Wearing my Heart on My Sleeve

If you've hung around Delta more than few weeks or have listened to more than 3-4 of my sermons, you know that I can be a pretty emotive guy - whether it's getting a little loud and sounding like an old-school bible-thumper or whether it's preaching through tears.

One of the tear moments came yesterday.  Now, just so the record's clear, I'm a dude (and a big one at that, being 6'3" and 275lbs), I watch a lot of football, eat chicken wings, enjoy an occasional red lager, and have Metallica's S&M on my iPod (and actually listen to it!).  So what's up with the crying?

Biblically, dudes like Abraham, Joseph, David, Job, Jeremiah, Paul, the Ephesian Elders, and Jesus Himself are recorded as ones who weeped over things that moved their soul or in lament over their sin or the sin of their people.  But what about me?

As I've thought about this, there are 2 main categories that consistently bring me to tears:

1) God's grace.  I don't understand it...never will.  All I do understand is how unbelievable jacked up and sinful I am, yet God in his mercy has chosen to love me and make me His child.  When I preach on texts that bring this theme up, I'm honestly thinking of the Gospel in my own life and I get overwhelmed by it.

2) People I love.  Particularly: my family, my close friends, and the people in my church.  My tears come from how deeply I care for them and how desperately I want to the Gospel to be vividly alive in their lives.  My natural personality lends me to come off as a little hard, but truth be told, my heart melts for people.

There have been times when I've taught (for a few years, actually) and tears never came.  But those were the times when I was either a) not following Jesus very closely, or b) more concerned with  projecting an image that was expected of me.  That's just not worth, because I wasn't authentic, and being authentic is really important for me.

I once heard Mike Yaconelli (former president of Youth Specialties, who is now with Jesus) say at a conference, "When you are close to Jesus, you tend to cry more." I resonated with that.  The closer I'm walking with Jesus, the more I'm in tune with his heart, the softer mine is.  This may not be true for everybody, and that's OK; but it rings true for me.

God has created you with a full range of emotions - just like He has.  If you intentionally suppress them or handle them in an inappropriate way, that could lead you to sin.  But more than anything, be comfortable with how Jesus has made you and love him with everything that you are.

Values

So we've started this new series at Delta called "V6" that's talking about our 6 Values as a church: love, family, story, feasting, blessing, and missional living.  Ideally, every evangelical church would say that they're about the "Great Commission" and "Great Commandment" (ie., making disciples & growing disciples - although whether or not they actually do that is another thing entirely).  But what makes a local church unique?  It comes down to the values they live out.

Think about it.  A lot of churches value money or attendance or a good show.  Some value history and tradition (more than biblical faithfulness, unfortunately).  Some just value survival.  But aside from theological or ecclesiastical differences, it's the values that sets a church apart.

Have you thought about your personal or family values?  What makes you unique in how you live your life?  Are your values grown out of who God is and what His Word says, or simply out of your preferences?  I encourage you to take some time to define what your main 3-6 values are and where they come from.  Compare them to God and His Word.

Want a couple verses that highlight a few of God's values?  Check these out: Hosea 6:6 (quoted a few times by Jesus) and Micah 6:8.

Good Sex Wrap Up

Yesterday, I finished up a 4-part series at Delta called "Good Sex Revolution."  The main point of the series was to champion a biblical view of our sexuality...mainly, that sex is something holy.

'Sex Is Holy' was the theme for the first week of the series.  In a culture where sex is cheap and truthfully, animalistic, when we look at what God has to say about sex we see that when you combine the God-design of sex, the longing of connection that sex illustrates, the intense pleasure that sex brings, and the celebration and creation of life that sex produces, you get something...holy.

In week 2, the title of "Foxes Aren't Sexy."  In Song of Solomon chapter 2, Solomon's Love urges him to "catch the foxes" - those things that can enter our lives, relationships, and sexuality that brings ruin.  We identified 3 breeds of foxes: selfishness, fear, and immorality.  We also discovered how God's pure love shown to us through Jesus is the only thing that can really kill a fox.

