THE EMBERS

MYTH #3-Jesus is the founder of the Christian Church

2012-01-28T19:44:00.000-08:00

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This myth may be one of the most difficult toaccept as a myth, but hear me out on it. Openup your hearts and minds and let's examinewhy I call this a myth. Remember, we'retrying to understand the teachings andprinciples of Jesus, not the teachings andprinciples of our religious instruction andbackgrounds. If I were to hold on to mybackground understandings, I would stillbelieve Jesus was a Baptist!
Many people in the USA and lots more in thecultures of the world believe the myth thatJesus founded Christianity and the ChristianChurch. It's as if this was His intent andHis purpose. This identification is aman-made connection between Jesus andChristianity and the organized ChristianChurch. When the Christian Church became anorganization, Christianity becameChristendom. The organized Church provideslots of services for the consumer, but itwasn't what Jesus intended. In Jesus' timethere already was an organized Church inexistence-the Synagogue. He didn't speakagainst it, but only against its leadership.

The damage of believing the myth that Jesusfounded Christianity or the organizedChristian Church is three-fold: FIRST-Thereligion of Christianity tends to become asubstitute for the personal relationship withJesus. Jesus commonly is left out of theChristian, religious, expression of faith.When I spoke at the major Dalai Lama event,those who were set up to representChristianity didn't even mention Jesus one time.

One of my hobbies is to read over Christiannewsletters and prayer letters to see ifJesus made the editorial cut. It is amazinghow many times Jesus is left out of theirexpression of what their ministry really is.Just recently a major article was publishedin a secular magazine about a visible andprominent Christian leader and his plan tochange the world. Sadly, Jesus never made itinto any part of the plan nor did Jesus evenreceive honorable mention.

SECOND-The organized Christian Church tendsto become a substitute for a personalrelationship with Jesus and with His people.This produces spectators and notparticipators. It's just too easy to checkoff Church attendance as one of the thingsyou feel you must do. But as powerful as theChurch experience might be through authenticworship and exceptional messages, theonce-a-week "event" just isn't what Jesusintended. They already had this experience inthe Synagogue. There's nothing wrong with it;it's just not what Jesus came to found.

THIRD-When you believe Jesus is the founderof Christianity or the organized ChristianChurch, you expect Jesus to be the author andarchitect of what is done in the name ofChristianity and by the local organizedChristian Church. Therefore, Jesus gets theblame for it all! He gets tied to theCrusades. He gets tied to pastoral moralfailure. He gets tied to the raising of moneyand endless fundraisers.

Now to debunk this myth: Jesus was a founder,all right, but not of the organized ChristianChurch or the religion of Christianity. Checkout these observations:1. Jesus must be separated from Christianityand the organized Christian Church. Rememberthe bumper sticker and later the movie:"Lord, please save us from your followers."To link Jesus with the organized Church orthe religious system of Christianitycaricaturizes Jesus beyond recognition. Andthen the world criticizes Jesus and Hismovement on earth based upon the Church andthe religious system. This is as absurd asjudging Beethoven by how well the localJunior High School band plays his music.

2. I have come to believe Jesus is the uniqueSon of God. For me to believe this mythlimits Jesus in most every way. He is to bepreeminent above all things, peoples andreligious systems. To keep Jesus in theposition of being the founder of Christianitykeeps Jesus in His holy box and unavailableto the rest of the world.

3. Jesus never intended to found or launch ahighly organized Church with membershiprequirements and man-made labels. He foundedand launched a movement-a dynamic, relationalfellowship of followers of Jesus who love Godand love their neighbors as themselves.

4. Jesus nor any of His disciples bashed theSynagogue of the day, which equates to theChurch today. There was no thought orteaching on planting new Synagogues(Churches) to compete with the primarySynagogue in the city. This sets up the nextobservation:

5. The dynamic, relational movement Jesuslaunched was not about building anorganization or a monument; He set in motiona movement that was loosely held together.This movement was not to take the place ofthe Synagogue nor is it to take the place ofthe organized Church today. However thismovement is totally out of control-ourcontrol-and in the control of Jesus, the Headof His body.

It was to be a movement that orbited aroundthe Synagogue (Church), the community andaround the marketplace, demonstrating thelove of Jesus to all. This movement doesn'thave the privilege of gathering spectatorstogether, because its all about participationin a fellowship, learning to love God andlove one another. This movement is called thechurch (little c)-the gathering of thefollowers of Jesus into a fellowship. Jesususes the term only three times, because Hisprimary teaching was the Good News of theKingdom. Big C Church was not taught nor wasit in His mind or in the practice of theearly disciples as they spread the message ofJesus and the Kingdom.

The book of Acts is sometimes called the Actsof the Apostles, but I think it's best torefer to it as the Acts of Jesus. Therevolutionary movement of Jesus is still ontoday! The purpose of the movement is to doone of the most difficult things ever-tointroduce Jesus to the world by demonstratingJesus-walking, talking, thinking and lovinglike Jesus. You see, Jesus doesn't want youto demonstrate for Him, but to demonstrateHim and His love.

Jesus launched a revolutionary movement. Areyou participating in this movement-theorbiting (little c) church movement Jesusfounded-or are you still only playingspectator in a big C Church? You can do bothand gain much out of your experience, butjust don't miss out on the Jesus movement inyour community right where you live! Jesus isalready moving in the world around you. He'slooking for you to join Him there!

ONE MORE THING: The Jesus movement thatorbits around the organized Church and thecommunity is not made up of Christians. Themake-up of the Jesus movement is a vast varietyof people from all kinds of culturalbackgrounds. What holds this movementtogether is that each person, no matter hisor her religious background, is a follower ofJesus.

MYTH #2-BEING A BELIEVER IS ALL IT TAKES

2012-01-26T19:42:00.000-08:00

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Before getting into this myth I want to makeit clear that I am well aware that many ofyou reading/listening to this series may notbe Christians or from a Christian culturalbackground. The reason I feel I must examineseveral of these Christian terms is that Iwant to separate them from Jesus. So many ofthese terms are like barnacles on a ship andmust be removed. Or, they are add-ons toJesus that dilute who He is and what He intended.
Most of my life I have bought into theimportance of being a believer or morespecifically, a believer in Jesus. For yearsI have emphasized the term "believer" over"Christian", thinking this was the bestidentity to use that separates a person fromthe religious form of Christianity. If youperform a quick overview of the five Gospels(Matthew-Mark-Luke-John-Acts), you willdiscover that with few exceptions John is theonly one who uses the term "believe" extensively.
The damage that is done by relying on being abeliever is subtle, but lethal.

FIRST-I havecome to understand that this heavy emphasisupon being a "believer" is not sufficient todescribe what Jesus wants from His disciples.Jesus demands more than this, as I'lldemonstrate in a couple of minutes.

SECOND-Being a believer becomes a thresholdexperience-the very doorway intosalvation-that Christians rely upon. Aftersharing a time of counseling a desperate manin the psych ward of a local hospital, I toldthis particular study group that it was soexciting to see this man's attitude of fearchange into a sincere seeking for God. One ofour group members quickly said, "So he becamea believer?" In other words, "Did you closethe spiritual deal and now this non-believeris a believer?" We seem to want this magicalmoment that a person becomes a believer andthen all will be OK.

THIRD-Remembering the day you became abeliever-your threshold experience ofsalvation-becomes a sure sign that your faithis genuine and not being able to nail downthat date means that maybe you never actuallyhave come into a salvation experience at all.This, too, can be a damaging experience.Recently, a pastor told one of his eldersthat if you can't identify that specific timeof salvation faith in your life, then you areprobably not a genuine believer. That nightthe elder interrogated his wife and she couldnot give him a specific day, but she felt shehad come into a personal faith gradually.When the elder shared this experience with agroup I was leading, he was really saddenedby his discovery and it showed in hiscountenance.

Then I asked him, "When was Peter's specificday?" The elder sat there for quite some timeand said, "I don't know." I said, "Troubling,isn't it?" "What about the other disciples?What was their specific day?" The elder sawwhat I was showing him and said, "So, mypastor was wrong."

The damage is done when we put such pressureon people to "make a decision" to be abeliever in Jesus right now. This is why weask people to come forward at altar calls andwhy we praise those who witness to the pointthat they have actually led someone to praythe sinner's prayer. It's all part of ourinstant approach to life. This wasn't thenorm in the life and ministry of Jesus and itisn't the norm today!

FOURTH-To make "being a believer" soparamount, it is too easy to miss out on whathappened with the early disciples and rely onman-made sound bites and clichés. Think aboutit! The early disciples were not "believers"in the sense that most think of it today.They were followers of Jesus and Histeachings, but were a work in progress withrespect to becoming believers. By the way,that process took them over three years!

To debunk this myth I want to offer somethings to think about:FIRST-Demons are said to be believers. InJames 2:19 it says: You believe that thereis one God. Good! Even the demons believethat-and shudder.

SECOND-The false teachers Jesus mentions arebelievers. In Matthew 7 Jesus refers topeople who act like believers, but that's notgood enough. Look at what Jesus says: "Noteveryone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' willenter the kingdom of heaven, but only thosewho do the will of my Father who is inheaven. Many will say to me on that day,'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your nameand in your name drive out demons and in yourname perform many miracles?' Then I will tellthem plainly, 'I never knew you. Away fromme, you evildoers!'

Here was a group of people who spoke in thename of Jesus, cast out demons in the name ofJesus and performed many miracles in Hisname, yet Jesus didn't know them. He had nopersonal relationship with them.

THIRD-Many of you who are reading orlistening to this daily see yourselves asbelievers, too. So, what's the difference?There must be more to it than just being abeliever!

Jesus clarifies this. Jesus makes it clearthat the only ones who will enter the Kingdomof heaven are those who do the will of theFather. And what does Jesus mean by this? Inthe next paragraph He illustrates what thismeans:
"Therefore everyone who hears these wordsof mine and puts them into practice is like awise man who built his house on the rock. Therain came down, the streams rose, and thewinds blew and beat against that house; yetit did not fall, because it had itsfoundation on the rock. But everyone whohears these words of mine and does not putthem into practice is like a foolish man whobuilt his house on sand. The rain came down,the streams rose, and the winds blew and beatagainst that house, and it fell with a greatcrash."

Those who do the will of the Father are thosewho hear the words of Jesus and practicethem! That's more than just being a"believer". Don't get caught up in theChristian clichés and sound bites ofreligiosity. Pray for ears to hear and eyesto see, then listen to what Jesus says and doit. Don't miss this! You must believe, butyou must believe enough to follow Jesus andHis teachings! Whether you are Muslim, Hindu,Buddhist, Jew, Christian or agnostic, followJesus and enjoy the results!

Myth #1-JESUS IS OWNED BY CHRISTIANITY

2012-01-25T21:56:00.000-08:00

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The first myth is JESUS IS OWNED BYCHRISTIANITY. Now don't get nervous aboutthis myth. I am not bashing being a Christianor the religious system of Christianity. Iwant to help you consider a very basicunderstanding that causes lots ofmisunderstanding both in this country and innations around the world. Let's examine it.

The definition of this myth is two-fold.First, this popular myth believes that Jesuswas a Christian-that Jesus would becomfortable with being called a Christian andidentifying exclusively with Christianity.Second, there seems to be a sub-myth on thisone-that Christ was Jesus' last name. Let'squickly deal with this sub-myth. Jesus Christis better understood as Jesus, the Christ.Jesus is His name and the Christ, theMessiah, the Anointed One, is His title.

The damage from this myth is many-fold.FIRST-Christians believe they have a corneron the market with respect to Jesus. Theby-product of believing Jesus is owned byChristianity is religious, Pharisaical pride.This pride leads "Christians" to identify itsculture as the right culture-the right way oflife. This excludes all other cultures Godcreated, other than the Christian culture,from following the path of God.

SECOND-If you desire to become a follower ofJesus, embracing this myth tends to distractyou away from Jesus and the Kingdom. Insteadof following Jesus, your focus can so easilybecome being a Christian or defendingChristianity.

THIRD-Non-Christians believe Jesus isexclusively related to Christians andtherefore they have no relationship with Him,even though Jesus is so attractive,irresistible and relevant to them.

FOURTH-Non-Christians identify Christianitywith the disastrous and horrendous actions ofits past-e.g. the Crusades against theMuslims and the persecution and killings ofthe Jews-all in the name of Christianity.

FIFTH-Non-Christians identify Christianitywith the West and as they develop hate forthe West, they develop hate for Christianity(and vice versa). When Christians attempt toconvert people who are not Christians, theystir up such anger and hate-especially isthis true in the non-Christian cultures ofthe world. Christians want Hindus, Buddhists,Jews, Muslims and whoever else is before themto become Christians-to be converted awayfrom their cultures into WesternChristianity. As my son-in-law said, "This isdoing missionary work the hard way!" Insteadof converting people away from their culturesand into Christianity, why not introduce themto Jesus and let Him do His work in theirhearts. Now that's true conversion!

In debunking this myth I want to share fourobservations:FIRST-Jesus never used the term "Christian".The term is found three times in the NewTestament. The first is in Acts 11:26: andwhen he found him, he brought him to Antioch.So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul metwith the church and taught great numbers ofpeople. The disciples were called Christiansfirst at Antioch. This seems to be a derisivecomment by those in Antioch at this point.The second occurrence is in Acts 26:28: ThenAgrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that insuch a short time you can persuade me to be aChristian?" The third time the term"Christian" is used is by Peter in I Peter4:16: However, if you suffer as a Christian,do not be ashamed, but praise God that youbear that name.

When I use the argument that Jesus never usedthe term "Christian", I am saying that He hadsomething so different in mind than to offera label to be worn or an organization tojoin-all to be foisted upon the cultures ofthe world. If Jesus were trying to changepeople's cultural identification, He wouldhave actually done so. When Jesus encountereda person from another culture with other godsand traditions, He was not concerned with"converting" them away from thosebackgrounds. He was primarily concerned witha person's relationship and trust in Him.Take the Roman official-the one Jesus saidpossessed more faith than any other person inall of Israel; Jesus didn't warn him tobeware of the many Roman gods nor did He urgehim to join the synagogue or any otherorganization.

SECOND-Jesus had a better term. MostChristians love to use the ID, "believer" or"born again". What's interesting is that witha couple of exceptions "believer", "believe"and "born again" are used only by John in hisGospel. John and all of the other Gospelwriters-Matthew, Mark and Luke-use the sameand most prominent terminology as they quoteJesus. All five Gospels are in agreementabout the terms "follower" or "follow". Thisis Jesus' designation of those who are inrelationship with Him-followers.

Without a doubt the best use of the term"Christian" is to be a "follower of theChrist". Used in this way following Jesusretains the power of a movement. However,most take Christianity as a religion,religious system of beliefs and anorganization to be joined, which kills themovement by definition and practice.

THIRD-There is nothing wrong with being aChristian or even a Western Christian, ifthat's your cultural background. But there issomething far better and that is to be afollower of Jesus. The largest spiritualmovements in the world are happening amongAnimists in Africa, Buddhists and Hindus inAsia, Muslims and Jews in the Middle East,atheists and agnostics in China and evenChristians in the USA. This movement numbersin the millions those who do not identifythemselves with Christianity or WesternChristianity, but sincerely andenthusiastically call themselves followers ofJesus. They love and worship Jesus!

How can this be? Because Jesus is morepreeminent than we have let Him be. He is somuch greater than any Christian can ever liftup and He must be lifted up. As He is liftedup Jesus will draw all men and women to Him,because He is the most attractive, the mostirresistible and the most relevant ever. Ifthe Creator-God were to ever take on fleshand become man, God would look like Jesus.

When Paul was in Athens (Acts 17:22-31), hestood up in the meeting of the Areopagus andsaid: "People of Athens! I see that in everyway you are very religious. For as I walkedaround and looked carefully at your objectsof worship, I even found an altar with thisinscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you areignorant of the very thing you worship-andthis is what I am going to proclaim to you."

"The God who made the world and everything init is the Lord of heaven and earth and doesnot live in temples built by hands. And he isnot served by human hands, as if he neededanything. Rather, he himself gives everyonelife and breath and everything else. From oneman he made all the nations (cultures), thatthey should inhabit the whole earth; and hemarked out their appointed times in historyand the boundaries of their lands. God didthis so that they would seek him and perhapsreach out for him and find him, though he isnot far from any one of us. 'For in him welive and move and have our being.' As someof your own poets have said, 'We are hisoffspring.'

"Therefore since we are God's offspring, weshould not think that the divine being islike gold or silver or stone-an image made byhuman design and skill. That divine being isJesus and He must not be limited to theChristian box and culture. God set up allcultures in order for them to reach out forGod and find Him."

No, Jesus is not owned by Christianity. He isthe unique one, born of the Spirit of God!This Kingdom Manifesto of Jesus-the GoodNews-is for everyone. It is not exclusivelyfor the Jews or the Christians. Jesus isall-inclusive. He is the ultimate answer foreveryone everywhere. Jesus. Simply Jesus.

HOW ARE MYTHS DEVELOPED?

2012-01-24T16:01:00.000-08:00

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Now remember a myth is passed on sofrequently that you blindly accept it as THEtruth and it becomes a vital doctrine in yourreligious beliefs. Therefore it is, at best,a legend, a sort of spiritual fairy tale thathas become a sacred belief for you and yourcommunity, yet it is really awell-intentioned falsehood ormisunderstanding. For the most part, I don'tthink these myths we will examine were everdesigned with evil purposes in mind. Theyhave developed from one generation to anotherwithout questioning its veracity.

There is an old story that illustrates howmyths originate and are passed on fromgeneration to generation. It's about a familythat always cut their turkey in half beforethey cooked it. This was certainly very oddby American tradition since everybody alwaysserved a whole baked turkey as thecenterpiece for the Thanksgiving meal.

For many years this strange ritual went onuntil a child from the fourth generationdecided he was going to find out why hisfamily had such a very "strange" tradition.So he went up to his Momma and asked "whyexactly do we cut the turkey across themiddle whenever we cook one for Thanksgiving?"
Somewhat startled by such a sensible inquiry,the mother decided to ask her mom exactly thesame question the youngest had put across:"Momma, Why 'do' we cut the turkey in half?"

Grandma for her part could only scratch herchin and reply, "to tell you the truth, Ican't exactly tell why. All I know is thatwas how I saw my momma do it, and that's howI've done it all these years. Why don't weask Great Grand Nanny!"

So they all huddled around the Matriarch asGrandma asked, Momma, why exactly do youalways cut the thanksgiving turkey in halfbefore you stick it in the oven?

Great Grandma sat her self up and with a lookof disbelief she replied, "Did you neverrealize that our oven was never big enough tostick a whole turkey in? That's why I alwayshad to cut those turkeys in two,"

Do you see how easily this happens? Nowtransfer this same understanding of mythdevelopment over to the world of spiritualthings. Many times the myth emerges out ofpartial knowledge. You know there is nothingmore dangerous than a person who has readonly one book on a subject. From the basis ofthat book and that author opinions areformulated and become fact, until anotherperson offers a different thought on thesubject. I am reminded of the man who came tothe conclusion about all native AmericanIndians. He said, "All Indians walk singlefile, at least, the one I saw did." It's apartial perspective!

Myths also tend to be developed with aprejudiced perspective. Whereas a partialperspective is when you don't have all of thefacts, the prejudiced perspective is when youdon't want the facts. The facts might mess upwhat you already believe!

A man sat in front of his doctor, claimingthat he knew that he was dead. The doctorassured him that he wasn't dead-depressed,maybe, but very much alive. Nothing wouldchange the patient's mind on the issue. So,the doctor sent him on a research project tothe medical library. The research wouldconclusively prove that "dead men don't bleed."

When the patient finished his research, hereturned to see his doctor. The doctor asked,"What did the research say?" "Well," said thepatient, "it is clear that the medicalliterature says that dead men don't bleed."

"Perfect!" replied the doctor. The doctorimmediately went over to the patient, stuck aneedle in his arm, and the man began tobleed. Without any hesitation the patientjumped up and proclaimed, "Dead men dobleed!" Now, that's a prejudiced perspective!Don't confuse me with the facts. My mind isalready made up! Especially is this commonwithin religious circles!

There is one other perspective that breedsmyths. It's what I call a passiveperspective. A passive perspective is whenyou have the facts, but don't act upon them.You are committed, but not involved in thebehavior that the commitment requires. Thisis, by far, an epidemic in our society!Committed, but not involved! You know whatto do in your marriage, but don't do it. Youknow what to do with your children, but don'tdo it. You know what to do in the midst of aconflict, but don't do it. You know what todo with your priorities, but you don't do it.It's like the kamikaze pilot who made 33missions. He was committed, but not involved!

As we examine the person and teachings ofJesus we want to know as much as we can fromJesus, Himself. We want to examine Jesus andHis teachings as objectively as possible.And, we want to examine Jesus and Histeachings actively and not passively. Thislast approach can make the most difference. Idon't want this examination of Jesus and Histeachings to be just another intellectualexercise. It's one thing to know Jesus andHis teachings and quite another thingaltogether to do your best to follow Jesus:Follow Jesus because of His impeccablecharacter and life. As you continue to followJesus, you will find His teachings to be mostmeaningful and fulfilling. And, if youembrace following Jesus as your lifestyle,you may discover how to relate to yourCreator in a personal way.

EARS TO HEAR & EYES TO SEE

2012-01-23T17:12:00.000-08:00

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There is a universal truth in themarketplace: "Only 5% think, 15% think theythink and 80% would rather die than think."We live and move in herds. We go along andrarely question what we hear. This isespecially true after hearing things over andover throughout our lives. The tendency is toaccept without question whatever we hear thatis attached to a Scriptural verse anddelivered by a pastor, teacher, guru, priest,imam, or monk we trust. I call these blindbeliefs "myths" that are passed on sofrequently that they become THE truth and avital doctrine in our religious beliefs.

Once we have embraced a given myth, we tendto use it to establish that we are more rightthan another. There is something in ourhumanity that works overtime to be right,which makes those who disagree with us wrong.

I have been caught up in a series of myths myentire life. After growing up in a Christianhome, attending a Christian liberal artscollege and a four year graduate seminary, Iwent along with many of the myths withoutquestioning what I read or was taught. Theresult? My eyes gradually glazed over and Ibecame hard of hearing.

I've spent most of my life seeking tounderstand how to relate to the non-churched,non-Christian world. My books and speakingplatforms have all had a crossover flavor tothem and I finally ended up at the peak ofprofessional speaking opportunities on thelargest platforms in addition to pastoringone of the early mega-churches.

During that season of my life I came to theconclusion that only Jesus could transformour lives.1. NOT Churchianity 2. NOT Christianity3. NOT conversion methods 4. ONLY JESUS

I came to the conclusion that in order toreach the non-churched world I would have toseparate myself from mainstream churches andChristianity. So, I did that to a certaindegree, but I still had to take up offeringsto keep the church and its staff alive.

In the second season of my life Jesusapprehended my heart in a fresh way andpoised me toward taking this same "Jesus plusnothing" message beyond the "secular",non-churched world into the 7 major culturesof the world.

So, now my focus and perpendicular learningcurve have taken me to a simple understandingof Jesus and the Kingdom. I've spent so muchtime and energy unlearning a lot of mytheological premises I received at graduateseminary while a student and professor. It'sbeen a fresh look at Jesus and His message ofthe good news of the Kingdom. His messagewas not the church, but all about theKingdom. He only mentions "church" on twooccasions.

In this journey now we are working with the 7primary cultures of the world-Buddhist,Hindu, Moslem, Jewish, Animist, Christian andAtheist/Agnostic. We don't presentChristianity to them, but Jesus. We teachthem to follow the teachings and principlesof Jesus as the early disciples did. Theresults are amazing. Instead of furtherdividing the world into more warringfactions, we are experiencing a new andsupernatural unity in the name of Jesus. Yousee, Jesus unites and all else divides! I amnow convinced that Christianity isn't theway; Jesus is!

One of the repeated themes and challengeswithin the teachings of Jesus is to have earsto hear and eyes to see. Jesus knows ourhuman tendency to drift away, getoff-message, become distracted, and to divideup and take sides. So, He warns us to becareful that we listen and see clearly.

We are going to make our way through 32myths. These aren't the only myths, but seemto be some of the most common ones. It is notmy purpose to shake up your faith in any wayother than to strengthen it and refocus it onJesus. As you read through each of the myths,remove your religious blinders, think andevaluate what you believe Jesus' teachingreally is. Don't be afraid to go with Histeachings, when they counter things you havebelieved all your life. It may be a littleshocking at first, but when the light bulbclicks on in your head and heart, you'll knowwhat is true.

Jesus without religious baggage is awesome,attractive and even irresistible!The only thing Jesus requires of you and meis to be interested-to have ears to hear andeyes to see.

If you are Muslim, know that your holy Qur'anteaches the uniqueness of Jesus and reveresHim most highly. If you are Buddhist, knowthat His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, loves theteachings of Jesus and encourages people tostudy them and follow Him. If you are Hindu,know that there are millions within yourculture who have come to love and followJesus as did Ghandi. If you are Jewish, do asyour many scholars are doing and study thisJewish Rabbi for yourself. If you areagnostic, you may be better able to checkthis out for yourself, who this Jesus withoutreligious baggage really is.

If you are Christian, you may have thetoughest time examining these myths. It'sbecause you think you already know Jesus.What I have found to be true is that manyChristians seem to know a lot about Jesus,but don't really know Him and follow Him.

Whether Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish,agnostic or Christian, Jesus will never askyou to leave your culture. Jesus supersedesall culture. As a Buddhist friend said to me:"Jesus trumps everything!" If you myth out onJesus, you will find that you are missing outon life at its fullest!

2012-01-22T20:37:00.000-08:00

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Jesus got my attention-to pay attention to Jesus and his teachings primarily. I came to the realization that I didn't really know Jesus as personally as I would like. I knew a lot about him from his birth to his death. I had written about him, built a Church around him, developed self-help principles from his teachings and I pretty well thought I knew when the widespread and popular 2nd coming of Jesus might take place.

I came to the decision that I was just tired of running a Church, going to a Church, and talking, talking, talking about it. I had this deep desire to practice the church-to be the church and to find out experientially for myself if this Church thing-this Jesus lifestyle I'd articulated for so long, could be lived. More than that, I wanted to know for sure that I could live this lifestyle-really live it out.

I knew that this meant moving away from my frantic speaking, writing and counseling schedule. Somehow all of that needed to be set aside to provide enough space to learn what it means to trust Jesus with my life-moment by moment. This was something I only talked about and rarely experienced. This meant facing several lifestyle adjustments. Fortunately, Diana was willing to make this shift in our lifestyle, too.

We gathered a few friends to ask them if they would walk with us as we followed our new found aspirations. We gathered three couples, spent the day with them and shared our thoughts and feelings. When we asked them if they would be willing to walk with us through this journey to get to know Jesus and live out the Jesus lifestyle, they unanimously agreed to walk with us and we all became enthusiastic about what we might discover about Jesus and ourselves together.

