Mark Conner's Space

Day 9 of Prayer - the Next Generation

Each generation has a responsibility to serve God’s purpose for their time in history (see Acts 13:36) and pass on the knowledge of God to the next generation (Psalm 71:18; 78:4-7). That is why children’s and youth ministry are so important within each church community. Pray for our young people – that they will come to know God for themselves, that they will see that God’s ways are best, and that they will discover a sense of purpose for their lives. Pray for parents. Pray for children’s and youth workers, as well as school teachers – for wisdom, grace and insight into each young person’s heart.

“Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.” [Psalm 145:4. NLT]

Day 8 of Prayer - The Family

God ordained the family as the cornerstone of society. Fathers and mothers play important roles in bringing up the next generation (Deuteronomy 6:1-9). Pray for marriages – that husbands and wives would love and respect each other (Ephesians 5:21-33). Pray for single people that they would find a sense of identity, value, connection, and contribution. Pray for parents that God would give them wisdom and insight into bringing out the best in each of their children. Pray especially for single parents for grace and strength. Pray for families where there has been conflict and a breakdown of relationships. Pray for healing and forgiveness to flow. 

“Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. Honor your father and mother. This is the first commandment with a promise:  If you honor your father and mother, things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth. Fathers (parents), do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” [Ephesians 6:1-4. NLT]

Day 7 of Prayer - Sharing Good News

Jesus gave his followers two great commandments (love God and love your neighbour) and a great commission – to tell others everywhere the good news of his love and of God’s kingdom (Matthew 28:18-20). We are called to BE and SHARE good news wherever we go.

Think about the people God has positioned you near who don’t yet know him personally. Pray for them by name. Pray for wisdom and courage to be a witness for Christ to them. Consider how you can show God’s love to them in practical ways. Pray about inviting them to your home or to an appropriate Christian gathering.

"You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. "You are the light of the world — like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. [Matthew 5:13-16. NLT]

“Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” [Colossians 4:5-6. NLT]

Day 6 of Prayer - Money Money

We are stewards or managers of all that God has given us – our talents, our time, and our resources, including our money. God will hold us accountable for how we use what he has given us. He desires a return on his investment in our lives (Matthew 25:14-30. Romans 14:12. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15).

How we handle our money is a measure of our maturity (Luke 16:1-13). Money is a good servant but a terrible master. It can be a benefit in our lives and be used for great good OR it can cause a lot of damage if we let it get out of control.

Reflect on your financial situation. God has ordained good old fashioned hard work as the means for gaining income. How is the income side going for you? Pray for God’s favour and blessing on you as you work faithfully. How is the spending side going for you? Ask God for wisdom and restraint to live within your means and to avoid destructive debt. How is the giving side going for you? Are you honouring God by investing him the first part of all of your income in his work on earth? How can you be a greater help to the poor and needy in our world?

Pray for the church and other kingdom-minded ministries and organisations. Pray that they will have all the resources they need to fulfil vision God has given them.

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.” [Proverbs 3:9-10. NLT]

“Remember this — a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” [2 Corinthians 9:6-9. NLT]

Day 5 of Prayer - Our Holy Calling

As followers of Christ, we are ‘saved’ and ‘called’ with a holy calling (2 Timothy 1:9). God has a mission and a task for us to fulfil – in our families, in the church, and in the world. He has given us spiritual gifts and natural abilities that are ways for us to serve others and make the world a better place. Have you discovered your gifts? Are you developing them and deploying them for the benefit of God’s kingdom?

Take some time to reflect on why you are here on earth. What is your purpose and the contribution God has designed you to make? What is your role in the church – the body of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 12-14. Romans 12:1-13. 1 Peter 4:7-11)? How does your career or studies fit into God’s calling for your life?

God has called us to a life of growth and progress (see 1 Timothy 4:14-15). What can you do this year to further develop the potential God has given you? Pray for favour, grace, and opportunities to serve.

“I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don't be ashamed of me, either, even though I'm in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time — to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.” [2 Tim 1:5-10. NLT]

Surrender Conference 2010

Looking for some fresh motivation in your life?

Wanting to catch God's heartbeat for the poor and needy?

... then don't miss the upcoming Surrender Conference at Belgrave Heights Convention on the weekend of March 5-8th, 2010.

Early bird registration finishes tomorrow. Why not register now?

Since it first ran it in 2004, the mission of SURRENDER has been to invite, inspire and inform an emerging generation to respond to the radical call of Jesus. The name SURRENDER is an identity that invites a joining with the Jesus who pours out his life in loving the lost and least. As followers of this Jesus today we must be his hands and feet in a hurting world, giving a voice to God’s call to be good news to the poor.

Day 4 of Prayer - Supplication

God is interested in the details of our lives. We can bring our needs and concerns to him. He hears us and takes an interest in our lives. Pray for yourself, as well as your family and friends. Be specific and ask in faith, believing that God will answer and do what is best.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” [Matthew 7:7-8. NLT]

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” [1 John 5:14. NLT]

“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” [Hebrews 4:14-16. NLT]

Day 3 of Prayer - Thanksgiving

Worship is more of a focus on loving God for who he is while praise is thanking him for all he has done. Make a list of things you are thankful to God for and take the time to express your thanks to him. Endeavour to cultivate an attitude of gratitude each day. Express your gratitude to other people in your life too.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” [Psalm 107:1. NLT]

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” [1 Thess.5:18. NLT]

Day 2 of Prayer - Confession

Sin is disobedience to the commands that God has given us for life. It dishonours God and it causes damage to our lives. Thankfully, God is a God of forgiveness and grace. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and see if there is any thought, word, or action that you need to repent of. Bring it before the Lord. Is there any person you have a negative attitude towards or unresolved conflict with? What can you do today to deal with this (Matt.5:23-24)? Like Paul, seek to maintain a clear conscience without any unresolved issue – with either God or people (Acts 24:16).

What destructive habits or patterns of life have taken a hold of your life? What inner needs might these reflect that you are seeking to meet in ways that do not satisfy? Ask God to heal your heart and set you free from anything and everything that is keeping you back from the life God desires for you. Who could you speak to about this – a safe friend, counsellor, or leader?

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” [Psalm 139:23-24. NLT]

“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins — and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” [1 John 1:8 – 2:2. NLT]

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” [James 5:16-17. NLT]

Day 1 of Prayer - Adoration

The word ‘ACTS’ is a simple pattern for prayer. A is for Adoration, C is for Confession, T is for Thanksgiving and S is for Supplication.

The greatest commandment is that we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Matt.22:36-38). Spend some time expressing your love to God. Think about him – who he is, what he is like, and what he is done. Reflect on his character qualities – love, mercy, faithfulness, grace, goodness, justice, and holiness. Worship and adore him. Praise him.

Then the Lord came down in a cloud and stood there with [Moses]; and he called out his own name, Yahweh. The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, "Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. [Exodus 34:5-7. NLT]

How to Connect with God

A few thoughts from this weekend's message about knowing God better ...

Jesus told his disciples to “abide” in him (John 15:5). They were to stay “connected” at all times. The apostle Paul’s one goal in life was to “know God” (Phil.3:7-11). His prayer for the church at Ephesus was that they might “know Him better” (Eph.1:15-17). But how do we get closer to God? How can we experience God in a more intimate and meaningful way?

Different people give different answers: “Get up early and spend hours in prayer”, “Stay up late and write in a journal for hours”, “Fast regularly”, “Go on spiritual retreats all by yourself”, “Memorise lots of Scripture” or “Speak in tongues for an hour each day”. Well-intentioned people often tell us that their way is the “right way” and the proof of spirituality. Often we try these things that may work for others, yet for some reason they may not work for us, so we end up frustrated and wrongly believe that maybe being close to God is just for a few special people.

You’re Unique

As humans, we have a lot in common – a lot of similarities. However, we are also each very different and very unique in the way God has made us (personality, spiritual gifts, etc). We also experience God differently. We each have a unique relationship with God that is different than anyone else. We need to discover how God has “wired us” to best “abide”. The activity or means is not as important as the fact that you do “abide”. When do you feel closest to God? What is your “abiding style”? How do you best experience God?

Ways of Connecting with God (“Abiding Styles”)

There are different ways that we each experience God. Each style represents different traditions of the Christian faith. We will have a natural bent to one or more styles and may find some others more difficult.

Fasting

As we prepare to commence a fourteen day period of prayer, a few comments about fasting seem appropriate.

In fasting we choose to intentionally go without something for a period of time (usually something pleasurable but not necessarily sinful). It could be food (in a variety of forms) or some other activity (TV, music, etc). Jesus assumed that his disciples would fast (Matthew 6:16-18) as he himself did (Matthew 4:1-2).

Fasting teaches us a lot about ourselves. It quickly reveals how much we are dependent on the pleasure of eating. It also demonstrates how powerful our body is and especially our appetite! Fasting seeks to confirm our dependence on God by finding strength from him alone. After all, it is not food that gives us true life; it is God’s word to us (Matthew 4:4). Life is much more than food (Luke 12:33) and our belly is not our god as it is for others (Phil.3:19. Rom.16:18).

Fasting is one of the more important ways of practising the self-denial required of everyone who would follow Christ. Fasting teaches self-control and therefore trains us in restraint with regard to all our fundamental drives. We learn the value of ‘contentment’ (1 Timothy 6:6). Fasting is not an easy discipline but its practice yields great benefits in our lives, especially when accompanied by time in prayer and other spiritual disciplines.

As we move through this period of fourteen days of focused prayer, why not consider including some form of fasting.

P.S. To read further on this topic, check out Pastor Kong Hee's blog article on the power of fasting, Campus Crusade for Christ's guide to fasting, as well as some medical advice on fasting.

