Rules for Going Out to Eat After Church

Rules for Going Out to Eat After Church

Those of us in the church complain that so many people are not in church.   

Sadly, this is true in part because many of them are working and waiting for us to get out of church.  You’ll see them in the store or at the restaurant as you have lunch.

Many servers have a negative opinion of Jesus and church because of the Sunday lunch crowd—those who have supposedly just heard from God.  Church attenders who dress nice and who have supposedly just spent time singing, saying “Praise the Lord” are often in a hurry, in a bad mood, are typically more demanding, cannot be pleased and don’t tip well. 

Don’t believe me?  Just ask what day they hate working the most and why.  For many, it’s their best opportunity to be busy and make a little more money.  But it’s balanced against what they have to put up with.

Because of this, believers must think carefully about how they present themselves if they are going to go out to eat after a morning in church.

Here are some simple rules for going out to eat after church.

1.    If you’re in a bad mood, cranky or frustrated… don’t go out 
Your attitude will be evident to all before the meal is over.  It will reflect poorly on you, church & Christians in general and your server will figure out what church you go to.  But most importantly and tragically, their opinion of Jesus will sink even lower and the person who really needs to be in church will be reminded once again why they don’t want to go.  If you are in a bad mood, your server will likely bear the sting of it in some way—stay home or hit the Drive-Thru.

2.   Ask for and Use your server’s Name
Too many servers feel as if they are less than human by the way they are treated.  Learning their name and treating them pleasantly goes a long way.  Some of them may have wanted to be sitting next to you in church but cannot because they need the job.

3.   Ask if there’s anything you can pray for them about – be sure and do it
Most people still believe in prayer.  We demonstrate that we do when we pray over our meals, but we demonstrate we care for them when we include them in our prayer.  It won’t be long before you talk to a server who is going through some kind of life crisis and is barely able to keep themselves together because they can’t afford to miss any more work.

4.   Intentionally Seek to be a blessing to them
If you’re following these rules, you may already be their best table of the day.  Be creative in how you can bless them—tell them you appreciate their work or find their manager and compliment them.

5.   Be Generous
Whether they really deserve it or not, show grace—undeserved favor.  This is the essence of the gospel—as believers, Jesus died for us even while we were His enemies.  God has given us what we did not deserve.  Most servers make a terrible hourly wage and depend on tips to make any money.  They remember generosity, especially when they know the food wasn’t right or took too long.

6.   Leave a Thank You note
Write on a napkin if you have to, but let them know you appreciate their service.  Better yet, have your church develop something designed to give them.  Leave it with your tip or somewhere on the table.

Mr. Bob Ueker says... "I must be in the Front Row!"

Why is it that for a concert, performance or sporting event, we want to be on the front row.  Yet in the church, the most desired place is on the back rows?

Why?

Let me suggest a couple of reasons and their usually unintentional consequences.

1. We Want to Watch - Not Be Watched
   
   We Want to Judge, not be Judged
   
   We want to see who is there. 
   We want to see who is late. 
   We want to see who's kids are behaving. 
   We want to see who is visiting and what they are wearing.
   
   Sitting in the Back helps us to see everyone else better.  We form opinions about people based on what we see.  We speculate about someone's job, family, marriage if they seem in a bad mood.  On the flip side, we don't want other people watching and forming opinions about us. 
   
2. We don't Want the Responsibility of Being Examples in Worship
   
   Philippians 3:17--"Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us."
   
   Paul frequently tells his readers to look to him, his behavior and actions for an example of how they should be.  He's not asking them to do anything that he himself is not willing to do or practice.
   
   A church service can be confusing for people who haven't been to that congregation or to church at all in a while.  But when all the church members sit in the back, it forces the visitors to sit further in the front and they don't get to see what they should be doing.  This makes them more and more self-conscious, nervous and uncomfortable.
   
   They need to see what the expectations are.  What should they be doing?  Worship is not automatic knowledge--it is a learned behavior. Unbelievers and Visitors need to learn how to worship.  Visitors want to see if we're sincere in our worship, if we're genuine and passionate in seeking after Him.
   
   They need to see that from the regular attenders.  Visitors learn about the congregation by watching the members.  But if we only sit in the back, they have to sit in front of us and we are refusing to let out worship be their example.  We are refusing to lead them, instead we criticize them for not knowing what to do.
   
3. We Want Distance from the Voice of God
   
   In Exodus and Deuteronomy, when the Glory of God descended on the mountain, the Israelites wanted to stay as far away as possible.  The Glory of the LORD is very intimidating.  It reveals His holiness and our sinfulness.  We don't want to be too close to that.. we don't want that kind of accountability. 
   
   And when the Word of God is preached... we don't want to get our toes stepped on.  When we sit so far away from the minister, it creates a distance that makes us more comfortable.  It allows us to think that he is talking to or about someone else.  We're able to glance around and see the other people who need to respond to what is being said, i.e. deflection.
   
   When God is speaking clearly and powerfully through the minister by the Word--it forces the hearers to consider it carefully and potentially make needed changes in order to grow as a disciple.  But we can avoid that and be out the door before we are expected to change.  Sitting in the back helps us do that more.
   
4. Things Visitors Fear that keep them from Visiting Your Church
   
   Being Watched
   Being Judged
   Feeling Out of Place
   Not Knowing What to Do
   Not Having the Right Clothes
   
   All of these things are made worse for them when all of the church regulars take up the back rows.
   
   But We who are mature need to be Examples in Worship - to our children and for visitors
   
   We who are mature need to be seen passionately worshiping God - 1 Corinthians 14:23 assumes that unbelievers are attending our services and watching what we do.
   
5. When mature believers all stay in the back we are saying by our actions... unintentionally, but sometimes intentionally...
   
   You're Not Welcome
   We Are Watching and Judging You
   We Don't Care whether you are comfortable or not
   We're not going to make it easy for you to be here
   We aren't interested in showing you how to Worship God
   
   You mature believers are in a place of familiarity and comfort.  Visitors are not.
   
   Regular attenders know what is going on.  Visitors do not.
   
   Making them sit in front of you increases their fears and insecurities.
   
   It also increases the likelihood that they won't come back. 
6. So What should Mature Believers in Church do?
   
   Sit in the first 6-7 rows
   Lead in Worship
   Consider the Visitor's comfort more important than your own
   Serve them
   Allow the Word of God to mold and shape you
   
   Thoughts?

    

The Mission - Burden or Privilege

Imagine that you wake up in the morning to the United States in a time of great need (a big stretch over the last 10 years I know!). You turn on the news to see the President addressing the nation before cameras and reporters. "And now," he says, "I'm going to call the one person I need to help accomplish and fulfill the mission before us--the task of saving the people of our great nation."



From off camera, one of his staffers hands him a phone. He starts dialing. He puts it to his ear.

And your phone starts ringing.

Caller ID says: Washington D.C.

It's him. He's calling you.

What is going through your mind in this moment?



OK, here's the deal--If the President were ever to call me, I would first think it was a joke. Then I would be stunned and flabergasted that the President would call me for anything. Then I would consider myself totally unqualified and I ...would try to find a way out of it.

Among other things. I would be intimidated, I might be tempted to avoid answering the phone, but I would neverbe rude to the President, never hang up on him or pretend I can't hear him because of a bad cell connection (whether I like the current guy or not). Would you have the nerve to hang up on the President? I wouldn't.

Above all, I hope I would have the courage to do what was asked of me.

The connection in this scenario is that we have someone who has called us that is far bigger and more important than the President: the Creator of the Universe. He has a Mission to be accomplished and it is very important to Him. He wants to save people and give them an eternity with Him.

