More thoughts on the Lord's Day (from Ed Stetzer's Blog)

 

A couple of Sundays ago we examined the significance of the church gathered on the Lord's Day from Acts 20:7. On Ed Stetzer's blog this morning was a great short article entitled, Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! Why it matters when we gather for worship written by Skye Jethani. I commend it to you.

We need to remember that there is a deeper reason why the church has worshiped on Sunday mornings--one that is still relevant today.

When Jesus rose from the grave, he was doing more that conquering death. He was doing more than displaying the vindication of God. He was doing more than giving us hope for our own resurrections in the age to come. Jesus' resurrection is the first fruit of the New Creation. His raised and transformed body, as Paul lays out in 1 Corinthians 15 and Romans 8, is indicative of the transformation that awaits all the saints and the creation itself.

Following the creation account in Genesis 1, Sunday is the first day of creation. So Jesus is raised on a Sunday to mark the beginning of God's new creation. This fact was not lost on the early Christians. They did not worship on Sunday because it was convenient. They gathered on Sundays because they were people of the new creation, people of the resurrection, and people of the in-breaking Kingdom of God.

The move away from Sunday worship can have many motivations, and some of them are honorable and even Spirit-guided... Ed Stetzer - Morning Roundup - July 31, 2012

Empowering People for Ministry #2, #3 & #4

#2 Someone Has To Clean the Toilets.

 Galatians 5:13 instructs, “Through love serve one another.” “Eighty percent of people’s time should be doing what God has created them to do. The remaining 20 percent of their time should be spent fulfilling ‘roles’” (Page 19). God has a unique mission for every Christ-follower (Ephesians 2:10). My desire is for every member of our church to find and serve in that missional “sweet spot.” For most, that will happen at times other than Sunday mornings in neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces. However, just like the whole family pitches in and helps to clean up after a family dinner, so too, there are opportunities for the church family to serve Sundays when the church gathers. Our vision is for every able-bodied and Spirit-filled person who calls NMBC their church home to serve on a ministry team one Sunday a month. We call this a “worship an hour, serve an hour” attitude. Of course, some will find their “sweet spot” in serving more frequently, but when the whole church pitches in the load is lighter and the sense of mission and community stronger.

#3 Just Chunk It.

“People are unlikely to step into ministry roles that seem too big or too complex.” (Page 21) Matthew 10:5 begins, “These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them…” Jesus sent out the twelve disciples with clear instructions. What are steps we can take to “chunk” our ministry teams?

 #4 You Can Never Spike the Ball.

Ephesians 3:20 declares, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” (ESV) Tim Stevens asks, “If we feel that we have enough volunteers, money, staff, space, and time to accomplish everything, then what does that say about our vision?” (Page 24)

Simply Strategic Volunteers: Empowering People for Ministry By Tony Morgan & Tim Stevens Power-packed strategies to plug people into church ministry! Providing 99 straightforward, field-tested solutions to help you recruit, train, motivate, and keep volunteers, these in-the-trenches authors also explain how to create an encouraging environment with unique serving roles; how to help contributors find greater personal fulfillment in the process; and much more. 236 pages, softcover from Group.

Acts 20:13-21-- Questions for Discussion and Reflection

In Acts 20:19 the apostle Paul describes his ministry to the Ephesians, “serving the Lord with all humility, with tears and with trials…” What relationships or events led Paul to humility, tears or trial?

1 Corinthians 4:6—

2 Corinthians 2:3-5—

2 Corinthians 11:21-33—

Philippians 1:12-20--

Philippians 3:17-19—

1 Timothy 1:12-16—

1 Thessalonians 2:8-12—

Philemon 17-22—

Do a word study on humility (mystudybible.com). What does it mean to “put on” or be “clothed in humility”? (See also Ephesians 4:2; Philippians 2:3; Colossians 3:12 and 1 Peter 5:5.) What specific ways to you feel God calling you to serve the Lord with all humility?

Empower People for Ministry #1 Don't Ask For Help

Yesterday our staff team began reading Tony Morgan and Tim Stevens’ book Simply Strategic Volunteers: Empowering People for Ministry. Several years ago I had the privilege of hearing Tim Stevens speak at a pastor’s conference and then sit in on two breakout sessions he led. I appreciated then his passion for ministry and strategic thinking. I’m looking forward to learning from his book.

 As a church we are blessed by the faithfulness of the generations that have preceded us.  The spirit of the sixty-three members of the First Baptist Church of Middletown who in 1846 left the comfort of their church to plant NMBC is alive and well.  It is evident in the passion and commitment demonstrated by the ministry leaders I have the privilege of meeting with every week.

Our ministry team leaders have big vision for their ministry… which is a good thing because we serve a big God!  Crucial to the fulfillment of this vision is the raising up of volunteer workers and we often experience what Jesus said in Luke 10:2,  “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”

Over the next few months I invite you to wrestle and learn with me the principles of empowering people for ministry in Simply Strategic Volunteers. I put a link below where you can order a copy of the book. Each week I'll comment on one or more of the priniples. You can post your comments either on my blog following the blog post, on Facebook  or by email. Thank you for your partnership in ministry. I’m excited for what God has for us in the coming months and years!