14 Days of Prayer

Prayer is simply conversation with God. It is as important to spiritual life as breathing is to human life. It is an amazing thing that the God of the universe invites as to know him and even to become his friend. Friendship is built through time together and through sharing with each other. God has revealed himself to us – through creation, through the sacred Scriptures, in the person of Jesus Christ, and through his Holy Spirit to those who seek him.

For fourteen days (beginning Monday, February 1st), we are encouraging everyone in our church community to invest in some extended time of prayer each day. Prayer is not so much about getting God to do what we want him to do as it is about us becoming the people he desires us to be and then positioning ourselves to love and serve him each day. Why don't you join us? For each day I will share some thoughts for your time of prayer each day. Spend time alone with God or gather with some family members or friends.

May these promises be an encouragement to you as you pray ...

“Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” [Isa 40:28-31. NLT]

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” [Proverbs 3:5-6. NLT]

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” [James 5:16-17. NLT]

Welcome to 2010 ...

Well, it's hard to believe - the first month of 2010 is almost history. It just seems like yesterday that we were about to head into the new millennium and everyone was talking about Y2K. Maybe I'm getting older but time does seem to be moving faster. Here we are another decade on. What a decade the last one has been. TIME magazine called it 'The Decade from Hell' - one of the worst ever ... and when you reflect on it - a lot of bad stuff happened. But we're still here and God is at work continuing to extend his kingdom in obvious and also subversive ways ... all over our world.

On a personal note, I trust that you had an enjoyable Christmas and that the holiday season included a good dose of rest and relaxation. Our family has had an eventful few weeks with a house move (actually we moved, not the house) and the marriage of our oldest son. That makes us 'in-laws' for the first time - and we're loving it! I remember holding our firstborn son when he was just born and having many 'oldies' come up and say - "Enjoy them while they're young, they sure grow up fast." We just laughed. How right there were! Where did the years go?

A final few thoughts for today. Our church is reading through the New Testament together this year and I've been enjoying reading the Gospel of Matthew again from the Message Bible. Here is one of my favourite sayings of Jesus so far ... read it nice and slowly ..

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy on or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn how to live freely and lightly.”

May you know and experience those 'unforced rhythms of grace' walking with Jesus this year.

Talk to you again soon ...

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!

I pray that this year is one of God's further work in and through each one of our lives. May we live in such a way that brings praise and honour to God's name and to extend his kingdom work in the earth.

Thanks again for your interest in this blog over the last year. I am taking a few weeks holidays now so there won't be any new posts until the end of January.

With over 500 posts so far on this blog, there is plenty of interesting and inspirational reading material. Click on the categories to the right and have a browse through ... and of course, the comments section is always an interesting read.

Grace and peace!

Merry Christmas!

Joy to the world, the Lord is come ...

With Christmas only a few days away I'd like to take this time to wish each one of your a blessed Christmas. Thanks for your interest in this blog over the last year. I am taking a few weeks holidays now so there won't be any new posts until the end of January.

With over 500 posts so far on this blog, there is plenty of interesting and inspirational reading material. Click on the categories to the right and have a browse through ... and of course, the comments section is always an interesting read.

Grace and peace!

Growing Faith ...

Faith is not static. It can be measured. The Bible speaks of people with “no faith”, “little faith”, “weak faith”, “dead faith”, “great faith”, “full of faith” and “strong faith”. Of course, even a small amount of faith in God has great power (Luke 17:6). Most importantly, our faith can grow (2 Thess. 1:3. 2 Cor.10:15). The disciples prayed, “Lord, increase our faith” (Luke 17:5). How would you describe your level of faith in God right now – is it high, low or somewhere in between? How can we move our faith in God up to a TEN?

1. Trust in God (Prov.3:5-6). Life is a journey and we can have a sense of where we have come from, where we are now and where we are going BUT there are unexpected turns in the road and different seasons that we go through along the way (ask Job, Joseph, Esther and Daniel). Some things are within our control while many things aren’t. At all times, we need to choose to TRUST in God. Trust is not fatalism but rather it is an active faith in who God is and what he is doing.

Our trust in God can grow. As we experience God’s faithfulness in our lives we compile memories that can strengthen us during difficult times. When facing Goliath, David recalled the victories that God had given him over the lion and the bear. Have confidence in God’s goodness, even in the face of your doubts. God is at work! He causes all things to work together for good to those who love him and who are called according to his purpose (Rom.8:28). No, all things don’t work out the way we want them to; no, not all things are good; and no, God doesn’t cause all things. However, he is the master designer who causes ALL things (the good and the bad, our successes and our failures) to work together for his ultimate purpose in our lives. This is something that we can KNOW. That level of confidence helps us to trust ... even when we do not understand.

2. Expect God to Keep His Promises. Faith involves a positive expectation about the future. Faith gives birth to hope and hope gives birth to positive action. Faith believes that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above whatever we could ever ask, think or imagine (Eph.3:20). Sometimes when our hopes are dashed or unmet, we find it hard to expect God to show up. We start to doubt his promises and we can even end up in unbelief. We need to understand that often there are delays between God’s promises and their fulfillment. Delays become times of testing (Ps.105:16-19). However, delays are not denials and we must continue in faith even during these times of contradiction. It is also important for us to realise that God’s ways are different than ours and this may mean that the fulfillment of his promises occurs in ways least expected.

3. Never Give Up! An important dimension of faith is a choice to never give up, to persist, to be determined, and to not lose heart ... whatever life may throw at us. Life is not always easy. Jesus made it clear that his followers would experience times of pressure and trouble in this world (see John 16:33 and also Acts 14:21-22. 2 Cor.1:3-5. 1 Pet.4:12). However, God promises that his grace will be enough for us to endure anything that we go through (2 Cor.12:7-10). When we are feeling weak, his strength is available to us as long as we do not quit (2 Cor.4:8-9, 16-18). Determine to finish the race God has given you to run (Acts 20:22-24). Times of pressure help to develop our character, they have the potential to make us stronger (Jas.1:2-8), and they make us more empathetic to others’ pain (2 Cor.1:3-7). Have the courage, determination and commitment to finish. To win is to get up each time you fall. It’s always too soon to quit.

What Would Jesus Say to Tiger Woods?

Tiger Woods, the world's greatest golfer, has recently been involved in a public scandal after his multiple affairs have come to the surface. His marriage is on the rocks and he has put his golfing career on hold as he tries to repair the damage caused to his family and his public reputation. Decisions have consequences and once trust is broken it is very hard to rebuild. It's a sad story ... whatever way you look at it.

What would Jesus say to Tiger?

That's an interesting question ...

A few ideas may spring to mind such as "Be sure your sins will find you out," "You reap what you sow", "What is done in secret will be shouted from the roof tops," and maybe "Pride goes before a fall."

What do you think Jesus would say?

Maybe Jesus would approach Tiger in a similar way as he did the woman caught in the act of adultery. The religious leaders were ready to stone her but Jesus said ...

"Neither do I condemn you ..." That was grace - a grace ready to forgive and ready to lift of the guilt and shame of a person who had broken the law and made wrong choices (what the Bible calls 'sin').

Then he said, "Go and sin no more." That was truth - a recognition that sin dishonors God and that it brings great damage to our lives. Obviously, we need the help of the Spirit to break the power of sin and to live life the way God designed it to be lived. Jesus assumed that this woman could learn from her mistakes and make different choices from that moment on.

One of Jesus' closest disciples, John, described Jesus as full of grace and truth (John 1:14). May we become more like Him every day.

Why not offer a prayer up for Tiger ... that somehow, in this situation that has been caused by his own choices, he will turn to and find a God that is full of grace and truth.

How will it all END (Pt.6)?

How should we then LIVE?

We should live “ready” for Christ to come at any moment (Lk.21:34-36) but “working diligently” as if he may not come back in our lifetime. We should avoid extremes (over-preoccupation with a sneaky rapture vs. trying to create heaven here on earth).

To quote Tony Campolo, “Any theology that does not live with a sense of the immediate return of Christ is a theology that takes the edge off the urgency of faith. But any theology that does not cause us to live as though the world will be here for thousands of years is a theology that leads us into social irresponsibility.”

1. Live with full devotion to the Lord. Be prayerful and watchful. Love him with all your heart and develop a close relationship with him. Many “nominal” believers will be shocked on that day (Mt.7:21-23). Don’t be caught without “oil” (Mt.25:1-13). Be spiritually awake, refusing to allow lethargy or apathy into your heart (Mk.13:32-37. Rom.13:11-12. 1 Thess.5:1-10).

2. Live your life in light of eternity. What we do in time echoes through eternity. We have only one life to life. This is not a dress rehearsal or a practice run. This is the real thing so give it all you’ve got. Run to win! Use your gifts, talents and abilities for the benefit of others (Mt.25:14-30. 2 Cor.5:10-11. 1 Cor.3:1-15). We will be rewarded for faithfulness with what we have been given, not because of the gifts we received or the positions we held. “Live and do” not “do and live”. Because in Christ “you are” loved and forgiven, do good works, but not “in order to” be loved and forgiven.

3. Live with an evangelistic edge. Make heaven’s priority yours. Be stirred to a spirit of evangelism. Build relationships, take risks, look for opportunities, share your faith and invite people to church and to Christ. Hell was not designed for people.

Life is short, live wisely! Know God’s will, seize every opportunity and invest your time in things that count for eternity (Eph.5:15-17).

How will it all END (Pt.5)?

Things to Occur AFTER the Second Coming

1. Judgement and reward for believers. There are two judgements – one for believers, the judgement seat of Christ, which is not about salvation but about reward for the “good works” we have done (2 Cor.5:10).

