Revealing....

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. Romans 8:18-21 (ESV)

What is that gonna be like? I want to part of this so bad!! To be one who is revealed as a son of God, and to know the glory that is going to be revealed to us. "For the creation waits with eager longing" why does it seem like we have to work so hard at being a christian? When we "witness" we use our latest technique or style from the newest revivalist. We are trying to hard. Why has being a christian been reduced to systems and functions? We have made following Christ another task we have in our lives, a duty. Paul said "creation waits with eager longing", we don't have to force it or push it. We just have to be, it's truly Christ in us not us in us and Christ or the Holy Spirit giving us a hand. You see some in the church have "figured out" the way to minister and bring people into the Kingdom of God. You can find it in many books and manuals, it's in 5 steps to witness, and cards we can hand out in a way for us to feel like we made a difference. Can I get an amen?!

It's not about numbers, making us feel good, adding people to our church so we "look" like we are doing something constructive. It's about living like Christ in everything we do, re-presenting Christ to this world. They desire it, even if they don't know it yet. Let's do away with structures and systems of ministering to God that has been ineffective and get a hold of the untapped power that lies in us. Let Him reveal it to you, and in turn His glory will be revealed to this world. Live the revival.

Christian Extremists??

The other day I was flipping through the channels on television and I came across a program that astonished me. It was four middle-aged or more women sitting around a table, drinking coffee, and discussing today's hot topics, current events, culture, etc. As the show perked my curiosity I saw how these women argued their opinions and world views on certain topics, and what really made me start to think was when they started discussing religion specifically Islam. They were discussing how it is a peaceful religion and how Christianity is very similar too it, and then the elder of the women said that it was a stained religion because of the radicals or extremists.

Now hearing there discussion and arguments after time I just got fed up with it and changed the channel. But through all of that I started to think about religions and their 'Extremists". Now I don't want to argue basic foundations of any other religion and why or how they are wrong compared to Christianity, that's not why I am writing this. I really started to think of what it would be like if there were "Christian Extremists"? What would he/she look like? How would they act or treat others? How would they live their life compared to other Christians?

Now being in the Church and different Christ circles for some time I have heard the term radical used in many different ways. Mostly in the negative, and being derogatory towards a person or groups of people. I have seen someone who raises their hands in worship being called a radical, I have seen people out street witnessing being called radical. I have seen young people on fire for God and all they want it to touch His heart and be revival squashed because "they are to radical". I have driven by the homeless and broken and not even blinked an eye because I didn't want to be to "radical".

I had a student the other day tell one of their peers that they weren't being a "good Christian" because of how they were treating a fellow believer. But is there such thing as a good Christian or a bad one? Is there really such a thing as being a "Christian Extremist", When Christ walked this earth in the flesh the religious folk called Him a radical and an extremist. But He was just being, doing as He saw the Father doing. I would suggest to you that being labeled radical or extreme or anything else is because you are ALIVE and it is so far beyond the imagination of someone who has been blinded by religiosity. Because I realized there is no such thing as a "Christian Extremist", or a good/bad one.

Either you are or you aren't, doesn't leave much gray area. I would wear the label Extremist proudly if meant really LIVING for God and living like Christ did!!! Just a thought.....

A real life.

Wednesday night I was preaching at youth group on living the life that Christ promised us. I was discussing with the students my planned out sermon and I was stopped in mid-sentence. I was discussing how through the resurrection God gave us a life and how the church has largely missed that promise. And the thought came to my mind, what if knowingly or unknowingly we, either use the Cross as a crutch, or don't want to face the Resurrection life that God promised.

Now thinking more about this and it being the Easter season, I have pondered where I am, what I have done in the past, and why the church at large seems to preach mainly the Cross and neglect the power of the resurrection. Now, as Christians the Cross is at the center of our religion and our relationship with Jesus Christ. It is there He who knew no sin became sin so that we might be the righteousness of God through Christ. It was there he suffered a horrible and violent torture and death. Why? for us, so that we to may walk in newness of life. But the very thing that sent our Savior to the Cross, is the same thing we make excuses for doing. I myself have been guilty of this, sinning, feeling guilty, asking forgiveness. Wash, rinse, repeat you get the point? And why? It seems that there is a certain level of comfort knowing that we can sin and know that we can go to the Cross and all is forgiven. While for the most part that is true, how dare manipulate that grace! But there is good news! We don't have to struggle with this vicious cycle.

Pastor Randy Dean said it best "We've neglected the Resurrection out of what seems to be a fear that we will somehow diminish the Cross. I have found that to truly exalt the work of the Cross I must PRESS forward out of the finished work of His death to KNOW the power of His Resurrection". I am not saying that we should throw out the work of the Cross or I am somehow trying to "diminish" it's power. I am saying that we do have to press forward through the Cross and know the power of the resurrection. But why? This is the fun part!


I like how the the Amplified version of the Bible says it, 10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from his resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed[in spirit into His likeness even] to his death [in the hope].
11 that if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. Philippians 3:10-11 Wow!

Need I say more, Romans 6:5 "For if we have become one with Him by sharing a death like His, we shall also be [one with Him in sharing] His resurrection [by a new life lived for God]. Just the verse before promises an "newness of life", a life in Christ through the power of His resurrection. His word says "the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us, and so far in my life I have not realized that completely. At times I have used the Cross as a crutch for when I was lazy and didn't think it was possible to walk in that newness of life. Now after deciding to walk through the door or the challenge of that new life it has blown my mind. God seems to be more real and alive and blowing my mind daily.

I know that the cross and resurrection go hand in hand, but many have heard Christ crucified and stopped there. But there is so much more, it's not just Christ died for you and now you can go to heaven. It is a life full of the power of the resurrection and a newness like I have never experienced. I am excited to live this life and see what this adventure has in store. Bring on the revolution!

Thoughts of Leadership and the church

Thoughts of Leadership and the church
testn this

Thoughts of Leadership and the church

Thoughts of Leadership and the church
testn this blog

vision

Happy almost New Year!!! I hope the holiday's are going well for everybody. We need to get together and discuss what is going on in January and wednesday night. We also need to bring our visions and mission statements together before Brad comes up. Maybe we can meet this Monday night???? Can we let Beth know so that we can get together ASAP. I hope all is well! God Bless!!!-Adam