The reality that a refurbished computer is just that made me grateful that God makes us new...not just a refurb.

A Blogging Slacker

What's the point of having a blog is you don't...well...BLOG? It could, I guess become a place to journal your thoughts - to be able to look back on the journey. But it's been over 2 months since my last entry. Some people asked me to upload my sermons to they could read them. But now they are available at our church website (www.connectionfellowship.org) where they can be watched and heard.

Life has been crazy. I began keeping up a bit with facebook...in addition to emails...

So what's the point? I guess as I prayed this morning I realized that NOT blogging every day or every week is NOT a sin...so I should not necessarily feel bad or sorry about it. I'm not even sure who (if anybody) reads it. Of course, no one is going to read it if you don't write it.

I am a bit envious of my friend Chris who writes on his facebook wall (seemingly) every morning that 'blog is up'. I know that it is an incredible tool. Maybe I'll take bit more time to invest in it. But God certainly is giving me liberty to not beat myself up for lots of 'stuff' that is the most important priority.

Is there anything God needs to give you liberty about letting go of so that you can focus on the most important things? I have not been blogging frequently...but I have been writing notes to my wife more frequently...of course you can't read those.

Full Adoption

Connection Fellowship
June 14, 2009
Full Adoption
Galatians 4:1-9

If you have your Bible this morning, I would invite you to turn again to the Book of Galatians as we continue our series of messages entitled, “Living in Freedom”. In this letter to the churches of what is now modern Turkey, the Apostle Paul has been refuting the false teaching that has infiltrated the churches. Jewish legalists who were telling these new believers that they needed convert to being Jews and follow their religious rules in order to be right with God.
After laying out the issue in chapter one, Paul defends his God given authority and then spend chapters 2-4 laying out the case for GRACE, and not LAW. In a sense, chapter 4 is redundant by addressing the same issue…just utilizing more illustrations. But there are two things I want you to understand this morning, as we focus just on the first 9 verses:
(1) If we don’t get the point that our relationship with God is based singularly on faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross as payment for our sins and not on our works…your belief system (or doctrine), your foundation is based on a faulty human foundation and not on God’s perfect plan.
(2) The freedom that God desires and intends for us to live in is not just a status that comes from being made right with God by Christ dying for us, but it is also an experiential freedom that comes from God living in and through us.

[Galatians 4:1-9]

TEXT
1 Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. 3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. 8 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?


Paul’s illustration of a child was familiar to his readers. But it may not be so evident to us. In their context, children of the most powerful and wealthy were raised by servants or slaves…almost as slaves themselves. Although everyone (including those in charge of him) knew that the child was the rightful heir and would one day not be subject to their supervision…they served the purpose of raising them to the point that they would be able to handle receiving their inheritance. But through the entire process, they understood that they were subject to the authority of the Father until the date he set to turn over control of his assets to the son.

4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law,…

God’s purpose for the Law was to guide the Jewish people until the time He had set in eternity past for His Son to come into the world (fully human and fully God) to provide the only acceptable sacrifice for the eternal redemption of mankind.

God sent the Son so we might have the status of Sonship.

Rules were never meant to bring eternal life or to make us more tolerable to God. He is not focused on changing your behavior…He is focused on changing your heart, the core of your worship. That’s what He desires and deserves. As MacArthur reminds us, rules may keep us in line, but “rules don’t change the heart.”
So how does He change us so that we can live in real freedom and live the transformed life that He desires for us? Look again starting in verse 5:

5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

We not only receive the gift of salvation by being redeemed (or bought out of slavery to sin) and become a child of God. We also are given full adoption as sons. This may not mean much to us, but it did to the Galatian people. In their culture, adoption not only meant possibly being brought into the family…but it meant that you were given the full inheritance rights and allowed to enjoy them…as a mature son. And as a mature son, we are no longer under the bondage of legalistic rules, but rather we have received the person of God Himself (the Holy Spirit) into our hearts to guide us…and to confirm in our spirit that we are truly a part of the family of God by crying out for us the most intimate of Fatherly addresses…Abba Father (or Daddy).

God sent the Son so we might have the status of Sonship. But He sent
the Holy Spirit so we might have the experience of Sonship.

In verse 8, Paul reminds them that because of their faith in God’s gracious gift, they have received the status of a right relationship with Him. In verse 9, he asks them why, knowing that they have received this gift and an intimate fellowship with their Creator, would they return to something that brings no life, but only bondage?
In our church, we need to focus on helping people connect with God’s grace and then encouraging them to engage in the process of having their heart and life transformed as a result of the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives. We must be careful not to promote standards that are perceived as some check-off list for good standing with God. Instead, we are to paint a picture, in word and deed, of what we the Bible teaches a life transformed and surrendered to Christ looks like as we actively follow Him. The truth is that any standards we would set would be so far short of full surrender to God.

One of the most beautiful pictures of grace and love in our culture today is painted when children are adopted by into a family. They are received into the family and into the home. But, I’m told that there is an even greater moment when the reality of their status reaches that child’s heart and they, with sincerity and passion, say those personal, intimate words to their new parents: “Mommy” and “Daddy”.

God is not and will never be satisfied with a simple change in your spiritual status…that comes from accepting Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. That is the place to start. And if you have never accepted Christ personally…I want to encourage you to do that today.
But for followers of Christ, the message today is this: God wants you to live in more than just the status of being His child. He desires for you to live in the freedom of experiencing following Him and enjoying the intimate relationship for which you were created…that He has provided…not by rules…but by His Grace.

Why don’t you take a few moments and allow Abba Father
to speak that reality into your heart and life right now.

Get Your Belief System Straight

Connection Fellowship
June 7, 2009
Get Your Doctrine Straight
Galatians 3:1-29

For the past few weeks, we have been talking about Living in Freedom as we study the Book of Galatians. Yesterday I played golf. For me, golf does more than provide a few hours of recreation or fellowship. It provides sermon illustrations. And for this series…it proved a testing ground for my own response to this teaching.
(1) God wants us to live in grace and not under legalism – so I took a mulligan.
(2) The best defense for the Gospel is a changed life - I didn’t cuss this time (out loud).
(3) We are to die daily to our selfish desires – so I died to the idea of ever going pro.
And when I gave up on ever playing golf professionally and grasped the reality of my inabilities, I began to enjoy the recreation and fellowship that God provided through this round of golf so much more. It was so liberating!
Let me ask you a question. How have you been doing at living in the freedom God desires and provided through Christ? Have you laid aside any legalistic, non-biblical expectations of yourself or others? Has the reality of your changed life in Christ made a difference to anyone? Did you follow through on what God showed you last week about surrendering and dying to any attitude or thing?
As we come to Galatians chapter 3 this week, Paul sounds a bit parental. He tries to convey to these dear people how they can live in the freedom of God’s grace and not by the legalism of the Jewish Law. And he approaches it like a the greatest Teacher…Jesus…with lots of questions. And here is what he says:
“What are you are basing your life on?
Get your doctrine straight…It is so liberating!”
TEXT
1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched [duped] you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? [You have experienced it & seen it lived out!]

2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
[Did you start this Christian journey by the Law or by faith?]

3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? [You received the gift of salvation by grace through faith, but now you think that there is something you can do to earn it in the flesh?]

4 Did you suffer [experience] so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
[Does God, who transformed you life, do all this by works or by faith?]

6 Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.
[The Scripture says in Gen. 15:6 that even the father of the Jewish nation was declared right with God because of his faith, not works.]
7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.
[You cannot say I follow the true Jewish faith and still depend on works.]

8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.
[God told Abraham – Gen. 12:3 – that this good news would bless all people, not just the Jews. This message of faith and the promise of the Savior-Messiah would come through the Jews, but would be for all the people…not just those who convert to Jewish traditions.]

10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.” 11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” 12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.”
[If you want to live by Law, you have to keep it all to perfection in word, action, and attitude. And no one can do that…we all know it!]

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
[Christ delivered us from this impossible system, bearing our curse so we could enjoy the blessing of God’s covenant promise to Abraham.]