The third week was specifically given our singles - "It's Sexy Being Single."  The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 7 paints a big, beautiful picture for single people; communicating that a single person has the opportunity to have "undivided devotion to the Lord" that married people don't have.  Singleness, then, is actually a tremendous gift to take enjoyment in and advantage of.

In the final week, our playful title was "Married People Should Have Sex."  We spoke of what marriage is, and how sex is to be enjoyed in a marriage covenant.  Again, Solomon and his Love gave us a great example of an erotic, loving, marriage steeped in sexuality as they mutually and selflessly gave themselves to each other to fully enjoy - freely and frequently!

Needless to say, the Good Sex Revolution sparked some interest in people and thankfully, gave people a biblical vision for how great the gift of sex is.  Even though the series is now over, I believe that the Good Sex Revolution is actually just beginning!

Missed a week?  Want to listen to previous sermon?  Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes!

What is the Kingdom of God?

"Kingdoms" aren't something that we in the West really understand.  In fact, fleeing from a kingdom is what got our country started in the first place.  But throughout history, monarchys were commonplace.  When Jesus began his public ministry, one of his more famous lines was "Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17 - side note: "kingdom of God" and "kingdom of heaven" are interchangable).

Here are some basics about kingdoms:

1) Kingdoms have Kings.  The King soveriegnly rules over his kingdom.  His word is law.  He establishes the way of life for people.

2) Kingdoms have subjects.  Subjects are the people who live in the kingdom.  While they are ruled over soveriegnly, the subjects still have the choice to follow and obey the king.  Disobedience leads to consequences and discipline.

3) Kingdoms have a certain way of life.  As stated earlier, this is set by the king.  If the king is harsh, the way of life will be oppressed (think about the king from the movie "Braveheart").  If the king is kind, the way of life will be joyful (think "Camelot" and King Arthur).

Now, regarding God, scripture is clear that He is the sovereign King over all creation (Psalm 103:19; 2 Samuel 7:28; 1 Chronicles 29:10-13; Philippians 2:10-11; Colossians 1:15-20; Revelation 1:5).  When Jesus came to earth and began His ministry, by Him proclaiming that the "kingdom of God (heaven) has come near", he's in essence saying that for the first time in history, people will actually be able to see how the Kingdom of God was meant to be lived out.  This "kingdom living" was taught by Jesus in his most famous teaching, the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5-7.  Basically, Jesus teaches us and models for us how kingdom living upside-down from the way the secular world lives, and upside-down from how legalistic religous people live.  Jesus continually says that the condition of a person's heart is what truly matters, for from  the heart is where the motivation for living comes from.

So, in "kingdom living", the following are markers:

-Jesus is King.  He is who we follow, submit to, and seek to become like.

-Rules are followed for rules' sake, but for the sake of love for the King.

-People aren't viewed as objects or means to an end, but are valued for their being made in the image of God.

-Sex & Marriage aren't treated lightly or selfishly, but held in honor.

-Love and Charity aren't acts demanding recognition or fuel for future favors, but given freely and joyfully for the benefit of God and other people.

-Money & Work aren't the source for identity and success, but money is viewed as a tool to expand God's kingdom and to be given away freely...work becomes the means by which we reflect God's image and influence our world for the Kingdom.

The list can go on.  But the point is that the Kingdom of God is different than the kingdom of man, for the main fuel for living in the Kingdom of God is love for the King, not getting ahead of others in the kingdom.

And one last note...the Kingdom of God, one day, will be very tangible.  Revelation 21 shows us that when Jesus returns and once and for all does away with all sin, death, & suffering, there will be a new city christened - New Jerusalem.  God Himself will reside there, along with His followers, in His direct presence.  We will feast with all the saints of history at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.  Now we see through a glass darkly, but then we will see Him face to face.

What Is Salvation?

What do people get "saved" from?  Usually life-threatening situations.  Lifeguards have jobs because people who don't swim well begin to drown and need saving.  Firemen regularly rush into burning buildings to save people.  The issue that makes "salvation" difficult for people is that most people don't see that their lives are in danger.

