X3 Watch & Covenant Eyes

Check out this video from 3XWatch.com. I'm thankful for the response to Sunday's message, Unstoppable Boldness (Acts 4:1-31). Proverbs 28:1, "The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion." If we are going to live up to our call to boldness, we must purpose to live holy.

I recommend X3Watch or Covenant Eyes. I've used both. X3Watch.com offers a free version and has apps for iphone and Droid. Thanks to Frank and Gary who hold me accountable. If you missed picking up info Sunday, here are the links:

http://x3watch.com/

http://www.covenanteyes.com/

Unstoppable: Acts 4:1-31 Questions for discussion and reflection

After being questioned, threatened and released by the Sadducees and temple police, Peter and John pray with fellow believers pray, “And now Lord, consider their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness.” (Acts 4:29) What specifically was this “message”? See Acts 4:12, 18.

Using two or more translations, compare the relationship of boldness and speech in the following Scriptures:

Mark 15:43—

Acts 9:28—

Acts 13:46—

Acts 14:3—

2 Corinthians 3:12—

2 Corinthians 7:4—

1 Thessalonians 2:2—

Read Colossians 4:6. How is boldness not obnoxious or rude speech? How are Christians to always speak?

John Piper writes, “The evidence of boldness is whether or not a person is making choices throughout the day that revolve around their desire to avoid conflict. Is a Christian navigating his (or her) life to avoid conflict? That would be one of the chief evidences that boldness is missing.” (www.desiringGod.com)

In what specific way is God calling you to be “bold in speech” about the gospel?

Unstoppable: Acts 3:1-10

Peter: Before and After-- What do the following scripture passages reveal about Peter prior to Pentecost?
Matthew 16:22; Mark 8:31; 14:66-71; & John 18:10

Contrast Peter’s impetuous nature with his actions after Pentecost displayed in
Acts 3:11-16; 15-16; and 12:1-11.

Acts 2:43 states that “many wonders and signs were preformed through the apostles.” Why is the healing of the lame man in chapter three worthy of being singled out by Luke?

Read Luke 5:17-20. How does the healing of this lame man “fit” the theme of Acts, The continuing mission of Jesus through His Spirit-empowered Followers?

In Acts 3:21 Peter refers to “the times of the restoration of all things.” What insights do the following Scriptures provide about this “time”? Colossians 1:20; Isaiah 11:6-10; Ezekiel 34:26-30; and Revelation 19:1-10.

Luke refers to the healing of the lame man as a “sign” demonstrating the veracity of Peter’s message. How ought the fact that God has attested to His message with signs bolster the Christian’s confidence?

Read Romans 1:16. How the example of the boldness is exhibited by Peter and John an example for us to follow?

How has this study encouraged you to greater boldness in your prayer life and in youer witness for Jesus?

This morning while watching news of the U.S. State Department evacuating embassy personnel from Japan, I learned of a friend working with Samaritan,s Purse boarding a plane to Japan. In addition to praying for the safety of disaster victims, relief workers and military personnel working to help those in need, Carlton Walker, a pastor in Japan gives these prayer requests for his country:

-- for survivors, for opportunities to minister, and for God to use the disaster to help people understand his great love for them.;

-- that Christians will know how best to serve the Japanese during this time of crisis, that relief efforts will touch the hearts of people in need;

-- that those who hurt will receive aid and comfort, that all will recognize there is only one Rock who will never be shaken.

For more about what churches are doing in Japan to reach out to disaster areas visit: http://www.baptistglobalresponse.com/new/details.php?id=155.

The next two Sundays you’ll have the opportunity to give to Samaritan’s Purse disaster relief work in Japan. I encourage you to take time as a family to pray and discuss how your family can be generous to help the people of Japan.

Upward Basketball Awards Night, 3/14/11

Thank you to everyone who made last night's Upward Basketball Awards Night a big success. It was great to see so many kids, parents and gradparents come out to celebrate this year's season. Derek the Wiz Murphy-- thank you for your willingness to share your story and talent. Harry Flaherty, thanks for bringing the gospel. Congrats Coach Hyppolite. Andy and Steve-- your team is amazing. Thank you for a great year.

Thoughts about childrens and family ministry

While I was not an early adopter I’m now a Facebook fan. I enjoy being able to keep in touch with so many family members and friends, many of whom I might otherwise loose contact. Many of my Facebook friends are former students involved with the youth ministry I lead for over a decade. In fact some of the young people I knew in Jr. High School are now married posting pictures of their children!

Many of the status updates by young people I witnessed commit their lives to Christ reveal they are living godly missional lives. Others however, many more than I care to admit, suggest they are living lives far from God. I’m aware of Peter’s warning, “Be sober! Be on the alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour” (1 Peter 5:8, HCSB). Any of us can fall prey to our Enemy, which is why it’s important to live “on the alert.” Yet, there is something especially disheartening to the news of a young person who at one time professed allegiance to Christ living in disobedience.

These experiences fuel my desire to “think orange.” I am not suggesting there is some sort of silver bullet out there that will prevent young people from drifting in their relationship with God. I do believe that we need to give the next generation the benefit of a strong family and church. Thinking orange is a word picture used by ministry leaders to describe the synergy that occurs when family and church join forces. The color red representing “warm hearts” symbolizes the family. The color yellow representing the light of Christ, symbolizes the church. Orange is what results when these to collide.