15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.
[They understood that covenants were not like contracts. They were permanently binding…even among men. How much more with God?]

16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.
[The covenant did not end at his death. And God provided for the completion of it through Abraham’s descendents, all the way to Christ.]

17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
[The Law was given 430 years after God’s covenant was last restated to Jacob, Abraham’s grandson. If Law was the means to a relationship with God, then it would do away with God’s faith covenant of salvation through the Messiah. That makes no sense. You would be following a Law based on a faulty beginning and a faulty God. If God is faulty, then the Law, that He gave, is also faulty. So why then the law?]

19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.
[It was for the sake of defining transgressions until the promised Messiah would come. Remember, when the Law was given, the Jewish people were struggling. They were wondering in the wilderness after a long captivity in pagan Egypt. Not unlike many in culture today, they were struggling to find their faith…and it was easily misplaced.]

20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.
[This is a one-way covenant that God Himself made and delivered. And He works for the good of both parties…sinful man and His holy glory.]

21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. 22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
[Does God contradict Himself with Covenant and Law? No way! If keeping Law could provide life, then a right relationship with God would come by keeping that Law. But rather, what it did was show men that there was no other hope – in ourselves – so when Jesus Christ came, it would be made evident to those who would themselves and believe.]

23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.
[This is a picture of a corral, keeping the Jewish people on the right path until their faith could be revealed in the physical reality of Jesus.]

24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
[Like a traditional schoolmaster, who was hired to keep watch over and teach the children until they were mature, the Law was to keep the Jews on track and lead them to recognize the promise completed in Christ. But it no longer serves that purpose, for Christ is now the guide for life.]

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
[Remember, Paul is writing to believers, and is not making a universal declaration that everyone is right with God. But those immersed in Christ…by faith…are now identified as a child of God. In God’s eyes, we are ‘clothed’ in Christ and when He looks at us, He sees His Son. And seeing His Son, there are no longer distinctions among believers concerning His faith covenant…now delivered to the entire human race.]

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.
[No matter your nationality, your status in society, or your gender, all of you are recipients of the covenant of salvation through faith in Christ. Some today have used this text to say that in the New Testament there is no longer heterosexual or homosexual. But that is not what it is saying at all. No, under the old Law system, there were all kinds of distinctions between people in how they relate to God…but no more. All approach God by the same WAY, TRUTH, and LIFE…Jesus Christ…by faith.]

UNDERSTANDING
You might say, “I’m not a Jew,” or “I never tried to keep some religious system to get to heaven. So, what does this all mean for me?” Glad you asked!

Everyone follows some belief system, whether established by a religion, a country, a church, or even yourself. God would have us know that there is only one WAY to a right relationship with Him...and it has never changed. It is by faith alone in Christ alone [Martin Luther]. Anything belief system that would contradict or attempt to add to this central truth is not of God. Don’t be duped!

Freedom comes from following Christ…not Christians. [J.D.M.]

And why is there such liberty for our lives when we get this central doctrine or belief straight? First, because we no longer live in bondage to a performance based process of trying to please God or others. Second, our identity & security in Christ becomes the anchor for our life. So we are no long tossed about by any little thing that comes our way. If you are struggling with the bumps of the journey, I want to encourage you to search God’s Living Word to help you understand His Character and Promises so you can live in the freedom God desires and has provided for you.

CONCLUSION
A friend has challenged me for the past four months with this question: “What would happen in our community if everyone person came to the reality of the freedom that comes from a relationship with God through faith in Christ.”

What would be different? What would it look like? I have asked God to give me a vision for what it would look like and an inescapable passion to see it happen. But I want to leave you today with an even more personal question that God asked me while I was struggling once again this week with my friend’s challenge:
“How can I bring this reality in your community, your church, or your family… or use you to impact the world if you are not living in this freedom each day?”

How would my life and your life look different if we were to live
each day by faith in the liberty and reality of our identity in Christ?”

Vacation is a Lot of Work

I'm really tired! I know that I need a break. But this year seems extremely difficult to get planned...camps, mission trips, projects, practices, family reunions, etc.

Here is the paradox in the situation. If you have children, especially mulitples, summer vacation can often provide an opportunity for making you really tired (in a good sort of way). Family reunions really are no vacation at all. I've heard so many people say that they had to go back to work in order to get any rest. I understand. But I've never had quite the experience as with this year.

No, I haven't gone on any vacation. But I realized today that in the planning process to try to figure out the best place and best deal, I have spent at least 30 hours. I'm so worn out that I really need that vacation...yet it has still not been finalized. What is a dad to do?

Maybe I could just string together 3 weeks straight of taking an afternoon nap, combined with one round of golf each week...and maybe a few nice dinners out at my favorite restaurant?.?.?

Crucified With Christ

Connection Fellowship
May 31, 2009
Crucified With Christ
Galatians 2:1-21
Introduction

“My chains are gone…I’ve been set free” may be the most liberating lines in a song that I’ve sung in a long time. Chris Tomlin wrote this chorus in conjunction with John Newton’s ‘Amazing Grace’. If you have not seen the movie, by the same title, I would encourage you to see it. It is incredible that during the struggle for people to be liberated from ‘men’s law’, spiritual liberty came to William Wilberforce from the bondage of personal sin and guilt. The song is monument to it.

In the late 1800’s, another monument, the Statue of Liberty was given to the United States by France to represent the freedom associated with our country. Millions of people have come to our country and been greeted by this impressive statement of liberty. When you look see it, there is an incredible sense of the freedom that it represents. It has become a picture synonymous with liberty.

But today, we are faced with a picture that may not…on the surface…appear to be the most liberating. But in fact it is the most liberating picture for any single person to have ever lived on the planet. Galatians 2:20 may be the most quoted Bible verses about living the Christian life.

20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

This may be one of the most quoted Bible verses about living the Christian life. It is generally taught in the context of ‘dying’ to our old, sinful life of bondage and allowing Christ to live in and through us in this new liberated life that we have because of Him. That is so true. But the context of this liberty also comes from not being bound to a religious system of legalism and trying to please God (or men) through our behavior…before and after personally receiving the Gospel of Christ.

This is a summary statement of Paul’s personal story.

Acts 15 tells the narrative of this story, but here we have the editorial details. It had been 14 years since his initial visit to Jerusalem recorded in Chapter 1.

Paul took Barnabas (a Jew) and Titus (a Greek convert) to visit the leaders of the
early church to stop the false teaching that a group of Jewish teachers (from Jerusalem) were spreading among the non-Jews that after placing their faith in Christ, they must be circumcised and live by the Jewish traditions.

He met with them privately to keep from making a public spectacle of the issue. They affirmed Paul’s teaching as the TRUE GOSPEL and evidenced it by not
requiring Titus be circumcised. His doctrine of grace through faith was right.

But living it out daily is often difficult. Even the most devoted followers of Christ
can get sucked into the pressures of performance based religion. In verses 11 – 21, Paul shares an example of how Peter, the same leader who walked with Christ and preached the Gospel so effectively, got sucked in.

Peter had visited the Gentiles in the city of Antioch [Acts 12] and was hanging out
(fellowshipping and eating) regularly with the locals. However, when Jewish friends began to visit from the Jerusalem church (with their prejudices about religious rituals and practices), Peter began to withdraw from the locals. It caused such an impact, that even Barnabas was sucked into it.

Paul confronted their hypocrisy. It was not a debate over condemning the Jewish
lifestyle of not eating pork (or anything like that). Go ahead and live that lifestyle if you want. He may have said, ‘be a vegetarian if you want’. But do not equate a legalistic diet (found in an Old Testament ritual system) with a personal relationship or requirement for receiving the grace of God in Christ.

Paul reminds them that the doctrine of salvation by God’s grace through faith in
the sacrifice of Christ on the cross has already been settled…and is not found in works of the law. In verses 17 - 18, Paul lays it out:

17 “But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! 18 “For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor.

Paul says, “You cannot have it both ways!” That applies both to what you say
you believe and how you live that out. By preaching unmerited grace, then
saying or acting as if something is done to earn God’s favor, I become a living contradiction. There is no freedom in being a living contradiction.

