What does it mean follow Jesus? Well, I think that Jesus that tells us in Luke 18:31-34. It says, "Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, 'We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him, and kill him. On the third day he will raise again.'" The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.
Following Jesus is not about getting all the stuff we want. It is not just "naming and claiming it."
Following Jesus is not about following religious rituals and traditions.
Following Jesus is not about a list of rules.
Following Jesus is about following a person - Jesus.
Following Jesus is about relaating to a perosn - Jesus.
Following Jesus is about going where Jesus goes.
Following Jesus is about doing what Jesus does.
In the Luke 18 passage Jesus tells that following Him could mean being:
- Mocked
- Insulted
- Spit On
- Flogged
- Killed
Following Jesus is risky.
Following Jesus is getting out of your comfort zone.
Following Jesus is exciting.
Following Jesus is scary.
Following Jesus is surrendering to the will of God.
Following Jesus is not religion it is relationship.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Friday, November 9, 2012
Reaction to the Election
My response to the election is I am glad it's over. I was very tired of hearing candidates attack each other and condemn one another. I was also tired of hearing the same old tired and ineffective ideas. I saw nothing from either party that was really going to solve our nation's problems. Poltical parties and government can not solve our nation's problems because all the solutions they give us are man-based and man-powered. What we need to solve our nation's problems has to be supernatural. The only supernatural thing we have is Jesus.
Now some, even many, who read this will see me as another religious nut case. I very well may be crazy, but I am not a nut. I am not a regilious fantanic. I am a disciple and follower of Jesus. I respect the office of President of the United States. I respect, but don't agree with our current president. However, he is not my authority in life. You see, Jesus is my King. He is my supreme authority.
Looking at the present situation and looking at who is best to deal with it, it seems very clear that Jesus has the power and authority to deal with every issue we as a nation and we as a planet are facing.
We have the problem of people being hungry. In Matthew 14 Jesus feeds 5,000 men plus their families. In Matthew 15 Jesus feeds 4,000 men plus their familes. He does this with a very small amont of food. Jesus feeds over 9,000 people with a couple of lunches.
We have the problem of sick and hurting people. Jesus healed people who were lame, paralyzed, blind, mute, deaf, blood disorders, and leprosy. God's Word gives us directions on how to care for our bodies and how to eat to stay healthy.
We have the problem of greed. Jesus gives us principles to live by that direct us to give. The early church pooled their rosources and helped people who needed help. The truth that Jesus taught when live by will result in needy people getting their needs met.
We have many social problems today. Jesus dealt with issuses such as murder, stealing, adultery, divorce, justice, and relating to wicked people. Again when this teachings are followed they will bring reason and rightness to these issues.
Finally, we have the concern about death. Jesus raised three people (Jairus' daugther, widow of Nain's son, Lazarus) from the dead. He also raised Himself from the dead. Jesus' love, grace, and power are unmatched.
No political party, no government, and no other being can do for us as individuals, as a nation, or as a world what Jesus has done and can do. He even did the ultimate - He died for each one of us. His death paid for our sin. No president, senator, congressman, governor or mayor has ever done that.
So when it comes to who I will follow, who I will serve, and who I will worship; it will be Jesus and Jesus only!
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
Now some, even many, who read this will see me as another religious nut case. I very well may be crazy, but I am not a nut. I am not a regilious fantanic. I am a disciple and follower of Jesus. I respect the office of President of the United States. I respect, but don't agree with our current president. However, he is not my authority in life. You see, Jesus is my King. He is my supreme authority.
Looking at the present situation and looking at who is best to deal with it, it seems very clear that Jesus has the power and authority to deal with every issue we as a nation and we as a planet are facing.
We have the problem of people being hungry. In Matthew 14 Jesus feeds 5,000 men plus their families. In Matthew 15 Jesus feeds 4,000 men plus their familes. He does this with a very small amont of food. Jesus feeds over 9,000 people with a couple of lunches.
We have the problem of sick and hurting people. Jesus healed people who were lame, paralyzed, blind, mute, deaf, blood disorders, and leprosy. God's Word gives us directions on how to care for our bodies and how to eat to stay healthy.
