The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him “Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."
Matthew 1:23
Merry Christmas! There is no more wonderful time of the year than when we celebrate the birth and incarnation of God’s son – Jesus Christ. From our home to yours, we wish you the best that Christ’s birth brings – especially the promise of God being with us.
2008 was tough for most people - economic collapse, home foreclosures, lost jobs, natural disasters, wars - not just here in our nation but all over the world. Yet the good news this Christmas is that there is a hope and a peace and a joy that comes from God's promise to be "with us" that supercedes what is going on around us or even what is happening to us. We want to give you greater hope, peace & joy this Christmas. For Amy and I, “God with us” means many things. It means:
* We’re not alone anymore - wandering through life feeling like no one understands where we’re at or what we’re going through
* God hasn’t forgotten about us or suffered “temporary amnesia” in regards to our lives. He is engaged, connected and constantly thinking about us, showing concern for us & watching over His own children
* We can now have hope that transcends any troubles of this life. Life can come at us hard, but there is nothing more solid and sustaining than God & eternal life
* We’re not helpless – if God is for us, who can be against us! He is always helping us – especially in areas where we feel helpless or unable to make things the way they should be. He’s our father and our friend!
* We now have meaning and purpose in life. There were many stars in the sky the night Jesus was born – but only one pointed to the savior and Lord of glory! We have light, direction and purpose through his birth
* We don’t have to be afraid or anyone or any situation any longer
* God doesn’t hold our sins against us any more. If we repent and believe in God’s gracious gift, Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven and washed away, and we are now free and adopted as children belonging to God
John Ortberg, in his book “God is closer than you think,” writes, “The central promise in the Bible is not ‘I will forgive you.’ The most frequent frequent promise is ‘I will be with you’.” What an awesome promise for us today!
May the love, joy, peace and presence of God being yours through Jesus’ birth this holiday season!
Dave, Amy, Jonathan, Christian, Cara, Luke & Abigail
God With Us
The Power of Share
There was a group of people thousands of years ago that literally changed the course of history. They actually believed what Jesus said, and they responded by obeying Him and putting their faith into action. Supernatural healing happened, blind eyes were opened, and people were even raised from the dead. Yet from my vantage point, an even greater miracle occurred in Luke’s writings of the Acts of the Disciples:
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. Acts 4:32
To get a diverse group of Jewish believers together in one heart and mind, not claim their own possessions but share everything they owned – priceless! (and amazing). I don’t believe Luke was using hyperbole. I don’t think he was waxing metaphorical. As a historian par excellence, he was simply and clearly stating that he witnessed a group of genuine followers of Jesus Christ living in harmony and love for each other. He saw them demonstrate it not once or twice, but continually! They were ecstatic about caring and sharing.
The power of share is that when we are introduced to Christ with His love, grace and kingdom, we can follow suit in sharing what He has blessed us with in sharing our life with others. Pouring out our time, talents and treasure for our brothers, sisters and beyond becomes the norm instead of the exception, and the domino effect begins to occur. God so transforms the hearts of His followers that we become Christ-centered instead of self-centered, and Word-controlled instead of worldly-controlled. Once spiritual transformation begins to take root, nothing short of societal impact is the result!
The power of share is that when share the little that God has shared with us, the ripple effect can literally change the course of history.
John’s gospel gives us a snapshot of a young boy who believed in the power of share. Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Feast was near. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
John 6:1-13 NIV
Maybe this boy was commissioned by his mom or dad to go to town and get some food for dinner. Maybe he had caught a few fish and was just about ready to have lunch. Whatever the case might have been, he didn’t hoard it – he shared it. He took the little that was in his stewardship and offered it up to Jesus. Jesus blessed it, gave thanks and distributed it to the five thousand men (the equivalent of 15-20 thousand people in total).
What if everyone would offer up their little piece of pie for His purposes? What could be the collective power of all God’s people sharing like this sweet child? The world would be impacted by the name of the one who blessed the fish and broke the bread. The name of Jesus and the Gospel of our God would surely go out in an intensified, glorious way and have innumerable ripple effects for years to come. That’s the power of share.
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. Acts 4:32
To get a diverse group of Jewish believers together in one heart and mind, not claim their own possessions but share everything they owned – priceless! (and amazing). I don’t believe Luke was using hyperbole. I don’t think he was waxing metaphorical. As a historian par excellence, he was simply and clearly stating that he witnessed a group of genuine followers of Jesus Christ living in harmony and love for each other. He saw them demonstrate it not once or twice, but continually! They were ecstatic about caring and sharing.
