Growing A Church Through Love

I have recently been looking for a new church home. I heard of a church right here in Surrey B.C. which gone from 50 to 2200 people in just three years. It is the fastest growing church in Canada. It is now the largest church in our Fellowship Of Evangelical Baptist Churches. From what I feel and observe, I am now preparing to join this church and make it my home church. How could a church grow so fast? The key is love. When I went into the church the first time, everyone spoke to me and gave me a hearty handshake. Then I entered the church building. They are now using a rented concert hall (Bell Centre For The Performing Arts). I think they will continue using the centre on into the future since to build would be prohibitive (in excess of 5 million dollars.) Moreover, the building is part of the key to growth, for it is spacious with rush seats and well laid out so everyone can see the stage clearly from any part of the auditorium. The Bell Centre has a very spacious foyer for folk to congregate before and after programs. Also, they are able to have a courtesy table to greet people and supply them with information on the church. An attached school provides lots of room for Sunday School, youth classes and nurseries. The music is geared to young people. Some may not like it (loud drums, guitars, loud speakers, special lighting effects). I'm convinced that unless we have music like this we will not have young people in our church. As it is, at our church (Village Baptist Church - The church is like a community, that is a village - thus the name VILLAGE Baptist Church!) we practically fall over young people they are so prevalent. There are some middle aged folk and just a few my age (65 yrs and older). Since I am older and have been in the ministry for 56 years, I have something to offer a young church. I fully intend to get involved. I have already been invited to a leadership meeting (more than 70 present) to give ideas to enhance the worship (dance, drama, etc.) I have suggested that we start a hymnspiration hour on Sunday afternoons so we can come together to sing the old hymns for a whole hour. I've talked to a number of young people who want to come and learn the old hymns that their parents and grandparents have sung, too. It is gratifying to see how the Lord is going to bless on into the future through our committed young people The church also has a Community groups structure. These smaller groups (anywhere from 12 to 50 folk) are also a key to growth, for through these groups friendships are formed and true caring can result. I plan to get into one of these groups so I can get to know in depth some fellow Christans. Incidentally, all the pastoral staff are quite young and very progressive in their thinking. Talk about faith! This Sunday we are going to three services to accomodate everyone. We will soon be full at all three services which means we will be ministering to over 3000 souls. The biggest attraction for me is the preaching. Though the pastors go into the pulpit dressed in any kind of clothes (the lead pastor wore torn jeans for preaching recently - I thought it was great. The messages are always full of the Gospel and point to Christ. The whole church has a desire to be Christ-centred. (In contrast, I recently attended a church service in an evangelical church where the pastor was going through the psalms. The pastor never mentioned Jesus, our Lord, at all!! No wonder this church is dying.) Jesus did say "And I, if I be lifted up will draw all men unto myself!) Let us never forget that a church grows through love- love for Christ and each other. This is how we grow a church through love. When you think of me, do pray for me and our church. We need all the prayer we can get. Pray that as an older pastor I may be able to be a resource person to the pastoral staff and to any of the myriad of young people who attend. The other night, I saw a young man with sandy blond hair. He had two black ear rings in his ears. I complimented him on how neat they looked. He almost fainted that I, as an older man, would give such a compliment. But this one comment gave me a chance to talk with five young people who were with him. We have to show love toward our young people rather than criticism. And we who are older must talk to young people so as to share our "life lessons" with them. They love it! One thing I share is that my wife and I have been married for 52 yrs. They can hardly believe it in an age when divorce and separation are so prevalent. If you are ever in Surrey, why don't you come and worship with us? You will see love in action and be blessed, I am sure.

Live Forever!