What we need to be saved from is sin (please refer to my previous post on What Is Sin?).  What is the effect of sin though?  According to Romans, sin causes death - not necessarily the stop breathing, no brain waves type of death; but spiritual death...being eternally separated from the presence of God and spending eternity in anguish and regret.  Not exactly a nice walk in the park on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Too often, salvation gets reduced to banking on some kind of spiritual/church heritage of your family, praying some prayer as a kid because the pastor freaked you out because he told you about Hell and you didn't want to go there, or raising your hand and walking some aisle during a church service because you ended up having some spiritually charged emotional experience.

So what exactly is salvation?  The first thing we need to start with is God.  Salvation starts (and ends) with Him.  Jonah 2:9 declares clearly that "Salvation belongs to God."  Jesus plainly said in Luke 19:20 that his mission was to "seek and save the lost." Paul writes to the church in Ephesus in Ephesians 2 that Christ "made us alive in Him" and "raised us up and seated us with Him" and saved us "by His grace"; and to make sure we get the point, Paul also writes "And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God."  The point is that we need to understand that it is God who saves sinners.  It is God who makes spiritually dead people spiritually alive.

Theologically, there are 3 aspects to our salvation:

1) We are justified.  Being justified has to do with our standing before God.  Because of Jesus' finished work on the cross and our faith in the Person and Work of Jesus, we can stand before God holy - cleansed of our sin.  This is a one-time event that only God does.  Here are some key verses: Romans 3:24, 28, 5:1; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Galatians 2:16.

2) We are sanctified.  Sanctification is basically the process of becoming more and more like Jesus in our daily lives.  It means a transformation of our thoughts, actions, and attitudes.  This is the part of salvation where we partner with God.  Through our response to mercy and our obedience we become more and more sanctified.  Some key verses are: John 17:17; Hebrews 10:14; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 2:12-13.

3) We will be glorified. This is the final piece of our salvation process...when we are finally rid of all the terrible consequences of sin.  This is when we are given our resurrection bodies (like Jesus had upon this resurrection) and will live forever in joy in the presence of God in heaven.  Some key verses are: Romans 8:15-30; 1 Corinthians 15; Colossians 1:27, 3:4.

So here's the honest truth about salvation: it's living in tension.  It's living in the "already/not yet".  It's trusting that God has saved you and that you stand blameless before Him because of Jesus.  It's working with God in becoming more like Jesus.  It's hoping that all that is wrong in you and in the world will be righted one day.

But the bottom line: it is initiated by God, made possible because of God, and brought to completion by the power, goodness, and faithfulness of God.

What is Sin?

Sin is something that's amazingly popular.  It's the one thing that everybody on the planet participates in.  Even the people who don't recognize or follow any particular religion or faith system believe in sin, as the popular phrase "Nobody's perfect" is what's used when someone says, thinks, or does something not right.

Now there are some static, linear definitions of sin like "missing the mark" or "falling short of God's perfect standard" or "anything you think, say, do, or attitude you possess that isn't what God has prescribed."  All of those are absolutely true.  They are fine definitions.  But they also fall terribly short themselves, and do not speak to the depth of sin in our lives.  The problem with linear definitions is that they reek of religious moralism.  Sin just becomes a check list to avoid.  And when you avoid the negative checklist, it's just too easy to compare yourself to others and see how much better off you are than they, and you become self-righteous which is a form of pride.  Which is sin.  Perhaps the most dangerous one.

So how do we understand sin on a deeper level?  In Tim Keller's book "The Prodigal God," he unpacks the parable commonly known as the Prodigal Son from Luke 15.  The younger brother in the parable is the poster-child for a rebellious sinner.  The older brother is the steadfast, hardworking son.  But at the end of the parable, it's the older brother who finds himself not enjoying the Father (note the capital "F") and the rebellious younger brother is restored back into the family.

The lesson? Sin is more than just breaking the rules like the younger brother.  Sin also includes using our morality and obedience to get the things we want - like control over God (like "foxhole prayers" - God, if you just get me out of this, I'll sell all my stuff and be a missionary to deepest, darkest Africa).  So, as Keller puts it, sin is really putting yourself in the place of God as Savior, Lord, and Judge.  We do this both through our rebellion and through our moralistic obedience.

The bottom line?  Sin is idolatry.  The idolatry of ourselves.

