Seeing Grace - Acts 11:23

Wakefield is going through an exciting time. We are seeing new families visit. We are seeing visitors stay and join the family. But more importantly we are seeing lives transformed by the Lord Jesus Christ!
What has led up to this time? How did it happen? There are a few things that could have caused this change. 1) It is possible that the body is now comfortable with me as their pastor. Like any church going through a change in leadership, we lost a few. However, maybe those that stayed are now becoming comfortable with me. 2) We are now doing some things right. One good improvement was the introduction of our Bodybuilding class. Bodybuilding 101 & 201 have accomplished their goals. These classes have discipled a small group of people. They have also knit these people together in a small group. We have used it to both teach and create fellowship within the body. 3) People are starting to put shoe leather to their faith. Over the past number of months we have seen several trust in Christ. This is due of course to the work of the Holy Spirit. However, if I am permitted, I would like to add to that the fact that God has been using the believers of Wakefield to accomplish His will. This year a Grow Team led Melvin to Christ. He invited Kevin, who last Tuesday evening prayed to receive Christ as savior. Al took Dan to visit two family members. They put their trust in Christ after Al and Dan shared with them. Samantha has been attending Wakefield on and off for the past year. Finally, Bruce and her boyfriend shared Christ with Sam. (Steve and Samantha are in the above picture) Now we have a new sister in Christ. I could go on, talking about Cindy and Jamie, Al and Dave, and Barbara, Eta, and Jean, but I think you get the picture. People are excited about the Lord and this excitement has led them to share with others.
Two things I want to share that I believe are on the horizon. 1) I believe that The Truth Project, which begins in January, will have an even greater impact on our people. It will be a tough transition for some, the adoption of small groups. But I feel that this curriculum and the small group concept will drive us into an even deeper understanding of our God and even deeper relationships with each other. 2) I believe that strife is on the way. We will be tested as a body in the near future. Recently, I was talking to a pastor friend of mine. He said, "Every time we get to a point in the church where I think things are going to take off, something happens. Because of that we never seem to grow." I do not have an answer for my friend. I do not know his dynamics. But I can take his words as a warning. Something will soon happen that will test us. "Let us be strong, Lord Jesus, and lean on you."
-Mark

What Trumps Grace?

We closed our short series on Marriage and Divorce with this verse, "The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more." (Romans 5:20) This amazing verse teaches this amazing fact, that whatever sin you bring to Christ, regardless of how base and perverse it may be, God's grace is greater.
I know that some of our divorcees struggled with this series. Although they learned of two valid reasons for divorce, many came to their divorce by other routes. However, what was stressed in this message was the power of grace. God's grace is always greater than our sin.
-Mark

A Good, Better, Best Weekend

What a great weekend! - This past Saturday we had an outstanding turnout for our first Men's Steak Night. It was a great time! 40 men attended and we were ministered to by Dr. Ralph Rice of Good, Better, Best Ministries.

The most impressive part of the evening was the teamwork. Men from within the church and without participated in the setup, the cooking, and the cleanup. I won't mention any names, because I am apt to forget one and then cause offense, but I am in the process of writing each man personally to thank them. Also, we will visit some of our guests in the weeks to come to say thanks and follow up.

Dr. Rice also spoke to the church on Sunday, for both the morning and evening service. Both events were well received, but I think Sunday evening was the best. He, and his wife Maryana, took us through a message on elevator words, words that can be used to lift up or lower others. It was a special evening.

I would like to say that things will now slow down, however with the holidays approaching that is not the case. Please pray for the church as it approaches the Thanksgiving - New Year's stretch. Also pray for the elders as we further plan our first attempt a small groups. We will start sometime in January and participate in the Truth Project.

-Mark

Rediscovering Joy

I have started to read Total Truth, by Nancy Pearcey. I am only in the 1st chapter and am enjoying it. However, I do know it will be a slow read, because I have so much else that I need to read. Looking ahead in the book I noticed title for chapter 2, Rediscovering Joy. I am unsure what Dr. Pearcey will write about in that chapter, but the title did resonate with me, for I sense that the church has lost its joy.
For me the two most important passages in Scripture regarding Joy are found in 1 John 1:3-4 and Hebrews 12:2. Look at the latter, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." What was the joy that Christ saw as He approached the cross? Whatever it was motivated Him to take the beatings, the nails, the torture, and the death. Whatever the joy was motivated Him to endure all that for our sakes. What then was this joy? I think it was that He saw those saved, who would live with Him forever, because of their trust in Him and His finished work, death and resurrection.
Then in 1 John 1:3, 4 we read, "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (4) And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full." Our joy is realized when we realize that through faith in Christ we have fellowship with God and with all believers. Many walk this world seeking intimacy and purpose. They search for it in many ways: work, education, relationships, and accomplishments. However, the believer comes to know that true intimacy and purpose is found in Jesus Christ. That understanding should bring joy to all of us.
I don't think that Dr. Pearcey will approach joy from this direction, but I do look forward to reading her views. In the meantime, I hope that these two facts: the realization that Christ endured the cross because of the joy He would experience at your salvation, and the fact that our joy can be found in our fellowship with God and other believers, will encourage you.
-Mark

God is a Divorcee

This past Sunday we took our second look at Marriage and Divorce. Two weeks back (we were interrupted by the Missions Conference) we examined marriage. Yesterday we looked specifically at divorce. We examined Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Matthew 5:31-32, 19:1-10, Leviticus 20:10; 1 Corinthians 6:15-16; and Jeremiah 3:6-8.

In the end these conclusions were reached:

1. Marriage was designed to be a life-long relationship between a man and a woman.

2. Sin perverted marriage

3. The Bible protects marriage

4. Jesus confirms the original design of marriage and limited the reasons for divorce.

5. Divorce for any reason other than adultery is illegitimate

6. If someone divorces for a reason other than adultery it can lead to further adultery.

7. If someone marries a divorcee that participated in an illegitimate divorce, then they too are committing adultery.

8. Although God hates divorce, He loves the divorcee. Why? Because God himself is a divorcee.

In two weeks we will continue our study on divorce. We will examine 1 Corinthians 7. This will allow us to add to the idea of legitimate divorce. Adultery allows for a legitimate divorce. 1 Corinthians 7 teaches that abandonment on the part of an unbelieving spouse is also grounds for a legitimate divorce. We will also determine what to do if you are in an illegitimate second marriage.

The above notes are greatly abbreviated and may lead you to even more questions. Feel free to ask them and I will attempt to answer. Those that have known me for a number of years realize that the above teaching is a change in my position on divorce. Coming out of seminary I held to a No Divorce, No Remarriage position. However, now that I have had time to further study the topic and have had time to develop an understanding apart from the views of others, I have changed my position.

Pray for our Family Weekend that is coming. On Saturday we will have a Men's Steak cookout. Ralph Rice will challenge the men. Ralph will be with us Sunday as we focus on family. Thanks for your prayers.

-Mark