Here's a little follow up to yesterday's message on the way the Apostle Paul handled the hostility and criticism of the Corinthians. The bottom line on the message was that we are best able to handle critics when we are most secure in our relationship with Christ. When we are living totally for Jesus and His glory, we can be assured of God's commendation (1 Cor 4:5). There is incredible power in the life that is lived in "Self-forgetfulness."
I mentioned and then quoted from a a booklet that Tim Keller wrote entitled, "The Freedom of Self-forgetfulness." Here is the LINK to Amazon for the booklet. A couple of people asked about it.
There was one area that I skimmed that I thought I might bring to your attention for your added investigation, meditation and prayerful consideration. It has to do with listening for the nugget of God's truth in every criticism level against you. I quoted a college mentor, Elizabeth Jackson as having told me that I should look at every criticism and see if there isn't some seed of truth that I need to consider as being valid and something that God would want to address in my life.
The Bible itself is full of admonitions and then examples that illustrate how important it is that we take advice and criticism to heart. Not to let it dictate our self-worth, but for criticism to help us in our journey to be all that God wants us to be. Proverbs is an incredible place to start for those pithy encouragements to adhere to advice and respond properly to criticism.
Come and listen to my counsel. I'll share my heart with you and make you wise. (1:23)
Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray (10:17)
There is sever discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die. (15:10)
If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home with the wise (15:31)
People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace (10:10)
If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored. (13:18)
To one who listens, valid criticism is like a goal earring or other gold jewelry. (25:12)
In the end, people appreciate honest criticism fare more than flattery. (28:23)
Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery. (29:1)
Just do a word search for criticism or reproof. You'll find plenty of material to build a strong case for taking the time to handle criticism God's way. The key, once again, is that we are so secure in our relationship with Christ that we are not destroyed by hostile criticism and can therefore use it for our growth and maturity in Christ-likeness.
A HUGE REMINDER: The vision of the church is not that you simply attend church. The vision is that you will become a mature, reproducing follower of Jesus Christ.
Showing posts with label Sermon follow-up. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sermon follow-up. Show all posts
Monday, February 20, 2017
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Dealing with the Devil
I made the statement in the
message this morning that “the Devil hates you and has a terrible plan for your
life.” But in retrospect I wonder if that statement gives the Devil more credit
than he deserves. Does he really have a “plan” or does he just take what he
gets and ad-libs.
I’m wondering if he looks for any
opportunity for temptation. As life happens, he’s there to try and make it more
difficult tempting us to take a short cut that would take us away from our pure
devotion to Christ.
Even in Jesus’ case, the Devil
prompts his temptation when things are tough for Jesus. He’s hungry, feeling a
little powerless, and may have been wrestling with the Father’s will as he did
right up through the scene of his struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane. And
when Jesus rebuffs the temptation of the Devil Luke records, “When the devil
had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.”
(Luke 4:13)
Let’s not give this diabolical
creature more credence than he deserves!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Too much on "suffering?"
I’ve been wondering if this series
on 1 Peter isn’t a little morbid. We’ve been stuck on suffering for quite a
long while. The whole purpose of the book is helping people be ready for times
of intense persecution and suffering, just for being Christ-followers.
My bother-in-law, Ralph Trainer is
the director of Beulah Beach near Vermillion, Last we he told me that his son,
Joel had decided last spring that he wanted to study the book of 1 Peter during
the staff worship and devotional times during the summer. What’s with a
20-something wanting to dive into the subject of preparing to suffer? Is God pointing
his church to these critical passages to study as a means of readying us for
some difficult days ahead? I’ve found a number of preachers and themes related
to this issue of dealing with trials, suffering and afflictions.
