Back in August I blogged about the Olympic Prayer bands for China (click here to read 8/24/08 post), well apparently the Chinese government noticed. The government of China has gone so far as to arrest a local pastor who was distributing these prayer bands for free to believers. If you would like to read more click here to read an email update or to order a prayer band from ChinaAid.
November 19, 2008
China Noticed The Prayer Bands
Posted by westonw under News, Prayer | Tags: Prayer, China, Persecution |No Comments
November 16, 2008
I Pray - Ephesians 3:14-21 (Sermon Notes)
Posted by westonw under Prayer, Sermon Notes | Tags: Prayer, Sermon Notes, Spirituality |No Comments
I’m irregular about going to the gym and so when I saw an advertisement for energy…exercise in a bottle it was tempting - but it doesn’t work. We want the same quick fix for our spirituality, we want a strong thriving spiritual life without the work. So, we buy supplements, books and tapes that promise a secret to spiritual growth. Prayer is a similar exercise useful for building up our spiritual lives. Paul in 1 Timothy 4:8 tells us, “physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
What is prayer useful for…
1. Pray to strengthen your inner being.
- Verse 16 literally translated is, “into the inside man.” As though Paul’s prayer was a direct injection of growth into our spirits.
- Prayer is a great boost, but it’s not always easy. We’re always looking for a quick fix, a pill, or program that trims 50 lbs in a week and boosts our energy. We are consumed with finding the “true secret” to growth.
- If you want to tap into that power, pray. Pray to Jesus Christ, he will strengthen your inner being. Prayer is what strengthen our inside being. We know what it takes to strengthen our bodies - exercise. We know what it takes to strengthen our minds - study. We know what it takes to strengthen our spirits - prayer.
- When we pray we often pray for the physical and we should (James 4:14) but how much more important is a prayer to strengthen the “inner being” the being that really eternally matters.
- No other exercise I know can do this, and it is enhanced tenfold through scripture reading Psalm 119:11.
- Prayer gives us the power to endure trials (Jesus), it gives us the power to receive blessing (Elijah and the rain), it gives us the power to cooperate with God (Abraham and Lot in Sodom).
2. Pray to know the unknowable.
- John tells us at the end of his gospel (John 21:25) tells us that all of the acts of Jesus would not fit into books. Neither can an accurate description of his love be given, it’s been written about since Moses penned the books of the law and still today authors explore this topic.
- Prayer gives us insight into the deep things of God and gives us perspective on him. Many have said that this is asking to, “Think God’s thoughts after him.”
- Scripture reveals a lot of things to us, prayer completes the picture. There are things not found in scripture, what to do in specific situations, who to talk to, what job to take, etc. Prayer gives us insight into these difficult situations.
- James 1:5 tells us that God gives wisdom to those who ask. If you don’t know something ask God! This wisdom is sometimes a verse or book rightly interpreted, sometimes it’s a brother or sister sometimes a quiet and still peace in your soul. Sometimes wisdom is learning to hear the quiet voice of God.
- The key to this is making this a regular part of your life, otherwise your strength is no built up. It’s just like exercise - we need to practice this regularly.
- I know when I’ve not prayed enough when my prayers in the evening are distracted. If I’ve kept it all in, instead of going to God through the day. If I’ve neglected to pray in the evenings then my prayers are scattered. But, when I’m constantly in prayer my clarity and strength is built up so that I can definitively move about in God’s will, make right choices without hesitation.
3. Pray to be filled with the fullness of God.
- We strive for a lot less than the fullness of God in our lives, we work for a paycheck, fantasize about a new TV or new car. But when was the last time you said, “God open up the fire hose of blessing in my spirit!”?
- James 4:2 tells us that you do not have because you do not ask!
- We are satisfied with so little, when God made us for so much. Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us that God has given us a great capacity for heavenly perspective, the NIV says that he has set eternity in our hearts - yet we still can’t discern all the things God has done or will do. Because we aren’t strong enough to handle God’s Glory or discerning enough to know his truth.
- May God fill us and increase our capacity for him…may we be filled with the fullness of God. If we ask God to strengthen our inner being, he will make us strong enough to handle the weightiness of his glory. If we ask God to give us wisdom to know the unknowable then we can know His divine mysteries. Only then can we be filled with the fullness of God.