What is the Trinity?

"Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son; and praise the Spirit Three-in-One" -from the hymn 'All Creatures of Our God and King'

Scripture is clear in teaching that there is One God (Deuteronomy 6:4), yet there are three persons in the Godhead: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit.  Each person is fully God - they share the same essence (that's how they're One); but each is distinct in his role.

Confused yet?  I thought so.  People have been knocking this around for a couple thousand years.  The doctrine of the Trinity is something that only God Himself knows fully and that we can only understand in part.

Now, while the word 'trinity' doesn't appear in scripture, we clearly see the Triune God in passages like Genesis 1:26 (the use of the 'Us'), Deueronomy 6:4 (the word 'one' is plural), Matthew 3:16-17 (Jesus' baptism where the Father speaks and the Spirit is illustrated as a dove), Matthew 28:19 (where we are to baptize disciples in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and in Jude 20-21 (Pray in the Spirit, keep in the love of God, wait for the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ).

Why does it matter that God exists as a Trinity?  A couple reasons.  First, it helps us understand the longing in our lives for relationships.  Since we're created in God's image (which is communal), we have a strong, inherent desire for community ourselves.  Interestingly, when God ordained the first marriage as recorded in Genesis 2:21-25, the term "one flesh" ( Heb. 'echad') is the same word used in Deuteronomy 6:4.  Secondly, and more importantly, the doctrine of the Trinity shows us how holy and perfect God is.  1 John 4:8 plainly tells us that God is love.  Now, we all know that love is something that can be given and shared - love always has an object because love is an action more than it is a feeling.  For God to be love, God must exist in a communal way for Him to "be love", and therefore to be self-sufficient.  The Father, the Son, and the Spirit share this love among themselves.

On a personal note, while I can sit here and write about the systematics of the Trinity, in no way do I comprehend it.  But I embrace the mystery of it and praise God all the more for it.  For if my limited, finite mind could understand everything about God, to me, He would then cease to be beyond me - cease to be holy - cease to be God.

What is the Bible?

The Word of God. Sacred Scripture. The Holy Bible.

Pretty powerful phrases to describe a book.  Actually, the Bible is a collection of books, letters, & poetry.  66 of them.  Divided into 2 main categories: the Old & New Testaments.  What's so interesting is that these books, mainly named after their themes (e.g, Genesis, which means "beginning") or authors (e.g., Luke) or target audience (e.g., Philippians, written to the Christian in the ancient city of Philippi) all communicate the same idea: God connecting with and redeeming his creation whom He loves.

Think about that.  These books were written over the span of 1000 years by 40 different authors from all walks of life on 3 continents in 3 languages...the story is all the same.  Amazing.

The most famous passage describing the Bible is found in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."

These two verses communicate that the Bible was literally "breathed out" by God Himself.  He inspired the writers of Scripture to write down His words through their hand, through their personality, through their culture.  These verses also communicate that the Bible is good (profitable) to teach right thinking, correct wrong thinking, train people for right living, and correct wrong living.  That kinda covers it.

But my favorite verse about God's Word is found in Hebrews 4:12.  It says, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

The thing I like about this verse is that it shows the Bible as living.  This means that you can interact with it.  It speaks to you.  And since it's living and active, it doesn't get outdated...it remains relevant.  But relevant for what?  For our lives.  It's message cuts through all the crap in our lives and gets right to the heart (which another verse in the Bible says is the "well-spring of our lives").  It hits us right where we live...right to the place that really matters most.

So when you read the Bible, approach as not just a book, but as the Words of Someone who wants to talk to you.  Get past what may look like archaic rules and listen to what it's saying to your heart.  And lastly, try reading it from the perspecitve of God revealing Himself to you...Him taking the initiative to meet you.  The Bible isn't about God "proving" to the world that He exists, but rather saying something like, "Here I am.  I know life is frustrating and confusing and heartbreaking.  But let me tell you a story that spans the length of time.  Let me tell you the Great Plan that I have for you.  Let me tell you how much I love you."

The Bible may just become living and active in your life if you read it like that.

What is the Gospel?

