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Pastor's Blogby
A window into the heart and mind of the Senior Pastor for Harvest Bible Chapel Calgary.
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Pastor's Blog - Entries from November 2009 What a Redeemer!The end of last week was awesome. Thursday and Friday we talked a lot about preaching God's Word focusing specifically on the presentation element. How we use our voices, the importance of words, and the overall presentation of a sermon. It was really good to stop and consider how we can grow in the presentation of God's mighty Word. I have heard Pastor James say that the greatest sin is to make the Word of God boring! If we get up and preach God's Word in a monotone voice with no passion we do a great injustice to God's Word.
Saturday and Sunday we were in Davenport, Iowa visiting the Harvest Bible Chapel there. They just celebrated their 5th anniversary. We heard of life after life that has been radically changed by the Lord. I entitled this blog, "What a Redeemer". If you look up redeemer in the dictionary it defines a redeemer as someone who redeems. To redeem is: 1 a : to buy back : repurchase b : to get or win back 2 : to free from what distresses or harms: as a : to free from captivity by payment of ransom b : to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental c : to release from blame or debt : clear d : to free from the consequences of sin. 3 : to change for the better : reform
4 : repair, restore. What a picture of what Christ does for the sinner who puts their faith in Christ. He frees us from captivity (Luke 4:18, Romans 7:6). Our ransom was paid by Christ (1 Tim.2:6). We are now new creatures in Christ (2 Cor.5:17). We have been radically changed for the better (Eph.4:24).
We were privileged to hear how God is redeeming people in Davenport this last weekend. Pastor Rob took time out of his busy schedule and talked to all the guys in the training center about their story and the things that he has learned along the way. The common theme throughout his testimony was stepping out in faith and seeing He who is faithful do His work again and again. Pastor Rob told of a weekend where he received a phone call on Saturday night and he was told that they couldn't meet at the high school the next morning because there had been a water line break in the school building. So they began to scramble. The easy thing would have been to just cancel church. However, that was not an option for Pastor Rob. So they looked into their options. They could meet at the football field which had seating, but they also needed portable toilets which were required by law. In the 11th hour it all came together and they had service the next day. 17 people repented of their sins that day and believed on the Lord for their salvation. We heard story after story of God's grace and mercy in the life of this young church.
With the blessing of quick growth also came the burden of needing a building to meet in. The whole story is amazing, but I will just say that the church needed 1.3 million in cash in 6 weeks in order to make it happen. The 600 adults and their children sacrificed in every way that they could and when the money was all counted the Lord had brought in 1.6 million dollars. God is great and greatly to be praised!!!
I gleaned a ton from the leadership team and Pastor Rob in our time at Davenport. It was a tremendous blessing and they are so supportive of our efforts to plant in Calgary.
They provided us with a lot of resources that will be very helpful in the months and years to come.
I will include in this blog the video from the church's 5th anniversary Sunday from two Sundays ago. The church now has around 2000 people attending every Sunday. The video talks of just some of the lives that have been changed by Christ through Harvest Bible Chapel Davenport. Here it is:
 Communication in MarriageI speak on communication in marriage tonight here at Harvest Elgin. I am looking forward to it. I thought I would share some of the things that I learned as I was preparing.
It's incredible to think that at one time on this earth that there was perfect communication. Of course this was before sin entered the world. Ever since then there has been problems with our communication. Here are a few of the negative things that we do in our communication. We nag one another. I found a great quote by Ann Landers on nagging. She said that nagging is like being nibbled to death by a duck. Proverbs compares nagging to a continual dripping on a rainy day (Pr.27:15)
Yet nagging is something that all of us can fall into to in our communication. We often communicate to get something out of it. We want people to reaffirm us and tell us how well we are doing and how "great" we are. Our communication is often self focused. We are focusing not on what the other person is saying, but rather waiting for them to finish so that we can talk. We also use our words as a weapon. The person who said that sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me...was a liar. We often tear people down and hurt them with our words. We use our words to gain an advantage over others. Words are used to manipulate.The tongue is a powerful thing. James wrote, " For ?we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body." (James 3:2) Yet in Christ we can use our tongue in ways that bring Him honor and glory.
