Who am I?

Lately the lyrics from Casting Crowns song, "Who am I" have really helped me think about my relationship with God. The lyrics are both simple as well as powerful...


Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth would care to know my name would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star would choose to light the way for my ever wandering heart

Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin would look on me with love, and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea would call out through the rain and calm the storm in me

Not because of who I am, But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done, But because of who You are

I am Yours, I am Yours
Whom shall I fear, Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours, I am Yours


Who Am I?

• I am chosen
• I am forgiven 
• I am loved
• I am cared for 
• I am closer to heaven today, than I was yesterday
• I am created for a purpose
• I am more than a conquerer
• I am bought with a price 
• I am blessed
• I am a child of the king
• I am an ambassador
• I am a joint heir 
• I am redeemed
• I am part of His flock
• I am holy
• I am a saint
• I am born again
• I am part of an ever growing kingdom movement 
• I am an overcomer
• I am part of the family of God
• I am forever grateful 
• I am a living stone
• I am the church
• I am justified 
• I am sanctified 
• I am free
• I am saved
• I am worthy because of Jesus
• I am a disciple
• I am HIS Righteousness
• I am heaven bound
• I am rescued from Hell
• I am inspired by his faithfulness
• I am able
• I am a part of God's plan
• I am spirit filled
• I am thankful for his son
• I am ready
• I am not forsaken
• I am humbled by his sacrifice
• I am amazed at his grace
• I am promised eternity
• I am waiting for his return
• Who am I; I am His!

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• What a great day at PBCC - if you missed it, you missed our Preschool teachers and our farewell to college students!
• I want to personally thank Ryan and Mariah for assisting in our worship ministry the past 3 years - you will be missed, now study hard! 
• I am truly thankful for our preschool teachers, they are world changers!
• Yes I said, When you have a positive encounter with Christ - your natural response will be one of service.
• Have you had a positive encounter with Jesus? 
• Really?
• Are you surprised Jesus only healed 20 people during his earthly ministry?
• After watching this morning's video it is startling to see the contrast between Jesus and the "Healers" we see on TV today - there really is no comparison! 
• I am still thinking about ALL came to Jesus, but MANY were healed.
• Remember Jesus is not in the "Fix It Business" He is in the transformation business.
• I am shocked by people who have received grace, but cannot extend grace.
• I was able to teach our discover palm bay class tonight - This class always gets my heart beating a little faster.
• The discover palm bay class reminds me - people still need the Lord!
• Do you remember the day you discovered Palm Bay?
• Connected with members of my former youth ministry in Indiana this weekend - I am so proud of them and the way they are parenting!
• Watching remember the titans tonight - what a great film about unity and determination - every church member should see this movie; it will remind all of us what can happen when we forget about our needs and put the needs of the team (church) first.
• Just in case you are wondering we are only 19 days away from the gators first game.
• Next week - fellowship dinner, movie night and another message about Jesus - PBCC members you need to part of next week - there are no other options that can compare!

The Secret

What is the secret to growing a church? That is the question many church leaders ask on a daily basis. There are books one can read and conferences one can attend to help one discover the secret to church growth. The truth is there is no silver bullet to bring about growth. No secret formula for making your church grow. There are a variety of methods, styles and philosophies one can adopt to help make our churches. 

However, I have discovered one secret to church growth. It is probably the most overlooked and neglected secret I know of to grow a church. The secret is work. Yes work. It takes work to grow church, it does not just happen. It takes sacrifice of time, effort and resources for the church to grow.

I am pleased to see we have a several people who understand this secret. Today our SALT (sound and light team) have put in 12+ hours to get our sound right for worship. Our small group leader has looked over curriculum, contacted groups and set up registration points; so we will have a successful season of small groups. Our Family Ministry Director has planned both activities as well as planning sessions with her team in order that our family ministries will be prepared to teach and reach families. Our preschool ministry has worked tirelessly this past summer preparing for new students to be a part of our preschool ministry. 

I can honestly say there work will bring about a great harvest in our church, and it did not just happen, it happened because of their work! Thank you Team, I appreciate all you do for working to bring about church growth.   

What was he thinking?

I am not sure where I found this picture, but it has to be one of my favorites. Looking at the faces, I am particularly interested in the young man with the Oklahoma jersey on the left side of the picture. Everyone else seems to be having a great time, but this guy seems to be saying, "LET ME OFF NOW!"

When I look at this picture I want to ask a few questions?

• Who talked our daredevil into getting on the coaster? 
• Was it a bet or was he trying to impress someone special?
• When did he realize this was not the greatest idea he had ever thought of?
• What will he do when the coaster stops? I am sure hurling will be part of the evening's activities!
• Will he ever ride another coaster?

We will never know the answers to these questions, but one thing is certain he was listening to someone. Someone was speaking into his life and they convinced him to take the ride of his life. 

As I continue my series from the gospel of Mark, I realize that Jesus spoke into people's lives with authority. Remember Mark 1:27, The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! Jesus taught with authority and as a result people left their nets, their vocations and their homes to follow him on the great adventure. Like the young man on the coaster, I am sure the disciples asked themselves, "What are we doing or why am going through this event in my life?" Like the young man pictured above, they listened to someone who told them this was going to a great adventure. Those of us who have followed Jesus, know the roller coaster ride above is tame compared to living out the kingdom of God in your life. 