We began with a 45 day prayer covenant that we would agree to pray together. We prayed for wisdom on how to walk with Jesus, for those who are hurting-the abused, addicted, and damaged-to come to us. We prayed that we might learn together how to mentor others to follow this Jesus with us, yet we were determined we would not promote what we were doing. We committed to one another to wait on Jesus to bring people to us with ears to hear and eyes to see. And that's exactly what Jesus did! You know the drill. You pray for God to come through and show Himself in tangible ways, then when He does, you are shocked!

Together we drew up a covenant that held us to our agreements together. As we listed our agreements, they fell into place into what we've come to know as the EMBERS COVENANT. There were six agreements:1. Embrace the teachings of Jesus as a lifestyle.2. Mentor others to do the same.3. Believe God for raising up leaders.4. Empower the youth.5. Restore the broken-the addicted, abused and the poor.6. Serve everyone who is brought our way.This covenant took on the form of a question: What can I do to help?

People were definitely brought our way and we gathered with them to meet Jesus as he showed up among us. What a ride! What a thrill! And it's still continuing today!

This is when I determined to speak on what we were learning-to share with others what we were seeing and experiencing. So, I began with "The Jesus Factor" that turned into a 6 part series of messages. Five additional series emerged with 6 messages each-we call it the "Jesus Journey" and that early articulation was rough, but powerfully effective to help those who were interested to get to know Jesus.

At the end of this 42 week series of messages, it was clear to me that in order to really experience what it means to walk with Jesus, walk with others and wait for Jesus to lead out, something drastic had to happen. So, we decided that we must dismantle our organized Church and begin meeting in homes. This was a tough move, because long-time traditions are hard to break. In fact, I think it's more difficult to dismantle a Church than to start one!

This is when I felt it necessary to discipline myself to write something on Jesus on a daily basis. We first called it 'ACTS 29 Daily', then it emerged into the 'JESUS PLUS NOTHING Daily.' Now, this daily study has been going for nearly seven years.

The Daily podcast/blog subscriber list has continued to grow and many forward it on to family, friends and colleagues, when they deem it appropriate to pass it on. Of all of the studies, the most popular was a series of 32 myths. I called it "Mything Out On Jesus and His Teachings" and published it in a booklet format, straight from the blogs. A steady flow of these booklets are acquired through Amazon.com and several small groups are using this tool as a text for study.

Whereas "Mything Out On Jesus and His Teachings", was sort of an in your face challenge to all those who still wear traditional blinders about Jesus, JESUS PLUS NOTHING is different. JESUS PLUS NOTHING is a gentler, kinder, inductive telling of my personal journey with Jesus, then sharing a more full teaching of the pre-eminence of Jesus, the presence of the Kingdom and the power of the few. JESUS PLUS NOTHING is an invitation to come and see Jesus for yourself. It's also a challenge to not just be a believer in Jesus, but learn to be a follower of him. Begin your Jesus journey today!

Tomorrow, we'll begin revisiting the 32 myths.

3 ESSENTIALS FOR CHANGING THE WORLD

2012-01-19T21:07:00.000-08:00

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The fifth top takeaway out of the book, JESUS PLUS NOTHING has to do with Jesus' revolutionary strategy for changing the world. There are three essentials for changing the world.

FIRST ESSENTIAL-The pre-eminence of Jesus-making the main thing the main thing! Life isn't about religion or a religious experience, but a relationship with Jesus. Life doesn't revolve around a set of propositions or a performance system, but a person. His name is Jesus.

Jesus came to restore what man has lost. The loss is like a hole in the soul, filled with a gnawing ache of loneliness. So, at the core of most everything man tries to do is this inner drive to fill the hole in the soul. Every religion, philosophy, and political ideology is an attempt to fill that hole. We were created to be dependent upon God. And if you choose not to be dependent upon God, you will inevitably find yourself dependent upon something or someone else. This sets in motion a perpetual cycle of dissatisfaction. That's the bad news! Jesus, simply Jesus, is the only one who can fill that hole in man's soul. Now, that's the Good News! Jesus is the Good News-the Gospel.

Jesus came to give you what you can't get on your own. What is it that Jesus can give you that you can't get on your own? This may sound a bit strange, but Jesus came as a revolutionary. The revolution is all about restoration and transformation.

Transformation is what is needed at the core level-an inner change of heart. Since I've been following Jesus I have found four experiences that have become amazingly real to me. On the negative side of the emotional ledger we humans are continually struggling with fear, anger, guilt and shame.

Jesus offers a positive counter experience to each of these toxic emotions and makes these offers for anyone who is willing to follow after Him.
* Jesus offers peace that counteracts the fear!
* Jesus offers love that counteracts the anger!
* Jesus offers joy that counteracts the guilt!
* Jesus offers grace that counteracts the shame!

What is really needed is a genuine change of heart-to see your life, predicaments, and people differently. Several years ago, we set out to study only the five Gospels for three years-Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts. We did this in order to get to know this Jesus. This focus proved to be life changing! It was through this Jesus journey that we discovered what only Jesus could do for us that we cannot do for ourselves. I have no capability to change a person's heart. I can't give people peace. I can't give people joy. I can't give them love. I can't, but I've come to realize that Jesus can!

Again, I am not speaking of the religious Jesus. I am referring to the most prominent and powerful person ever! And, in the most pragmatic way, this Jesus seems to be able to affect these internal changes in people.
There's something about Jesus without religious baggage-his words, his actions, his loving ways, his bent toward the disenfranchised and especially His name-that brings healing and wholeness to the heart and mind. Jesus is truly the most effective person you can embrace for yourself.

SECOND ESSENTIAL-The presence of the Kingdom-embracing the principles of Jesus as a lifestyle! Most of Jesus' teachings are about the Kingdom, not the Church. Jesus only mentions the church on two occasions. Jesus as the King came to introduce a lifestyle on a different level-the Kingdom level. The Kingdom lifestyle is simply living out the principles of the King's teachings. The Kingdom lifestyle is learning to walk, talk, think and love like Jesus.

Jesus' constant message was the presence of the Kingdom right here right now. He said the Kingdom is here, it's near and it's among you all as you gather in the name of Jesus, the King.

THIRD ESSENTIAL-The power of the few. The first two essentials are most effectively activated in the power of the few. This may be the most counterintuitive dimension within the Jesus movement. "The power of the few" contains the same core idea as the seed. Just as the seed is small and seemingly insignificant, proving to become large, irreversible in its growth and powerful enough to accomplish inner transformation, so it is with the power of the few.

Jesus modeled the power of the few by inviting only three to come and be with Him. He spoke to thousands of people from time to time, but Jesus spent most of His time with a few-from three to twelve.

Jesus was the model and the disciples of Jesus learned to follow the model that was set. They always traveled and ministered in teams of two or more. They practiced the power of the few very effectively. They even authored several of the books of the New Testament, often in tandem with others. For instance, the first letter to the Corinthians (I Corinthians) is attributed to Paul. But Paul didn't write the letter to the community of believers in Corinth, alone. Right up front within the letter it says Paul and Sosthenes were the authors. This may be the same Sosthenes who was the leader of the synagogue in Corinth. Paul had help writing the second letter to the Corinthians, too. Paul and Timothy wrote that letter. Timothy also co-authored Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon with him. The letter to the gathering of Jesus' followers in Galatia is said to be written by Paul and "all the brothers and sisters with me." Then, in the book of I John, John says that "which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched-this we proclaim concerning the Word of life." Note that this letter was composed by a group of people that John called "we."

Read the book of I Thessalonians and you will discover that even though Paul is again listed as the author, yet this isn't exactly true. According to the first verse there were three authors-Paul, Silvanus (or Silas) and Timothy. Now get this! These three men following Jesus and walking together in Jesus' name made such an impression with the Thessalonians that their message spread or echoed forth throughout Asia Minor. It's the power of the few!

My entire life has been preparing to speak to the masses, but I walked alone. Today, I walk with a few and am stronger than ever. Jesus is the pre-eminent one in my life. I'm doing the toughest thing I've ever tried to do as I try my best to follow Jesus' Kingdom teachings. And, I am convinced that there is no chance of keeping Jesus pre-eminent in my life and following His Kingdom principles daily WITHOUT walking in the power of a few others who are walking with me. These three essentials are clearly the only possible way to unleash the power of Jesus in changing the world. And by the way, when you unleash the power of Jesus on the world, you allow Him to first change you.

ANYONE ANYWHERE CAN BEGIN TO FOLLOW JESUS

2012-01-18T22:05:00.000-08:00

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The fourth top takeaway from JESUS PLUS NOTHING stirs up so much emotional response. In other words, there is more heat than light at first. It's tough enough to separate Jesus from Christian ownership. Now, this insight sounds even more foreign and out of bounds from what we've been taught.

No matter how much evidence is offered or how many people are produced from non-Christian cultures who are followers of Jesus, it's still stifling to the brain. A little over a year ago about 60 of us participated in the Montana Awakening. We were spread all over the state, sharing the message of Jesus.

I was teamed up with a Muslim friend of mine who loves Jesus and has been faithfully following Jesus for years. My friend is more articulate and genuine in his relationship with Jesus than most Christians I've known for years. On our first night in Montana, we were scheduled to speak along with a couple of others from Germany. I began, setting the stage for my Muslim friend's testimony of how he had come to follow Jesus. Then he would speak and I closed out our session.

Well-meaning Christians bombarded us afterward, vehemently and angrily arguing with my friend and me that it is impossible for a Muslim to be a true follower of Jesus. It was just unthinkable! The same attitude is found among the early disciples in Luke 9, where John says to Jesus, "Master, we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us." You see how it works? It's unthinkable that anyone who is not one of us-one of our group-could possibly have a right connection with Jesus.

In John 10 Jesus tries to instruct His disciples that He has other disciples who do not belong to His disciples' same denomination. He says, "I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd." Whoever Jesus is talking about, these other sheep are not from the same religious and cultural persuasion as His disciples.

In the final book of the New Testament-Revelation-there is reference to "A great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne" of Jesus. (Revelation 7)

NOTE the common theme of these passages. There is no reference to any certain religious group, but it's clear that God is calling people from every nation, every tribe and every language group.

So, how is it possible for a non-Christian-a Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Jew or agnostic-to come to the point of being a follower of Jesus and have a genuine saving relationship with Jesus?

I've observed it in three stages. First-a person is drawn to Jesus because of His miracles, His teachings. At this stage a person is fascinated with the most amazing man, Jesus. He's a great teacher and a great example.

Second-after following Jesus for a period of time, a person begins to embrace Jesus' principles and teachings. The principles begin to make more and more sense, so the person who has merely been fascinated with Jesus now begins to take Jesus seriously.

Third-after continuing to follow Jesus and embrace His teachings and principles, this is when Jesus begins to transform a person's life. If an internal change or conversion is going to take place, then it will happen at this level of progression.

This progression is perfectly illustrated in Jesus' encounter with Peter at Caesarea Philippi. Jesus asked, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter answers by saying, "You are God's Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus strokes Peter for giving such a good answer, but says, "Flesh and blood didn't reveal that to you." Only the Father could reveal this kind of thing to Peter. Only God can change a person's heart. No amount of teachings or belief systems can do this.

Here's the way I see it. You don't have to believe Jesus is the Son of God to begin to follow Jesus. The disciples didn't! In fact, they weren't even genuine "believers", until later. It took them over three years of following Jesus daily for God, the Father, to change their hearts and minds of faith.

When a person begins to follow Jesus, he is set up perfectly to have his heart totally converted-transformed by God Himself. We've seen this happen in every major culture of the world. They first are attracted to Jesus as a great teacher or example and later Jesus apprehends their hearts.

One more thing. You don't have to be a Christian to be a follower of Jesus either. Here's the point! Anyone anywhere can begin to follow Jesus.

JESUS ALONE MATTERS

2012-01-17T21:16:00.000-08:00

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In my opinion, the third top takeaway from the book, JESUS PLUS NOTHING, is that Jesus alone matters. What Jesus says. What Jesus does.What Jesus commands matters more than anything else in your spiritual life.

Here's how I frequently illustrate this pre-eminence of Jesus. Think of it this way. If Jesus says one thing and your pastor or favorite spiritual guru seems to be saying something else, who are you going to go with? I'd go with Jesus.
If Jesus says one thing and you realize you believe something different from Jesus' teachings, who will you go with? Jesus's thinking versus my thinking? I'm going to follow Jesus' thinking here. If Jesus says something and what you've been taught all of your life in your religious experience says something else, who are you going with? My advice? Stick with Jesus! How about if Jesus says one thing and Paul seems to be teaching something different-maybe an emphasis or focus that differs, who will you side with?Jesus is not confused or foggy in His thinking. He teaches without flaws or opinions. Always, always go with Jesus, because Jesus alone matters!

What Jesus says is the primary word on a matter, no matter what the subject. We have discussed on several occasions Jesus' conversation with the religious leaders in John 5. Jesus says, "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life." Jesus makes it clear here that it's important to realize that seeking Jesus Himself is a higher priority than searching the Scriptures. Jesus alone matters!

If you want to dive into a very productive study, just do a search of what Jesus teaches on a given subject. For instance, according to Jesus who is it that will enter the Kingdom of Heaven and who will not? I'll give you a hint. Jesus makes it clear that not all who call themselves believers will enter.

What Jesus does is the primary example of how we ought to live. Jesus' actions and strategies are counter-intuitive and even counter-cultural to the religious ways of thinking on many occasions. Jesus' approach was to primarily see and interact with individuals. He spoke before thousands a few times, but most encounters were individual and personal.

Jesus also gives us great insight into how we might relate to the many cultures of the world. He never concerned Himself with criticizing or changing a person's religious beliefs from his or her background and culture. Jesus always made it personal-always about the individual and that person's heart of faith and trust. More than that, Jesus always concerned Himself with the personal relationship He had with that person and the person's response back to Him.

What Jesus commands is the primary focus we ought to observe. Jesus never commanded us to convert anyone to our religious ways. He never commanded us to condemn anyone. He never commanded anyone to go, build and organize Churches. The primary emphasis in Jesus' commands was to go and make disciples-Jesus learners and followers-of every culture in the world.

Why is this true that Jesus alone matters and is so pre-eminent? It's because of who Jesus is. Jesus has a name that is above all names. Not Christ, but Jesus. His name is very important-just as important as the personal name of God revealed in the Old Testament. It was Yahweh! Jesus means "Yahweh saves." Jesus. There is something about that name!

At the name of Jesus every knee will bow someday. It's in the name of Jesus that people have been and can be healed. It's in the name of Jesus that people can be transformed inside out. It's in the name of Jesus that people are touched with His love, joy, peace and grace and are never the same again!

NOTE it is not in the name of Christ, but in the name of Jesus. You might say it's a matter of semantics, but it's not! It's personal! His name is Jesus!

The great Dr. Albert Schweitzer of Africa said something that stopped me in my tracks with its powerful truth. He said, "Jesus comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lake-side. He came to those men who knew Him not. He speaks to us the same word: "Follow me!" and sets us to the tasks, which He has to fulfill for our time. He commands. And to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple. He will reveal Himself in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings, which they shall pass through in His fellowship, and, as an ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience Who He is."

There is a part of Jesus we can't know by reading books about Him, can't know by listening to sermons on Him. There is a part of Him we can't know by going to church, to Bible college, to seminary. There is a part of Him we can only know by following Him. This is our prayer that through JESUS PLUS NOTHING you will learn to know Jesus by following Him.

JESUS ISN'T OWNED BY CHRISTIANITY

2012-01-16T19:33:00.000-08:00

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In my opinion, the second most important takeaway from the JESUS PLUS NOTHING book is that Christianity does not own Jesus. Christians don't have a proprietary hold on Jesus. No matter where I go in the world, most people believe Jesus was a Christian and the founder of the religion of Christianity. Once that link is broken, then there is freedom for an entirely new conversation about Jesus. This is a vital separation.

American Christians complain that Christians are disparaged and caricaturized in the media, in the movies, in politics and during the holidays. There is a stigma to being a Christian in America and it's not always a good stigma. A mega-Church pastor shared with me that Christians are fast becoming less and less impactful in our society. If you think it's got a negative stigma in the US, travel outside the US and you'll discover it's more prevalent there.
Now don't get nervous about this. There is nothing wrong with being a Christian or belonging to Christianity. I want to help you consider a very basic understanding that causes lots of misunderstanding both in this country and in nations around the world.

Christian is not a common biblical term. In fact, only two writers of the Bible ever mentioned it-Luke, twice, and Peter, once. Jesus, Matthew, Mark, John, Paul, James, and Jude never mentioned it. Most people assert that Jesus was a Christian. Most would agree that Jesus would be comfortable being called a Christian and identifying himself exclusively with Christianity. But I believe this is a myth. And the collateral damage from this myth has been devastating.

Many Christians believe they have a corner on the market with respect to Jesus. The by-product of believing Jesus is owned by Christianity is an ugly, religious pride. Jesus came to call people from every culture of the world-the whole world. Jesus didn't come for Christians or to make the world Christian.

Most non-Christians believe Jesus is exclusively related to Christians, and therefore they have no possible relationship with him, even though Jesus is so attractive, irresistible, and relevant to them.

Most non-Christians identify Jesus with the disastrous and horrendous actions of the Christian past and present-the Crusades against the Muslims and the persecution and killings of the Jews-all in the name of Christianity. The collateral damage is that Jesus becomes guilty by association.

Most non-Christians identify Christianity with the West, and as they develop hate for the West, they develop hate for Christianity (and vice versa). When Christians attempt to convert people who are not Christians, they stir up such anger and hate-especially in the non-Christian cultures. This aggressive approach was never the way of Jesus.

Not only is the term "Christian" rarely mentioned, we know it is a man-made term. At first, Christian was used as one of the many tags placed on the followers of Jesus. It was never intended as a serious organizational label. "People of the Way" and "Nazarenes" were also popular identifications.

Jesus had a better term. Many love to use the ID, "believer" or "born again." What's interesting is that with a couple of exceptions "believer," "believe" and "born again" are used only by John in his Gospel. John and all of the other Gospel writers-Matthew, Mark, and Luke-do use the same and most prominent terminology as they quote Jesus. All four Gospels are in agreement about the terms "follower" or "follow." This is Jesus' designation of those who are in relationship with him-followers.

There is nothing wrong with being a Christian or even a Western Christian, if that's your cultural background. But there is something far better, and that is to be a follower of Jesus. The largest spiritual movements in the world are happening among Animists in Africa, Buddhists and Hindus in Asia, Muslims and Jews in the Middle East and around the world, atheists and agnostics in China and even Christians in the United States. This movement numbers in the millions. Other than those within the Western Christian cultural context, this movement consists of those who do not identify themselves with Christianity or Western Christianity, but all sincerely and enthusiastically call themselves followers of Jesus.

All have come to love and even worship Jesus! How can this be? Because Jesus is more preeminent than we have let him be. Jesus doesn't fit into any religious box. Jesus outside of the religious box is the most attractive, the most irresistible, and the most relevant person ever!

A few years ago I wrote an article entitled, "Christianity Isn't The Way; Jesus Is". As long as we keep Jesus in a religious, Western Christian box, we limit Jesus and keep Him away from the people He came to reach. He came to reach to entire world!

JESUS IS ALL-INCLUSIVE

2012-01-15T19:51:00.000-08:00

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This week I want to share with you what I believe to be the top 5 takeaways from the new book, JESUS PLUS NOTHING.

I grew up in a very narrow, Baptist tradition. We weren't just Baptist in general. We were a certain kind of Baptist. In fact, out of the more than 220 Baptist denominations in the world, we believed we were the only one that was going to get into heaven! We knew the Southern Baptists weren't going to make it in and the American Baptists were just as liberal and loose. In our little corner of the world, if you didn't belong to one of our kind of Baptist Churches, you were lost and needed salvation. I love what my friend, Tony Campolo, says, "I'm not saying you have to be a Baptist to go to heaven. But why take a chance?"

I share this about my background, because I want you to know that I KNOW NARROW when I see it. Our denomination of Baptists was narrow and exclusive, our beliefs were narrow and exclusive, our requirements to be a member of our Church were narrow and exclusive and our message of how to get into heaven was also very narrow and exclusive. Therefore, we made Jesus fit into our narrow and exclusive box. We made Jesus narrow and exclusive!

Whenever anyone widens the door of salvation beyond what one's tradition and upbringing has taught, that person who is attempting to widen the door is deemed a heretic. There is something in human nature that will do most anything to be right or on the right side. If anyone threatens to uncover some "truth" that demonstrates that a person's "rightness" is wrong, that person who is threatening must be destroyed by labeling him as a heretic or as one who is not in tune with God.

This is what happened when Jesus spoke in the Synagogue in Nazareth. The villagers from Jesus' hometown were amazed at his speaking at first. THEN, Jesus made two remarks about how God had widened the blessing of salvation by healing a Gentile (non-Jew) leper and how out of all of the Jewish widows, God turned to a Gentile widow to be helpful to Elijah. When Jesus shared with them that God's salvation extended beyond the holy huddle of Jewish believers, the Jews went crazy and tried to kill him.

When Stephen spoke in Jerusalem (recorded in Acts 6), he was actually stoned to death for saying some threatening, outside the Jewish hierarchical box kinds of things. He said, "However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?'"

Stephen was saying that God cannot be confined, even to the great and holy Temple that was built by Solomon. This, along with challenging them to live out what they profess, was just too much of a threat to them. So, Stephen, the voice of the threat must be destroyed!

Paul, was given harsh treatment, when he spoke in Pisidian Antioch:On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him. Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. (Acts 13)

Later in Lystra and Zerbe, Paul was stoned and left for dead by these same holy huddle-minded Jews who were threatened by Paul's message of salvation not being narrow and exclusive, but wide and all-inclusive:Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. (Acts 14)

Even the much loved and respected, Billy Graham, said in an interview: "What God is doing today is calling people out of the world for His name. Whether they come from the Muslim world, or the Buddhist world, or the Christian world, or the non-believing world, they are members of the body of Christ because they've been called by God. They may not even know the name of Jesus, but they know in their hearts they need something that they don't have and they turn to the only light they have." That interview placed Billy Graham on some of the most popular heretic lists. People have so much trouble believing that God could be calling people from every culture to Himself.

In our book, JESUS PLUS NOTHING, we demonstrate Jesus' teachings on this very thing. In fact, you will discover several illustrations where Jesus encountered people from other cultures and openly and freely gave them salvation. He didn't require them to become a Jew or a Christian, because to Jesus it's all about a personal relationship with him.

I believe and teach more powerfully than ever Jesus' words, "I am the way, the truth and the life." I'm seeing how Jesus is the way for everyone, everywhere! Jesus is not narrow and exclusive so he can fit into anyone's box. Jesus all-inclusive and will work with anyone!

Go to www.jesusplusnothing.org and get JESUS PLUS NOTHING. Check Jesus out for yourself. Get to know Jesus without religious baggage!

THE JESUS MOVEMENT CAN FIT INTO THE BIG C CHURCH

2012-01-12T17:27:00.000-08:00

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NOW before I begin, let me make it clearagain: I am NOT against the organized Church.In our consumer-oriented world, the organizedChurch is the vehicle that can be a solutionto the many community needs-to grow up as afamily, to assist parents in strengtheningthe family, to provide a place of worship andprayer, to address the real needs of thecommunity-hunger, clothing, housing andcounseling.

Embracing Jesus' emphasis and intention withrespect to the movement He was launchingcontinually makes it seem that He was againstthe Synagogue (the modern-day organizedChurch). But this is not true. Jesusrespected the Synagogue (the organizedChurch). However, Jesus came to launch adynamic movement-a few here and a few overthere, gathering together in His name. Thisis where He promised to show up-where two orthree are gathered together.

And when Jesus shows up among the gatheringof the few, He changes lives dramatically.This is a very critical thing. The church ofJesus is all about transformation. My friend,Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek CommunityChurch outside of Chicago, has probablytrained more pastors and church leaders thanany other. Within the last two years Bill andhis staff came to the conclusion that allthey had done building their church wassorely missing the mark. They found thattheir ministry had been emphasizing the wrongthings-asking the wrong question, which was"How many people were in attendance?" Thebottom-line is that the people were notexperiencing transformation! They are nowreworking their approach to ministry,identifying where each person is on his orher spiritual journey and ministering totheir needs specifically. This was quite anadmission, to say the least, and rocked theChristian world as the news spread.

My friend, Rick Warren, pastor of SaddlebackCommunity Church in Orange County,California, shares a similar frustration. Heshared with me his consternation over theglaring fact that the big C Church is justnot changing the culture. Rick has beendiligently training pastors as Hybels overthe years and sees the reality that the big CChurch is not having the Jesus movementimpact on our society. Even though the megaChurches are more visible than ever, thereare still 60-70 smaller churches closing eachweek. The net impact on our population is notincreasing. It's like the big C Church inmany ways has become a holy huddle in themidst of a troubled and lost world. But wecannot settle for this.

For the most part the leadership of the big CChurches sees the vital need to make theChurch experience more intimate, so theybreak down the larger assembly into smallercontexts. One level of the smaller context isfound through affinity groups-like coupleswith children or singles. Another level ofthe smaller context is an educationalapproach through offering a variety ofclasses. Then there are the smaller groupsthat meet in homes during the week to study agiven topic. A final smaller context is moreshort-term, but proves to be quite effectiveand transformational-mission trips or retreats.

Any attempt to get smaller is better andcreates an atmosphere that invitesparticipation. But just because you aremeeting in a smaller context doesn't mean youare practicing the Jesus movement. Most smallgroups never reach the level of intimacy andunity for which Jesus prayed. They usuallydrift into gentle friendships, which aregood, but are not the revolutionaryfellowship movement Jesus envisioned.

There are 3 dynamic, Greek words with amessage of encouragement that can help you tostay on track with Jesus and to participatein A REVOLUTIONARY FELLOWSHIP THAT TRANSFORMSTHE WORLD!

FIRST-parakoloutheo-Keep on recommitting yourself to follow closely after one another! It means "to follow close up, or side by side", "to accompany, to conform to", or "following" teaching so that you practice it. There is a sense of following so closely that you can more fully know a person or persons. Check this out in Mark 16:17; Luke 1:3; I Timothy 4:6 and especially pay attention to II Timothy 3:10.

SECOND-katartizo-Keep on restoring oneanother! In I Corinthians 1:10, Paul writes:"I appeal to you that you may be perfectlyunited in mind and thought." The words"perfectly united" are a translation of theGreek work, katartizo. It is used in severalways in the New Testament: to restore, toperfect, to fit, to prepare, etc. Possiblythe most interesting use of the word is "tomend" a net. Fishermen around the world spendas much of their time mending nets as they dofishing. The maintenance of closerelationships requires our attention tomending as well. It's even used for aphysician to reset broken bones.

So, this word has 3 basic meanings:(1) To mend or repair the nets-Matthew 4:21;Mark 1:19.(2) To complete, furnish completely, to equipor to prepare-Luke 6:40.(3) To prepare and perfect ethically andspiritually-I Thessalonians 3:10; Galatians6:1; Ephesians 4:12; II Timothy 3:17: I Peter1:10.

