Sun
Oct
25th
2009
0

Why this? Why me? Why now?

Today at Southbridge I preached on Revelation 2:8-11 the church in Smyrna. This is one of the two churches that does not receive a rebuke as they were being faithful to Jesus Christ even though their circumstances were difficult.

When things are difficult and we have been faithful we have a tendency to ask some tough questions. It is not that we think God owes us something, but it seems like if we are faithful, good things should happen. So, when bad things happen while we are being faithful we ask things like: Why this? Why me? Why now?

Jesus tells the believers in Smyrna that He “knows” their affliction (thlipsis) pressure, crushing pain. When Jesus says, He knows it is not merely head knowledge. Through His death and resurrection (see 2:8), He has a comprehensive knowledge of everything we will ever go through and more. He knows physical suffering, emotional suffering, and relational suffering.

This Sunday after preaching this passage I asked people who had heavy hearts to stand so we could have a special prayer time for them. There are a lot of people who are hurting. He knows, He has been there, He will walk through it with you regardless what you are going through.

Hebrews 4:14 14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

categories: Growth

Tue
Oct
20th
2009
0

Overwhelming Immensity

I have been overwhelmed with God’s immensity lately. Last week our Community Group was talking about the book Crazy Love, by Francis Chan. In chapter one he challenges the reader to go watch a video at: crazylovebook.com. When you go there click on videos and then click on the title the awe factor of God. Watch that video.

Isn’t that amazing? God is so large, and so in control, and He cares about us. He cares about every part of our lives.

We can get so consumed with what is happeing in our own little worlds whether it is the celebrity world, our work world, our families, our social circles or our christian circles. Our worlds are so small. He is in control of it all. To think God is that huge, but He cares enough about our little planet and our little worlds to send His only Son so that we would not perish, but have everlasting life is overwhelming.

categories: Personal, Worship

Mon
Oct
19th
2009
0

Here we go…(Birthday reflections)

Thank you to all of my friends who have wished me happy birthday today.

Here we go headed into another year. I am excited about this next year. I have learned some valuable lessons especially over the last few years. Over the past few years Shanna and I have started having kids (at number 3 right now). Southbridge Fellowship has launched. We have learned a ton of personal, parenting and leadership lessons through wins and set backs. I think those things combined set me up to have one of the best years in my life.

Here are somethings that have make me believe that saying this year will be the best one yet is not just optomistic thinking: (these are also things I am incredibly thankful for).

1. I have more special people in my life than ever before (the most recent addition being our newest daughter). I have a wife who is willing to talk through where we are at and where we are headed. I would hate to ever just exist living in the same home together.

2. I just preached on Revelation 2:1-7 and keep thinking about loving Jesus more now than in the past. I hope that I will continue to love Him more each day.

3. I am surrounded by people who love and support me. My wife being #1. My friends, our staff team, my community group, our elders and those who keep me accountable, and some mentor figures.

4. I get to serve on a team at Southbridge with people who like working together.

5. The church as a whole is at a place where I think we are about to go to the next level in impacting this city for Christ. We have experienced some great numeric and spiritual growth. I think it is going to continue to deepen and spread.

6. There are enough knowns to think things are headed in the right direction (personally, with my family, and with the church).

7. There are also enough unknowns that it is still exciting, still requires faith, and still gives me the desire to keep pressing on. I could write out all that I think will happen and plan towards that but God is full of surprises which requires dependence.

Here we go… 33 years and 1 day.

categories: Family, Growth, Personal

Tue
Oct
6th
2009
0

Called to Be Free

I was struck by a passage of scripture today.

Galatians 5:13-15 13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

We were called to be free BUT we were called to use that freedom to serve. So essentially we are to be free servants or free slaves. Often times when we think of our “freedoms” we are thinking of the things we can do that are not on some “never do that” list. Paul is saying our freedom now is that we can serve other people rather than indulge our own selfish desires. What matters is (as Paul said earlier Gal 5:6b) faith expressing itself through love.

As we think about our freedoms it is not about “what we get to do and not get in trouble” it is about the fact that the burden of sin and selfishness has been lifted so now we are free to serve. We are free to be slaves.

categories: Service

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