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Confused Christians, Are you?

I sat tonight in a Tim Horton’s. It is a donut shop for those of you that are not aware of what one is. It is a substitution for Dunkin Donuts. While sitting there a couple walked ordered their food, sat down and began to pray. I couldn’t help but over hear their prayer. They asked God to bless their food. They asked him to bless their home, and their family. The ended their prayer and the very next words that came out of their mouth were shocking… Every Cuss word known to man and hate towards their friends. They spoke very badly about their friends and also about their church. Now, for those of you who know me, I normally would stop and say something but for some reason tonight was different. It was almost as if God was asking me, Eric what do people hear and see when you are around others. I have to be honest and say that I immediately felt conviction. There is a verse that instantly came to my mind. Funny, How God will bring scripture to our attention.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NIV

How many of us are reading this and realizing we have done the same thing? We are also guilty? Christians, do we realize that we are a beacon of light? Do we realize that our light shines on a world of darkness? How can we possibly be a powerful light when we curse the world out of the same mouth we praise God. It’s time that we start acting like our savior Jesus.

What happened to living a life where people see that we are different? What happened to living a life where people see Jesus in us? When did we decide that we can call on the name of Jesus and live like the Devil? We are confused! If you are a follower of the way (Jesus) you can no longer live separate lives. You either live for Jesus or you live for the Devil? Everyone must choose but you can’t play on both sides. You can’t switch hit for both teams. Tonight was very disappointing and the sad thing about all of this is that these so Christians have no idea who else heard them.

Christians, I plead with you to remember 2 Cor 5:17 which says,

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Pastor Eric
Ewj2008

We Bear His Name

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.” Ephesians 5:1-2

The story goes that a young boy was brought before Alexander the Great for stealing a horse. Alexander saw how young he was and heard his story and decided he would go easy on him. Getting ready to release him, Alexander asked the young boy, “What is your name?” He replied, “Alexander, sir.” Alexander the Great was furious and asked him again, “What is your name?” The boy, this time with fear in his voice said, “Alexander, sir.” In anger, Alexander the Great threw the boy to the ground pointed at him and said, “Boy, change your conduct, or change your name.”

I wonder, are we a good representative of the name of Christ, or would the cause of Christ be better served if we did not call our self a Christian? Being His child is a privilege and an honor. In order not to shame His name our goal should be to live a life of love just like He did. How can we be a good representative of His name today?

Ewj2008

A New Word with a Forgotten Message; Missional

I recently attended a Conference in which I had the wonderful opportunity to hear Dr. Ed Stetzer. While preaching he used a word “Missional,” a word that I have heard before but never really understood. I learned that a church that is not missional is not really a church. When a church loses its mission, it ceases to be a church.

Missional is an adjective describing all of the activities of the church body as they are brought under the mission of God, to proclaim the good news of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. Being on mission very easily becomes one activity in church among many others begging for attention. Over time churches allow meetings, programs, traditions and other good things to cumulatively move the church from missional mode to maintenance mode. A church must continuously see itself as missionaries and all of its energies must be missionary.

A missional church understands it has been sent into an irreligious world to proclaim the Gospel of Redemption that is made possible by the Son's sacrifice for our sins and the Father's love for us. Every believer is sent on this mission by God just as Jesus was sent on this mission (John 17:14-16, 18; 20:21). To respond to this calling is to be missional. To neglect it is to disregard the mission of God and to cease being the kind of church that is following Jesus.

What is a missional church?

A missional church is a theologically-formed, Gospel-centered, Spirit-led fellowship who seeks to faithfully incarnate the purposes of Christ. The mission of the church is found in the mission of God who is calling the church to passionately participate in God's redemptive mission in the world (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8) - a world that has radically changed in North American in the last 50 years. This church, and every generation in the church is called to bring the good news of the kingdom into a spiritual encounter with the aspirations and challenges of that culture where it resides. Believers are on a mission from God.

In many churches this may require a new vision, new ways of thinking, and new patterns of behavior (Matt. 9:16-17). This means pre-believers are encouraged to be included in the context of all of the church functions as they make small steps toward Christ (Luke 19:10).

A missional church must adopt an approach to ministry learned from the foreign missionaries who communicate and relate in understandable ways to the godless inhabitants in their respective cultures (1 Cor. 9:22-23).

John 20:21, "Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."