THIRD-haplotes-Keep on reminding one anotherof the simplicity of Jesus! "But I amafraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve byhis craftiness, your minds will be led astrayfrom the simplicity and purity of devotion toChrist" (II Corinthians 11:3). This isa fascinating word that has more to it thansimply simple. This simplicity carries withit a sincerity, a single-mindedness, anunaffectedness. There is also a notion ofgenerosity and bountifulness in thissimplicity. In other words, the simplicityof devotion to Jesus has a single-mindedabundance to it-an overflowing fullness andliberality about it.

As you can plainly see the church orgathering that Jesus intended has to do withexperiencing a revolutionary fellowship withJesus and those who are also following Him.Although this isn't the primary purpose of aweek-end big C Church service due to thenature of its size, you can experience arevolutionary fellowship within the big C Church.

So, what does Jesus want us to do with theorganized big C Church?Reading through the 5 gospels(Matthew-Mark-Luke-John-Acts) it is clearwhat Jesus and the disciples did with the"organized Church". Let's view the synagogueas the organized Church. There are fourobservations that seem most relevant to us:1. You don't find Jesus or the disciplesbashing the Synagogue (Church).2. You find Jesus constantly correcting theleadership of the organized Synagogue(Church), teaching and practicing living inthe Kingdom.3. You don't find Jesus or the disciplesstarting new Synagogues (Churches), becauseof inadequate teaching or worship.4. You find Jesus and the disciples using theSynagogues (Churches) and then orbitingaround them.

Several years ago I read a book, ORBITING THE GIANT HAIRBALL--A Corporate Fool's Guide ToSurviving With Grace by Gordon MacKenzie. MacKenzie worked at Hallmark Greeting Cardsfor 30 years in the creative department. Hefound that he was unable to be very creative,if he had to spend his time in corporatemeetings. So he learned to orbit around thecorporate bureaucracy and not be entangled init, freeing him to create. He also makes itclear that the hairball was absolutelynecessary. Without it there was nothing topower the orbit and the hairball paid thebills. This is exactly what the earlyfellowships of Jesus did. They participatedin the Synagogue, yet they were in orbitaround their Synagogue, their communities andaround the marketplace. They went toSynagogue (Church) every Sabbath, yet theywere there for a higher purpose. They werethere to introduce more and more people tothe revolutionary fellowship and person ofJesus.

There are two clear action steps here:FIRST-participate in the revolutionaryfellowship movement of Jesus inside oroutside the big C Church.SECOND-orbit around the big C Church, lookingfor those who are interested in Jesus and Hismovement. Once someone leans in withinterest, invite them into the revolutionaryfellowship of Jesus with you.

THE ORGANIZED CHURCH & THE JESUS MOVEMENT

2012-01-11T20:05:00.000-08:00

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This week I want to clarify some of mythoughts on the organized Church today. Iknow some of you no doubt feel that I amagainst the Church, but this is not true. Yousee, I am striving to understand what Jesusintended and what Jesus did, in fact, launchas the church of Jesus. Much of the time wehave added man-made doctrines and methods toHis teachings. These doctrines and methodsmay be good in themselves, but Jesus had abetter idea in mind. It's very important tosay that I am not against the organizedChurch, but seek to support it in its manyministries and to encourage leaders andlaymen alike to get back to the heart ofJesus as they conduct their Church ministries.

When I teach what Jesus said and did with Hisdisciples and what He intended with respectto the future disciples of His disciples, itis clearly different from what we know andlove today in the Church. And as I teachthese things the contrasts are very clear,therefore it may seem that I am blasting theChurch in the process. That is not my heartat all. I see the organized big C Church inmuch the same way as the early Synagogues andthe Temple in Jerusalem. When you frame theChurch in this way, it becomes clearer howthe Church fits within the Jesus movement.

The Synagogue and Temple were the massmeeting places where believers would come topray, confess, offer sacrifices, worship andhear the written Word of God read each week.The Synagogue had instruction for childrenthrough adults. Jesus and His disciplesattended Synagogue, never spoke against it,didn't seek to change it, and didn't startanother one to compete with it. There justwasn't any bashing of the Synagogue.

The Church today is the same as theSynagogue. It's a place where believers cangather in mass to pray, worship, hearteaching and enroll their children in somesort of spiritual instruction. It serves theconsumer needs of the people. The megachurches provide programs that are unequaledand very helpful, especially to the needs offamilies.

So, the big C Church has its place in theplan of God, however it's too easy to misswhat kind of thing Jesus intended. I call itthe little c church. The term "church" is nota special or holy word as many believe andteach. It literally means "called out ones"and was used to describe city councilmeetings or any kind of assembly where peopleare called out to meet for a purpose. Itsimply is a gathering of followers of Jesus.The simple gathering of followers of Jesus onany day and at any location is a church.These gatherings Jesus launched revolvedaround four ingredients-fellowship, food,prayer and the apostles' teachings (teachingsand principles of Jesus).

The big C Church by its very nature tendstoward making most people spectators; thelittle c church is all about relationalparticipation. The big C Church is founded ona set of beliefs or doctrines-a system ofdo's and don'ts; the little c church isfounded completely on a personal relationshipwith Jesus and as we gather seeing Jesus showup. The big C Church is a place where you go;the little c church is not a place to go, butwherever you go you are to be the church-thegathering in the name and power of Jesus.The big C Church is an organization; thelittle c church is a live organism-organic inevery way.

Check out these observations:FIRST-the church of Jesus is a movement. Youcannot get your arms around it, visit it, oreven see it. It's like the wind. You can'tsee the wind, but you can definitely see theeffects of it. It's not a monument that onebuilds; it's a movement around Jesus that iscontagious and must be caught. It's not adenominational or religious organization tobe joined; it's a living movement throughwhich Jesus captures your heart.

SECOND-the church of Jesus is everywhere andall around us-wherever followers of Jesusgather together in His name. No matter thelocation (coffee shop, living room, bar,race-track, battlefield, school, office), nomatter the culture (Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim,Hindu, Christian and even agnostic), and nomatter the level of society (the powerful orthe poor), you can find the Jesus movementmaking a difference in His name.

THIRD-the church of Jesus is a relational,participatory dynamic where people encounterJesus and walk with Him together. The Jesusmovement is not driven by a certain doctrinalsystem; it's driven by a real, personalrelationship with Jesus, Himself.

FOURTH-the church of Jesus is out ofcontrol-man's control-and under theleadership of Jesus, the Head. Maybe the onemost deadly move we tend to make in life isto be "in control".

We are given a strong clue to what Jesus cameto do in His prayer to the Father in John 17.He said, "Father, I have finished the workyou gave me to do." Let's listen in ownthis prayer: "I have manifested Your nameto the men whom You gave Me out of the world;they were Yours and You gave them to Me, andthey have kept Your word. Now they have cometo know that everything You have given Me isfrom You; for the words which You gave Me Ihave given to them; and they received themand truly understood that I came forth fromYou, and they believed that You sent Me. Butnow I come to You; and these things I speakin the world so that they may have My joymade full in themselves. I have given themYour word." Jesus came into this world toinvest His life in a few men and now He sendsus out to do the same. "As You sent Meinto the world, I also have sent them intothe world."

This is the essence of the church Jesus cameto build-a movement consisting of a fewfollowers who gather in His name in such away that they are able to know the Fatherpersonally and intimately. He says, "I donot ask on behalf of these alone, but forthose also who believe in Me through theirword; that they may all be one; even as You,Father, are in Me and I in You, that theyalso may be in Us, so that the world maybelieve that You sent Me."

So, are you caught up in the dynamic,participatory movement of Jesus-being thechurch-or are you satisfied with being aspectator-going to church?

BELIEVING ENOUGH TO FOLLOW

2012-01-10T23:36:00.000-08:00

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Today I want to show you why being a believer is not enough. On the road to becoming a disciple and then making disciples, there is another level of growth and maturity. Let's rehearse the levels up to this point:

1. People who are not followers of Jesus-family, friends, acquaintances.2. People who are interested-the seekers after more about Jesus.3. People who are interested enough to become a believer.

Now, today we come to the final level of progression in order to be ready and able to respond to Jesus' command to "make disciples of all nations."4. People who believe enough to follow Jesus.

Most of my life I have bought into the importance of being a believer or more specifically, a believer in Jesus. In the past few years as I have been focused on the teachings and principles of Jesus, I have come to realize that being a "believer" is probably not the best way to identify yourself with Jesus. If you perform a quick overview of the five Gospels (Matthew-Mark-Luke-John-Acts), you will discover that with few exceptions John is the only one who uses the term "believe" extensively.

Demons are said to be believers. The false teachers Jesus mentions are believers. Jesus refers to people who act like believers, but that's not good enough. Look at what Jesus says: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" Here was a group of people who spoke in the name of Jesus, cast out demons in the name of Jesus and performed many miracles in His name, yet Jesus didn't know them. He had no personal relationship with them.

In addition to demons and false teachers, many of you who are reading or listening to this daily see yourselves as believers, too. So, what's the difference? There must be more to it than just being a believer!

Jesus clarifies this. Jesus makes it clear that the only ones who will enter the
Kingdom of heaven are those who do the will of the Father. And what does Jesus mean by this? In the next paragraph He illustrates what this means:
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

Those who do the will of the Father are those who hear the words of Jesus and practice them! That's more than just being a "believer". Don't get caught up in the clichés and sound bites of religiosity. Pray for ears to hear and eyes to see, then listen to what Jesus says and do it. Don't miss this! You must believe, but you must believe enough to follow Jesus and His teachings! Whether you are Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jew, Christian or agnostic, follow Jesus and enjoy the results!

Believe enough to follow Jesus. Being a follower of Jesus is the best identification. This ID is straight from Jesus and the writers of the Gospels. All of them use this term. It's possible to be a believer without being a follower of Jesus.

So, what does it mean to be a follower of Jesus? There are many ways to describe this. Here are three habits that we have found most helpful to teach how to follow Jesus. FIRST-WALKING WITH JESUS. Walking with Jesus means you are devoted to Jesus in four ways:

1. Devoted to copy Jesus-to walk, talk, love and think like Jesus. The question to check this is "What Did Jesus Do?" (WDJD?). Follow Him.

2. Devoted to consult with Jesus regarding your personal, family and professional decisions. The question to check this is "What Would Jesus Do?" (WWJD?). Follow what Jesus would do in this situation.

3. Devoted to converse with Jesus throughout your day. Prayer is simply a conversation within your relationship with Jesus. The question to check this is "What Is Jesus Saying?" (WIJS?).

4. Devoted to community like Jesus-disciplining yourself to do life with a few others. The question to check this is "What Is Jesus Doing?" (WIJD?).

SECOND-WALKING WITH OTHERS WHO WALK WITH JESUS. The early disciples modeled this by spending time together, studying the teachings of Jesus, eating, praying and fellowshipping with one another. Walking with others is a commitment to be in community with a few, in conversation with Jesus with that few and in copy-mode to stimulate one another to be like Jesus.

THIRD-WAITING ON JESUS TO LEAD OUT WITH OPPORTUNITIES AND ORDERS. This may be the toughest, but is made much easier by walking together with a few others.

INTERESTED ENOUGH TO BELIEVE

2012-01-09T15:44:00.000-08:00

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On the road to becoming a disciple and then making disciples there seem to be four levels of progression. Yesterday we saw the first level-the entire world around you who is not presently following Jesus. Our goal is that by showing Jesus off we might find people who are interested.

I want to clarify a little more who these interested people are. They are not interested in joining something. They are not interested in becoming religious. They are not interested in learning a new language. Nor are they interested in leaving their culture or religious identification to become like you in your culture. BUT we are looking for those who are interested in how Jesus might fit into their culture and how their culture fits with Jesus and His teachings.

People who are interested in this way are open to knowing and discovering more about this Jesus. I call this kind of stance 'leaning in' for more. It reminds me of becoming like a little child-open, trusting and in more of a learning mode. When a person 'leans in' in this way, he will inevitably come to the point of personal faith-to be a believer in Jesus.

Being interested enough to believe is what we want. The progression goes like this: First-a person sees Jesus displayed through the lives of those who are following Jesus. Second-once a person sees Jesus displayed, there is a good chance he will become interested in knowing more. Third-when a person follows his interest in Jesus and is leaning in, he will likely become a believer.

For most of my spiritual journey I have found calling myself a believer most comfortable. It's a clean term and has little religious baggage to it. Three observations come to mind here.

FIRST-Being a believer has become a threshold experience-the very doorway into salvation. After sharing a time of counseling a desperate man in the psych ward of a local hospital, I told this particular study group that it was so exciting to see this man's attitude of fear change into a sincere seeking for God. One of our group members quickly said, "So he became a believer?" In other words, "Did you close the spiritual deal and now this non-believer is a believer?" We seem to want this magical moment that a person becomes a believer and then all will be OK.

To accommodate this thinking and to motivate people into becoming a believer, many have created tangible ways to confirm this threshold act of belief. Some urge people to respond during what is called an altar call, such as what is done at the end of a Billy Graham service. Others have what is called an "I believe" service, where a person stands to his feet and says "I believe." Still others rely on urging a person to pray a prayer of belief. Each of these sort of memorializes the time a person becomes a believer.

SECOND-Being a believer has become a time to reference as the time your relationship with God began. Remembering the day you became a believer-your threshold experience of salvation-becomes a sure sign that your faith is genuine and not being able to nail down that date means that maybe you never actually have come into a salvation experience at all.

Recently, a pastor told one of his elders that if you can't identify that specific time of salvation faith in your life, then you are probably not a genuine believer. That night the elder interrogated his wife and she could not give him a specific day, but she felt she had come into a personal faith gradually. When the elder shared this experience with a group I was leading, he was really saddened by his discovery and it showed in his countenance. Then I asked him, "When was Peter's specific day?" The elder sat there for quite some time and said, "I don't know." I said, "Troubling, isn't it?" "What about the other disciples? What was their specific day?" The elder saw what I was showing him and said, "So, my pastor was wrong."

THIRD-Being a believer can miss the point of the ongoing process of believing. To make "being a believer" so paramount, it is too easy to miss out on what happened with the early disciples and rely on man-made sound bites and clichés. Think about it! The early disciples were not "believers" in the sense that most think of it today. They were followers of Jesus and His teachings, but were a work in progress with respect to becoming believers. By the way, that process took them over three years!

So, we want people to become interested-interested enough to believe. But there is a catch here. Becoming a believer is more than a threshold experience. It's not just a moment in time where a person has expressed his belief or faith in Jesus. The act of believing is progressive and continual. It's a journey of faith. It's important to encourage those who are interested to be interested enough to believe. Just make sure that when a person believes, this believer learns to keep on believing-living this faith out in his life.

As important as it is to be interested enough to believe I want to show you tomorrow why believing is not enough to get you into a relationship with God. On the road to becoming a disciple and then making disciples, there is one more level that must be reached.

LOOKING FOR THE INTERESTED

2012-01-08T21:17:00.000-08:00

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On the road to becoming a disciple and then making disciples there seem to be four levels of progression. The first is found all around you-your family, friends and acquaintances. Or, to put it more specifically, the entire world that is not now presently following Jesus.

Over the years I've come to realize that God is into what I call "divine appointments." A divine appointment comes up in, at least, three ways. First is a scheduled appointment. You know you are going to see a certain person today, but you may not know what may come up there that is all about the move of God. Second is a spontaneous appointment. You know the person, but had no idea you would run into him today. Third is the surprise appointment. You don't know the person you are encountering and it is a surprise to everyone, but God that you are thrown together into this appointment. In every case God is busily setting up divine appointments for each of us all day long. All He wants from us is to show up! In other words, God has something special for you to do as you touch this person. This is why I pray: "Lord Jesus, what is it that you have for me today?" I want to anticipate these divine appointments and look for them throughout the day.

When it comes to being obedient to making disciples of Jesus of all the nations, I think it's best to start right here where God is setting up the appointments for you. It's at this level that we are thinking in terms of exposing as many people to Jesus as possible.

So, how is this done most effectively? I mean, a street preacher on the corner or a spiritual march with signs and bullhorns may have some effect, but I know these approaches are not the most effective. As I have examined the ways we might show Jesus off, I have discovered only five in the New Testament.

FIRST-By lifestyle. Jesus says: "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) Your lifestyle-how you live your life-will speak so loudly to those who are watching. How you handle your problems and stresses, how you love your spouse and how you treat your family and friends are all on display. People can see Jesus in this way!

SECOND-By loving one another. Jesus says: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35) People can also see Jesus by our love for one another. This is so attractive and contagious.

THIRD-By giving a blessing when you are insulted. Peter says: To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. And later, Peter says: "Always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you." (I Peter 3:8-12, 15) People who give a blessing when insulted are acting in a counter-cultural sort of way. It's moving to the beat of a different drummer by the name of Jesus.

FOURTH-By sharing your own Jesus story. How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without someone to proclaim? (Romans 10:14) This is the only one of the ways we show Jesus off by our words. But NOTE that this is not you preaching to or arguing with anyone. The best thing to share is your own personal story. No one can argue with your own experience, strength and hope you have found through Jesus.

FIFTH-By ministering to Jesus through the needs of people. Jesus says something very unique: 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'" (Matthew 25:35-40) Once a month a group of us feed and minister to the needs of the homeless in Orange County. I always encourage each of the volunteers that by loving and ministering to these dear people they are actually ministering to Jesus Himself.

Now, each of these actions show Jesus off to the world-living a lifestyle like Jesus, loving one another, blessing when insulted, sharing your own story and helping those in need. In fact, when you do these things, you are living a lifestyle on a different level altogether and people notice. The people who notice are all of the people who are watching you day after day. We pray that through our interactions with our family, friends and acquaintances that they will become interested.

We're looking for those who are interested. This is really the only requirement that is necessary-to be interested. By the way, if you are interested and have a passion for Jesus and how His teachings and principles work in your life, you will find all kinds of people interested in the same thing. You will find interested people in Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues, civic groups, schools, gyms, in the corporate setting, and in your community. Do you want to make disciples of Jesus, orbit around your world, looking for those who have ears to hear and eyes to see. You're not looking to close any spiritual deals or people to preach to; you're looking for the interested! They are all around you. God is setting up divine appointments all day long just for you. All He wants from you is to show up!

JESUS PLUS NOTHING-THE BOOK!

2012-01-05T21:27:00.000-08:00

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For nearly the entire year of 2011 we have been embroiled in the process of writing a book we call JESUS PLUS NOTHING. It's not only a book; there will be several study guides for individuals and small groups to focus on the teachings and principles of Jesus. I read every book that is published on Jesus and have found them all to be filled with Christianese and, at best, Jesus light.

We have come to see and understand that Jesus can and must stand on His own. Jesus alone is enough and needs nothing else to make a significant difference in a person's life. Jesus alone is enough. As Jesus puts it: "Without me you can do nothing." Now, Jesus either meant that or He didn't. "Without me you can do nothing." This understanding and appreciation of Jesus doesn't occur just by hearing someone teach on it or even by reading a book on it. It takes lots of time to get to know Jesus and then to trust Him to be all He is and can be in your life.

The beginning of the book, JESUS PLUS NOTHING, is of necessity my personal story. It's my story of being addicted to religion, particularly Christianity. My addiction was bolstered by my strict, Christian upbringing, my Christian College and four-year graduate seminary experiences, the founding of one of the early mega-Churches, publishing ten best-sellers, knowing the lingo of Christianese and a full store-house of Biblical knowledge from the Greek and Hebrew. THEN, Jesus apprehended my heart in a dramatic way and for the first time I became serious about answering his revolutionary call: "FOLLOW ME!" For the first time in my life I got to know this Jesus personally-the Jesus I only talked a lot about.

JESUS PLUS NOTHING is not only my personal story; it is also a story of reconciliation. With the gap widening between Christianity and the other religious cultures of the world-Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, atheists and agnostics-JESUS PLUS NOTHING offers the only solution to this increasing alienation and illustrates how reconciliation has worked and is working in the world today. This is not about inter-faith or multi-faith solutions. It's not another peace plan for reconciliation! This is about Jesus!

As I continued to write and interact with many around this country and in nations around the world, I was repeatedly introduced to men and women who are focused on being "Church planters" in the many cultures of the world. What I realized early was that JESUS PLUS NOTHING can be extremely helpful to those who are committed to planting or starting up new Churches around the world. What I realized was that no one in the early movement of Jesus "planted Churches." There's a better and more effective strategy for making disciples of Jesus in all nations.

I recently spoke to a group of Church planters and called my talk: "Stop Planting Churches And Join The Jesus Movement!" It was surprisingly well received. Only one man had a problem with the approach I presented and he wasn't actually a Church planter. One of my dear friends in Africa, a man I've never met personally, was asked to speak to a group of Church planters from several African nations. He followed the same approach and was enthusiastically received. Jesus has a better idea than planting another Church. It's what I call the Jesus movement.

As I shared yesterday, JESUS PLUS NOTHING is also a story for the persecuted Church around the world. Why is it necessary to continually read the sickening headlines of Christians and the Christian Church being persecuted-churches burned out, leaders threatened and tortured, and angry mobs within their communities filled with hate? Most of the persecution of the Christian Church around the world can be avoided today without diluting the message of Jesus! Jesus plus nothing else is so attractive and irresistible to people everywhere!

Finally, JESUS PLUS NOTHING is a story for the turned off! Why are so many youth moving away from the tenets of Christianity and not returning? Why are so many Church members finding it more comfortable to be spectators and not participators? Why are more than 75 Churches closing each week in the US? People are either turned off or not turned on to what's going on. We're finding a wide assortment of people who are highly attracted to Jesus, simply Jesus. To add anything else to Jesus is to dilute who Jesus is and what He can do.

JESUS PLUS NOTHING is all about getting to know Jesus and learning to follow Jesus with your entire being. It's a call to personal and global transformation.
There seem to be three stages of following Jesus. FIRST-Jesus is followed because He is so flawless and attractive-unimpeachable. He is the one person who has truly walked the walk and the talk perfectly. No one argues with this. And the disciples believed in Him enough to follow Him. There is nothing wrong with this type of following Jesus at all. Anyone anywhere can begin to follow Jesus, no matter their belief systems.

SECOND-Then as you follow this attractive Jesus, you will begin to embrace His lifestyle, teachings and principles and find them to be very practical and meaningful for your life. Following this Jesus just makes sense.

THIRD-Finally, as you continue to follow this Jesus and find His teachings meaningful, you will at some point discover your Creator-God. You will experience transformation of your heart and your mind and see Jesus for who He is.

So, wherever you are in this continuum of the stages in following Jesus, ultimately you are seeking and hoping to receive this gift of transformation from God Himself. When you understand this, you then can embrace the fact of Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Agnostics, Muslims and even Christians who are followers of Jesus.

This is why I am dedicating my life to doing two things. FIRST-I am doing one of the toughest things I've ever set out to do in my life; I'm trying to follow Jesus and embrace His teachings as my lifestyle.

SECOND-I want to do whatever I can do to introduce Jesus and His teachings to as many individuals as I possibly can. This approach to life is summed up in an old phrase: TO KNOW JESUS AND TO MAKE HIM KNOWN. I encourage you to think about doing the same. This sums up what we mean by "Jesus Plus Nothing."

JESUS PLUS NOTHING IS FOR THE PERSECUTED

2012-01-04T20:39:00.000-08:00

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I receive an email or two per day relating stories of ugly persecution around the world. Usually the persecution is against a group of Christians who are being threatened, burned out of their Church buildings, tortured, abused or even killed. The stories are amazing and very sad.

Before I finished writing JESUS PLUS NOTHING, we advised a persecuted missionary in India to shift his approach from trying to "convert" the Hindus out of their culture into a Western Christian mold. It's no wonder they were being persecuted. Families were angered and village leadership fought against him with all their power and passion over this haughty conversion tactic being used.

Conversion in the sense of yanking a person from his culture and making him join a new culture isn't even mentioned one time in the Bible. Even though this is a fact, many blindly and stubbornly move ahead to put all of their monies and energies into converting people out of their cultures into the Western Christian culture. In a few translations the term "convert" or "converted" is used, but it means to turn to God, not change or deny a person's culture.

As we have discussed in the last couple of days, followers of Jesus are never commanded to convert the world, but to make disciples of Jesus from all of the nations. In fact, no person, clergy or missionary can convert or change a person's heart at all. Only God can perform this kind of inner transformation.

This was the essence of what came out of the conversation with Jesus and his disciples, when Jesus asked, "Who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Then Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven."

By the way, when the persecuted missionary changed his approach from trying to convert Hindus to become Christians into simply introducing Hindus to Jesus, the persecution finally ceased.

JESUS PLUS NOTHING illustrates two of the most common types of persecution taught by Jesus. The first is that Jesus made it clear that the world will hate his followers in the same way they hate Jesus. Then, Jesus explains what the "world" will do to his followers. He says, "They will throw you out of their synagogues." In other words, the "world" Jesus is referring to is the religious world. I've certainly experienced this. Most of the so-called persecution I've ever received has come from the religious, not the secular world.

The second kind of persecution that emerges out of Jesus' teachings is the refusal of the Jewish leadership to go along with God's original program of reaching out to the nations of the world. Through God's agreement He made with Abraham, the Jews were to be especially blessed by God and to be a blessing to the nations of the world.

The greatest persecution in the New Testament writings happened when Jesus referred to extending salvation to the nations or Gentiles. When Jesus brought this up in his first talk at the synagogue in Nazareth, the people were so incensed that they took him out to push him off a cliff.

When Stephen referred to being a blessing to the nations of the world, he was stoned to death. And when Paul mentioned it, he was stoned and left for dead.

In my opinion, today most persecution comes out of a religious context and also occurs when well-meaning people try to do the work of wrenching people out of their cultures and changing them into becoming whatever flavor of religious persuasion one happens to be.

Remember what Jesus said to Peter? "My Father revealed these incredible transforming ideas to you. No flesh and blood can teach this, so that you are transformed."

God is calling people to Himself within the many cultures of our world. Instead of you trying to call people out or supporting those who do, just go along with what God is up to. He's got the best idea of all and He's the only one who can truly change a person's heart. Now that's a Jesus plus nothing principle, for sure!

THE HOW OF MAKING DISCIPLES

2012-01-03T16:01:00.000-08:00

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Here again are Jesus' words, giving a very direct command to those who want to continue following Him: And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)

Remember, there is only one command here from Jesus and that is to make disciples-to make followers of Jesus of all nations. Also, keep in mind this is making followers of Jesus, not making followers of your religious persuasion. It's not making followers of your traditions and culture. This is all about making followers of Jesus, who supersedes all religious beliefs and systems and founders. This is Jesus without religious baggage of any kind.

Most people make the mistake of thinking the command here is to go, because of the English wording here. There is no commandment to go, to baptize or to teach. These are participles giving us guidelines on how to make followers of Jesus.

The first participle is BY GOING. This has to do with initiating the follow-through on the command to make disciples. I think this action is best described for us today as introducing everyone everywhere we can to Jesus. We are not to be taking mission trips for the purpose of conversion, but to advance the conversation of Jesus in whatever culture we enter. Jesus fits and is attractive to every culture; your religious system is not. When you go to convert people to your way of thinking, persecution is inevitable.

The second participle is BY BAPTIZING. To baptize means to immerse a person into something-literally to dip into. If you take a white cloth and dip it into a bucket of red dye, your cloth will have a new identification-red. This is the essence of baptism. It is the action of identifying a person with something. John was known as the baptizer. He baptized or identified people with repentance-changing their minds about their stance before God. Jesus identified Himself with John's baptism of repentance. Then Jesus baptized or identified or immersed people with His Spirit.