What is prayer? What is this discipline that gives us this power, knowledge and fullness? Robert Farrar Capon said it best, “Prayer is not “going to God” (he’s already in you), or “seeking God” (he’s already found you), or “opening yourself to God” (you couldn’t keep him out if you tried), or “becoming spiritual” (he’s already sent you the Spirit — who would rather show you Jesus than help you display your spiritual prowess). And it’s certainly not buttering God up with abject apologies for your existence — because in his Beloved Son, he already thinks you’re dandy. Prayer is just talking with Someone who’s already talking to you.” - Robert Capon, The Foolishness of Preaching. (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1998), 68.
“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” - Ephesians 3:20-21
November 10, 2008
Christmas Food…It’s Never Too Early
Posted by westonw under Culture, Daily Life, Decaf | Tags: food, science, shakes, cuisine |No Comments
It’s never too early for some of those holiday delectables - you know the kind that fine fast food franchises bring out annually and that science invest millions in development. Some personal favorites are the processed pork McDonald’s McRib, Cadbury eggs (I’m a huge fan!!!!) or pumpkin pie shakes (the best are at Culver’s). But tonight I found a fantastic new holiday tradition one that will be celebrated in my home and arteries for years…the Chick-Fil-A Peppermint Chocolate Chip Shake (hurry out to get one as of post day on this entry there are only 50 days left to get it). I don’t know why peppermint is a Christmas treat, it’s not as though peppermint isn’t available year round in gum and breath mints. Peppermint is the traditional flavor of candy canes but it’s the shape not the flavor that’s novel. Yet, why question a blessing of this magnitude? I’m just thankful that every time I’m bored with the common, banal cuisine of “everyday” science develops something new. An American taste treat like Peeps at Easter, Filet-O-Fish (on sale during Lent…no seriously), or Shamrock Shakes come to the rescue. Science has taken us so far in just 100 years, we can make meat patties in the shape of ribs, chocolate eggs with a slimy center, green milkshakes that taste like kaopectate. What a time to be alive! What a time to be a fast food consumer! I’m filled with hope for tomorrow, red or blue can’t take away my green food. Science can’t be stopped! Just remember to get a soda with no ice - apparently it has more germs than toilet water (click here for details).
November 9, 2008
The Church Is Not The Building - John 17:20-26 (Sermon Notes)
Posted by westonw under Church, Faith, Prayer, Sermon Notes | Tags: Christ's Kingdom, Christianity, Church, Persecution, Prayer, Sermon Notes, unity |No Comments
There’s been a lot of discussion lately about unity, between red and blue. But the unity I want to talk about is deeper and fuller than a political alliance - it is a cementing of the spirit, your spirit, my spirit, God’s Spirit. God is very interested in unity, that’s why Paul admonishes Titus to warn a divisive person twice and then disassociate from them (Titus 3:10). This coupled with today being observed nationally as the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church I thought it would be appropriate for us to look beyond ourselves for the sake of unity.
Matthew 6:5-14 may contain Jesus’ model prayer, but this is really the Lord’s prayer, Jesus’ prayer from the heart for those of us who would believe on account of the testimony of those who had gone on before. This morning I want to look at John 17:20-26 backwards to highlight the importance and starting place of our unity.
1. Our Unity Testifies To Christ’s Love (Verses 25-26)
- John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
- When we get along as a church we show that there is an abundance of love in the body of Christ. If we want to testify to Christ’s love we must love each other. 1 John 4:20 makes it very clear that if we can’t love each other whom we have seen we have no hope of loving God whom we can’t see.
- Some of our hearts are cramped and small - our love is insufficient how do we over come this? Pray, 1 Thessalonians 3:12 Paul prays, “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.”
- Our love is dependent on God filling us with his love. Our love is insufficient, often for the people we like. His love is all-sufficient, even for the people we don’t like.
2. Our Unity Celebrates Eternity (Verse 24)
- We will be united in heaven with all believers - we’d might as well learn how to get along now. Revelation 7:9-10, every nation, tribe tongue, denomination…
- Today as we think of the persecuted church. I realize that there are people who are in need here, but we are talking about our brothers and sisters overseas who suffer for their faith. The people are different, but we have more in common with a believer on the other side of the world than we do with our next door neighbor who knows nothing of the things of Christ.
- When we recognize our unity and celebrate it we get a glimpse of heaven. Our communion celebration is a prophetic event looking forward to eating of it in the kingdom of God when Christ will join us forever! (Matthew 26:29) I believe we ought to eat together and celebrate together it is practice for heaven.
3. Our Unity Shines Our Glory (Verses 22-23)
- In Albuquerque N.M. there is the Sandia National Laboratory which operates a reflective solar power plant, using over 200,000 mirrors aligned around a tower they reflect the sun onto one area in order to generate electricity.
- The church is like that, when we are all aligned and looking towards God hen we reflect his glory and show the world his incredible power.
