Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Christian Culture Justification

On Sunday past I was preaching about "How to grow as a christian". Discipleship and seeing people grow to there potential in Jesus is what I'm passionate about. I was getting across that our growth albiet supernatural through the holy spirit, is a choice we make every day in our walk with Jesus. We have to choose every day what we want to stand for. An example I gave was about using God's name in vain. Most (if not all) people who don't have a relationship with Jesus do this all the time without thinking. What amazes me is that someone with a relationship with Jesus would do this.
Is it a greater or lesser sin than a lie or a murder? It's a sin! Now I have to be honest and say that for quite some time sin has not been something I've focused on. For the last couple of "seasons" my focus has been the kingdom, Jesus' lifestyle, church, Gods will etc. A focus on sin just hasn't been on my agenda. It has amazed me how some Christians justify this particular "sin". Most seem to think that because they have a relationship with God that it's ok to use his name in vain. I've given this as an example to my daughter (who's been hearing this alot in the school yard!) Imagine you phone someone you love and when they answer you hang up. Its a prank call! When we use God's name in vain it's like that. We're calling God but not wanting to talk to him. We don't like it when someone does it to us, why would God? Just because we've relationship with Jesus, it doesn't give us licence to abuse his beautiful name or his fathers! I've never liked it when people use God's name in vain but I sort of accept it when it's by those that don't have relationship with him. Those of us that do have relationship with God it's not acceptable.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Church Being Church...

This weekend past has been great. Ru and I still have to remind ourselves that we've only been in Wicklow less than 3months. On Saturday night we'd a Youth Games Night. Went really well and already relationships are forming in a positive way. The teens are a great bunch and I'm excited to see what Gods wanting to do with them.
On Sunday morning Roly (the pastor) was preaching. This month we're doing a "How To " series. Yesterday's title was "How To Heal in Jesus Name". I was looking forward to this one to see how it'd go down and the response it would get. I wasn't disappointed. Now I remember very little of what was said but as to what happened....that I remember. Roly talked and reminded us that we are called to heal and do great things in Jesus name. That being said we need to ACT on FAITH in doing this. Then Roly called for someone who had a sore right shoulder (as that's what God told him to ask for early that morning!) Sure enough a man (who is the spitting image of Capt.Picard from Star Trek!) stepped forward. He told us his name and story of his shoulder, it'd been in ruins for a while and had very little movement. Roly then used Frank as an example as to how we should pray for healing for those around us in Jesus name.
After the explaining and the praying...Frank was healed. That simple...but the mind can be cynical. So, Roly called for anyone who was ill or who needed healing to stand up. Many did (including myself) Then he asked for those that were sitting to get involved and pray has then had just learnt.
Now the thing I loved about this is that they was no awkward silence, shuffling of feet or blank expression on peoples faces. Straight from the word go people moved to those that needed prayer. People prayed, people got healed! After the praying came the testimonies. It's a wonderful thing seeing the church be the church.
That afternoon we were invited to a couples home as they had felt called by God to be baptised. Right by their home is a river. Roly was going to baptise them and about 15 of us were there to witness it. It was a genuinely beautiful time. Seeing a couple obedient to God's call and wanting to share it with His family. There really was a sense of Gods presence. It's a wonderful thing seeing the church be the church.
Once a month Redcross a Sunday evening service called "Going Deeper". Last night was that time. I felt we should do a "Prayer Concert". I (with help) had set up the room to be focused on certain areas (Personal, Redcross, Ireland, World) and to be a place were people could be intimate with Jesus. Again, God and his people connected and it was sweet. God's presence was so tangible you could smell His holiness. It was humbling seeing people just submit themselves to God in prayer. I'm a believer in Jesus and I believe him too! I'm also a believer in the church. The Church that God so desperately wants to see alive and effective for Him and his purposes.

It's a Wonderful thing Seeing the Church be the Church...