If the news is any indication, we are obsessed with the lives and deaths of others. Michael Jackson, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, David Carradine, and now the pitch man Billy Mays - the TV flashes with a constant stream of information on their last years and even minutes. The shame of this obsession is that it takes our focus off of the one that matters - Jesus Christ.
At Wakefield we are in the midst of a series of character studies. We have looked at Peter, Andrew, Esther, and Rahab. Each character, each life, has given us valuable information on how and how not to live. However, even in this series, to focus on these four and the others yet to come, would be a distraction. Rather, the intent of each study is to quickly shift the focus back toward Christ. For it is only Christ that saves us and changes us.
An example of all this is in our most recent study of Rahab. The only thing in her character that seems to have merit is her faith in God. Now of all the character traits to have, faith in God is the most important. Faith is the only character trait that without it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6 And who is the author and finisher of our faith? Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 12:1-2) So instead of looking long at Rahab, we must quickly turn our attention to Jesus.
So reader, shift your focus from others to the one that saves - Jesus Christ.
-Mark
Please visit our church at http://wakefieldbible.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40157
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
To Shirk or Not To Shirk
I recently developed a plumbing problem. Last night while I was away at church my outside faucet began to run. My neighbors, Roland and Mike, heard it and came to the rescue, but try as they might, they could not turn it off. Only after I returned home was I able to cut the water off from the inside. Now I am faced with a plumbing problem.
This morning I looked up the local plumber's phone number. But before calling, I decided to look at the problem. I found that with a short trip to Home Depot, I could easily fix the problem and save hundreds of dollars. However, if I know anything about myself, it is never as easy as it looks, it always takes more time than anticipated, and it always costs more than I assume. On top of all that, I am busy with other matters. So if my time is valuable, is it not better to call in the professional and have them do it quickly and efficiently?
This seems to be the approach of many in the church to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:19-20 commands all believers to take the Gospel out and make disciples. However, in our church world of layman and professional, we all try to shirk this responsibility and pass it on to those called and often paid to perform. Of course we should financially and prayerfully support worldwide missions. We should appoint, send, and oversee missionaries throughout the world. However, what about Matter 28:19-20? It does not limit the scope to the professional. All of the church is within the "go" statement. Therefore we too have responsibilities in this ministry of disciple making.
There is much that can be accomplished locally. How many, I wonder, of the local church ever share their faith in the community? Without looking at any stats, I will assume the number is "few and far between." What about you reader, when have you last shared your testimony and the good news that is available to all? Quit calling in the professionals to do all of your work. Quit shirking your responsibility in the ministry of disciple making. Step up and share what God has done for you. Now I'm off to Home Depot. Wish me well.
-Mark
Please visit our church at http://www.wakefieldbible.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40157
This morning I looked up the local plumber's phone number. But before calling, I decided to look at the problem. I found that with a short trip to Home Depot, I could easily fix the problem and save hundreds of dollars. However, if I know anything about myself, it is never as easy as it looks, it always takes more time than anticipated, and it always costs more than I assume. On top of all that, I am busy with other matters. So if my time is valuable, is it not better to call in the professional and have them do it quickly and efficiently?
This seems to be the approach of many in the church to the Great Commission. Matthew 28:19-20 commands all believers to take the Gospel out and make disciples. However, in our church world of layman and professional, we all try to shirk this responsibility and pass it on to those called and often paid to perform. Of course we should financially and prayerfully support worldwide missions. We should appoint, send, and oversee missionaries throughout the world. However, what about Matter 28:19-20? It does not limit the scope to the professional. All of the church is within the "go" statement. Therefore we too have responsibilities in this ministry of disciple making.
There is much that can be accomplished locally. How many, I wonder, of the local church ever share their faith in the community? Without looking at any stats, I will assume the number is "few and far between." What about you reader, when have you last shared your testimony and the good news that is available to all? Quit calling in the professionals to do all of your work. Quit shirking your responsibility in the ministry of disciple making. Step up and share what God has done for you. Now I'm off to Home Depot. Wish me well.
-Mark
Please visit our church at http://www.wakefieldbible.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40157
Friday, June 5, 2009
Putting Focus to Your Prayer Time
I've always struggled with maintaining a disciplined prayer life. I do pray, however, I often lack focus, praying only what comes to mind. This leads to wool gathering; and much that should have been put before the Lord is forgotten.
Recently I purchased a tool that I hope will help cure this lack of discipline. It is The 29:59 Plan. Although I have only used it for not quite one week, it has helped immensely. Peter Lord and Daniel Henderson, the creators of this tool, help you divide your prayer time up into manageable chunks and help you direct your prayers with focus and purpose. The tool is flexible. You don't just pray what they want you to pray. But, you take the tool and make it fit your prayer needs.
If you are struggling with discipline in your prayer life or just want to freshen up - add some change to your devotion time - then consider The 29:59 Plan. You can purchase it at http://www.pray2959.com/ I'll let you know how I am doing with it in the weeks to come.