20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Paul says that he did not just change religions…he died to it.

I did not know it until this week, but there are multiple statues like our Statue of Liberty…like this one in Tokyo, Japan. There is one in London…one in Paris. You can choose to live and try to find freedom in any of these countries under a similar, yet not identical, banner of liberty. You could also choose to try freedom under the banners of many similar, yet not identical religions. You can even try to mix some Christianity into your own viewpoint and create your own personal religion.

But just like Paul encountered, although many have tried to mix some form of Christianity with their own set of religious rules or rituals, there is no TRUE FREEDOM to be found under any other banner than the CROSS of Jesus Christ.

There is no freedom in living a contradiction.

I invite you today to choose to live in the Freedom of God’s grace found in Christ.

The Best Defense is a Changed Life

Connection Fellowship
May 24, 2009
The Best Defense is a Changed Life
Galatians 1:11-24

Revelation [Ch. 7] tells us that there will come a day when people from every tongue, tribe, and nation will bow before the throne of God and cry out in praise to the Lamb of God Who brought salvation to the world. This is a very foreign message to those in our culture who find it very difficult to see past their present circumstance, or find it impossible to believe that the God of the Universe could provide salvation by grace, through faith [Eph. 2:8] in a gift, without doing something to earn it or keep it.
This difficulty is not just found in the faculty club on an Ivy League college campus. No, it has been (and is still) found in religious movements and in churches all around this country and around the world…and it is called legalism.
Last week, as we began our series of messages in the book of Galatians, we saw that the Apostle Paul is refuting this false teaching (by Jewish traditionalists) that has infiltrated the churches in the area now known as modern Turkey. He began by reminding them that GRACE and PEACE only come from knowing Christ. They are not experienced through keeping a human standard, but by pursuing a Holy God. The true freedom that Christ desires for us to experience, (from our sin) is not found in either the bondage of frustration in religious exercise, nor in the guilt of living for self. Instead, GRACE and PEACE come from a life daily surrendered to God.
As Paul was delivering this message, he was also under attack from those who were in both camps: religious legalists and personal freedom fighters. Both would try to discredit him, as well as those who would genuinely try to follow Christ. If we are not careful, we can end up in personal bondage because of the pressure of others. For some of you today, that pressure can come from unbelieving family, friends, or co-workers. It could also come from religious acquaintances who try to get you to live in the box of their legalism. Either way, we can feel trapped in our desire to Live in the Freedom that Christ died for and that God intends for us.
So how are we supposed to Live in Freedom among those who would try to have us live under their personal bondage or religious pressure? Let’s read together:

TEXT [Galatians 1:11-24]
11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; 14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. 15 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. 18 Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; 23 but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they were glorifying God because of me.

One of my favorite types of movies is a ‘lawyer’ movie. And one of my favorite lawyer movies is “A Few Good Men”. Tom Cruise has made a career of negotiating and settling cases privately. But in this movie, he is faced with the pressure of the military to ‘settle’, while battling the fears of his past and the principles of right to fight for justice. At one point in his preparation, a friends says, “I think I just heard you make an argument.”
There are times in our Christian life that we need to ‘make an argument’. But see how Paul makes his argument for the reality of Living in Freedom through Christ. Just like surrender does not seem to make sense, Paul’s approach may not make sense to most people either.


First, he argues the case of his ‘got it from’. In vs. 11-12, he says he got this message, (not from school or teacher), but from Jesus Christ Himself. He says, “They did not teach this where I grew up and went to school. In fact, they taught just the opposite…and I was a really good student.”
In vs. 13-14, he argues the case of his ‘used to be’. He had a reputation as an excellent, legalistic Jew. And he was so passionately committed to it that he works with all his influence to destroy the very thing that he now so passionately advocates and teaches…the Gospel of Christ. But how could this zealous persecutor of Christians change? It’s in the ‘but’.
V. 15 begins with the words, “But God…” Then Paul tells what he was ‘made to be’. God’s intersection and collision with Paul’s life revealed to him Who God really was and turned him into a messenger of the Gospel to the Gentiles (those despised by religious Jews of whom he had been a part.)
In v. 16-22, Paul that who he was ‘made to be’ was not just a philosophical change that came about through study or reflection. It was not through an education received from other believers. He says, “Check out the history…it can be verified…God as my witness…I am telling you the truth.” We have this whole story in the Book of Acts – Chapter 9.
Then in v. 23-24, he ends with the case of ‘because of me’. It is not an argument of, “because of me there are all of these churches or converts.” No, he says, “because of the change they have seen in my life and the fruit that this life-transformation is reaping…they are glorifying God.” The same man who tried to destroy the Gospel is now preaching that same Gospel…to the point of being persistently persecuted himself. Only God could do that!


My parents are here this morning and they may have a bit different perspective on what I am about to say. But, honestly…I was a pretty good, religious person when I became a follower of Christ. The difference in my life, behaviorally, may not have even been that noticeable to many people. I used to envy people who may have had a more ‘dramatic’ life transformation than I did. But listen to me!
My ‘got it from’ was the same as Paul’s. The Holy Creator God intersected and collided with my life and revealed Himself to me…and in me and gave me His PEACE by His GRACE through my FAITH that, (by the way) He gave me as well.
And He turned my ‘used to be’, which was a religious, legalistic kid who really only cared about getting my way and doing thing my way…because I thought it was the best way to make me and everyone else happy with me. And for the past 31 years, the same God has been putting me through ‘me, myself, and I de-tox’.
And just like Paul, the same holds true for me: “But God…” But God who knew me in my mother’s womb [Jeremiah 1:5], has taken my ‘plan to be’ and has been working out His plan for me (which, by the way, is much better than my plan for me) [Jeremiah 29:11]. And anyone who knew my plan can see that my ‘plan to be’ is certainly not what I was ‘made to be’ because of that phrase, “But God…”
And the truth is that my plan…and what I ‘used to be’ had quite a bit of focus on ‘look at me’. But any credibility that I could make for my life, my ministry, or my presentation of the Gospel is held in this argument: For those who know me, just possibly, ‘because of me’ there are others whose lives have been transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ…and (just like Paul)…‘only God could have done that.’
Just as living in freedom comes through surrender and not by accomplishment, we gain confidence and credibility in that freedom by the fact that only God could have changed our lives like that.

Living in freedom is verified by the fact that only God
could have made that change in your transformed life.

Has there been a change in your life that can only be attributed to God? If not, then you have not met Christ personally…because He will change you. It is inevitable. And I am praying for that collision to happen today. And if He has, are you living in the freedom of that verified change, or are you still trying to prove it by yourself? Stop living in that bondage and live in freedom today - every day of your journey in His grace and peace.

LIving in Freedom

Connection Fellowship
May 17, 2009
Living in Freedom
Galatians 1:1-10

Introduction
Today, we begin a new series of messages in the NT book of Galatians. As we begin, it may be helpful for us to understand a bit of its context. This region, settled by immigrants from France (Gaul), was conquered by Rome around 189 B.C. It is now modern Turkey.
Its divinely inspired author, the Apostle Paul, started multiple churches here on his 1st missionary journey [Acts 13-14]. Written about 50 A.D. to multiple churches, it refutes the religious bondage being taught by Jewish teachers who were to mixing faith and grace, (in the Gospel), with the works religion that Judaism had become.

Warren Wiersbe writes, “This is a very dangerous book.” Why? Because, “It exposes the most popular substitute for spiritual living that we have in our churches today – legalism.” I was vividly reminded of this at lunch on Tuesday after my grandfather’s funeral.
A man I loved growing up said he asked his wayward daughter to go to church with him. She told him that she did not have a dress. He responded, “Then you won’t be going with me.” At one time, I would have kept his mouth shut. But studying this text, I responded, “She could come to our church, I have even preached in shorts.”
Does the Bible teach an absolute freedom to do whatever we want? Nothing could be the further from the truth. [Galatians 5:13] Look around you. That philosophy (or religion) leads to a whole different type of bondage. So how are we supposed to Live in Freedom? Let’s read together.

