I saw this clip on Pastor HB Charles Facebook page and thought it would make interesting conversation. Please tell me what you think!!
THE LORD'S CHURCH
7 years ago
Showing posts with label Wednesday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wednesday. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wednesday in the Word
We had a wonderful Wednesday in the Word today at BBC! All classes were well attended. The Sunday School lesson was once again right on point! The lesson was entitled, "Prayerful Community" taken from James 5:13-18. James exhorts the believers to be in constant prayer for one another.
An interesting conversation came up about verse 14, dealing with the anointing with oil. I expressed that oil is symbolic of the presence of God, and although I have no problem with anointing people with oil, we must understand that the real power in prayer is not in the symbol, but the Sovereign God that we pray to. I asked a question, "If prayer is our most powerful ally, why is it the one that we use the least?" To quote one of my colleagues,"It's time to stop saying your prayers, and start praying your prayers."
Bible Study went really well. We continued in our series in Romans 1:8-15. Paul was establishing his rapport with the Christians at Rome before laying out the theme of Romans. I was especially taken in by verse 14&15, "I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. "
These verses arrested my attention as I felt Paul's sense of obligation to preach based upon his calling to the ministry. Paul was under orders to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was in debt to this Gospel. Jesus paid a debt for us that he didn't owe because we owed a debt that we couldn't pay. It is this sense of urgency that should drive us to proclaim the Good News of Jesus.
When we look at the moral decline of our communities, the fight over power in the church, corrupt government, schools that under educate our children, racial injustice, violence, and so many other maladies, we should feel an obligation to preach the Gospel. I feel like Paul, I am ready to preach the Gospel because I am a debtor!
I will leave with a quote from one of my favorite preachers, Dr. Adrian Rogers, "We don't need social reform, we need people saved. All social reform will do is make the world a better place to go to hell from."
Pray for me as I have several meetings tomorrow.
An interesting conversation came up about verse 14, dealing with the anointing with oil. I expressed that oil is symbolic of the presence of God, and although I have no problem with anointing people with oil, we must understand that the real power in prayer is not in the symbol, but the Sovereign God that we pray to. I asked a question, "If prayer is our most powerful ally, why is it the one that we use the least?" To quote one of my colleagues,"It's time to stop saying your prayers, and start praying your prayers."
Bible Study went really well. We continued in our series in Romans 1:8-15. Paul was establishing his rapport with the Christians at Rome before laying out the theme of Romans. I was especially taken in by verse 14&15, "I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. "
These verses arrested my attention as I felt Paul's sense of obligation to preach based upon his calling to the ministry. Paul was under orders to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was in debt to this Gospel. Jesus paid a debt for us that he didn't owe because we owed a debt that we couldn't pay. It is this sense of urgency that should drive us to proclaim the Good News of Jesus.
When we look at the moral decline of our communities, the fight over power in the church, corrupt government, schools that under educate our children, racial injustice, violence, and so many other maladies, we should feel an obligation to preach the Gospel. I feel like Paul, I am ready to preach the Gospel because I am a debtor!
I will leave with a quote from one of my favorite preachers, Dr. Adrian Rogers, "We don't need social reform, we need people saved. All social reform will do is make the world a better place to go to hell from."
Pray for me as I have several meetings tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Wednesday in the Word
Today at BBC, we had a wonderful Wednesday in the Word. Sunday School Teachers Meeting was a real treat to teach on tonight. The lesson was entitled, "Wise Speakers" taken from James 3:1-10 ; 13-18. This passage warns us about the danger of idle conversation. My grandmother echoed this passage to me when I was younger when she said,"Baby, if you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all". The text talked about taming animals and controlling ships, all which are noteworthy achievements, but then it says that we cannot tame the tongue.
I particularly liked the verse that suggests that if we can control our conversation, then we are spiritually mature. What a change in our thought process! Most believers think that if they are deep, super spiritual, carry big bibles, quote the latest christian cliches, get them some "edumacation" and go to the correct church, they are mature, but the text clearly indicates that maturity is measured by our ability to muzzle our mouth! I tell our church all of the time that just because you have a right to say something doesn't mean that it is right to say!
We began our study in the book of Romans. When I passed out the outline and study questions for the 1st chapter, everyone was excited to begin the walk on the Romans Road! We looked at verse 1 on today. This was such an exhaustive passage. Paul said that he was a servant of Jesus Christ. This word servant means a bond-slave. One who is purchased and possessed by another. One whose will is to do his master's will. One whose sole purpose in life is to serve his master. Many times when we think of slavery, it gives a negative connotation, but I cant think of a higher honor than to be a slave of Christ.
