Acts 17 is one of the prime passages that is looked to when wrestling with contextualizing the gospel to a culture. The Apostle Paul was very good at explaining and communicating the gospel. All throughout the book of Acts he is constantly looking to preach the gospel. Jesus did the same thing. The Southeast Church is going through the book of Mark right now. We're seeing how Jesus made proclaiming the gospel the primary concern of his ministry.
So when we look at Acts 17 we get excited about how Paul addressed the culture and proclaimed the gospel. What we often fail to consider is the response and how Paul handled it afterwards. Directly following Paul's time in Athens he headed to Corinth (Acts 18). When we look at the beginning of 1 Corinthians where Paul is recounting his state when he arrived we see something interesting. In the beginning of chapter 2, Paul writes "And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified."
Paul had just seen how his great contextualization of the gospel resulted in very little result. I'm by no means arguing that we should avoid contextualization, but rather that we need to really look at culture and invest time and thought into how we do it. The gospel is going to sound crazy to most people because it divides our nature as sinners and we don't like that. We want to be in control. We pull our own weight and don't need help. The gospel is the opposite of this. The gospel says that we can't do it and so we have to rely entirely on what Christ has already accomplished.
Paul saw results and people being saved in Corinth. Let's not get too excited about the one stop that Paul didn't see people get saved and even crushed his spirit to a certain degree. Let us be bold in preaching Christ crucified on our behalf to accomplish what we cannot. Let us rest in the Power of God that is made known to us because of the resurrection.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Church Planting
I've been knee-deep in planting a church now since this last summer. My sending church, Oregon City Christian Church, is supporting me to expand the Gospel. It's pretty awesome and something I've been wanting to do for a long time. We're actually coming upon the start of our weekend service beginning. That is what this post will be about.
Part of what I've been spending time doing is looking at how churches operate and how well those churches are reaching people. It's been really good and something that I love doing. I've seen some really cool things where people are engaging the culture and effectively sharing Jesus. One church in particular is about two-and-a-half years old and has grown to about 800, with well over half of those being new believers. Awesome.
There has also been some things that are troubling to me. One church I was looking at online offered people to join them in worship "if they could find them." I get that that can make it seem cool and really locally focused on a particular neighborhood. My issue is what if someone heard about that church and wanted to find where it met to visit without sending them an email? This seems to miss a big part of how churches can reach out to their community.
Going into this church plant, I was really anti-buying a building. Part of that was coming from a church where 1/3 to 1/4 of the tithes had to go to pay a mortgage. That is too much to pay and I saw how it hindered the church. So that made me reject buildings and think how cool it'll be to be completely mobile, working in coffee shops, pubs, and my living room. There is a very big advantage to that. I'm in the community a lot. I support local businesses this way. I get to see my kids more. We save a lot by not having rent or a mortgage.
My thinking got rocked on this one day while listening to the great wise Ken Swatman. He was preaching about why OCCC has a building and how it's a reminder to the local community that the church is present and that we're committed to serving it. That made me really think about things and buildings and how to proceed.
I still don't like the idea of making payments, however I am fully for having a building, so long as it doesn't hinder the growth and opportunities of the church. That will come through God's provision and our patience, the latter of which is the hard part.
We will be launching a worship service at another local church on a Sunday evening next month. The goal is to proclaim the Gospel so as many can hear, repent, and believe as possible.
Part of what I've been spending time doing is looking at how churches operate and how well those churches are reaching people. It's been really good and something that I love doing. I've seen some really cool things where people are engaging the culture and effectively sharing Jesus. One church in particular is about two-and-a-half years old and has grown to about 800, with well over half of those being new believers. Awesome.
There has also been some things that are troubling to me. One church I was looking at online offered people to join them in worship "if they could find them." I get that that can make it seem cool and really locally focused on a particular neighborhood. My issue is what if someone heard about that church and wanted to find where it met to visit without sending them an email? This seems to miss a big part of how churches can reach out to their community.
Going into this church plant, I was really anti-buying a building. Part of that was coming from a church where 1/3 to 1/4 of the tithes had to go to pay a mortgage. That is too much to pay and I saw how it hindered the church. So that made me reject buildings and think how cool it'll be to be completely mobile, working in coffee shops, pubs, and my living room. There is a very big advantage to that. I'm in the community a lot. I support local businesses this way. I get to see my kids more. We save a lot by not having rent or a mortgage.