Listen to how John compared his baptism with that of Jesus: And he was preaching, and saying, "After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." (Mark 1:7-8)

The Gospel of John puts it this way: Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, and said to him, "Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" John answered them saying, "I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He on behalf of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.' I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water." John testified saying, "I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, 'He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.' I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God." (John 1:24-34)

Jesus extends this identification with His Spirit when He has His disciples wait for the Spirit to come upon them with power: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

NOTE the spread of the message of Jesus to make followers throughout the world is natural, when His Spirit comes upon you.

The third participle is BY TEACHING. This action of incarnating Jesus within the discipleship process is to teach all who will listen to observe and obey all that Jesus taught and commanded. It's learning to flesh out Jesus making Jesus your life's reference point and focal point. It's embracing Jesus as a lifestyle. This is not indoctrination, but incarnation of Jesus in every way possible.

Now, here is the key to the "how" of making disciples. There are two lines that cannot be overlooked. "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)

FIRST-"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." Authority is the rights and power to do whatever He wants. How much is "all"? All means everything; no other authority that matters exists.

SECOND-"I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Get this! The same Jesus who has all authority, rights and power in the universe is the one who is with you always-even to the end of the world.

If you are going to be effective in making disciples or followers of Jesus, you must be a follower of the one who has all authority, rights and power and who is always present with you. If this Jesus is present with you, then those you touch will not only see it; they will sense Jesus in you!

Making Disciples of All Nations

2012-01-02T17:14:00.000-08:00

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I want to revisit what it means to follow through with what Jesus commanded us to do. It has been called the "great commission." Don't get sidetracked from the primary command here. The only command is to "make disciples of all the nations." He offers three participles on how we are to make disciples-(1) by going, (2) by baptizing and (3) by teaching. Today I want to only deal with the command and tomorrow with the three participles.

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)

Who is the target on which we are to focus for making disciples? Who are we to disciple? Note that Jesus makes it clear that we are to disciple "all of the nations." Nations would be better to translate as "cultures." We are to make disciples of people from all of the cultures of the world who are not now disciples. Disciples of what? A certain religion? A specific theological system? No, we are to make disciples of Jesus-followers of Jesus. Our audience is made up of all people everywhere who are not now followers of Jesus.

The initial exposure to the nations of the world happened on one day at the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem, recorded in Acts 2:4-6: And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. So, instantly the seed of the message of Jesus was planted in the hearts of men and women from the nations of the world.

Peter, trying to stick to his cultural traditions and religious Law was confounded by God to realize that God was willing and able to work with every nation or culture of the world. Check this out: Opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus the Christ (He is Lord of all)-you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins." (Acts 10:34-43)

NOTE Peter realized quickly that "in every nation or culture the man who fears God and does what is right is welcome to Him." By the way, that means from every religion as well. God is already at work in people's hearts all over the world in every culture, not to join our culture and religious expression, but they are welcome to God for themselves!

Paul and Barnabas entered the city of Lystra, healed a man and the people believed they were gods-Zeus and Hermes, who had come to the city. Then after hearing them speak and reject their worshipping of them, the Jews attacked them. The crowds were stirred up to attack Paul and they actually stoned him, leaving him for dead. With the disciples there in Lystra, he amazingly had the strength to get up, went back into the city with the disciples and moved on with Barnabas the next day to another city, Derbe. NOTE that their end game was to make disciples of Jesus there: After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith. (Acts 14:21-22)

When Paul spoke to the people in the marketplace of Athens, he said, "The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.' "Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, "We shall hear you again concerning this." So Paul went out of their midst. But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

NOTE God gave all people life and breath, making every nation or culture of the world. He determined each culture's boundaries and activities in order that they might seek God-by groping and finding Him, since God is not far from anyone. Then Paul says, since all created people are the children of God, we ought to be able to discover and connect with God through His further revelation. This revelation is not through some image or idol, but is in fact a man who was raised from the dead. His name? Jesus.

On several occasions in the book of Revelation the message of Jesus is said to have gone out to "a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues." This can only happen if we are focused on making disciples of Jesus everywhere, not converting people to become a member of one of our religious systems. Jesus is above all of man's religious systems. Jesus, the incomparable and irresistible Jesus!

2012-THE YEAR OF THE JESUS MOVEMENT

2012-01-01T21:27:00.000-08:00

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There's lots of movement in our world today, mostly filled with the spirit of tension and rebellion. Beginning with one businessman setting himself on fire in Tunisia, the match was lit that spread a fire of revolution throughout the Arab world. It's called the Arab Spring! Many saw it as a great move toward democracy around the world. However, whenever a vacuum is created in the power structure of a nation, other powers will inevitably move into that vacuum and the results may not be as desirable as originally anticipated.
Then there are the global economic crises occurring all over the world. European nations are in a lot of trouble and seem to be just a bit ahead of the United States. It's as if all is horribly out of control around the world and right here at home in the US.

As we listen to the discord and the seeming willingness to say most anything within the political arena, distrust reigns. There seems to be a major deficiency in credible leadership in our country and in our world. This creates a massive spirit of insecurity in the society's of our world. There is no one to lead us out of this quagmire. No one who has any answers that resonate with our hearts and no one seems to know the way.

Add to this the gnawing and relentless claims that we are approaching the end of the world as we know it. Even though we have a feeling that the Mayans weren't right about the end of the world, there is still an unsettled feeling about the date this year of December 21, 2012 as the end of the world. Add to this the many other prophecies and opinions that the world is reaching a climactic end. The primary rationale here is that we are all so frustrated with the way things are and don't see any way through it all to make it any better.

I want to add my own prophetic utterance to the many global rumors out there. As I write, travel and interact with people from the many cultures and levels of society around the globe, it is clear to me that we are definitely approaching some highly significant, climactic realization. I'm sensing it and seeing it in every culture. The climactic realization is what I call "the Jesus movement."

The Jesus movement is being stirred up by God calling people out of every culture of the world to Himself. This Jesus movement is greater than all of us, more massive than any movement ever! The Jesus movement is Jesus without religious baggage. The movement consists of people from every culture of the world and most of them won't look like you do.

The Jesus movement is growing fast and is irreversible! The Jesus movement is the Kingdom of God on earth and without any boundaries whatsoever. The genesis of the idea of a movement around Jesus is Jesus' revolutionary call to anyone who will see and listen: FOLLOW ME! All those who follow Jesus are moving to the beat of a different drummer. This drummer is Jesus!

In this New Year of 2012 look for the Jesus movement in your area. Jesus is moving out in your neighborhood. Jesus not only has the character we are all looking for, the security we all long for; he also is the only one who can lead out in such a way so as to bring peace to our world, beginning with peace in your heart.

I'm seeing it everywhere! Pastors and religious leaders are beginning to talk about Jesus plus nothing else added to him. Community, political and corporate leaders are now talking about Jesus in a new way. It's happening all around us!
Look for him there and see what he is up to. The Jesus movement can be discovered as you focus on Jesus outside the box-without religious baggage. It's Jesus plus nothing!

JPN FOR PARENTS & YOUTH LEADERS

2011-12-29T15:00:00.001-08:00

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Every generation of young people seem to go through the stage of pulling away from their faith and religious affiliation. This stirs up a continual fear among parents and religious leaders everywhere. It's natural and has always been a rite of passage for young people, but this time around there seems to be a difference. This time the youth aren't returning back to their religious upbringing and this time many of these youth are expressing an unusual hunger for spirituality, while rejecting the homegrown answers of their childhood.
A few years ago a successful children's filmmaker approached me. He was interested in making a children's video on the Bible and he was told that I would make it all about Jesus. It was a fascinating encounter, forcing me to find out what is happening in religious instruction for children. From my somewhat limited vantage point, all I could see was that we have spent so much time rehearsing the biographical stories out of the Bible, but only inserted Jesus at the "You-all-want-to-go-to-heaven-don't-you time!" So I moved into research mode.

My first sampling was to ask two of my most "churched" grandchildren what their favorite stories of Jesus were. They were 7 and 9 at the time. Much to my surprise, they were stumped for an answer. Then Luke said, "Jesus was born!" "Yes!" I said. Then Luke added, "And we get presents!" Well, he had the right answer, but maybe his application was a little weak. After that outburst, there was nothing more to be added by my two samples.

I moved into gear and told them about Jesus losing his best friend, Lazarus, and then after Lazarus was really dead, Jesus brought him back to life. "And Jesus had his best friend again!" they said. I then made my way into the wedding feast where Jesus turned the water into juice. "Apple juice?" "No, it was actually grape juice." I showed them how much water was used by outlining a room in their house and they were amazed.

After taking this sampling of what is taught to our children, I met with the Children's Pastors of three local mega-Churches. When I asked how much they actually teach the children about Jesus, they all answered, "Every week!" Then as I pressed in on the studies, they all realized as I had that they do not teach much about Jesus at all. It was a shocking moment for us all!

It's no wonder our youth are leaving the Church and not coming back. What are they going to come back for? The re-telling of the old stories? The old stories just aren't enough to hold a person's commitment and devotion. There must be something more.

You see, I think what we've been doing for so long is to teach children about our religious systems, doctrines and traditions, but have left Jesus out of the equation. Oh, we all know Jesus is around. He actually hasn't left the building yet, but there is little to introduce a kid to this amazing and irresistible Jesus. And if a child doesn't get to know Jesus, other than praying the sinner's prayer, that child will not learn to follow Jesus with his life. Why introduce kids to Church or your religious persuasion without Jesus? There is something fundamentally wrong with this picture.

As I have been writing this book, JESUS PLUS NOTHING, two observations quickly come to mind. First, our children need to get to know Jesus. They are the most receptive to this most authentic person. Jesus even repeatedly teaches that unless one becomes like a little child, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. The answer is not to teach our children better or more, so they can defend and propagate their faith. The answer for our children is to be introduced to Jesus.

Second, our children are most indelibly marked by their parents and other significant adults in their lives-not by going to a religious instruction class. Parents can be so critical of the religious institution, yet it is in the home where the most significant lessons of life and of Jesus are taught or not taught. Kids desperately need to see and hear Jesus from their parents and significant adults in their lives. More than anything else, kids need to get the sense that their models are sincerely following Jesus with their lives. It's more than teaching. Jesus is both taught and caught!

If your children aren't sufficiently turned off in the elementary years, there is a significant opportunity for them to be rescued from their wandering from God and satisfying their deepest spiritual longings through an active youth group. It's within this context that there is a greater opportunity to be influenced by others who have come to know Jesus in a personal way and are not boxed into a system of do's and don'ts and religious verbiage that serve to turn the youth away.

If you as a parent, a youth worker, a teacher, a coach, a mentor or a neighbor, join the Jesus movement and embrace "Jesus plus nothing" for yourself, you will be the best answer for the young seekers around you. In fact, when you touch a child with the powerful message of Jesus, you are planting a seed that has the potential to transform a generation. Note that I'm not speaking religiously, but personally. "Jesus plus nothing" is a personal matter. The person is Jesus!

JESUS PLUS NOTHING IS FOR EVERYONE

2011-12-28T11:44:00.000-08:00

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After growing up in a Western Christian culture with lots of love and good Church and family experiences, I met Jesus. He was different than I expected. He was different from the faculty that educated me, different from the religious crowds that flocked around me at speaking events and conferences, different from the many spiritual friends that deserted me during my down times. Jesus was the one who stayed. He was the one who didn't shake his head in disappointment, didn't turn away in disgust. He is the one who knelt down, picked me up, dusted me off. He is the one who embraced me. It was then I realized that the Jesus I had first embraced was different from the one who was embracing me now.

And I realized something else. That Jesus I could follow. That Jesus I wanted to follow, needed to follow, couldn't help but to follow.

Not the Jesus who is wrapped up in a religious system of do's and don'ts. Not the Jesus who is used to raise money to build more and more buildings or fill the religious treasuries. Not the Jesus who was highjacked for the violent Crusades-persecuting, killing, and even mass murdering Jews, Muslims, all non-Christians, and even other Christians who disagreed with them. Not the Jesus who is embraced by a political candidate or party to impress the people. Not the Jesus who wants you to join his club. Not the Jesus who puts a heavy guilt trip on you for not performing. Not the hell-fire-and-damnation Jesus. Nor the meek-and-mild Jesus.

This Jesus is the one I never really knew. The one without Christian verbiage. The one without religious baggage. The one without self-righteous garbage. This is Jesus plus nothing.

This Jesus is the Jesus that the early followers, called disciples, got to know. For three-and-a-half years they were in an apprentice relationship with Jesus. In their system of education they never made the grade of being chosen by a rabbi to follow in his steps, so they had returned home to work the family business. But this rabbi, this Jesus, this new guy in town, he chooses them to follow him. He picked uneducated, untrained, ordinary men to come along with him and learn from him. In a sense, Jesus chose those who hadn't made the cut, walk-ons, as the team he wanted on the field in the most important game in the history of the world.

From those early beginnings, the Jesus movement continues to be the largest in the world today. This all-encompassing movement consists of people from every culture and religion on the earth-Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Pantheists, Agnostics. When Jesus is not boxed into any religious system or wrapped up in a package marked "exclusive," he has proven to be universally attractive throughout the world. People from every culture embrace Jesus, simply Jesus, whether religious or not.

Take Gandhi, for example. He was so captivated with the life and teachings of Jesus that he became one of the greatest followers of Jesus ever. One of the most common descriptions of Gandhi was that he was so "Christ-like." Gandhi discovered that his cultural background as a Hindu was enhanced by Jesus. "I shall say to Hindus," he once said, "that your life will be incomplete unless you reverentially study the teachings of Jesus. Make this world the kingdom of God and his righteousness and everything will be added unto you." Gandhi, whose goal in life was to live the Sermon on the Mount, said, "It was that sermon that has endeared Jesus to me." And, about Jesus' death on the cross, he said: "A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act." And finally the quote that was probably his most famous: "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ."

The current Dalai Lama is another example. He has expressed his love and respect for Jesus in many ways and on many occasions. Many of his teachings reflect those of Jesus. As the example and leader of the Buddhist community, the Dalai Lama is called His Holiness, yet he says he is not worthy to even untie the shoes of Jesus. In an OP-ED article for The New York Times, the Dalai Lama wrote: "In my readings of the New Testament, I find myself inspired by Jesus' acts of compassion. His miracle of the loaves and fishes, his healing and his teaching are all motivated by the desire to relieve suffering."
Both Gandhi and the Dalai Lama revere Jesus as the greatest teacher and example who ever lived.

Looking at the long history of Jewish thought, some of the most prominent rabbis have come to revere Jesus as possibly the most influential Jew who ever lived. Dr. David Flusser, in his book, The Sage From Galilee: Rediscovering Jesus' Genius, broke down many barriers that have kept Jews from studying Jesus. Albert Einstein, one of the greatest scientists in the world said this about Jesus: "As a child I received instruction both in the Bible and in the Talmud. I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene. No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word."

Agnostics are another group of people who have many in their ranks who follow Jesus. In my experience they are perhaps the most open to Jesus when presented without all the religious baggage. Agnostics have a vacuum in their hearts. In my experience, this seems to be a God-shaped vacuum. I continually enjoy conversing with agnostics, once I am able to convince them that I don't want to discuss religion. It seems that this group is better able to view Jesus separated from the religious wrappings. They've already rejected the religious trappings and were left empty. But, when introduced to Jesus without religious baggage, so often they respond by saying: "I can follow this Jesus!"

The "self-help movement" is another group of people who revere Jesus, some going as far as to follow him. Even in our highly educated, secularized society, the principles of Jesus are the basis for most of the self-help and motivational principles. Though they may not use his name, they do use his teaching and his example.

In many ways this is nothing new. Jesus has always worked with people from every culture and found them to be attracted to him. The problem in the First Century was the religious jealousy of the "gate-keepers" of Judaism. When Jesus presented his message of love and compassion to the non-religious and to all other non-Jewish nations of the world, he was resisted, ridiculed, and ultimately rejected.

Yes, Jesus plus nothing-Jesus without religious baggage or boxes-is attractive and can be satisfying for everyone everywhere.

IS JESUS PLUS NOTHING ENOUGH?

2011-12-27T21:31:00.000-08:00

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From the very beginning of writing the book, JESUS PLUS NOTHING, I have had so many people challenge the assertion: "Jesus plus nothing." Although I can't go into my answers to these challenges exhaustively in a daily podcast as I did in the book itself, here are a few thoughts for your consideration.
The challenges were basic to the discussion: What about prayer? Don't you need to pray? Yes, but who are you conversing with when you pray? Jesus!
What about the Scriptures? Don't you need Jesus and the Scriptures? Well, Jesus made it pretty clear, when criticizing the religious leaders that they were studying and memorizing the Scriptures and missing him in the process. The written Word speaks of Jesus, but only Jesus, the living Word, can give eternal life (John 5).

What about Church membership? Well, besides the fact that there is nothing in the Scriptures requiring Church membership, the church or gathering of Jesus happens when two or three come together in his name. So, Jesus is all you need-the one, the only one to gather around, whether you are gathering in a living room or assembling in a massive Church service. That's again Jesus plus nothing!

What about Jesus plus the Holy Spirit? What a person is really saying here is, "Aren't you forgetting the Holy Spirit by asserting Jesus plus nothing?"
Check out what Jesus says of the Spirit and the Father in the 15th and 16th chapters of John: "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me, because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you."

Do you see the pre-eminence of Jesus acted out in the play? When it comes to the Holy Spirit, Jesus is the marquee character. And the spotlight is always on him! So, again, "Jesus plus nothing" works!

This Vine and branches visual is powerful. When Jesus taught about the dynamic relationship he wanted with his disciples, he used the illustration of the vine and the branches. He clearly taught in this section that the relationship he wants and the only one that matters is for the disciples (the branches) to cling to and stay connected to Jesus (the vine). He even went further to say, "Without me you can do nothing." Nothing. What don't we understand about nothing? How much clearer could Jesus have said it?

Jesus says, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He lifts up every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing (John 15)."

This all happens in the name of Jesus with nothing added. Not Miracle Grow on the leaves. Not mulch on the roots. Just Jesus. Note that it's not that you can do nothing without the Spirit, but it's without Jesus you can do nothing. You just can't short-change this. It is clearly Jesus plus nothing!

Two other thoughts come to mind here. First-every person he encountered, touched, healed or raised from the dead are convinced that Jesus alone is enough.

Second-After Paul listed out his major religious accomplishments when writing to the Philippians, he made it crystal clear that Jesus plus nothing else is all you will ever need. Check out what Paul said: "If others think they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things."

The saying I heard a couple of years ago still stands tall!JESUS ALONE IS ENOUGH.JESUS PLUS ANYTHING IS NOTHING.JESUS PLUS NOTHING IS EVERYTHING YOU WILL EVER NEED.

JESUS WITH ADDITIVES

2011-12-26T20:18:00.000-08:00

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If Jesus presented himself as enough, and those he touched believed he was enough, why do we miss this point, which is the very essence of the Good News of Jesus? Jesus plus nothing else added on is all we need, yet we seem to miss it.

We are able to develop entire belief systems around Jesus, enlist the masses to join our organizations around Jesus, judge those who do not quite see eye-to-eye with us about Jesus, and propagate these belief systems, organizations and dogma as the only way to life, yet all without getting to know this Jesus personally.

Today there is a Jesus movement that is popping up all over in the many cultures of the world. This Jesus movement is just that-a movement that is all about Jesus who is not packaged within any institutional, religious structure. The Jesus movement is attracted to and revolves around simply Jesus without being wrapped up in religious traditions or trappings.

Participants in the Jesus movement have been confused and even turned off by these wrappings. In order to fuel the Jesus movement in such a way, so as to keep the primary focus on Jesus without religious baggage, we have been creating materials, embracing the theme of JESUS PLUS NOTHING. It's a movement that is moving to a different beat than most religious groups; it's a Jesus beat!

Today, we are introducing many to Jesus, yet these new "followers of Jesus" quickly become distracted away from the simplicity and purity of walking with Jesus and walking with others. They can easily become distracted by the religious terminology that just doesn't matter in comparison to knowing and following Jesus. Instead of embracing Jesus and growing in Him, they tend to grow into better Bapterians, Presbytists and Episcolics. Simply Jesus or Jesus plus nothing is what these new followers of Jesus need and are looking for.

A lady said to me last week that when she attends one of our studies about Jesus plus nothing, she feels like she has just come back home. Jesus resonates with her; religiosity does not. It distracts her and confuses her and leaves her with her feet firmly planted in mid-air spiritually.

This is exactly what happened to me several years ago. Whenever I spent time with others who were highly focused on Jesus, I felt so at home with this Jesus who was being discussed. It was the most attractive and satisfying experience ever. They spoke about Jesus as if they had just had breakfast with him that morning.

Why had I been missing out on knowing this Jesus for so many years? There are three subtle ways in which this occurs, in my opinion.

First, there is a tendency to add something unnecessary to Jesus. This "something" takes the form of man-made commandments and long-standing traditions; in other words, Jesus with additives.

Second, there is a tendency to hold something sacred that has become a substitute for Jesus. These substitutes can be your sacred scriptures, your revered saints, your religious services, your particular organization or denomination, your cultural identification or religious icons.

Third, there is a tendency to leave Jesus behind. Whether it is in newsletters, religious services, sermons, articles, prayers, or worship experiences. Jesus is embarrassingly left behind! Even where two are three are gathered together in his name, he is so often left out of our conversations.These tendencies take away from the message of Jesus. They diminish Jesus by adding something unnecessary to him, by replacing him with something, and by leaving him and his message behind. These tendencies amount to a deadly triad that keeps us from seeing Jesus clearly. If we can't see him, how will we ever be able to know him? And if we can't know him, how will we ever be able to know if this Jesus plus nothing is enough?This was Paul's primary concern, when he said: "I am afraid lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, that your minds might be led astray from the purity and simplicity of devotion to Jesus." When we move away from the purity and simplicity of Jesus, the natural results are the many Jesus additives. Whatever you are reading, studying and discussing, be sure to make it all about Jesus.

Third, there is a tendency to leave Jesus behind. Whether it is in newsletters, religious services, sermons, articles, prayers, or worship experiences. Jesus is embarrassingly left behind! Even where two are three are gathered together in his name, he is so often left out of our conversations.

These tendencies take away from the message of Jesus. They diminish Jesus by adding something unnecessary to him, by replacing him with something, and by leaving him and his message behind. These tendencies amount to a deadly triad that keeps us from seeing Jesus clearly.

If we can't see him, how will we ever be able to know him? And if we can't know him, how will we ever be able to know if this Jesus plus nothing is enough?

This was Paul's primary concern, when he said: "I am afraid lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, that your minds might be led astray from the purity and simplicity of devotion to Jesus." When we move away from the purity and simplicity of Jesus, the natural results are the many Jesus additives. Whatever you are reading, studying and discussing, be sure to make it all about Jesus.

STRESSFUL WORLD OF RESULTS

2011-12-25T21:41:00.000-08:00

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One of the most familiar quotes aboutresults is credited to Albert Einstein. Itis "Insanity is doing the same thing over andover again and expecting different results." Results are rarely neutral. Either you havegreat expectations for certain positiveresults or you have great dread about thepossibility of certain negative results.

Results seem to come in threeversions-good, bad or none at all. Sometimesit's the "none at all" that can be mostdifficult. I really like the t-shirt thatsays: "For every door that closes there isanother one that always opens, but thehallways can be hell."

Results are everywhere. They cannot beavoided. Results are the consequences oflife, whether we cause them or they justhappen to us. Results do happen!
Not only do we all have life results thatwe feel we must negotiate, the bible isfilled with the good, the bad and thenon-results in the lives of the manycharacters. Ananias and Sapphira had somevery good results. They sold a piece ofproperty and made a lot of money. However,these good results were made into bad resultswhen they acted as if they were giving theentire amount they gained into the localtreasure, yet were holding out on God. Theylied in an attempt to gain some praise andaffirmation. Daniel was being faithful toGod by praying daily and through theconniving of some jealous men in the kingdomended up in the lions' den. Bad results forsure, yet God was at work in the midst ofthese bad results and saved Daniel's life.

Then in Hebrews 11 there is an interestingparagraph regarding a great men of faith whoexperienced a lifetime of non-results:13 All these people (Enoch, Noah, Moses,Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) were still livingby faith when they died. They did not receivethe things promised; they only saw them andwelcomed them from a distance, admitting thatthey were foreigners and strangers on earth.14 People who say such things show that theyare looking for a country of their own. 15 Ifthey had been thinking of the country theyhad left, they would have had opportunity toreturn. 16 Instead, they were longing for abetter country-a heavenly one. Therefore Godis not ashamed to be called their God, for hehas prepared a city for them.

There are two basic problems with results. The first problem is that there is atendency to wallow in the bad results whichends in depression. The second is to rely onthe good results, relishing in them as ifthey were produced by us, resulting in pride. So, we end up trusting and hoping in ourresults, gambling on them to be the answer toour problems.

If you focus on your results, you willnever be free from the stresses of it all. Here are some thoughts on how to handle yourresults:FIRST-Do the best you can do. This is yourprimary responsibility and nothing more.

SECOND-Leave the results entirely in thehands of God. You can't control your resultsanyway. In fact, results are none of yourbusiness. I am convinced God is personallyat work in the midst of your results.

With Jesus it's always personal. This iswhy He continually makes it clear to thosewho are listening who He is. His many I AMstatements and claims about Himself place Himinto the middle of your life results.

Jesus uses results in your life to do thefollowing:1. To teach you something through it.2. To work together with something else forGod's glory and your good.3. To get you through the worst of it all. He delights in getting you through it.

So, there are three cautions:1. Don't allow yourself to be slammed by thebad results.2. Don't allow yourself to take credit forthe good results.3. Don't allow yourself to be discouraged bythe lack of results.

Jesus is the only result worth your timeand energy!

SPECIAL INVITATIONS

2011-12-23T00:40:00.000-08:00

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The Christmas holiday season is filled withparties, invitations and Evites looking for aresponse. We have attended several partiesthis season and also quite a few charityevents. This year we have looked forward toeach of the parties and have enjoyed them all.

Jesus, being the reason for this Christmas season, the one who is ultimately the reason for any and all of the parties of the season, had an original party that was the party of parties. I want tobriefly walk through the many party invitations sent out for the anticipated birth of Jesus.

In the first chapter of Luke's Gospel two invitations were sent out in an indirect sort of way. Zacharias and Elizabeth were invited to the birth of God's Messiah. They were notified that they were going to have a childwho would prepare the way for the Messiah. And when it came to naming their baby, instead of naming him after his father (according to tradition) they went with their instructions and named their son John.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was invited in adramatic way, naming her as the one God hadchosen to bear this baby in her body. But herinvitation didn't stop there. Her fiancé,Joseph, was also given a special invitationby God to this supernatural birth. The angelexplained to Joseph that Mary's pregnancy wasa God-thing and not a sinful or negativething at all. And, just like John was notnamed after his father, so Mary's son was tobe called Jesus, not Joseph. Can you imaginewhat went through Mary and Joseph's mind withthese special invitations to the birth ofGod's Messiah?