When God wants to save someone, He SENDS someone. The best example of that is Jesus. Read John 3:17 (everyone knows 3:16). When God wanted to save us, He SENT His Son. God is a Mission Sending God.

And He wants to include us as a vital part of His Mission. God wants to save people now by Sending You. He calls you, maybe not on the phone, but He is calling you to fulfill a great need.

Is this a burden or a Privilege? Do you think God only calls a few select people to this mission? Would you rather God call someone else to do it? Do you want to be left out of it?

Too many believers in Jesus see this mission as a burden and not a responsibility much less a Privilege and a joy. They don't want God to include them--when He calls they refuse to answer the phone or even hang up on the Creator of the Universe.

If it is wrong to do so to the President, how much more to our Creator?

When you become a believer, you given a Mission. How big is your mission? Do you really want the most menial, insignificant and least satisfying mission? Do you really want to go AWOL to the One you call Savior?

You will never understand your faith as well until you become someone who is fulfilling your mission and actively sharing your faith--Philemon 1:6 (NIV especially)

This is more than Smokey the Bear saying, "Only You can prevent forest fires." It's more than just a suggestion--it is a command and a privilege.

Begin seeing your mission as a Privilege and not a burden.

Who do we Talk to?

Listening to a sermon this past Sunday reminded me of something.

John chapters 3 & 4 records two conversations that Jesus engages in. One between a well to do, religious leader and the other between a poorer, morally corrupted woman from another racial background. He was even willing to risk offending her.

It is amazing to see how Jesus handled each person in such different ways. He addressed each one according to their place and situation. He didn't use an outlined Gospel presentation.

One thing I was convicted on was the fact that if I were confronted with these two, I would be most comfortable talking with Nicodemus. I would be more tempted to avoid the conversation with the woman at the well in the same way that the rest of the disciples did.

What I find interesting is that it seems to have taken longer for the "learned" man to respond to Jesus in faith, while Jesus continued talking with the woman until a "decision" was made on her part.

Also, there's no record that Nicodemus went back to his colleagues and immediately began telling them about how great Jesus was, but the woman, the outcast, went and did just that with those who had outcast her.

So why do you think that is?

Who would you be most comfortable talking to? Are you willing to go beyond comfort to share the greatest truths?

Sermon--Mark 5:24-34--No Touch & Go Faith

Mark 5:24-34

There are some days that have too much to do and not enough time. I get frustrated at the rushed feeling when everything seems to take longer than it should, everyone seems to be moving slower than normal—it’s the old “a watched pot never boils” syndrome.

In the same way, when I’m in a hurry to do something, to be somewhere, to meet someone, that seems to be the greatest opportunity for the phone call, that is the greatest opportunity for flat tire, some kind of interruption to stop you from going on to something, somewhere else.

And I’ve learned over the years, that while annoying, at least when it’s the telemarketer, but those moments of interruption are many times a moment of great ministry. What is your interruption, is often God’s Redirection & Opportunity.

Jesus had one of those moments in Mark, as He was on His way with Jairus to see the man’s daughter who needed healing. They were in a hurry, time was short. To make matters worse, there was a crowd that slowed them down.

READ vs. 21-24

The way & streets were narrow so that the crowd was tightly bunched in. A celebrity was coming through, everyone had their camera, everyone wanted an autograph. Jesus’ entourage of body guards were trying to get Him through the crowd, hopefully gently pushing everyone aside because Jesus had something important to do. In a few verses, well get a sense of the exasperation of the disciples as they are trying to make their way through this crowd.

But in the midst of this slowdown, when nerves are getting frayed, another interruption occurred.

READ 25-28

The nerve of this lady—couldn’t she see that Jesus was busy, that He was in a hurry, that He shouldn’t be bothered? Yes, in many ways, she can see all of that. That’s one reason why she doesn’t want to make a big deal about it—she just wants to touch Jesus’ robe and be on her way. She believed, perhaps a bit superstitiously, that Jesus’ Power is great enough, that it would be transferred into His clothes—she doesn’t need a big miracle, she just needs a small dose of that power—she was after all desperate.

Look at the words used to describe her.

Suffering—for 12 years she had been bleeding—probably gynecological, enough to make her weak, uncertain of her future, but also unclean. She was embarrassed about her problem, she was shunned and looked down upon for her problem. If she didn’t think God was punishing her, then I’d expect many other people did think that.

Common attitudes would be: There must be some serious sin in her life for this to be happening to her. OR: She must not have very much faith to not experience healing for 12 years. To have a sickness, to have a disease that not only hurts, not only embarrasses, but cuts you off from the faith and from people and keeps them from getting close to you. Nothing has worked, nothing has cured--

Endured Much—even the kind of treatments that were given to her over the years did not produce healing, instead they produced more suffering. Rather than helping, they intensified the problem, increased the pain

Spent Everything—here was a woman, cut off in many ways, trying to support herself—spent everything she had, every penny she made assuming she could find any work, because everything she touched was considered unclean. But the money she spent was probably her own probably even her dowry for marriage. Because if she was married before this started, her husband probably got rid of her. She had laid aside any hope of her future, in order to try and get better. She spent it all—on doctors, sacrifices, on faith healers,—planting seeds in their ministry—with the promise of return. Rather than better, she was…

Worse, physically, emotionally, relationally, spiritually,—nothing has improved for this woman. Her pain and suffering are real. She was essentially stuck—her life was on hold until she could be restored. She was captive to her disease—she couldn’t work, she couldn’t get married, she was a burden to her family. She is in desperate need of a Redeemer. Someone who would purchase her freedom. That is a hope that carries through the Old Testament.

JOB 19:25 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.

ISA 54:5 For your Maker is your husband-- the LORD Almighty is his name-- the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.

ISA 35:8 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it.
ISA 35:9 No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there,

She Would be disqualified in her current state.


ISA 43:1 But now, this is what the LORD says-- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.


To need Redemption means that you are trapped, held captive and enslaved—trapped as a prisoner of war, trapped in debt, trapped as a slave, and you are held against your will, a captive—and you are unable to Free yourself, unable to change your own condition—you don’t have enough, you have no hope—and you are being auctioned off to the highest bidder. To be Redeemed means that you have been bought off the auctioning block and you have been set free. That’s what Jesus promised to do in His first teaching at a synagogue.

LUKE 4:18-21—quoting Isaiah 61

He comes as our Redeemer—redeeming us from Sin & Death, Redeeming us from the Kingdom of Darkness—where we are captives and dead in our sin—He Redeems us to Life, Light & Holiness

Jesus is on His way to Redeem a young girl from the clutches of death—and He is passing another one in need of redemption.

Here she was, her life on hold and she hears about Jesus being nearby. She believes, has faith that Jesus can heal her.

But she’s not supposed to go near Him. She’s not supposed to mingle with the tight crowds—because of her bleeding—but if she can just get one touch—that will be enough—that One Touch won’t bother Him, won’t interrupt Him, won’t embarrass Him, He’ll never know. I’ll just touch and go—He’ll be on His way, and I’ll be restored.

If I just get to Jesus all my problems will be solved.

Vs. 28

He’ll Never Notice—I’ll come and go, zip in & zip out, Touch & GO--disappear with my healing, disappear with what God has done for me. No one ever has to know. Maybe I’ll send Him a thank you card.

READ vs. 29, 31

Even the Disciples were of the same attitude—there’s a big crowd—we’re pressed in here like sardines—You’re in a hurry to save this other little girl. I’ve got too many people touching me already and you’re worried about someone you don’t even know. there are more important things to be worrying about Jesus.