TEXT [Galatians 1:1-10]
1 Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen. 6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! 10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

How does being a ‘bondservant’ allow you to live in freedom? That does not sound very liberating? But look at what he says.
Understanding
Paul begins by emphasizing that his calling, or commission in life was not through a human agency, but rather by the living Creator of the Universe. One of the most difficult circumstances in life is trying to please multiple people. One of the greatest difficulties in my former career in human resources is that I reported to multiple people who each had their own agenda. Ministry can be the same way, especially in the church. But Paul knew he was called and sent by God.
God normally calls us to serve Him in the context of an organization (a business, a church, a family). Paul often modeled this for us. But the way we can experience incredible freedom on our journey is a humble confidence in the fact that our identity and commission actually comes from God.
In verses 3–5, Paul describes the basis for our freedom in God: Grace and Peace. “Grace is the source of salvation and peace is the result of salvation. Grace is positional and peace is practical. The law offered no grace and no peace.” [MacArthur] Paul was careful to make sure that he clarified that this grace and peace came solely through the gift from God, which is the heart of the Gospel…that Jesus died for our sins. [1 Cor. 15:3-4]
It amazed Paul, (v. 6-7) that people who were dramatically impacted by God through believing the Gospel message could so soon and quickly turn away from Christ to an alteration to the message that had changed their lives.
But this is the most used tool of Satan to render believers impotent… distraction. If he can get believers, or a church, to focus on keeping some human standard instead of pursuing a holy God, he has succeeded. But before we get too critical of the Galatians, I would remind us that throughout history there have been many such slides that have caused courageous men of God to stand up and help us refocus on the truth that is The Gospel.
But look what Paul says in verse 7: “this is not really another” Gospel. You can tell it because instead of experiencing peace, you are experiencing agitation. In the world, there have been and are many religions. Even among those who call themselves Christian, with our many labels, Paul reminds us there is true freedom in only one Gospel - faith in Christ alone.
His introduction to Galatians ends with a speech so passionate that he says of himself, if I ever teach something different…I should receive a curse of eternal destruction. It sounds a bit as if he is angry. But that is not true. As we will discover next week, Paul vividly remembers the bondage of trying to keep a religious standard. So desperate is his desire for these beloved people to live in the freedom that is found in Christ that he is willing to risk offending them. Just like Christ, he loves them too much to leave them where they are - living ineffectively for Christ in religious bondage.

CONCLUSION
We live in a culture that emphasizes personal freedom. Whether abortion, homosexual marriage, or the over 70% of South Carolina high school seniors who are having sex before marriage, people generally accept your personal standards, as long as you do not impose them on others. But the truth is that the freedom our culture promotes leads to spiritual bondage…bondage of internal emptiness and agitation…with chains of frustration and guilt…and NO PEACE.
The opposite is often promoted in many religions and churches. Some call it legalism. It is just as much bondage…with frustration and guilt in our failure to maintain the given standard…with NO GRACE.
Both keep us from living in the freedom Christ came to bring. It is spiritual liberty that comes from being forgiven from the debt and guilt of sin, combined with the supernatural ability to live in that same grace and freedom each day as we surrender as a servant of Christ.
I know that this surrender does not make sense to most people. But its logic is not found in a people concept…it is a God concept. It also makes no ‘people sense’ that the God of all the Universe would come in human flesh and die (personally) to pay the sin debt and rescue His rebellious creation from an eternity of separation in Hell.

Living in freedom is the reality found by knowing God and in experiencing His grace personally, everyday of your journey.

RESPONSE
I want to leave you with two questions:

(1) What is one area of your life where you are demanding or insisting
on your personal rights? Surrender it! [Mine = ___________]

(2) What is one expectation that you place on yourself or others that is
outside the context of the Gospel? Surrender it! [Mine = ____]

If you are not yet a follower of Christ, the typical answer to Question #1: It’s my life! But remember who gives you life. The typical answers to question #2 are either: I’m not good enough! or “I’m as good as other Christians! Remember, it’s not a standard that any human can meet. That’s why Christ died…to bring us grace and peace…so that you can live in freedom. But real freedom takes surrender.

Why not surrender today?
With God, there is incredible freedom in surrender.

Thoughts Before the Funeral

It is a difficult day as I prepare to travel to Ohio for my grandfather's funeral. He was the last of my grandparents...so I guess I cannot pretend to be young any longer. The difficulty arises on many fronts. He is my mother's dad...and she (along with her 4 sibblings) loves her dad. But perhaps the most difficult is that he spent the majority of his life (the part that we all knew him) without any interest in a relationship with God.

For you who may read this and begin thinking about emoting something about 'the sovereignty of God'...I get it. It is not up to me to pass judgment. Thank God it is not up to me. But it seems a bit strange. Though (of my grandparents) he was by far the least engaged in my life through the years...it seems as though I am experiencing the greatest sadness and sorrow in my heart.

I know that God could call me today...whether I believe I am young or old. But the overwhelming thought that has dominated my mind over the past 2 days are the simple words of a song recorded by Karen Wheaton some years ago (the words of a parent to their child concerning eternity in heaven with God)... "JUST BE THERE".

A Proverbs 31 Mama

Connection Fellowship
May 10, 2009
10:00 a.m.
A Proverbs 31 Mama
Proverbs 31:1-31
Introduction
A recent study revealed that if moms were paid by the hour, the average annual salary would exceed $131,000. Just when I think that I get my arms around all that my wife does…and begin to get a little confident in stupid ideas like, “It’s not that tough,” I generally experience some unique revelation that reminds me why dads are not moms.
Recently, I learned a great truth from God’s Word while working with single or widowed moms and dads. Here it is: No matter what anyone ways, there’s no way to be both ‘mom and dad’…and God doesn’t expect you to try. Just be the best you can be, and leave the rest to God.
Just for the record, I think my wife is the best wife and mom on the planet. My only regret so far is that I don’t tell it to her enough by the words that I say and the way that I treat her. A wise man told me that there are two things that your wife needs. #1 – She is the most important person on the planet to you. And #2 – She is the most important person on the planet to you. For those of us who fail at multi-tasking, just try to get #1 right.
If you are of the male species, let me encourage you to not shut your hearing off right now. If you are single…let me exhort you to listen and begin to develop a picture of God’s ideal wife for you. If you are married, let me beg you to listen so that you can encourage (not criticize) your wife as she strives to be a Proverbs 31 Mama. If you are a child, let me encourage you to listen and learn to appreciate the godly qualities that your mom has.
Although I believe my wife is the hottest babe and the most incredible woman on the planet, there has been another woman (not Miss America) that…for 3,000 years… has been the frustration to every woman who strives for God’s ideal. And that is the Proverbs 31 Mama. Lest you think I believe myself adequate to explain that ideal to you, I will join the writer of Proverbs 31, King Lemuel, by not interjecting many words. But, as verse 1 tells us, he shares the insight and wisdom of his own mother for us.
Understanding
1 The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him: 2 What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? 3 Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink, 5 For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted. 6Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter. 7 Let him drink and forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more. 8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the unfortunate.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.

Verse two (2) tells us that Lemuel was a mama’s boy, but also that she had made a vow to dedicate him to God. But this vow took action. She takes time to invest in teaching her son. She does not just teach him negative lists of don’ts, but also the positives…the do’s. She taught him not to give himself to chasing women or to lose his sense of judgment through drinking.
She also taught him also to plead the case of the unfortunate and the helpless. The Bible tells the church that this is one of our functions as well. One reason we do not see more people helping others is because they were not taught…by word or by example. But look at his mother’s example -v.10.

10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
This is not saying that this is impossible, but rare…more rare than the jewelry you got for Mother’s Day.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
She is submissive, supportive, and never subverts his endeavors. She understands as her husband prospers, so does the family does, and proves it.

