Priority Refreshing

Everyone has a list of priorities in life. Some of them are stated and others just seem to happen due to a variety of situations. One must understand that priorities of life can change and in fact can change without us even knowing about it. Therefore from time to time we ought to examine ourselves to identify what our present priorities actually are and then compare that with what we have said what our priorities ought to be. To assume that this will always be the same is a huge mistake because we can move forward in life thinking we are OK when in reality we are not focusing on the right things. I want to use use Bethel A/G as an example. As pastor there are two main things that I want to be the highest priorities in all that we do. Number one priority is loving God. Number two priority is loving people. This has been and will be our first two priorities of church life. The first step is to sit back an examine ourselves to see if what we are doing is actually in alignment with our main priorities. There are seasons that I think we are doing well and then there are seasons I am sensing we are slipping a bit from those two priorities. To get the whole church family to align themselves up with those priorities is and will continue to be a challenge. One I have analyzed where we are then we must begin to make intentional decisions to make sure we are doing the right things that will help to stay on track with our stated priorities. One thing that I have learned is that we need to state what our priorities actually are in order to keep them before us so we will actually live it out in life. There are many people who have stated that God is number one in their life but you would never know it by looking at their lives. It takes energy and endurance to keep what we say is our priority our actual priority. What is true in the life of the church is also true in our personal lives.
May the God of all love and peace guard your hearts in Christ Jesus our Savior.
Pastor John

Is Jesus revelant?

Yesterday I started a sermon series "Not a Fan". This series is all about becoming a completely committed follower of Jesus Christ. Are you a fan of Jesus or a follower of Jesus? A fan (enthusiastic admirer) who has all the right words of being a Christian but the lifestyle is lacking. A follower of Jesus is one who has made a commitment to love and obey Jesus in all aspects of their lives. Therefore the question: Is Jesus relevant? That is do the words of Jesus spoken almost 2,000 years ago speak to us today within the context of the culture that we live. I am 100% convinced that Jesus is relevant to any and all cultures to any age and time. I realize that I have just made a faith statement of which some people will disagree. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus address a great variety of topics in speaking about the principles of the Kingdom of God. These range from attitudes of the heart, judgment, sex, finances, marriage, forgiveness, politics, worry and trust, faith and if we would take His teaching seriously here would alter how we interact with one another. One of ways to insure that proper interpretation of a particular scripture is to ask this question; can I teach this principle in any culture of the world? If I cannot then I need to pursue a bit deeper the spiritual principle from that verse. Now let's be clear about another aspect of this, application of the principle will most likely look different but the principle ought to be the same. Do not expect universal application of a spiritual principle. Jesus spoke in the context of principles which was a stumbling block for the teachers of the law of His day. They were more concerned about the washing of a cup then they were of the spiritual principle of taking care of your parents. Jesus is more then enough to speak to every situation within the cultures of today. In fact if we are willing to believe, Jesus' words when properly understood (principle) and obied (application) is relevant to us today and will help us more then anything else we will ever read. I choose everyday to not be a fan but to be a completely committed follower of Jesus Christ.

May the grace and love of Jesus overshadow your lives.

Pastor John

Not a Fan

Football season is now upon us. I enjoy this time of year in sports but wish the weather was warmer but I can not have it both ways. As many may know I am a huge Green Bay Packer fan. I am looking forward to Thursday night and watch the best team in NFL history. See that is the talk of a fan. This Sunday I begin a six week sermon series titled "Not a Fan". The message begins by bringing clarity of where your relationship with Jesus actually is by asking the question, Are you a fan or follower of Jesus? Within these messages we will be exploring the words of Jesus so as to define what He said and meant in what being a genuine follower of Jesus means. If we allow our culture to define what it means to be a Christian we will come to a different definition then what the Bible says on this all important topic. Did Jesus mean what He said? Does Jesus really want us to follow Him in a racial manner that there is nothing more important in life then our relationship with Him? If I am not able to answer these questions then it is likely that I have already allowed my culture to define my relationship with Jesus. Let's put this another way. Image for a moment Jesus standing before and He asks you these questions: "Define your relationship with Me? How important is it to you that you do what I say you should do? Would you be willing to give up one thing up that I see is hindering our relationship?" Do you welcome questions like this or would you rather these questions not be asked? Please do not flee because one day when we see Jesus face to face the question of our relationship will be asked. I trust you are willing to ask that question now so that you will be ready to answer that question when He does ask us later about our relationship with Jesus. Our preparation on earth is to get us ready to meet our loving, gracious Heavenly Father. To think that I am OK when in reality I am not OK is like going to the doctor for your annual physical and he asks you only one question, are you OK? If you reply OK, then he says then go home. What kind of annual physical is that. You have to test blood work among other things and I know my doctor ask me many questions. Over the next six weeks let's do that on a spiritual level. I will be asking lots of questions. Do not be afraid of them but rather embrace them so that you will be able to define your relationship with Jesus in a positive manner.
May the Lord bless you and keep you in His love.
Pastor John