Never Forget…

A couple years ago I had the privilege of going to New York City in order to help a local church leader connect with a NAMB church plant in the area. During our time there we had the opportunity to visit the 9/11 memorial in Manhattan.  It was a cold November evening so there were not many other people around.  The silence allowed the noise of the rushing waters to fill the air.  It was a sobering place As we reflect on the events of September 11th, 2001; we realize that since that day our world and our country has never been the same.  I was in college the day the towers fell and that very day I was supposed to go to the visitation for my grandfather, a navy veteran who also retired from the FAA.  My family could not travel from the western side of the U.S. because all air travel was suspended.  We all just sat in disbelief about what had happened. We have all been changed by the events of this day.  Even the church cannot say that she has escaped the effects of that day.

  1. The World Shrank
I was a young man when the towers fell.  Places such as Iran, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia were little more than places on a map to me.  These places did not play much of a role in my life, and I did not think often about the people who lived there. Even my faith was a purely American endeavor.  The Great Commission meant I was supposed to share my faith with my classmates and fraternity brothers.  Place like those mentioned above were a world away and someone else’s responsibility.
That all changed on 9/11.  Suddenly, these places in the world seemed very close, and very important.  Suddenly, there was a group of people out there who believed differently than me and were willing to kill for it.  The world shrank that day, and people who were once so far away were now close enough to touch.
  1. Christianity, more than ever, was bound to patriotism.
I think everyone can remember how our churches filled up those first few weeks after 9/11.  Many people came looking for answers.  Other came to hear a comforting word from the Lord.  Still others came because those who had attacked us were Muslim and we were a “Christian Nation”.
Whatever the reasoning, after the events of 9/11, Christianity became an increasingly “American” faith.  We made sure to keep the American flag on prominent display in our churches.  We did more to celebrate Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veteran’s Day.  We also made a point to pray publicly for our leaders and for our soldiers.
While none of this is bad, it was not necessarily a good thing either.  This patriotism came with a lack of love for those outside of our country’s borders.  The church seemed to take on a “take care of our own” mentality, which does not honor the Great Commission.
Jesus said, “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)  One thing we must remember as we celebrate the freedoms we have as a country and pray for our soldiers is that the Great Commission was always intended to transcend national borders and the differences between people groups.

 

  1. The people of Islam need the Gospel
In contrast to the change mentioned above, we also became very aware that the nation of Islam needed to hear the gospel.  Now, I am not saying that there weren’t people who were particularly burdened to bring Jesus to Muslims around the globe.  However, I do think that most Americans did not have a clear understanding of Islam and American Christianity did not see the tremendous need to share the Gospel with people from Islamic Countries.
Today we speak a great deal about what God is going in the 10/40 window (https://joshuaproject.net/resources/articles/10_40_window) and we are regularly challenging individuals and churches to do all they can to reach people from these countries.
We must be reminded that God loves the Muslim just like he loves the Buddhist and the Atheist.  9/11 serves as a witness that the only thing that can truly thwart Islamic extremism is the transforming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

  Today I am praying for all those whose lives were forever changed by the events of 9/11.  There were so many who did not return home from work that day; so many that were forced to move forward without the people they love.  I am also praying for all of our service men and women who answered the call to stop terrorism both here and abroad.  I am praying for the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, both our military and first-responders. But I am also praying for our missionaries in the field who are trying to bring the Gospel to those in Islamic nations.  I am praying for them and for the people who will hear the Gospel through them.   May these people hear the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be transformed by it!


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Let us gather…

Summers are a blessed time full of fun and exciting events!

Many of us have taken advantage of this season with camps and trips, vacations and adventures.  But often this also means that our full schedules tend to pull us away from gathering with other believers for the purpose of worship.

It does not take much to notice that churches all over the nation see a drop in worship attendance over the summer months.  Unfortunately, for many this also means getting out of the habit of corporate worship; with some taking a very long break before they gather again with their church family.

It is during times like these that we need to be reminded of the importance and certainly the blessings that come when the saints gather together to worship God.  Here are a few things to consider as we head into the school year and try to get back into a routine.


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Wanted: Christians who…

Imagine for a moment that you saw this ad in the paper:

WANTED:  Christians who would be the Church and not just go to church.

What would be your initial reaction?  What questions might you have for the person who posted the ad?

What would be the difference between a Christian who is the Church versus the Christian who merely goes to church?

I want to present to you a few qualities of Christians to strive to be the Church.

  1. They are present.

The first clear characteristic of Christians who are being the Church is that they show up.  Those who just go to church view church attendance and participation as something to do when they are available.  If the things of life (work, recreation, chores) demand their attention, being present is quickly sacrificed.
But to those who are the church, presence and participation are a priority.  They are there even when it is inconvenient.  They show up even when they don’t feel like it.  They serve when better offers come along.  This isn’t limited to Sunday morning either, they are always there to give a helping hand; whether it is encouraging a brother/sister over coffee or getting dirty on a project at the church building.  Those who are the church always show up!

  1. They are giving.

Paul writes, “For God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor 9:7) Therefore, it stands to reason that those who are the Church are eager to give and give sacrificially.

But there is more to this than giving, there is a mentality to the Church that this world is passing away and all the things that are in them. (1 Jn 2:17) This should mean that the Church does not desire to cling to the things of this world over the things of God.  The Church ought to be generous in their giving because they know that by giving the local church is able to do more as she meets needs and shares the Gospel with the nations.  Paul also wrote, “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”  When the Church gives, God will use those gifts to reach the nations with the Gospel!

  1. They are sharing.

Jesus clearly said, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (Jn 20:21) This “sentness” means that every single person who claims Christ is supposed to be a witness for Christ in this world.  People who are the Church embrace this fact and seek to share the good news of salvation through Christ to the world.  They just don’t do it as part of a church program, nor do they delegate that responsibility to a pastor or someone “gifted with evangelism”.  The Church shares the Gospel with their family, friends, and coworkers.  When they aren’t sharing, they are praying for those who need to hear it.

  1. They are loving.

The last and probably the most important characteristic of the Church is love.  Jesus told his disciples, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn 13:35)  First, the Church has to love one another.  We love each other even when we disagree.  We love each other even though we are different.  No matter way, we love each other.  Secondly, we love those outside of the church.  We love them so much we speak the truth in love. (Eph 4:15)  We love them so much that we do everything we can to see them come to Christ.  People who know nothing about us or our faith should be able to see that we love others.

 

So how would you do?  Would you be able to answer the ad?  Imagine for a moment how different things would be if everyone sought to be the Church and not just go to church!  It would change the world!!!


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