My thinking got rocked on this one day while listening to the great wise Ken Swatman. He was preaching about why OCCC has a building and how it's a reminder to the local community that the church is present and that we're committed to serving it. That made me really think about things and buildings and how to proceed.
I still don't like the idea of making payments, however I am fully for having a building, so long as it doesn't hinder the growth and opportunities of the church. That will come through God's provision and our patience, the latter of which is the hard part.
We will be launching a worship service at another local church on a Sunday evening next month. The goal is to proclaim the Gospel so as many can hear, repent, and believe as possible.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Philippians 1:9-11
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
(Philippians 1:9-11 ESV)
This passage has been stuck in my head for several weeks now. I keep going back to it. I keep thinking of Paul's prayer for the Philippians.
The Philippians weren't exactly wealthy but they gave out of what they had to support Paul while he was imprisoned in Rome. They weren't giving out of their excess, but giving out of what they had for the sake of supporting the Gospel. They sacrificially gave so that Paul could continue to survive and defend the Gospel. Paul wrote Philippians to encourage and thank the Philippians.
The amazing thing is, Paul didn't pray for them that they would be repaid or provided for. He prayed that they would love one another more and more, live holy lives, and be filled with the fruit of righteousness. Paul's concern for them was their spiritual well being. The Philippians gave out of their lack for Paul's provision. Paul prayed that they would continue to bear fruit. This is the problem with Americanized Christianity.
Americanized Christianity tells us to give what we can, not what we can't. Americanized Christianity tells us that we need to behave and follow the rules so that we don't get in trouble at church or look bad. Paul tells us to love each other more and more and abound in righteousness (which we can only do when we live completely in Christ and in the good news of the Gospel). Americanized Christianity prays that we would all have our needs met, our car payments will be reasonable, and that God will give us the means to buy the big house that we won't use for his glory.
Is this you? Are you living the American Christian dream? Do you look for security in your neighborhood, your home, and your income? Or are you looking for security through loving your neighbors and abounding in righteousness and giving sacrificially?
(Philippians 1:9-11 ESV)
This passage has been stuck in my head for several weeks now. I keep going back to it. I keep thinking of Paul's prayer for the Philippians.
The Philippians weren't exactly wealthy but they gave out of what they had to support Paul while he was imprisoned in Rome. They weren't giving out of their excess, but giving out of what they had for the sake of supporting the Gospel. They sacrificially gave so that Paul could continue to survive and defend the Gospel. Paul wrote Philippians to encourage and thank the Philippians.
The amazing thing is, Paul didn't pray for them that they would be repaid or provided for. He prayed that they would love one another more and more, live holy lives, and be filled with the fruit of righteousness. Paul's concern for them was their spiritual well being. The Philippians gave out of their lack for Paul's provision. Paul prayed that they would continue to bear fruit. This is the problem with Americanized Christianity.
Americanized Christianity tells us to give what we can, not what we can't. Americanized Christianity tells us that we need to behave and follow the rules so that we don't get in trouble at church or look bad. Paul tells us to love each other more and more and abound in righteousness (which we can only do when we live completely in Christ and in the good news of the Gospel). Americanized Christianity prays that we would all have our needs met, our car payments will be reasonable, and that God will give us the means to buy the big house that we won't use for his glory.
Is this you? Are you living the American Christian dream? Do you look for security in your neighborhood, your home, and your income? Or are you looking for security through loving your neighbors and abounding in righteousness and giving sacrificially?
Monday, June 13, 2011
1 Corinthians 5
I was listening to 1 Corinthians the other night while walking home from the church and some things stuck out to me and got me to thinking. Thinking for me usually requires an outlet for me and to spare my wife of more of my ramblings and thoughts than need be necessary, I bring them here. (By the way, I was listening to Jason Nightingale recite the book from memory. If you haven't heard him speak, check out http://www.wordsower.org/store to download his stuff. It's really good.)
So anyways, I was thinking about 1 Corinthians 5 and pondering verses 9-13. In it, Paul is writing to the Corinthians telling them to not associate with those guilty of "sexual immorality, greed, idolaters, drunkards, or swindlers." He is not telling the readers to avoid people who are not believers who fit those categories, but rather those in the church (professing Christians). He even says that to avoid those who fit that bill outside the church would require leaving this world! While it isn't the primary emphasis of what Paul is saying, we can realize and apply the concept of being around those who are not believers who fit those descriptions.