But Jesus disregards all of that in search of the one who drew Redeeming power from Him. READ 30, 32


Even though the disciples had asked Jesus to move on—and they had many good reasons, there are a lot of people, there are more pressing things—Jesus does not follow their words and insistence—instead, He stops, turns around and asks—“Who touched my robes?”

1. One principle I see in this is that No matter what is going on in the World—Jesus will never ignore you, dismiss you or be too busy for you.

This woman waited for 12 years, so it’s not like if you do something, pray something, confess something, plant some seed, God is then Obligated to jump at your command and do your bidding—heal you on the spot, give you that great new job, that money, or whatever else—despite what Joel Osteen says.

God is under no obligation to do anything—but don’t confuse a “Not Yet” or even a “No” with “I’m not paying attention” or “I don’t care”. People…

the world may be on the brink of falling apart, international leaders might be struggling with a decision, Billy Graham may be on the hotline—but every single one of the hairs on your head are still numbered and not one of them falls to the ground without His notice.

Jesus stops the world essentially to address this woman.

“Who touched my clothes?”

He asks not because He didn’t know, but b/c He wanted the woman to come forward on her own and take another step of faith.

READ vs. 33

It was a great step of faith for her to reach out and touch Jesus—Jesus calls her to even more—One Step was not enough—He didn’t want her to remain in anonymity, but to publically show herself and the answer to her desperation.

It would have been so easy for her to disappear, to blend back into the crowd—to look around and pretend to scan the crowd for the real perpetrator—but she did not—she knew she had been touched, knew she had been healed, knew she had been made whole, knew she had been Redeemed.

She came forward, even though she was afraid—afraid of what? A harsh word? Condemnation? A withdrawal of the miracle and a return to her suffering? Whatever was going through her mind, she took another step of faith and came forward, fell at His feet and spoke the Truth--And the truth set her free.

This is a second principle to take from this passage. When God works in your life, He does not want us to be ashamed of it, to conceal it, to Hide it—to fade into the background, to disappear or to downplay what He has done for us--we shouldn’t hide out on the back row when God has done something wonderful that needs to be shouted from the rooftops.

God doesn’t want just a Touch & GO faith—He wants a lifetime of touches and steps—the same kind of faith that gave her the courage to reach out and touch Jesus in the first place is the kind of faith that gave her courage to acknowledge it was her, to fall at his feet, to speak the truth.

There was a miracle of faith in her healing, but there was also a miracle of faith in her Testimony.

READ vs. 34

Jesus knew who it was--He wants courage and boldness, not just to reach out to Jesus for healing and forgiveness, but to acknowledge His work.

Daughter—the only time in the Gospels that Jesus calls a woman by this title—your faith has healed you—other translations say “saved”—the word is often interchangeable for Physical & Spiritual Healing. Your Faith has Freed You! This woman was Redeemed—the power went out from Jesus, but it was in response to her faith. Did she have that kind of faith all along? I don’t know, but the Faith to believe, combined with the Right Divine Moment to produce a powerful Testimony to the Healing, Redeeming Power of Christ.

It was exactly the kind of testimony—messy as it was—that Jesus was looking for. You and I have been touched by the Master—we have a Testimony, we have a story to tell—you may look at your s and think that yours is not as dramatic, not as powerful, not as wonderful as hers was—but the spiritual transaction that brought her out of the Kingdom of Darkness is the same one that Saved You.

It takes Faith to open our mouths—it takes faith to tell someone about the Power of Christ at work in our life. Faith to Believe and the Right Divine Moment—we will miss it if we hang back in the crowd.

Now, who do you think benefitted from this woman’s Healing & Testimony?

Jesus called her His daughter--
Jesus is moving from one daughter to another daughter— Jairus benefitted.

The text does not say, but I would not be surprised to find out in Eternity that Jairus knew this woman. That she had come to the synagogue for years seeking prayer and cleansing. That as a leader in town, he knew of her affliction, had recommended doctors, recommended treatment, prayed for her.

The testimony of the woman, acknowledging this healing that had plagued her for 12 years--as long as Jairus’ daughter had been alive—strengthened his resolve as well.

“Wow—if Jesus can heal her—and she’s been sick for 12 years, I know He can heal my daughter.” He would have said.

So as he was escorting Jesus back to his home and the people came up saying, “It’s too late, your daughter is dead! Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”

“Don’t be Afraid—Just Believe”

Hey if Jesus can heal her and she’s been bleeding for 12 years—I know He can heal, save, Redeem my daughter!”

Don’t you understand—so many people are out there hurting and in pain and they think their hurt, their sickness, their sin is so bad that not even Jesus can help them—they don’t believe it’s possible.

They need to hear from you the healing power—they need your courage of faith to not disappear into the crowd—not hole up on the back row—but hear of your Healing, Hear of your Restoration, Hear of Your Redeemer—they don’t believe because they’ve never seen it—they’ve not heard it from the Church—
we’re too afraid of our own sin, too embarrassed of our own past, too unwilling to step out of the crowd and say “Yes! I touched Him and He touched Me”

There is no sin that He cannot forgive—I doubt you will find many people in and on the streets of Macomb that has a sin in their life that is not somehow shared with people already here in this church. Sexual sin—hey come on in—we’re already here. Drug abuse—yeah, we tried that too—Jesus is helping us overcome that too. Financial failure—we’re here

Hey, God loves you and He can make you whole just like He did me. I Know My Redeemer Lives

Sermon--Sowing & Fruitfulness--Mark 4:1-20

Mark 4:1-20--Sowing & Fruitfulness

Read Vs. 10-11

God Has Entrusted You with a Secret, a Mystery—the Kingdom of God
• This Secret, this mystery is not supposed to stay that way
• This secret is not meant to be hoarded or locked away—it’s not supposed to stay unclear, hidden or obscure
• This secret is to be told to everyone possible
• They mystery revealed
• This secret will not be understood by everyone
• Only faith comprehends the secret



Sower & Soils—READ 4:1-9

The consistent thing in the whole parable is the fact that the Sower was busy about the work of Scattering the Seed—scattering the Word—leaving the results up to God—see vs. 26-29—The sower is not responsible for the growth of the seed—God is—

The sower is responsible to sow the seed. Just like a farmer has to prepare the ground and plant the seed in anticipation of the rains—he must be faithful to prepare, to plant before the rains come—believing that what is needed will come. He cannot wait until he sees the rain, then the ground will not be prepared, the crop not ready to receive the blessing.

It is my firm belief that Individuals are to be Sowers and Churches as a whole are to be Sowers.
But it is not always easy.

14-15—they hear, but Satan takes it away

We are responsible to sow the word, sow the gospel, sow Jesus—many times, over and over again.

In many cases, neither you nor the church will receive any direct benefit from it. Much of what we do will not return to us. The seed falls and it does not produce the fruit of a changed life.

But God still sees the Sower as Faithful—the growth is a factor of the Work of God and the condition of the Heart upon whom it lands. God will hold the sower responsible if he fails or is unwilling to sow the seed in the same way that a Watchman in Ezek. 33 is held responsible for the blood of those who die because they neglect their duty on the wall.

We must be about Sowing. Much of our efforts to share the secret, the mystery of the Kingdom of God will be like this—you throw it out there but it never takes root. It comes back without fruit—it is snatched away—the enemy keeps someone in chains.

We tend to look at that as a failure—as somehow a lack of faith—but it is not so.