Simply put, it's good news.  It is "news" to be responded to...a grand story that actually happened and is still happening.  But good news about what?  Good news about who?

Practically everyone on the face of the earth, or at least the people that I know and have known over the years, agree that we're all jacked up.  Something's wrong with us.  Parts of us, sometimes all of us, feel broken...disconnected.  We have this phrase that we throw around: "Nobody's perfect."  The Bible calls this "sin" - falling short of perfection.

You see, in the Bible when God first creates everything, it's paradise.  He had a perfect connection and harmony with his creation.  But then the fateful day came: our first parents, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God and the perfect, harmonious connection was lost.  Life became a series of struggles, failures, and disappointments.  People chose their own way instead of living the beautiful life that the Creator made us for.  But not only did this break our connection with Him, this pride sent us down a path that leads further and further away from Him...ultimately to a place called Hell, where any glimpse of God doesn't exist.  Complete and utter torment.

But God had a plan.

His plan was to come to earth Himself to live the life that he designed us for.  He would come to rescue us from ourselves and from our sin that is bringing us closer and closer to total destruction.

Jesus lived the perfect life.  A life unmarred by sin.  Beautiful.  Holy.

And then he was killed.  Some people, mostly religious ones, were threatened by Him.  They followed all kinds of rules that God had established, but they forgot that a deep love for God was to be the motivator for the rules, not self-righteousness.

But this was part of the plan.  For sin to be forgiven by a perfect, holy God, a sacrifice was demanded.  Blood was demanded.  Typically the blood sacrifice of a beautiful lamb.  But an animal couldn't take care of all sin - past, present, & future.  It was just an animal...a symbol.  For sin to be dealt with on a cosmic scale, that demanded the Ultimate Pure Lamb, God Himself, Jesus Christ.

Because of Jesus' death and His resurrection from the dead, you and I can be reconnected to the life that we were intended to have all along.  You see, Jesus is our Rescuer.  He rescues us from ourselves and our evil sin.  It doesn't make us instantly perfect by any means.  But as far as God is concerned, He just needs to see our sincere faith, hope, and trust in the finsihed work of Jesus.  Then he begins to transform us over time to become more and more like Jesus...ultimately ending in a face-to-face reunion with our Creator in heaven...for all eternity...completely purified from sin forever...experiencing pure joy and peace.

That is the good news.  It's all about God...His love...His plan...Jesus our Rescuer.  That's the Gospel.

"Salvation belongs to the Lord." The Book of Jonah, chapter 2, verse 9.

"What Is" Update

The new blog series will begin next week.  Here is a list of topics that will be covered:

What is the Gospel?

What is the Bible?

What is the Trinity?

What is Sin?

What is Salvation?

What is the Kingdom of God?

What is the Church?

What is Hell?

What is Heaven?

Since I'm planning on giving simply, brief overviews of each topic, I highly encourage anyone to ask questions by leaving a comment.  Also, for further reading to deal with these topics more in depth, as well as other "What?" questions, please pick up a copy of my friend Elliot Grudem's book "Christian Beliefs."

Blog series to start the New Year off

So I think I'm going to start a new blog series for the upcoming weeks.  The series will be called "What is ___?"  I'll deal with things like: What is salvation?  What is biblical authority?  What is the atonement?  What is missional living?

So, if you have any suggestions, please let me know.  The idea is for these to be Cliff's Notes sorts of things...so my "answers" to the "what is" questions will be brief.

Also, I've begun a new blog directed specifically for Illinois church planters, that is to be a supplement for a new Illinois church planting network that I'm calling "Cloverleaf."  The blog's address is: www.cloverleaf-illinois.blogspot.com

Peace

I'm so not an office guy

2009 has begun, I'm another year older (as I celebrated my 36th birthday on Jan. 1), and as I'm putting in my first hours of work in the New Year, I'm reminded of how much I don't like to be in my office.

Why? There's no one there, for one.  I'm the only "employee" of my church. And being a pastor, I'm kind of in the people business, so it doesn't make much sense to be in an environment where I can't meet and talk with people.  Besides, you never know what you're going to get at my office since the heat & air conditioning are pretty tempermental.  Plus our wireless router is going bad, so my internet connection is off and on (and I'm too lazy to replace it).  So I basically pop in there every once in a while to grab a book I need or print something off.  Other than that, it's only coming in for various meetings and such.