So before you begin a great adventure, it is important to ask who are you listening to today? This young man listened to a friend and found a fear he had never experienced before. However, we can choose to listen to Jesus and discover while at times we may be afraid, he has told us he will be with us to the end of the age. Who is speaking to you today and who are you listening to today? Are they speaking with authority?

By the way, I have a few questions for the woman in the lower right corner as well!

Who has authority?

Mark's gospel makes an interesting comment regarding authority. The people were amazed at his (Jesus) teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Mark 1:22. What makes this statement so interesting is the comparative nature of the sentence. Jesus taught with authority NOT like the teachers of the law. The teachers of the law should have had authority, after all they were the one's designated to speak for God. However, it was Jesus who spoke with authority NOT the teachers of the law. 

I wonder if the same thing could be said for us as believers; have we allowed our message to be watered down and powerless that we no longer speak with authority? Have we clung to meaningless rituals and traditions that no longer have value and thus we no longer have a voice in the conversation? 

Think about it, Jesus arrives on the scene speaks one time and immediately people identify him as one of authority NOT like the teachers of the law. What was it about Jesus that gave him the ability to speak with authority? What made his speech and his actions so distinctive that when one looked at other religious leaders they paled in comparison to him? I think John's gospel gives us the answer, John 1:14 reads The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  

Jesus was full of grace and truth! If we are going to speak with authority in this culture, if we are going to have a voice at the table it is because we are full of grace and truth. We should speak the truth in a loving manner. In fact, the most loving thing one can do is speak the truth. It would not be loving if you knew there was impending danger just around the corner and you had the ability to warn people of the danger and did not do it. That would not be love, that would be cruel. We have an obligation to speak truth into people's lives. Truth is not what they always want to hear, but truth is necessary and loving! However, it is not enough to speak truth, we must also be people full of grace. Grace offers forgiveness, grace accepts the sinner, grace offers a hand out of the mire. People who are gracious will be heard by those who need it so desperately! 

So when the question comes us who has the authority to speak on an issue it is not the smartest, not the one with the quickest wit, not the one with the best presentation, not the loudest, not the most clever, but one who is like Jesus, full of grace and truth.

Who is in Charge?

This past Sunday, I preached a message about the authority of Jesus. Since then I have been thinking about  authority and how it relates to the local church. Having served in ministry for almost 30 years, I have seen many people who struggle with authority in the church. While it is true Jesus is the ultimate authority over the church, He has appointed others to carry out his will and speak for him. 

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13

The authority of Christ as seen in the leadership of the church has but one purpose; to bring members of the church to maturity. Leaders do not have authority to rule or to lord over a congregation, rather leaders have the authority over a congregation for the purpose of helping people mature in Christ. Unfortunately, many people (both leaders and church members) have a misconception regarding authority. Leaders believe they must rule, members have a built in defense mechanism that bucks when someone tries to rule over them. Yet when people grasp the idea of leaders using their authority to help members mature; God is honored and the church is one the right course. 

How do leaders use their authority to help believers mature?

1. By becoming shepherds of the flock; a shepherd has two functions, to feed and protect the flock. When leaders provide good food (Bible Based Preaching and Teaching) and protect the flock from sins of the flesh, members of the body can begin the maturing process.
2. By being intentional in ministry, Good leaders know a church cannot be or do everything, thus they must be intentional about the things that will bring about maturity. That means there will be times they must say no to good things in order to say yes to best things. Leaders need discernment to make these kind of choices, but these choices bring out the maturity Christ desires for his church.
3. Realize maturity is a destination and not a program. There is no silver bullet that brings about maturity. Good leaders understand their authority must be used to keep people moving toward the destination of maturity. That will mean there will be times that the programs that were at one time very effective now have to be given over to new methods if the new ideas will bring about maturity. This can be difficult, but if we understand biblical authority we know our goal in leading is to bring about maturity, not be the keepers of the church and her traditions.

When leaders focus on maturity we no longer ask who is in charge, rather we ask, am I helping others to mature as Christ desires?

When members desire maturity, they no long rebel against Biblical authorty rather they seek out ways to submit to authority so they can mature in Christ, thus God is honored.

   

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• What an incredible weekend - John James, a fundraiser, worship and a wedding - I am beat!
• After Jesus taught with authority - news about him traveled fast. How fast is the news about Jesus traveling if it only depended on you?
• Responding to the authority of Jesus can be summed up with two songs - You're not the boss of me or Have thine own way.
• Which song is on your mind today?
• Remember it is not enough to recognize the authority of Jesus we must submit to his authority.
• There is a big difference between accepting his authority now and being forced to accept his authority one day. 
• Weddings are great - they give us the opportunity to talk about God's idea when it comes to family. 
• It bothers me that there are those who would try to change God's idea of marriage and family without any thought of future consequences.  
• I am really looking forward to the changing in our sound next week.
• Found out today another family is moving because of job relocation - Why are there no jobs in Palm Bay?
• Rained for 4 hours today - YES!
• School starts tomorrow in Brevard County - what a wonderful time of the year.
• Preseason football begins tonight - what a WONDERFUL time of the year.
• Next week we look at the healing power of Jesus - PBCC family you need to hear this message. 
• Why does Cracker Barrel have Christmas decorations up already?