The base text that I am looking at tonight is Ephesians 4:25-32. We learn 4 important principles in communication that need to be applied in our homes and in our churches. First, we see in Ephesians 4:25 that we need to be honest with one another. Sorry guys, but you will notice that verse commands us to speak! Grunts and head nods are not sufficient if we are to fulfill our role as husbands, fathers and brothers in Christ. I am a slow learner. I am just realizing that Heather can not read my mind...not always anyways :)! When we speak we need to do it honestly and lovingly. Paul shows us not just the moral principle, but also the motivation behind being honest with one another. He says for you are members one of another. Chrystostom wrote, "If the eye sees a serpent, does it deceive the foot? If the tongue tastes what is bitter, does it deceive the stomach? Lying is a gross hindrance of the proper functioning of the body."
As devasting as it would be for pieces of our physical body to deceive one another so it is in our relationships. We must speak the truth lovingly to one another out of our concern for one another.
Second, we need to do is to keep short accounts with one another. Eph.4:26,27 "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil." If we allow time to pass before getting things right we open ourselves to resentment and bitterness and give the devil an opportunity to tempt you to sin even further.
Third, we need to use our tongue to edify and not tear down. Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." "No corrupting talk" is any talk that tears another person down. How do you use your words? Are people encouraged after they have spent time with you or have you torn them down in some way? How many of our conversations everyday would be different if we would just apply this verse everytime. How do you do in this area when it comes to your interactions with your spouse?
Here is a sobering thought. When we do not build up, but rather tear down your spouse or others we not only hurt them, but we also grieve the Holy Spirit. This should stop us in our tracks and snap us to attention. The way we treat others has the possibility of grieving the Holy Spirit. This thought should drive us to be on our knees asking God to enable us to have no corrupting talk come out of our mouths, but only words that build up.
Fourth, Paul concludes by showing once again the things which must be put away and the things which must be put on. The things that are to be put off are bitterness, anger, wrath, clamor, slander and malice. Instead, we need to be kind, tender hearted and forgiving. We need to be compassionate and seeking to do good to others. How do you apply this to your spouse? When is the last time you thought about how you could be a blessing to him or her? When is the last time you thought about how to be compassionate to your spouse? How quick are you to forgive?
How are you doing in these 4 principles of communication? The Lord cares about how we communicate to one another. May He be honored in the way that we communicate with one another.
A Recap of the Week I can't believe how fast the weeks are going by. Yet another week is done at the Training Center and I am continually being challenged. In our preaching phase we discussed the importance of applicational preaching and how to go beyond general principles to "drill down" into the hearers' life. We also did many sermon evaluations. This exercise helps us think through the framework of a sermon. It helps in thinking through the nuts and bolts of a sermon. I have heard many times since I have got here that a mist in the pulpit is a fog in the pew. Doing sermon evaluations helps us think through how to best communicate God's Word.
Part of my responsibility in my time here at Harvest has been to observe and help out with small groups. Every small group follows the same format. There is some welcome time to start as everybody grabs some refreshments. Then there is 45 minutes of teaching. This is not to be lecture style, but rather interactive as the leader guides the discussion. The next 45 minutes are then spent in accountability time. This is guys with guys and girls with girls. The time is to be spent not only in sharing, but in prayer as the members spur one another on. The evening concludes with a time of fellowship. Small groups is a vital part of Harvest. The Elgin campus has over 70% of their congregation in a small group and would love to have more. This really provides the opprotunity for the congregation to do life together and to grow in their walk with the Lord.
I am excited about the upcoming look of the website. A few other guys from the Training Center and myself had some productive time looking at what is needed for our websites. You should see some changes next week sometime. The changes should make the site look a lot better as well as helping it to be user friendly.
This next weekend we are going to Davenport, Iowa to visit the Harvest church there. Heather will be joining me as we learn more about the ins and outs of Harvest and how they play out in a church plant situation. The church in Davenport was planted in 2004 and it has been very successful. God has really blessed the work there. So we are anticipating a great weekend in Davenport.