So where do I work?  I have many offices in Springfield, depending on where I want to be and what I want to drink or eat or where I may have meetings set up with people.  Here's typically where I hang:

Downtown: my favorite place is Cafe Moxo...free internet, bottomless coffee, and unbelievable soups.  My second favorite downtown place is Andiamo's...free internet, bottomless coffee, and great pizza-for-one at lunch.

Near Westside: I'm at Brewbaker's quite a bit since it is right around the corner from my house and I usually walk or ride my bike (before my bike was stolen)...free internet and a great selection of coffee, but the food's a little pricey and portions are a tad small. I'm usually at the Monroe/Chatham Rd Starbucks once or twice a week to enjoy a French Vanilla Latte or a Chai Tea Latte.

Further Westside: Despite it getting crazy crowded, I'll end up at Panera a couple times a week simply because of 3 things: free internet, bottomless coffee and pop, and padded chairs...padding is very important. Sometimes I'll go into Barnes & Noble, but usually not to work, but to browse the 'zines and books for purchase.

Eastside: Sometimes I'll end up at the Eastside Panera, but that's become very rare.

North end: Nothing up there, but I've heard a rumor that my cigar shop has free wi-fi (but my wife doesn't appreciate the smell).

South: Don't really hang down there, but I've heard decent things about Centrum Cafe.  We'll see.

So, there you go.  I guess I have many offices around town where I meet, study, plan, and write.  One last note, for late-night meetings, Dublin Pub is my winner.  But no one in their right mind should eat a horseshoe after 8pm.

Religion vs. the Gospel

A classic misunderstanding of Christianity is how it's viewed as a religion versus a Gospel-centered movement.  When rules, structure, formalities, performance, judgment, and appearance are highlighted more than love, grace, joy, forgiveness, kindness and just a worshipful response to the goodness of God, people get turned off and can get hostile.  I've had a couple different conversations over the last week with both believers and non-believers, with people from each category expressing their disdain for all things "religion".  One of my believing friends struggles with the corporate-ness that religion can bring which is causing him to suffocate from simply living and influencing under the direction of the Holy Spirit like he feels he should.  One of my non-believing friends is quite hostile toward any "religious" and simply sees a different form of capitalism and buildings full of judgmental hypocrites.  In both cases, formalized religion has failed.

While Jesus did speak of building a church and appointed leaders for his church which the Apostles and then Paul helped further develop as more and more people began to follow Jesus, I don't think that Jesus quite had in mind for "Christianity" to what it has developed into today.  Jesus was a movement leader more than a CEO.  Jesus influenced more than he controlled (which I also believe was the way the Apostles went about things as well).  Jesus loved more than he judged.  Jesus had a clear sense of right & wrong, and when he confronted people on their sin, there was always this deep undercurrent of love that went along with it.  The only people that he just blasted with judgment were the religious people, not the ones who were far from God! That's a great model and method to continue!

A great summation of all of this comes from something that Jesus himself said in John 3:17: "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."  Love always trumps condemnation.  Gospel always wins over religion.

Being a True Fan

I'm reading this book called "Tribes" by Seth Godin that given to me by my friend Dave.  One thing that he points out in his book deals with the idea of being a "true fan" regarding the leader, mission, or philosophy of the particular tribe that the fan is a part of.  He credited the idea from Kevin Kelly.  Godin (and Kelly) define a "true fan" as someone who buys anything you produce (especially pre-releases & limited editions), will drive 200 miles to hear you sing, buy the t-shirt, the mug, and commemorative pin.  Some fans are really easy to identify like Elvis fans, sports teams fanatics, and given the time of year, Christmas junkies (the ones with the gaudy decorations & bad sweaters and listen to nothing but Bing Crosby for a month).

This got me thinking: what does a "true fan" of Jesus look like?  Is it simply "consuming" all things Jesus from cross necklaces, worship music, bumper stickers, and books?  Or is there more to it than that?