Some may look at it as the foolishness of the sower to waste such seed on the path—he should be more careful and only put it in the places he knows it will take root. That’s “spending his money wisely”. But do not think for a moment that the Word is void even in this situation. It is by no means void—it will not return
void—

Isaiah 55: ISA 55:10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
ISA 55:11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Even the word on the path, accomplishes what He desires—it may be one step, one act of soil preparation in the path of the person hearing the word. It may be removing any excuse or defense—actually increasing the rightness of God’s judgment. But regardless of what happens with the one on whom the seed falls—
Sowing the Good News, sowing God’s Word changes the Sower—the more the Sower sows, the greater the closeness to, the dependence on, the trust and expectation from God.

He who sows little, harvests little. Those who sow sparingly are not trusting of the one who has called, hired, and told them to sow.

“Satan comes and takes away the word sown in them” Satan also uses that in the heart of the sower—to discourage you from sowing any more, to dissuade you from the hope of ever seeing a harvest.

How long has it been since you’ve been a part of a harvest? Have you forgotten the joy and thrill of seeing someone respond in faith—to see the light ignite in their hearts and eyes? Has it kept you from sharing your story, from inviting, from praying at all?

Satan comes to steal it away to keep faith from taking root, and also with the hope of stopping the sower.

READ vs. 16-17

There are many people that the church meets, speaks to, and shares Christ with and respond. There’s an excitement, there’s an expectation. Both the Sower and the Receiver are greatly encouraged. They respond to your invitation and come to try it out—but quickly conclude that it’s not for them—so they quickly disappear—we no longer see them. Often, they may stay for a while, but eventually they will move on to something new. Maybe they see difficulty and trouble and move on, maybe they will see strife, gossip and bickering, maybe they will get their feelings hurt.

That is the pattern of church shopping and hopping. “if you ever find the perfect church—don’t join it because you will instantly corrupt it.”

Fewer and fewer will stay in one church for their whole lives, very few who will be committed to one denomination over their lives. How many of you grew up SBC? Churches are constantly seeing people come in and leave—even in the best and most healthy churches this happens.

I just spoke to the minister who married Vicky and I—the pastor of a good and vibrant church and ministry, he’s been the pastor of the church for about 20 years. He told me his church is currently plateaued because they are losing (despite their best efforts) just as many new people they bring in.

70% of SBC churches are plateaued or declining. Worse, only 11% of SBC churches were experiencing healthy growth.


People leave and move on from churches regularly—it is not unusual— In part, this is what we’re seeing now—for various reasons people are moving on—you and I both know of those who have responded, visited, and left quickly. Some may have stayed for a while but were never planning on staying for long. Still others, as you know, are retiring and relocating.

Some of the causes for people leaving are recent, other causes have been simmering for years, some are the typical pattern of the church in America—especially here—as I was told when my family first moved here—the mobility of the university population has for many years been considered a hindrance to growth at UBC.

This situation—those who receive it—only for a short time—can again very discouraging for the Sower. Why bother to invest the seed, the time when it’s not going to last? Affliction and trouble is just going to undo what we’ve been trying to do.

That kind of discouragement—for the Sower, for those who stay is what contributes to the next: READ vs. 18-19

These are ones in which the faith has grown—they have had all the time to grow, they are in the time of harvest, but when checked for fruit, they have little to none. In relation to the church, these are the ones who have sat in the pew all their lives and never invited, never shared, never led anyone to Christ.

It is possible to hear the word, to receive it and still be Unfruitful. Because of discouragement, but also other things beside their walk with Christ become more important, become obstacles to true faithfulness—nothing happens in their life even though they’ve been sitting in the pews every Sunday and nothing happens—There is no Power, there is No sense of Victory, no Demonstration of the Work of the Spirit.

Sure they may be getting fed the word, some of the fruit of the Spirit grows in them, but it’s as if they are grain forever locked up in the storehouse—they never get out and contribute to a crop of their own.

Here is the cause—
• worries of life distract us from our true mission—
• the deceitfulness or seduction of wealth—get in the way, desires for other things—
• things less important keep us from doing what is truly important.

Every church has people drop out and disappear—we should never accept it or take it lightly, However, when people leave they typically have a reason. we should seek to be corrective when the church is or other members are at fault, forgiving, redeeming, reconciling and amiable.

However, the thing that will kill any church is not people who leave—the thing that kills a church is a
Failure to Sow and Sow a lot and Sow Generously, Lavishly.
Hoarding the Seed may allow you to eat for a little while, but your Future is Gone.
Not Reaching out to new people, not inviting, not sharing, not grabbing hold of the mission of Christ and taking it out to those who do not have a church home, who don’t want one. Having no love for the lost, no urgency to their salvation is a sign that the Weeds have come up and chocked out our Fruitfulness.

“Over time, most churches plateau, and most eventually decline. Typically, they start strong or experience periods of growth, but then they stagnate. Patterns and traditions that once seemed special eventually lose their meaning. Churches that were once outwardly focused eventually become worried about the wrong things. They become more concerned about a well used policy manual than a well used baptistery.”—pg 17

We must reconnect with our mission—the one Jesus gave to us as a reason for existence here on earth—we must recapture an urgency for sowing by awakening a true love and concern for the lost. Jesus outside of Jerusalem wept for those unwilling to embrace Him in faith. And our attitude according to Philippians 2 is to be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

It’s not going to be by memorizing a new outline though that may help you, but by continuing to fight, not losing hope, continuing to sow and trust the results to God—He makes it all grow.

A growing church requires each person using their gifts to serve and minister to others, sharing their life story, deliberately seeking out and praying for their friends, neighbors and co-workers, requires each person to be a growing and fruitful disciple. Fruitfulness is one way to measure growth. Fruitlessness is one way to measure distraction.

If you don’t ever share your story, if you don’t ever pray for another person in person, if you don’t ever invite anyone to church, or tell them of the life-changing power of Jesus Christ—then you are missing something as a disciple of Christ. And the church is missing something from it’s body—one thing that means is that we are unfruitful. Sowing People make a Sowing Church.

I’ve been asking around, asking previous members and ministers and observing and my fear is that we are not a sowing church. That’s why we can see almost a generation and a half missing from the church. We have children & youth and then roughly 45’s and up. The only ones in the 20-30’s range are on staff.

If our church were to close its doors today, would anyone besides our own member notice?
Would the city be saddened because such a great community-transformation partner—a missionary of impact was gone? Or would it even miss a beat?

Jesus is the Light of the World—but in Matt. 5:14 He calls us the light of the world—the light that should not be hidden,

The light we have is not meant to be hidden, the mystery and secret we have been given is not meant to be concealed.

Vs. 22, 24-25

We must hold on to the hope that is found in vs. 20—that those who receive and become fruitful will produce a wonderful harvest.

The Heart of a Sower—

I’ve got this seed—I’ve been saving it—it is precious—it is the future—it is the future of my family, it is the future of my people—only by scattering and being generous with this precious seed do any of us have any hope. I can’t guarantee the harvest, for each seed, I don’t know if it will produce anything, if I will see any harvest from it. I have faith & hope. The only thing I am certain of is that I don’t scatter it—there will be no harvest.

Individually, you must be a sower—scattering the seed of your faith at every possible moment. But even bigger than you individually—our family, our fellowship must be a sowing church.

Only if we are willing to sow will we ever see an increase. We need, I believe to repent of our unwillingness to sow.

