continually making sure that the Gospel is the content for everything I do as an individual. I must remain Gospel-centered. The second, is to strive to be missionally intentional (i.e. always on mission) because as the Gospel is truth, it must be proclaimed in real, tangible ways. The third factor I’ve found is to love my community in context, which practically means that I share my life as a Believer in Jesus with unbelievers in the places they belong, while building trust to create an environment or place where they can explore and examine the Gospel of Christ safely. These three factors must be the foundations for everything I do.

I realize that living these truths is intentional and requires a lot of time and effort, a lot of boundary bouncing, but it is so rewarding and so Biblical that it must be entwined into the DNA of our lives personally and the life of the universal church.

Contextual Overview
In Luke chapter 4, we learn of the good news of God’s kingdom. Jesus has been on an incredible journey: first, (v.1-13) He spends 40 days in the desert being tempted by the devil, but Jesus overcomes the temptations and never sins; then (v.14-30) Jesus returns to His home town and begins to preach and teach in the synagog, but the people get angry at Him and drive Him out of the city. Then (v.31-41) Jesus goes to Capernaum, a city in northern Galilee, and just blows up, He begins preaching the gospel; teaching about the sovereignty, majesty, goodness, and kingdom of God; heals the sick; and drives out demons. The people of the city, at this point, are glad Jesus is there, they’re excited about the work Jesus is doing, and they’re anticipating what Jesus will do next.

Luke 4:42-44– “And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, but he said to them, ‘I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.’ And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.”

We see three distinct things about God’s Mission in our passage today, but in order to understand these truths, we must have a working definition of the Gospel.

What is the Gospel?
The Gospel is God's plan to save his people from their sins and to bring his people fully and finally to himself (Ephesians 2:1-10). The great theologian J.I. Packer simply says, “God Saves Sinners.” Through the person and work of Jesus Christ, God fully accomplishes salvation for us by the Holy Spirits regeneration, rescuing us from judgment for sin, into fellowship with him, and then restores the creation in which we can enjoy new life together with him.

THREE DISTINCT THINGS ABOUT GOD’S MISSION

1) Our Natural Tendency Is Not to God’s Mission (v.42)
The next morning, Jesus heads for a solitary place to spend some time alone with the Father (Mark 1:35-38). The people find out that He’s getting ready to leave. So they go to Him and say, “Don’t leave! We need you! We need your power in our lives! We need your presence in our lives. We need your preaching in our lives! Please stay with us!”

2) The Gospel Connects People to God’s Mission (v.43)
Jesus says in verse 43, “It’s not that I don’t love you. It’s not that I don’t want to be with you. But my mission in life is to share the good news with as many people as I can! God’s kingdom is here right now, and I want the rest of the world to know about it!” The good news needs to be shared so that the people of the world can be reconciled back to God (See Romans 10:14). Notice that there is a need for Gospel proclamation. In verse 43, Jesus says to the people of Capernaum, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God!” Jesus was ready and willing to live out the mission of God in front of and in the midst of lost people.

3) The Gospel Sends People on God’s Mission (v.44)
In verse 44, Jesus “continued preaching in the synagogues of Judea.” In other words, he was doing everything He could to make the gospel as accessible as possible. Luke is trying to teach us that the good news of God’s love is accessible to everyone! (See 1 John 5:11-12)

For us, our Judea is right here in the Verde Valley. There are people right here in Cottonwood who don’t know that God loves them, that don’t know that God wants to do something beautiful and lasting in their lives, to bring reconciliation! There are people out there who have no idea about who Jesus is and what He has done specifically for them. No idea that they can be forgiven, restored, reconciled to God, all because of the substitutionary life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. People need to know that God has extended His grace to them, through the cross of Christ, and that because of Jesus, we now have access to the amazing majesty of the creator and sustainer of everything.

Those of us who have heard the Gospel and have been transformed by it are called to God’s mission. The question is, “will we graciously open up our hearts, our homes, and our lives for others to join us in experiencing the Gospel?”

CLOSING
The beauty of the Gospel is that it illustrates God’s missional heart very tangibly in the person and work of Jesus Christ. God sends his son to live in the world of the lost, to live amongst them, and bring the Kingdom to his people.

We are all sinners in need of a Savior. The reason why Jesus came to earth preaching the good news is because we ALL need the help of God! We ALL need salvation! Jesus was looking for lost people and had to leave His comfort zone in order to reach them. He had to be sent to us, we were not naturally going to go to Him. In this same way, we must intentionally go after people with the Gospel because they are lost.

CHALLENGE
Answer these questions, (please close your eyes): Imagine if Jesus were to walk into this room right now and say, “Come on, get up, and come with me.” Where do you picture him taking you first? Maybe it’s someplace you’ve never been. Where? Why would he take you there?

This week I’d like to challenge you to practice being “called to mission” by crossing two barriers of your normal life:
1) Cross Your Fence – Do something to bless or simply converse with one neighbor on your street.

2) Cross Your Street – Do something to connect with someone who is close to your home, but with whom you haven’t built a relationship yet.