Here is video excerpt of Tullian
Tchividjian (grandson of Billy Graham speaking about suffering. His basic
thesis is that suffering itself doesn’t rob us of joy. It’s when suffering
begins to take away from us things that were more valuable than God. Idolatry
he states is in reality what robs us of joy and peace. Check it out:
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Expanded Sermon Notes from 6/24/2011
When I got home from church on Sunday I glanced at the sermon notes that had been included in the worship folders given out for people to follow along. I realized to my disappointment that I had not listed the supporting passages for the outline. The more I have thought about Sunday's message on "Critical Perceptions for Effective Witnessing," the more I realize how significant this message is for the future of our evangelistic passion and fruitfulness. I've included the outline below for people to use as they listen to the message again (www.sermon.net/crosspointac) and look up and study the supporting passages.
Critical Perceptions for Effective Witness
Pastor Tim Feather Mark 5:1-13
#4 One Step Closer June 26, 2011
The Greatness of People’s Need “Without Christ people are …”
Spiritually Dead
John 3:6-7; 1 John 5:11-12
Under the Influence of Satan
Eph 2:2; Col 2:15
Without restraint
Ez 35:26-27
Prone to hurt themselves
Filled with many complex issues
Lonely
The Fullness of Christ’s Sufficiency
He is Son of the MOST high God
James 2:19
He has superior authority
Col 2:15; Eph 5-6
His righteousness calls for reverent fear and worship
Rom 12:1
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Expectant Churches Gather Together
In the message that I presented on Sunday regarding the blessed hope of the believer (The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ!), I made a point that churches that are made up of believers who are actively looking forward to the Lord’s return will passionately gather together regularly. This point was based on Hebrews 10:24-25 … “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
In brief, the points I made on Sunday included:
· Every time we gather together it is to be a dress rehearsal for Heaven. It is supposed to be a “foretaste” of glory.
· Our culture of the individual makes this sort of perspective difficult to comprehend or assimilate. We make fun of “it takes a village” sort of talk, but when we give up that value to our cultural norms, we find ourselves separated from the whole and hopelessly drift according to the prevailing currents.
· We are way too casual about church attendance. If there is nothing else to do, we go to church.
But what I didn’t say on Sunday has to do more with our level of commitment and devotion to the local church. In the early church this aspect of gathering together dictated their lives. Their devotion to the other believers in their local church governed their schedules. In essence, in the waiting church – the expectant church – the church came first.
We see it in the book of Acts as they gathered together daily and broke bread together. The apostles seem to assume this priority as they write their letters. This passage from the book of Hebrews indicates that there must have been some believers even back then who were not as devoted to gathering together as they had been and the call was to not let that happen.
There are a couple of factors in our day and age that make it tough for us to even imagine this sort of lifestyle.
· There were no other churches down the street. We’ve become consumer oriented in our church shopping and this leads to superficial commitment. “As long as my needs are being met by this fellowship … I’m committed.”
· Our lives are so full and there are so many competing priorities that to say that my life is centered in the gathered church is nuts! But keep in mind that while life was simple in Bible times, it was hard. The most mundane and simple tasks took so much longer than they do today.
· We live in a world that says, “You’re too heavenly minded to be earthly good.” The whole notion of living in expectation of the second coming says that “You no earthly good unless you are heavenly minded!”
I just finished a conversation with someone who told me of another pastor who, after a similar study on the Second Coming, would wake up every morning look over at his wife and say “This may be the day!” O that I would live that way! O that my family of faith would live in that context. O that He might come TODAY!!!
In brief, the points I made on Sunday included:
· Every time we gather together it is to be a dress rehearsal for Heaven. It is supposed to be a “foretaste” of glory.
· Our culture of the individual makes this sort of perspective difficult to comprehend or assimilate. We make fun of “it takes a village” sort of talk, but when we give up that value to our cultural norms, we find ourselves separated from the whole and hopelessly drift according to the prevailing currents.
· We are way too casual about church attendance. If there is nothing else to do, we go to church.
But what I didn’t say on Sunday has to do more with our level of commitment and devotion to the local church. In the early church this aspect of gathering together dictated their lives. Their devotion to the other believers in their local church governed their schedules. In essence, in the waiting church – the expectant church – the church came first.