[One area of debate amongst end time theologians is when the ‘millennium’ spoken about in Rev.20:1-6 will be. The ‘millennium’ is a 1000 year period where believers will rule and reign with Christ on the earth as a reward for their faithfulness. Some people believe we are in the millennium now and therefore that it occurs before the second coming (post-millennialists). Some people believe that it does not refer to a literal period of time but rather is symbolic of the entire period between the first and second comings of Christ (a-millennialists). Still others believe it will occur after the second coming (pre-millennialists). The challenge for all interpreters is that Rev.20 is the only explicit reference of the millennium in the NT and there is no mention of the relation of the second coming to the millennium in the actual text (whether it is before or after). Personally, I don’t think we’re in it now (you call this rest?). I tend to think it will be after the second coming but even that view has some challenges. So, this is not a subject anyone can be dogmatic about because there are too many unknowns]

2. Judgement of the devil. The devil will be judged and cast into a lake of fire for eternity. See Rev.20:10. This judgment has been a long time coming being prophesied about in Gen.3:15 and initially enacted by the work of Jesus on the cross and his subsequent resurrection.

3. Eternity in either heaven or hell (based on our choices in life). There will be a judgment for unbelievers, the great white throne judgement where the book of life will be opened. Those who names are not in the book of life will be cast into a lake of fire (Rev.20:11-15) where the devil and his angels are. The ungodly will spend eternity in hell with the devil.

The godly, those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, will live forever in heaven with the Lord (Rev.21:27). Heaven will be a place like nothing we have ever experienced – more wonderful than we could ever think or imagine.

God’s heart is that no one ‘perish’ but that all have an opportunity to receive forgiveness and eternal life (2 Pet.3:9). Hell was made for the devil not for people. God does not wish anyone to end up in hell, that’s why he sent his Son.

4. The creation of a new heavens and a new earth. See 2 Peter 3:1-13. Rev.21.

How will it all END (Pt.4)?

Things to occur AT the second coming

1. The appearance of Jesus in glory. Jesus’ return will be with “a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God” (1 Thess.4:13-18). He will return in great glory, the glory of his Father (Mt.16:27; 19:28; 25:31). The angelic hosts will accompany him. Every eye will see him (Rev.1:7). Revelation 19:11-16 gives us a vivid picture of Jesus riding on a white horse – eyes blazing with fire, a two edged sword coming out of his mouth, his robe dipped in blood and the armies of heaven riding with him.

2. The destruction of the wicked. Those who have rejected Jesus will be shocked at his coming and will seek to run from his presence (Jude 14-15 and Rev.1:7). These are those who acknowledge God and who refuse to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. They will be destroyed with the ‘brightness of his coming’. The second coming will be one of judgement on the wicked, not of mercy anymore. Jesus will return in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and refused to obey the gospel. The ungodly will be destroyed with the brightness of his coming (2 Thess.1:7-10). They will be punished and banished from God’s presence (2 Thess.1:7-10; 2:3-12).

3. The resurrection of the righteous – all believers who have died “in faith” will have their bodies resurrected and will live forever with a glorified body (1 Thess.4:13-18. 1 Cor.15:51-57. Heb.9:28. Phil.3:20-21). In that sense Jesus is coming ‘with’ his saints. This refers to all of the righteous believers who have died in faith since time began – there spirits are in heaven right now but they are waiting in expectation for the resurrection and glorification of their bodies.

4. The ‘rapture’ of remaining believers – Jesus will return for (those who are “alive and remain” and escape death) and with his saints (those who “died in faith”). See 1 Thess.4:16-17. In this sense, Jesus is coming ‘for’ his saints – those who are alive and remain on the earth when he returns. There is a generation that will never die! Jesus will come in their generation whole they are still alive. Many have hoped to be a part of that company and we do too!

What a day that will be! It will be more dramatic, more explosive and more exciting than any movie you have ever seen! The second coming is a great source of comfort and of hope for us as believers. There is coming a time when pain, crying and suffering will be gone. We will be reunited with our loved ones who have died and gone to heaven.

How will it all END (Pt.3)?

An Order of End Time Events

Without being dogmatic in any way, here is what I see happening BEFORE the second coming of Jesus.

NEGATIVE things to occur:

1. Increasing spiritual darkness (Is.60:1-3). Jesus told us that the last days just prior to his coming will be similar to the days of Noah and the days of Lot (Lk.17:20-37). He said that there would be great deception (Mt.24. 1 Tim.4:1) with many false prophets and false “Christ’s” appearing (Mt.24:5, 11, 23-26. 2 Thess.2:1-12. Rev.13). We are told of a great “apostasy” or “falling away” of many from their faith in Jesus Christ (2 Thess.2:1-3. Mt.24:12. Heb.6:3-8).

2. Great Tribulation (times of ‘pressure’). There will be a time of great tribulation (Mt.24) and “perilous times” (2 Tim.3:1-7). Wars, diseases and earthquakes will increase (Mt.24:6-7. Rev.6:1-17). There will be times of intense persecution of believers (Mt.24:9-10, 21).

3. The revelation of the Antichrist. The title ‘antichrist’ refers to someone who is ‘against Christ’ or who sets themselves up ‘instead of’ or in competition with Christ. Jesus himself predicted the appearance of “false Christ’s” (Mt.24:5). There is a ‘spirit of antichrist’ at work in the world (1 Jn.4:3). The apostle John tells that there will be ‘many antichrists’ in the last day (1 Jn.2:18). There also seems to be strong indication that there will be one very strong individual Antichrist (‘the’ Antichrist) who will be revealed in the last days before Jesus returns (see 2 Thess.2:1-12). The Antichrist will be revealed and will set up his kingdom for a time (Dan.2, 7, 11. Rev.13; 19:11-21). Satan knows that his time is short and in the last days he will throw everything he can against God and his work on earth.

4. God’s judgements will be revealed (Rev.14:7; 16:7). There will be a “time of vengeance” (Is.61 and Lk.4). These judgements are outlined under the seven seals, the seven trumpets and the seven bowls (“vials”) of wrath to be poured out on the earth (Rev.6-16).

POSITIVE things to occur:

1. A worldwide outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all people (Joel 2:28-32. Acts 2:17-21. James 5:7-8). This began on the day of Pentecost and will be completed in the “last days”.

2. A great spiritual harvest. Many people will become followers of Jesus and there will be a great harvest of souls into the kingdom of God. The gospel will be preached to every nation and people saved out of every nation or “people group”, before the end comes (Mt.24:14). Revelation tells us about a multitude of people worship around the throne from ‘every tribe, language, people and nation’ (Rev.5:9). There’s still more work to be done on this one.

3. A glorious church. The church of Jesus Christ will be united (Jn.17), glorious (Eph.5:25-27) and victorious (Mt.16). The “last day” church will be greater than the first church (Acts 3:19-21). We are not there yet.

4. The fulfilment of all true prophetic words. All words spoken by the prophets will be fulfilled (Acts 3:19-21). Not one word spoken by God through his prophets will be left undone. All will come to pass. In fact, one reason I don’t believe Jesus will come back tonight, is because there are a number of things yet to be accomplished before he returns.

Darkness and light (Prov.4:18-19. Is.60:1-3), the mystery of lawlessness and the mystery of godliness, the weeds (tares) and the wheat are growing together as the coming of Christ draws near. The evidence of many of these “signs” is all around us today and they will increase in intensity as the return of the Lord comes closer. We live in exciting yet challenging times.

How will it all END (Pt.2)?

The Bible and the End Times

There are a number of books and passages in the Bible that deal specifically with the ‘time of the end’ and the second coming of Jesus. Obviously, the book of Revelation would be the primary source of information concerning the end times. It is a fascinating apocalyptic book with much prophetic symbolism in it that makes it somewhat difficult to interpret.

Over the years there has been a variety of approaches to interpreting the book of Revelation. There are three broad categories of how people have interpreted this book through the centuries:

1. The Preterist (‘past’) View – this view understands the events of Revelation as having been fulfilled in large parts in the first centuries of the Christian era. In effect the book was written to comfort Christians, who suffered persecution from Rome and also from Judaism. Revelation’s fulfilment is all in the past. We don’t need to be looking for anything happening today that corresponds to its prophecies.

This view has a lot of merit. The book of Revelation was written to real people and real churches in the first century and it had specific relevance to what they were going through. It meant something to them and they would have been able to gain understanding about the times they were living in and to draw comfort and hope from it. In fact, the arguments for a direct correlation between some of the prophetic pictures in revelation and to events in the first century are quite convincing. However, in addition to this, like all books of the Bible, I believe that Revelation also speaks to believers in other generations and times of history. We must not limit its meaning and application to the first century. In fact, like all prophecy, there are often layers of application to people in different times and circumstances without taking away the direct significance to the first hearers.

2. The Historicist View (‘literal’) – this view sees the events of Revelation as unfolding throughout the course of history. Another variation of this view it what is referred to as a ‘Futurist View’, which argues that the events spoken about in Revelation (particularly chapters 4-22) await the end times for their historical fulfilment.

This view also has some real merit. There is a lot of prophetic symbolism in Revelation that paints pictures of spiritual activity in the heavenlies that can’t be fully understand in human or historical terms. However, to limit the entire book to only spiritual matters without any direct correspondence to events on earth would seem an inadequate approach to me.

3. The Idealist View (‘figurative’ or ‘spiritual’) – this view is reluctant to pinpoint the symbolism of revelation historically with any specific social or political events. Rather it sees Revelation as setting forth timeless truths concerning the battle between good and evil that continues throughout the church age. The challenge is to be faithful to Christ and expectant of a victorious future not to seek any literal or chronological interpretation.

This view also has some real merit. There is a lot of prophetic symbolism in Revelation that paints pictures of spiritual activity in the heavenlies that can’t be fully understand in human or historical terms. However, to limit the entire book to only spiritual matters without any direct correspondence to events on earth would seem an inadequate approach to me.