Recently I saw in a magazine an advertisement on anti-ageing. It urged people to buy this product and delay the effects of ageing. Of course, I was very wary. It seemed to me that nothing could delay the ongoing ravages of old age. No matter what one might do to delay growing older, nothing can stop the ageing process. Of course the end result is death which no one can avoid. To Martha, the grieving sister of a friend (Lazarus) who had died, Jesus said: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25,26)" Surely these are great claims which Jesus made near the graveside of Lazarus. At this time of the year when we remember how Jesus Himself rose from the dead (Matthew 28:5-7), we do well to reflect on what Jesus claims here. Miraculously, Jesus, the great miracle worker, had Himself raised three individuals from the dead: the widow of Nain's son (Luke 7:11), Jairus' (a ruler of the Jews) daughter (Matthew 9:25),and Lazarus, a friend (referred to in this chapter of the New Testament- John 11). Jesus in John 11:25,26 does indeed give to us the key to death itself. First of all, Jesus claims to be the Resurrection. As mentioned before, he had miraculously raised three people from the dead. Also, Jesus Himself rose again showing that He had power over death itself. Secondly, He is Life and in this way He claims to be our Life-giver. In other words, He is the great Creator (John 1:1-18). The Bible clearly states that everything in the whole universe was made by Him and for Him and is held together by Him (Colossians 1:15-17). Even as He gave life to us when we were conceived, He promises to be our Life. Clearly, He tells us how we can have life in Him. BELIEVE is the key. Put your faith and trust in Christ as your Saviour and Lord. Unless uou are alive when Jesus comes again, you will die. But death will have no Power over you. Susinctly, He categorically reassures us with the words: believe in Me and you will live even though you die! In other words, as you trust in Him you will live spiritually even though you die physically. He asserts boldly: "Whoever lives and believes in Me will never die". This is the key to ageing and death. Through faith, accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour, live your life in His strength and you will never die. Praise the Lord, when the resurrected Christ comes into our lives, we live forever. Hallelujah!

The Cradle And The Cross

Christmas is a time when we remember the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, our Lord. In the Bible, the cradle and the cross are inseparately linked. At Christmas it is important to remember why Jesus came as baby in a manger. In the Old Testament, Jesus in prophecy is called "Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince Of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6.7). He would rule on David's throne forever in justice and righteousness" (Isaiah 9:7). Jesus came to be King. He also came to be our Saviour. In the vision of Joseph, the angel specifically says "give Him the name Jesus (Joshua) for He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). To be our Savior, Jesus had to die on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. He came "to give Himself as a ransom for all men" (I Timothy 2:6). This is described in Philippians 2:5-11) where it states that He became man and was "obedient to death - even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:8)! Here the birth (He came as a man) and the cross are interlinked. This was the divine purpose for which Jesus came. He came to give His life as a sacrifice for our sins. His attitude in coming to earth as a man was to be compliant to the Father's will. Thus in Scripture the Bible in prophecy records that He would be "pierced for our trangressions, and crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace (with God) was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed". Though "we all, like sheep, have gone astray and each of us has turned to his own way, the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:5,6). Christ's attitude of obedience and submission to God is shown in the cross (Philippian 2:1-5). While we worship Christ as a baby, we are to receive Him as our Saviour and with all creatures confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:11). This Christmas will you make room in your hearts for Jesus? Bear in mind that "He came to His own people, but they didn't receive Him. But to all who receive Him, He gives the right to become children of God..." (John 1:11-12). Let me give you a quote from Max Reich which shows how we are to live the Christian life: "If occupied with the world, we become worldly. If occupied with self, we become selfish. If occupied with Christ, we become Christ-like". As we reflect on the cradle and the cross this Christmas, may we become more like Jesus and know His complete forgiveness.

"Thank-you"

From early childhood, we teach our children to say "thank-you". Usually it comes out at first as "ta,ta" or "ta". Among friends, an adult may use "ta" as a slang word for "thank-you", too. God wants His children to be thankful as well. No parent, and that includes God as a Father, wants children who are ungrateful. There are many benefits to saying "thank-you". It shows we are grateful. Also, it is a way of revealing that we have been heartened by what has been given or done for us. "Thank-you" is often the beginning of a friendship. We are mysteriously drawn to thankful people while being repelled by those who can't say "thank-you". Being thankful and expressing our thankfulness by a simple "thank-you" lifts our own spirit, for our Creator has put thanksgiving in our hearts so that we thrive on being thankful. Thankfulness needs to be expressed to be most effective. A thankful person is usually very positive and optimistic, while an ungrateful person is commonly bitter and sullen. In the Bible, there are a number of situations where thankfulness is specifically mentioned: When Jonah was in the belly of the great fish (probably a whale). Reeds and other things that a whale feeds on were making Jonah fearful for his life and sanity. It was when he remarked, "with the voice of thanksgiving will I sacrifice to You" and "salvation belongs to the Lord" that God had the great fish vomit Jonah out on to dry land (Jonah 2:9). In the last chapter of Jonah, God has to rebuke Jonah for being ungrateful to God for sparing his people's enemies, viz. the people of Nineveh (Assyrians). As you can see, it is very easy to swing from a thankful spirit to an ungrateful one when things change around us. Paul's epistles. There are many examples of the spostle Paul exhorting God's people to be thankful. For example, in Philippians 4:6, Paul links thanksgiving with prayer and supplication as well as a peace that surpasses all understanding. The implication here is that thanksgiving along with prayer and supplication will bring about a great inner peace. Another example smong many is the teaching in I Thessalonians 5:16, "Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you". In conclusion, I would exhort you to teach your children by example to be thankful. Children learn to be thankful. Remember, before each meal be sure to thank God.

