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April 30, 2010
 

Immeasurably More Than All I Can Ask or Imagine

I want to remember today that I can't change or fix anyone. And neither can anyone change or fix me. That is the role of the Holy Spirit alone. But I can pray. I can ask. In my weakness, I can go to the Father, my strong Abba. He is able to do "immeasurably more than all I can ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20). When I look at myself, I realize that change in my life most definitely will require supernatural intervention. Yet, I need to remember that my desire for change is not that I will be accepted and forgiven if I change, but that because in Jesus I have already been accepted and forgiven before any change ever takes place. "So, in light of the gospel, change me, Father. By the power of your Spirit indwelling me, enable me see my sin for what it is. Enable me to savor your grace. And enable me to love well."

Filed under  //   change   ephesians   grace   holy spirit   prayer   sanctification  

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December 30, 2009
 

"...as Christ Loved the Church"

Every now and then the reality sinks in of my complete failure to love my wife well. I am naturally task oriented, quite unthoughtful of others, and often completely self-absorbed with myself. Yes, I know. Why did she marry me in the first place? Well, our "dark sides" often do not manifest themselves fully until we are comfortable enough around our spouses to let the "real me" out. Then it's too late for them to turn back! : )  

Anyway, as I have reflected upon what it means to love a wife well (particularly mine), I began thinking of tasks and personality improvements/alterations that I need to make—all law changes. Then the passage that covers it all, and makes marriage counseling quite simple, hit me: "Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church, and gave himself up for her." Crud. Now it's even worse than I thought. So what now?  How about some fresh repentance (to put me in my place- the sinners seat)? How about some fresh faith in the saving work of Jesus (who took my place in the sinners seat)?  After all, I am part of that church whom Jesus loved to death. That is how well he loved me—with a gospel love. 

You know, how often have I used that expression, "I love her to death." Really?  Not yet. Well, Jesus did. And the more I can embrace that dying love for me, the more likely it will be that I will be able to love my wife well. Perfectly? I'm afraid not. But love well? By grace, I hope so. 

Filed under  //   devotional   ephesians   personal  

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November 16, 2009
 

Post-Game Message Review: "It Takes a Team"

Last night's message was from Ephesians 4:11-16, entitled, "It Takes a Team." 

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (ESV)

The main idea of the message was that, in order for Creekstone to fulfill its mission to glorify God by helping people come alive to the wonder of the gospel, it will take a team.

Here are some of the key thoughts:

1. God has given various offices in the church, one being the teaching pastor (v. 11).

2. The teaching pastor's primary role on the team is to function like a coach, equipping the members through teaching (v. 12a).

3. Every member has a role/position to play on the team (v. 12b). The traditional model of "hiring a pastor to do the ministry" is tragically unbilbical. Actually, ordinary Chrisitans ("saints") are to be equipped by the teaching pastor so that they can fulfill their own various ministries in the context of the church.  Each role is significant and necessary in order to see the mission fulfilled.

The five Ministry Teams that we have right now are:

  • Music & Worship
  • Tech (Audio/Visual)
  • Greeter / Welcome
  • Set Up / Clean Up
  • Children & Nursery

You may sign up for a team on our website (www.creekstonechurch.com)

4. We can know that the church is making progress as a team when "there is unity of purpose and mission (v. 13) based on the gospel (vv. 13b-14) that leads to relationships that are governed by grace (vv. 15-16)."This means that there will be plenty of opportuntiy to repent to each other, forgive each other and encourage each other as we pursue mission collectively and individually.

5. The theological unbrella under which the team approach takes place is that the Christian's relationship with God is one that is governed by the gospel (truth and love displayed in the cross), giving us a framework of grace from which to function as we live out our roles on the team.

If you were present and have any questions, comments, suggestions or reflections, your comments are welcome.

Filed under  //   church   ephesians   monday reflections   teamwork  

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