#1 Don’t Ask For Help.

“Instead of telling people what you need, tell them how you can help them use their gifts and experiences.” (Page 17) The command to “make disciples” is given to every follower of Jesus (Matthew 28:19). When we open up an opportunity for a fellow Christ-follower to use his or her spiritual gifts we are helping that person to participate in Jesus’ great commission. Jesus emphasized mission and the people whose lives were to be affected when he called the disciples in Mark 1:17, “And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”


 

Simply Strategic Volunteers: Empowering People for Ministry By Tony Morgan & Tim Stevens Power-packed strategies to plug people into church ministry! Providing 99 straightforward, field-tested solutions to help you recruit, train, motivate, and keep volunteers, these in-the-trenches authors also explain how to create an encouraging environment with unique serving roles; how to help contributors find greater personal fulfillment in the process; and much more. 236 pages, softcover from Group.

Just+Hope Cycling team on Wednesday, August 1st at 7:00 PM.

NMBC will host the Just+Hope Cycling team on Wednesday, August 1^st at 7:00 PM.

The Just+Hope Northern Team will departed from Seattle, Wash. on June 7 and plan to cycle into New York City, N.Y. on August 6, pedaling over 3,000 miles while visiting churches and other community groups to raise awareness and funds for Venture Expeditions’ Just+Hope Campaign. 

Venture Expeditions, an adventure-driven humanitarian nonprofit organization, launched the Just+Hope Campaign in 2009 as a vehicle to support their partners in Southeast Asia, as well as to start new projects that counteract injustice in that area. Long-distance running, cycling and hiking tours provide a platform to speak about injustices, as participants become a presence in communities to share a message of hope for the oppressed. The physical challenge represents a sacrifice in solidarity for the oppressed.

In 2011, Just+Hope tours raised over $50,000 for communities in Southeast Asia. These funds supported several projects, including a community center in Ban Pong, Thailand. The Center serves the community by providing educational opportunities, offering financial assistance to low-income families and ultimately bringing hope to those who are vulnerable to oppression. Check out this video from Venture Expeditions explaining the mission that fuels the Just+Hope Tour.

Venture Promo from offbeatProductions on Vimeo.

Acts 12:1-20 Questions for Discussion and Reflection

Luke reports in Acts 20:7, “On the first day of the week, we assembled to break bread…” Bible teacher Simon J. Kistemaker observes, “In Paul’s day only the Jews, God-fearers, and Christians kept a calendar in which the week had seven days… In fact, the Roman author Seneca scoffed at the Jews and derided them for wasting time by resting one day out of every seven.” How does the fact that Paul included in his discipleship of Gentiles the assembling together on the first day of the week aid your understanding of the importance of the church gathering corporately? (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2 & Hebrews 10:25)

Psalm 24:1 declares, “The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.” While everything belongs to the Lord there are certain things listed in Scripture that are described as the  Lord's. According to the following Scriptures, what are those things?

Malachi 3:6-10—

Acts 9:1—

 

1 Corinthians 10:21—

1 Corinthians 11:27-29—

Revelation 1:10—

How is the Holy Spirit leading you and your family to greater faithfulness regarding the Lord's Day?

JUST + HOPE Northern Tour @ NMBC August 1st.

On Wednesday, August 1 NMBC will host the 2012 JUST + HOPE Bike tour. The tour is cycling from Seattle, WA to New York City, NY to raise money in support of missions combating child slavery and social injustice in Asia (see the works being supported below). We're honored to host this tour and are looking forward to hearing from them Wednesday evening; August 1st at 7:00 PM. Spread the word! Venture Promo from offbeatProductions on Vimeo.

Here's a video explaining the mission of Venture Expeditions (the sponsor of the tour).

Missions supported:

Indonesia: Our work in Indonesia is with a network of house churches scattered throughout the Islands of Indonesia. This house church network is not only teaching people about the life and hope found in the gospel, but is beginning a campaign that will work to prevent children from being deceived and/or kidnapped into sex-slavery by educating them not to “Get in the

Van”.

Thailand: Our work in Thailand consists of partnering with various projects throughout Northern Thailand as well as our own Venture Community Center in the village of Ban Pong. Our partners are working to provide educational and social opportunities for impoverished people living in the rural mountains of Northern Thailand. The Venture Community Center’s mission is to provide opportunity, education, and development to the communities surrounding Ban Pong through various projects.

Burma: Our work in Burma consists of partnering with various partners throughout Burma working to bring the Hope of Christ to the people of Burma. Our partners are working to rescue young girls enslaved to forced prostitution, provide safe houses and restoration centers for victims of violence and oppression, and provide educational opportunities to keep young boys from becoming child soldiers.