We have the problem of greed. Jesus gives us principles to live by that direct us to give. The early church pooled their rosources and helped people who needed help. The truth that Jesus taught when live by will result in needy people getting their needs met.
We have many social problems today. Jesus dealt with issuses such as murder, stealing, adultery, divorce, justice, and relating to wicked people. Again when this teachings are followed they will bring reason and rightness to these issues.
Finally, we have the concern about death. Jesus raised three people (Jairus' daugther, widow of Nain's son, Lazarus) from the dead. He also raised Himself from the dead. Jesus' love, grace, and power are unmatched.
No political party, no government, and no other being can do for us as individuals, as a nation, or as a world what Jesus has done and can do. He even did the ultimate - He died for each one of us. His death paid for our sin. No president, senator, congressman, governor or mayor has ever done that.
So when it comes to who I will follow, who I will serve, and who I will worship; it will be Jesus and Jesus only!
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Waiting on God
I don't like to wait. I'm not sure very many people like to wait. Yet David in Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." In Proverbs 20:22 Solomon says, "Do not say, 'I'll pay you back for this wrong!' Wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you." And then in Isaiah 30:18 Isaiah says, "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he raises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait on him!"
I believe the message is pretty clear - Wait On The Lord!
So what does it mean to wait on God. It doesn't mean to just stop doing anything. Waiting is not passive it is active. Waiting is continuing to do the last thing God told you to do and waiting for more directions. Waiting is not inactivity.
I had a great experience on waiting on God. We have been praying about bringing in an team to do outreach in our community. We wanted to get them into our schools. I had planned to go and ask the schools about the possiblity of this. I have been praying about this for over nine months. Then one day recently I got a phone call from the schools asking me if we could help arrannge this team to come into the schools. I had for nine months been praying and talking to people about it. It was one of this people that I shared the vision with that brought it to the school authorities.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls is waiting on God. It is letting God lead and following His direction. I is not getting a head of God or lag behind Him but step by step staying with Him.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
I believe the message is pretty clear - Wait On The Lord!
So what does it mean to wait on God. It doesn't mean to just stop doing anything. Waiting is not passive it is active. Waiting is continuing to do the last thing God told you to do and waiting for more directions. Waiting is not inactivity.
I had a great experience on waiting on God. We have been praying about bringing in an team to do outreach in our community. We wanted to get them into our schools. I had planned to go and ask the schools about the possiblity of this. I have been praying about this for over nine months. Then one day recently I got a phone call from the schools asking me if we could help arrannge this team to come into the schools. I had for nine months been praying and talking to people about it. It was one of this people that I shared the vision with that brought it to the school authorities.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls is waiting on God. It is letting God lead and following His direction. I is not getting a head of God or lag behind Him but step by step staying with Him.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
The Problem of Hypocrisy
It seems the church has a PR problem. When people are asked their perception of the church one of the most frequently mentioned traits is hypocrisy.
There seems to be three reasons for this response.
One, people want an excuse to not be involved in the church.
Two, people misunderstand the church and what the church teaches.
Three, the church is hypocritical.
It is on the third one I want to focus because there in nothing the church can do about the first one. And if we deal with this third one it will help solve the second one.
So is the church hypocritical? The answer to that question is - Yes!
The church is the people. The question then really is are Christians hypocritical? The answer is of course we are. All people are hypocritical at times. Hypocrisy is simply saying one thing and doing another and we all at times do that. Hypocrisy is also not living out what you say you believe which is more serous, but again something we are all guility of at times. Is it more crictical for Christians to not be hypocritical and live out what we say we believe? Yes, it is. It also critical that we live out what God teaches us in His Word.
You may be asking why? Why is it more critical for Christians to live out their beliefs? It is simple. What we believe as Christians and how we live it out affects a person now and for eternity. If I say I am a Republican but vote for a Democrat it might affection an election but little else. If I say I believe that will go to watch someone play a baseball game and don't I might hurt their feelings but little else. If I say I believe in God but live like I don't than I could affect many people' s perception of God and thus their eternal existence.