Read The Manual

Recently, I started to use a new digital camera. It is loaded with many features. To be very frank, it is too much of a camera for me. I was using it the other day to shoot photos of my grandchildren. I forgot to turn it on. With the flash, I forgot to pop it up. Finally, I decided to get it out and figure it out using the manual. Already reading the instructions has helped me. I have much more to learn, but with practice and following the instructions I will learn all I need to operate the camera adequately. My camera has helped me realize that for us to make the most out of life we need to read and follow the manual God has given to us, viz. the Bible. The Bible has been given by the Lord to: teach us, reprove us, correct us, train us in righteousness. Through it the man of God becomes competent spiritually, and equipped for every good work (II Timothy 3: 16,17). The Bible is said to be the sword of the Spirit in the armor of the Christian (Ephesians 6: 17) . It is the only offensive weapon in the Christian's armor . With it and the rest of the armor, we are to battle against the rulers, against the authorities, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (spiritual realms)(Ephesians 6: 12). It is given to us so that above all we may be able to stand against the Devil and has hosts of darkness. Without it, we will be defeated by the forces of evil and will live a subnormal Christian life. Here are some things we can do to know the Bible better: 1. Read it (Every day spend time simply reading the Bible) 2. Memorize it (Try learning a verse per week. In your reading, pick out verses to memorize - verses that have been a blessing to you. 3. Meditate on it. (Memorizing it will help you meditate, think deeply about it!) 4. Share it with others. (When you find a good thought, pass it on.) 5. Obey it. The Bible will richly reward you as you develop a thirst for it. God bless you as you make time to spend in the Word of God every day. Don't forget, read the manual. Nowhere will you find a book like it (Hebrews 4:12).

Jesus - the Resurrection and the Life

Jesus' friend, Lazarus, had died. Jesus went to visit his two sisters (Mary and Martha). He raised Lazarus from the dead. Before He did this monumental miracle, He said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"

This is one of the great " I Am's" in John's Gospel. Also, through signs and wonders and Jesus' own claims, John, the apostle, sets Jesus forth as God. In the Bible there are no greater statements about Jesus than His great "I Am's". Here is a list of them:

I am the Messiah (John 4:26)
I am the Bread of Life (John 6:35)
I am from above (John: 8:23)
I am the Eternal One (John 8:58)
I am the Light of the world (John 9:5)
I am Gate (John 10:7)
I am the Son of God (John 10:36)
I am the Good Shepherd (John 10:14)
I am the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25)
I am the Lord and Master (John 13:13)
I am the Way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)
I am the true Vine (John 15:1)
I am the Alpha and the Omega (Rev.1:8)
I am the first and the Last (Rev.1:17)

In setting forth these statements about Himself Jesus claims to be God.

No claim that Jesus makes in the face of death is more appropriate than "I am the Resurrection and the Life." Jesus goes further and says: "He who believes in Me will live even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die." After saying this he adds,"Do you believe this?"

Easter is the time we remember that Jesus rose from the dead. In His own life He proved the truth of these words "I am the resurrection and the Life!" by breaking the bonds of death in His own body.

We might ask, Do you believe this? Put your faith and trust in Jesus our Lord and you, too, will have eternal life. Death will have no more power over you. Though you die, you will live by Christ's resurrection power forevermore.

Death Shall Die

The other day, a most unusual thing happened to me. Somebody heard that I was dead. It gave me a strange feeling. We had to call several folk we know and assure that them I am still alive. But I began to think of death, my death especially. Someday,if Jesus does not come before, I shall die. I would hope that I being dead will still speak (Heb.11:4) as a testimony to the grace of God.

I also began to reflect on death in other ways. "Absent from the body and present with the Lord" (II Cor.5:8). I am sure that when I die my body will turn to ashes, but I shall live with the Lord forever. At His coming, my body will rise from the dead even as Christ rose from the dead and my soul and new body will be with Christ. It will be a miracle that only God, the creator could achieve. He created life out of earth to begin with. Why is it so hard to believe that He can do it a second time out of ashes?

Jesus has defeated death. According to Heb. 2:14-16 "Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He likewise partook of the same things, that through death
He might destroy (i.e. render powerless) the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery..."

Paul, the apostle bravely as he thought of death said resolutely: "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain" Phil. 1:21). By trusting in the Word of God and examining Christ's own resurrection we can confidently say with John Donne "Death shall die". This is he Christian's hope. I have this great hope within me and, as a result, I do not fear death!