We see it in the book of Acts as they gathered together daily and broke bread together. The apostles seem to assume this priority as they write their letters. This passage from the book of Hebrews indicates that there must have been some believers even back then who were not as devoted to gathering together as they had been and the call was to not let that happen.
There are a couple of factors in our day and age that make it tough for us to even imagine this sort of lifestyle.
· There were no other churches down the street. We’ve become consumer oriented in our church shopping and this leads to superficial commitment. “As long as my needs are being met by this fellowship … I’m committed.”
· Our lives are so full and there are so many competing priorities that to say that my life is centered in the gathered church is nuts! But keep in mind that while life was simple in Bible times, it was hard. The most mundane and simple tasks took so much longer than they do today.
· We live in a world that says, “You’re too heavenly minded to be earthly good.” The whole notion of living in expectation of the second coming says that “You no earthly good unless you are heavenly minded!”
I just finished a conversation with someone who told me of another pastor who, after a similar study on the Second Coming, would wake up every morning look over at his wife and say “This may be the day!” O that I would live that way! O that my family of faith would live in that context. O that He might come TODAY!!!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
I Dare You to Pray This
Francis Chan recorded this challenge that really connects with the series that we just finished at CrossPoint on "Consumption: Are you a Consumer or Conduit of God's Abundance?" Check this out!
In a post on the web site on which I found this video (churchleaders.com) there was one comment that I in one way agree with and in another way disagree with. The comment was a disagreement with Chan's desire to pray for only what he needed. The reality is that God's desire is to give in abundance - to give us much more than we need. Our issue is that when we receive that abundance, we all too often receive it as meeting our "need" and we end up consuming it as belonging to us.
What I did agree with was the commentator's alternative prayer: "Lord, all I have belongs to you, for you are my source. And I give back to you what I don't need to live daily, with the remainder applied to fulfill your assignment in my life. Show me who to share with, who to bless and who could use more for your purpose in their lives. All of my needs are supplied according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Amen"
I just see it as a further development of Chan's prayer. Unless we pray (and meant it) Chan's prayer of simplicity and austerity, we all too often don't see the abundance that God pours into our lives with the expectation that it will overflow into Kingdom advancement and blessing for many others.
Monday, September 27, 2010
The Poison of Bitterness
I made remark near the end of the message that I had not intended on making, but the more I get away from the message the more I sense there is more to what I said than I first thought. The comment: “God knew that the new church in Samaria could not stand to have someone with the ‘gall of bitterness’ in his or her soul, so right from the beginning he was saying, deal with the bitterness in your soul or you have no part in the fellowship of faith.”
Sin always separates us from God AND the sin of bitterness separates us from others which is a violation of the love of Christ.
I’ve mentioned on a couple of occasions a book that I’ve been reading called, “Why Churches Die.” It dissects the various “diseases” that kill a church. A whole chapter is dedicated to “The Toxin of Bitterness.”
Here is a quote:
“Bitterness is a bile so toxic that it can consume anyone who becomes afflicted by it. It obsesses your thoughts and devours your energy until you are emptied of any other motivation. It comes in two forms: bitterness from jealousy and bitterness from vengeance; both of which come from a deep place of hardened heart.” (pg 99)
I’ve watched as people spiral down into a bit of bitterness. Rational thinking is gone; let alone any sort of spiritual sensitivity. There is an insanity about the power of these toxic emotions that controls every aspect of that person’s perception of reality. Quite frankly, I’ve never seen someone work themselves out of bitterness. I’ve never been able to convince a person that they are bitter. That has only caused them to go deeper into their bitterness … now directed at me too. Simon didn’t respond to Peter’s charge with repentance, but rather hoping that he could get away with it without the consequences. (“Pray that none of the things you said will happen.”)
The revelation of bitterness is a deep convicting work of the Holy Spirit. The longer we harbor and cultivate that bitterness, the more difficult it is for the Holy Spirit to do something to get our soul's attention.
