The Birth of John the Baptist

The Birth of John the Baptist took place during a time of expectation for the people of Israel. Herod helped them rebuild the temple. The temple now looked the way it did during the time of Solomon. Judas Maccabees led a revolt against the Seleucid Empire and Israel continued their temple worship in 165 BC. God was up to something amazing in Israel. Now, a little over a hundred years later God was doing a new work in the lives of two unsuspecting people named Zachariah and Elizabeth. Liz was barren. Her husband, Zach, was a priest. Both of them were descendants of Aaron. It was Zach's turn to officiate at the temple and refill the incense at the altar. He was chosen for this task by casting lots. God knew who would be chosen because during Zach's service the Angel Gabriel delivered a special message. He told Zach that he would have a son and that his name would be John. John means, "The Lord shows grace" or "The Lord is gracious."

Zach longed for a son. Liz was disgraced (Luke 1:25) because she couldn't provide her husband with an heir. To be barren meant that God's favor was absent from your life. This was far from true. Gods favor was with Zach and Liz, but only in His perfect timing. It wasn't long before John was born. Everyone shared in the joy of the new baby's birth. They asked, "What then is this child to be?” I can see how easy it would have been for people to think that John the Baptist was the Messiah. The prophecies and the births of John and Jesus were similar. But, Zachariah's song in Luke chapter 1 makes sure to describe in detail who his son John really was. Zach's song tells us of John's high calling to preach and proclaim the gospel of salvation. His calling was to preach to a world who was living in darkness. Zach's song helped shed light on some of the teachings during this time that Jesus was only a mere man himself. Zach's song helps to point the way that Jesus was the "rising sun." He was the Messiah. John was the "Prophet of God", but Christ was the "Son of God."

The story of the birth of John the Baptist tells me that God has everything planned out. God's will is perfect. God's plan is perfect and I need to remember that each and every day of my life. Especially during this time of advent. Advent is a time of expectancy. We celebrate advent during this time every year remembering the spirit of expectancy the people of Israel had leading up to the birth of the Messiah. The birth of John was just one more exciting part of the Christmas story.

Also, the events in Luke chapter 1 tell me that God's timing is perfect. He timed it just right for Zach to be in the temple at the right time and place. The Lots didn't choose: God chose! God chose Zach, He chose John, and he chose Mary. I'm also thankful that he has chosen me to share the good news of salvation. I will end this blog with the priestly blessing. Remember this blessing is binding for all of those who believe and accept it:

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” The birth and name of John proclaims Gods truth from everlasting to everlasting.

Almost Finished Remodeling

Here is a picture of our youth and young adult room just before we finished.

Youth Room Just after start of Remodeling

here is what our youth room looked like just after we started remodeling. More pictures will be added later showing our progression. Stay tuned for final pictures of the coolest youth room in town.

Hannah's Song of Thanksgiving

Hannah, the mother of Samuel, knew what it was like to be thankful. In her own words she said, "My heart rejoices in the Lord. In the Lord my horn is lifted high. I rest in the Lords salvation. There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. For the Lord is a God who knows."

We ought to live a life of rejoicing. If God never answered another one of our prayers we could praise Him for eternity just for our salvation. Like the African who lived in a hut made of manure and straw. He said, "To know that God cares for me and my family is enough. I have all I need." This really puts things into perspective for this Thanksgiving season.

I especially like the part in Hannah's song where she says, "For the Lord is a God who knows." No other religion can say their God knows them personally. Allah doesn't know his followers by name. He doesn't know the number of hairs we have on our head. But God does. He knows us. Especially, as Max Lucado says, "Christ knows how you feel." He knows pain, he knows grief, he knows sorrow, and most importantly; He knows death. For Hannah, "God came Near."

Hannah's prayer also made a major impact on the mother of Jesus. Mary also sang a song of Thanksgiving in the New Testament. The supreme source of Hannah's joy was not in the child, but in the God who had answered her prayer: "to be blessed of God."

I'm thankful to be "blessed of God."

Have a Happy Thanksgiving

Revelation Bible Study

The book of Revelation is the greatest conclusion of the best story ever told. Not only is it filled with the "unveiling" of Jesus Christ, but it summarizes the entire Bible, along with the past 2008 years of church history. The information can be a lot to swallow. I hope our attendees will dedicate themselves to being life long students of this great book.

As we study Revelation our hearts and minds ought to begin to change. We ought to have a new passion and an empowered spiritual life that leads to evangelism. As the true nature of Jesus Christ is revealed and unveiled for us in this book we will truly change in the process. For many of us, we would like to think the change is either complete or almost complete. However, as we come face to face with the Holy God of Revelation it will begin to reveal in us our true nature and attitudes. The information in this book can change us again and again and eventually impact our church. Once others catch the excitement and expectancy in this book it can become very contagious. Ever read the book, "How to become a Contagious Christian?" Read and study Revelation. This is the blessing that I believe is held within the pages of this book. The blessing is a renewed passion for Jesus Christ and the desire to tell others. The blessing from the beginning that was promised to Abraham was Christ. The blessing is still the same at the end of the story. This is why Jesus said, 'I am the alpha and the omega." He was the blessing in the beginning and he will still be the blessing in the end.