A special group of shepherds in the hills ofBethlehem were sent a dramatic invitationwhile tending their flocks. In the sameregion there were some shepherds staying outin the fields and keeping watch over theirflock by night. And an angel of the Lordsuddenly stood before them, and the glory ofthe Lord shone around them; and they wereterribly frightened. But the angel said tothem, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bringyou good news of great joy which will be forall the people; for today in the city ofDavid there has been born for you a Savior,who is Christ the Lord. This will be a signfor you: you will find a baby wrapped incloths and lying in a manger." And suddenlythere appeared with the angel a multitude ofthe heavenly host praising God and saying,"Glory to God in the highest and on earthpeace among men with whom He is pleased."(Luke 2:8-20)

There were two people who were looking for God's Messiah to show up during their lifetime. One was a priest by the name of Simeon and the other is a prophetess by the name of Anna. They apparently were very familiar with the specific prophecies of theprophet Daniel and believed God's Messiah was about to show up. Their enthusiasm was intense upon finding Jesus.

One more invitation is the most fascinatingto me. There was a group of religiousastronomers who received an invitation tothis unique event-the magi. This was probablya group of serious astronomers who wereresearching when God's Messiah was going toappear. They were studying the stars for thisinformation. Their invitation came in theform of a star. Note what they said when theycame to the region. Now after Jesus wasborn in Bethlehem of Judea in the days ofHerod the king, magi from the east arrived inJerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has beenborn King of the Jews? For we saw His star inthe east and have come to worship Him."(Matthew 2:1-2)

Three observations come to mind here:#1-You are the sum total of the invitations you accept in life!#2-Some invitations are more important than others!#3-God has sent you an invitation-inviting-calling-everyone to follow after Him through Jesus. Think of itthis way. Jesus has a special calling on your life. What will you do with this invitation? Accept it? Reject it? Or will you simply ignore it?

PROMISES IN TIMES OF STRESS

2011-12-21T20:47:00.001-08:00

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As we work our way through the stresses oflife, I feel the need to share with you threepromises that can get you through yourday-every day! I not only frequently usethese for myself, but I also share these withpeople everywhere with great success! Let'swalk through each one briefly.

FIRST-THE PROMISE OF GOOD ENDINGS-This isfound in Romans 8:28-"And we know that Godcauses all things to work together for goodto those who love God, to those who arecalled according to His purpose." Thispromise is all about PROCESS that takes timeto unfold. God will take all of ourfailures, crises and circumstances and workthem together with something else for ourgood. "Together" is the operative word. Theloss of a loved one is not good in itself,but God will cause this loss to work togetherwith something else to bring about good. Divorce is not good. An addiction is notgood. A disease is not good, BUT GODintervenes and uses it to bring about good inyour life, IF you love Him (your heart isbent toward Him) and you are called accordingto His purpose (you are plugged into His willand His purpose or, that you are walking withHim).

SECOND-THE PROMISE OF GREAT ESCAPES-Thispromise is found in I Corinthians10:13-"No temptation has overtaken you butsuch as is common to man; and God isfaithful, who will not allow you to betempted beyond what you are able, but withthe temptation will provide the way of escapealso, so that you will be able to endure it." This promise is all about PERSEVERANCEthat is the most important ingredient whengoing through difficult times. When yourlife situation seems insurmountable like youare facing a high mountain range that blocksyou from getting through it, God offers you amountain pass. Note this is not a bailout,but it is the escape provided so that youwill be able to get through it (endure it). You see, contrary to public opinion, THE BESTWAY OUT IS THROUGH!

THIRD-THE PROMISE OF GREAT EXPECTATIONS-Thispromise is found in Paul's letter to thegathering of believers in Philippi(Philippians 1:6)-"For I am confident ofthis very thing, that He who began a goodwork in you will perfect it until the day ofChrist Jesus." This promise is all aboutPERMANENCE that is a welcome sight for thoseof us who live within a temporal worldsystem. Paul expresses his confidence to thebelievers in Philippi that what God began intheir experience (in their hearts) He willcomplete. And He will complete it in thislife up until Jesus returns. This is anamazing earthly promise, not in the sweetby-and-by, but in the nasty now-and-now. What God began in the hearts of your family,He will complete in your friends, in yourfellowship. The vital issue here is "WHATGOD BEGAN", not what you began. It isspeaking about the work of God in your heart. Maybe the greatest problem in recognizingGod's work in your life is that you are.

1. Out of touch with Him and insensitive toHis promptings.2. Out of touch with His fellowship andindifferent to the touch of His people.3. Out of control in your life and findyourself wandering aimlessly.

NOTE that the promises are only as good asthe Promiser! It's too easy to be caught upwith the promise without being captivatedwith the One Who promises. The same is trueof blessing. We embrace the blessings in ourlives without being totally grateful to theOne Who blesses! It is our nature to go forthe prize without the process, without theperseverance and therefore we don't sense Hispermanence and presence in our lives. Wantsome help handling your stresses? Hang on tothe promises of God, Himself, and He will getyou through it!

JESUS IS THE ONE THING

2011-12-20T16:38:00.000-08:00

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Do you remember the first "City Slicker"movie with Billy Crystal and Jack Palance.Palance is the seasoned cowboy who is leadingthe city slickers on a cattle drive. He givesthem lots of advice, but there is a time whenhe holds up one finger and says, "This iswhat life is all about. It's just one thing."He didn't explain clearly, but it isindelibly printed on my mind.

Well, Jesus made a similar statement, but Heclearly spells what the one thing is. Infact, He did this kind of thing on severaloccasions, yet those who heard it just didn'thave ears to hear. In John 5 Jesus isspeaking with the Jewish leadership and Hepoints out to them that they have spent theirlives memorizing and studying the Scriptures,thinking they will find eternal life, butthey will not. He says, "The Scriptures speakof me and I will give eternal life, but youdon't seek me." They kept on buryingthemselves in their study of the Scripturesand missed the one thing-Jesus!

I am continually drawn back to the John 15image in Jesus' teachings about the vine andthe branch. Let me share it from the newre-translation we did this year: 15:1-8-"I am the real vine, my Father is thevine-dresser. He lifts up any of my branchesthat are not bearing fruit and he prunesevery branch that does bear fruit to increaseits yield. Now, you have already been prunedby my words. You must go on growing in me andI will grow in you. For just as the branchcannot bear any fruit unless it shares thelife of the vine, so you can produce nothingunless you go on growing in me. I am the vineitself; you are the branches. It is the manwho shares my life and whose life I share whoproves fruitful. For the plain fact is thatapart from me you can do nothing at all. Theman who does not share my life is like abranch that is broken off and withers away.He becomes just like the dry sticks that menpick up and use for firewood. But if you liveyour life in me, and my words live in yourhearts, you can ask for whatever you like andit will come true for you. This is how myFather will be glorified-in your becomingfruitful and being my disciples."

There are several stages of fruitfulnessmentioned here. First-no fruit. Even thoughmost translations translate the verb "cutoff", it actually means to "lift up". It isthe same verb that is used to describe Jesusbeing lifted up. You know how it is when atomato plant droops down and touches theground. Touching the ground will destroy theplant and make it unfruitful. So, thevine-dresser lifts it up in order to allowthe branch to be fruitful.

Second-there is the stage of being pruned.Now, when a plant is pruned, it is not onlythe dead wood that is cut; the pruning mustalso include part of the live plant as well.Even though this is most certainly painful,the end result is fruitfulness.

Third-there is the stage that brings aboutgreater fruitfulness. This is brought aboutby a closer connection between the branch andthe vine. Jesus says: "But if you liveyour life in me and my words live in yourhearts, you can ask for whatever you like andit will come true for you."

In the middle of this teaching Jesus bringsup a simple yet vital principle. Jesus says:"Without me you can do nothing!" Even thoughJesus' teaching here is clear, very fewactually believe it or take it seriously.

You see, it's all about Jesus! What is thegospel or good news message of God? It'sJesus, simply Jesus.

More than anything else Jesus and the Fatherwant us to become fruitful disciples. Andthey will do anything necessary to help us befruitful-lift us up when we have no fruit,prune us for a greater fruitfulness andnurture us with His life flowing through ourconnection with Him, the Vine. The Father ispositively reflected when we are fruitful andact like followers of Jesus. All you must dois hang on, embrace and enjoy your connectionto the vine; He will do the rest! Make like abranch and hold on for dear life-your life-tothe vine-Jesus.

I just saw this and I loveit. Jesus alone is enough. Jesus plussomething is nothing. Jesus plus nothing iseverything! Life is about one thing! It's notyour Church, your cause, your doctrinalbeliefs, the 2nd coming, healing,supernatural gifts or prayer. Life is allabout Jesus. He is the one thing that mattersmost! Without Jesus you can do nothing! Doyou really believe this?

GOD WITH US IN JESUS

2011-12-19T16:18:00.000-08:00

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One of the topics Jesus taught from thebeginning and throughout most of His teachingwas the Kingdom. The Kingdom is all aboutGod's presence among us. The Kingdom is theway of living life according to and in thepresence of the King-Jesus. We seem to ignorethis kind of thinking much of the time. Iwant to suggest three observations that maybe helpful here.

FIRST-Jesus came to dwell among us-TO BE WITHUS: "The virgin will conceive and givebirth to a son, and they will call himImmanuel" (which means "GOD WITH US").(Matthew 1:23) GOD WITH US! Christmas is allabout God wanting to come down here and makeHimself at home with us.

SECOND-Jesus called a few TO BE WITH HIM:He appointed twelve that they might BEWITH HIM. (Mark 3:14-15) Jesus set out toaccomplish the work God, the Father, hadasked Him to do-to be with the few the Fatherbrought to Him and to teach them about Hisname. Jesus said: "and I have made Yourname known to them, and will make it known,so that the love with which You loved Me maybe in them, and I in them." (John 17:26)Imagine that! The love with which the Fatherloved Jesus can be in us and Jesus be in usat the same time!

THIRD-Jesus continues TO BE WITH US TODAY.Jesus shares with us the plan for continuingto dwell WITH US today: "If you love me,keep my commands. And I will ask the Father,and he will give you another advocate to helpyou and be with you forever-the Spirit oftruth. The world cannot accept him, becauseit neither sees him nor knows him. But youknow him, for he lives with you and will bein you. Anyone who loves me will obey myteaching. My Father will love them, and wewill come to them and make our home (ourdwelling place) with them." (John 14)

Jesus also shares with us how He will show upand make Himself known among us. "Wheretwo or three are gathered in my name, there Iwill show up in their midst." Jesus willshow up as a few of us gather in His name. Hestill is inviting a few for Him TO BE WITHTHEM today!

You see, Jesus through His Spirit is presentWITH US right now and welcomes us. Afterseeing how the Gentiles (the non-Jews)readily believed Jesus enough to follow Him,Peter said: "I most certainly understandnow that God is not one to show partiality,but in every nation the man who fears Him anddoes what is right is welcome to Him."(Acts 10:34-35)

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, Jesus gaveHis disciples one final command to makedisciples of all nations and cultures. Heenvelopes this command with these words:"All authority in heaven and on earth hasbeen given to me. Therefore go and makedisciples of all nations." Then he said:And surely I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, to thevery end of the age." (MT 28:19-20) Hedoesn't say I will be with you again someday.He says "I am with you always-right now oninto eternity!"

Jesus came as Immanuel-TO BE WITH US and HEIS STILL HERE WITH US today, therefore: · Wedon't have to ask Him to be with us! Healready is! · We don't have to ask Him tobless us! He already has! · We don't have tolook for Him! He is invisible, butdynamically present! · We don't have toconjure Him up through powerful charismaticexperiences! He is the one who has powerfullycome to dwell WITH US! · We don't have to beanything other than we are! He wants to dwellwith you just as you are!

A friend in Jesus recently said it this way:Jesus became like us so that we might becomelike Him and He came to live WITH US for atime so that we might live WITH HIM forever.And guess what? Forever starts the moment yourealize that Jesus is Immanuel and you decideto follow Him.

Now to me, this makes Christmas the merriestof holidays! GOD WITH US started 2000+ yearsago and He continues to be WITH US today.This is why I talk to Him throughout the day.This is why I am in a constant conversationwith Jesus asking a very simple question,"What do you have for me today, Jesus?" Andwhen I ask, He shows up. And when I don'task, I don't see Him or even think of Him.Since I know God is WITH US, I am so muchmore at ease about my day. GOD WITH US!

JESUS LEFT BEHIND

2011-12-18T23:47:00.000-08:00

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One of the all-time bestselling series wasLEFT BEHIND. It was based upon bible prophecywith the premise that someday those who arefaithful followers of Jesus will be snatchedaway and the non-believers will be leftbehind. Although Jesus used the context of"in the days of Noah" where only thebeliever/followers were the ones left behindand not the non-believers, this teaching isvery pervasive today.

Whatever teaching is true-Jesus' words or thepopular prophets of our day-I am moreconcerned about Jesus being LEFT BEHIND. Iespecially think about this at the two mostrevered holidays within the Christianworld-Christmas and Easter.

As you know we have set out to do the mostdifficult thing we've ever done in our lives.We are trying to follow the teachings andprinciples of Jesus and embrace Jesus as alifestyle. One of the reasons for not beingable to do this in the past is that we hadour focus on something closely related toJesus year after year, yet quite differentwith disappointing results. We were eitheradding something to Jesus as if He needed ouradditions or we were diluting the awesomenessof Jesus by packaging Him in our comfortable,spiritual boxes. Because our focus was not onsimply Jesus, many times we have caughtourselves just going through the motions ofthe spiritual life. We had effectively leftJesus behind as we set out to live our lives.

I found out the hard way that leaving Jesusbehind proved to be disastrous. Life doesn'twork well without Him and I didn't know whatto do to work well for Him. I kept leavingJesus behind!

This Christmas I want to suggest thethree most common ways of putting Jesus inthe position of being left behind in yourlife. FIRST-We tend to leave Jesus behind inthe manger! Jesus is no longer in a manger orcattle feeding trough. Both the Bible and theQur'an teach that Jesus was born of a virginand He is called the Word of God. In thefirst chapter of John it says the "Word"became flesh (not a book nor a religiousorganization), grew up and "dwelt" among us(made Himself at home among us), being fullof grace and truth. Jesus is not still in themanger, so don't leave Him there. Learn torelate and interact with Jesus out of the manger.

This reminds me of the program for aChristmas pageant several years ago thatlisted out all of the actors by name. When itcame to Jesus, it said, "The baby Jesus isplayed by a 60 watt light bulb." When youleave Jesus behind, an impersonal light bulbmay be the only light you'll be able to seeand share.

SECOND-We tend to leave Jesus behind on thecross! Whether you are Catholic with Jesusvisibly hanging there or you relate to Jesuswith the symbol of an empty cross, the storyand dynamic of Jesus is so much more than across. He's been there-done that and nowwants you to enjoy Him as the resurrectedone-the one who knows you best and loves youthe most!

THIRD-We tend to leave Jesus behind in theclouds! Those who are so focused on Jesus'2nd Coming tend to be looking up into theclouds and looking ahead to the sweet bye andbye. So life becomes all about Jesus comingin the clouds to get us out of this mess.This is not what Jesus taught and lived. Hewants to dwell among us as our King-ourMaster-right here in the nasty now and now.There is no escape clause for those whobelieve and follow Him. And, if Jesus doessnatch those who believe and follow Him outof this world, it is only to bring us rightback down here to dwell in His amazingpresence on earth. In other words, there's aU-turn right back to earth. That's where thestreets of gold, etc. will be-right here!

So, why do we tend to leave Jesus behind inthe manger, on the cross or up in the clouds?Three simple things come to mind. It seems tobe a natural, human tendency to leave Jesusbehind or leave Jesus out. To do this (1)localizes Jesus to some place where we canvisit or not, (2) limits Jesus from doingthings that might be out of my comfort zone,and (3) leaves me alone to my own thinking,so that I can salvage some sort of fantasy ofbeing in control.

To leave Jesus behind is to worship animpersonal God. And, if He is impersonal,then we tend to worship and lift upreligiosity, traditions and man-madecommandments. Hey, this Christmas doeverything you can do to make it all aboutpersonalizing Jesus. Release Jesus from themanger. Remove Him from the cross. Refocusyour eyes out of the clouds and be a part ofwhat Jesus is doing right here on earth rightnow. Jesus is awesome, alive and activelydesiring to make Himself at home in yourlife. Will you let Him do just that thisChristmas?

Skeletons in Jesus' Closet

2011-12-12T17:44:00.000-08:00

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The space-time event in history of the birthof Jesus is filled with so many highlights.And everyone has his or her favorite thing toshare about the Christmas story. Jesus wasborn on time and in the little town ofBethlehem according to the many ancient Prophets.
What fascinates me most about the birth ofJesus is how it all came about through avariety of unlikely players. The Jews verycarefully kept track of their genealogies asthey relate to the godly line of the Messiah.In Matthew the genealogical record is mostlikely that of Joseph's and the genealogicalrecord in Luke seems to be that of his MotherMary.

What is so amazing is that after all of thecare to follow each step of the way of theMessiah's godly line, God purposefullyinserts some very unlikely people. Let's callthese skeletons in Jesus' closet. A skeletonin the closet usually has to do with theuglier side of our family line. Jesus had 7skeletons in His closet that all have apotential ugly side. Let's look at each of them:

FIRST-Mary, His mother. Mary was asinful woman just as any other woman on theplanet. She was an admitted sinner by callingher son her Savior and was surprised at thechoice of the angel to create the Messiahthrough her. This is the least ugly of the 7skeletons and yet was a definite applicationof the grace of God to choose her. Sheclearly recognized that she personally was inneed of the Savior she was to birth.

SECOND-David. Although we know Davidis known as a man after God's own heart, hewas guilty of horrific sins. He committedadultery with Bathsheba and then set inmotion the plan to have her husband, Uriah,killed in order to cover up his sin.

THIRD-Abraham. Remember, Abraham was aGentile and God chose him to be the father ofa new nation altogether-the people of Israel.Abraham's life was not a clean one, eventhough he was to be the father of all whobelieve. Two different kings broughtAbraham's wife, Sarah, into their harems,because out of fear Abraham lied to each ofthem, saying that Sarah was his sister. Whata horrible and shameful way to treat Sarah.

Even though David and Abraham were miserablesinners, Jesus the Messiah is known to be theson of David, the son of Abraham and proud ofit. Then, within the genealogy of Jesus in aculture where genealogies were mostlydominated by men, there are four women,probably all Gentiles, who are included inthe godly line of Messiah Jesus.

FOURTH-The first woman is Tamar, theCanaanite daughter-in-law of Judah. Sheresorted to deception, prostitution and evenincest when she was unable to have a child.She tricked Judah into having sexualrelations with her and she had twin boys,Perez and Zerah. Tamar and her son, Perez,both are included in the godly line ofJesus-both part of His sacred family tree.

FIFTH-The next woman who was also aGentile was Rahab. She made prostitutionher livelihood. Rahab risked her own neck tohide the spies of Israel when she lived inthe ancient city of Jericho. Because of herfaith and action on God's behalf, He agreedto spare her life and the lives of all herfamily during the battle of Jericho. Shebecame the wife of Salmon and the mother of agodly man named Boaz. Boaz was David'sgreat-grandson. By this marriage Rahab wasinserted into the Messianic godly line thatwould produce Jesus.

SIXTH-The next Gentile woman, a Moabite,was Ruth. Although she was a former paganand a Moabite, having no right to marry anIsraelite, God's grace brought Ruth into thefamily of Israel, and through Boaz into theroyal line. She became the grandmother ofIsrael's greatest king-King David.

SEVENTH-The final Gentile woman who wassurprisingly in the godly line of MessiahJesus is Bathsheba. Now get this! Sheentered the godly Messianic line throughadultery with David. Their first son died ininfancy, yet their second son was the greatKing Solomon, who was successor to David'sthrone.

As you can see the story of Christmas hassome amazing surprises in it. Theseundeserving, Gentiles not Jewish, people wereinserted into the godly list solely andcompletely by the grace of God.

So, in the birth of Jesus the Messiah, theskeletons in the closet turn out to be allabout grace-amazing grace! This is the storyof Christmas: That God's Messiah has come todeliver whoever will come to Him. This istruly what the Good News is all about. Jesusaccepts and loves anyone and everyone-nomatter your origin, ethnicity or religiousbeliefs. Jesus proves His love and acceptanceby including four sinful women in His familytree. By the way, this means Jesus acceptsyou and loves you unconditionally, too.Therefore you can celebrate your brokenness,your ways of falling short, the many timesyou've missed the mark. Jesus simplyoverlooks all of your negative stuff andwants you to accept His light into your lifethat you might be whole. Now, that is a MerryChristmas that gets you ready for a veryHappy New Year!

James 5:19-20

2011-12-12T17:32:00.000-08:00

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The last two verses of James are so powerfulto me. It's all about restoration andrecovery! James sets up the blueprint forGOD'S RESCUE SQUAD:19 My brethren, if any among you straysfrom the truth and one turns him back, 20 lethim know that he who turns a sinner from theerror of his way will save his soul fromdeath and will cover a multitude of sins.
The probability of straying from the truth isanticipated here. We must start here. People will stray. In fact, it may be betterto start from your own heart. You have thecapacity to do almost anything, any time,anywhere! We must not be surprised when abeliever strays from the truth! It willusually come in one of two flavors: COMMISSION-Playing God! OMISSION-Leaving God out!

This straying might be based upon anopinion-opinions are usually man-madeadd-ons. Be careful of embracing another'sopinions. Straying might be based uponspecialists-experts and gurus and bibleteachers that seem right. Or, this strayingmight be based upon dilution-watered-down.

Along with the probability of straying, thereis the possibility of saving that person forthe sake of Jesus and His kingdom. If onestrays and one turns him back, he willactually be saving his soul from death andcover a multitude of sins. I am reminded ofGalatians 6:1: 1 Brethren, even if anyoneis caught in any trespass, you who arespiritual, restore such a one in a spirit ofgentleness; each one looking to yourself, sothat you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear oneanother's burdens, and thereby fulfill thelaw of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he issomething when he is nothing, he deceiveshimself. 4 But each one must examine his ownwork, and then he will have reason forboasting in regard to himself alone, and notin regard to another. 5 For each one willbear his own load.

Restoration is encouraged by those who arespiritual. Restoration is not a populartheme throughout the churches; shooting thewounded is more like it. Yet restoration isat the very core of salvation. It's almostlike we must sneak salvation back into thechurches.

NOTE an effective progression here might beto express the balance of compassion forpeople and commitment to truth. COMPASSIONFOR PEOPLE is experienced when you: 1. Go tohim only after you look at yourself (Gal 6:1,7). 2. Go to him personally-(Matthew 18:15).3. Go to him for what's best for him/her. Theword restore has to do with mending thatwhich is broken or putting something backthat was out of joint.

NOTE it is not "rebuke" him or "reject" him,but restore such a one. Restoring a brotheror sister is like bringing back to them thepractical application of salvation to theirsouls. It's being a friend. A friend issomeone who knows the song in your heart andsings it back to you when you've forgottenthe words!
RESTORATION requires that you be likeJesus-full of grace and truth-have acompassion for people and commit to theTruth! Start with Grace and Side with the Truth!

No doubt there are all kinds of relationshipsaround you who are candidates for a rescueusing the spirit of restoration. As you areaware, you will find yourself saving liveswherever you go.

The most common straying and the moststrategic restoration revolve around the sameissue-a personal focus on your relationshipwith Jesus. Paul was concerned when he wroteto the Corinthians: "I am afraid, lest asthe serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness,that your minds might be led astray from thesimplicity and purity of devotion toJesus." That is the ultimatestraying-leaving Jesus out of your life equation.

Therefore, the most important thing you cando to restore someone is to reintroduce himback into a relationship with Jesus. Thisrelationship may begin at any level-seeking,walking with or loving Jesus. Just encouragethem to get to know Jesus without anyreligious baggage. It's Jesus plus nothing!

James 5:1-18

2011-12-12T17:25:00.000-08:00

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When I look at these 18 verses as a whole, itseems to be moving in one direction-we mustpray (13). Prayer is simply talking andlistening to God. The primary purpose ofprayer is to exercise TRUST in the Lord. It's interesting to note that in the case ofnearly two-thirds of the prayers offered inthe bible, the people praying already knewthe answer but were praying anyway. Prayingis trusting! When you pray, you are bendingyour heart along with your knee toward theLord saying that you are trusting in Him forwhatever it is that you are bringing before Him.

Here James is exhorting the believers who aretrusting in something other than God or doingthings in response to their life conditionsother than trust. Let's look at each one:1-Why pray (trust in God) when you can trustin your own riches?1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl foryour miseries which are coming upon you. 2Your riches have rotted and your garmentshave become moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and yoursilver have rusted; and their rust will be awitness against you and will consume yourflesh like fire. It is in the last days thatyou have stored up your treasure! 4 Behold,the pay of the laborers who mowed yourfields, and which has been withheld by you,cries out against you; and the outcry ofthose who did the harvesting has reached theears of the Lord of Sabbath. 5 You have livedluxuriously on the earth and led a life ofwanton pleasure; you have fattened yourhearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You havecondemned and put to death the righteous man;he does not resist you.

There is a horrendous responsibility on thosewho are rich. First of all, because of theirriches it makes it impossible to get into thekingdom of God. Their riches can buy people,places and things for their enjoyment. Thisthen leads toward trusting in those riches. Fortunately, God can do the impossible, so Hemakes it possible for rich people to be ableto put their trust in Him rather than intheir riches. Instead of just enjoying theirpeople, places and things amassed by theirriches, they learn to use these riches forthe kingdom and to meet the needs of thoseGod puts in their paths.

NOTE James says that those riches will rot,be devoured and your precious things willrust, because you have stored up foryourselves your treasures. What good is itif a man gains the whole world and loses hissoul?

Secondly, the rich tend to treat poorly thosewho are not rich. James points out thatthose who work for the rich will somedaytestify as to how they were treated. To beskimpy in what is paid, to withhold pay oversomething petty, to demand something for sovery little; it's like committing a fraudagainst these people. James says, "You havefattened your hearts in the day ofslaughter." You have lifted your lifestyleto the greatest luxury on the backs of peopleyou have treated poorly or wrongfully.

This reminds me of the well-known text in ITimothy 6:10: For the love of money is aroot of all sorts of evil and some by longingfor it have wandered away from the faith andpierced themselves with many griefs.

2-Why pray (trust in God) when you can worrywith impatience?7 Therefore be patient, brethren, untilthe coming of the Lord. The farmer waits forthe precious produce of the soil, beingpatient about it, until it gets the early andlate rains. 8 You too be patient; strengthenyour hearts, for the coming of the Lord isnear. James urges those who areimpatiently stewing in their worries to payattention to how life works. Check out thefarmer. The farmer waits! The Lord willcome through on your behalf and you must wait.