But what is of great concern to me … and the point of this series on the church, is how bitterness is so extremely contagious. When we let out a little bit of that bile, it looks for a fertile place in another’s heart and mind where it can find an environment to grow and infect. In our rush to “help” and “come along side” people steeped in bitterness, we can find ourselves embracing their feelings of anger, revenge, jealousy, and plain ol’ selfishness.
At its core bitterness is about unforgiveness. Again from “Why Churches Die” … “When you do not learn to forgive people for the wrongs they have done to you, you become a victim a second time. You become ensnarled in a cycle of hatred, poison and bitterness that has no end and no solution.” Consider Paul’s challenge to the Galatians:
16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. 19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. Galatians 5:16-26 (NLT)
O God, make us all acutely aware of the seeds of bitterness that are sown constantly into our hearts. Give us the quick response of humility and forgiveness as soon as they touch our hearts. And then reveal to us any and all bitterness that has taken root. Expose this deadly toxin in us and grant us hearts full of forgiveness and joy. May the Blood of Christ continually wash over our souls exposing and removing this dangerous sinful emotion.
Sin always separates us from God AND the sin of bitterness separates us from others which is a violation of the love of Christ.
I’ve mentioned on a couple of occasions a book that I’ve been reading called, “Why Churches Die.” It dissects the various “diseases” that kill a church. A whole chapter is dedicated to “The Toxin of Bitterness.”
Here is a quote:
“Bitterness is a bile so toxic that it can consume anyone who becomes afflicted by it. It obsesses your thoughts and devours your energy until you are emptied of any other motivation. It comes in two forms: bitterness from jealousy and bitterness from vengeance; both of which come from a deep place of hardened heart.” (pg 99)
I’ve watched as people spiral down into a bit of bitterness. Rational thinking is gone; let alone any sort of spiritual sensitivity. There is an insanity about the power of these toxic emotions that controls every aspect of that person’s perception of reality. Quite frankly, I’ve never seen someone work themselves out of bitterness. I’ve never been able to convince a person that they are bitter. That has only caused them to go deeper into their bitterness … now directed at me too. Simon didn’t respond to Peter’s charge with repentance, but rather hoping that he could get away with it without the consequences. (“Pray that none of the things you said will happen.”)
The revelation of bitterness is a deep convicting work of the Holy Spirit. The longer we harbor and cultivate that bitterness, the more difficult it is for the Holy Spirit to do something to get our soul's attention.
But what is of great concern to me … and the point of this series on the church, is how bitterness is so extremely contagious. When we let out a little bit of that bile, it looks for a fertile place in another’s heart and mind where it can find an environment to grow and infect. In our rush to “help” and “come along side” people steeped in bitterness, we can find ourselves embracing their feelings of anger, revenge, jealousy, and plain ol’ selfishness.
At its core bitterness is about unforgiveness. Again from “Why Churches Die” … “When you do not learn to forgive people for the wrongs they have done to you, you become a victim a second time. You become ensnarled in a cycle of hatred, poison and bitterness that has no end and no solution.” Consider Paul’s challenge to the Galatians:
16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. 19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. Galatians 5:16-26 (NLT)
O God, make us all acutely aware of the seeds of bitterness that are sown constantly into our hearts. Give us the quick response of humility and forgiveness as soon as they touch our hearts. And then reveal to us any and all bitterness that has taken root. Expose this deadly toxin in us and grant us hearts full of forgiveness and joy. May the Blood of Christ continually wash over our souls exposing and removing this dangerous sinful emotion.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Short Weeks!
I didn't get to dig into my "Sunday Night Reflections" even though I did have some reflections. I was doing something far more valuable ... taking Rachel to school. Interesting to me that I dropped my blog right after taking her to Indiana Wesleyan University a year ago. I get the feeling that it is always going to be a bitter-sweet experience. Its so tough to let go and see her flourish ... and yet how rewarding is it to see her becoming more and more a woman of God. Thank you, Lord!