Each one of these views has strengths and weaknesses. The best approach, from my perspective, involves a combination of these views, realising that prophetic literature often has a present, past and future dimension to it. 

How will it all END? (Pt.1)

End Time Fever

The first words that Jesus preached were, “Repent for the kingdom of God is near” (Mt.4:17). After the resurrection and at the end of Jesus’ ministry on earth, he ascended up to heaven. As he did, two angels appeared and boldly proclaimed, “Why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven (Acts 1:10-11).” The last recorded words of the ascended Jesus are in the book of Revelation. They were to the church and he said, “Yes, I am coming soon! (Rev.22:7, 12, 20)”

Ever since that time people have looked for and anticipated the second coming of Jesus and the end of the world. This began with the New Testament believers and has continued right through history up to today. The topic of the ‘end of the world’ has been one of interest to humans since time began but it has intensified in recent years. The recent release of the doomsday movie 2012, is an example of this. It is important that each one of us as Christians has a clear understanding of the end times so that we are not swayed by various trends or world events.

Observations about the Second Coming:

1. Jesus will come again.

The early church held strongly to the belief that Jesus would come again as he said he would. A common phrase among them was “Maranatha”, which means, “Come, O Lord! (1 Cor.16:22)” The second coming of Jesus Christ is mentioned 318 times in the 216 chapters of the NT. That’s 1 in every 25 verses. Some entire chapters are given to it and three New Testament writers wrote entire books about it (Mt.24. Mk.13. Lk.21. 1 Cor.15. 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Jude. Revelation). Jesus said he would come again. Paul, John, James and Jude all speak of his coming. Not one NT writer fails to mention it. Every time we take communion or the “Lord’s supper” we proclaim the Lord’s death “until he comes” (1 Cor.11:26). There are more references to this subject that any other NT teaching.

Jesus will return to the earth literally, visibly (“every eye will see him”), physically and personally just like he came. It will be the “same Jesus” not another. He will come personally to receive us to himself (Jn.14:3). Unlike his first coming, which was in great humility and lowliness, his second coming will be in great glory with his angelic hosts accompanying him (Mt.16:27; 19:28; 25:31).

2. No one knows exactly when.

Jesus will return in the Father’s appointed time. No one knows the exact day or hour (Mt.24:36. Mk.13:32. Acts 1:7. 1 Thess.5:2. 2 Pet.3:10. Acts 3:19-21). People who try to set dates or times bring discredit to the Christian faith and cause people to mock (2 Pet.3:4).

We can, however, know the “times and seasons”. If we study God’s Word and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, we can be aware and ready for his coming. We don’t have to be caught “off guard” like the religious leaders were at Christ’s coming. Dogmatism and intolerance on exact details is not wise. The Scribes and Pharisees missed the first coming of Christ because it did not happen just the way they thought it would.

For those who are unprepared, his coming will be like a “thief in the night” – suddenly (Mk.13:36) and unexpectedly (Mt.24:36-51; 25:1-3. Mk.13:32-37. Rev.3:3; 16:15. 2Pet.3:10. 1 Thess.5:1-11). Therefore, we need to be spiritual “awake” and watching, ready for his coming.

3. The second coming completes what Jesus began at his first coming.

At the cross Jesus conquered Satan, sin, sickness and death. He said, “It is finished”! However, we live in the time of the end, which involves a tension between the “now and the not yet”.

• “Already” Satan is conquered (a defeated foe), but “not yet” has his final judgment taken place. In between, he continues to try to deceive the nations and must be resisted.
• “Already” sin has been atoned for and forgiveness is freely available, but “not yet” do we see sin totally eradicated. Sin has to be fought like a deadly virus and repentance is the vaccine that releases forgiveness and freedom.
• “Already” sickness has been defeated but “not yet” do we see sickness and disease totally removed from the earth.
• “Already” death is defeated but “not yet” do we see death destroyed. Our bodies are all aging and unless Jesus returns beforehand, we will all die.

The contract has been signed and paid in full but we are living in this “in between time” before what has been legally accomplished becomes a complete reality.

• There is coming a day when Satan and his hoards of demons will be judged and cast into a lake of fire for eternity. Even now, his time is short!
• There is coming a day when sin will be cleansed from the earth and from our lives.
• There is coming a day where sickness and pain will be no more, where suffering ceases.
• There is coming a day when death, our last enemy, will finally be destroyed.

That “day” is the second coming of Jesus Christ! So the kingdom is both present (“already”) and future (“not yet”). Until then, we stand firm and we fight against all that the devil seeks to bring against us. That’s why we continue to pray, “Your kingdom come! Your will be done!” This prayer is a request for God to reign and to manifest his sovereign power by putting to flight every enemy of righteousness. Our hope is rooted in Christ’s work of redemption that began on the cross and will be completed by the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Baggage

I love to travel. The very atmosphere of airports and airplanes energises me. I love visiting new places and meeting new people. However, my wife doesn’t get quite as excited. In fact, she starts packing a few weeks ahead of time, just to make sure she’s got everything she needs. I tend to pack in the last minute.

You know, as we travel through our journey of life we all tend to carry various sorts of baggage with us. Some types of personal baggage from our past can become pretty tiring to carry after a while. In fact, the emotional strain can become overwhelming. Sometimes we have to make a choice to ‘let go’ of things, including situations in the past where we were hurt by other people, where we were disappointed by life, or maybe where we failed ourselves.

What’s in your suitcase? What are you carrying with you right now? What’s dragging you down? Are there some things worth off-loading? Is there some baggage you’d be better off getting rid of? Doubts, questions, regrets, hurts ... maybe it’s time to let them go. Why not do that today ... even right now.

Baggage ... think about it.

Web Wonders – December 2009

Today we continue with our web wonders recommendations. Check out October and November's lists if you missed them. Here are some more:

1. CHRISTMAS. Tired of the commericalism of Christmas? Check out Advent Conspiracy for some creative alternative ideas about spending less and giving more.
2. PARCEL DELIVERY. Want to send something across town, interstate or overseas? Check out Interparcel for excellent rates via their online web site. They'll pick up from your house and even send you the labels ready to print out and attach.
3. REAL ESTATE. Interesting in buying, selling, renting or investing in property? Realestate.com.au is the place to go.
4. CHRISTIANITY. Interested in what's happening within the broader Christian community? Check out Christianity Today's excellent web site.
5. BIBLE READING. Want to set up your own Bible reading plan? Check out this web site for everything you need to get started.
6. TRAVEL. Going to another country and aren't sure what electricity current they have or what adapters you need? This web site has all the information. Here's a good currency converter web site too.

Happy surfing!

Step into the Arena!

Tonight our church had its annual Volunteers Appreciation Night. This event is a highlight for our church staff as we took time to thank and honour the faithful volunteers of our church - 2,312 of them! What a fun time of celebration it was for everyone.

Back in 1910, Theodore Roosevelt, the 26^th President of the USA, gave a speech in Paris. In it he said these inspirational words ...

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

The Christian life is not a spectator sport. It is a call to action, to deeds, to contribution, to a life of serving. We called to engage in a spiritual battle against the power of darkness. We are soldiers of the light.

Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, leads the way. Jesus stepped out of the comforts of heaven and into the arena of this broken world (see Phil.2:1-11). His face was marred by dust and sweat and blood ... for a worthy cause ... and he did this voluntarily.

History is full of men and women who like Jesus Christ stepped out of their comfort zone and into the arena ... those who served the purposes of God faithfully in their generation.

Hebrews 11 honours a hall of fame of men and women who stepped into the arena and who served faithfully ... Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, David, Samuel and many OTHERS. Some had stories of great triumph ... while others lived lives that seemed to end in defeat ... but one thing they had in common ... they all lived and died in faith ... a faith that led them into the arena of life where their hands got dirty, their feet got tired, their hearts at times felt faint. These heroes of the faith now surround us like a cloud of witnesses and they cheer us on in our race (Heb.12:1-4).

Those who choose to be only spectators in this life accomplish nothing. They tend to become fat and comfortable. They also tend to become professional critics. They experience no pain - and no gain.

Those who choose to be contributors are the ones who bring about positive change. After all knowledge does not change the world, action does. They also know the pain, the stress, and the challenges of life in the arena ... as well as the joys and the triumphs. They are the ones who receive the reward and the ultimate commendation – “Well done, good and faithful servant ...”

May each one of us follow the example of Jesus by stepping into the arena – by voluntarily serving others on his behalf ... wherever we may be.

Sometimes you might ask yourself, “Is it really worth it – all the time, energy and effort I give?” I’m here to tell you it really is. I’m here to say “Well done” and “Thank you” on behalf of those you serve. The next time you serve, remember the difference you're make. What we do in time echoes in eternity. Let’s keep stepping into the arena together.

John 3:16

One of the most well-known statements in the Bible is recorded in the Gospel of John, chapter 3 and verse 16. It goes like this ...

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. NIV

You may have heard this before OR maybe it’s the first time you’ve ever heard those life giving words.

Christian author Max Lucado describes it like this:

“Here is a 26-word sentence of hope, beginning with God, ending with life, and urging us to do the same. It’s brief enough to write on a small piece of paper or memorise in a moment, yet solid enough to weather 2000 years of storms and questions. If you know nothing of the Bible, start here. If you know everything, return here. We all need the reminder. The heart of the human problem is the heart of the human. And here is God’s treatment ...”

• God loves.
• God gives.
• We believe.
• We live.

God has done his part. The choice is now yours. Will you believe? Will you live the life the He desires for you? It’s your move.

John 3:16 ... think about it.

Re-Fuel

Have you ever been on a long drive interstate that took a few days? One of the things I hate to do is stop for petrol. Do you know why? It’s because all of those semi-trailers, caravans, and slow pokes that I have meticulously passed are all going to pass me while I am filling up! Now, that’s annoying. I wish someone would invent a way to fill up without having to stop.