13 She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. 14 She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. 15 She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household And portions to her maidens.
This mama works hard. She seeks out the best for her family. She sacrifices, not just for her family, but also for those who invest in her family. Sure, she is wealthy. But in our context, there are those who invest in our family, like teachers. [Illustration – Teacher appreciation / volunteering]

16 She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
This is not a woman who is afraid to get the oil changed because some guy might talk her into $1,000 of repairs. She can deal in business.

17 She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong. 18 She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.
She takes care of herself, physically. Not a weakling, but strong. And she has confidence in herself. Let me tell you this, mama who is a bit insecure in your physical appearance. Your husband realizes that he out married himself. He can’t believe that you love him and that you would wake up next to him each morning. He does, however, like it when you exude a bit of confidence in who God made you to be.
As was reported on James Dobson’s broadcast a few weeks ago, he is not attracted so much by the beauty of that blonde on TV. But what draws his attention is the confident look in her eye…the one that tells him (although erroneously) that she is interested in him. He longs to see it in your eyes.

19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy.
She is not just generous, but engages personally with those in need.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
The Proverbs 31 mama thinks ahead. She has a plan for the good days and the bad.

22 She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
And unlike most mamas who only think about their kids wearing the best acceptable clothes, she is keeping herself up in fashion. “What Not to Wear” would never accept her…not because she is extravagant, but regal.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
When we have children, most moms become known as ___’s mom. They lose their identity. But for a Proverbs 31 mama, her husband is known as ________’s husband.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
This kind of concludes the physical and activity picture. But then the text changes to the more important qualities.

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.
Character…inwardly and vision for the future of her family. Let me ask a question: Mom’s, do you have a vision for what God wants your marriage, your children, and your family to be like? Unless you do, you will never achieve it. It does not just happen. But it starts with God building His character in your personal life. Let me encourage you to begin with what God wants your life to be like. When you do, this next verse happens:

26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Every child goes through some level of rebellious attitude. It starts when they are born. But they will eventually see God’s wisdom that you give them. But remember, that in the same sentence here is ‘kindness’. What amazes me most about my wife is her patience and love even when our kids seem not to listen to sound advice or instruction. I lose way before her.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Proverbs 31 women do need to take a vacation to renew and refresh. But they are always intentionally striving for the good of their family.

28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: 29 “Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.”
Moms, let me just tell you that this will probably not always happen when you are in need of encouragement. But it will happen if you stick to it.
And this is where the rest of us come in. If we want to encourage our wives and mothers to strive for this ideal, we need to bless them as they make progress…not when they arrive.

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
But remember this moms. You are not striving for your husbands approval or your children’s love. That is settling way too short of the best. You will do best when you strive for God’s approval. He is the rewarder.

31 Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.
But let me encourage you dads and kids…let mom enjoy the fruit of her labor. Don’t take the last chocolate cookie. Offer it to her first…at least today. It is Mother’s Day for heaven’s sakes.

If you are frustrated by this 3,000 year old ideal, please don’t be. But allow that holy discontent to help you strive first for God Himself…then that will lead you on the foundational steps to being a Proverbs 31 Mama.

The question is: Where are you today on your journey? The first step is your relationship with God. Start there.

Dad, the best gift you could give your wife this morning is to follow Christ…because you will never love her the way God intends without Him loving her through you. And you cannot do that unless you experience Him in your life personally.

A Convenient Faith

What is 'convenient faith'? It is a faith that shows up or comes up in conversation only when it is convenient for accomplishing the agenda of the day. In the past few weeks, I have noticed a few notables in our culture who seemed to throw their faith around when it is beneficial. One covered up a symbol of Jesus and then proceeded to quote Jesus in his own speech. Another threw out his Southern Baptist heritage and his belief in death bed conversions in a response to a prominent politician changing political parties very late in his career.

Lest anyone think this is a political message, they just happened to illustrate the point on the national news. I also heard a homeless person in our city throw out multiple religious / Bible phrases in an attempt to relieve someone of some money. Then I heard a pastor throw around some 'out of context' scripture phrases to justify his position. The reality it, culture gets their prompting to use a 'convenient faith' mostly from the church.

However, what put me over the edge...and prompted me to write this...was a sign in our community. It is one of those new digital billboards (which I think is pretty cool). One of the messages on it this week has been a partial Bible verse: "All things work together for good...Rom. 8:28" What an encouraging and positive quote for those who drive by.

However, it stopped without saying the rest, "...for those who love God and are called according to His purpose." It is a pretty convenient faith that believes the first part (from the billboard) without the truth of the rest. I'm not saying that the person who put the words up on the screen lives a convenient faith. However, we are pressing toward avoiding anything expression of faith and truth that would potentially cause a conflict.

Believing in God, having faith in God, and loving God inherantly entails accepting the truth that this God is and proclaims...all of it. It is a convenient faith that believe only the parts that help our cause or helps us to gain favor with others. What does convenient faith lead to? I believe it leads eventually to having no allowable expression of real faith and truth.

As I look at the Bible, it is full of people who could not afford to have convenient faith. Like many around the planet today, their faith was grounds for persecution and possibly death. They could not afford a passive phrase choice in the middle of a speech or conversation.

This past weekend I had the privilege of hanging out with some of my heroes...missionaries. Many of them cannot afford to possess a 'convenient faith'. As I watch what is happening in the world today...and even in our own country...I am wondering how long it will be before 'convenient faith' even dissappears because its concequences? And when that happens, how many people will be left who have the courage to express true faith?

Sometimes I don't Blog because I'm away from my computer. So I'm trying something new by texting to it.

Its mission. Conference weekend. My favorite of the year.

And I'm thanking God for coffee oasis.

It Really Happened...Now What?

Connection Fellowship
Sunday, April 19, 2009
It Really Happen…Now What?
John 20:19-21

When I finished the worship guides this week, my father (who was visiting from Ohio) sat in my office and began to fold them. My mother has done their church bulletin for as long as I can remember, so my father has proofed well over 1,000 of them. And as he folded ours, he began to proof read my work. He found two errors. (Now I’ve fixed it, so don’t go looking for them.) But one of them was a simple typo. The other was in the schedule for Sunday. I forgot to remove the word, “EASTER” from the morning service.
I did what any good son would do…and that is to rationalize it. Then I did what any good pastor would do…and that is to spiritualize it. I said, “It fits with my sermon. By the way, do you only celebrate the resurrection one day a year? Our church is more spiritual than yours. We at least give it two weeks.”
I really made the error. But there is a point to it. Do we only celebrate Easter one day a year…and then just go on with our lives? Or does it really make a difference in our everyday life? This morning we come to the Gospel of John 20:19-21. Jesus had already appeared to a few, but now makes a public appearance to a whole group of His followers. He answers the question:
“It really did happen…but now what?”

TEXT: [John 19:19-21]
19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

Why were they afraid? First of all, their leader had been killed because of the message He spread and they were identified as His followers. Second, now that He was not in the tomb, they were being blamed for stealing the body. And third, as if that were not enough, some of them had seen Jesus alive…the One most of them had abandoned or denied. Let’s give them a bit of a break about having a lack of courage.

Let’s look at the rest of the text. What does Jesus teach them?
UNDERSTANDING
First, in verse 19, Jesus declares PEACE to be with them. What does that mean? Jesus wants His disciples to know that because of His death and resurrection, the peace of Holy God is now with them individually. A lack of peace resulting from their sin and separation from God has now been dealt with on the cross.
Because of His holy sacrifice, Jesus had a legitimate right to declare judgment on all of them (and all of us). But He instead declares that the way of perfect peace – a right relationship with the Father – was accomplished for them. Peace is a certainty.

