Sunday afterthoughts 05.09.10

Today was Mother's Day.  It was a day we honor all women and for the gift and talents that god has given them.  But this morning was different.  Our church was challenged to do something I have never asked them to do.  With that said here are my Sunday after thoughts:

• We had our Sunday School Director out (get better soon JoAnne) and so I was able to share a bit from the book of Amos during our Set Our Sights session before small groups.
• The Boomer's class still continues to grow spiritually as we learn what 1 John says about the "last hour".
• Our attendance was low, but that didn't hinder what God does....more in a minute.
• Romans 12:2 is a powerful verse.  It is more powerful when it is in our hearts!
• If you want to see transformation listen what I asked the church:  "Today's offering will go strictly to evangelism".  I asked them if they had a problem to let me know.  But we needed to get serious with the gospel and no one objected.  We raised over $1400 plus.  God will meet our financial needs here, but there greater need is the gospel, especially in Tennessee.
• Happy Mother's Day!
• To my church, thank you for putting up with me today.  I had alot of sinus problems and God shook me up this morning where I was literally crying out to God.  Do you need to cry?
• I can't wait until next week's service where lives will be changed and people will be impacted.
• Next week's message focus on marriage and your invited.
• Evangelism takes place everyday when people see are lives.
• Impacting the community for Christ has to be a number one priority.

Acts 7 - Speak Out

"You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are alway resisting the Holy Spirit; as your forefathers did so do you." Acts 7:51 (HCSB)

Those are some harsh words. Those are confrontational words. Or in the south "Them is figthin words!"

This where we find a man named Stephen. A man who was selected with six other men to serve the neglected widows. He had something to say. He had something that the people needed to hear. He wasn't afraid to speak out. We know nothing other than Stephen's characterisitics (Acts 6:3). He obviously knew his history, he knew what the prophets said, he knew his Old Testament. But the one thing I admire about him is that he was not ashamed to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ. He was not ashamed where they had fallen short. He was not ashamed to point out their history. He was not ashamed to stand and speak out his faith. Because he did, he was stoned to death.

In your faith, do you speak out? Do you speak out in your actions? Do you speak words of encouragement or love? Do you speak out when you worship God? Because Stephen spoke out, an important man was somehow impacted by this event. Will you be impacted by your faith? Will you be impacted by the faith of other Christ followers. Make a decision to not be ashamed.

"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, and then for the Gentile."-Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Acts 6 - People Problem

Have you ever had a people problem? Where there was just so many people you couldn't meet the needs of all of them? It may have been overwhelming and you may have been unprepared it happens.

Sometimes in churches growth can be a blessing, but ministry opportunities can be missed. It has been said that people will often make their decision to return to church within 5 minutes. We must not miss an opportunity to serve all people and we must figure out to deal with the problem.

Such was the case with the early church. They had explosive growth. Acts 6:1 says, But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

There were probably almost 10,000 people in the church and some people were being neglected. Intentionally or not, they had a legitimate gripe. So it looks like the Pastor's were going to get involved and start serving these people food. NO! In fact, listen to what they said. We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word. Acts 6:2-4 (NLT)

Here is the point. God assigns people to serve. He gives you the talent to serve. He uses people to serve people. Sometimes the "people problem" is us. The church. We are too busy to serve, that we don't seek solutions but seek prayer. Prayer is used as an excuse instead of acting on what people need.

How do you tackle people problems? Do you wait for others to solve them? Do you "pray" that God would send someone? Do you not act? Maybe the people problem is you!

Acts 5: Liar, liar...pants on fire!

In the movie Liar, Liar, Jim Carrey plays the role of a lawyer who is a divorced father. Surprisingly (wink, wink, nod, nod) he is a consummate liar to his ex-wife, son, and fellow coworkers. Throughout the movie, he uses his smooth talk to get himself out of situations or to garner a promotion at work. Then one day, his young son makes a birthday wish. He wishes that his dad can never tell a lie. So from that day on, Jim Carrey is not able to lie again and the adventure begins for him to be truthful with everyone.

In Acts Chapter 5, we find a married couple, Ananias and Sapphira. Ananias had just sold some property. He wanted to take that money and give it to the apostles just like others had done.

"For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the
money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet," Acts 4:34-35

But here is the problem: Ananias (and his wife) kept back some of the money for themselves. They gave the impression that they gave it all, but Peter quickly detected their deceit.

3Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart
that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the
money you received for the land? 4Didn't it belong to you before it was sold?
And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of
doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God." Acts 5:3-4

What happens next? Ananias aka Liar I dies. Instantly. Right there! They scoop him up and bury him! Now his wife comes and Peter asks the wife a simple question. "Is this the money from your sale of the land?" "Yes," Sapphira says "this is the money". What happens next? Sapphira aka Liar II dies. Instantly. Right there! They scoop her up and bury her right next to her husband.

What is the point of the story? Don't lie? YES. God sees lying as a sin and there are consequences when we sin. Yes. But an important point is that God wants us to be truthful and honest with him. He demands truth over lies no matter if they are the little white lies we think we will get away with. Live honestly before God. Make it part of your character.

At the end of Liar, Liar, Jim's character discovers that life is better when we are truthful. He discovers that being truthful leads to a better life with his ex-wife and son. His relationships are real. What in your relationship do you need to be honest about? Jim got a second chance. Ananias and Sapphira did not. Won't you take a second chance with God so no one says to you, "Liar, liar...pants on fire."

Easter Sunday...you are invited!