But the truth is that unless you stop and refuel you’re not going to make it. You are going to stall and be stuck by the side of the road. That’s even more annoying!

I find life is a bit like that. There is so much to do, so many people to see and so many places to go. We all get very busy and if we’re not careful we can begin burn out.

We all need to learn what it is to STOP ... and to refuel ... physically, emotionally, and even spiritually.

How’s your journey at the moment? Are you going strong or are you running on empty?

What do you need to do to refuel? What kind of activities fill you up and give you energy for life? Make sure you take time for those things.

Refuel ... think about it.

Faithfulness

One of the most important qualities to develop in our lives is the quality of FAITHFULNESS. Faithfulness means being true to your word, keeping your promises, being loyal, being reliable, honest, and trustworthy.

Unfortunately, lack of faithfulness, or ‘unfaithfulness’, is becoming quite rampart in our society.

• A recent study revealed that up to 70% of high school students admitted to serious cheating on tests.
• More and more people are lying on their tax returns, on their resumes, on reports, and in conversations with other people all the time. All up, it is estimated that we are lied to about 200 times each day!
• Other studies reveal that almost 50% of married women and over 50% of married men engage in extramarital sex at some time or another during their relationship.

I don’t know about you, but I find these statistics incredibly alarming. But the sobering truth is that each one of us (me included) have the same potential for unfaithfulness. I encourage you today to make a choice to be a faithful person. Be honest. Keep your word. Tell the truth. It starts in the little things.

Faithfulness ... Think about it.

The Spiritual Battle (Pt.3)

3. Be Wise!

Satan is highly intelligent. He is crafty, subtle and cunning. He knows our weaknesses and the areas in which we are vulnerable. He is always looking for an opportunity or an access point to gain a foothold in our lives. He tailors his attack and temptation to us individually.

Jesus taught and understood this. Paul did too (see 2 Cor.2:10-11). We need to understand strategic warfare tactics. Your enemy always wants to seek a way to get advantage over you so he can defeat you. What stronghold is Satan trying to form in your mind (2 Cor.10:3-6), what unresolved offense could be giving him an access point or foothold through which to gain authority over your life (Eph.4:25-27), and what area of weakness is a vulnerability for you right now?

Here’s an interesting exercise – “If you were the devil, devise a plan to defeat you?” Most of us won’t be tempted this week to rob a bank, become a terrorist, or kill somebody BUT there are other areas where we could be open to attack (e.g. busyness, temptation, discouragement, fear, etc). Satan is an undercover agent. He uses the world, the flesh (or our sinful nature) and the demonic realm to carry out his purposes.

Pray about your vulnerable or weak areas. Build defenses in these areas. Ask friends to pray for you too. We wrestle with spiritual powers not people (Eph.6). Satan hates our guts, our families, and our churches too. But we have power and weapons to defeat him.

4. Be Strong!

The power of the Spirit enabled Jesus to overcome every temptation of the enemy (See also Eph.6:10-18. Joshua 1:6-7). Sometimes we have to ACT ourselves into a different way of FEELING. Go ahead and BE strong and BE courageous and you will feel his strength and courage flowing through you. We are called to live by FAITH ... not FEELINGS. Feelings come and go, while God’s Word and God’s promises remain true at all times.

5. Be Confident!

Our confidence is in God. IN HIM we have all the authority and power that we need to overcome every attack and strategy of the devil. Satan fears his conqueror, Jesus Christ, and these who stand up to him in Jesus’ name. Submit to God, resist the devil and he WILL flee from you (James 4:7). Greater is he who is within you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). We can experience overwhelming victory through him who loved us (Rom.8:31-39).

Are you feeling tired (physically), flat (emotionally), or dry (spiritually)? I pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to fill you with fresh strength, and that you may be alert, wise and confident to overcome everything that may come against you!

The Spiritual Battle (Pt.2)

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

1. Be Awake!

One of the phrases Jesus used regularly was “Watch out ...” which means to be alert, awake and on guard at all times (Matt.26:41). Paul and Peter pick up this teaching of Jesus in their letters to Christians (Eph.6:10-18. 1 Peter 5:8-9).

When it comes to the spiritual battle we are in, we need to avoid the extremes of pre-occupation with the devil and his forces AND the other extreme of skepticism or ignorance of his existence and strategies. Satan is pleased with either extreme. Were he better known, he would be more hated, more resisted, and more defeated. Ignorance and deception are two of Satan’s greatest tools.

We live in a scientific age where there has been much disbelief in the supernatural, in angels and in demons. In the Western world many people doubt the existence of the devil. They see him as a “medieval and mythical two-horned, fork-tailed creature dressed in red flannel underwear, busily pitching coal into the furnaces of hell.” In contrast, non-Christian lands have a greater awareness of the reality and personality of evil forces.

Satan is subtle as a serpent, violent as a dragon, ruthless as a lion, deceptive as an angel of light.  He is the destroyer, the enemy and the murderer. He is the usurper prince of this world, the accuser, and the evil one. Satan is immensely powerful and not to be underestimated. He attacks minds with doubts, fear and lies. He attacks spirits with lust, pride and hatred. He attacks bodies with diseases and death. Left to our own resources we are no match for Satan. He can deceive us and overcome us.

We need to be on guard. We need to watch out for lethargy, indifference, apathy, and spiritual drowsiness. We need to look beyond the natural (what we see with our eyes) to the supernatural (what we cannot see).

2. Be Prayerful!

Jesus challenged his disciples to be watchful and prayerful (Matt.26:41). Prayer is our communication with God. He calls us to an intimacy and a friendship where we can talk to him about anything and everything, and where he wants to share with us his heart and mind.

Prayer is a matter of dependence. When we don’t pray we are saying “I can do it!” When we do pray, God promises to hear us and help us in every area of our life. When we don’t pray, we can drift into our own ideas and out of God’s will for our lives (see 1 Chron.21 and Acts 5:1-11). Beware that carelessness doesn’t replace prayerfulness. Prayer is our lifeline to God’s heart, God’s mind, God’s wisdom, and God’s direction.

Samuel Chadwick once said, “The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayer-less studies, prayer-less work and prayer-less religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom but trembles when we pray.”

[More tomorrow ...]

The Spiritual Battle (Pt.1)

At our church leaders’ meetings this year, we have started looking a little closer at Jesus as the ultimate leadership model for us to follow and emulate. The apostle Paul told people to follow him as he followed Christ (1 Cor.11:1). All leaders must be first of all good followers and Jesus is THE leader worth following.

We first noted that one of the most important keys to Jesus’ life and ministry was the fact that he began his ministry by being EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT and he continued to do so throughout his ministry. Jesus was a minister of the Spirit. Everything he did and said was with the help and direction of the Holy Spirit. We too need to position ourselves so that we are daily filled with the Spirit so that all we do and say is through Him (Eph.5:18).

This last week we looked at the SPIRITUAL BATTLE that Jesus went through. The Gospel writers make it clear that the Devil, or Satan, was the chief enemy of Jesus. He was always seeking for ways to attack Jesus, either directly (Luke 4:1-13) or indirectly (Matt.16:21-23), and for ways to hinder the advancement of the kingdom of God (Matt.13:39). Jesus was fully aware of Satan’s strategy, yet knew that Satan had no power of him (John 14:30-31). The devil also sought to attack Jesus’ disciples (Luke 22:3-4, 31-32). That is why Jesus prayed for them (John 17:15) and why he encouraged them to pray for themselves (Matt.6:13).

As followers of Christ today, we too need to realise that we are in a spiritual battle between the powers of darkness and light, between the advancement of the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. Satan particularly targets leaders, because he knows that if he can attack leaders, he will increase the effect of his attack. The Bible notes that if you “strike the shepherd, the sheep will scatter (Matt.26:31).”

Tomorrow - some ‘Rules of Engagement’ for winning the spiritual battle we are in.

Marriage God's Way (Pt.3)

Here are some discussion questions you might like to consider about marriage ...

1. What was your parent’s marriage like? What ‘roles’ did your dad or mum each play and what were the expectations like? How has that influenced your view of marriage?
2. What are some of the implications that the doctrine of the Trinity (one God existing in three persons - equal partners, unity in diversity, etc) has for marriage and human relationships?
3. From your perspective, what are some practical tips for a good marriage?
4. For those who are parents, what are some keys to modeling a healthy view of marriage to our children?
5. Marriage is not a requirement. Jesus and Paul were not married. While encouraging marriage as a good thing (in a culture where its value is diminishing), how can we also improve the way we value and affirm those who are single within the church?

Finally, here are some books I would recommend that address some of the issues we have raised:

Discovering Biblical Equality - this book contains an excellent compilation of articles by leading scholars, including gordon Fee (editor). I think this is the best book available on this topic.

Beyond Sex Roles: What the Bible Says about a Women's Place in Church and Familyby Gilbert Bilizekian. This book is a classic, written by Bill Hybels' theological mentor.

Good News for Women: A Biblical Picture of Gender Equality by Rebecca Groothius.

The Trinity and Sub-Ordinationism: The Doctrine of God and the Contemporary Gender Debate by Kevin Giles. This book and the following one take an in-depth look at the Trinity as to how it informs human relationships, including marriage.

Who's Tampering with the Trinity: An Assessment of the Subordination Debate by Millard Erickson.

For a different perspective that what I have proposed, read Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood by John Piper. Piper proposes that men and women are equal as persons but that they have different God-given roles in the home and the church.