-Mark
Please visit our church at http://www.wakefieldbible.org/
Recently I purchased a tool that I hope will help cure this lack of discipline. It is The 29:59 Plan. Although I have only used it for not quite one week, it has helped immensely. Peter Lord and Daniel Henderson, the creators of this tool, help you divide your prayer time up into manageable chunks and help you direct your prayers with focus and purpose. The tool is flexible. You don't just pray what they want you to pray. But, you take the tool and make it fit your prayer needs.
If you are struggling with discipline in your prayer life or just want to freshen up - add some change to your devotion time - then consider The 29:59 Plan. You can purchase it at http://www.pray2959.com/ I'll let you know how I am doing with it in the weeks to come.
-Mark
Please visit our church at http://www.wakefieldbible.org/
Monday, June 1, 2009
From Instability to Stability - The Life of Peter
This past Sunday we began a series of Character Studies. The first character studied was Peter. With Peter there is so much information that as a preacher I had to throw much out. (In fact, looking back over the message, I was probably one point too many.) Because of the wealth of material some great things were not shared. I would like to point you to one section of Scripture that I could not include, but is a blessing to me.
2 Peter 1:3-11 is a wonderful section that moves my heart when I read it. This morning I used a prayer tool to study this passage. I'll share more about this tool in a later post this week. So if you struggle in your prayer and devotional life, check back later this week to learn of a great resource that will help.
Let's take 2 Peter 1:3-11 and ask some basic questions: 1) Who is God in this passage? He is the giver of life and godliness, the giver of exceedingly great and precious promises, the giver of His divine nature. He is the one who has rescued us from the corruption of this world. 2) How shall I respond? With diligence. We are to strive to add one thing upon another. Those items are listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7. 3) So what should I pray about? For me it is "God increase my faith ... add to my faith virtue..and so forth through the list. Why pray for it if I am to strive for it? Because on my own I am unable to do such a work, but with the Holy Spirit I am able. 4) Finally, where do I go from here? Well the above acts of diligence will ultimately lead to a fruitful life; to a life where one has a clear vision of from whence he came and where he is going, and for complete understanding of one's calling and election.
Our character Peter came to such an understanding after Christ's ascension. The words he offers in his two epistles are not the words of the unstable man so demonstrated throughout the Gospels. Rather these are the words of one who has moved on from instability to that of stability because of the work God was doing in his life. If you long to move from a life of instability to stability take Peter's example. Use 2 Peter 1:3-11 as a starting place. If you have already trusted in Christ then understand all that God has already given you. Then build one thing upon the next with, of course, the Holy Spirit's help.
However, if you have not trusted in Christ then you must begin there. Your life will always be unstable because sin rules you. Christ died for this sin. You need to turn from it and turn to Christ, acknowledging that He is God and that He died for that very sin. Put your trust in Him and what He did to save you, not on your own strength.
Next week we will have a guest speaker at Wakefield. The following week we will return with our next character study, this time a female, Hadassah.
-Mark
Please visit our church at www.wakefieldbible.org
2 Peter 1:3-11 is a wonderful section that moves my heart when I read it. This morning I used a prayer tool to study this passage. I'll share more about this tool in a later post this week. So if you struggle in your prayer and devotional life, check back later this week to learn of a great resource that will help.
Let's take 2 Peter 1:3-11 and ask some basic questions: 1) Who is God in this passage? He is the giver of life and godliness, the giver of exceedingly great and precious promises, the giver of His divine nature. He is the one who has rescued us from the corruption of this world. 2) How shall I respond? With diligence. We are to strive to add one thing upon another. Those items are listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7. 3) So what should I pray about? For me it is "God increase my faith ... add to my faith virtue..and so forth through the list. Why pray for it if I am to strive for it? Because on my own I am unable to do such a work, but with the Holy Spirit I am able. 4) Finally, where do I go from here? Well the above acts of diligence will ultimately lead to a fruitful life; to a life where one has a clear vision of from whence he came and where he is going, and for complete understanding of one's calling and election.
Our character Peter came to such an understanding after Christ's ascension. The words he offers in his two epistles are not the words of the unstable man so demonstrated throughout the Gospels. Rather these are the words of one who has moved on from instability to that of stability because of the work God was doing in his life. If you long to move from a life of instability to stability take Peter's example. Use 2 Peter 1:3-11 as a starting place. If you have already trusted in Christ then understand all that God has already given you. Then build one thing upon the next with, of course, the Holy Spirit's help.
However, if you have not trusted in Christ then you must begin there. Your life will always be unstable because sin rules you. Christ died for this sin. You need to turn from it and turn to Christ, acknowledging that He is God and that He died for that very sin. Put your trust in Him and what He did to save you, not on your own strength.
Next week we will have a guest speaker at Wakefield. The following week we will return with our next character study, this time a female, Hadassah.
-Mark
Please visit our church at www.wakefieldbible.org
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