It is very important for Christians to live out what they say they believe. How do we do that? I believe that there are three anidotes to hypocrisy.
One anidote is integerity. We live with integerity by living out what the Bible teaches and thus what we say we believe. You can't be a Christian without believe that the Bible is God's Word and the authority in telling us how to live. If we as Christians would live out the truth of God's Word and thus reflect the truth of God to the world we would not be guility of hypocrisy.
The second anidote is purity. Purity means the desire to live holy and with integrity. We will never live with integrity unless we desire to. Purity allows us not only to live out the truth of God's Word but to also have a godly motivation in doing it. Purity allows us to really see not only that we care about them but that God loves them.
The third atidote is transparency. Transparency means that when I blow it and am guility of hypocrisy (and I will be) I will admit it. When a person sins the first thing God tells us to do is confess it and repent of it. Transparency means that I don't have to try and pretend that I have it all together. I can admit my struggles, my failures, even my sins. Transparency means I am Real not fake. People aren't looking for perfect. They are looking for real.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls helps deal with the problem of hypocrisy because integrity, purity and transparency are components of Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls.
Without Hypocrisy Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls.
Joe
There seems to be three reasons for this response.
One, people want an excuse to not be involved in the church.
Two, people misunderstand the church and what the church teaches.
Three, the church is hypocritical.
It is on the third one I want to focus because there in nothing the church can do about the first one. And if we deal with this third one it will help solve the second one.
So is the church hypocritical? The answer to that question is - Yes!
The church is the people. The question then really is are Christians hypocritical? The answer is of course we are. All people are hypocritical at times. Hypocrisy is simply saying one thing and doing another and we all at times do that. Hypocrisy is also not living out what you say you believe which is more serous, but again something we are all guility of at times. Is it more crictical for Christians to not be hypocritical and live out what we say we believe? Yes, it is. It also critical that we live out what God teaches us in His Word.
You may be asking why? Why is it more critical for Christians to live out their beliefs? It is simple. What we believe as Christians and how we live it out affects a person now and for eternity. If I say I am a Republican but vote for a Democrat it might affection an election but little else. If I say I believe that will go to watch someone play a baseball game and don't I might hurt their feelings but little else. If I say I believe in God but live like I don't than I could affect many people' s perception of God and thus their eternal existence.
It is very important for Christians to live out what they say they believe. How do we do that? I believe that there are three anidotes to hypocrisy.
One anidote is integerity. We live with integerity by living out what the Bible teaches and thus what we say we believe. You can't be a Christian without believe that the Bible is God's Word and the authority in telling us how to live. If we as Christians would live out the truth of God's Word and thus reflect the truth of God to the world we would not be guility of hypocrisy.
The second anidote is purity. Purity means the desire to live holy and with integrity. We will never live with integrity unless we desire to. Purity allows us not only to live out the truth of God's Word but to also have a godly motivation in doing it. Purity allows us to really see not only that we care about them but that God loves them.
The third atidote is transparency. Transparency means that when I blow it and am guility of hypocrisy (and I will be) I will admit it. When a person sins the first thing God tells us to do is confess it and repent of it. Transparency means that I don't have to try and pretend that I have it all together. I can admit my struggles, my failures, even my sins. Transparency means I am Real not fake. People aren't looking for perfect. They are looking for real.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls helps deal with the problem of hypocrisy because integrity, purity and transparency are components of Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls.
Without Hypocrisy Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls.
Joe
Friday, September 7, 2012
The Real Problem
I have listened to both the Republican and Democratic versions of what is wrong with our nation. I have listened to both of their solutions. I want to say this with love and not be too rude, but they are both full of crap.
If the real problems of our country are going to be solved, we first have to be honest. The Republicans and Democrats and all the other political parties are addressing the symptoms not the root cause. The problem is not the economy or the educational system or crime or violence. Those are simple the symptoms of the real problem. This country is where we are today because of a lose of character. We have lost our godly character. We have been so busy chasing the "American Dream" that we have compromised every right and good thing to try and get it.
Let's look at three examples of this truth.