Sermon-- Vision for Ministry-- 2/24/08

Here is the audio of this message:


In looking at a Vision for Univeristy Baptist Church, we’ve looked at several things--
• Empowered Worship
o Passionate Worship
o Responsive Worship
o Invitational Worship
o Accept the call
• Emboldened Witness
o Awakened heart
o Emboldened heart
o Opportunistic heart
o Expanded idea
• Expressive Ministry

To be a church that ministers unselfishly to persons in the community and world in Jesus’ name.--Ministry

Unselfish
Persons
Community & World
In Jesus’ Name

Exercising spiritual muscles –

a man entered into a body building contest—an expert in the field of weightlifting—a genius. He had studied every technique, read every book and bio of the greatest, knew the strengths & weaknesses of free weights, each type of machine, had studied the best nutritional supplements. He entered the contest going up against muscles like this, all the while, he looked like this.

It is possible to know all there is to know about lifting the weights and building bigger muscles, and never build a single muscle to strength.

Does this happen often? NO—someone in this situation will in most cases, either start lifting weights or will stop learning about them--

In the same way, there are many Christians, many believers who think they will want to know all there is to know, grow all they can grow, who think they can build a strong spiritual muscle without the element of Ministry—which is our equivalent of lifting weights. But you won’t—as you grow as a disciple, you will either start doing ministry, or you will stop growing in your faith.

According to James, We Must Not be hearers of the word only—but we must be doers of it.

I am convinced that one of the main reason and causes of apathy, declining participation, decreased attendance, and lowered desire to commit in membership among believers in our churches, and in our church is because we are not getting our hands dirty Ministering in the Name of Jesus.

Ministry is focused more on people than it is on tasks—tasks often are necessary work in order to reach people—but the goal still must be—how does this help us reach people with the Good News of Jesus. Ministry is about people and once you lose that element—the task becomes tedious.

It’s like the difficulty of maintaining the military or troop morale when there is no battle to fight. The troops begin to question the necessity of training, they begin to question the need for all of their armor and fighting equipment. “What do I need this stuff for? It’s not like I’m every going to use it!!!???” So as a result, the difficulty becomes a maintaining of focus—attention to detail—the necessity of drilling and preparing. If given the opportunity—they would lessen the frequency and the intensity of the training. Mandatory meetings

People, that is the Church—we come and receive our training, we prepare ourselves to use the sword of the Spirit, but without Service, Ministry & Evangelism—all the best discipleship, the best Bible study, the best worship in the world will grow cold. “What do I need this Bible Study for—it’s not like I’m ever going to use it!” What do I need to be at church every week for—it’s not like I’m missing something important!”

We like to do a lot of things, we like to be busy—we like to go to Bible study—but where we are weak is actually applying what we know and what we claim to believe in ministering to and serving People—not ideas, not good intentions, but People—which includes our fellow believers in the church, believers who should be in the church but are not—and the lost who think they like Jesus but aren’t too sure of the church people b/c if they’re anything like the ones they see on late night TV—

The reason why the world thinks it likes Jesus and doesn’t like the Church is b/c they hear and read and see more about those moments when Christians do the wrong thing than personally experience the Church doing the right things.

Most of you have jobs that require you to deal with people. Could you do your job and avoid people? If you only served existing contracts, existing patients, students or customers but blew off anyone new?

We cannot just serve the church believers, but must also serve the Lost—actually talking to people in the moment of their need—much of which will be underappreciated, much of which we will never see a direct return for--

When we distance our ministry, our efforts, our gifts and calling from people—our hearts will grow cold.


Definition of Minister—someone that serves as an agency, instrument, or means to the praise and glory of God

Shorter than that—someone that serves
1CO 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Colossians 3:17--17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:23--Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Ministry and Service go hand in hand—you were created for them.

Ephesians 2:10-- For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Every single one of us are created to be a Minister—to Minister and Serve. Thankfully none of us are created for exactly the same ministry or service.

1CO 12:4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.


A Vision for Ministry that Engages People because that is Serving God

Serving others is serving God—whatever you do for the least of these, you do unto me

Colossians 3:23-24--Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Matthew 25:34-35--"Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

MT 25:37 "Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

MT 25:40 "The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

A Vision for Ministry that is Intentional—
Not just for the sake of doing it, but with Intent and Purpose
Why are you doing it—for the attention, because you

Ministry must be Expressive—why are you doing this—what is your motivation? In who’s name? —In the Name of Jesus Christ—

AC 3:6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
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Ministry will be Binding—blest be the tie that binds--And Evangelistic—It must be Both


For too long we have looked at ministry as if it is something that stands alone—we do ministry and then over here, we do evangelism. Ministry must never be separated from the People you are ministering to.

Sometimes we think of ministry and evangelism like this:

Well the truth is that much of evangelism takes the form of ministry—like servant evangelism much of evangelism is really a matter of ministry.

That’s why your Sunday School needs a Teaching Minister and a Connecting Minister—to connect to those who are on your roles who are not there and let them know they were missed, make sure they’re OK, if they have any prayer needs, what they missed— to connect with those who aren’t on anyone’s roles but should be

A grown up disciple that is not serving is not mature after all—maturity is for ministry—act on what we know

Study without service leads to spiritual stagnation

When you have a Vision for Ministry that is people focused rather than task focused—the result is an Energized People of God

When you have a Vision for Ministry that Pursues Opportunities to serve and meet needs—the result is an Evangelistic People of God

Vision for Ministry that is Internal—It Reaches In—and does the things necessary to meet the needs of the church and the church family—that ministers to each other’s needs—pray, call, visit, invite each other into our lives—many of us have hurts and pains and struggles that we are afraid to share, afraid for one of you to know about----they need you.

Vision for Ministry that is External--Reaching Out—to those who are not a part of our fellowship—maybe not any church. They are hurting as well—they have struggles and pain, but with much less hope of an answer—if I just do better, if I just work harder, then maybe these bad things won’t happen, maybe God will love me.—let’s you and I find a way to minister to their hurts and pains—pray for them, show them you care, make them a meal, send them a note everyday.

It’s not the fact that people aren’t in need of ministry
It’s not the fact that we are greatly lacking in resources for ministry

The primary cause is a lack of Willingness to actually do ministry on a personal, life impacting level that causes us to get our hands dirty, that causes us to be vulnerable to reach out to those who are not like us, who are dirty and struggling, who are the sick.

It is as if…
We are doctors who only want to treat healthy patients. We are lifeguards who only want to watch Olympic swimmers. We are police officers who only want to patrol the crime free neighborhoods. We are the Church who only wants the righteous and not the sinners. We are like shepherds that want to stay with the 99 rather than go out for the one who is lost—but the heart of Jesus goes

We want ministry on our terms—when it is convenient—with people we already know or without people at all. And so our service in the church and in ministry becomes optional, if we feel like it—it moves from often, to occasionally, to from time to time, to rarely, to not at all.. Church attendance follows this same thing.

We do not want ministry that involves sacrifice, inconvenience, or people that haven’t already got their life together.

But Jesus said it is the sick that need a doctor. In the same way, it’s those who are drowning that need the lifeguard—it’s the crime ridden neighborhoods that need the police.

If you reflect on your Christian life and it feels stagnant, or uninspiring, or indifferent, or unnecessary. If coming to Church, to fellowship with other believers has become “no big deal” or “I know I won’t miss anything so there’s no real reason to be there.” If you think that, then a lost person will certainly think that—and if you think that then get involved in ministry—not doing stuff, but ministering to people--nothing will wake you up faster, nothing will inspire you to more than ministering to people in need—I’m not saying more tasks—that keep you busy but still cut off…, I’m saying people—find a way—if someone is on your heart right now, talk to me and Patrick, and together, we’ll think of a way to impact their life.