Marriage God's Way (Pt.2)

Marriage Today

The Bible is the inspired word of God and it was given to guide us in our lives today. Our first task is ‘exegesis’, which is where we ask what God’s Word meant back then in the culture and time in which it was given. There are considerable cultural gaps between us and world of the Bible that need to be bridged. Our next task is ‘hermeneutics’ which is where we ask what God’s Word means today in our time and culture, which is very different to the context in which it was first given. Unless this is done properly, we can misuse the Scriptures by ignoring matters of cultural context (e.g. forcing women to wear hats in church based on 1 Cor.11).

Today we no longer have household codes, we do not have slaves, and we would not group wives, children and slaves together as philosophers did in the ancient world. Unfortunately, we still live in a culture that is still somewhat patriarchal, even in the church world, where suppression and even abuse of women frequently occurs. Like Jesus, the Christian church needs to champion the value and dignity of women everywhere. There is no doubt that the trajectory of the Scriptures is toward women finding full freedom in Christ as equal heirs of the grace of life with men. Just as we applaud the abolition of slavery, so we should seek justice for women.

So what does this mean for marriage? It is important for us to realise that no Scriptural text represents all that is to be said on any given topic, including marriage. There is an important principle of ‘first mention’ that needs to be considered. Jesus regularly talked about the way things were ‘in the beginning’ as God initially intended (e.g. Matt.19:4, 8). A full study of God’s intention for marriage from the beginning shows that God desired marriage to be an equal and mutual partnership between the husband and the wife (Gen.2:18). Men and women were both created in the image of God and they were both given a dominion mandate and a reproduction mandate (Gen.1:26-28). God’s original intention was that men and women work together in harmony in a partnership of interdependency, taking their rightful place as joint-heirs and co-rulers of creation. Before sin entered there was no hierarchy, no domination and no control in human relationships, including marriage. These damaging relating patterns entered as a result of the fall (see Gen.3:16). Christ comes to redeem us from the curse of sin and to return us to God’s intentions at the beginning.

I believe that a healthy marriage involves a husband and a wife who see each other as equal partners, enjoying life together, making decisions together, and empowering each other to serve based on their unique gifts and abilities. There is mutual love and respect. Marriages of mutual empowerment do not come naturally or automatically because the human tendency is to dominate or manipulate in order to get your own way. Working out an equal partnership takes time, effort and energy. However, the very process of working it through creates character and personal growth. Most importantly, it can be a powerful witness to the watching world.

[Tomorrow - some discussion questions and some recommended reading]

Marriage God's Way (Pt.1)

Better Relationships

We're currently doing a series of messages at our weekend church gatherings based on Paul's letter to the Ephesians. This weekend we picked up some of Paul's thoughts for better relationships. These are often referred to as the ‘household codes.’ Paul addresses husbands and wives (Eph.5:21-33), parents and children (Eph.6:1-4), and finally masters and slaves (Eph.6:5-9). Just prior to this Paul noted that God calls us to live life carefully, knowing his will and making the most of every opportunity. We are not to get drunk with wine but we are to be continually filled with the Spirit. Paul describes the results of the Spirit-filled life as people whose lives are marked by singing, thankfulness, and mutual submission (Eph.5:15-20). Positioning ourselves to be continually filled with the Spirit is crucial to building the kind of loving relationships that God’s desires for us. Without the Spirit’s power and enablement we can easily degenerate into our old habits patterns of relating from a self-centred perspective.

Mutual Submission

Paul begins this section on relationships with a call for all believers to submit to one another (Eph.5:21). We are all called to self-giving love and humility modelled by Jesus himself. We are to consider others better than ourselves and to look to other people’s interests, seeking to serve them in any way we can (Gal.5:13. Phil.2:3-4. Rom.12:10). All believers are to place themselves under others in the spirit of humility. Unfortunately, for many the very word ‘submit’ implies a passive and weak approach to life. However, neither Jesus nor Paul was a weak person but they did choose to treat other people with respect and love. The call to mutual submission is the context for all that Paul says about marriage, parenting, and relationships between masters and slaves.

Marriage in the First Century

The society that Paul lived in was completely patriarchal (dominated by men). It was a terrible time for women as they were viewed as being inferior to men and were given relatively little freedom. They received minimal education, could not be witnesses in a court of law, had less economic independence, could not adopt children or make a contract, and typically were kept from public life. When girls married (usually between age twelve and sixteen), they were expected to take the religion of their husbands. They were either under their father’s, their husband’s, or some other male relative’s authority all their lives. Roman law gave husbands complete authority over their wives, who were in many ways seen as the husband’s possession.

Into this environment, where the devaluation of women was the cultural norm, the Christian faith brought amazingly good news for women through the gospel of the kingdom. Jesus allowed women to be his disciples, they were the first witnesses of his resurrection and were sent to proclaim to the men that he had risen, they received the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, they were given spiritual gifts to serve the church, and they ministered and led within the church community (it should be noted that any restrictions placed on women ministering in the early church were temporary and they were given within dysfunctional church communities, whereas in healthy environments, ministry was based on gifting and godliness, not gender). In fact, Paul boldly declared that, because of Christ, gender distinctions, though still existing, were no longer grounds for prejudice or discrimination with the community of faith (Gal.3:28).

Can you imagine the potential uproar that this new freedom for women may have caused within society at that time? Paul’s concern was always for the credibility and the advance of the gospel (see Titus 2:5). Interestingly, he didn’t attack or seek to overthrow the structures of how society worked in his time. For instance, he didn’t seek to abolish slavery, overthrow dictatorial Roman government, or overturn a patriarchal approach to relationships. His focus was primarily on how Christians should live out their faith with the context in which they found themselves (see Eph.6:5-9, Rom.13:1-7 and Eph.5:21-33). However, he did give his greatest challenges to the ones with the most power in that culture – husbands, parents, and masters. He pushed them towards love, kindness and consideration because of the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Because Paul wrote at a time when wives were expected to submit to their husbands (in the same way that slaves were expected to obey their masters), he affirmed that arrangement (Eph.5:22-24, 33) but balanced it with a reminder to husbands that they were to always act in love, which would have directly affected the way that they expressed their authority (Eph.5:25-33). He also redefined the man’s leadership as being that of a servant who acts with self-giving love like Christ. Interestingly, Paul’s directions to the wives to submit and to the husbands to love are instructions given to all Christians as to how they should act towards each other.

[Tomorrow - Marriage Today]

Remembrance Day

Every year, on 11 November at 11 am – the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month – Australia pauses to remember those men and women who have died or suffered in all wars, conflicts and peace operations since the beginning of the 20th century.

Today is the 91st Anniversary of Armistice Day (Remembrance Day). Click here for further information from the Australian War Memorial.

Can I suggest that all Australians pause this morning at 11 am for a minute of silence in respect of those who have given their lives for our nation and our freedoms.

Dan Brown and The Lost Symbol

I must admit, I don't read a lot of fiction (much to to my family's disgust!). Every now and then I do, just for fun ... and to see what other people are reading about.

I've read a few books by best-selling fictional writer Dan Brown. His writings are rapid-paced, page-turners and he can sure spin a yarn. His book The Da Vinci Code raised questions about the historical foundations of the Christian faith (click here for the first of three posts I did a while back where I addressed the claims of this book about Jesus), while Angels and Demons had a poke at the Catholic Church. He is also the author of Deception Point and Digital Fortress.

In his latest novel, The Lost Symbol, Brown attempts to unravel Freemason mythology and puts it in a blender with noetic sciences and a plethora of religious ideas. In typical style, the story is a fast-paced unfolding of diverse story-lines culminating in a climatic moment, with a twist thrown in for good measure. He mixes in plenty of fact and fiction (with plenty of distortions about the Bible), while also unpacking some interesting historical perspectives on the city of Washington DC and the foundation of America.

As a pulse of what people are thinking in our culture, spirituality is sure in (not atheism), but the syncretistic type ... which ultimately leads to a search to try to find god within ourselves. Sounds like an old lie disguised in a new set of clothes.

Click here for a Time magazine review and here for a New York Times review. For an excellent review by a respected biblical scholar, Ben Witherington, click here.

Copenhagen Treaty?

There are a fair few emails flying around at the moment about something called the Copenhagen Treaty. With issues such as this it is always hard to tell whether it's being fueled by the conspiracy theorists (who thrive on stuff like this) or whether there are genuine things we need to be concerned about.

Here's a recent blog article in The Australian. Christopher Monckton, a former adviser to Margaret Thatcher, has recently spoken out about it. You can watch his address here or listen to an interview conducted by Alan Jones on Sydney radio station 2GB. Herald Sun journalist Andrew Bolt has recently written about this too, as has Bill Muehlenberg. 

I'd be interested if anyone knows any more about this ...

eBooks

Now that I am a Kindle user (yes, I received one from some good friends for my recent birthday!), I'm starting to learn a bit more about eBooks - or 'electronic books.' True, there is nothing quite like holding a book in your hands and flipping through its pages, but eBooks can open up an entire new world.

Amazon has a corner on the market for books dedicated to the Kindle, their own eBook reader. However, you can download other documents to the Kindle, as well as a variety of eBooks. You can also read eBooks on your computer via the aid of an eReader. A popular eReader is Mobipocket (they were bought out by Amazon a few years back, but don't let that hold you back from checking it out). Mobipocket is free and can be used to read eBooks on your computer or mobile phone. You can even create your own eBooks.

Another good thing about Mobipocket is that it can convert all sorts of file types (PDF, Office, HTML, text, etc) into eBook format (including for the Kindle). You can use it to read books, newspapers, magazines or reference materials. You can even learn another language with it.

Best of all, there a heaps of sites with free eBooks. Here a few for starters ...

1. Manybooks
2. Feedbooks
3. Free Tech Books
4. Google Books
5. Guttenberg
6. Mobipocket free eBooks - in multiple languages
7. A list of 20 web sites for downloading free eBooks
8. Another list of 25 sites

Happy reading!

P.S. For a few thoughts on the art of reading, click here. If you are struggling with 'information overload', click here for a few suggestions.