First, let's look at the economy. The problem with the American economy and for that matter the world economy is GREED. We are in the situation we are in economically becasue people want more than they can afford or even need. And there are people who will risk giving it to them so they can earn even more money.
Second, let's look at the educational system. The problem with the educational system is not in the system. It is first in the parents of children who do care and have raised their children not to care. Ask any teacher and that will tell you that the vast majority of the parents who come to parent-teacher conferences are the parents of the students who are doing good or striving to do good. The parents of the students who don't try because they don't care, don't come. They don't come because they as parents don't care. Another reason our educational system is not working is because in the hast and panic to fix the problem, politicans have established fixes that made things worst. We are blaming teachers and the schools for things they didn't cause and they can't fix. We have given schools the responsibility to parent the children. That will never work. That will never fix the problem. The problem is Apathy and Irrresponsibility of the parents and children.
Third, let's look at the social problems in our culture today. Thins like violence, teen pregnancy, and drug addiction. The answer we are hearing for many about these problems addresses again the symptoms. The root cause of the social problems that we see is a Denial of Truth. This denial leads to an inability to communicate Right and Wrong.
I believe that living out the truths that Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls entails will lead to solutions to these and other problems. The reason is simply that Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is based in the unchanging truth of God's Word.
The solution to the economy is found in Philippians 2:3-4 which says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
The solution to the educational system is found in Ephessians 6:4 which says, "As for parents, don't provoke your children to anger, but rasie them with discipline and instruction about the Lord."
The solution to the soical problems is found in Isaiah 56:1 which says, "This is what the Lord says: 'Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and dispaly my righteousness among you.'"
The model for solving our nation's problems are the life and words of Jesus.
Let's quit trying old, tired, man-made answers and go to some new, fresh God-made solutions.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
If the real problems of our country are going to be solved, we first have to be honest. The Republicans and Democrats and all the other political parties are addressing the symptoms not the root cause. The problem is not the economy or the educational system or crime or violence. Those are simple the symptoms of the real problem. This country is where we are today because of a lose of character. We have lost our godly character. We have been so busy chasing the "American Dream" that we have compromised every right and good thing to try and get it.
Let's look at three examples of this truth.
First, let's look at the economy. The problem with the American economy and for that matter the world economy is GREED. We are in the situation we are in economically becasue people want more than they can afford or even need. And there are people who will risk giving it to them so they can earn even more money.
Second, let's look at the educational system. The problem with the educational system is not in the system. It is first in the parents of children who do care and have raised their children not to care. Ask any teacher and that will tell you that the vast majority of the parents who come to parent-teacher conferences are the parents of the students who are doing good or striving to do good. The parents of the students who don't try because they don't care, don't come. They don't come because they as parents don't care. Another reason our educational system is not working is because in the hast and panic to fix the problem, politicans have established fixes that made things worst. We are blaming teachers and the schools for things they didn't cause and they can't fix. We have given schools the responsibility to parent the children. That will never work. That will never fix the problem. The problem is Apathy and Irrresponsibility of the parents and children.
Third, let's look at the social problems in our culture today. Thins like violence, teen pregnancy, and drug addiction. The answer we are hearing for many about these problems addresses again the symptoms. The root cause of the social problems that we see is a Denial of Truth. This denial leads to an inability to communicate Right and Wrong.
I believe that living out the truths that Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls entails will lead to solutions to these and other problems. The reason is simply that Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is based in the unchanging truth of God's Word.
The solution to the economy is found in Philippians 2:3-4 which says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
The solution to the educational system is found in Ephessians 6:4 which says, "As for parents, don't provoke your children to anger, but rasie them with discipline and instruction about the Lord."
The solution to the soical problems is found in Isaiah 56:1 which says, "This is what the Lord says: 'Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and dispaly my righteousness among you.'"
The model for solving our nation's problems are the life and words of Jesus.
Let's quit trying old, tired, man-made answers and go to some new, fresh God-made solutions.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
What Is The Mission of The Church?