3-Why pray (trust in God) when you cancomplain against one another?9 Do not complain, brethren, against oneanother, so that you yourselves may not bejudged; behold, the Judge is standing rightat the door. 10 As an example, brethren, ofsuffering and patience, take the prophets whospoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We countthose blessed who endured. You have heard ofthe endurance of Job and have seen theoutcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lordis full of compassion and is merciful.Impatience and worry will inevitably producea constant flow of complaining. NOTE theexamples:1. Of the prophets who endured.2. Of Job's endurance with a great outcome.The Lord is full of compassion and mercy andNOTE Jesus, the Judge, is standing right atyour door listening to all of your complaintsand stewing.

4-Why pray (trust in God) when you can makedeals (swear oaths) that trick people intosomething you want?12 But above all, my brethren, do notswear, either by heaven or by earth or withany other oath; but your yes is to be yes,and your no, no, so that you may not fallunder judgment.
YOU MUST TURN TO PRAYER-trusting the Lord inthe midst of your troubles.13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then hemust pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to singpraises [Even if you are not in troubleand are cheerful, still turn to prayer andsing praises.]. 14 Is anyone among yousick? Then he must call for the elders of thechurch and they are to pray over him,anointing him with oil in the name of theLord; 15 and the prayer offered in faith willrestore the one who is sick, and the Lordwill raise him up, and if he has committedsins, they will be forgiven him.
16 Therefore, confess your sins to oneanother, and pray for one another so that youmay be healed. The effective prayer of arighteous man can accomplish much. 17 Elijahwas a man with a nature like ours, and heprayed earnestly that it would not rain, andit did not rain on the earth for three yearsand six months. 18 Then he prayed again, andthe sky poured rain and the earth producedits fruit.

NOTE the connection between sickness andconfessing your sins. There is apsycho-spiritual-physical dynamic within eachof us. Sins will affect your psyche and yourphysical health as well. So, make it a habitof confessing your sins (being open aboutyour life) to one another and pray for oneanother that you may be healed. NOW HOWMIGHT THIS HAPPEN? By paying attention tothe 3 habits of walking with Jesus, walkingwith others and waiting for Jesus to leadout. These habits present the perfectopportunity for you to be open and honestwith someone you trust.

NOTE "the effective prayer of a righteous mancan accomplish much" statement. It is notthe techniques of prayer (how or when youpray), but the emphasis is upon who ispraying-a righteous man. When you arewalking with Jesus and doing what He woulddo-walking, loving and thinking like Jesus,you are a righteous man/woman who has the earand heart of Jesus in all you think and doand ask. So, pray!

James 4

2011-12-11T17:14:00.001-08:00

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Now that we see the destruction of bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, James continues to move toward the root cause of conflicts among us-even the cause of wars on the planet. In chapter 3 we saw the comparison between earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom. Here in chapter 4 James compares the human ways (do it my way) with God's ways. Doing things according to your way or the way of the world will end in quarrels, fights, interpersonal conflicts, stepping on one another, cut-throating in the marketplace, etc. He simply lays out the primary cause and the cure in these matters.

THE CAUSE-(1-5)-selfish desires. 1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. [You lust after something and take on a murderous disposition of anger in order to get it.] You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. [You want something you can't have or don't have and become disagreeable and quarrelsome.]

You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. [From God's perspective, you don't have for two reasons-(1) you do not ask and (2) you ask with the wrong motives-to satisfy your selfish desires. You are not seeking things from God, but are acting like people of the world system who live outside the kingdom of God.]

4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever, wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: ``He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us''? [Friendship with the world (even acting as they do) makes you an enemy of God. Don't you get it that God passionately desires His work within you-that He will do anything to hold on to you?]

NOTE your selfish desires are directly opposed to the desires of God. Your selfish desires want all kinds of things to be spent on your earthly, temporal satisfaction. His desires are to continue to dwell in and among you, so that He can work His work in and through you for earthly/eternal benefits in the kingdom.

NOTE that the word for pleasures or selfish desires is the word from which we get Hedonism. Hedonism has a built-in pride-the progression goes like this. 1. My way is the best way! 2. My way is the only way! 3. I want to do it my way! 4. I want you to do it my way!

"Do it my way" is a reminder of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness by the Devil himself (Luke 4)! NOTE his involvement here:

THE CURE-(6-17)-submission to God. 6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, ``GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.'' 7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble! If you are going to win in the struggle with your selfish desires, you must pay attention to the following: (1) Submit to God-all that you are/do and give it to Him! (2) Resist the devil-and he will flee from you-Devil=Pride! (3) Seek after God-a closer relationship with him in your soul

Seek after Him by drawing near to God, by cleansing your hands, you sinners, by purifying your hearts, you double-minded and by sobering up. Be miserable, mourn, weep, due to your pride. Humble yourself and He will exalt you. Humility is like underwear; you should have it, but shouldn't show it.

Humble yourself and soak up the grace of God. NOW, rather than humbling myself and soaking up the grace of God, I tend to end up struggling with His grace and doing it my way!

Your humility triggers God's grace that in turn gets you through the struggles you face with your own selfish desires. There are two enemies that will militate against your humility and God's grace-how you use your tongue and how you view your time!

Your tongue: 11 Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?

Your time: 13 Come now, you who say, ``Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.'' 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15 Instead, you ought to say, ``If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.'' 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

FAITH IN THE GRACE OF GOD IS A CRUTCH. YOU CAN USE IT, WHEN YOU ADMIT THAT YOU NEED IT! This is the struggle with the grace of God. You just don't want to see your faith as a crutch that you need. I have come to the conclusion that I don't just need a crutch to depend upon, but an IRON LUNG. That's the kind of dependence I need to struggle with my selfish desires (doing it my way).

God wants it done His way. Satan wants it done his way. YOU GET TO MAKE THE CHOICE!

"Alex Haley, the author of ROOTS, has a picture in his office, showing a turtle sitting atop a fence. The picture is there to remind him of a lesson he learned long ago: 'If you see a turtle on a fence post, you know he had some help.'" Says Alex, 'Any time I start thinking, WOW, ISN'T THIS MARVELOUS WHAT I'VE DONE! I look at that picture and remember how this turtle-me-got up on that post.'"

HUMBLE PEOPLE DON'T THINK LESS OF THEMSELVES; THEY JUST THINK OF THEMSELVES LESS!

James 3

2011-12-11T17:02:00.000-08:00

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Today in James we are looking for a bigger and better mouth-trap.

1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. NOTE that when you are a teacher, people will hold you to a stricter judgment. It is so easy and inevitable that as you teach you will misspeak in some way. AND, your audience has difficulty remembering much of what you said, but they will not forget the mistakes you made in speaking. (I hate when that happens! This is why I continually say to myself, "Stick to your notes. Be careful of having a 'bright idea' in the middle of your teaching without thinking through the consequences!")

The tongue is so powerful-the power to bring on depression or to encourage contentment. FIRST-It's inconsequential yet most important of all. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.

SECOND-It's influential. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!

THIRD-It's inflammable. 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by gehenna (the cursed garbage pit).

FOURTH-It's insubordinate. 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.

FIFTH-It's inconsistent. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.

If the tongue is good, there is nothing better. If it is bad, there is nothing worse. If the tongue is to be good, it must be tamed by loving heavenly wisdom and hating earthly wisdom. NOTE how James paints two pictures-earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom. He defines each very specifically.

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

EARTHLY WISDOM-14 But if you have bitter jealousy [sharp & cutting words] and selfish ambition in your heart [divisive, factious, all about their own self-interest], do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

NOTE that "bitter jealousy" and "selfish ambition in your heart" become an earthly, putrid fountain for earthly wisdom. Then, note the flow out of this dirty fountain-Earthly-limited to this planet, nothing from heaven. Natural-soulish-the best humanity can do. Demonic-from the pit of the most cursed garbage dump in all of Israel!

THEN NOTE that an additional flow from this sort of fountain is "disorder" (restless confusion) and "every evil thing" (worthlessness-good-for-nothingness). Keep in mind that the ultimate flow from this fountain of earthly wisdom is a tongue that is out of control and dangerous, therefore it can destroy people!

HEAVENLY WISDOM-17 But the wisdom from above is first pure [holy-single-minded-on a mission], then peaceable, gentle [equitable-fair and open], reasonable [able to be approached-to consider things without quick reaction], full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering [unprejudiced and consistent], without hypocrisy [as good as your word]. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace [Only in peace is the fruit of righteousness found-a tongue tied to heavenly wisdom is a seed sown in peace that will produce a Jesus-kind of lifestyle.]

So, a tongue-check is really a heart-check! To tame your tongue, you must learn to love heavenly wisdom and hate earthly wisdom in the same way a gardener loves plants and hates weeds! You must be tongue-tied-your tongue must be tied to heavenly wisdom; meekness is the knot that holds it together ("in the gentleness of wisdom"-verse 13).

James 2:14-26

2011-12-08T10:59:00.000-08:00

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14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,'' and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. Here we are back to that most powerful statement." Faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is not alone."

18 But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works, when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

The tension between faith and works is pervasive among believers and it always has been. The tension takes the form of doctrine versus demonstration-belief versus behavior and theological versus experiential. The same tension is found in two main heresies or extreme opinions-perfection by performance (legalism) versus perfection by experience (Gnosticism).

Throughout the Scriptures this tension takes the form of WHAT GOD DOES versus WHAT MAN DOES. Check it out! By faith Abraham believes God (WHAT GOD DOES) and moves out (WHAT MAN DOES). By faith in God's word (WHAT GOD DID) Noah built a boat (WHAT MAN DID). Every one of the miracles of Jesus has this element-disciples fill up the water pots (WHAT MAN DID) and Jesus changed it into wine (WHAT GOD DID).

MAN DOES WHAT HE DOES BY FAITH IN WHAT GOD DOES. GOD does 100%-Man does 100%. (Now don't get nervous, God's 100% is much greater than your 100%.)

Paul addresses both of these tensions by writing two balanced books: Romans--in chapters 1-11 he lays out WHAT GOD DOES and 12-16 he lays out WHAT MAN IS TO DO. Ephesians--chapters 1-3 deal with WHAT GOD HAS DONE and chapters 4-6 deal with 33 things for MAN TO DO.

He takes Romans and writes the book of Galatians-to counteract the extreme of MAN DOES IT ALL. He takes Ephesians and writes the book of Colossians to counteract the extreme of GOD DOES IT ALL. In the first few chapters of Romans and Ephesians, Paul is saying, "Look what God has done for you!" And in the last few chapters he says, "Now act like it!" WHAT GOD HAS DONE-that's where your faith comes in; NOW ACT LIKE IT-that's where your works prove out your faith!

There is a great visual that illustrates how the balance of the two can work and how one without the other doesn't. Suppose you are in a row boat with 2 oars--one is faith and the second is works. If you row with either one without the other, you will only go in circles. If you use both, you will make progress.

This entire tension between faith and works comes down to: God's work (believe it-faith) demands your response (just do it-works). You do (works) the possible by faith that God will do the impossible.

SO, how is your faith working?

James 2:1-13

2011-12-07T20:11:00.000-08:00

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In chapter 1 we learned that pure religion is more than the muttering of prayers and rituals-more than being externally oriented. Pure religion has to do with visiting orphans and widows and keeping oneself unstained by the world. Keeping yourself unstained by the world begins with preventing yourself from being a hearer only (1:19-21), but an effective doer of the word of truth (1:22-25). In other words, being a hearer only tends toward definition without demonstration that leads to the worship of doctrine. But even sound doctrine by itself tends to put people sound asleep! James is appealing to be unstained from the world and the world's ways by not doing things by lecture, but by a lab that demands definition and demonstration!

Now, James continues his theme of keeping yourself unstained by the world when he turns to the subject of showing partiality. Don't hold your faith with an attitude of partiality toward others! 1 My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. 2 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, 3 and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, "You sit here in a good place," and you say to the poor man, "You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool," [Your value system is false.] 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? [You are practicing discrimination.] 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? [You fail to honor the poor whom God honors.] 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? 7 Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called? [You favor those who oppress you.]

INSTEAD, fulfill the royal law. 8 If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF," you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. 11 For He who said, "DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY," also said, "DO NOT COMMIT MURDER." Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

NOTE verse 5-LOVE GOD, and now verse 8-LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR. The royal law is an interesting term. Literally, it is the "law of the king" or the law that is fit for the king or a kingly law or the law of the king and kingdom. Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-40 that the entire Mosaic Law rests on "loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself", so here this is a fitting reference to the royal or kingly or kingdom law.

Instead of having an attitude of partiality, seek to fulfill the royal law of Jesus! 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

So, speak and act (do): FIRST-Because you will be judged by the law of liberty (judged by the law that set you free from bondage and slavery, so reflect this gratefulness in your actions toward others).

SECOND-Because mercy wins out over judgment (literally, mercy celebrates, even boasts, triumphs over judgment).

NOTE there are two kinds of judgment that Jesus taught (Matthew 7): 1. Condemnation judgment 2. Conclusion judgment-discernment Here James is clearly speaking of the "condemnation" kind of judgment that is merciless!

NOTE the logic of this as it relates to being stained by the world. This is much like the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-27). The question is "Who is my neighbor?" The answer is anyone in your path that has a need you can address. So, today: 1. Many people suffer affliction of all kinds. 2. Many believers never relieve affliction for others, due to the stains on your heart and mind. So, believers find themselves going through the following process of ignoring the needs of those around them, even though (a) they were positioned there by God, (b) they were aware of the person's condition, (c) they were capable of meeting the person's needs and (d) they each had good rationalized excuses.

What is desperately needed is for people of true faith to remove the stains of the world that remain on their hearts and minds. To say it another way, I think Jesus is looking for SPOT REMOVERS!

You know what's interesting, Jesus never saw a prostitute; He sees through the stains! Also, Jesus lived out the royal law and therefore was and is always GOOD NEWS for everyone without partiality!

HOW CAN YOU BE A SPOT REMOVER? #1-Receive your own spot remover for the stains in your life-His love for you! #2-Reciprocate your love back to Him in gratefulness-your love God! #3-Release your love to others-your love for your neighbors!

PEOPLE OF TRUE FAITH ACT AS SPOT REMOVERS BY EMBRACING THE ROYAL LOVE OF GOD.

James 1:16-27

2011-12-06T09:49:00.000-08:00

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The second subject James deals with is what pure religion or pure faith ought to look like. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. God is not to be regarded as the one who causes our problems, but He is the source of all that is good. AND, He has brought us (believers in Messiah Jesus) forth by the word of truth so that we might be an example among what He has created. Now James sets forth what kind of truth we are to follow.

Although religion is not a wonderful term today, James is using this term to describe "people of faith". He lists four basic elements of pure faith (religion), because people of faith are people of God's truth.

FIRST-Prepare yourselves to receive the word of God's truth. Be quick to hear. Be slow to speak. Be slow to anger-(the anger of man doesn't achieve the righteousness of God). Put aside all things that might distract you from receiving God's truth.

19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

SECOND-Prove yourselves to be doers of the word. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

NOTE that when a person is not careful to be a doer or one who applies the word, he deludes himself. Since we live in a world of information bombardment, it is too easy to be merely hearers who delude themselves. The delusion works like this. Just by hearing something, you believe that is enough-even feel like you have embraced this truth, might even share it with others. Just from hearing and agreeing with what you have heard, you may begin to think you have already done it, but you are a hearer only who has deluded himself. It's too easy to take a quick look into the mirror of truth and forget what it said. BUT if you look intently into the truth of God, apply it, not forgetting what you read and actually do the word you have just read or received, THEN you will be blessed in whatever you do!

This follows Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount when He says, 24 ``Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 ``And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26 ``Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 ``The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell-and great was its fall.'' Matt 7:24-27 Just hearing the word of truth without acting upon it sets you up for destruction!

NOTE the tension between hearing and doing faith; it's the same as the tension between faith and works. We'll deal with this in more detail later, but the best statement on this subject that will suffice for right now is: Faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is not alone. Genuine faith will be accompanied by works that prove out your faith.

THIRD-Put a lid on your tongue. 26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. NOTE how powerful the tongue is. Your tongue can cause deception in your own heart and make your pure faith worthless.

FOURTH-Pay a visit to the orphans and widows in their distress. 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

NOTE how simple the demonstration of pure faith really is in the sight of God. Orphans and widows are at the heart of God. By paying attention to these who have lost their loved ones you may find the secret to keeping yourself unstained by the world and its values. God's heart is always with the needy and the broken and not in the large rallies and events or huge book promotions.

I view it as a CSI fellowship. God's heart is in the covert (underground and quiet), the subversive (revolutionary, against the tide of the normal) and the indelible (permanent marks on the lives of men and women-marked with a mark from God's own heart). I think God honors a CSI kind of fellowship. Try it out and see!

James 1:1-15

2011-12-05T19:24:00.001-08:00

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The ACTS OF JESUS was all about the early gatherings around Jesus and His kingdom, it seems right to continue in the early days with the earliest of books written to the believers at that time. Remember that in the early "church or synagogue" of Jesus, there were more Jews than Gentiles. I like to call them Messianic Jews and Messianic Gentiles. One of the earliest books written to these believers (primarily to the Messianic Jews) was JAMES.

JAMES was most likely written by the apostle who presided over the leadership group of Messianic Jews in Jerusalem. We saw him in Acts 15. This is one of four James' mentioned and is the half brother of Jesus. It was written between 48-50 A.D.

The book is filled with the most practical issues of walking with Jesus and walking with one another. It's like the Proverbs of the New Testament. I see the entire book's theme as faith in action-I call it FAITH IS A VERB. You see, faith works when life doesn't. There is also an interesting play between faith and works that is introduced in this book.

Let's get into it: 1 James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.

James, although an apostle, maybe the chief apostle, and the brother of Jesus, doesn't reference either but sees himself in the "highest calling" of all-a bond-servant. We'll see this term more throughout the New Testament (NT). It refers to a slave or a person who is hired on as a servant.

NOTE that this letter from James is written specifically to the twelve tribes who are dispersed. This refers to those Messianic Jews who lived outside Palestine, scattered around the world among the Gentiles. There were 2 great dispersions-the eastern and the western. The first was when 10 of the 12 tribes were carried away by Assyria and in the time of the Babylonian captivity (586 B.C.). The other was the western dispersion that happened during the reign of Alexander the Great (early 300's B.C.). This placed Jewish communities throughout the world in large numbers in some areas where they were united in their synagogues. This gives better understanding to why Paul felt the need to travel all over in his mission trips. He knew of these communities throughout the world who would be interested to hear the messages of the kingdom of God and the Christ (Messiah).

James begins with a section on trials. It's something everyone faces from day to day and especially those who were living outside Jerusalem who might easily get discouraged when their new faith is attacked even by other religious people in their communities, let alone those outside the fellowship of faith. I see this as a time of lifting the faith of believers outside of Jerusalem. So, when you need a faith-lift, what do you do? I think the answer is REFOCUS.

FIRST-REFOCUS BY REJOICING IN THE PRODUCT! 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Are you serious? Count it all joy when you face a variety of trials in your life? There is a way of refocusing so that no matter what comes your way, you may be able to reframe it to see the good in it.

There are two kinds of temptations or testings. One has to do with tripping you up-to trick you into doing something wrong. The other is to test with the view toward approval-to prove you as genuine! When you are faced with a test that might trip you up, God wants you to view it as a test of genuineness.

Don't focus on the trial or testing itself. You'll end up wallowing in it-the problem will get bigger and bigger! Instead, focus on the end-product! "Here comes another testing or trial. What will I learn from this?" James says the primary thing you will gain from trials is perseverance. The testing of your faith produces perseverance-the ability to hang in there and get through it. And, if you allow perseverance to have its way, you will be more mature and complete in your life-lacking in nothing! WOW!

Therefore, when a trial comes your way, refocus and look for what's in there to make you more mature and complete to the point of lacking in nothing! This goes along with that promise of good endings-Romans 8:28, where God causes all things to work together for good!

NOTE when you brood over your problems, you'll hatch despair! NOTE that many times you'll find yourself being overwhelmed by problems that aren't that big-like mountain climbing over molehills! NOTE-it's not what happens to you, but how you handle what happens that counts!

SECOND-REFOCUS BY REQUESTING A NEW PERSPECTIVE! 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Now, in the midst of a trial it's difficult to know what to do. Many times these trials call for decisions to be made. So, in a time such as this, refocus by asking God for wisdom. NOTE that you are encouraged to ask God for wisdom and He will give it to you, if you ask. I hang on to that with everything I've got! I ask Him for wisdom and I believe He will give it to me as I need it. NOTE that you must ask in faith without doubting. In other words, ask Him for wisdom and count on that fact that He will give it to you and act out accordingly with this wisdom from God. If you doubt, you will not get it and you will be tossed about on the surf by the winds of life's circumstances. You cannot expect to receive anything when doubting. HOWEVER, if you ask for wisdom in faith without doubting, you can expect that you will receive it!

This seems to coincide with the promise of great escapes-I Corinthians 10:13, where God provides a mountain pass in order for you to get through it!

THIRD-REFOCUS BY RECONSIDERING YOUR POSITION BEFORE GOD! 9 But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; 10 and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. 12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, ``I am being tempted by God''; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

Trials are the great leveler of both the rich and the poor! In ICU, it makes no difference what you own or what you owe. If you are rich, glory in your humiliation before the Lord. if you are poor, glory in your high position with God. You came into this world naked and you'll go out in the same condition-with more things wrinkled and drooping. After you die, there will be a big garage sale of all of your treasures.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial-God will reward this kind of response to problems with the "crown of life"-one of five special crowns given to those who love Him. It's interesting that perseverance is tied to loving God. We persevere due to our relationship with Him-love for Him.

NOTE James points out the cycle of how temptation works. It doesn't come from God, but from inside ourselves. 1. Temptation-the thought of it. 2. Carried away and hooked by internal lust for it. 3. Then lust gives birth to sin. 4. When sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

God will not take you into that kind of temptation, but will use it all for the testing and proving out of your genuineness. It's like a refining process, burning off all of the dross and impurities out of our lives.

The promise of great expectations seems to work well here-Philippians 1:6, where He promises to continue His work inside us until Jesus returns!

Remember, faith is like a kite-a contrary wind makes it go higher and higher!

FELLOWSHIP IS A VERB

2011-12-04T21:07:00.001-08:00

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Are you in? Are you in far? And, are you inviting others in?

What are the benefits of being in, being in far and inviting others in? The benefits are all summed up in the person of Jesus. Over the years we have come to understand the following:

FIRST-Religion cannot regenerate a person's heart-not Christianity, not Islam, not Judaism, not Buddhism, not any.

SECOND-Churchianity cannot regenerate a person's heart-not the presbytists, nor the episcolics, nor the bapterians.

THIRD-Only Jesus has the power to regenerate and fill a person's heart with life that eternally satisfies.

Jesus is not into converting you to a religion, but wants a personal relationship with everyone on planet earth. Religion is mankind trying to avoid going to hell in order to go to heaven. Relationship is mankind saying, "I've been to hell and I don't want to go back!" Jesus offers Himself. It's like man says: "Jesus, I have a problem. It's me!" And Jesus says: "Man, I have the solution. It's me!"

He offers Himself as our SALVATION. Salvation is not what many make it out to be-a membership card into heaven or proof of fire insurance to keep you out of hell. Salvation is so much more than that! Check out this partial list of what salvation is:

1. To make wide-freedom from stuck, from distress-free to be! 2. God will come through on your behalf-wait and see mighty deeds! 3. Safety & Security-to maintain life unafraid of numerous dangers! 4. Healing-emotional/physical well-being-Wholeness! 5. Constant loyal love-genuine love that seeks restoration! 6. Destroys purposes of evil forces-You can count on it! 7. Distinguishes Himself as the God of gods! 8. God's unconditional love in action-He is relentlessly courting us! 9. Proactive presence of God among His people! 10. Death is a doorway to the presence of God! Only one who can save like this is worthy of our devotion! His name is Jesus!

God isn't calling you into Christianity, churchianity or some unique spiritual club. He is calling you into the fellowship of Jesus and His people. Believers in the 1st century "were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42). God wants us to do the same today.

Listen in on Jesus' prayer about the fellowship: I spelled out your character in detail to the men and women you gave me. They were yours in the first place; then you gave them to me, and they have now done what you said. They know now, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that everything you gave me is firsthand from you, for the message you gave me, I gave them; and they took it, and were convinced that I came from you.

They believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I'm not praying for the God-rejecting world but for those you gave me, For they are yours by right. Everything mine is yours, and yours mine, and my life is on display in them. For I'm no longer going to be visible in the world; they'll continue in the world while I return to you. Holy Father, guard them as they pursue this life that you conferred as a gift through me, so they can be one heart and mind as we are one heart and mind. As long as I was with them, I guarded them in the pursuit of the life you gave through me; I even posted a night watch and not one of them got away, except for the rebel bent on destruction (the exception that proved the rule of Scripture).

Now I'm returning to you. I'm saying these things in the world's hearing so my people can experience my joy completed in them. I gave them your word; the godless world hated them because of it, because they didn't join the world's ways, just as I didn't join the world's ways. I'm not asking that you take them out of the world, but that you guard them from the Evil One. They are no more defined by the world than I am defined by the world. Make them holy-set apart for a mission-with the truth; Your word is truth. In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. I'm consecrating myself for their sakes so they'll be truth-consecrated in their mission.

I'm praying not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind-just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me. The same glory you gave me, I gave them, so they'll be as unified and together as we are-I in them and you in me. Then they'll be mature in this oneness, and give the godless world evidence that you've sent me and loved them in the same way you've loved me.

Father, I want those you gave me to be with me, right where I am, so they can see my glory, the splendor you gave me, having loved me long before there ever was a world. Righteous Father, the world has never known you, but I have known you, and these disciples know that you sent me on this mission. I have made your very being known to them-who you are and what you do-and continue to make it known, so that your love for me might be in them exactly as I am in them (John 17:6-26).

He wants you in! He wants you in far! He wants you to be inviting others in! Make fellowship a verb in your life!

DECISIONS CONCERNING THE FELLOWSHIP PRINCIPLE

2011-12-01T19:29:00.000-08:00

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After all is said and done, there is more said than done! Now, what are the action steps that must be taken in light of the fellowship principle? I believe there are three questions that must be answered-four decisions that must be made-in order to activate the fellowship principle.

First, ARE YOU IN? The phrase "in Christ" occurs approximately 167 times in the New Testament. It's a technical term that speaks of your relationship with Jesus. Just as you put something into an envelope and it envelops that something, so you have been placed "in Christ" and are completely enveloped by Him. When God looks upon you, He sees Jesus. This is why it is said that "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). Being "in Christ" means that you have a personal, faith relationship with Jesus, the Christ-you have placed all that you know that you are into all that you know that He is.

Why is being "in Christ" so important? Well, in addition to all of the salvation issues that are available through Jesus, there is another reason. Being "in Christ" places you on a different elevation-a spiritual perspective on life, because all is not as it seems in this world. When you are "in Christ", you learn to move to a different drumbeat than the world system around you-walking, thinking, loving and talking like Jesus. You become one with the greatest revolutionary ever! Then, you are in a position to really make a difference in your world!