Second, in verse 20, Jesus displays His PERSON to be with them. Jesus had died…they watched Him. Jesus had been buried…they saw that too. Even if it was Him, certainly things would never be the same. No one had ever done this before. But Jesus took the time to reassure the ones that He loved that the same Savior they had followed for 3 years was still their friend.
Third, in verse 21, Jesus reassures them of His declaration of PEACE, but in a different tone. It is as if He says to them, “I don’t want you to hear me say it, I want you to experience it.” Just as they were again experiencing His person, His peace could be known in the same way…and with the same personally touch. But notice that in the same statement, Jesus says, “as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

Finally, we see that Jesus teaches His followers that with His Peace and His Person comes His PURPOSE. The purpose of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not end with a cross, a tomb, and a coming back to life party with a few guys who had hung out with Him. No…it was to be the launching point for the entire world to hear about and experience of that same peace.
Would Jesus have died for just His disciples? I believe that the character of God displayed throughout history – especially in the case of Noah – says the answer to that question is “YES”. However, John 3:16-17 tells us that God loved the entire world and that His Son did not die to save a few and declare judgment on the rest.

No! Thanks be to God, the good news says He did it for all of us.

I don’t think that there is a more clear word picture that explains the content of this text better than 2 Corinthians 5. In verse 14:
14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. 16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

It is saying that we now live in the PEACE of that right relationship with God. And it changes us. In fact, the PERSON of Christ now lives through us. And His PURPSE of making known His available peace and reconciliation is our purpose…as His ambassadors.
I’m not sure if the disciples really knew what this would hold in store for them. As for us, we may not know all that being sent in the same way as Jesus was sent will hold in store for us. However, there are two key things about every ambassador:
(1) They represent the person and purpose of the one sending them.
(2) They cannot represent that person by staying at home.

CONCLUSION
A few minutes ago, I mentioned NOAH. In just a few moments, as we take time to respond to this message, we will commission our NOAH team that will leave Sunday for New Orleans, exhibiting their response to ‘so send I you.”
But each of us…right where we are on our journey…need to answer the question: Jesus has risen, now what? So here are some possible responses based on where you are personally:
(1) Know His peace…believe and be reconciled to God
(2) Know His person…experience letting Christ live in and through you.
(3) Experience His peace…by not allowing fear to hold you back.
(4) Answer the call to be sent…across the street or around the world.

Jesus is risen from the dead. It really happened…now what?

Did It Really Happen?

Connection Fellowship
Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009
Did It Really Happen?
Matthew 28:1-15

Two weeks ago, I attended a funeral. A friend of mine was presiding over the casket of his mother. As he read the passage of comfort from John 14, I thought to myself, “This is the time when you find out if you really believe what you say you believe.”
Today, I want you to know that I do not consider myself an apologist. I no longer thrive on making an argument to convince people of anything. But this morning we come to a critical text and we will deal with the question:
“Did It [The Resurrection] Really Happen?”

TEXT: [Matthew 28:1-15]
1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. 2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. 3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6 “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. 7 “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” 8 And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.” 11 Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,13 and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ 14 “And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.”15 And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day.
It is a story recorded in all four (4) of the New Testament Gospels. It is proclaimed multiple times in the Book of Acts and in 1st Corinthians chapter 15. In verse 14, the Apostle Paul, in one of the most pointed statements says, “…if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.” He goes on to say, (v. 17-19), “and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished…we are of all men most to be pitied.”

It’s been argued that Jesus did not really die on the cross. It has been argued that Jesus was not really buried in the borrowed tomb of Joseph of Arimethea (John 19). It has been argued that Jesus’ body was stolen or that the women came to wrong tomb. It has also been argued that the appearances of Jesus Christ were really hallucinations.

Honestly, I have heard all of these arguments made and refuted by atheists and theologians for quite a few years. I could even make the arguments. But for the first time, in preparation for today, I researched the evidence for myself. And if you want to read it in a concise place, I would suggest: Lee Strobel’s – “The Case for Christ”

For today, I want to focus on just one argument that is pervasive in our culture as I did some personal searching. As we just read the account here in Matthew’s Gospel, you can read the accounts of the other 3 and they are not exactly the same. Let’s look at the text.

One key example is found in verse 1. It says that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. Mark 16:1 says that Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome came to anoint the body of Jesus. Luke records the name of Joanna as well. John’s Gospel only records Mary Magdalene. So who was right?
Some argue that the accounts of angel, or angels, or the ‘young man’ are inconsistent. So who was right? Some argue that some accounts say the women were silent because of fear and others say that they ran to tell the disciples. So who is right?
Some argue why Matthew is the only writing of the Guards’ interaction with the priests and the false story. Why do the others leave it out? Is the Bible really true?

You may be thinking, as I did on many Easter Sunday mornings, “I don’t really care about all of that. Let’s sing ‘Victory in Jesus’ and go have some dinner.” But I want to challenge you with 2 thoughts: First, when you are standing over the casket of someone you love dearly or in bed with an incurable disease or in an overturned car that’s on fire…you will care if it’s true.
So who is right?

The answer is, “All of them”. What would be questionable is if all of them were identical. Watch a major news story on all four of our local networks and they will each cover it from a different perspective. This week, a small plane crashed in Spartanburg Co. Each network included different details, but all included the two most important facts: (1) a plane crashed and (2) the pilot died. In case you still doubt it, I personally saw the wreckage on Wednesday.

In the most memorable moments of history, the best, most credible sources commonly recorded different details. In our case all of the key factors are unanimously reported: (1) Jesus was crucified and died; (2) He was buried in a tomb; (3) He was raised from the dead; and (4) Many people actually saw Him.

We looked at 1 Cor. 15. Paul is commonly accepted as the writer and it has been dated only a few years after the events.

3. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4. and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5. and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7. then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8. and last of all, as it were to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. [though I had even persecuted the church of God].

Paul is not focusing on the reported surrounding details, but on key facts. He says plenty of people could verify the story. The details are important in helping us understand the dynamic of the story and to helping us understand how people responded to the events. But remember that the key to the Gospel message is found in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Savior.

Finally, there are people all around us - here and all around this globe – asking legitimate questions like this that we need to answer so that they may believe. There are a lot of ‘theological’ or ‘church’ or ‘behavior’ types of questions that may or may not be worth spending time to answer. But this one is most critical.

I read a true story this week that helped me understand this point:

In 1990, a brilliant man - Mike Bryan [who considers himself an atheist] was led by his curiosity to Dallas, TX and Criswell College for the purpose of living within an evangelical community and writing about his experience. His book was entitled, Chapter and Verse: A Skeptic Revisits Christianity.
After almost 6 months of going to classes, conferences, and going on a mission trip, it was time for Mike to return to his home in New York City. At dinner before he left, a professor asked Mike this question: “Thinking about all you have studied and experienced, what is the bottom line as you see it?”
With no hesitation at all Mike responded, “That’s easy. It’s the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.” Mike then proceeded with his logic:

“If Jesus rose from the dead then: 1) there is a God and 2) He is that God. Furthermore, 3) the Bible is true because He said it was true and believed it was true. And, 4) that means there is a heaven and a hell, and 5) one’s relationship with Jesus is the deciding factor as to which way you go.” [Daniel Akin – “The Centrality of the Resurrection of Christ”]

I have often thought that there is no greater witness for God in our culture than that of a changed life. I still believe that is true. But as I read this week about a believer – a newspaper writer who covered the religion page for several years – who became an atheist as a result…I realized that our lives may have both positive and negative impacts on whether others believe.
I am not, nor will I ever minimize the importance of living our lives so they are a walking billboard for the love and grace of God. However, when it comes down to the most important, critical times of our lives…the circumstances and choices of life and death, there is only one fact that actually matters:

The resurrection of Jesus Christ really did happen.

It is true. You can base your life, now and for eternity, on it. But it is only engaged to change your life and your eternal destiny if you believe it. It really did happen. Jesus has, and is [presently] risen. Others had been raised from the dead...but all eventually died. But not Jesus. This had never happened before. He did not die again. HE IS RISEN. The question is: Have you believed?

Are We NOT a Christian Nation?

I was deeply troubled by the remarks of our President in Europe this week as he stated very insistently that "America is NOT a Christian...nation" but rather a nation of citizens. I would certainly agree that in the truest sense of the word, we are not representing 'Christian' in the way that our culture thinks or behaves in general. However, President Obama was not addressing our attitudes or behaviors compared to the Biblical description of a Christian.