India: Our work in India is in partnership with a YWAM base working in the slums of Siliguri, India. Our friends are helping to facilitate various community development programs addressing social and economic issues, operating a medical clinic, running various widows projects, and ultimately reaching out to the poorest of poor.

China: Our work in China is through a missionary couple working in Kunming, China. Their work consists of a young adult ministry at a local university and ministering to prostitutes living in the local red light district. Their work has yielded some amazing results and has truly transformed lives.

THANK YOU VBS VOLUNTEERS!

THANK YOU to the 75+ VBS volunteers who made last week's Sonrise National Park VBS a HUGE success! Your faithful ministry is a testimony to Colossians 1:29, "I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me."

Proverbs 22:6 Questions for Discussion and Reflection

Proverbs 22:6 reads, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Barnes’ Notes on the Bible observes phrase “the way he should go” can be translated, “the path especially belonging to or especially fitted for the individual's character.”

In the following Scriptures, God reveals Himself to various individuals. What insights can be gained by the way in which God is revealed to each individual?

Abram/Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3)—

Moses (Exodus 3:1-8)—

Samuel (1 Samuel 3:4-10)—

Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4-12)—

Mary (Luke 1:26-38)—

Nathanael (John 1:45-51)—

Saul/Paul (Acts 9:3-9)—

Reflect on your testimony? How has (or is) God revealing Christ to you? Parents, given your child’s unique temperament, how is God leading you to help your son/daughter discover God’s plan for his/her life?

Men's Breakfast, July 14th @ 8:00 AM

Men, we gather Saturday morning at 8:00 AM for breakfast, bible study and prayer. This week we'll examine lesson six of Gospel-Centered Life, Heart Idolatry. John Calvin described our hearts as "Idol Factories." Only the Gospel can empower us to set us free from idols allowing us to truly treasure Christ. To prepare for our study listen to Tim Keller's message from Acts 19:23-41, "The Gospel and Idolatry." Enjoy!

Walk Wisely: Wise Risk-taking-- Questions for Discussion and Reflection

Too often being “wise” is used as a synonym for being safe. Certainly it is often the case that the safe action is also the wise action, for example, “buckle up,” “don’t swim alone,” or “change your fire detector batteries.” In 1 Corinthians 4:10, the apostle Paul describes gospel risks that appear foolish to the world, reflect godly wisdom, “We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ.” Proverbs 11:30 declares, “And He who ins souls is wise.” (NKVJ) Read Hebrews 11. What are examples of godly risk that proved to be wise?

 Abraham & Sarah (Hebrews 11:8-19)—

Joseph (Hebrews 11:22; Genesis 39:9)—

Moses (Hebrews 11:22-28)—

Rahab (Hebrews 11:31)—

Those “of whom the world was not worthy” (Hebrews 11:35-40)—

The first part of Proverbs 11:30 reads, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.” What is the significance of describing “won souls” as “fruit”?

What gospel risks do you believe God is calling you to take?

More thoughts on wisdom and friendship

Last Sunday we explored the Proverbs for wisdom regarding friendship. Proverbs 13:20 reads, "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."

Proverbs reveals five people it is wise to avoid.

Avoid the Whisperer Proverbs 16:28, "A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. Proverbs 20:19 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.

Avoid the Angry Proverbs 22:24, "Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man."

Avoid the Rebellious Proverbs 24:21, "My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise"

Avoid the Self-Indulgent Proverbs 28:7, " The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father."

Avoid the Sexually Immoral Proverbs 29:3, "He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth."

Separation vs Isolation

We observed Sunday that biblical separation is not the same as isolation. We are followers of Jesus who was called a "friend of sinners." Separation has to do with living a distinctively different life-style than that of the world around us. The Living Bible paraphrases Romans 12:2, "Don't let the world squeeze you into its mold." Jesus sums up the difference between separation and isolation as being "in the world" but not "of the world" (John 17:14-15). The Good Samaritan is an example of how we must not isolate ourselves from the needs of the world around us. Yet wisdom begs of us separation, “lest you learn his (the wrathful man) ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”

Wisdom and Dating

"What about dating?" is a question often asked by teens, young adults and parents. Simply, the Bible does not directly address dating because is was not practiced when the Bible was being written. Pastor Tim Keller answers a question about dating during a Q & A session at his church. I commend his answer to you.

Walk Wisely-- Godly Friendships: Questions for Discussion and Reflection

Proverbs 17:17 declares “A friend loves at all times.” The Proverbs reveal many blessings of godly friendships. Read Proverbs 27:6-17. What specific benefits of godly friendship are mentioned in these proverbs?

Proverbs 27:6, 9—

Proverbs 27:10—

Proverbs 27:17—

Examine the following friendships. How are these friendships used by God to bring encouragement, sympathy, comfort and encouragement in the time of need?

David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1-3; 20:17, 42)—

Job’s friends (Job 2:11)—

Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1:16-17)—

Friends of the paralyzed man (Mark 2:3-4)—

Paul’s friends in Rome (Romans 16:3-5)—

How is the Holy Spirit leading you to model and teach the value of godly friendships to your children/grandchildren?