Let me ask you—think about what you are currently doing at UBC, how you minister and how you hope to minister.

With eyes closed, let me see a show of hands for those who are mostly Internal in the way you minister and your hearts desire.

Let me see those who are External—toward those not in the church
No insignificant ministries—some visible, some behind the scenes, all vital

Sermon-- Vision for Evangelism-- 2-17-08

Here is the audio for this message.

Vision for Evangelism

In our discussion about Vision—we’ve looked at the negatives of not having vision, but also the blessing of having vision. Having vision helps you see clearly what is needed; vision blesses you by helping you rally around a great cause and future, and when there are obstacles and difficulty—Vision helps you overcome them. to achieve great things you only could be dreamed.
In that closer look at vision—we now need to add another one a vision that once again ties into one of the main reasons every church exists. A Vision for Sharing the Love of God with a Lost and Dying World.

The late Sam Shoemaker, an Episcopalian bishop, summed up the situation this way: "In the Great Commission the Lord has called us to be--like Peter--fishers of men. We've turned the commission around so that we have become merely keepers of the aquarium. Occasionally I take some fish out of your fishbowl and put them into mine, and you do the same with my bowl. But we're all tending the same fish."
Em Griffin, The Mindchangers, Tyndale House, 1976, p. 151.

To be a dynamic spiritual church empowered by the Holy Spirit to share Christ with as many people as possible in our church, community, and throughout the world.
Acts 1:8—“ you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The Acts 1:8 Challenge

1. A Vision for an Awakened Heart for Evangelism
o When you have been in church for so long, maybe growing up in church—it’s easy to forget what it was like to be lost—to forget, the “heights from which we have fallen”—forget what it’s like to be apart from God—and the lostness, the darkness. Even if you were always a good person, even if you came to believe as a child—you may not remember, the tension eased, the frustrations and darkness diminished. It’s hard to hold to the clarity of memory for that long.

o And so the heart of some can grow cold. Cold to the dying around them.
o Too Often the Heart of God is Forgotten & Neglected—we seem to downplay the significance that God orchestrated time and space in order to breach the chasm that separated deity and humanity in order to mount the greatest rescue mission the universe has ever seen.

o LK 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

o Luke 15:7-10-- 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

LK 15:8 "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, `Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Who is the one who is rejoicing in the presence of the angels? Who would they be paying enraptured attention to?
Who is in the presence of the Angels? Usually we think of them being in God’s presence, but aren’t they in His presence—God is rejoicing before them! he lets that joy and celebration show before them.

o This is the Heart of God—if even just one sinner repents—there is joy in heaven. When we lose our desire for evangelism and replace it with fear or hesitancy, we are distancing ourselves from the heart of God.

o Our hearts need to be awakened—to the fact that somewhere we have forgotten how terrible it is to be lost—lost and not even knowing it--to be trapped in the kingdom of darkness—

o Our hearts must be awakened to the fact that there are those trapped in darkness all around us—prisoners of war—our fellow soldiers who are hurting, who are confused—so confused, they don’t even know their condition.

o Our hearts need to be awakened—to the Heart of God—

o Our hearts need to be awakened to The Mission—to Evangelism—to the Great Rescue Mission that God initiated and asked us to be a part of.
o Imagine someone hanging on cliff desperate for a rescue—you’re holding the only rope—will you send it to him? Or imagine your driving a boat and you come across someone treading water—barely staying afloat—desperate for a life jacket and a ride to shore—you’ve got both—do you stop and help them? Will you only throw the life-jacket but not give him a ride?

o Did you know that a doctor at the scene of an accident is not under any legal obligation to render aid? That in fact, by helping a doctor is opening themselves up to a greater liability? A doctor who is at the scene of an accident, who sees that someone is dying and in need of a simple treatment may not be legally bound to render aid in that moment, but if they prove to be unwilling to save someone’s life when they can may very well never practice medicine again once all their patients found out.

o And a church without a heart for introducing people to Jesus is a church that may never practice their medicine again—a church that is dying.

2. A Vision for an Emboldened Heart for Evangelism
o Too Often Afraid or Hesitant to share the Good News—that God loves you—so much that He died in order to set you free from sin, suffering & death—and proved He could do it by coming back to life.

o What is stopping you? Are you afraid? Are you afraid of what they may think of you? Are you afraid that you don’t know what to say?

o Matthew 10:19-- 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

o Mark 13:11-- do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit

o In many cases it’s as simple as Open Your Mouth—Say Anything—as long as your mouth is closed then there is no opportunity for the Holy Spirit to speak through you—



o if you believe that the Holy Spirit can intercede and pray for you before the Father when you don’t know how or what to say with words you cannot express—then you’d better believe that the same Holy Spirit can speak through you to other people

o The world is telling the church—“Just keep your mouth shut.”

o While God is desperately saying—“Just keep you mouth open and I will give you what you need.”

o When Moses was before the burning bush—even after he had seen the miracles of the staff and the snake, his own hand turning leprous and healing—he said this to the call of God—“ "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."

EX 4:11 The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

o In the midst of a generation screaming for answers, Christians are stuttering. Howard Hendricks

o Why do you have the Holy Spirit in your life? 2 Reasons—

o First—personal confirmation and sealing—assurance of salvation, conviction of sin—the Holy Spirit is there for your personal faith and growth.

o Second—so you may be an empowered and emboldened witness for Jesus Christ

o Acts 1:8—“ you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

o If God did not intend for you to be His witness, He would not send the Holy Spirit—which also means—if you have the Holy Spirit then you have all the power you need to be His witness. If you don’t want to be a witness—then you’re effectively saying you don’t want the Holy Spirit or His work in your life.

o The Holy Spirit is present in this world and in our hearts to Empower and Embolden us to be His witnesses—the Holy Spirit is not meant for the few elite—He is meant for all—but He will work through you—and witness through you in a way that is different from me.

o That boldness did not come naturally—the early church, the apostles—they prayed for it.

o Acts 4:29-- enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.

o Ephesians 6:19-- Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

o Are you actively praying for Boldness from God that you might be given the opportunity to witness for Him?

3. A Vision for an Opportunistic Heart for Evangelism
o Too Often Unaware & Unwilling
o Along with praying for boldness—are you praying for the opportunity.

o I’ve been the kid playing baseball in the outfield praying—“please don’t hit the ball this way, please don’t hit the ball this way.” Is that how you feel about sharing your faith?

o Colossians 4:2-6—“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

o Evangelism happens wherever you are—you must be opportunistic and deliberate—you must look for those doors of opportunity that God opens for you and have the courage of faith to step through them.

o “Make the most of every opportunity”… every conversation, every question needs some grace and some salt.


