Saturday, March 27, 2010
'57 Chevy & Discipleship
Last Sunday during the message I used the metaphor of building a model of a '57 Chevy. I had my son Alex come up on stage and work on the model while I preached about the tools needed to build a disciple. He didn't quite get the model done, so here is a picture to prove that father and son completed the project...together. If you want to listen to Build: The making of a disciple click on the link.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Charity Water
Check this out. Very practical way for each of us to make a huge difference in the lives of people around the world.
Charity Water
Charity Water
Friday, March 05, 2010
For There To Be Growth, There Must Be Sacrifice
Recently, in my Adult Bible Fellowship class we studied an event that happened to Jesus on the Tuesday before he was betrayed and murdered. In a conversation with his disciples Jesus makes these statements:
"Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.” ~ John 12:23-26
The big idea from this teaching is this—for there to be growth there has to be sacrifice. For our sins to be forgiven and for reconciliation back to the Father, Jesus had to die. But he also includes his followers in this equation as well. If we are truly disciples of his, then our path is his path—we must be willing to sacrifice our lives for there to be growth…or multiplication.
Now, Jesus’ disciples all experienced that first hand (minus Judas Iscariot). Every one of them we beaten, imprisoned and except for John, died a martyr’s death. Through their sacrifice the kingdom of God grew and grew. For there to be growth, there must be sacrifice. Deep down we all know this. If you like to garden you know a seed has to be buried for it to multiply. To build endurance one has to exercise. To earn the degree, one has to give up activities to study and study. To raise great kids, parents have to sacrifice friendships and hobbies. Are you tracking with me?
Okay, let’s shift this over to our little piece of the kingdom of God—Iowa City Church of Christ. It is our mission to make disciples here in Iowa City and for this to happen we have to sacrifice because for there to be growth there must be...you guessed it, sacrifice. What that means is you need to take an inventory of what you need to sacrifice for the kingdom to continue to advance. What about time? Can you sacrifice one TV show a week to help in a ministry? Can you sacrifice one eating out meal a week to put an extra $5 or $10 in the offering plate? What about your fear of failure? What about sacrificing your fears and trying a ministry or inviting a friend of yours to church? Or maybe, it’s repenting of a sin and moving into a closer relationship with Jesus.
Whatever the case may be, our church and you personally stand at a very important intersection. We can keep doing the same things—or we can sacrifice and reap the results of growth that can only come from our loving heavenly Father. For there to be growth, there must be sacrifice.
"Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.” ~ John 12:23-26
The big idea from this teaching is this—for there to be growth there has to be sacrifice. For our sins to be forgiven and for reconciliation back to the Father, Jesus had to die. But he also includes his followers in this equation as well. If we are truly disciples of his, then our path is his path—we must be willing to sacrifice our lives for there to be growth…or multiplication.
Now, Jesus’ disciples all experienced that first hand (minus Judas Iscariot). Every one of them we beaten, imprisoned and except for John, died a martyr’s death. Through their sacrifice the kingdom of God grew and grew. For there to be growth, there must be sacrifice. Deep down we all know this. If you like to garden you know a seed has to be buried for it to multiply. To build endurance one has to exercise. To earn the degree, one has to give up activities to study and study. To raise great kids, parents have to sacrifice friendships and hobbies. Are you tracking with me?
Okay, let’s shift this over to our little piece of the kingdom of God—Iowa City Church of Christ. It is our mission to make disciples here in Iowa City and for this to happen we have to sacrifice because for there to be growth there must be...you guessed it, sacrifice. What that means is you need to take an inventory of what you need to sacrifice for the kingdom to continue to advance. What about time? Can you sacrifice one TV show a week to help in a ministry? Can you sacrifice one eating out meal a week to put an extra $5 or $10 in the offering plate? What about your fear of failure? What about sacrificing your fears and trying a ministry or inviting a friend of yours to church? Or maybe, it’s repenting of a sin and moving into a closer relationship with Jesus.
Whatever the case may be, our church and you personally stand at a very important intersection. We can keep doing the same things—or we can sacrifice and reap the results of growth that can only come from our loving heavenly Father. For there to be growth, there must be sacrifice.
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