The power of share is that when we are introduced to Christ with His love, grace and kingdom, we can follow suit in sharing what He has blessed us with in sharing our life with others. Pouring out our time, talents and treasure for our brothers, sisters and beyond becomes the norm instead of the exception, and the domino effect begins to occur. God so transforms the hearts of His followers that we become Christ-centered instead of self-centered, and Word-controlled instead of worldly-controlled. Once spiritual transformation begins to take root, nothing short of societal impact is the result!
The power of share is that when share the little that God has shared with us, the ripple effect can literally change the course of history.
John’s gospel gives us a snapshot of a young boy who believed in the power of share. Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Feast was near. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
John 6:1-13 NIV
Maybe this boy was commissioned by his mom or dad to go to town and get some food for dinner. Maybe he had caught a few fish and was just about ready to have lunch. Whatever the case might have been, he didn’t hoard it – he shared it. He took the little that was in his stewardship and offered it up to Jesus. Jesus blessed it, gave thanks and distributed it to the five thousand men (the equivalent of 15-20 thousand people in total).
What if everyone would offer up their little piece of pie for His purposes? What could be the collective power of all God’s people sharing like this sweet child? The world would be impacted by the name of the one who blessed the fish and broke the bread. The name of Jesus and the Gospel of our God would surely go out in an intensified, glorious way and have innumerable ripple effects for years to come. That’s the power of share.
Changes - Next Exit
Every fall season we get to experience change in the weather, the foliage, the clothes we wear, our daily schedule and of course, the TV programs. It reminds us that change in our lives is a good thing. Not all change is good, but if we want to experience good, we’ll have to embrace change. One person once said, “Not all change is growth; but all growth comes from change.”
Thankfully, there are some things that never change. Besides the cliché of death and taxes, the deeper truth is that God never changes. Numbers 23:19 reveals more of God’s nature and character, “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” Also, Malachi 3:6 says, “I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” I’m sure glad God doesn’t change! Heaven and earth may pass away, but God’s word will never pass away or change.
Because God does not change, we are able to change. I know this may sound a little counterintuitive, but the truth that God forever is the same actually frees us to see truth, apply it in our lives and change for the better! Jesus addressed the adults listening to his message, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 So changing in our faith and becoming childlike in our trust toward God is a good thing. But in general, changing in any way that Jesus commands is a good thing!
Some people do not like change. They want things to stay just the way they are. I know that there was a time in our family where all of our five children were so cute and cuddly (and relatively inexpensive) that I mentioned to my wife Amy I wish we could freeze frame this and they could stay at this age! But alas, things change, children grow and require more time, more food, more instruction, and when they’re 16+, more prayer and money for auto insurance! Change happens.
In the church, there are people who don’t want anything to change. They want the worship to stay the same, they want all their friends to stay at the church and never move away. They want the same bulletin, the same elders and deacons, the same sanctuary with the same old pews and King James Bibles. This is not reality – things will change and must change! Many get upset when someone drives change in a church, a school, an organization or a business. Change can either make us better or bitter – we’ll have to choose how we handle change.
Benjamin Franklin said, “When you’re finished changing, you’re finished.” I for one don’t want to be finished. In many ways I feel like I’m just getting up to speed in my faith and life. So I choose to embrace change that God establishes for my life. In this month’s series, we’ll be discussing how exactly God brings change in our lives in such a way that we grow and become more like the One who saved us and called us by name – Jesus Christ!
Thankfully, there are some things that never change. Besides the cliché of death and taxes, the deeper truth is that God never changes. Numbers 23:19 reveals more of God’s nature and character, “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” Also, Malachi 3:6 says, “I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” I’m sure glad God doesn’t change! Heaven and earth may pass away, but God’s word will never pass away or change.
Because God does not change, we are able to change. I know this may sound a little counterintuitive, but the truth that God forever is the same actually frees us to see truth, apply it in our lives and change for the better! Jesus addressed the adults listening to his message, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 So changing in our faith and becoming childlike in our trust toward God is a good thing. But in general, changing in any way that Jesus commands is a good thing!
Some people do not like change. They want things to stay just the way they are. I know that there was a time in our family where all of our five children were so cute and cuddly (and relatively inexpensive) that I mentioned to my wife Amy I wish we could freeze frame this and they could stay at this age! But alas, things change, children grow and require more time, more food, more instruction, and when they’re 16+, more prayer and money for auto insurance! Change happens.