How many times in the last year have you intentionally gone to a place that you don't feel comfortable with the intention of reaching people with the Gospel? Have you gone to a marketplace or restaurant to share Jesus with someone? Have you gone to a bar or a pub to try to meet people to share Christ? Have you gone to the gay/lesbian community and tried to involve yourself with the intention of lovingly sharing the eternally transforming Gospel? Why not?
One of the areas that I really believe the church (worldwide, not just locally, although locally as well) has failed is to enter the world to not be of the world, but to engage the world with the intention of sharing Christ. Jesus never commanded his disciples to leave culture and hide away from all things evil so that they wouldn't risk being influenced or 'led astray'. Rather he went to the outcasts, the drunks, the prostitutes, and those in greatest need of a complete transformation of their lives. Paul further writes how he 'became all things to all people so as to win as many as possible with the love of Christ.' Are you doing this?
If you want to really start living the Gospel then get out in the world. Engage culture with a mission-minded intention to show Jesus. Use a guerrilla warfare mindset. Slip into culture, engage culture, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, and start showing the transformational aspects of Jesus.
Additionally, are there those in your life who fit that bill listed above who are professing believers? If so, lovingly restore them. Talk to them. Encourage them. Show them that they need to give that over to Jesus. It is your job as a believer to show them what restoration looks like.
So anyways, I was thinking about 1 Corinthians 5 and pondering verses 9-13. In it, Paul is writing to the Corinthians telling them to not associate with those guilty of "sexual immorality, greed, idolaters, drunkards, or swindlers." He is not telling the readers to avoid people who are not believers who fit those categories, but rather those in the church (professing Christians). He even says that to avoid those who fit that bill outside the church would require leaving this world! While it isn't the primary emphasis of what Paul is saying, we can realize and apply the concept of being around those who are not believers who fit those descriptions.
How many times in the last year have you intentionally gone to a place that you don't feel comfortable with the intention of reaching people with the Gospel? Have you gone to a marketplace or restaurant to share Jesus with someone? Have you gone to a bar or a pub to try to meet people to share Christ? Have you gone to the gay/lesbian community and tried to involve yourself with the intention of lovingly sharing the eternally transforming Gospel? Why not?
One of the areas that I really believe the church (worldwide, not just locally, although locally as well) has failed is to enter the world to not be of the world, but to engage the world with the intention of sharing Christ. Jesus never commanded his disciples to leave culture and hide away from all things evil so that they wouldn't risk being influenced or 'led astray'. Rather he went to the outcasts, the drunks, the prostitutes, and those in greatest need of a complete transformation of their lives. Paul further writes how he 'became all things to all people so as to win as many as possible with the love of Christ.' Are you doing this?
If you want to really start living the Gospel then get out in the world. Engage culture with a mission-minded intention to show Jesus. Use a guerrilla warfare mindset. Slip into culture, engage culture, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, and start showing the transformational aspects of Jesus.
Additionally, are there those in your life who fit that bill listed above who are professing believers? If so, lovingly restore them. Talk to them. Encourage them. Show them that they need to give that over to Jesus. It is your job as a believer to show them what restoration looks like.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
The Will of God
I read a good book the other day. It's called "Just Do Something
" by Kevin DeYoung. It's a really easy read regarding how to make decisions and live within the will of God. I recommend it.
The main premise that DeYoung is arguing is that God isn't too worried about where you live, what you do, who you marry (so long as they love the Lord), or what hobbies you do. God is much more concerned in how you do those things. How do you do your job? Is it to His glory, or yours? Does your job contradict the Gospel? If not, then keep at it, unless you want to change. In order to live the will of God in your life, you simply have to "be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." (Colossians 1:9-10). If you live those verses out, you will be within God's will.
Do you like where you live? If not, then move and glorify God elsewhere. It will be within his will. Do you like your job? If not, then find a new one and glorify God at your new job and honor him with your work ethic. Living within the will of God is an incredibly simple thing. My friend's grandfather used to tell him regarding decision making to "draw as close to the Lord as you can, and then do whatever you want." So long as you're staying close to the Lord, whatever decisions you make will be within his will.
Now there may be times that God has something certain in mind for you and he will cause events and roadblocks to occur in order to get you where he wants you, but those are rare I believe.
Also, if you're still struggling on understanding and hearing the voice of God, here is how to do it. This is the number one way God speaks to us and reveals his will to us....you ready? Here it is...read, study, and understand the Bible. God has chosen the written word to reveal himself to us and to guide us. Will we know which job to take from studying the Bible? No, but you can understand wisdom comes from God (Proverbs, James) and that we need to worry most about pleasing the Lord. After that, so long as your job doesn't contradict the Gospel, choose whatever job you want.