- I don’t look in my rear view mirror to admire the craftsmanship of the hinge and reflective glass that makes it up, I look into it to see something that lies outside of my car. We are mirrors pointed to God, people don’t want to see us they want to see Jesus and that is our glory when people look at us and they see Jesus.
- We should point that back to Jesus Christ, just like the Trinity. Corner any member of the Trinity for worship and they reflect you to another member. The Spirit points us towards Jesus, Jesus points us towards the Father and the Father asks, “Have you met my son?”
- When we unite as a church - not just here but globally we most brilliantly reflect the glory of Christ. We also more accurately reflect his glory. When we forget that we’re not the only Christians God appears very anemic, lop-sided. But when we unite with other believers we fully reflect the glory of God.
4. Our Unity Starts With A Prayer (Verses 20-21)
- Jesus started our unity with a prayer and I wonder - have we let him down?
- Today I want us to take a moment of silence and pray for unity. John Bunyan said it best, “You can do more than pray, after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.”
- I want to particularly remember our brothers and sisters who live in the persecuted church. 1 Corinthians 12:26 reminds us that when one part of the body suffers we all suffer. According to Christians in Crisis (www.christiansincrisis.net, last accessed 11/05/2008)
- Since the death of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago, 43,000,000 Christians have become martyrs.
- Over 50% of these were in the last century alone.
- More than 200 million Christians face persecution each day 60% are children.
- Every day over 300 are killed for their faith in Jesus Christ.
- According to www.OpenDoorsUSA.org the top three worst countries for Christians are:North Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
If you would like to help the persecuted church I suggest as a starting place visiting The Voice of the Martyr’s website which has many links and articles for ways to partner with the persecuted church.
November 4, 2008
In Case You Were Wondering…There’s A Line
Posted by westonw under Culture, Daily Life, News | Tags: election, line, polling place, vote |No Comments
The line is packed in the building...
The polling place workers and I rendezvoused at the church this morning a little before 5:15am…there was a line at 5:30am with people to vote. When I left the church’s main building for the offices there was a line to the parking lot, easily 50 people were standing in line prior to the poll’s opening and there were more cars coming before 6:00am (that’s when I snapped this shot)! I say this simply to encourage you to pack a lunch, or come during a non-peak voting time. It seems that in elections past the lines (at least here) are shortest in the mid-morning (10:00am-11:00am) and early afternoon (2:00pm-3:00pm) - but today it’s anyone’s guess.
I’ll be going out to vote later this morning and encourage you to do the same. In honor of the vote I’m testing a new polling feature on the blog so vote below to give this new feature a test-drive for me…it only takes a click!
November 3, 2008
Political or Prophetic? Part Two (Sermon Notes)
Posted by westonw under Christ's Kingdom, Church, Culture, Sermon Notes | Tags: politics, preaching, prophecy, Sermon Notes |No Comments
This is part two of a two part sermon, preached during the 9:45am and 11:00am services Sunday 11/2/08.
G. K. Chesterton retells a famous story from church history in a work titled, “Christendom in Dublin,” “St. Dominic…when he was shown the Byzantine glories of the old Vatican, with its gold and mosaic and metalwork, the Pope half humorously recalled the story of St. Peter granting a miracle because he had no money to give to a beggar. ‘You see,’ said the Pope, laughing, ‘Peter can now no longer say, “Silver and gold have I none.”‘ ‘No,’ said the priest, ‘and neither can he now say, “Rise and walk.”‘” The church had lost the power of the Spirit to the power and temptation of money.
Today I think the church is in another similar crisis, although instead of losing our power to a lust for money it has been lost in a lust for power or influence. I’m afraid that we have thought that the real power of the church lies in us moving as a political unit instead of a spiritual force. What determines our prophetic voice? What keeps our relationship with the state healthy?
Luke 20:20-26 gives us some very clear ideas about our relationship with the state.
True obedience to the law (as the Pharisees practiced it) would prevent the faithful from dealing with Roman coinage. Caesar’s likeness stamped on these coins would violate the law against “graven images” (Exodus 20:4). Our best understanding of this specific coin for this tax would have displayed the image of the emperor’s head on one side, and the reverse would contain the ruler’s title and divine status: “Tiberius Caesar, Son of the Divine Augustus.” These coins were not just money or propaganda but portable idols. Notice Jesus does not have a coin, but has to ask for one from the Pharisees, which reveals where they already stand.
- What things belong to Caesar?
- Tax (Luke 20:20-26)
- Obedience in accordance with civil law (Romans 13)
- 1 Peter 2:17 sums these all up in one word, “Honor.” We should honor the government, pay the government and it’s servants their dues.