4. A Vision for an Expanded Idea of Evangelism
o Part of our problem is that we don’t really know what evangelism is any more. Too many of us think that if we’re not presenting the 4 Spiritual Laws or some kind of outline, then we’re not witnessing.

o Getting to know someone is a form of evangelism—being kind, being generous is a form of evangelism—so long as you are aware that at any moment a door of opportunity might open for you to ask, to share, to testify.

o Praying is a form of evangelism. So many people believe in it—so many need it—ask them if you can pray for them.

o Will your house be a house of prayer? If you are willing, commit to 5 or more of your neighbors—that you will visit or speak with them at least twice a month for nothing more than asking if there’s anything they would like you to pray for. If another opportunity opens, then fine—follow the Holy Spirit’s leading—but get out of your house go to a neighbor, go to a friend and ask to pray for them.

o You can do the same thing at work—you can do the same thing at school—you can do the same thing wherever we go.

o Christ met unbelievers where they were. He realized what many Christians today still don't seem to understand. Cultivators have to get out in the field. According to one count, the gospels record 132 contacts that Jesus had with people. Six were in the Temple, four in the synagogues and 122 were out with the people in the mainstream of life. J.K. Johnston, Why Christians Sin, Discovery House, 1992, p. 142.

o Be deliberate, be bold, be creative in how you evangelize and share the Good News

5. A Vision to Go On Mission
o College going to Beach Reach
o South Korea—August 4-18 – churches to Wisconsin, another Des Moines
o The Times-Reporter of New Philadelphia, Ohio, reported in September, 1985 a celebration of a New Orleans municipal pool. The party around the pool was held to celebrate the first summer in memory without a drowning at the New Orleans city pool. In honor of the occasion, 200 people gathered, including 100 certified lifeguards. As the party was breaking up and the four lifeguards on duty began to clear the pool, they found a fully dressed body in the deep end. They tried to revive Jerome Moody, 31, but it was too late. He had drowned surrounded by lifeguards celebrating their successful season. Times-Reporter, September 1985.

Letter to Laodicea--Revelation 3:14-22

We’re coming to the last letter to the churches in Revelation—and in some ways, it might be the most challenging one yet because it carries a warning not just a church like UBC, but for all the churches in the United States, even all the churches in Western Civilization.

Laodicea was a very, very wealthy city, founded by Antiochus II and named after his wife Laodicea. The city was strategically located where three highways converged, thus it was highly commercial. It was well known for its banking industry, its manufacture of black wool and a medical school that produced eye ointment. The wealth in the city had been used to build theaters, a huge stadium, lavish public baths and fabulous shopping centers. Sound familiar? Sounds like any typical American city. So wealthy was this city that when an earthquake almost entirely destroyed it in 60 AD, its wealthy citizens refused help from Rome in rebuilding the city. They did it all themselves. If you were a real estate agent at the time it wouldn’t be hard to sell Laodicea. It was a great place to live. The land of opportunity. The only real negative about the place was its lack of an adequate water supply—and that will come into play later

READ Rev. 3:14-22

Jesus identifies Himself as the Amen—used at the beginning of a statement, it signifies that it is a statement of truth—used at the end—signifying Agreement—particularly in terms of Divine Truth, Action or Will--Jesus is the Amen—always agrees and is obedient to the Will of the Father ands o He is the Faithful and True Witness—testifyer in Word and Deed to the Rightness and Goodness and Glory of God. Jesus is the example of everything He has called us to be—faithful and true—in spite of suffering and difficulty—When we have seen Him—we have seen the Father—when we hear or read His words—we are hearing the words of God. He is the

Originator/Ruler/Source/Beginning of Creation of all creation—Colossians 1:16-- For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.”

We take comfort in that b/c no matter how big and intimidating and threatening this world may be—Jesus is greater—creation is answerable to Him—so we have the privilege of going to the highest authority—and no matter what this world’s opinion of us may be—if He is pleased with us—we are truly blessed.

1. Jesus walks among us and takes our Temperature—

a. One of the things that I always hate about taking one of my kids to the doctor with because of a fever is because invariably—when we get into the office and they actually put the thing in their ear, they don’t have a fever. A fever is often times the only symptom to know that something is wrong—there is some sickness, some illness, some cold, flu, infection impacting the body.

b. Temperature has been recognized for most of human history as an indicator of health—too warm—you have a fever with any number of causes—too cold—you may be loosing blood, hypothermic, or dead. Jesus didn’t have to be the Divine Son of God to know that temperature is an indicator of health. But He would have had an even better understanding of it. And in this letter, He lets us know that temperature is also a way to assess Spiritual Health as well. Jesus walks among us and takes our Temperature to assess the health of each of us and the whole congregation.

c. He is using a local, well known problem relating to their water supply to relay a spiritual meaning. I told you we would eventually get to this. This is a sort of parable, if you will!
Laodicea, as rich as it was, had a serious water problem. The city’s water was “piped in” from six miles out. It came to them along an aqueduct. By the time it arrived it was lukewarm. The city of Hierapolis, just seven miles north of Laodicea, was famous for its hot springs. Colossea, less than ten miles away, was known for its cool water.

d. But they at Laodicea were neither—they were neither Hot, like the water pumped in from Hierapolis, nor Cold, like the water from Colossae.

e. Right now they were neither—essentially, they are not what they are supposed to be—they are not fulfilling their expected function—

f. Why would He rather they be cold or hot? I’ve always thought of being cold as a bad thing, and being on fire for God was a good thing.—He wouldn’t prefer us to be one or the other unless something more were going on. But I still cannot reconcile the idea that Jesus would “rather” us be cold” than warm.

g. Cold water is supposed to be cold—on a hot summer’s day when you’ve just finished mowing the lawn the last thing you want is a hot chocolate. You want an iced tea, a cold glass of lemonade. Hot water is supposed to be hot—with it you can make the hot tea, coffee, chocolate—you don’t want iced coffee when it’s 30 degrees outside.

h. They were a church that had a function, that had a role that was intended to fulfill their purpose—just like in your house—cold water has it’s place—hot water has it’s place. Being a faithful and true witness to the Glory of God and the Good News of Jesus Christ—

i. This church was either Not Doing the Right Things—i.e.—not fulfilling their purpose or What they were doing, they were doing for the wrong reason—the wrong motive—and so not fulfilling their Mission & Calling.

j. In this Case, when Jesus takes the Temperature of the Church—when He sticks the Thermometer in our mouth—He wants to get a reading—He gages our spiritual health by getting a reading—and having a fever is a good thing—because we would be fulfilling our intended purpose—having a cold temperature is a good thing—b/c we would be fulfilling our calling.

k. It’s the room temperature, it’s the average, it’s the blending in temperature that is problematic and not the church that is faithful and true.

l. Just keep doing what we’re doing, don’t draw attention to yourself, don’t cause a scene, don’t rock the boat, maybe they won’t notice you, maybe they’ll have a good opinion of you, maybe they’ll leave you alone, maybe they won’t harass you, maybe they’ll even like you.

m. Such an attitude of compromise in the individual Christian and the larger Church body both saddens and sickens the heart of God—we are not fulfilling our Calling. vs. 16—“Because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you/vomit you out of my mouth.”—This church had become distasteful, this church had become unpleasant, this church had become potentially

n. Causes of Lukewarmness

i. Distance from the Source—the further from the source spring, the more like the surrounding temperature it was.


That is a humbling proposition—that we can be lukewarm because in reality are hearts are far from Him. Isaiah 29:13--The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”—when we are far from the source—the source of our power and strength—the ruler of God’s creation—we blend in—and that makes us distasteful

ii. Sitting Out W/Out being Used—perhaps we can be close to the source—but if we go unused for extended periods of time, then we become distasteful. I hate going to a restaurant, ordering a Coke only to have them bring me one that is flat—no bubbles. It’s no longer fresh—so it’s no longer fulfilling it’s purpose. I usually make them take it back and get me something else.

Think of all the things that when they get left out and sit around for a while or overnight that are no longer good for you or appealing—an ice cube tray, a gallon of milk, ice cream, coffee, leftovers

Think of all the skills and gifts and blessings God has given you that are untapped, unused.

iii. Scripture gives its own causes of Lukewarmness in vs. 17—not only does Jesus walk Among us and take our Temperature, but He also walks among us as our personal accountant—who knows our financial situation better than we do ourselves.