I was SO encouraged by the two full glass jars at the end of Sunday's service. That people are taking so seriously the call to be the relational bridge by which others can come to meet Jesus is so critical! We are the Church and we are a vital link between those without Christ and Christ.
As I studied for last week's message on spiritual leadership it seemed to me to be so critical that EVERY believer have a burden to help lead others to Christ. On Tuesday I was in the book of Job and came across Job's yearning for someone to come along and mediate his case before God.
If I wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands with lye, yet you will plunge me into a pit, and my own clothes will abhor me. For he is not a man, as I am, that I might answer him, that we should come to trial together. There is no arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both. Job 9:30-33 (ESV)
Job had a conflict. He looked to his "friends" to help lead him out of that conflict, but they weren't of much use. He longed for an arbitrator, someone to negotiate some peace between him and God. But at that time he found no one - the arbitrator that he so longed for and needed to mediate the conflict would come to earth thousands of years later - Jesus Christ!
Now, thousands of years after the coming of this Arbitrator, people still have the same need. And they need someone to lead them to the Arbitrator! That's where THE CHURCH comes it! We who have been recipients of the Arbitrator's grace and peacemaking work through His own blood now have the incredible privilege of leading others to know the divine and eternal Arbitrator.
That is in large measure what Back to Church Sunday is all about - An opportunity for one beggar to tell another where they can find bread for their soul and peace before an Almighty God.
When I talked about the characteristics of a good leader of people's souls on Sunday I wonder if I did an adequate job of applying it to leading people to Christ. Think about the qualities of leadership that are essential for leading people to know and experience the fullness of Christ in their lives:
Now, thousands of years after the coming of this Arbitrator, people still have the same need. And they need someone to lead them to the Arbitrator! That's where THE CHURCH comes it! We who have been recipients of the Arbitrator's grace and peacemaking work through His own blood now have the incredible privilege of leading others to know the divine and eternal Arbitrator.
That is in large measure what Back to Church Sunday is all about - An opportunity for one beggar to tell another where they can find bread for their soul and peace before an Almighty God.
When I talked about the characteristics of a good leader of people's souls on Sunday I wonder if I did an adequate job of applying it to leading people to Christ. Think about the qualities of leadership that are essential for leading people to know and experience the fullness of Christ in their lives:
Reputation for Peacemaking - Ask God to help you display the peace of God in your life to those around you that they would wonder "What's up with the person?"
Filled with the Holy Spirit - Seek the Spirit's fruitfulness to a higher degree than ever. Keep in mind that the fruits of the Spirit (from Galatians 5:20) are best on display in the midst of conflict and stress. When you feel the pressure coming on - trust in the Lord for his supply of grace!
Filled with Wisdom - Be open and aware of things that the Lord would put in your mind that would lead you to someone who you'd never expect to be led toward to invite to church and that He will give you the words to say that will prompt the Holy Spirit's work in someone.
Filled with Faith - As God to fill you with the wonder of His ability to do beyond what we could think of or imagine. May he show himself to be VERY big in our eyes this week.
Filled with the love of Christ - May those to whom the Lord is leading us become objects of our affection because the love of Christ has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Sunday Night Reflections
I’ve been thinking about doing this for some time. I get from 30 to 40 minutes to lay out for the congregation in my sermon what I’ve studied for 20 or 25 hours. There’s a lot that ends up on the editing floor in my study on Saturday afternoons. And then after the message, I’m always wishing I would have emphasized something more or not said something else at all. There are times too, when I think of other things during the message and don’t always explore them with the congregation at that moment. Hopefully it will help me and the congregation grasp more of what God is trying to say to us.
The Church on Purpose
Out of all the messages in this series (“We Are Church” based on the book of Acts) this one seems to have fallen the flattest. I know that not every message can be a “hole-in-one.” But I don’t think that the message was a triple bogie either. I always have to be careful about analyzing a message too closely on Sunday afternoon. But I do have some reoccurring thoughts about the focus of today's message!