Web Wonders – November 2009

The World Wide Web is an amazing source of information and communication. However, it's becoming so huge and complex that you can easily get lost in it or miss out on some of spots well worth visiting. Last month I shared a variety of sites that may be if interest to you. Here are some more:

1. GADGETS. Visit www.productwiki.com for a thorough listing and review of all sorts of gadgets. For local price comparison here in Australia, check out www.staticice.com.au
2. GARDENING. Visit Gardening Australia at www.abc.net.au/gardening if you need help or inspiration for your garden. Also, check out www.thevegetablepatch.com, www.burkesbackyard.com.au and www.weekendgardener.net.
3. EATING OUT. Looking for somewhere to eat out? Visit www.webmenu.com.au for a list of restaurants in all Australian capital cities and then browse menus for most of them. Other details include maps and opening hours.
4. PERFUME. Looking for a special gift? Check out www.perfumeempire.com.au for some great fragrance bargains, with discounts up to 80% off the recommended retail price.
5. BOOKS. Visit www.amazon.com – this is the world's largest online bookshop (they also sell all sorts of other stuff too). Prices are very reasonable and they usually can post internationally. For many of the books you can have a look inside at the table of contents and first chapter, as well as the back cover. It's also a good place to read reviews of various books you may be interested in. In some cases, you can get a good overview of the entire book, without even having to purchase it. A good Australian online book site worth visiting is www.booktopia.com.au and a good UK site with free shipping worldwide is the book depository.

Happy surfing!

Mark

A Healthy Drink ...

Water is one of the most essential and healthy drinks that there is. Some nutritionists believe that it's good to drink around 8 glasses of water each day. Other people are into herbal teas of all sorts - green, peppermint, chamomile, to name a few. Still others say that a glass of red wine a day is good for your health, especially for your heart (though caution needs to be taken due to the potential damage caused by excessive alcohol).

Another drink developed recently by scientists at the University of Queensland is a tea called Spearole. Each cup contains the health value (antioxidants) of one glass of red wine, and three cups of tea (spearmint, olive and green). It's very tasty too. I can drink to that!

Charter of Rights

Today's post includes excerpts from a recent letter to Australian church leaders from Jim Wallace, Managing Director of the Australian Christian Lobby. I encourage you to read it, take appropriate action, and ask others to do the same ...

With the National Human Rights Consultation Panel having reported to Government in favour of a Charter of Rights, we have serious concerns that this might become a reality, and that while doing little if anything to improve human rights for the most vulnerable, it would create a serious threat to religious freedom. Paradoxically it would inhibit the Church in maintaining the Christian character and purpose of its own welfare and outreach to the poor and disadvantaged.

As we have seen in the Victorian churches and Christian Schools fight to retain their right to discriminate in favour of Christians in employment during the last year, a Charter will almost certainly be used by activists to attack the church and religious freedom. Cardinal George Pell’s article in the Australian clearly articulates the real and present danger a Federal charter of rights poses to religious freedom.

This situation has come about because Christians at the grass roots level have largely been absent from the debate, and particularly the public consultation process, allowing proponents of the Charter to claim they have a strong groundswell of popular support.  It is now necessary to reverse this by Church congregations becoming active.

We need as many people as possible emailing, writing and visiting their local members and Senators and voicing their concerns about a charter ... A short brief is attached of points to emphasise ... More information is on the Make a Stand web site.

We also need as many people as possible to sign the electronic petition available on the Make a Stand web site. We are currently sitting at about 15,000 signatures but will need over 30,000! We will have the petition tabled in Parliament during the November sitting weeks (November 16-26th), so we need to sign people up quickly.

The Christian constituency is one of the largest and potentially most influential in the country, but only if it shows commitment. This is a critical issue of religious freedom on which commitment is required ...

Thanks for your help.

Jim Wallace AM

Free Audio Sermons

As of this weekend our church is moving all of our weekend messages online and making them available free of charge. We no longer sell CDs or DVDs. Right now there is a library of about 100 messages available. Click here to visit the library.

Messages can be downloaded for listening to either on your computer or your favourite mp3 player. You can also convert them to an audio CD using a program like iTunes.

New messages from this weekend onwards should be up on the web site by about Tuesday noon each week.

We also have a weekly podcast, which is a single selected message from the above library. This is available directly from our web site or via iTunes. Click here for more details.

If you use iTunes, we also provide an RSS feed that you can subscribe to in iTunes so that you can download the messages directly into iTunes and, if you choose, to automatically get new messages as they are added.

Happy listening!

P.S. We're still thinking through how best to make a visual of each message available now that we no longer sell DVDs. We may consider a video podcast in the near future.

Conner Publications

With the recent closing our of church bookshop, WORD Australia is now the official distributor of books by Kevin, Mark and Nicole Conner. WORD currently has nineteen locations throughout Australia as well as an excellent online shop. Of course, you should be able to find these books in most other Christian bookstores throughout Australia and New Zealand, including Koorong.

For those living in the USA, check out City Christian Publishing or Anchor Distributors. Sower's Seed distributes many of my dad's resources in the Asian area.

Happy reading :)

Pentecostalism (Pt.4)

A few final thoughts for my Pentecostal friends ...

I recommend that we continue to be unapologetic about our Pentecostal roots and its distinctive values, while clearly communicating the strengths and weaknesses we see in this movement and our response to them.

Referring to ourselves as “Pentecostal” can be helpful for those Christians who are seeking a tribe to identify us with. However, we should all take steps to clarify our uniqueness. In fact, why don't we all make efforts to seek to model what potentially could be a more balanced and biblical brand of Pentecostalism without some of the baggage this movement has accumulated over recent decades.

However, let's not get overly caught up with the label "Pentecostal" (it literally means "50" and I'm not that old yet!). It is interesting to note that most denominations are named after a single issue: Baptists (baptism), Presbyterians (eldership rule), Methodists (Wesley’s method), Salvation Army (evangelism), and Pentecostals (the baptism of the Holy Spirit). Maybe it's time we all modeled a broader and more balanced approach rather than be labeled by a single doctrine.

Finally, let's continue to seek to pattern our beliefs and practices after the teaching of Jesus and the apostles as recorded in the New Testament. May we all experience a fresh Pentecost as the Spirit empowers us once again for kingdom purpose!

P.S. For a copy of these posts on 'Pentecostalism' in WORD format, including references in footnotes, click here. Please feel free to pass this around as I hope it generates some good healthy dialogue and discussion.

Pentecostalism (Pt.3)

I also see a number of weaknesses in some of the Pentecostal movement. Obviously, these not all of these weaknesses are limited to Pentecostals nor do all Pentecostal churches necessarily exhibit them.

1. Extreme Prosperity Teaching. Many Pentecostal churches have embraced the prosperity gospel which promises riches for those who love and obey God. One of the main problems with this teaching is the ‘give to get’ mentality which is so opposite to the nature of God. He loves and he gives unconditionally - with no strings attached. If we choose to give to God or to the poor in order to gain our own personal prosperity, something is wrong with our motives.

I believe that we should live generous lives, giving to the work of God and to those in need - simply because we love God and we love people. We should not give in order to get back for ourselves. Yes, there is often a by-product of personal blessing that comes with generosity but that should not be our motive or our goal.

If you define ‘prosperity’ as ‘having your own needs (not ‘greeds’) met and enough extra to give away,’ then I believe that it is God's will for everyone. We should all work towards that. However, there are much more important things than money and possessions. The kingdom of God has a different value system. It is made up of love, peace, and joy ... and these things are found in the Holy Spirit, not in material possessions. In fact, Paul tells us that the love of money is at the root of all evil (not money itself, but the love of it). The issue isn't whether we have stuff but whether our stuff has a hold on us. Of course, poverty is not better or more spiritual than prosperity. There is nothing pretty or desirable about poverty. That's why so many people are working around the globe today to make poverty history.

2. Autocratic Leadership Style. Some Pentecostal pastors, due to the honor and the freedom given to them, can develop an authoritarian and hierarchical leadership style. Although it is without doubt that strong leadership ability is a key factor in the growth and effectiveness of many Pentecostal congregations, sometimes this can also lead to a lack of appropriate accountability. Governance structures tend to be more relational than formal, and boards and teams of elders are usually led by senior ministers who see the board or eldership as their team and as working for them. Some even have staff and family members as board members, potentially blurring the accountability lines and not providing adequate separation between proposal creation and proposal review. In addition, if Pentecostal pastors see themselves as above criticism and see people who question various matters as rebellious, then dysfunction usually develops and there is an eventual drift out of the church of hurt and disillusioned people. When authority is abused, much damage can be done.

I believe that it is essential to embrace a servant and empowering leadership style. Appropriate accountability at all levels of leadership is also very important and should influence the way leadership and governance policies and practices are shaped. There needs to be a culture of openness to feedback and constructive criticism in church communities. Also, team ministry should be taught and practiced.

3. Shallow Bible Teaching. In the early days of Pentecostalism, academic or theological training often was frowned upon. Seminaries were seen as “cemeteries” due to their lack of emphasis on the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit. Even today, many Pentecostal pastors do not have more than a basic theological training. Unfortunately, this can lead to sermons that are high on inspiration but low on biblical content. Teaching can tend to be somewhat shallow and at times allegorical. Also, 'proof texting' is a common occurrence.

I believe that there needs to be a good balance between the Spirit and the Word. We need both the passion and energy of the Spirit and the safety and security of the Scriptures. We also should be committed to ensuring that teaching team members are well-trained in interpreting the original meaning of the Scriptures and then applying them appropriately to our contemporary context.