2. Jesus Walks Among us with a Calculator—vs. 17

a. Symptoms which make you lukewarm—I’m rich, I’m wealthy, I’ve got everything I need—life is good, so good that I’ve got nothing to worry about—I’ve got the best house, the best car, the best job, the best clothes—every symbol of the American Dream is mine--God was a convenience

b. Remember, this was a very wealthy city and maybe even congregation—they had refused help to rebuild. Imagine if New Orleans had said—No thanks to all the federal aid and assistance in rebuilding after Katrina.

c. They were the epitome of Self-Sufficiency—and it made them indifferent to the things of God—they thought they were Rich

d. But when Jesus calculated their wealth—He came up with different Numbers. They were ignorant of their real condition.

e. They lived like a superstar, demanded superstar/high roller treatment on a Minimum Wage Salary.

f. They thought they had it all—and were undoubtedly shocked to hear they had nothing of real value. They were the “Dot Com” or Enron investor who went to bed thinking they were a millionaire but overnight, woke up with nothing. They thought they were a Prince, when they were really a Pauper. They thought they were the #1 Draft Pick, when in reality, they were Mr. Irrelevant. They thought they were a part of God’s Best & Blessed, God’s Chosen

g. And when this Reality Check was put before them, when this mirror reflected the Truth, when this Faithful and True Accountant calculated their wealth—He came up with different numbers—and I guarantee it was a shock to hear.

h. This church thought things were great—they thought they were faithful—they thought things were going good—we’re rich—God must love us—we don’t need a thing b/c we’re not suffering, we’re not persecuted—so God must be pleased—NO—you’re ignorant of your true situation

i. You’ve got nothing—everything you’ve got is worthless—it’s fake, it’s virtual spirituality—you’re not rich you’re wretched & poor, you’re not well off—you’re pitiful, you aren’t seeing things clearly—you’re blind

j. Worldly wealth & comfort—misdiagnosis—the faithful and true witness says we are not as rich as we think we are, we are not as well off as we think we are, we are not doing so well as we like to think of ourselves.

k. Instead, we are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked—we are totally impoverished, we’ve been ravaged by war, famine, we’ve lost everything to a fire, hurricane and earthquake—we’ve got nothing

l. The church in Smyrna had nothing—they were suffering. Jesus described them this way in 2:9—I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!”

m. The church in Western Civilization has it all—has peace and prosperity—the Church in America has more than anywhere else—we are rich—mostly self sufficient and it has made us largely cold and indifferent to the movement and the heart of God. The church in the West is overall Declining in numbers and influence. All while the fires of revival are raging in what we would call 3^rd World or Developing Nations—the Christian population is shifting to Africa and Asia—they are beginning to send more and more missionaries to the very places that first brought the name of Jesus to them.

n. We are so wealthy, so self-sufficient, so self-indulgent, that we no longer rely on God for Power and so we rarely see the Holy Spirit at work. We have become Self-Deluding. We’re kidding ourselves, I’m kidding myself if I think I’m sold out for Christ—it costs me nothing, there is very little price for me to pay, very little threat to my life or livelihood. I blend in nicely

o. The standards Jesus calculates our wealth by is not gold or silver—He says (Matthew 6:19)—“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up fro yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

p. According to Jesus we are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. We can’t even afford clothes for ourselves. But thankfully,

3. Jesus Walks Among Us Providing Everything We Need

a. He advises us to get our wealth from Him. Their riches and wealth are not refined by Jesus—they will not survive the fire—what they have does not make them rich spiritually

b. Your house, as nice as it may be—is not nearly as good as the house Jesus is building and decorating for you. your clothes cannot cover your sinfulness, no matter how expensive or what brand—you are totally exposed unless you are covered by the clothes that Jesus gives.

c. Despite the best glasses, contacts, and laservision—you still cannot see clearly. Laodicea was famous for it’s eye ointment—but they were still blind and unable to See what was Really important. They were blind to the things of God, blind to the movement of God, blind to the heart of God, blind to the their own need, blind to the need of the lost around them, blind to the true remedy—their best homegrown remedy could not do it.

d. Jesus promise to heal our spiritual blindness—to make us hot—to make us cold—He desires to make us useful for His Kingdom’s sake He desires to shock us back to reality—He desires to step on our toes so hard that it causes us to cry out in pain, and jump up off our pews and fulfill our Mission and Our Calling—

e. One of these Sundays, I’m going to install a zapper into all of these pews that I can just press a button—and zap you—to get your attention—to wake you up

f. Vs. 19—He’s not saying all of this stuff to us because He doesn’t like us—b/c He’s done with us, given up or moved on. In reality, He is saying all this to us because He loves us—and hates seeing us so self-deluded—thinking we’re on fire when we’re not. Thinking we’re rich, when we’re poor and really so pitiful and weak, like sheep without a shepherd. He hates seeing us unwilling to come in under His wings. He hates seeing us poor, blind & Naked. He hates seeing us Lukewarm when we could be On Fire—when we Could be Hot Chocolate on a cold winter’s Day or a refreshing Iced Tea in the Summer’s heat. Instead, we are settling for mediocrity.

4. Jesus Walks Among Us as a Door-to-Door Revivalist—vs. 20

If you want to be amazed—if you are ready for a sobering encounter with Jesus—then answer this door. This Door Knocking is not for the Purpose of sharing the Good News with the Lost—this is for the Purpose of bringing a Reality Check to the Saved—of Bringing an Awakening of Passion for Jesus Christ—because it is so easy, in our comfort to be lukewarm.

There are a lot of people like that in the church today!
They come to church once in awhile but they aren’t enthusiastic about it.
They come to worship but they have little conviction.
They come to church but they aren’t interested in the church’s programs or projects.
They come to church but they give little or no support in finances or any other way.

Ask yourself these questions: (intimacy inventory)

1. Do my mind and mouth switch to auto-pilot during the song service?
2. Is my last answered prayer just a dim memory?
3. Do I feel guilty, angry or skeptical when I hear someone talk about what they got from their private devotional time w/ God?
4. Do I read my Bible because I’m supposed to, and not because I want to?
5. Do I find myself critiquing and criticizing the service, rather than growing from it?
6. During handshake time, do I wish everyone would just leave me alone?
7. Do those smiling and happy Christians get on my nerves?
8. Am I continually looking for ways of becoming less committed, rather than more committed? (quitting areas of service)

If you can answer yes to one or more of those questions, you may be drifting toward Room Temperature--in danger of losing your first love.

Those He loves –He corrects—He rebukes and disciplines. No discipline seems pleasant at the time—some of you may not like hearing these messages—it makes you uncomfortable—it makes me uncomfortable to have the magnifying glass of Scripture applied to my life. But it is supposed to reap a harvest of righteousness a greater and growing glory to the Kingdom of God.

Just like last week—there is a door—last week, Jesus told us that the doors He opens—they stay open—those He closes—they stay closed.

You have a door—while He is strong enough to overpower you and knock your door down—He knocks & waits for you to open it and invite Him in—then that door remains open

You are the host & He is the guest, usually that means that you provide the dinner—but not this time. I believe in this case, Jesus does, He serves you the best meal-a foretaste of the Marriage Banquet Feast that is in the Future of the Bride of Christ

When you overcome—remain faithful and true witnesses—following in the footsteps of Jesus. He gives you the right to sit on the Throne with Him, in a place of power and rule. Each of these churches may, when reading these overcoming statements be looking around at their situation and thinking—I just don’t see how it’s possible. The rest of Revelation is God’s answer to that concern—it is supposed to be a validation, an assurance, an encouragement to the churches that each of those statements will come to pass.