If we are going to understand the mission of the church we have to come to grips with who the churh is. The church is the body of Christ. That means that Jesus' mission is our mission. We as the church don't just make up what we want to do, we join Jesus in what He is aleady doing. What was and is Jesus' mission. Jesus according to Hebrews 13:8 is the same yesterday and today and forever, He doesn't change therefore His mission wouldn't change.
According to God's Word Jesus had five overarching aspects in His mission.
1. To Share God's Message.
Jesus said to them, "Let's go somewhere else, to the samll towns that are nearby. I have to spread the Good News in them also. This is why I have come." Mark 1:38 (GWT)
2. To Show God's Love.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. John 13:34 (NKJV)
3. To Build a Community.
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 (ESV)
4. To Provide Salvation to Mankind.
During his days on earth, Christ offered prayers and requests with loud cries and tears as his sacrifices to the one who was able to save him from death. He was heard because of his godly devotion. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. After he had been made perfect, he became the source of salvation for everyone who obeys him. Hebrews 5:7-9 (CEB)
5. To Glorify God.
After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you." John 17:1 (NLT)
That was Jesus' mission and that is exactly what He did. This is also the mission of the church. The key to allowing Jesus to accomplish it in us as His Body, the church is found in John the Baptizer's words in John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must descrease. [He must grow more prominent; I must grow less so.] (Amp)
For God to Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls we as the church have to get back to Jesus' mission. We have to join Him in what He is already doing (not make it up ourselves).
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
According to God's Word Jesus had five overarching aspects in His mission.
1. To Share God's Message.
Jesus said to them, "Let's go somewhere else, to the samll towns that are nearby. I have to spread the Good News in them also. This is why I have come." Mark 1:38 (GWT)
2. To Show God's Love.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. John 13:34 (NKJV)
3. To Build a Community.
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 (ESV)
4. To Provide Salvation to Mankind.
During his days on earth, Christ offered prayers and requests with loud cries and tears as his sacrifices to the one who was able to save him from death. He was heard because of his godly devotion. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. After he had been made perfect, he became the source of salvation for everyone who obeys him. Hebrews 5:7-9 (CEB)
5. To Glorify God.
After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you." John 17:1 (NLT)
That was Jesus' mission and that is exactly what He did. This is also the mission of the church. The key to allowing Jesus to accomplish it in us as His Body, the church is found in John the Baptizer's words in John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must descrease. [He must grow more prominent; I must grow less so.] (Amp)
For God to Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls we as the church have to get back to Jesus' mission. We have to join Him in what He is already doing (not make it up ourselves).
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
Monday, August 27, 2012
The Need for Revival
I haven't posted for awhile. Forgive me. It has been a rough and busy summer. It has had it great moments too. I have a new grandson, Jeremiah Lucas. We hired two new staff guys at the church. It has been a difficult time also because of some conflict within the church. God has taught me some amazing things in the midst of this conflict. I want to share three of them with you.
The first one is how much the church in America needs revival. I knew that the church needed revival and my wife and I having been praying for revival for several years. But God has shown me through out church's struggles how much the church truly needs a powerful moving of God's Spirit in the us.
The chuch and when I use the word church I am refering to the people, not the building or the programs or the ministies or the structure. The church is as self-centered as the world is. The church is as much about comfort as the world is. The church is as pleasure obsessed as the world is. The church needs transformation. The church needs to become God-Centered. God has given me a greater desire revival. He has given me a greater urgency to pray for revival and teach and preach about revival.
The second thing God has been teaching me is how to beg. God is causing me to plead and cry out for revival. I used to pray nice little prayers for revival. I now get on my face and cry out to God to please bring revival. I picture myself as a beggar pleading for bread and the bread is Jesus the Bread of Life. I want Jesus to come and renew His church and once again be the Head of His church.
The third thing God has been teaching me is how to love those who not only disagree with me, but attack me and try to harm me. I am learning to love people who really don't like me and have nothing good to say about me. It is easy to love the people who think am a great pastor. However, Jesus tells me to love the one who don't like me, who see me as their enemy.
Allow God to Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls by make you desperate for revival. I want to ask that you would set aside some time each day to cry out to God for revival in your church and in the church in America.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
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