STUDY QUESTIONS
Personal – Jesus was well known for his love for people, which brought his people great joy. Jesus was actively involved in ministering to other people in a way that had profoundly encouraged them. Who are you encouraging, and how is your life impacting others?

Spiritual – We must react to the Gospel. We live in a fallen world where believer’s need to be refreshed, and unbelievers need to experience what it means to be refreshed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What are we doing to actively seek the deeper things of Jesus?

Missional – Experiencing God’s mission must be an intentional part of our lives. What specifically are you doing to further the mission of God in the lost world? What about your life will compel people in the Verde Valley to want to know more about Jesus?

Preaching this Sunday at RCF in Cottonwood

This week I have the great honor of preaching at River Community Fellowship in Cottonwood, Arizona. The text we'll be working from is Luke 4:42-44, on a message I've entitled, "Called to Mission." Should be a really cool time and I want to invite all of you in the Verde Valley area to join us at 10 a.m. this Sunday, November 8th for a time of worship, fellowship, pray and preaching/teaching.

It would be great to see as many of you and any friends/family you could bring out to support the work of this solid ministry. River meets at Tavasci Elementary School. Check out the church website for more information or directions to the school at: www.rivercommunityfellowship.org

Hope to see you there!

Bob Greene

Encountering the Mysteries of God (Part 9)

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."

Paul, in this section of Scripture, makes the point that because Jesus has regenerated us (through the power of the Holy Spirit's work) we now have the ability and opportunity to model our lives after Jesus and act like Him. It's important to stop acting/behaving like we did before regeneration (habitual/willfully sinning) and start being "imitators of God." We partner with Jesus in living lives of submission, repentance, and faith. We now can put the old/past sins away (because of the cross) and live lives that are pleasing and honoring to God.

Also, be careful with words, thoughts, and actions. Paul says not to be "foolish" (v.17), but to live in such a way as to honor God, not disrespect Him. Jesus has made it possible for us to be in a right relationship with God emotionally, physically, spiritually, and the Holy Spirit is empowering us to live that spirituality out everyday. We are God's Ambassadors and we represent Him to this world. We need to walk, talk, and look as much like Jesus as possible, so that we can direct others to Him for their salvation and God's Glorification!

Final Thoughts– Be thankful to God for all He has given to us, not covetous for what we see others have that we want and wish we had. When you do get down, look at all the blessings God has given you/me (because they are many), and rest in the sovereignty of God's will. Trust in His character to make all things right and just in His perfect time.

Encountering the Mysteries of God (Part 8)

"Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Because God has regenerated our hearts, we get to be continually transformed and can put off the old life, nature, self, because the Holy Spirit replaces those old things with new, glorified, redeemed ones. We now (because of Jesus) have been created after the likeness of God and therefore have the ability (through the working of the Holy Spirit) to live a new and transformed life of faith. This is all part of the regenerated work that the Holy Spirit is doing in us, while progressive sanctification is continuing to take place.

We must remember that our struggles and sins no longer have control over us. When they do creep up on us, we need to take them to God through prayer, while continuing to search the Scriptures, remembering that Jesus died to conquer all sin, separation from God, and all death (which is what sin ultimately leads to). We must remember that Jesus has accomplished our salvation and has reconciled us back to God, Jesus is our continual advocate to the Father, and the Holy Spirit is continually working out our salvation and sanctification, so that we can be new creations that worship God and Glorify Him with our redeemed lives.

The encouragement today is to believe that we are new creations in Christ. Start to practice the truths found in the Scriptures, and live as though these truths are actually TRUE. Forget the past, forget what we used to be (before Jesus), and remember that God sees us washed by the blood of Jesus. While we often fail and don't see ourselves whole, God sees us in the light of Jesus, completely spotless and sin free. Live in the moment and truth that God is working everything out through the power of His Glory and Grace. Believe that you are changed and new, and let that truth be lived out in radical submission to the mortification of sin and the Glorification of God.

Encountering the Mysteries of God (Part 7)

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, 'When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men. 'In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Paul now speaks on the unity that is found in the body of Christ (the church). Paul continually talks about love being the motivation behind everything we do as believers. Understanding that God has made grace available to us as a gift through the subsequent life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (v.7) will help us realize who truly is in control. Because of Jesus' great love for us and His great sacrifice of Himself, we can now experience a truly wonderfully, grace filled, Holy Spirit led existence.

If love is the driving factor in the church, then everything we say and do should be clothed in love...especially where issues of methodology and practice are seen differently. We are all called to be witness of God's grace and message of reconciliation, but the ways we go about doing that may be different, actually should be different. The issue is not the message, but how we proclaim it. We are all created with different gifts and talents, and we are all called to reach different people, in different contexts, with differing ways of communicating the Gospel. Understanding our diversity within the body of Christ will help us to keep love the focus, and most likely help us realize how God wants to use us in the culture He has placed us in.

Final Thought– May we build on the essential things we agree on, in love, to build the church up (v.16), and be gracious to others when secondary matters are discussed.