- What things belong to God?
- Let’s answer this from God’s perspective, Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.”
- But more specifically and practically, we can answer that with Jesus’ own question, “Whose image do you bear?” (Genesis 1:26)
- Our primary identification is Christian, not Democrat, Republican, or Democrican. We lose our prophetic voice when we give our allegiance to anyone but God. We lose our credibility when we speak from human authority and not God’s.
If we are to maintain a pure and unpolluted voice of truth, we as a church must save our allegiance for God alone - Jesus Christ, the King of Kings. His solution of radical love and salvation is the solution we need in the world today. Not a new deal, or a contract with America, or change in politics, or programs in government - the love of Christ, in the body Christ is what we need.
Six Practical Applications:
- Honor and support the government (1 Peter 2:17, Luke 20:25)
- Use the government to your advantage (See the examples of Paul demanding trial in Jerusalem, (Acts 22:25-26)
- Speak truth to power - In the tradition of John the Baptist (Luke 3:1-20). This is not just in politics, but in every arena in life. If you see power misused you must speak out against it in love. (Proverbs 20:28)
- Confess faith in the midst of doubt - evangelism at the highest level confesses faith before complete skepticism. (See the examples of Jesus at his trial, Luke 22:67-69)
- Disobey when your allegiance conflicts (Acts 4:19)
- Never look to the government to solve problems assigned to the church - Only the church can bring salvation.
November 2, 2008
Political or Prophetic? Part One (Sermon Notes)
Posted by westonw under Christ's Kingdom, Church, Culture, Sermon Notes | Tags: politics, preaching, prophecy, Sermon Notes |No Comments
This is part one of a two part sermon, preached during the 8:30am service Sunday, 11/2/08.
We live as people with dual-citizenship. Members of the Kingdom of God first and members of the country second. We have many demands on us - to both kingdoms and sometimes kingdom values and country values collide.
Very simply stated the church does not exist: for, from, or against government - rather it exists “to” government. This is attested to and explored more deeply by H. Richard Nieburh in a book entitled Christ and Culture. He argues along the consistent Biblical witness that the people of God, particularly the church, exists as a prophetic voice speaking truth to power, particularly the government. And if you think about it, he’s right from Nathan and David, to Elijah and Ahab, to latter prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah. They all function outside of government as prophets to the establishment.
We get confused because we think prophecy is about the future, when if you read the Bible prophecy is about right now. Prophecy says get right with God, repent, fall in line with God’s love and compassion or the future looks bleak.
1. Balaam’s Story
- Balaam is summoned by Balak King of the Moabites to curse the Israelites. He is summoned because he obviously is in tune with God and reality so much that he is known for being successful at blessing and cursing people.
- Numbers 22:8-14, This story would be fine if it stopped there, because here Balaam has enough sense to say, “I have nothing of my own power worth seeking, let’s wait on the Lord.” After they wait, God says, “No,” so Balaam dismisses them.
- The problem is that Balaam again entertains them, asks God again, and then goes. He should have accepted God’s word as final - he doesn’t and God isn’t pleased.
- Later Balaam goes and blesses the Israelites instead of cursing them and the King of Moab is displeased with Balaam. Why? Because Balaam has come at a price, he was bought to curse in God’s name but couldn’t do it because God wouldn’t do it.
- Does this sound familiar? We invoke God’s name for a lot of things, the beginning of civil proceedings, oaths of office, marriages that are formed without God are blessed in his name - some destined for failure.
- Is God pleased with the loose use of his name and the endorsements we give on his behalf? Have we sold God out?
- Balaam doesn’t stop there, he doesn’t want to leave empty handed, doesn’t want to suffer for his failure, doesn’t want his name to be tarnished. So we know from other sources that Balaam (Numbers 31:16) that Balaam suggests to the Moabite King that he tempt the Israelites through foreign women who worship idols. Balaam sold out God and God’s people for a price, for fame…we dare not do the same.
2. John the Baptist’s Story
- We know more about John the Baptist than Balaam. Luke 1:80, tells us that John the Baptist lived in the wilderness until his public ministry. Completely untainted and influenced by the political forces or desire for gain, John grows up in the sanctuary of solitude - dedicated to God alone.
- Luke 3:1-20, we see that John, an unimportant character, is a popular character. He is not sold out to the nation, but he is sought out by the nation - why? Because he preaches the gospel, a gospel of repentance, a gospel unadulterated by special interest or sordid gain.