4. Elevation of Personal Experience. Some Pentecostal churches and preachers rely heavily on personal revelation (“God told me ...”). Personally, I believe that no personal experience or revelation is to be taken as more important or authoritative than the inspired Scriptures. All of these subjective matters need to be tested by the Word of God and considered in the light of how God has moved in and among his people throughout church history.

5. Elevation of Charisma over Character. Some Pentecostal churches are overly enamoured with charismatic personalities and spectacular spiritual gifts. I believe that all gifts are given for the purpose of serving for the benefit of the wider church and that the foundation of all ministry is to be a person’s character. Jesus said that we should test ministry by the fruit of their life not by the gifts or talents they exhibit.

6. An Unhealthy Elevation of Speaking in Tongues (or spiritual language). Some Pentecostal churches elevate speaking in tongues to such a level that those who have not experienced this gift are made to feel like second-class Christians. Other groups go to an even further extreme by saying that a person is not saved unless they speak in tongues. I believe that all Christians receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at conversion. Subsequent to this, I think that we should encourage all believers to ask for the baptism or infilling of the Spirit accompanied by a spiritual language, as I see this as an important aspect of the Christian life. However, we should not seek to pressure people nor look down on those who have not had this experience. I also believe that in church gatherings where unbelievers are present, appropriate discretion needs to be used in the public exercise of speaking in tongues (see 1 Cor.14:22-25).

7. An Instantaneous ‘Zap’ Mentality. Many Pentecostal churches place a strong emphasis on church meetings and on receiving a special touch from the Holy Spirit. I too believe in the importance of church gatherings and the special things God can do when we gather together. However, I believe that God’s presence is with us all the time and that we shouldn't buy into a separation of the sacred and secular. God is interested in all of our lives. I also believe in the change that can occur when a person encounters God in a powerful way (an ‘encounter’) but I acknowledge that even this is part of a continual process of change and growth that occurs throughout all of life.

8. End Time Hysteria. Some sections of the Pentecostal church go to extremes when it comes to end time teaching, emphasising the imminent return of Christ and getting ready for the rapture. I believe that all followers of Christ should live in such a way that they are always ready for his return but also with the wisdom and foresight that Jesus may not come back in our generation. We are to occupy, or be busy, until Jesus returns. This includes being about the work of the kingdom, which includes matters such as creation care and social justice.

9. Faith Healing. Some Pentecostal churches teach that all people should be healed and when healing does not take place it is an indication of sin or lack of faith in the life of the sick person. This heretical teaching can cause great damage in people’s lives. I believe that God does heal today and we pray for people to be healed. However, we recognise that sometimes people aren’t healed. This does not mean that a person lacks faith or has sin in their life. We live in a fallen world and we are caught between the ‘now’ and the ‘not yet’ of the kingdom of God. Sin, sickness, and death were conquered by Christ but not yet do we see them eradicated from the world. We all await his return when the kingdom will come in its fullness and there will be no more crying, pain or death. Until then, we live in faith but we also recognise the reality of suffering in this present world, knowing that God’s grace and comfort are more than enough for us.

10. Extreme Focus on the Demonic. Some sectors of the Pentecostal church have a strong emphasis on the devil, demons, deliverance, and spiritual warfare. Without wanting to neglect an appropriate awareness of the spiritual battle that we are in, I think churches should seek to adopt a more balanced approach where the major focus is on glorifying God, living in the Spirit, doing good, and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.

These observations about the strengths and weakness of Pentecostalism are generalizations. However, they do have a common occurrence within the broader Pentecostal movements of churches. I think that more and more Pentecostal church should more intentionally maximizing the strengths while seeking to avoid the weaknesses of this movement. More about this tomorrow ...

Pentecostalism (Pt.2)

I see a number of strengths in the Pentecostal faith tradition. Here are a few of the main ones. Obviously, these strengths aren't limited to Pentecostals nor do all Pentecostal churches necessarily exhibit them.

1. The Holy Spirit. The Pentecostal expression of the Christian faith presents God as someone who is not only known by faith and through the Scriptures but who wants to interact with each believer on a daily basis. Pentecostals teach that God wants a personal and intimate relationship with each believer and that this occurs through prayer (including the use of spiritual language or ‘speaking in tongues’), hearing God’s voice, and ministry to and from other believers. Ministry in Pentecostal churches focuses not on just attending a church service or on hearing a sermon but on allowing the Holy Spirit to move in a person’s life to bring about change and growth.

2. Passionate Worship. Pentecostals enjoy expressing themselves at church gatherings through joyful praise and intimate worship. Voices are raised, hands are lifted up, and there is a sense of celebration and vibrancy to singing times.

3. Evangelistic Fervour. Pentecostals believe that the Spirit has filled and empowered them to be witnesses for Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8) and to fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). They are passionate about personal and corporate evangelism as well as church planting and foreign mission work. Compassion for the poor and the needy is also a growing characteristic of Pentecostal churches.

4. Prophecy. Pentecostals believe that God still speaks today – to individuals and churches. This is not at the authoritative level of Scripture but all prophecy is to be taken seriously, tested, then responded to appropriately (1 Thess.5:19-22).

5. Faith for the Miraculous. Pentecostals believe that God still does miracles today, including healing the sick and setting people free from things that hold them back from their full potential in Christ. They pray for God to intervene into human situations bringing about positive change.

6. Cultural Relevance. Most Pentecostals understand that although the message of Christianity and the gospel never changes, the methods and means of communication must change with each new generation in order to remain culturally relevant. Examples of cultural relevance include choice of musical style, focus on youth and children, a more contemporary communication style, contemporary facilities, and the use of technology.

7. Compassion for the Poor and Marginalised. Modern-day Pentecostalism began among people from the lower socio-economic strata of society, including uneducated people and marginalised races. Although, this has changed somewhat in the West, with other church movements and denominations being stronger in this area, it is encouraging to see the more recent emphasis on God’s heart for the poor and needy amongst Pentecostals.

8. Visionary Leadership. Many Pentecostal churches are led by leaders with strong sense of vision and an ability to communicate that vision to motivate people to action. They are willing to take risks to advance the cause of Christ in the world. Many Pentecostal churches are in a pioneering and expansion mode (a focus on “let’s create the future”) rather than a maintenance mode (a focus on “let’s preserve the past”). In Pentecostal churches, authority tends to be vested in specific individuals, such as the senior pastor or leadership team, rather than in formal structures or bureaucratic policies. The pastor is seen as the leader of the church rather than merely an employee. In fact, congregational trust often is placed more in the senior leader than in a specific board of directors, elders or committee.

Tomorrow ... some concerns I have about Pentecostalism.

Pentecostalism (Pt.1)

CityLife Church, formerly known as Waverley Christian Fellowship, began in 1967 under the leadership of Richard Holland. CityLife has Pentecostal roots and continues to value and practice many of the distinctive aspects of Pentecostalism.

The Pentecostals are a relatively new section of the Christian Church. For many years they have been considered to be outside mainstream Christianity; but, more recently, due to their phenomenal growth, they have begun to be noticed and heard. Here in Australia, they are the fastest growing of all the churches and their wider influence in society is increasing.

In the past century, Pentecostal Christianity evolved from a small group of believers to a worldwide movement with an estimated 588 million adherents. This incredible growth is unprecedented in the historical development of Christianity. Although the participants in this movement at the time of its inception at the turn of the twentieth century were on the margins of society, the expansion of charismatic experiences has now pervaded all parts of world Christianity. In the last 5 percent of Christian history, Pentecostals have become a major global force in Christendom, second only to the billion Roman Catholics in the world. Pentecostalism has also influenced various sectors of mainstream Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox faith and has prompted the birth of a neo-Pentecostal movement, a Charismatic Renewal movement, and a Third Wave movement, forming somewhat of a global culture and in the words of researcher, Harvey Cox, “a religion made to travel.”

Pentecostalism in Australia began in the early 1900s. Though influenced by people from overseas, it was not founded by them and has not depended on them. Over the last century, the Pentecostal churches in Australia have emerged as one of the fastest growing religious communities in Australia. In his landmark study on the Pentecostals in Australia back in 1996, Philip J. Hughes declared that nationwide the Pentecostals outnumbered almost every other religious group in actual church attendance.

There are a large number of different Pentecostal groups in Australia. The largest Pentecostal denomination is the Assemblies of God. Other significant Pentecostal denominations include the Apostolic Churches, the Christian City Churches, the Christian Outreach Centers, the Christian Revival Crusade, and a number of large independent Pentecostal “mega-churches”such as Riverview Church in Perth and CityLife in Melbourne. Numerous other smaller Pentecostal denominations and independent churches also exist.

The Pentecostal churches are very diverse and autonomous. They vary in some of their theology and philosophy of ministry. They also have no singular voice to the community. In addition, they still are not considered mainstream Christianity by some people, despite their amazing growth and size.

Tomorrow ... things I like about Pentecostalism.

Urban Neighbours of Hope - Ash Barker

We were privileged to have Ash Barker with us on the weekend, as part of our community outreach focus. Ash and his family live in a slum in Bangkok where they have been reaching out to people with the love of Christ for the last eight years.

Ash is the founder of UNOH - Urban Neighbours of Hope. He is also the author of a number of books, including Surrender All and Making Poverty Personal. Click here and scroll down the page to see the full range of UNOH publications.

Ash is currently doing a PhD on "What is a Christian response to the rise of urban slum and squatter neighbourhoods?" Last year, for the first time in history, saw over 50% of the world's population now living in cities. Increasing urbanisation is leading to the increase of 'urban slums', with 1 billion people now living in this type of environment. Within 20 years, it could be 3 billion. This presents a great challenge to the Christian Church as we seek to love our neighbour and share the goods news of Jesus with our global village.

May each of us be stirred afresh with the love of Christ to engage more effectively with the people in our world, wherever he has placed us. As someone once said, "Maybe more Christians need to quit watching Neighbours and start being neighbours!"