Next, it says that he was called to be an apostle. I explained to the class that the motivating factor of Paul's work was God's call on his life! What moves us to do what we do should not be the applause, approval, or the appreciation of our audience, but the assignment of the Almighty! I tried to avoid it and just explain what it meant to be an apostle in Paul's day, but in my morning class, I have a student with a neo-pentecostal background, that was just at a service where someone was lifted to be an apostle. This was done she says by one who already is an apostle putting his knees in the back of the other one and conferring the apostleship on him. This made for a very interesting discussion!
Lastly, Paul said that he was separated unto the gospel. This is very interesting in the original language. Paul was separated, not segregated. He was not separated from people, but separated to the gospel. He was set apart to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, not social justice, prosperity, or opinion, but the Good News of Jesus Christ! God literally changed Paul's horizon. In order to change your horizon, you must change your elevation!
I was at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia. I was exhausted after 5 nights of revival and ready to go home. When I arrived at the ticket counter, the attendant had a very nasty attitude. I tried to overlook her, but she really angered me. When I boarded the plane, I was still frustrated. As the plane began to take off, I heard a still small voice say,"Watch". I started watching. When the plane took off, we had to turn around to head toward Chicago. When we turned, I could see the airport again. This humongous airport looked so small to me. It was at that moment that I was reminded that that same lady who frustrated me was inside of the airport that looked so small. Now if the airport appeared this small, how tiny was the lady that was inside. She was not tiny because she shrunk, but because I changed elevations!!! Be Blessed!!
I particularly liked the verse that suggests that if we can control our conversation, then we are spiritually mature. What a change in our thought process! Most believers think that if they are deep, super spiritual, carry big bibles, quote the latest christian cliches, get them some "edumacation" and go to the correct church, they are mature, but the text clearly indicates that maturity is measured by our ability to muzzle our mouth! I tell our church all of the time that just because you have a right to say something doesn't mean that it is right to say!
We began our study in the book of Romans. When I passed out the outline and study questions for the 1st chapter, everyone was excited to begin the walk on the Romans Road! We looked at verse 1 on today. This was such an exhaustive passage. Paul said that he was a servant of Jesus Christ. This word servant means a bond-slave. One who is purchased and possessed by another. One whose will is to do his master's will. One whose sole purpose in life is to serve his master. Many times when we think of slavery, it gives a negative connotation, but I cant think of a higher honor than to be a slave of Christ.
Next, it says that he was called to be an apostle. I explained to the class that the motivating factor of Paul's work was God's call on his life! What moves us to do what we do should not be the applause, approval, or the appreciation of our audience, but the assignment of the Almighty! I tried to avoid it and just explain what it meant to be an apostle in Paul's day, but in my morning class, I have a student with a neo-pentecostal background, that was just at a service where someone was lifted to be an apostle. This was done she says by one who already is an apostle putting his knees in the back of the other one and conferring the apostleship on him. This made for a very interesting discussion!
Lastly, Paul said that he was separated unto the gospel. This is very interesting in the original language. Paul was separated, not segregated. He was not separated from people, but separated to the gospel. He was set apart to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, not social justice, prosperity, or opinion, but the Good News of Jesus Christ! God literally changed Paul's horizon. In order to change your horizon, you must change your elevation!
I was at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia. I was exhausted after 5 nights of revival and ready to go home. When I arrived at the ticket counter, the attendant had a very nasty attitude. I tried to overlook her, but she really angered me. When I boarded the plane, I was still frustrated. As the plane began to take off, I heard a still small voice say,"Watch". I started watching. When the plane took off, we had to turn around to head toward Chicago. When we turned, I could see the airport again. This humongous airport looked so small to me. It was at that moment that I was reminded that that same lady who frustrated me was inside of the airport that looked so small. Now if the airport appeared this small, how tiny was the lady that was inside. She was not tiny because she shrunk, but because I changed elevations!!! Be Blessed!!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Wednesday Wrap up
Today was a good day! It started off with me traveling to the neighboring city of Elkhart, to be in a Town Hall meeting with presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama. I was impressed not only by his policies, but also by his ability as an orator. This was an informative meeting, and I left with a better understanding about his energy policy.
Unfortunately, I was not able to stay for the duration of the meeting because I had to get to my noon day Bible Class.