The context of his speech was trying to portray the United States as a secular nation that does not have a particular religious influence in order to make us (or him) more attractive to those nations who have to this point been unreceptive to dealing with us on international issues. In general, because they would prefer to destroy us...mainly because of the Christian foundation upon which our nation was built and the supportive role that we have played against their never-ending attempt to rid the planet of the Jewish state of Israel.

It is pretty clear that for the majority of the past two centuries it has been a popular title to put on America - a Christian nation. But I guess as we are thinking this week about how the world crucified the Messiah 2000 years ago, we are getting back to the original context of the title of Christian - which was not a popular label for those who were turning the world upside down as they represented the love and purpose of Christ the Savior whom they followed.

Jesus' Prayer for Us On the Way to the Cross

Connection Fellowship
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Jesus’ Prayer for Us On the Way to the Cross
John 17:11-26
INTRODUCTION
As I was planning my messages for this year, I looked back over the past 4 years at the messages I have preach around the Easter season. I noticed that when I taught through the Gospel of John last year, I skipped chapter 17. And on my recent personal journey, this chapter has continued to reappear in my reading.
As we approach the week of the Passion, I have been reading in the Gospels. And an old song came to me… “When He was On the Cross, I was On His Mind.” I have read this passage many times. But I did not realize how close it was in proximity to the cross. Then I was gripped by this thought: I know Jesus loved me and to died for me. But as He was on the last steps of the journey to the cross, what was He thinking about? And so this morning, we listen to His thoughts.

TEXT
13 “But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. 14 “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. 24 “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 “O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; 26 and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

As Jesus was on His way to the cross, His thoughts were focused on His relationship with His Father [as is recorded in the first section of this prayer] and on His disciples. He knew the difficulty they would face, and that most of them would even die for the sake of the Gospel. But it was not just the 11 that were with Him physically at the time, but He thought about all of us that would one day believe. So what is heart of His prayer to the Father for us? Let’s look at the text.

UNDERSTANDING
In the first verses of the chapter, Jesus’ burden was for the glory of the Father. In verse 3, (although we cannot unpack it today), there is an incredible definition of what is meant by ‘ETERNAL LIFE’ – [knowing the Father, the only true God, and Jesus Christ.] And Jesus longs for to once again live in the glory He had prior to coming to earth.
In the v. 6-10, Jesus declares He has finished the task for which He was sent and because of that, He carries the faith of His followers to the throne of the Father. But how could He declare that He had finished the work when He had not yet died? [It is because the view of eternal God is the perfected present.] In verse 11-12, Jesus asks for the Father to KEEP His followers united under the name given to Him by the Father.
In verse13, He says that the purpose for His prayer is that the disciples would have His joy made full in their lives. He goes on in verse 14 to say that He has given His them God’s Word. And then He does not ask the Father to quarantine or remove His followers from the world, but to protect them from Satan’s power.
In verse 16, Jesus declares that HIS followers are no longer earth citizens. So (v. 17), would He set them apart with Truth, acknowledging that God’s Word is what sets us apart.
In verse18, Jesus says that He is reproducing missionaries to carry the message of the Kingdom of God into the world, just as the Father has sent Him to do. Jesus knew that was His purpose. (v. 19). That’s why He lived as He did.
But in verse 20, we find that this prayer was not only for the 11, but all who would believe as a result of their spreading the Gospel. Who would have known that it would be so widespread? Who would have known that it would reach you and me?
In verse 21, Jesus asks for the Father to bring His followers unity – literally – that they would be one unit…just as the Father and Son are one unit. Why? Because it is a picture of the God we claim to know.
When I came to verse 22, I have a bit of difficulty understanding it. It seems as if Jesus is saying that the glory that the Father declared on the Son…that He experienced before coming to earth and would enjoy upon returning to heaven, Jesus declares upon His followers. How is that?
It is the same reason that Jesus’ declared His work completed earlier in the prayer. To Him, the perfected future of Heaven and the glorification of His followers were as much a reality at that particular moment as it will be in eternity.
Again, in verse 23, Jesus asks the Father that His followers would live in perfected unity…as a unit…which declares the love of the Father for the Son and the love of the Son for His followers.
He goes on (v. 24) to express His desire for His disciples to be with Him in Heaven to experience His glory as it was in eternity past. (v. 25) He then declares that He knows the world [in general] has not known the Father. But He does and His disciples have declared their faith in the Father because of the Son. That’s security…Jesus Christ Himself declaring our faith to God.
Jesus ends His prayer (v. 26) with the realization that there is one more thing to do that will display the love of the Father to His disciples. One unquestionable statement, an unfathomable picture of the Father’s love to paint for them…the cross.
Jesus would declare in the most amazing, remarkable way, the love that the Father has for Him…and that He expressed to us. Why? So the love of the Father could be in them…in us.

CONCLUSION
Jesus is still interceding for you and me [Hebrews 7:25]. He knows exactly where you are on your journey with the difficulty you have, are, or will be facing. His purpose in coming to earth was to show us the Father’s heart and love for us by dying on the cross to pay our sin debt. But His desire for us is much more than just a ‘get out of hell free’ card.

ILLUSTRATION: Monopoly, like most board games, is not
about winning the game. It’s about being able to enjoy the journey together.

This Easter season, as we thank God for the victory that comes through the sacrifice of our Savior and His subsequent resurrection, listen to the heart of the Savior for you as He walked the journey to the cross.

* He has a great desire for you to know the love of the Father.
* He has a great desire to protect you on the difficult journey you walk.
* He has a great desire to watch you grow in Truth and to be set apart for
His purpose in a world that is no longer your native land.
* He has a great desire to see believers united in heart and purpose which
will cause others know God and believe in Him.
* And He has a great desire for the Father’s glory and for the day when we
gather around the throne and experience His full glory in the company of every believer who will gather in that place where perfected worshippers will worship Him forever.

Remember that His prayer is for those who believed. So the first question today is: “Have you believed?” Jesus has made the greatest display of God’s love for you. Will you believe?
And if you have, as we celebrate this special time of the year, and this special time of communion, will you take time to appreciate not only the sacrifice of our Savior, but also the prayer and desire of our Redeemer who took the time to think about you in the midst of the most difficult journey ever walked?

The Planting of a Cypress Tree

Connection Fellowship
4th Anniversary Celebration
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Planting of a Cypress Tree
Isaiah 55:6-13
INTRODUCTION
Thanks, Dana, for investing your life and ministry with us today. We are honored you would come today. We are honored that all of you came to share this day with us. This is a very special day. I tend to be a very driven person who likes to get to the next task. But I am learning the importance of remembering what God has done. Near the end of the service, we will see a presentation to help celebrate the past four years.
But before that, I want to share with you something that God has been doing in my heart for the past few months in regard to the church. Not only for this corporate body, but for us individually and for the body of Christ in general. Last week, we finished our series in Psalms by talking about our greatest personal desire…which should be God Himself.
But what is God’s desire for us? We talk about ‘making disciples’ as being God’s call on our lives. We believe that this is captured in our vision of ‘Connecting the World to Christ…on person at a time.” But what impact can it have on a whole community? Our text this morning gives a brief prescription, but then paints a beautiful picture of what that can look like as we join together…as a community of believers…pursuing our greatest desire…God Himself…and making Him known to others.