One point that Kelly makes on his blog is that once a person/movement reaches 1000 "true fans" they can make a living because they have a stable base of consistent support.  This got me thinking of my church, Delta.  While I think we have a small number of "fans" and an even smaller number of "true fans", there are lots of people out there that would be a "fan" of what we're seeking to do here in Springfield; which is simply connecting disconnected people by loving God, transforming lives, and changing the world.

Here's what I think a "Fan" of Delta looks like: 1) believe in our vision & mission; 2) they spread the word about us & what we're doing (promotion); 3) they follow our progress (through our website, blog, Facebook, etc.); and 4) they create more fans.

But what about "True Fan"?  True fans: 1) financially support Delta; 2) attend & become a member at Delta; 3) serve at Delta; 4) lead at Delta; 5) bring people to Delta.

I think 2009 will be a great year for Delta.  Part of it I think will be building our "fan base".  What would happen if Delta got 500 fans and 100 true fans this year?  I think we would see the Gospel kick into overdrive here in Springfield.  You see, it's not necessarily about growing a big church, but it's about being a part of a bigger movement - the movement of Jesus Christ invading the hearts of people far from him with his love here in Springfield.  What could be better than that?

Here's what you can do now to advance your "fan-dom":

1. If you're local, come hang out with us on Sunday mornings or midweekCommunity Groups.

2. Follow this blog.

3. Follow me on Twitter.

4. Join our Facebook group.

5. Join our Google Group.

Grace & Peace...have a great Christmas this week! (of which I am a big fan of!)

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Incarnation

“Seeing is believing.” “Don’t judge someone until you’ve walked in their shoes.” Sentiments like these have woven themselves into the very fabric of our culture.  These statements communicate that we are a culture of experience and relationship. Until an idea has “flesh and bone” we typically fail to buy into it.  God knows this about us.  God knows the power of experience and the power of relationship…for He is the One who created us with those desires. And in His great love to fulfill His great plan of being our Rescuer, he meets us where we are at. The Incarnation – God Himself taking on flesh – shows the height, the width, the depth, and the breadth His love.  And more than that…He came humbly…as a baby born in a barn, wrapped in rags to keep Him warm, and placed in a manger.

Scripture: John 1:1-5, 14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Christmas Hymn “What Child Is This?”

Sing or listen to "What Child Is This?", with our hearts gazing at the Christ Child, singing of the wonder of the Incarnation.

Third Week of Advent

Peace

Confusion…pain…angst…fear…corruption…chaos…not having enough room to breath…always on the move and trying to keep up…these are words and phrases that illustrate both our lives and the world we live in.  We inwardly groan for something – for Someone – to bring order and peace to our lives and to still our restless hearts.  The quiet birth of the Christ Child amid the hustle and bustle of a town bursting at its seams due to a major national event reminds us that God can and does inject His peace into the busyness that defines our lives.

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Reflection: The Christmas Hymn “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”

Sing or listen to "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear", reflecting on the peace that is afforded us and that was proclaimed by the angels at the birth of the Prince of Peace.

Second Week of Advent

Joy

The source of our joy is in God Himself.  God is good.  God is trustworthy.  God is love.  He sees us in our great need, marred by sin, unable to save ourselves, destined for an eternity without Him.  And so, driven by love, grace, and mercy, God plans on sending us a Rescuer; One who will save us from our sin and create peace between us and the Father.  This plan for salvation, birthed in eternity past, began to come to fruition in the birth of the Christ Child.

Scripture: Isaiah 52:7-10

How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who publishes salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice;
together they sing for joy;
for eye to eye they see
the return of the Lord to Zion.
Break forth together into singing,
you waste places of Jerusalem,
for the Lord has comforted his people;
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The Lord has bared his holy arm
before the eyes of all the nations,
and all the ends of the earth shall see
the salvation of our God

Song: Sing or listen to the Christmas hymn "Joy to the Word" and celebrate the great joy of the Gospel that is promised us through the birth of the Christ Child.

Practice: Share some 'Christmas joy' with your neighbors or co-workers this week.  Personally deliver a Christmas card, some homemade cookies, or a handmade gift.