In the church, there are people who don’t want anything to change. They want the worship to stay the same, they want all their friends to stay at the church and never move away. They want the same bulletin, the same elders and deacons, the same sanctuary with the same old pews and King James Bibles. This is not reality – things will change and must change! Many get upset when someone drives change in a church, a school, an organization or a business. Change can either make us better or bitter – we’ll have to choose how we handle change.
Benjamin Franklin said, “When you’re finished changing, you’re finished.” I for one don’t want to be finished. In many ways I feel like I’m just getting up to speed in my faith and life. So I choose to embrace change that God establishes for my life. In this month’s series, we’ll be discussing how exactly God brings change in our lives in such a way that we grow and become more like the One who saved us and called us by name – Jesus Christ!
Values in our Life
There are many valid kinds of churches. Some our denominational, others are not. Some meet in their own buildings, others meet in rented facilities. Some utilize modern technology, music, art and video, while others simply have one organ and a small choir.
One of the largest distinctions lies in the area of what drives or moves the church forward. Is it a small group of leaders, is it the denomination, is it the congregation, is it a gifted leader or something else? Churches that span the test of time and grow are those that do not simply have a good leader or leaders or good members. They have good values that are based on God’s word.
Values tap passion. Values allow you to drill down and bore a hole in hell to affect culture for God’s kingdom sake. Values drive you forward in the right direction.
Values cause you to sell out for what is priceless and buy in to what is best. Jesus shared this parable, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46
Over the last year or so, we have been in the process of determining MSSC’s values, mission and vision. This is not an easy or short process. It starts with educating staff and leaders about church values, then having events designed to help key members determine what the values are, then they have to be worded and defined in a way that makes it simple to remember and repeat, then these values have to become a daily part of the staff and servant leader’s thinking and strategic planning. Only then can these values drill down to every level of a church or organization.
Here are the values that we believe define who we are and drive every level of what we do in our church:
1. Reaching People – (Seed)
Every person discovering their true value and real purpose.
Through His Church and by His Spirit, God passionately pursues all people to love Him deeply, know Him fully and serve Him wholeheartedly.
2. Experience – (Soil)
Creating a dynamic and welcoming environment for people to receive truth.
God’s captivating presence expressed through worship, relevant teaching, fellowship and serving others.
3. Connection – (Roots)
Uniting diverse people through genuine relationships.
A vibrant community of believers bound by love reflects God’s heart for the world.
4. Growth – (Fruit)
Ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary things.
Becoming Christ-like in humility, selflessness and leadership to impact our city and the world.
Now, let’s look at a few scriptures for each of these values.
1. Reaching People
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. Luke 19:10
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. Luke 15:7 NIV
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 1John 4:7
2. Experience
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:19 NLT
I am convinced of this, so I will continue with you so that you will grow and experience the joy of your faith. Philippians 1:25 NLT
I, Simon Peter, am a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. I write this to you whose experience with God is as life-changing as ours, all due to our God's straight dealing and the intervention of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 2Peter 1:1 The Message Translation
But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin. 1John 1:7 The Message Translation
3. Connection
What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. Ephesians 4:25 The Message Translation
Don't let anyone condemn you by insisting on self-denial. And don't let anyone say you must worship angels, even though they say they have had visions about this. These people claim to be so humble, but their sinful minds have made them proud. But they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For we are joined together in his body by his strong sinews, and we grow only as we get our nourishment and strength from God.
Colossians 2:18-19 NLT
As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood…1 Peter 2:4-5
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16 NIV
In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. Ephesians 2:21 NIV
4. Growth
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15 NIV
Dear brothers and sisters, we always thank God for you, as is right, for we are thankful that your faith is flourishing and you are all growing in love for each other. 2Thessalonians 1:3 NLT
Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done. Colossians 2:7 NLT
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon… Psalm 92:12 NIV
There it is: Reaching People, Experience, Connection and Growth. Ask God, “How can I reflect & practice these biblical values so I can bring glory to you, Lord?” Pray and ask God for creative ways to build these values into your own life and the lives of those in your world!
"I'll Be Back"
Jesus said he would “…on the third day be raised to life.” Another way of saying this is “I’ll be back!”