- John is clearly led by the Spirit of God - what God says, John says. Where God leads, John goes. John doesn’t ask twice, John doesn’t seek to compromise, John seeks to please God regardless of people.
Which one will we be Balaam or John the Baptist? A sellout to society or sold out to the king of heaven? Which reward are we striving for?
October 28, 2008
Kitchen Table Talk on Finances (Part Two)
Posted by westonw under Sermon Notes | Tags: finances, Giving, stewardship |No Comments
This portion is from our treasurer’s statement about our church’s finance…
o How have we been making it recently with reduced giving?
§ We have not had a third staff position, have reduced some spending and have some seasonal spending like CIY that won’t be due until the summer but we should be saving for those programs now.
o Do we have any ministry budgets that are overspending?
§ All areas are at or under their first quarter budget. There are some areas where our spending has remained flat for several years, which really translates to reduced spending. VBS is a good example of this. Our number of kids served has gone up over the past 5 years but our spending has remained relatively flat, thus we’re spending less per child served.
o Where does our mortgage stand and what progress are we making in reducing it?
§ We are paying down the mortgage at an accelerated rate but still have a considerable amount of principle left.
o Being our volunteer treasurer, knowing how we spend every dollar and not receiving any, do you believe we exercise good stewardship?
§ Yes, I believe we exercise good stewardship.
o Do you support this ministry financially knowing how we handle finances?
§ Yes, I support this ministry financially and my support has increased since I started serving as Treasurer.
October 27, 2008
Kitchen Table Talk on Finances (Part One)
Posted by westonw under Sermon Notes | Tags: finances, Giving, Sermon Notes, stewardship |No Comments
This portion is from my teaching on giving from Sunday’s Kitchen Table Talk…I’ll be posting our Treasurer’s notes tomorrow.
As I said Sunday, I’m in the same boat as you…I don’t make commission, I do give of my income to the church and believe that every believer has a responsibility to yield control of their finances to God. So, this morning is not a sales pitch, rather I simply want to look at the scripture and give you what I believe are the two primary principles of giving:
· Realize your money is not your own.
o Not only that but your talent and trade that is profitable is a gift from God. Deuteronomy 8:17-18, “Do not say to yourself, ‘My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, as he is doing today.”
o Notice also in the gospel where Jesus says, “To whom much is given…much is required…”
o Your money is a gift, but even more than that so is your life, so is your salvation.
o And if your everything is a gift from God, doesn’t that mean God should have something to say about that?
· Surrender your money to God to show you how to use your money wisely.
o Everything belongs to God so we should first return everything to him. Paul praises the Macedonian church in 2 Corinthians 8:5, “They gave themselves first to the Lord and, by the will of God, to us.”
§ Don’t want give to the church… give to God.
§ Let God direct your giving…
o God will direct you first to care for your family.
§ 1 Timothy 5:8, “Whoever does not provide for relatives, and especially for family members, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
§ You need to care for your family, provide for their needs and some of their wants.
o Let give you a starting place for giving…
§ Step one, go home and determine around your table through prayer and evaluation of your finances what you should give. This may take a few days and make sure everyone is on board if you’re married.
§ Step two, give…if for some reason you’re not comfortable giving to the church first, then give to an organization that minister’s in Christ’s name. Try it for a month and see if you don’t see a blessing from it.
· I say this because I want you to know I’m serious about this being a spiritual exercise. I also say this as way of concession, knowing that some of you maybe have a distrust for the church in general.
· Sooner or later you’ll have to figure out what to do with the church. This is our family, I provide for my family before I give to another. Yet, some of you give to other groups and I’m not saying they’re bad, but have you first taken care of your family? Have you first taken care of your church?
· The non-profit group, “Friends of the Tibetan Theatre” or the “International Committee of Concern for Concrete,” or the “Local Outpost of People Who Like to Dress Like Birds,” are all great groups…but they’re not your family.
§ Have you taken care of your church family? I know some of you maybe let off your giving during this time of transition and said, “I’ll wait to see what happens,” this is what’s happening. Now is the time to resume your commitments, not to me, or the elders, but to the family of God.
§ If you don’t like something that’s happening in your family, you don’t pull your support, make them figure it out, you support them, you talk to them, you work it out, but you don’t walk out, you don’t give up, you don’t stop caring or supporting.
§ It would be a crime for me to ask some of you to tithe
· Some of you it’s too much.
· Some of you it’s too little.
o According to our gifts should we give 2 Corinthians 8:8-15, “8 I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 10 And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something— 11 now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. 12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have. 13 I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between 14 your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. 15 As it is written, “The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little.”
(All scripture quoted in this post are from the NRSV.)