Dr Ed Stezer preached a message that I will never forget and a message that has given me fire in my bones.. He said, To be missional, is to understand that “We are sent to all people, with a message, Empowered by the Holy Spirit”

Ewj2008

Telling The One's Closest To You About Jesus Without Pushing Them Away!

Every Christian has either a family member, a friend, co-worker, or an acquaintance who is not a Christian. Sharing the Gospel with others is always difficult. Sharing the Gospel becomes even more difficult when it involves someone with whom you are close. The Bible tells us that some people will be offended at the Gospel (Luke 12:51-53). It is especially troubling to risk offending someone with whom you have frequent contact. However, we are commanded to share the Gospel – there are no excuses for not doing so (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15).

So, how can we evangelize our family members, friends, co-workers, and/or acquaintances? The most important thing you can be doing is praying for them. Pray that God would change their hearts and open their eyes (2 Corinthians 4:4) to the truth of the Gospel. Pray that God would convince them of His love for them and their need for salvation through Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Pray for wisdom in how you can minister to them (James 1:5). In addition to praying, you also need to be living a godly Christian life in front of them, so they can see the change God has made in your own life (1 Peter 3:1-2).

After all of this, you must be willing and bold in your actual sharing of the Gospel. Proclaim the message of salvation through Jesus Christ to your friends and family (Romans 10:9-10). Always be prepared to speak of your faith (1 Peter 3:15), doing so with gentleness and respect. Ultimately, we must leave the salvation of our loved ones up to God. It is God's power and grace that saves people, not our efforts. The best and most we can do is pray for them, witness to them, and live the Christian life in front of them!

Ewj2008

The Four U's Of God's Love

Have you ever heard of this statement: Four score and seven years ago; or how about this one: One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind? These two statements are very recognizable because they both signify something great, something remarkable and something very memorable, but we also know them because we’ve heard them many, many times in our lives, through many mediums, and in many formats. But you know, there is one that’s even more recognized than those famous quotes, and it comes from the Bible. It’s John 3:16.

Unfortunately, the phrase "God loves you" has become to a lot of people a meaningless saying. Many people say it, but few people believe it. Most of us have heard it so many times that we ignore the power of what it means. Many of us either don’t believe it, or don’t care.

I would like to take a few minutes to analize John 3:16 in depth, to determine the significance of God’s Love towards us.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life” NASB

First let me say that God’s Love is UNIMAGINABLE, the Greek word for “LOVED” here is AGAPE, it is the highest form of the word love found in the New Testament. Every mention of this type of love refers to God’s love towards man kind. We cannot imagine nor comprehend this type of Love. But by Faith we can believe in this one who offers that Love towards us.

20"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galations 2:20

Second, let me say God’s love is UNLIMITED, the Greek word for “World” is KOSMOS, This is a Universal term, meaning no one is left out. God’s love is not confined to a race, nationality, or denomination. He loves everyone, yes even the sinner. God loves the terrorist just as much as He loves the Saint praying on her knees. He loves the Rich as well as the poor. Don’t misunderstand me, I am not saying that all men are saved, all men are saints no matter what they believe, or that all actions are equal. I am saying that,

Romans 5:8 “God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners He died for us.”

One day C. H. Spurgeon was walking through the English countryside with a friend. As they strolled along, the evangelist noticed a barn with a weather vane on its roof. At the top of the vane were these words: GOD IS LOVE. Spurgeon remarked to his companion that he thought this was a rather inappropriate place for such a message. "Weather vanes are changeable," he said, "but God’s love is constant.” "I don’t agree with you about those words, Charles," replied his friend. "You misunderstood the meaning. That sign is indicating a truth: Regardless of which way the wind blows, God is love."

You cannot go where God does not love you. Where ever your life takes you, God still loves you. He may weep over your lostness as He did over Jerusalem but His love remains. The Apostle John cries out in his epistle,

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”

Third, God love is UNCONDITIONAL, the Greek word for "Gave" is DIDOMI, which means lavished on, to give freely as a gift no strings attached. Our love always seems to be conditional. Our love seems like there is always strings attached. If you make me angry I won’t love you anymore.

I would climb the highest mountain. Swim the deepest ocean. I would crawl the hottest desert. I’d do anything for you. I would leap the tallest building. I’d bear any trial or pain. There’s no limit to my love. And I’ll be over Friday night If it don’t rain.

God’s love is unconditional! There is nothing we can do that can separate us from the love of God.