There were two statistics that really stood out to me in today's message. One was the one from Lifeway that indicated that only 2% of churched people every invite someone to attend church with them. And the second was one from Rick Warren’s research that found that 89% of the church believes that the primary purpose of the church is to “meet my and my families’ needs.”
Now I always assume that CrossPoint is above average in any statistic. But these numbers are so extreme that you’ve really got a stretch to believe that CrossPoint folks have it all together in these two areas.
I sort of wish I would have taken a survey at the beginning of the message on those two questions to see where we really do stand in relationship to those averages. ("sort of" because I'm not sure that I really waht to know the results.) How would you have answered the question, “What do you believe the main purpose of the church to be?” And how would you have responded to: “Have you invited anyone to attend church with you in the past year?”
I’m wondering if I “misread my putt” on this message. Is this more of an issue than I’d like to believe it to be at CrossPoint? Warren’s data also indicated that the clergy of those same churches had exactly opposite results to the same question. For them the main reason is to reach the world for Christ.
As long as I am preaching on subjects related to the closeness and unity of the fellowship people are tracking with me. They like hearing about how to be more effective in becoming more connected to one another even if it is challenging. But when it comes to taking Christ into the world and “speaking to the people all the words of this Life,” there are some huge barriers that we as a church have to break down.
I’ve been doing more thinking about the “prisons” that we are in that hold us back. There was a lot more there than I developed in the message. (To remind you … (1) Reserved and introverted (2) fear and anxiety – “What will people think?” (3) Selfishness – Being more concerned about my friendship than I am concerned about where my friend will spend eternity and (4) spiritual and relational conflicts ) I really think that as a congregation we need to ask the Holy Spirit to help us realize our prisons and experience his deliverance from them.
The Church on Purpose
Out of all the messages in this series (“We Are Church” based on the book of Acts) this one seems to have fallen the flattest. I know that not every message can be a “hole-in-one.” But I don’t think that the message was a triple bogie either. I always have to be careful about analyzing a message too closely on Sunday afternoon. But I do have some reoccurring thoughts about the focus of today's message!
There were two statistics that really stood out to me in today's message. One was the one from Lifeway that indicated that only 2% of churched people every invite someone to attend church with them. And the second was one from Rick Warren’s research that found that 89% of the church believes that the primary purpose of the church is to “meet my and my families’ needs.”
Now I always assume that CrossPoint is above average in any statistic. But these numbers are so extreme that you’ve really got a stretch to believe that CrossPoint folks have it all together in these two areas.
I sort of wish I would have taken a survey at the beginning of the message on those two questions to see where we really do stand in relationship to those averages. ("sort of" because I'm not sure that I really waht to know the results.) How would you have answered the question, “What do you believe the main purpose of the church to be?” And how would you have responded to: “Have you invited anyone to attend church with you in the past year?”
I’m wondering if I “misread my putt” on this message. Is this more of an issue than I’d like to believe it to be at CrossPoint? Warren’s data also indicated that the clergy of those same churches had exactly opposite results to the same question. For them the main reason is to reach the world for Christ.
As long as I am preaching on subjects related to the closeness and unity of the fellowship people are tracking with me. They like hearing about how to be more effective in becoming more connected to one another even if it is challenging. But when it comes to taking Christ into the world and “speaking to the people all the words of this Life,” there are some huge barriers that we as a church have to break down.
I’ve been doing more thinking about the “prisons” that we are in that hold us back. There was a lot more there than I developed in the message. (To remind you … (1) Reserved and introverted (2) fear and anxiety – “What will people think?” (3) Selfishness – Being more concerned about my friendship than I am concerned about where my friend will spend eternity and (4) spiritual and relational conflicts ) I really think that as a congregation we need to ask the Holy Spirit to help us realize our prisons and experience his deliverance from them.
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