TEXT
6 Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; 11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. 12 “For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 “Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up, And instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up, And it will be a memorial to the Lord, For an everlasting sign which will not be cut off.”
The prophet, Isaiah, speaks to the Jewish people who have been in captivity for over 50 years. It was not all bad. They had been allowed to obtain property and even own businesses. But now they had to make a choice to either stay in Babylon or go home to Jerusalem and start over. They could stay where they had become comfortable in this land of pagans…or return to God’s promised land as God’s promised people. Many were having trouble with the decision, so Isaiah exhorts them with a spiritual prescription and then paints a picture of what could be.
UNDERSTANDING
First, they were comfortable where they were…in captivity. We can often convince ourselves that we are O.K. being O.K. But Isaiah says [v. 1] to seek God…with great desire… while He may be found. God was near, He would hear, and would come through on His promises to His people. But they were reluctant to call on their heavenly Father.
As a college student, I occasionally needed help. I knew that my Dad could provide it. However, I knew that if I called or went home, I would have to live under my Father’s rules. The Jews were not surprised with the next step of the prescription: Live right…think right! And even if you haven’t been living right or thinking right, God is ready to forgive.
God tells them, through Isaiah, that what He has for them is so much greater than they could ever think or envision. We so often try to put God into the box of our limited ‘thinking’ and our limited ‘methods’. He reminds them He is God and they are not. He is God and we are not!
He goes on to tell them that the Word of God is not like our human effort that often gets wasted on fruitless endeavors. No, God’s Word never fails to accomplish its purpose. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul reminds of the same thing…but goes on to tell us that it is not only effective, but that it is also sufficient for every area of life. I shared with someone this week that as I listened to their circumstance, all I knew to tell them was what God’s Word said. It would work when human advice falls so short. It’s the only thing in life that always works.
In v. 12, Isaiah begins painting a glorious picture of what could happen if the prescription were followed. He says they would experience great joy. Then he begins to speak about nature’s response to their decision to follow God and live by His Word. This was a bit puzzling to me. But then I read it in the context of Genesis when Adam lived in the garden with his wife and all of nature seemed to be working with him. When he turned to his own way, nature started working against him. When we get in line with God plan…we get in line for God’s blessing.
Then look what he says will happen. He says that I CYPRESS will come up instead of thorns. Could we all agree that everywhere we go in culture there is desert and thorns? Our culture is full of dry places with annoying briars that rip us up…no matter how thick our skin is. But when we seek God and follow His prescription, a Cypress tree grows.
As I considered the Cypress tree this week, I found a few things out. First, a Cypress can grow almost anywhere…on a rocky cliff, in a swamp, in a field, or in conjunction with a forest. Second, they almost always have roots exposed above the ground.
As we consider allowing God to plant us as a Cypress tree, we realize that if we followed the prescription, this beautiful tree can grow where God has placed us. And as some of the roots are exposed, we cannot hide that it is the root of Jesus Christ and the Truth of His Word to which we are grounded and through which we receive our nourishment.
When this tree begins to grow and becomes stable in its foundation, it will provide shade to many who will gather beneath it or pass under its branches. And as it continues to expand both upward and downward, the language here says that it will transform the dry desert in which it has been planted…and it will be a banner for the name of God who planted it and caused it to grow where nothing else would.

CONCLUSION
We are left with these questions:

Are we too comfortable in this culture that holds many captive? Or will we allow God to plant us as a Cypress Tree in this community that will transform the desert of our culture and replace the thorns that are tearing up and destroying the lives of people all around us?

And if we desire to be that beautiful Cypress Tree in the desert that becomes a banner and a testimony to the name and grace of God, will we follow the prescription of seeking God diligently, of living and thinking righteously, and by speaking and living by the Word of God that has the ability to change a life…and a community into an oasis of hope?


May each of us individually and corporately be the people (and the church) through whom God will grow a cypress that will transform this dessert of sin, emptiness and thirst into an oasis of righteousness, refreshment, and restoration. But this starts with responding to God’s invitation to come and seek Him while He is near. And He is near…listening for you to call upon Him. Would you do that this morning?

Whatever you need it (for salvation, for God’s intervention in your life, or for Him to prune you into the strong shade tree you need to be) call on Him now.

What is a Barrio?

For the past 4-5 years I have heard this term, but had never even heard a definition. But if you read the definition, as I did this morning, it would still not be as clear as if you visited one like I did last week.

The dictionary definition is: [an urban district or quarter in a Spanish-speaking country]. The urban district or quarter that I visited was called Paradise outside the city of San Benito in the Central American country of Nicaragua...which is definitely a Spanish-speaking country.

Certainly, it was a defined area. There is only one road in and out...dirt. There were over 200 homes, each with a fenced yard. The yards were little squares of cracking lava rock surrounded by make-shift barb-wire fences. The houses were made of sticks, card board, plactic, and tin (if you had money to acquire it). They had dirt floors and were normally about 100 sq. ft. [smaller than your average Marriott hotel room]. The average occupancy was 5 [higher than your average Marriott hotel room].

In another month, the dry season will end and they will see 3-4 inches of rain each day for a month. It will make the dead vegegation come back to life...but will wash away almost everything they own. The parents will sleep at night on top of their children to keep them dry.

Sounds pretty terrible? Physically it is. We had the priviledge to help build 9 block houses (16' x 12') and to provide plastic for 11 more houses to keep them dry. We also were able to provide food for the 1,000 residents that should last them nearly a month. So maybe we were able to help the barrio a bit. But Paradise is not just an 'urban area'...it is a community.

Life Changing Observations:

I watched many people who were not the recipients of a block house or even plastic work for 5 days straight in 95+ degree temperatures for 10 hours each day so that a neighbor could have a better home. I assumed that they were going to be the recipient of one of the homes...but most of them were receiving no immediate assistance. How many of us would see our neighbor out installing sprinklers or building onto their home and just help with no expectation...just because they are a part of our community? I would say few of us.

On day one, I had an 8 year old child persistently asking me for money. Although I wanted to just give him something, I had prepared myself for the begging. But that was only one of about 3 instances of requests for money. What I was not prepared for was the steady stream of little kids who just wanted a drink of clean, cool water. That broke my heart...so much evidently that by the 4th day I watched a few stealing bottles of water [and I could not bring myself to stop them.]

After sharing the gospel message with a young mother in a small 'hut', we asked if there was anything she needed for her family. Although there was no evident food in the house, all she asked for was a notebook, pencils, and a book bag so that her younger daughter could join her older daughter in going to school. When we took back some school supplies and a Spanish Bible the next day, she wept. After asking if she had thought about the story of Jesus that we told her the day before, she said that she knew that she should begin seeking God. After a little more conversation, she prayed and received Christ. Over the next few days we saw the change in her.

A last memory for today is a vivid picture of my 14 year old son and a 13 year old Nicaraguan girl. After handing a man enough plastic to cover his house, my son began sharing his salvation testimony with him. Needing a translator, a 13 year old girl who spoke pretty good English, was introduced to us and offered to help. As I watched, I was so proud of my son. But my thoughts went to the girl and what a great tool she could be for God in reaching this barrio for Christ. As I told the story to one of our teammates that night, Bart shared that he had the privilege of leading that 13 year old girl to faith in Christ the day before. What a neat picture of making disciples. Come to Christ one day...translate a witness to your neighbor the next. What potential!

Some personal thoughts:
(1) We cannot individually rescue an entire community in a week, but we can bring some hope.
(2) We cannot individually save an entire community in a week, but we can reach one at a time.
(3) I figured up an estimate of the cost of this trip, including: [Between $45,000-$50,000]
a. travel, meals, etc.
b. building 9 homes
c. renovating 11 homes - putting them in the dry
d. feeding 1000 people for a month
e. materials for teaching 45+ women a home business
f. Pastor conference / training for 3 days.
g. Helping to keep approximately 10 Nicaraguan believers employed by the ministry.

I would like to see any government program in the U.S. accomplish this for that dollar figure.

Some might say, "Could that money not be spent better by just sending it to Nicaragua?" My answer is, "Possibly." But when you look at the spiritual investment of 27 team members' lives who have been effectively changed by the experience...the investment for the future could be worth it, especially since it was not made in AIG...but rather in God's Kingdom which will not fail.
Oh, please allow me just one more analytical thought. We saw and recorded at least 15 people who's lives were changed by making Jesus Christ the Lord of their life. If none of the physical ministry took place, the spiritual fruit may have been less. But let me compare with a typical southern church with 600 in attendance and a $1,000,000 budget. They would have to lead over 300 people to faith in Christ and grow by 50% in the next year to get the same return on the monetary investment made in this one week.

I'd say that the trip was worth it! This BARRIO changed my life and the lives of my two sons. We are already talking about going back and where else in the world God might want us to invest in His Kingdom work of connecting the world with Christ...one person at a time.