Our Sunday School Lesson was a really needed lesson for the Body of Christ. It was taken out of James 2:1-13. The lesson was entitled "Impartial Disciples". This was a thrilling lesson that challenges us not to fall into the temptation of treating people different based upon appearance or to give preferential treatment to those that are well off.
This is something that I am very familiar with. I have several tattoos, and some of them are visible. These are scars from my past. If I go somewhere and they are uncovered, I am treated differently than when I have on a shirt that covers them. I don't mind this in the world, but it troubles me when I come inside of the house of God. I get looks like "You don't belong here, thug" or "Don't take my purse!!" I usually reply to comments about them (which is often) like this, "All of us have scars, some of mine are just visible!"
The lesson suggests that we give those who abuse their power over us preferential treatment. I posed a hypothetical situation to the class. I asked how would we treat the CEO of Exxon-Mobil if he were to walk in our church and sit next to one of the ladies. I said that we would probably scoot over and be very polite and make sure that he was comfortable. On the other hand, what if someone who was drunk, homeless, and smelly sat next to us? It was suggested that the 1st thing the same woman would do is grab her purse real tight and pull it close to her for fear that this man would take all that she had, and forgetting about the fact that this CEO is already taking all that she has by making billions of dollars in windfall profits by charging her $4.00 + for a gallon of gas! The lesson ended on a high note about treating everyone the same! Worthy is the Lamb!!
Bible Study was a pleasure to teach! We concluded our Study in the Book of Galatians, by finishing our exposition on verses 11-18. The concentration of these verses was about God getting the Glory out of the things that we do vs. being people pleasers. In my feeble opinion, motives need to be constantly checked to make sure that the work is being done for the right reason. Paul intimates that the only thing that we have to glory in is the Cross of Christ. Acceptance and approval by God is based solely in the atoning work of Jesus Christ and since we all come to a saving faith the same way, there is nothing to glory in, except for what He's done! AT THE CROSS, AT THE CROSS, WHERE I 1st SAW THE LIGHT, AND THE BURDENS OF MY HEART ROLLED AWAY, IT WAS THERE BY FAITH, I RECEIVED MY SIGHT, AND NOW I AM HAPPY ALL THE DAY!!!!
Unfortunately, I was not able to stay for the duration of the meeting because I had to get to my noon day Bible Class.
Our Sunday School Lesson was a really needed lesson for the Body of Christ. It was taken out of James 2:1-13. The lesson was entitled "Impartial Disciples". This was a thrilling lesson that challenges us not to fall into the temptation of treating people different based upon appearance or to give preferential treatment to those that are well off.
This is something that I am very familiar with. I have several tattoos, and some of them are visible. These are scars from my past. If I go somewhere and they are uncovered, I am treated differently than when I have on a shirt that covers them. I don't mind this in the world, but it troubles me when I come inside of the house of God. I get looks like "You don't belong here, thug" or "Don't take my purse!!" I usually reply to comments about them (which is often) like this, "All of us have scars, some of mine are just visible!"
The lesson suggests that we give those who abuse their power over us preferential treatment. I posed a hypothetical situation to the class. I asked how would we treat the CEO of Exxon-Mobil if he were to walk in our church and sit next to one of the ladies. I said that we would probably scoot over and be very polite and make sure that he was comfortable. On the other hand, what if someone who was drunk, homeless, and smelly sat next to us? It was suggested that the 1st thing the same woman would do is grab her purse real tight and pull it close to her for fear that this man would take all that she had, and forgetting about the fact that this CEO is already taking all that she has by making billions of dollars in windfall profits by charging her $4.00 + for a gallon of gas! The lesson ended on a high note about treating everyone the same! Worthy is the Lamb!!
Bible Study was a pleasure to teach! We concluded our Study in the Book of Galatians, by finishing our exposition on verses 11-18. The concentration of these verses was about God getting the Glory out of the things that we do vs. being people pleasers. In my feeble opinion, motives need to be constantly checked to make sure that the work is being done for the right reason. Paul intimates that the only thing that we have to glory in is the Cross of Christ. Acceptance and approval by God is based solely in the atoning work of Jesus Christ and since we all come to a saving faith the same way, there is nothing to glory in, except for what He's done! AT THE CROSS, AT THE CROSS, WHERE I 1st SAW THE LIGHT, AND THE BURDENS OF MY HEART ROLLED AWAY, IT WAS THERE BY FAITH, I RECEIVED MY SIGHT, AND NOW I AM HAPPY ALL THE DAY!!!!
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