So, study your Bible. Obey what it says. And continue to share the Gospel with those in your life.
Thanks to Kevin DeYoung for writing a book that I summarized above. I highly recommend reading it.
" by Kevin DeYoung. It's a really easy read regarding how to make decisions and live within the will of God. I recommend it. The main premise that DeYoung is arguing is that God isn't too worried about where you live, what you do, who you marry (so long as they love the Lord), or what hobbies you do. God is much more concerned in how you do those things. How do you do your job? Is it to His glory, or yours? Does your job contradict the Gospel? If not, then keep at it, unless you want to change. In order to live the will of God in your life, you simply have to "be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." (Colossians 1:9-10). If you live those verses out, you will be within God's will.
Do you like where you live? If not, then move and glorify God elsewhere. It will be within his will. Do you like your job? If not, then find a new one and glorify God at your new job and honor him with your work ethic. Living within the will of God is an incredibly simple thing. My friend's grandfather used to tell him regarding decision making to "draw as close to the Lord as you can, and then do whatever you want." So long as you're staying close to the Lord, whatever decisions you make will be within his will.
Now there may be times that God has something certain in mind for you and he will cause events and roadblocks to occur in order to get you where he wants you, but those are rare I believe.
Also, if you're still struggling on understanding and hearing the voice of God, here is how to do it. This is the number one way God speaks to us and reveals his will to us....you ready? Here it is...read, study, and understand the Bible. God has chosen the written word to reveal himself to us and to guide us. Will we know which job to take from studying the Bible? No, but you can understand wisdom comes from God (Proverbs, James) and that we need to worry most about pleasing the Lord. After that, so long as your job doesn't contradict the Gospel, choose whatever job you want.
So, study your Bible. Obey what it says. And continue to share the Gospel with those in your life.
Thanks to Kevin DeYoung for writing a book that I summarized above. I highly recommend reading it.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Relationally Thinking
The other day I was pondering what it means to "have a relationship with Jesus". I was watching this video a church made about their history and growth and someone in it was talking about how they never had "a relationship with Jesus" before, but rather church was just religion. Now before I get ahead of myself I agree that we are created to be relational creatures modeled after God (the Triune God). I agree that it is imperative that we have a relationship with Jesus. But since Jesus is in heaven with God the Father, how do we have that relationship? The easy answer is through the Holy Spirit, through the Word of God (the Bible), and through prayer/meditation. This doesn't quite satisfy me though. So I started to ponder it and think through some of the practical issues with that. Here are my results:
1. We are relational creatures made in God's image and therefore must have relationships in order to operate as we are designed.
2. The church is the literal physical body of Christ. Jesus is the head, we are the body. We must operate as a body and be unified in our local churches.
3. In order to have that relationship with Jesus, we must work it out through the body of Christ. It is through living in the church community that we have the opportunity to flush out the intricacies of being a Christian.
This is not to say that it is only through community that we can have a relationship with Jesus, but rather to say that through community we are able to have a complete relationship with Jesus. We must still be spending time in the Word on our own, in prayer on our own, and relying on the Holy Spirit daily. So the bottom line is that you better be involved in a community of believers where you can serve, love, rejoice, mourn, celebrate, pray, meditate, worship, and live relational lives which will reflect who our Creator is.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Observations on Observing
This post is going to be one on observation. Since attending Multnomah Bible College years ago (man time goes quickly), I have really begun to learn to observe things. It began in my Bible Study Methods class but then began to encroach upon many other parts of my life. As a guy, I tend to think in boxes, each individualized and separate, so this observing thing is getting out of hand. I notice things about the world around me, about systems, about glaring problems at my place of work and elsewhere, and all sorts of other things. One of the problems I'm running into regarding the problems, is that once I notice them, I have to think about them and try to figure out how to fix them. And then usually I will figure out how to fix them, get 70-80% of the problem fixed, but then see another problem and fail to finish the first problem. So then I am surrounded by various problems which are only 3/4 fixed, but the last quarter is the main problem. Perhaps I need to stop observing things and then I won't have to worry as much. It would be an easier option, however I don't know that I can at this point. So I suppose I should figure out how to finish the problems I address, thereby making less problems in the long run, therefore causing me to need to observe less.
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