This week we began to look at the seven churches of Asia Minor. The Ephesians church was the church that spread the gospel to the entire known world. They were the first generation removed from Christ himself. They were on fire and passionate about the gospel because they were madly in love with Christ. However, as church history has unfolded over the past 2000 years that passion has faded. Christ reminded them to cling to their first love.

The Smyrna church was know as the persecuted church. They were persecuted by the Romans. In 212 years nearly 5 million Christians were killed by the Roman Emperors. However, during this time many manuscripts of scripture were hand copied.

The Pergamum church became more Roman than Christian. They were married to the government. It become more important to please the emperor rather than God. The deity of Christ was questioned. Finally, in 325 AD the Council of Nicaea met and declared that Christ was "very God of very God and Perfection of Perfection. God and man in one." Praise God for this meeting. I can imagine Satan pitching a fit when this meeting was concluded. He had been defeated once again.

I hope all of you will stay interested during this study. Don't forget to read your Bible before you come. Really try to get an NIV Study Bible so we can all be on the same page. Also, don't forget that a good student prepares for class. You can't expect me to cover the material and read the material at the same time. We used to do this in elementary school. No class I ever took in high school or college read through the books one paragraph at a time. We were expected to read the chapter before class and then discuss and learn what it was saying during the one hour class time.

Looking forward to your comments.

The New Temple

Israel will rebuild the Temple of God. This prophecy has been foretold since the days of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. Even Daniel and Amos prophecied that one day Israel would rebuild their temple in the last days. They prophecied that the Anit-Christ would set himself up to be God and cause the defilement of the temple. Before this can happen the Temple must be rebuilt and the sacrificial system must resume.

Even today, the Jews are preparing to build a temple. They are gathering funds, support, and ancient artifacts. The Sanhedrin has even reconvened in Tiberias (www.thesanhedrin.org) They hope to eventually move to Jerusalem.

This weeks sources are: "The New Temple and the Second Coming." "The Next World War." and "Countdown to Armaggedon." All of these books are written by an author named, "Grant R. Jeffery. Jeffery has been a prophecy scholar for nearly 40 years. Another source is, "Revelation Unveiled", by Tim Lahaye. We will be using all four of these books and more in our Bible study on Revelation.

I hope many of you will plan to attend this week. As we study Revelation, please keep in mind that we will be taking a look at scripture as a whole. In order to understand the last book we must first review the "rest of the story".

Spiritual Veterans, Sunday Nov. 9th, 2008

This Sunday was dedicated to honoring our Veterans. We always want to honor their service and sacrifice. This morning's sermon was based on the fact that we are all "spiritual veterans." We are all in the midst of a spiritual battle. We are all veterans of battles, maybe not of a foreign war, but a battle in our spirit, mind, or body. Jesus, Paul, Moses, and Daniel all faced spiritual, phyiscal, and mental battles. One thing we can learn from them is that when they needed a spiritual break through they fasted. They took things out of their lives that met their physical needs in order to make time to spend with God. By doing this, they met their spiritual needs. They gave their spirit the necessary nourishment it needs in order to experience God. Sometimes we think our spirit is healthy because we appear healthy on the outside. Sadly, our spirit is suffering on the inside. Fasting will give us the spiritual strength we need to have spiritual victories in our lives, in our church, and in our world.

We are in BASIC training as we grow spiritually. We are in training because one day we will fight side by side with the Lord in the battle of Armaggedon. However, thanks be to God that we know who will win these battles and that Christ is already the champion.

I pray you will seek the Lord this week for victory in your lives.

let me know what you think and pass this blog onto others.

The Wounded Healer, Sunday Nov. 2nd. 2008

This week the sermon was based on the idea from Henry Nowen's book, "The Wounded Healer." In his book he reminds us that Christ was a man of sorrow and familiar with grief. Roman's 12:1-21 reminds us, as Christians, that we ought to relate to people even though they may not be saved. We need to be friends with them not just to convert them; but because we love them. We need to identify their needs and meet them out of a love for Christ and others; and not because of an alterior motive or becuase we get paid to do so. We need to give people our seat if need be. If a new person comes into our church and doesn't know the lingo or the language we ought to be willing to set up front and give them our seat. Even if we have sat in the same place for years. What good would a hospital be if when sick people showed up they found a lock on the door? What good would the hospital beds be if they were all filled with people who are well? We need to remind people in the world that the church is for sinners and not just for those who have been converted. We need to stop focusing on our needs and begin to focus on the needs of those who need Christ; even if they don't realize thier need.

Most importantly, we need to remember Mephibosheth. He was the only living grandson of King Saul when David took the throne. Normally, when a new king came to power they would eliminate all other successors to the throne. This time, David kept his word to Saul's son Jonathan. He promised he would provide for his family. Mephibosheth was given a portion of land for all of his relatives, he was made a noble, and he ate at the kings table for the rest of his life. We must remember that we are like Mephibosheth. We don't deserve to eat at the kings table. Yet, we are invited to come anyway. In that, we must also be willing to share our table with those who need to know Christ. Even if they are social outcasts.

These are my thoughts from this mornings sermon. Let me know what you think. What could I have added? What would have worked better? How did these words help you grow spiritually? Looking forward to your thoughts.