Second, ARE YOU IN FAR? Being "in Christ" is an interesting dynamic. It's a relationship and therefore must be cultivated. Many believers in Jesus are content to stop at being "in Christ" and not progress any further. The result is that most believers are content to sit, soak and sour in the pew. Once you become "in Christ" you begin a meaningful, spiritual journey. This journey is all about fleshing out the person of Jesus into your lifestyle. Every day you walk, think, love and talk like Jesus, you allow Jesus to be seen and experienced one more day by those around you.

Being "in far" requires that you don't attempt to grow it alone. It requires that you gather other believers around you as partners who become your support system, encouraging and exhorting you in growing your personal relationship with Jesus. Being "in far" is your relationship with the people of Jesus.

But why is "being in far" so important? It is so important because there is a war going on out there in the universe between good and evil-between God and the Evil One. You cannot fight this war alone, but must have the strength of a small group of believers who stand with you-a covenant community.

A community of believers is galvanized by making covenants to one another. It is amazing how simple agreements and commitments to one another provide a bonding power among the participants. These covenants may be agreements to pray for certain things for a certain time period, going on a mission trip together, producing an event, or agreements to go through a study together. This is the fellowship principle!

I have been grappling with how to apply this multiplication strategy in my own life-purpose. So, in the spirit of the fellowship I asked 3 other men to come alongside me to be with me and to turn the fellowship into an active verb. As we came together, we (and our wives) we entered into a 45 day prayer covenant. We have entered into a covenant with one another to be faithful to the following:

1. To embrace the principles of Jesus as a lifestyle. 2. To mentor men and women in the Jesus lifestyle. 3. To believe God for the raising up of leadership world-wide. 4. To empower the youth of our world. 5. To restore the broken, poor, fallen, abused and addicted. 6. To serve everyone everywhere.

This small community of believers must answer two functional questions: First, are you willing to minister to anyone God brings your way? This may not be as easy as it seems. When God brings a drug dealer your way, are willing to minister to him? When a porn addict shows up on your doorstep, are you willing? What about the druggie, the drunk, the communist, the terrorist; are you willing to minister to anyone God brings your way? You may be the answer to someone's prayers.

Second, are you willing to be ministered to by anyone around you? This is even a more difficult question. Most people find it easier to minister to someone in need than to be ministered to by anyone around you. Years ago, I had it set up in a Sunday morning Easter service for the ushers to come forward bringing wash basins. I announced that we were going to experience the washing of one another's feet. The shock was incredible! Most had no problem with washing someone else's feet, but were very resistant in allowing someone to wash their feet. That was just too much! Someone you don't even know may be the answer to your prayers.

Third, ARE YOU INVITING OTHERS IN? At the end of each of the Gospels and at the beginning of the book of Acts Jesus commissioned His followers to do one thing-MAKE DISCIPLES! His command is still as relevant to us today. We are to be making disciples-inviting others into a personal relationship with Jesus. He gave 3 action-steps to do this:

First, make disciples by going. This is the principle of initiation. We as the fellowship are to pray for God to attract others to the light-to raise up laborers for the harvest. We are to actively set our hearts toward that end.

Go in the fellowship of Jesus (Are you in?). Go with the fellowship of Jesus (Are you in far?). Go tell of the fellowship in Jesus (Are you inviting others in?).

Second, make disciples by baptizing. This is the principle of identification. As the fellowship we are to identify the people God raises up as disciples of Jesus. The identification process will mean inviting them into the fellowship.

Third, make disciples by teaching. This is the principle of instruction. As the fellowship we are to teach all of the principles of Jesus to the ones who have been identified as disciples. As we continue to teach disciples of the principles of Jesus the cycle starts all over again for each new disciple and the fellowship grows like a mustard seed grows. You have a vital role to play in this great war! Are you in? Are you in far? Are you inviting others in? Who are the "others" we must be inviting in?

We have identified 5 groups of people that God brings our way. 1) The Enquirers who are actively seeking answers to life. They show up by the process of elimination-nothing else works. 2) The Restless who are on empty, lost, compensating and coping. They are caught up in the rat race of life, but somehow know that even if they win they will still only be a rat. 3) The Religious who have a heart to do right, but are burdened-down with religiosity! 4) The Stuck whose life and/or relationships are out of control. Life is not working. 5) The Wounded who are broken, poor, fallen, abused or addicted. Most often, the wounded will be found among the enquirers, the restless, the religious and the stuck. Remember, Jesus came to seek and to save the sick and wounded!

All of the above are the prisoners in the great war between good and evil-between God and the Evil One. The fellowship principle is all about setting prisoners free!

When you come together, be aware of the needs of everyone around you-believer and non-believer alike. The prophet Isaiah speaks of the Messiah's mission when he writes: "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; to comfort all who mourn, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified" (Isaiah 61:1-3). If you are to be a follower of Jesus Christ (the Messiah), you must follow His mission.

Jesus told the Twelve: "And as you go, proclaim, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 'Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons" (Matthew 10:7-8).

If you aren't in a fellowship today, pray for that experience for yourself. Then, PRACTICE BEING IN A FELLOWSHIP with one another!

DYNAMITE OF THE FELLOWSHIP PRINCIPLE

2011-11-30T10:17:00.001-08:00

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When I was a young believer, I adopted Romans 1:16 as my life verse: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." Paul prays that the "eyes of your heart my be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe" (Ephesians 1:18-29). And when the gospel message of Jesus went out to the city of Thessalonica, "the gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction." (I Thessalonians 1:5). It's difficult to read the life and works of Jesus and the early church and miss the powerful explosiveness of the Good News!

So, how can believers today embrace that same kind of power? Is there a spiritual formula that I must discover? A special, supernatural experience that I must know? A certain version of the Bible? A specially anointed denomination or group that I must join? Do I need more of the Holy Spirit?

None of the above is the answer. It's more simple than that! In fact, Paul put it this way: "I'm afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, that your minds might be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ" (II Corinthians 11:3-5). This simplicity of Jesus is all wrapped in the fellowship principle. Let's examine the model of Jesus, the mode of the disciples and the mandate for the 21st Century.

First, the model of Jesus. Think about it! If you were out to start a movement that would change the world through its message of faith, love and hope, how would you have orchestrated it? I would have launched into doing massive seminars and workshops to as many people as possible. My model for reaching the world would have been filled with the latest papyri flyers being handed out by the best-trained management and sales team ever!

Jesus did just the opposite. He came into this world with a quiet, yet supernatural birth. He performed quiet, yet powerful miracles, mostly on individuals. Instead of a series of massive, promotional events, Jesus chose to work with a few. At first He chose only three just to come alongside Him-to be with Him. Note that He didn't lay out a plan to reach the world right away. That came later. Then, after experiencing the power of being together with the few and learning how to love one another, He sent out several more followers. The movement became contagious from the very beginning.

Jesus' strategy proved to be the most dynamite movement ever launched! This movement of a few were unlikely people, untrained and uneducated who were used to turn the world upside down! Now that's powerful!

Second, the mode of the disciples. The disciples of Jesus learned to follow the model that was set. They always traveled and ministered in teams of two or more.

When you read the book of I Thessalonians, you will discover that the ministry that followed Jesus' pattern echoed forth from the believers in Thessalonica throughout Greece and much of the rest of the world. They were known for their faith that worked (work of faith), their love that worked (labor of love) and their hope that stayed (steadfastness of hope). These believers saw people in Thessalonica and all of Greece turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for Jesus to return.

The most shocking thing about this powerful explosion in northern Greece is how it all began! Since first seeing this through a brother and friend, I have asked a question over and over to pastors, professors, counselors, bible students and to hundreds of people within church congregations. The question is simple. After reading the first chapter of the book of I Thessalonians, I ask "Who wrote I Thessalonians?" I have never received the correct answer yet!

Most everyone answers, "Paul!" I did the same thing when I was asked. However, in the very first verse it clearly tells you that it was Paul, Silvanus and Timothy. These three wrote the book! And it was the dynamite relationship of these three men that the Thessalonians imitated! These three men practiced the fellowship principle and their work proved to be most effective-most powerful! Maybe this is the missing link that we've all been praying and searching for-the fellowship principle.

Third, the mandate for the 21st Century. Paul must have been a southerner, because he used what I call "the y'all principle" throughout most of his writing. Take a look: "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you (among y'all), with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God" (Colossians 3:16). Or, "I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you (in y'all)" (Galatians 4:19). Or, "Christ in you (in y'all), the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).

Paul is commanding believers everywhere to allow Jesus to make His dwelling place (make Himself at home) as you come together into the fellowship. The dynamite (power) of the gospel will be present in the midst of a few who are gathered together in Jesus' name. The y'all principle is the fellowship principle!

If you want to be powerful and effective in spreading the message of Jesus, you must do it His way. WDJD? (What Did Jesus Do?) is far more powerful than discussing WWJD? (What Would Jesus Do?). Your "I" will be powerfully turned into "we." That's the dynamite of the fellowship principle!

DIMENSIONS OF THE FELLOWSHIP PRINCIPLE

2011-11-29T19:19:00.001-08:00

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There are two dimensions of the fellowship principle. The first dimension is to share in life as in being partners in life. This is more of the spiritual dimension of having a genuine partnership-a blood-brother friendship. You were created to have this kind of partnership, rather than trying to live your life as the Lone Ranger, many times without even Tonto hanging around to support you.

It's knowing that someone gives a rip whether you live or die. This kind of partnership involves the many "one anothers" taught in the Scriptures-weeping with those who weep, rejoicing with those who rejoice, praying for one another, confessing your faults to one another, encouraging and admonishing one another, loving one another, etc. This dimension may be best described by the proverb "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17). There are, at least, four specific ways to practice this dimension of the fellowship principle. 1) When you come together, be sure to share what you are learning and experiencing in your walk. This will emerge out of your personal study of the Scriptures and your daily walk with Jesus.

2) When you come together, be sure to share yourself. Share your sins and failures-your vulnerabilities and your need for God. Share your blessings and your joys. You have been created to be dependent upon God. Share how easily you can be distracted away from God's intent and become dependent upon something else in its place.

3) When you come together, be sure to share accountability. You need a support system of people who are going the same direction, live for the same reasons you live and care enough to hold your hand through the good and the bad. You want people in your life like Jesus, who know you and love you anyway.

4) When you come together, be sure to share time in prayer. There is no greater bond on earth than when a group bows down in the name of Jesus (the Higher Power), seeking to follow a Higher Calling.

The second dimension of the fellowship principle is to share with others in need. This has more to do with sharing with those who are in need physically. There are several categories of people in need that come to mind. 1) When you come together, be aware of believers in need around you. This demonstration of fellowship was an integral part of the early church experience, "contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality" (Romans 12:13). "For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things" (Romans 15:26-27 ). And again in Hebrews 13:16: "And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."

2) When you come together, be aware of the needs of your teachers and those who minister to you. When Jesus called and sent out the Twelve on their initial assignment He instructed them: "Freely you received, freely give. Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support" (Matthew 10:8-10). This same understanding of sharing with those who minister to you is extended in Paul's letter to Timothy: "The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, 'YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,' and 'The laborer is worthy of his wages'" (I Timothy 5:17-18).

3) When you come together, be aware of the needs of those who are sent out to do ministry outside of your local fellowship. This is especially true as God raises up leadership in other countries. You are not to just say, "We'll pray for you." You must think in terms of truly sharing with them, so that they are empowered to do what God has called them to do in the name of Jesus.

Again, Paul says to Timothy: "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed" (I Timothy 6:17-19). The fellowship must stand ready to share financially to underwrite and support the needs of the kingdom of Jesus wherever it may spread. When the fellowship is functioning properly, there is no need for heavy promotions. It all has to do with attraction to Jesus, Jesus' people and Jesus' mission.

Have you had the privilege of seeing this kind of fellowship anywhere? Look around you. The fellowship of Jesus is either already happening or about to happen through you right where you live.

DEFINITION OF THE FELLOWSHIP PRINCIPLE

2011-11-28T17:11:00.001-08:00

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The term fellowship is widely known, but even more widely misunderstood. It's more than a pot-luck dinner. It's not a room called the "fellowship" hall. It's more than a group of friends watching football or hunting together. The fellowship may be the most important concept you will ever learn. However, this concept is not just to be learned; it must be lived!

For years I stated my purpose in life, my personal vision, as I want to empower the masses to embrace all that they were created to be and to do. A friend and mentor to me suggested that I tweak this life-purpose a bit by changing "the masses" to "individuals" with respect to my emphasis. Well, I did change it-on paper! I adjusted it to read, I want to empower individuals to embrace all that they were created to be and to do. Although I wrote it and quoted it as my life-purpose repeatedly, I really didn't adjust my actions to reflect this change. In other words, I put the pipe up to my mouth, but actually didn't inhale!

Now, I have had the privilege of building one of the largest churches in the United States and have repeatedly spoken on the largest platforms in the corporate world. Where is the massive movement after expending all my energies into the masses? Although I enjoyed some great moments "making disciples" for Jesus, for the most part, my use of the "Madison Avenue" marketing strategy has been proven to be meager and ineffective compared to the strategy Jesus employed.

Recently, I was challenged by a friend to be more strategic with the rest of my life. He urged me to be more like Jesus. Jesus, knowing that He had 3 ½ years to live, changed His strategy. He left His tent-making work of being a carpenter (most likely, a stone-cutter) in order to totally focus on His life-purpose. He pointed out to me that Jesus utilized a multiplication strategy that is rarely embraced today. Jesus chose a few to be with Him-some were with Him daily (3 and 12) and a few more took His message and spread it at His bidding (72 and 120). Jesus ministered to individuals who then spread His message powerfully to their villages, regions and countries. This multiplication process became the most effective movement on planet earth in all of history!

Jesus' strategic approach to spreading His Good News message throughout the world never involved "putting up another church", but practicing church. He taught His followers not to build the church, but to be the church. This is what the fellowship is all about!

The fellowship is the answer to becoming the genuine salt and light that Jesus intended His followers to be. My friend who challenged me to be more strategic with my life also painted a couple of vivid pictures that are now etched in my mind indelibly. He urged me to be a fountain. "You don't take the fountain to people; the people come to the fountain" he said. "In the same way, you are to be a light that attracts. Bugs are attracted to a physical light... people are attracted to a spiritual light of truth. So be a light! Be a fountain! If Jesus is lifted up, He will draw all men unto Him." The fellowship operates on the principle of attraction, not promotion. This goes against the grain of most every religious program in our world.

The fellowship is not an organization, an institution or a denomination. The fellowship is a verb that, when properly activated, has the power to change the world-one person at a time! In order to use the fellowship as a verb you must learn the fellowship principle.

The primary term for fellowship in the New Testament is koinonia. The word has the idea of communion or sharing in common with another. It's the perfect word to describe the relationship we are to have with God and with one another-a partnership. This partnership is to be entered into-to join one's self to an associate or associates in order to become a sharer.

The designated partners within the fellowship include Jesus, Jesus' followers and you. The fellowship is not a religious system of do's and don'ts. The fellowship is not in an organization, not in Christianity, not in churchianity or not in any institution. The fellowship is with God Himself (Father, His Son Jesus and the His Spirit) and with His people. The fellowship principle is the full application of this dynamic partnership between God and His people.

Have you ever experienced this fellowship principle? Make it your goal to do whatever it takes to participate in the fellowship of Jesus as we walk through this week's studies. Once you catch on to the fellowship principle, you'll never walk alone again!

ACTS 28

2011-11-25T17:50:00.001-08:00

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1When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. 2The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all.

7Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. 8And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. 9After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured. 10They also honored us with many marks of respect; and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all we needed.

NOTE Paul didn't set out to participate in a healing that day on that island. However, God had one of his children on the island (Paul) and put His purpose for the father of Publius into action, using Paul. God again had set up another divine appointment. Paul showed up with an attitude of "What can I do to help?" When a follower of Jesus shows up with this kind of servant-heart attitude, God will do miraculous things.

11At the end of three months we set sail on an Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had the Twin Brothers for its figurehead. 14There we found some brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome. 15And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. 16When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

17After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, "Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18"And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death. 19"But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20"For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel." 21They said to him, "We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22"But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere."

As always, Paul has a habit of connecting with brothers in Jesus everywhere he goes. NOTE that Paul begins by inviting a group of leading men of the Jews. They had not heard of Paul's problems throughout the world, so they were interested to hear why he was a prisoner "for the sake of the hope of Israel." They had heard about this new Messianic movement.

23When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.

After quoting a passage from the prophet Isaiah, Paul said, 28"Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen." 29[When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.] 30And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.

NOTE the themes of Paul's message-the kingdom of God and the person of Jesus. I think this is most incredible and instructive for us today. After being educated beyond my intelligence with 4 years of graduate seminary, 7 years of Greek to study the New Testament and 3 ½ years of Hebrew to study the Old Testament, I have come to realize the powerful message of the 21st Century Jesus movement is very simple.

In fact, it's the same as in the 2nd Century. Two subjects that must be shared: FIRST-THE KINGDOM OF GOD SECOND-THE PERSON OF JESUS.

When I stick to this simplicity, then I find people drawn to Jesus and His way of living life. When I add-on to this simplicity and make it more complicated, I find people drawing lines in the sand, poised for a debate.

Here it is again: RELIGION AND ITS TEACHINGS DIVIDE-JESUS UNITES!

ACTS 27, 2011

2011-11-25T17:40:00.000-08:00

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1When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, they proceeded to deliver Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan cohort named Julius.

9When considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous. Paul began to admonish them, 10and said to them, "Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives." 11But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul. 12Because the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there, if somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. 13When a moderate south wind came up, supposing that they had attained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began sailing along Crete, close inshore.

NOTE Paul shared with the "powers that be" that he believed they should not try to sail this late in the winter, because of the certain storms. BUT they didn't listen to his wisdom and set sail for Rome, hoping to make it to one more port and spend the winter there.

Well, the worst happened. They went into a massive storm, verse 20: 20Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned. 21When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, "Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss. 22"Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23"For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, 24saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.' 25"Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told. 26"But we must run aground on a certain island."

27But when the fourteenth night came, as we were being driven about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors began to surmise that they were approaching some land. 28They took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and a little farther on they took another sounding and found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29Fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and wished for daybreak. 30But as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship and had let down the ship's boat into the sea, on the pretense of intending to lay out anchors from the bow, 31Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved." 32Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it fall away. 33Until the day was about to dawn, Paul was encouraging them all to take some food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day that you have been constantly watching and going without eating, having taken nothing. 34"Therefore I encourage you to take some food, for this is for your preservation, for not a hair from the head of any of you will perish."

35Having said this, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all, and he broke it and began to eat. 36All of them were encouraged and they themselves also took food. 37All of us in the ship were two hundred and seventy-six persons. 38When they had eaten enough, they began to lighten the ship by throwing out the wheat into the sea. 39When day came, they could not recognize the land; but they did observe a bay with a beach, and they resolved to drive the ship onto it if they could. 40And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while at the same time they were loosening the ropes of the rudders; and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they were heading for the beach. 41But striking a reef where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern began to be broken up by the force of the waves. 42The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and escape; 43but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44and the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land.

NOTE what's happening here. The best wisdom would have been for them not to make the trip at this time, but they did. Now, Paul is stuck on the ship in the midst of the life-threatening storm. So, what can we learn from this scene? Three observations come up for me: 1. Even when we are caught up in bad or difficult situations, whether we caused them or they are caused by something else, God will still work in the midst of our troubles.

2. God seems to always have "His agent" hanging out in the midst of troubles.

3. If you are walking with Jesus, your life and its circumstances are not all about you. God has you where you are for a purpose and usually it is for the benefit of others who cannot help themselves.

This is just another version of DIVINE APPOINTMENTS. GOD SETS THEM UP-YOU SHOW UP!

ACTS 26

2011-11-25T17:21:00.001-08:00

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1Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and proceeded to make his defense: 2"In regard to all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that I am about to make my defense before you today; 3especially because you are an expert in all customs and questions among the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. 4"So then, all Jews know my manner of life from my youth up, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and at Jerusalem; 5since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion. 6"And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers; 7the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews. 8"Why is it considered incredible among you people if God does raise the dead? 9"So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10"And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them. 11"And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities.

12"While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 13at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me. 14"And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' 15"And I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16'But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; 17rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.'

19"So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance. 21"For this reason some Jews seized me in the temple and tried to put me to death. 22"So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place; 23that the Christ was to suffer, and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He would be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles."

24While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad." 25But Paul said, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth. 26"For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner. 27"King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do." 28Agrippa replied to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian."

29And Paul said, "I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains."

30The king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, 31and when they had gone aside, they began talking to one another, saying, "This man is not doing anything worthy of death or imprisonment." 32And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."

How else would Jesus be lifted up before the governors and the kings? This is how it works, isn't it? We are caught up in a horrendous predicament from our vantage point, but God uses this predicament for a much greater good. Maybe the governors, Felix and Festus, would not have heard the message of Jesus were it not for Paul being in this difficult situation. Maybe King Agrippa would not have heard the message either!

What is needed from us when the door opens is a personal testimony-your personal story. Your personal story includes three ingredients. What your life was like prior to meeting up with Jesus. How Jesus apprehended your life. What has happened since meeting Jesus.

Your story is really His story through you. Try writing out your personal story and then share it first with some trusted friends. Then you will find yourself more comfortable sharing your story with those who need to hear it. Remember, your story is all you've got to share. To do more than this is to preach and no one is asking you to preach; otherwise they would be asking you to start up a church. Your personal story is your highest credibility. No one can argue with it, because it's YOUR STORY. TRY IT OUT!

ACTS 25

2011-11-24T16:38:00.000-08:00

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Festus, the new governor of this region, was bent on hearing Paul's defense in Caesarea. Note in verse 8: 8while Paul said in his own defense, "I have committed no offense either against the Law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar." 9But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me on these charges?" 10But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also very well know. 11"If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar." 12Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, "You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go."

Festus was a different type from Felix. Felix was actually an enemy to the Jews and was more concerned about himself and his image than the people he governed. We know very little about Festus, but what we do know proves that he was a just and upright man. He died after only two years in office, but he died with an untainted name. The Jews tried to take advantage of him; they tried to persuade him to send for Paul to come to Jerusalem; for once again they had formed a plot to assassinate Paul on the way. But Festus was a Roman, with the Roman instinct for justice; and he told them to come to Caesarea and plead their case there. From Paul's answer we can deduce the malicious charges which they leveled against him.

13Now when several days had elapsed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and paid their respects to Festus. 14While they were spending many days there, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, "There is a man who was left as a prisoner by Felix; 15and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16"I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over any man before the accused meets his accusers face to face and has an opportunity to make his defense against the charges. 17"So after they had assembled here, I did not delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought before me. 18"When the accusers stood up, they began bringing charges against him not of such crimes as I was expecting, 19but they simply had some points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20"Being at a loss how to investigate such matters, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there stand trial on these matters. 21"But when Paul appealed to be held in custody for the Emperor's decision, I ordered him to be kept in custody until I send him to Caesar."

22Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I also would like to hear the man myself." "Tomorrow," he said, "you shall hear him." 23So, on the next day when Agrippa came together with Bernice amid great pomp, and entered the auditorium accompanied by the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24Festus said, "King Agrippa, and all you gentlemen here present with us, you see this man about whom all the people of the Jews appealed to me, both at Jerusalem and here, loudly declaring that he ought not to live any longer. 25"But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death; and since he himself appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him. 26"Yet I have nothing definite about him to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him before you all and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the investigation has taken place, I may have something to write. 27"For it seems absurd to me in sending a prisoner, not to indicate also the charges against him."

Agrippa was king of a small part of Palestine, which included Galilee and Perea; but he knew quite well that he held even that limited realm by the grace of the Romans. They had put him there and they could just as easily remove him. It was therefore his custom to pay a courtesy visit to the Roman governor when he entered his province. Bernice was a sister of Drusilla, the wife of Felix, and she was also a sister of Agrippa himself. Festus, knowing that Agrippa had the most intimate knowledge of Jewish faith and practice, proposed to discuss Paul's case with him. He gave Agrippa a characteristically impartial review of the situation as it existed at that moment; and now the stage was set for Paul to plead his case and bear his witness before a king.

Festus had gotten himself into a difficulty. It was Roman law that if a man appealed to Caesar and was sent to Rome there must be sent with him a written account of the case and of the charges against him. Festus' problem was that, as far as he could see, there was no charge to send. That's why this meeting had been convened.

Into such a scene came Paul, the little Jewish tent-maker, with his hands in chains; and yet from the moment he speaks, it is Paul who holds the stage. When a man has Christ in his heart and God at his right hand he has the secret of power. Of whom then shall he be afraid?

I'm reminded of the scene where Jesus was sending out the 12 (Matthew 10) or the 72 (Luke 10) and He made it clear that they were to look for the leadership in a city and bring them the peace of God. He called them the "worthy" people-those who were interested. They were sent out to take the message of the Gospel-Jesus-to these cities. And, if these presumed "worthy" people rejected their message-were not interested anymore-then they were to shake the dust off their feet and move on. Then, Jesus makes an interesting statement in Matthew 10: 16"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. 17But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; 18and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. 20For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."

This is precisely what is happening here. Paul brought before governors and kings and about to speak, maybe his best message to the king in the next chapter.

The Spirit of God is still working in the same way today. When you are in a situation and you don't know what to say, He will give you the words. This is a great evidence of God at work in you. Count on it next time you are caught in this kind of situation, where you know you must say something, yet you don't have any idea of how to say it or what to say. Count on the Spirit of God to give you the words and then marvel over what you just said.

ACTS 24

2011-11-20T20:02:00.001-08:00

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After 5 days, the high priest, Anaias, came down to Caesarea and brought Paul's case before the governor Felix. Their accusations were made up, for the most part, and in verse 5 the attorney Tertullius says:

5"For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6"And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. [We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. 7"But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, 8ordering his accusers to come before you.] By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him." 9The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so. 10When the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded: "Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, 11since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12"Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot. 13"Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me.

14"But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; 15having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16"In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men. 17"Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings; 18in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar But there were some Jews from Asia 19who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me. 20"Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council, 21other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, 'For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.'"

22But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case." 23Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him. 24But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened

NOTE that Paul was a real pest, a fellow who stirs up dissension among the religious Jews around the world, a ringleader of the group of the Nazarenes (named after Jesus of Nazareth), he was considered a revolutionary!

But just being these things doesn't qualify a person to be a REVOLUTIONARY in the sense of being a part of a movement of transformation. NOTE what else Paul uses to describe himself.

1. a servant of the God of our fathers, JUST AS THOSE JEWISH LEADERS VIEWED THEMSELVES.

2. believing all that is in accordance with the Law and the Prophets, JUST AS THESE LEADERS BELIEVED.

3. having a hope in God that there will be the resurrection someday, JUST AS THESE LEADERS HOPED IN THE RESURRECTION.

4. doing his best to maintain a good conscience before God and men, JUST AS THESE LEADERS WANT TO DO WITH THEIR LIVES.

So, what's the difference here? Well, Paul is appealing to the hearts of his hearers. They have plenty of common ground to bind them together. They serve the same God. They believe in the same kind of practices that are righteous. They hoped in the same resurrection from the dead. They believed in keeping a good conscience before God and men.