In Acts 2:39a, following the call to repent and believe the gospel, the apostle Peter says, “For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off.” The promise is the church (God’s Holy Spirit taking up residence in all who repent and believe in Jesus, Acts 2:38). Where does the church’s mission begin? “For you and for your children”… the family. This is orange.

God chose Abraham to establish a covenant whereby the whole world would be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3). God’s call to Abraham was not only on him as an individual, but to his family, “For I have chosen him (Abraham) so that he will command his children and his house after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. This is how the LORD will fulfill to Abraham what He promised him” (Genesis 18:19, emphasis added). Abraham’s family was included in fulfillment of the mission given to him… this is thinking orange.

What will it look like for New Monmouth Baptist Church to take the next step in thinking orange? This is a question we will need answer together. We are blessed as a church to have some of the most dedicated and committed youth and children’s ministry team members anywhere. Reggie Joiner in his book, Think Orange: Imagine The Impact When Church and Family Collide examines three axioms about the discipleship of the next generation:

1. Kids need parents who will help them advance in their relationships with God.
2. Parents need churches that will help them know how to be spiritual leaders.
3. Churches need ministry workers who do less for kids and more for families.
4. It’s not either church or family; it’s both church and family.

Devoted

I admire devotion. While working to finish seminary the over the past couple of years I started going to the YMCA at 4:45 AM so that I had time to study before work. I met a group of guys that were devoted to working our. We all know devoted sports fans (like the NASCAR fan pictured above). Even if we don't share their devotion, there is something admirable about it.

When we hear the word devoted, we usually think of something good, a devoted mother. What comes to your mind? You might think of a mother who is willing to sacrifice for her children, who puts the needs of the children and her family ahead of her own needs. Someone who knows how to endure. Someone who knows how in love to do practical things that help her family. Or perhaps a devoted father and who not only is reliable and tries to provide for his family, but also someone who is willing to take a day off a little early to try to make it to a soccer game or to see a ballet recital. Devotion is not limited to sports and family. If I am sick and need a doctor, I want a devoted doctor, particularly if it is surgery, I want it to be a devoted doctor, not somebody devoted to their boat or their investments, but someone who is devoted to their calling, someone who tries to keep up with the latest developments, who really wants to do the best possible for their patients. Devotion is a good thing.

On display in Acts 2:42-47 are the things to which the early church was devoted. What would our church and families look like if more of us were devoted to the Word, fellowship, prayer, generosity and outreach?

Unstoppable: Acts 2:42-47 Questions for Discussion and Reflection

The priorities of the church in Acts 2 can be observed in Jesus’ ministry with the twelve disciples. How did Jesus model the priority of the Word, fellowship, generosity, and evangelism when He was physically with the disciples?

Word: Matthew 5:17; Mark 14:49; Luke 24:27, 45; John 5:39

Fellowship: Mark 6:31; Luke 24:36-43; John 1:37-39; 3:22; Acts 1:3

Worship & Prayer: Mark 1:35; Luke 4:8; 22:39-42; John 3:17; 17:1-26

Generosity: Mathew 20:28; Mark 10:45; Luke 19:8-10; 21:1-4

Evangelism: Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:38-39; 16:15; Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8

Application
Take some time to evaluate these priorities in your life (and in your family).

Word (How are you/ your family doing with this priority?)

(low) 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 (high)

Fellowship (How are you/ your family doing with this priority?)

(low) 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 (high)
Worship & Prayer (How are you/ your family doing with this priority?)

(low) 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 (high)
Generosity (How are you/ your family doing with this priority?)

(low) 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 (high)
Evangelism (How are you/ your family doing with this priority?)

(low) 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 (high)

What growth steps do you sense God is calling you and your family to take as a result of this study?

Matt Maher with Jars of Clay, Friday April 1st @ NMBC

I'm looking forward to the Jars of Clay Shelter Tour with Matt Maher (& Derek Webb & Audrey Assad), Friday April 1st, 7 PM at New Monmouth Baptist Church. Tickets are $17 in advance and can be purchased at www.itickets.com. Check out www.youth.nmbchurch.org for more.

Thinking Orange

VIRTUE VIDEO: COURAGE (March 2011) from Orange on Vimeo.

Faithfulness to our mission begins at home, "For the promise is for you and for your children..." (Acts 2:39). Sunday we were challenged as a church to "think orange." If the color yellow represents the church and the color red the family, then orange is the synergy of the two combined.

Parents of preschoolers thru 4th graders, Sundays in March your child will be learning about what the Bible has to say about courage. Each week children will bring home a discussion guide to be used around the dinner table. I encourage you to set aside two to three dinners this week to talk through these bible stories. As well, check out the video above for additional insights on discipling your child.

Unstoppable: Acts 2:37-40 Questions for Discussion and Reflection

The apostle Peter responds to the question, “What must we do?” (Acts 2:37) with the command, “Repent and be baptized…” (Acts 2:38) Repentance is a message that echoes throughout the Bible. What do the following scriptures reveal about the message of repentance?

Job 36:10—

Jeremiah 15:19—

1Kings 8:46-48—

Matthew 4:17—

Mark 6:12—

Acts 17:30—

According to Acts 2:38, 41 and Acts 8:12, 13 who should be baptized?

What does baptism illustrate? (See Romans 6:4)

Read Deuteronomy 6:1-9. According to this passage, how are the promises of God to be passed onto the next generation?

Compare Acts 1:8b and 2:39. What clarity does Peter’s command bring to the “starting point” of Jesus’ commission?