From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Matthew 16:21-25
"I'll be back" is best known as a catch phrase associated with Arnold Schwarzenegger's title character from the 1984 science fiction film The Terminator. In the original shooting script, the line was written as "I'll come back" But Arnold changed that to say “I’ll be back!” The American Film Institute honored the quote in July 2005 by ranking it #37 on a list of the best movie quotes in the past 100 years of film, and a UK Film Council survey released in November 2007 determined "I'll be back" to be the #1 line from a film most commonly used in everyday conversation.
The truth is that Schwarzenegger stole this phrase from the Son of God! Jesus was the first one to coin the phrase “I’ll be back” Jesus is the real comeback King! Not only this, Jesus prophesied exactly long he’d be in the grave. He prophesied he would not die a Jewish execution, but Roman torture – signifying sacrificial death for all peoples – not just the Jews.
Jesus said “I’ll be back” – And he came back stronger than ever
Jesus said “I’ll be back” – And he came back in a resurrected, incorruptible body
Jesus said “I’ll be back” – And he was raised to a greater dimension of life than before
Jesus said “I’ll be back” – And he ascended in greater glory
Also, in this passage of scripture Jesus said he would suffer many things. Jesus suffered:
1. Betrayal
2. Sweating drops of blood in the garden (hematidrosis)
3. Arrest
4. Desertion
5. False trials
6. Peter’s Denial
7. Condemnation
8. Beatings & scourging
9. Mockery
10. Sleeplessness & fatigue
Even though Jesus suffered much, he didn’t stay in the place of suffering. He didn’t stay on the cross. He didn’t stay in the grave. Jesus rose again on the third day, just like he said he would! Jesus actually won three victories - this was the ultimate trifecta – there were three victories - Jesus conquered sin, death and the devil – Christus Victor! Three victories in three days!
Jesus said “On the third day, I’ll be back.” Because Jesus came back, we also can experience a come back in our life. Without Christ, it is usually three strikes, and you’re out – but not with God! In collegiate wrestling – if you’re down on the mat with your back to the ground, the referee counts 1-2-3: you’re done. In our wrestling against sin, the world, and the flesh – Jesus counts properly – 3-2-1-get up again – come back to life.
We can live in the reality of the resurrection today! Not only can we be raised to life – but it can and will be a greater dimension and quality of life than we’ve ever known before! There is nothing that God allows to die (or appears to die) in our lives that does not come back to life in a greater way than we ever imagined.
Jesus said “I’ll be back” and he came back in three days. Peter had a major comeback after his denial (three times) and falling away. I don’t know if Peter was aware of how important it was for him to follow Christ in his own coming back to life. Just a few days after Jesus’ resurrection talk with Peter beside the Sea of Galilee, Peter would preach his inaugural message to the church at Jerusalem, and thousands would begin to follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior! Jesus didn’t ask him three times “Do you love me?” to frustrate Peter, or shame him or humiliate him. He used the conversation to restore Peter and lead him back to life!
Paul persecuted the church and murdered Christians. Yet one day while Paul was on the way to Damascus, the resurrected Lord changed his path forever. Paul was blinded by the light for three days, yet Paul was back stronger than ever after his being blind for 3 days.
Jesus counted backwards with both Peter and Paul. He basically said “Three – two – one – get up and live life the way I intend for you!” It wasn’t “Peter, Paul – three strikes and you’re out” or “Three seconds and it’s over for you.”
Jesus came back to life - We, too, can experience a far superior resurrection life now!
So what keeps us from experiencing this resurrection life? What keeps us from coming back to life? Going back to scripture in Matthew 16: 24-25 “Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” Answer: Our own unsurrendered life
When someone surrenders to the authorities, they don’t put one hand up in the air, or turn and run away. They face the authorities and place both hands high, dropping any weapon or anything they are doing. If we don’t surrender every area to Jesus, we won’t be able to experience this new, glorious, resurrected life. To the degree that we die to our flesh and die to ourselves is the degree that you and I will really live and enjoy life.
Paul said in 1Co 15:31 “I die every day--I mean that, brothers!” In Galatians 2:20, he wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
What does it mean to be totally surrendered? We’re not fighting any longer for my own rights. It’s not about what we think, want or feel anymore – it’s about God and His kingdom!
We have to choose – total surrender. Remember,
No surrender – no freedom
No cross – no crown
No death – no life
No sacrifice – no redemption
Choose today to live the resurrected life that Jesus offers through his resurrection and be like Paul who declared “I no longer live – but Christ lives in me!”
