Kingdom, Church, and Relationships

Jesus spoke a lot about God's kingdom.  In Matthew 16, he promised to build his church as a local expression of God's advancing kingdom.  Jesus' promise alone makes the local church eternally important.  Sadly, today even many Christians question the value of local church involvement.  I would be interested in your feedback on why you think the local church is optional for so many Christians today.

Recently, I saw the facebook post of a local youth pastor.  He bemoaned the cry for revival in his church among some of the more "mature".  Asking instead, that people who wanted to "go deeper" just commit to showing up at church services and fulfilling service opportunities.  So, what about you?  Do you believe in your local church enough to show up and serve.

The church is no stronger than the people and relationships made up by the church.   Mark Batterson in Charisma magazine shares a story about "one way missionaries".  Here's a portion of the article - "They bought tickets to the mission field without the return flight.  Instead of suitcases, they packed their belongings in coffins.  A.W. Milne was one of those missionaries.  He set sail for the New Hebrides in the South Pacific, aware that the headhunters there had martyred every missionary before him.  Milne didn’t fear death because his coffin was already packed.  For 35 years he lived among that tribe.  When he died, they buried him in the middle of the village.  On his tombstone was inscribed, “When he came there was no light.  When he left there was no darkness.”

I believe in the local church and I hope you do too.  Let's commit together to build up Christ's church.  See you Sunday!  Pastor Tom

Unstoppable

Looking forward to Kirk Cameron's new movie UNSTOPPABLE.  We will be inviting our small group from New Life to attend this movie on Tuesday evening September 24th.  young adults from New Life are also planning to attend.  I hope you will join us and invite a friend.

The movie is about good overcoming evil and God's grace and purpose in the midst of suffering.

You can learn more about the movie at: https://www.facebook.com/unstoppablethemovie http://unstoppablethemovie.com

Let us know at the office if you want a ticket.

573-443-LIFE.

Traditions

Have you ever watched the movie, "Fiddler on the Roof".  I remember watching it with my parents as a child. But, it made much more of an impact on me when I served as a missionary in Kiev, Ukraine.  The 1971 musical film was  produced in a village not far from Kiev.  It is a funny and sad story.  Tevye, the father of five daughters, is an orthodox Jew in a Russian Orthodox Christian world experiencing revolution.  Tevye attempts to hold onto traditions in the midst of changing and challenging times.  His daughters, on the other hand, find many of his traditions old fashioned and meaningless.

Traditions?!  Are they good or bad?  Traditions can be both.  In Matthew 15, Jesus is forced to tackle the question of religious traditions.  Some in his day had laid man-made rules and regulations as the foundation of the Jewish faith.  Jesus challenged them to get back to God's truths rather than just "going through the motions" and following human tradition.

I wonder how many religious or family traditions we follow which really have no meaning for us today?  Traditions aren't bad in themselves -- only when they mislead us or loose their meaning do they become useless.

Join us Sunday at the ARC for worship as we consider our traditions and God's truths.  See you there.  Pastor Tom
    

The impossible made possible!

Most of us live within the realm of the possible, right?!  We work hard every day and do what we can in our own strength to get ahead, overcome problems, and to fulfill goals.  But there is a problem -- we all have limited strength or smarts and situations in life often cry out for the impossible to happen in order for a dream to be reached or an obstacle to be overcome.  

Imagine the following police exam. A police exam read: You are on patrol in outer London when an explosion occurs in a gas main in a nearby street. On investigation you find that a large hole has been blown in the footpath and there is an overturned van lying nearby. Inside the van there is a strong smell of alcohol. Both occupants—a man and a woman—are injured. You recognize the woman as the wife of your Divisional Inspector, who is at present away in the USA. A passing motorist stops to offer you assistance and you realize that he is a man who is wanted for armed robbery. Suddenly a man runs out of a nearby house, shouting that his wife is expecting a baby and that the shock of the explosion has made the birth imminent. Another man is crying for help, having been blown into an adjacent canal by the explosion, and he cannot swim.  Bearing in mind the provisions of the Mental Health Act, describe in a few words what actions you would take. The officer thought for a moment, picked up his pen, and wrote: ’I would take off my uniform and mingle with the crowd.’

Sometimes life feels like that exam.  Everything is just overwhelming or too difficult.  I know I often feel that way as a pastor and I imagine you feel that way sometimes in life as well.  And yet . . . Luke 1:37 says to me, "With God all things are possible." (NLT)  I serve a God of the impossible.  Just look at the many Bible stories that speak of God's love and capability to take impossible and improbable situations and turn them into possible and probable outcomes.  Take for instance Gideon's defeat of Israel's enemies with only 300 men (Judges 7) or Joshua in the battle of Jericho (Joshua 6).  God knocked those walls down with just some shouting and some marching.  And don't forget Jesus feeding 5,000 people with just a few fish and bread.

What are you facing today that is impossible or improbable?  Maybe you're like me and you have been working towards the victory in your own strength.  God can work through your strength, but also your weakness.  I want to remind you today, just as God has reminded me that all of our victories are "Not by might, and not by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord  Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6)  God is the author of the impossible in our lives.

If your goal or your dream aligns with God's plans and God's designs then trust in the Lord with all your heart, rest in the Lord's miracle provision and simply wait on the Lord.  God will grow your faith and work the impossible.  May God give each one of us an impossible dream that only God can make possible!!!  Have a great week and see you Sunday as we focus on what's possible and what is impossible.  Pastor Tom

Treasure

Everyone loves a good treasure hunt, right?! Remember the 1950 movie Treasure Island starring young Jim Hawkins and the pirate Long John Silver? The movie has good guys and bad guys, but more importantly the hunt for a buried treasure is at the center of the story line. Today, you can even plan a vacation in which you can hire on to search for sunken treasure. I think I might put that on my "bucket list". Who doesn't enjoy the idea of finding something of great value which others have overlooked?

Jesus spoke about treasure in Matthew 6.  He counseled, "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.  Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal."  (Matthew 6:19-20, NLT)

I want to encourage you to think about those things which you treasure in life.  Make a list and join us Sunday as we consider Jesus' words concerning treasure and our hearts.  See you Sunday at the ARC (9:30 and 10:15 AM)