The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:38-39,
“I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Jesus looked down at the men who had just beat Him and nailed spikes through His hands and feet and said “I love you” well literally He said “Father forgive them” but I think you get the picture. For God so loved the world… All of us at times look towards heaven and ask “Daddy, do you love me?” While we know in our hearts that it’s a foolish question – our hearts yearn to hear the answer. Do you love me? From heaven comes the resounding response – “Yes, my dearest child I love You. I love you more than you can imagine. I love you more purely than you can comprehend. More deeply than your heart can conceive and for as long as eternity remains.

Jeremiah 31 says,
3 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

Finally God’s love is UNOPENED, “That whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life”

The word used here in the scripture “believes” is the Greek word PISTEUO to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing. The word “everlasting” is the Greek word aionios (ahee-o'-nee-os); perpetual no passing of time.

There is a gift that God’s offers you that maybe you have approached many times but never truly opened it. Never truly un-wrapped it to see what is revealed inside.

Romans 6:23 states this,

23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God offers you a free gift. A gift not to just be taken and them placed on a shelf or in a building, but a gift that requires you to open it to receive the greatest blessing in life… Eternal Life!

Pastor Eric
Ewj2008

Prayer, Should I Do It?

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6

Prayer is our greatest Christian privilege and our greatest Christian failure. Now there are some valid questions concerning prayer. In my study I've tried to think through some of these and I want to give you some brief insights.

1. Why should we pray when God already knows our needs? We do not pray to impress or inform God, but to invite Him. We pray to fellowship with God, so He can develop and grow us, and because we depend on Him.

2. For what is it proper to pray? There is nothing in life that is outside the reach of prayer. If it concerns you, it concerns God. We sometimes try to divide life into secular and sacred. We'll pray about the sacred parts but handle the secular parts ourselves. Pray for everything.

3. Does God hear the prayers of the unsaved? Cornelius was an unsaved man, but God was aware of his prayer as told in Acts 10. God can hear the prayer of an unsaved person, but we, who are His children, have been given so much more – His promises found in His Word.

4. Why should we pray in the name of Jesus? God promises that He will give us what we ask for when we pray in the name of Jesus (John 14:13-14). When asking in Jesus’ name, first consider:o His Approval – Does Jesus approve this thing? o His Authorization – Is it something He has authorized?o His Acclaim – Is it for His glory?

5. Does God always give us what we ask? No, and thank God! Sometimes we ask God for the wrong things (Numbers 11:11-15; Matthew 20:20-22). Other times our prayer perhaps is not answered because there’s sin in our lives (Isaiah 59:2; Psalm 66:18).

6. Does prayer change the mind of God? No, it does not. Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. Prayer is laying hold of God's will. God is a changeless God (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17). But God will do things when we pray that He will not do if we don't pray (James 4:2). Prayer effects what God does, but does not change Him.

7. What do we do if our prayers are not answered? Persist – There is a time to keep praying. Daniel prayed for three solid weeks about a matter before God sent an answer (Daniel 10; Luke 18:1). Desist - There's a time to quit praying. Paul prayed three times for God to remove a thorn in his flesh. God did not give Paul what he asked, but God gave Paul something better than he asked (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).

8. Should we expect miracles when we pray?Never get in the habit of saying what God cannot do. You will find clusters of miracles in Bible times. They gave glory to God, validated His identify, and advanced His work. But these are not normative. God is still a God of might and miracles (Jeremiah 32:17). If God has a miracle for you, He’ll give you miracle faith!

9. Can our prayers override the will of another person? No, God has given man a free will (Revelation 22:17). If God were to force one person to be saved, He'd have to force all six billion people on earth. However, we can bind the powers of darkness and bring God’s influence to people in prayer. God does not force salvation, but He frees people to be saved.

10. Does God have favorites whose prayer He hears? God will hear your prayer just as quickly as He hears mine, Billy Graham's, or anybody else's (Psalm 65:2). However, there are certain people that if I have a prayer need, I'll go to. I know that they believe in prayer; therefore, I can ask them to pray. God has intimates, but He doesn’t have favorites.

11. How can I know the will of God in prayer? The prayer that gets to heaven is the prayer that starts in heaven. We just close the circuit. The will of God is what you would want if you knew everything from God's viewpoint. The key is to abide in Christ. If you abide in Him (John 15:7), you will find that God will guide and direct your prayers, and you will be praying in the will of God.

Don't wait until you have all of the answers before you pray. You don't have to understand electricity to turn on the lights. "What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.

Pastor Eric
Ewj2008