The difference is in the reality of the experience. Paul didn't just talk a good game, but he walked it, too. He really practiced these same things that they all taught and believed in. He was not a hearer of the word who deludes himself. A hearer who deludes himself is one who hears a truth, agrees with it and becomes all enthused about it, yet does nothing about it. Don't be merely a hearer of the word, but BE A DOER OF THE WORD.

Jesus said, "A wise man is one who hears my word and practices it and a foolish man is one who hears my word and doesn't practice it." And then He said, "Just because you speak or perform miracles in my name, this doesn't mean that you are genuine related to Me." "But those who do my will are the ones who will enter the kingdom of heaven." PAUL WAS A DOER. HE PRACTICED WHAT HE PREACHED! He was the real deal. And, when you are the real deal, religious people tend to get jealous and angry and want you removed in some form.

The simplest instruction I've ever heard is, "SEE WHAT JESUS SAID AND DID, THEN GO SAY IT AND DO IT!" That's what it takes to be a revolutionary!

ACTS 23

2011-11-20T19:52:00.001-08:00

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NOTE 4 things God uses to accomplish what He wants in our lives:

FIRST-God uses your personal perception and knowledge. 1Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, "Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day." 2The high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth. 3Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?" 4But the bystanders said, "Do you revile God's high priest?" 5And Paul said, "I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT SPEAK EVIL OF A RULER OF YOUR PEOPLE.'" 6But perceiving that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul began crying out in the Council, "Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!" 7As he said this, there occurred a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9And there occurred a great uproar; and some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and began to argue heatedly, saying, "We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" 10And as a great dissension was developing, the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.

Paul was perceptive enough to see how to get the crowd side-tracked away from him. He did it by pulling the Pharisee card, so that they fought among themselves.

SECOND-God uses His more direct communication. 11But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, "Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also."

As you learn to walk with Jesus, it's important to listen to His Spirit in you. Listen to those impressions and follow them as they flow, UNLESS they are illegal, immoral or fattening. As you make it a habit of trusting Jesus to lead out in your life, you'll know what to do next and not too far ahead of time.

THIRD-God uses your enemies. 12When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. 13There were more than forty who formed this plot. 14They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, "We have bound ourselves under a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. 15"Now therefore, you and the Council notify the commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case by a more thorough investigation; and we for our part are ready to slay him before he comes near the place." 16But the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, and he came and entered the barracks and told Paul.

God used Paul's enemies to get him to Caesarea safely. If they had not been so filled with rage in plotting to kill him, they wouldn't have been found out by Paul's nephew.

FOURTH-God uses officials and community leaders. Throughout this scene in Jerusalem in the last chapter and in this one God uses the Roman Commander to protect Paul from the crowd, from those who were plotting to kill him, took him safely to Caesarea and presents Paul to governor Felix as a man falsely accused.

God has used non-believer leaders to accomplish His work-the King of Nineveh gathered the people to hear Jonah's message. God has even used a donkey, when He was without a human willing to speak up.

Here's the principle: GOD IS ALWAYS AT WORK TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT HE WANTS IN YOUR LIFE AND HE IS NOT BOUND BY THE TOOLS HE WILL USE!

ACTS 22

2011-11-20T19:46:00.001-08:00

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1"Brethren and fathers, hear my defense which I now offer to you." 2And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew dialect, they became even more quiet; and he said, 3"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today. 4"I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons, 5as also the high priest and all the Council of the elders can testify From them I also received letters to the brethren, and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished.

6"But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, 7and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' 8"And I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.' 9"And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me. 10"And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.' 11"But since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me and came into Damascus.

12"A certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13came to me, and standing near said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' And at that very time I looked up at him. 14"And he said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. 15'For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard.

16'Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.' 17"It happened when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I fell into a trance, 18and I saw Him saying to me, 'Make haste, and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me.' 19"And I said, 'Lord, they themselves understand that in one synagogue after another I used to imprison and beat those who believed in You. 20'And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing by approving, and watching out for the coats of those who were slaying him.' 21"And He said to me, 'Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'" 22They listened to him up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live!"

The crowd listened to what Paul had to say, UNTIL he mentioned that God sent him to the Gentiles. Why is this? Why did this incense them so? I think this is all part of the human condition. It's just human nature to:

1. Want to be right and all others are wrong or more right than others which places us above the others.

2. Want to have our own clique or club, separate from all others, feel threatened that others might be as IN as we are.

3. Want to denigrate or destroy those who are not on the inside with us or, at least, we tend to be joyful over the "others" fall or difficulty or ruin.

Five observations: FIRST-Religious systems produce piles of guilt. And what's even more interesting is that the guilty have the urge to throw on more guilt on everyone else.

SECOND-Religious systems produce fear and insecurity. The religious mindset of "innies" and "outies" is filled with insecurity and fear.

THIRD-Religious systems produce angry people. There is nothing more ugly than an angry, passionate, religious person with a bible verse.

FOURTH-Religious systems are not so much about God as they are about ME, MYSELF and MINE.

FIFTH-Religious systems leave the residue of shame on all who participate.

I keep defining religion as man's best attempt to avoid going to hell, but religious systems are hell. A relationship with God says, "I've been to hell and don't want to go back!" This relationship with God is a taste of heaven while going through your hells.

The crowd was firmly implanted, and even stuck, in their religious comfort levels, which emerges from a belief that God is exclusive. It's a WE-FOUR-AND-NO-MORE approach to life. It's ugly and a massive turn-off! Paul was speaking from the reference point of a relationship with God, which is all-inclusive for anyone who is interested. RELIGION ALWAYS DIVIDES; JESUS ALWAYS UNITES. Try it out and see for yourself!

ACTS 21

2011-11-20T19:36:00.000-08:00

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This is an interesting chapter where the fellowship is demonstrated simply, yet dynamically. Let's look at each reference. First, in verse in verse 4. IN TYRE: 3When we came in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we kept sailing to Syria and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4After looking up the disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem. 5When our days there were ended, we left and started on our journey, while they all, with wives and children, escorted us until we were out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach and praying, we said farewell to one another. 6Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home again.

NOTE what happens in Tyre. It's not like they planned to be there, but as soon as they saw an opening, they looked up the disciples in that city. Then, they stayed there 7 days. The fellowship there operated as a family with wives and children participating.

7When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and after greeting the brethren, we stayed with them for a day.

IN PTOLEMAIS. At this city they only had a day, BUT they stayed with a few in the fellowship throughout that day.

8On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him.

IN CAESAREA. At this coastal city along the Mediterranean they visited an known leader, Philip, and stayed with him.

15After these days we got ready and started on our way up to Jerusalem. 16Some of the disciples from Caesarea also came with us, taking us to Mnason of Cyprus, a disciple of long standing with whom we were to lodge. 17After we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

IN JERUSALEM. Here they travel with a man with whom they were to stay. When they came to Jerusalem, the fellowship welcomed them.

So, what's going on here? The early disciples had a dynamic sense about the importance of fellowship. They may not have even known all of these disciples in the various cities, but they sought them out. This thinking came out of the teaching of Jesus. He prayed in His prayer in John 17 "that they may be one." He made it so clear in His last group gathering with His disciples in John 13-17 that our love for one another-our fellowship-is one of the most powerful expressions of the reality of Jesus that there is. This is why He made such a big deal out of the pre-eminence of "love God with all your heart, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself." If we do that, the world will know there is something supernatural about our lives.

I've got a couple of questions for you. FIRST-Do you see fellowship with other believers in Jesus as important as Jesus and the early believers did?

SECOND-Do you make it a priority in your life locally and in your travels?

THIRD-What keeps you from connecting with others for fellowship?

ACTS 20

2011-11-18T15:22:00.001-08:00

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7On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight. 8There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered together. 9And there was a young man named Eutychus sitting on the window sill, sinking into a deep sleep; and as Paul kept on talking, he was overcome by sleep and fell down from the third floor and was picked up dead. 10But Paul went down and fell upon him, and after embracing him, he said, "Do not be troubled, for his life is in him." 11When he had gone back up and had broken the bread and eaten, he talked with them a long while until daybreak, and then left. 12They took away the boy alive, and were greatly comforted.

NOTE on the first day of the week (Sunday) Paul gathered with a group of believers and broke bread with them. Paul got a little carried away and spoke until midnight. Eutychus fell asleep and fell out of a 3rd story window and was dead. Paul immediately went down to him and brought him back to the group alive and well. Then NOTE Paul continued to speak throughout the night.

What I love most about this setting is the realness of it all. Here is a group of Jesus followers eating and listening to Paul teach them-all in a home. This is presently the largest and fastest growing movement in this country-gatherings in the name of Jesus outside the local, organized church.

17From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. 18And when they had come to him, he said to them, "You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; 20how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

22"And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. 24"But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. 25"And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face. 26"Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27"For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. 28"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

NOTE here how much of Paul's life was invested in the Ephesian believers. He gave of himself completely for one reason. He was living in response to the call of Jesus on His life. Remember, this calling happened in the 9th chapter where the Lord sent him to bear witness of Jesus among the Jews, Gentiles and the kings.

29"I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31"Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 32"And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33"I have coveted no one's silver or gold or clothes. 34"You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. 35"In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

36When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him, 38grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again and they were accompanying him to the ship.

It's been my experience that disciples left to themselves tend to be distracted away from their original calling from Jesus. The savage wolves are not ugly and furry, but are attractive and endearing. Because of these subtle, savage wolves within our fellowships: FIRST-Reminded the disciples of their duty to be overseers of the flock.

SECOND-Revealed to them the danger of being distracted away from Jesus.

Paul's greatest concern was that savage wolves-false teachers-would rise up after his departure. Three observations here: 1. The savage wolves come from among the fellowship. 2. The savage wolves spend their time distracting the disciples of Jesus away from their calling. 3. The only "salvation" from these savage wolves will come from God and the word of His grace.

This reminds me of the passage in II Corinthians 11:3: "But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." The simplicity and purity of devotion to Jesus. That's it. That's what it's all about!

ACTS 19

2011-11-18T15:03:00.000-08:00

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1It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus and found some disciples. 2He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said to him, "No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." 3And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" And they said, "Into John's baptism." 4Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. 7There were in all about twelve men.

In Acts 2 the Spirit came upon the believers in Jerusalem. In Acts 8 the Spirit came upon the believers in Samaria. In Acts 10 the Spirit came upon the Gentile believers at the house of Cornelius. Now here Paul discovers a group of John's disciples who had not received the word of the Holy Spirit. They immediately understood and were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And after that, Paul laid his hands on them and the Spirit came upon them. NOTE that the only group that did not have the experience of tongues was the Samaritans, yet it was somehow clear that the Spirit also came upon them.

John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. It was a threat. It was also a promise of the Messiah Who was to come. Being baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus was a baptism of fulfillment and was nothing negative, but was unto the Good News. To be baptized is to be "identified with", a new identification as a follower of Jesus in this case.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit had 3 meanings here in Acts: 1. The unity of the Spirit of God. Before Acts believers had the Spirit of God come on them for special tasks and missions, but only temporarily. In Acts the Spirit came upon the them permanently and pulls all believers into an inseparable union.

2. The mission. The Spirit came upon them for a special mission-an ongoing mission of spreading the message of Jesus. We are to be witnesses of Jesus, meaning to hold Him up to the light for people to examine Him and Him alone, not another doctrinal stance or another church or denominational flavor.

3. The power to carry out this mission. The Spirit came upon believers permanently to empower us to bear witness of Jesus. All of this is what Jesus says in Acts 1:8, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you shall be My witnesses."

This same unified mission with power to bear witness of Jesus is ours today and it began in the Acts of Jesus. Encouraged by the experience with the disciples of John, Paul goes back into the synagogue and spoke boldly for 3 months-speak of the Way and of the kingdom of God. And, again an opposition rose up within the synagogue and Paul pulled out of the synagogue with a few disciples and went back to teaching at the school of Tyrannus building next door. He did this for two years. It was so powerful that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

11God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. 13But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches." 14Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15And the evil spirit answered and said to them, "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" 16And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. 18Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. 19And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing. Many are persuaded to come toward God by the evil they encounter. Here the power of evil and the power of God come into contrast. And as the local exorcists tried to use the name of Jesus to free a man from demonic captivity, but these men were overpowered by the power of this man with the demons inside and left them naked and wounded.

I see an interesting principle here. Using the name of Jesus as a mantra may be counterproductive. When you do anything in the name of Jesus, you must align yourself with Jesus so that you are working in concert with Him. As Jesus made very clear throughout His ministry it's all a matter of the heart! This reminds me of the passage at the end of the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord,' did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, I never knew you.'"

Get this now. These people will come to Jesus and say:

1. We have spoken in your name 2. We have cast out demons in your name 3. We have performed miracles in your name

So, who are these guys? Well, the truth is we don't know, because people don't wear FT or FP for False Teacher or False Prophet on their foreheads. But these people Jesus speaks about here are people who are using the name of Jesus-speaking in His name, casting out demons in His name and doing miracles in His name. The measuring stick all comes down to the heart. Is your heart bent toward God, counting on His grace for your life now and for eternity? Well is it?

ACTS 18

2011-11-17T16:29:00.000-08:00

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1After these things he left Athens and went to Corinth. 2And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them, 3and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers. 4And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

7Then he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next to the synagogue. 8Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. 9And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city." 11And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

12But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, 13saying, "This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law." 14But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it were a matter of wrong or of vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you; 15but if there are questions about words and names and your own law, look after it yourselves; I am unwilling to be a judge of these matters." 16And he drove them away from the judgment seat.

17And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.

23And having spent some time there, he left and passed successively through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. 24Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. 25This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; 26and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

NOTE 2 issues here in chapter 18: FIRST-The idea of a tent-maker. We normally think in terms of a tent-maker being a job that a part-time pastor must do to pay the bills. But I believe it's more than that. Paul was so caught up in his calling to "love God and to love your neighbor as yourself", he saw it as his higher calling to present Jesus and His kingdom to the Jews, the Gentiles and to kings. Yes, he supported himself through making tents, but it was not because he was a part-time anything. Today, I believe all jobs could be viewed as "tent-making", because your work is not your primary purpose on earth. But you have a higher calling from God. Your job may pay your bills, but there is a greater reason for you to be alive today-to fulfill the calling of God on your life. And, if you don't know what that is, start with loving God with all your heart, strength and mind and loving your neighbor as yourself." And as you gather and enjoy the fellowship of others who are like-minded, you will find Jesus showing up and leading out in your life with His opportunities and orders.

SECOND-The impact of touching people. When Paul felt totally rejected by the Jews at the synagogue, he began teaching Jesus and the Kingdom at a house next door to the synagogue. He didn't do this to start another synagogue (church), but to make himself available to touch more interested people. NOTE that Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed. He is mentioned later in the letter to the Corinthians. Also, note that God touched another leader of the synagogue through Paul being brought to court. After the Jews were rejected by the judge, the people beat up Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue. Then note who wrote the first letter to the Corinthian church of Jesus, Paul and Sosthenes!

One more illustration of touching people. Paul first met up with Acquila and Priscilla, a couple in the same trade, and they came together. They even followed along with him as he left Corinth. When they were in Ephesus, they heard Apollo speak well concerning Jesus. However, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. Apollo went on from there using his giftedness even more effectively, because Paul touched Aquila and Priscilla and they, in turn, touched Apollo.

ACTS 17

2011-11-16T20:42:00.000-08:00

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1Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2And according to Paul's custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ." 4And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women.

NOTE Paul's custom was to "go to church" (synagogue). He doesn't criticize it, yet goes to look for the God-fearing who might be attracted to JESUS PLUS NOTHING, for those whose hearts are leaning in and are attracted to Jesus as God's Messiah. And the Jewish leadership stirred up the people and threw them out of the city! Then, there is an interesting comparison here. Look at verse 10.

10The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

Thessalonica and Berea. Each had a synagogue where Paul and Silas went in to speak. In Thessalonica "some were persuaded and a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and leading women." But Luke goes on to say that in Berea they found the people more noble-minded than in Thessalonica, real eager students of the word, testing out all that was said. What's most interesting to me is the apparent "noble-minded" reception of the Gospel by the Bereans didn't prove to be nearly the impact that it was to the Thessalonians. After only 3 Sabbaths the believers at Thessalonica really "got it." Once they received the Gospel, they spread the message of the Good News throughout most all of Asia Minor. The Bereans church didn't experience such impact! YOU CAN'T JUDGE WHAT WILL COME FROM PEOPLE'S INITIAL RESPONSE TO JESUS. REAL FRUIT TAKES A LOT OF TIME TO GROW.

16Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. 17So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present. 18And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, "What would this idle babbler wish to say?" Others, "He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,"--because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming? 20"For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean." 21(Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.)

While Paul is waiting in Athens, he has a divine appointment. This is the first totally non-synagogued (non-churched) audience he has spoken to and therefore handles his message of Jesus differently.

22So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23"For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD ' Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24"The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.'

29"Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. 30"Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." 32Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, "We shall hear you again concerning this." 33So Paul went out of their midst. 34But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

NOTE that Paul is speaking to a non-synagogued group of people who were not familiar with the Scriptures. So he does the following:

FIRST-Paul affirms their religious zeal as he observes all of the idols of worship. How many ministers would berate the idols and criticize their worship?

SECOND-Paul picks up on an inscription on one of the altars to an unknown God and uses this as a stepping-stone for his message.

THIRD-He appeals to their common-sense belief that there is a HIGHER POWER Who has created everything gives us life and breath.

FOURTH-He doesn't quote Scripture, but quotes one of their famous poets. This is because his audience wouldn't have been familiar with the Scripture. Since all truth is God's truth, then even truth from a local poet can move a person's heart toward God.

FIFTH-He doesn't mention Jesus' name, but only speaks of this one Man whom God appointed to die and be resurrected.

And, some joined up with him and believed. Others decided to hear more later.

Christians spend too much time talking to themselves like "preaching to the choir". Paul is demonstrating how to relate to a non-churched audience and he does it without all the "normal" things we think might be important to say. When we use Christianese and do not relate to our world, our world cannot relate to our God. We just keep talking to ourselves!

Instead of judging the world and talking to ourselves, we must be about judging ourselves and talking to the world!

ACTS 16

2011-11-15T22:48:00.001-08:00

FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK HERE.

Five years ago Paul was in these cities and now he returns to find them vibrant and growing. That must have been an encouraging experience for him to see the fruit of his labor. Then he found a special disciple: 1Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra and a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, 2and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium. 3Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 5So the churches were being strengthened in the faith and were increasing in number daily.

Because Paul perceived Timothy to be so special, he believed he could be very effective coming alongside Paul to reach the same people was to reach. Therefore, he required Timothy, as an adult, to be circumcised. What an amazing act of devotion on Timothy's part, yet probably no one was shocked at this, knowing how faithful and outstanding Timothy had proven to be.

12and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony; and we were staying in this city for some days. 13And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled.

In Philippi there was no synagogue for Paul and Timothy to orbit around. But where the Jews were unable to have a synagogue they had a place of prayer and these places of prayer were usually by the riverside. On the Sabbath Paul and his friends took their way there and talked with the women who met in that place. They met a special lady that day, Lydia.

14A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. 15And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us.

The extraordinary thing about Paul's work in Philippi is the amazing cross-section of the population that was won over to Christ. Lydia came from the very top end of the social scale; she was a purple merchant. The purple dye had to be gathered drop by drop from a certain shell-fish and was so costly that to dye a pound of wool with it would be the equivalent of a small fortune. Lydia, wealthy woman and merchant prince that she was, was attracted to Jesus.

NOTE her immediate reaction was to offer the hospitality of her house to Paul and his friends. When Paul is describing her character he says that the believer should be "given to hospitality". There is no better place to show hospitality than in someone's home. In the fellowship of Jesus, your home is an open door!

22The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods. 23When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; 24and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened. 27When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!" 29And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, 30and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

You just can't give up, no matter how tough your situation is. The Lord is very capable of coming through on your behalf. Don't give up on Him, no matter how dark it seems to be! The response from the jailor was incredible! He had been LISTENING in on Paul and Silas as they sang and prayed, then when the supernatural happenings took place, he instantly asked, "What must I do to be saved?"

31They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." 32And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. 33And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. 34And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.

After the prison scene was over, 40They went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia, and when they saw the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.

NOTE 4 things in this chapter. 1. People came to faith after listening to the Good News-Lydia at the place of prayer and the jailor overheard Paul and Silas singing and praying. All that is required is that you be interested!

2. Both Lydia and the jailor, once they entered into a genuine faith relationship with Jesus, turned on the hospitality. Lydia invited them to stay with her. The jailor took them home to clean up their wounds.

3. The entire households of Lydia and the Philippian jailor also came to faith in Jesus. Your influence is very clear and God has brought many around you who will come to Jesus. All for just hanging around these people.

4. Their hospitality focused around their homes. This is what we've lost in many circles-THE HOME. It's the home where people are most comfortable and feel very safe.

Two questions come to mind: FIRST-Are you listening with your heart? Are you leaning in to learn more about Jesus?

SECOND-Are you willing to use your home to make people feel more comfortable and safe?

The JESUS MOVEMENT of the 21st Century is happening outside the local, organized church. This movement is the largest, fastest growing movement in our world today. My philosophy of life is to find out where the Lord is moving and go there immediately to be with Him and His people!

ACTS 15

2011-11-10T16:31:00.001-08:00

FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK HERE.

1Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." 2And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. 3Therefore, being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren. 4When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 5But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses."

Talk about ADD-ONS. Circumcision would test out your faith for sure! Again, we see the nature of fallen man wanting to be right as opposed to everyone else. In a sense, it's much like the NOT INVENTED HERE syndrome that frequently pops up in relationships.

6The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter. 7After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8"And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10"Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11"But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are." 12All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

Peter played a great role here among the leadership in Jerusalem and backed up the reports coming from Paul and Barnabas. NOTE he says, "And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith." Then he nails the point with, "We believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus." By the way, this is how everyone is saved-through the GRACE OF GOD. The only way anyone will get into heaven will be through the grace of God and nothing else or as I like to say, JESUS PLUS NOTHING.

Therefore, there is nothing you can do nor is their any doctrinal system that you must believe or follow in order to get in, because it is ONLY THROUGH HIS GRACE. Do you see it? God will deal with each person fairly, knowing each person's heart, and will appropriate His grace as He wills. Once understood, your pride will take a great beating!

James came to the conclusion that they should not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles. However, he did suggest and all agreed to encourage the Gentile believers to be most sensitive to the Jews and not unnecessarily offend them. So, they sent a letter by way of Silas and Judas which outlined 3 points of encouragement.

28"For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell."

30So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. I've got to believe that these new Gentile believers were greatly relieved that they were not going to be forced into the Law of Moses and especially to be circumcised. OUCH!

Now, while they were there something funny happens: 32Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message. You can count on it. Prophets with a word from God, itching to challenge these new believers went a little over time in their speaking. I intimately understand this!

36After some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are."

This spirit of always being concerned about the rest of the fellowship, to see how they are and encourage them to hang in there, is a vital evidence of the fellowship of Jesus. You don't have to go on a "mission trip" or a "missionary journey" for this. It ought to be present in the local fellowship as well. We are family!

37Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. 38But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Here is one of those incidents that can be found frequently throughout the Bible, where things aren't going so well, people aren't getting along or people are acting wrongly toward God and one another. If you were the author of the Bible and you wanted people to be attracted to your message, most likely you wouldn't include the underbelly of the church of Jesus. You would probably cover it up a bit. But here we have a strong disagreement between Paul and Barnabas as to personnel and they actually parted ways over it. Both were used mightily, but just in different directions! It's almost like this incident happened in order to multiply their effectiveness in visiting and encouraging the disciples throughout the world.

In this chapter you can get a little clearer picture as to how the movement of Jesus multiplies through life-on-life ministry and encouragement in the name of Jesus. NOTE that there aren't many mass gatherings so far as we observe the Acts of Jesus among His disciples. not many large crusades in stadiums, not many evangelistic blitzes, but in the power of the few the message of Jesus is spread in a viral manner. It's catching! And, it's interesting that neither Paul nor Barnabas set out to work alone, but went on their mission trips two-by-two. Maybe Jesus was on to something, when He sent His disciples out two-by-two. Evaluate the things you are presently doing for the Lord and be careful to take another or others along with you. I like to think of this strategy as JESUS FIELD TRIPS! Try it out!

ACTS 14

2011-11-10T16:24:00.001-08:00

FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK HERE.

1In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks.

It's important to note here that this new movement of the Way-the followers of Jesus-didn't avoid the synagogue or criticize it's bureaucratic systems, but continued to attend for a higher purpose. Those of you who are participating in the 21st Century Jesus movement that is growing rapidly around the world, must embrace the same pose with respect to the organized church today. There is no need to criticize it or avoid it. In fact, there is good reason to attend in order to attract more God-fearing, Jesus-loving people into the movement.

Paul had the opportunity to speak at the synagogue, since all visiting Rabbi's are invited to address the assembly. In this case, a large number of people believed his message of the Good News of Jesus.

8At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother's womb, who had never walked. 9This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well, 10said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." And he leaped up and began to walk. 11When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have become like men and have come down to us." 12And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.

Because of this spectacular miracle they began to worship them as Zeus and Hermes. Even the priest of Zeus in that city was leading the way. But then NOTE what happens next.

14But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out 15and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM. 16"In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; 17and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." 18Even saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them. 19But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe.

NOTE, the same people who were all excited about the healing and were ready to worship Paul and Barnabas, are now ready to kill them! But why the turn? NOTE the reason for the worship was the "showy" part of the miracle (or the "vain things" mentioned here), but when they were confronted by the real miracle worker, the living God, Who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, they were easily incensed to hate Paul and Barnabas. This is very common today as well. People are attracted to the external, the showy part of ministry, because there is a real sense of control. But when confronted with the living God, there is no way you will able to control the situation.

I experienced this many years ago in a church board meeting. A young man, who was really enjoying the incredible growth and attention and power he was sensing because of it, made this same dramatic pivot in the period of about an hour. I was resigning from my position, so he used all his charm to keep me from making this move, telling me that I was the greatest Bible teacher he had ever heard. But when he knew there was no way I was going to change my mind, he became so angry, spinning out of control, and used many adjectives against me-stupid, ignorant, irrelevant, obstinate, and more unmentionables. He was so upset that he was losing out on the "vain things" and turned against me in a most embarrassing way (for him and the board). It made no difference what the living God was doing among us.

Since Jesus apprehended my life in a fresh way over the last 4 years, I've seen this same shift in attitude among some of our people. As long as I kept the show (the "vain things") going, all was good. But, as soon as I moved into a pose of following the living God (Jesus), there was little show left. Only the reality of walking with Jesus, walking with others and waiting on Jesus to lead out. To these people I once was a beloved pastor, now I am someone who let them down and don't care.

Now, this next section fascinates me: 21After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." 23When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24They passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia. 25When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26From there they sailed to Antioch, from which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished. 27When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28And they spent a long time with the disciples.

Even after the rejection in those cities, they came back to strengthen and encourage the disciples in the faith. I love this. Again, as we saw yesterday, it isn't about whose fellowship it is. It's all about Jesus and those who want to be His disciples. WE WALK BEFORE AN AUDIENCE OF ONE-HIS NAME IS JESUS!