Tomorrow, I am teaching a lesson on communication in marriage. I will write some of my thoughts on that in a blog tomorrow. I would love to hear any feedback that any of you have as I write on different topics. Have a great week!
The Persecuted Church This last weekend many churches around the world took time to remember those believers who are being persecuted for their faith. Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago joined them. Many people don't realize the extent of the persecution that many face. I wanted to share with you some of the stats that were given to us. Since the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago, over 43 million Christians have become martyrs for Christ, and half of these were in the last century alone. More than 200 million Christians face persecution each day. 60% of them are children. Every day, 300 people are killed for their faith in Jesus Christ.
These stats are staggering when we think of what we face here in North America.
We need to remember those brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering. The writer of Hebrews writes, "?Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. " (Heb.13:3)
Very often the prisons that many of these believers are kept in are very unlike anything that we see here in North America. They are kept in very poor conditions. How often do I stop and consider the horrendous conditions that my fellow brothers and sisters are put in because of their faith? Sadly, not often at all. My challenge to you is to remember your brothers and sisters around the world who are being put under such terrible persecution. Please remember to pray for them. You can goto www.harvestbiblechapel.org to download prayer guides. You can also find out more about the persecution that believers are facing at the following websites: www.persecution.com; www.opendoorsusa.org; www.kidsofcourage.com; www.gmi.org/ow.
One of the families from our church had traveled to India this last year and they shared about a Christian orphanage that they had visited. In the last year the orphanage had underwent persecution by the Hindus. They imprisoned the leaders of the orphanage for 40 days. The prison was dark and conditions were terrible. The Hindus then told the children that they must worship their gods now. One of the older children spoke up and told the children to stay strong and worship only the one true God. The Hindus deprived the children of food for days to try and get them to recant and bow down to their gods. After having no food for several days they told the kids that if they just would bow down to their gods they could have the oranges that they held out in the palm of their hands. The kids took the oranges...and then they threw them back at them and said that they must worship only one God, Jesus Christ. What a testimony! The leaders were eventually returned, but they continue to be hassled by the Hindu people who are trying to get them to recant of their position of holding to only one true God.
My prayer is that you would be bolder in your own faith by reading about these young children. They aren't caught up in the things of this world. They live for Christ everyday, not knowing if tomorrow will be their last. We experience our share of ridicule and mockery in North America, but what is that compared to someone hearing the good news of Jesus Christ and being saved from eternity in hell. This is something that I believe the persecuted believers understand that we often lose sight of. Life is short and we need to take every opportunity to share Christ with those around us.
I have been reading through Isaiah lately. As I read through it, I have been reminded in a new and powerful way that God is sovereign over all of this earth. Evil will not prevail! God will put an end to all of it someday soon and He will reign upon this earth as King! Isaiah 24 is a gripping reminder of the power and sovereign control that the Lord has over all the earth.
So pray for the persecuted, pray for their protection (Romans 15:30-32), pray that God would give them the words to fearlessly make Christ known (Eph.6:19,20, Col.4:2-4), pray that they will rejoice that they are considered worthy to share in the sufferings of Jesus (Heb.10:34; 1 Pet.4:13; Acts 5:41) and that they will remember their unbelievable future glory and love Christ's appearing all the more (Rom.8:18; 2 Tim.4:5-8; Rev.12:11).
Illustrations and Changed Lives
I have a lot to tell you this week, so I think I will put this into two posts. I will begin by telling you about my week at the Training Center and then I would like to share with you some thoughts on the persecuted church and the sovereignty of God.
Yet, another full week at the Training Center. This week we primarily focused on crafting illustrations for sermons. Ilustrations can be defined as anything that opens windows of understanding. They connect us emotionally with the text. It is a catalyst that brings understanding more quickly. As a pastor it is an important tool to relay God's message. We see God Himself use illustration throughout the Bible. Jesus often used illustrations as He relayed God's truth to His audience. I am very thankful for this opportunity to concentrate on each aspect of a sermon. Our instructor, David Jones, has been giving us different truths to illustrate and then we have to craft them and present them to the rest of the class. I have found the exercise to be very helpful.
We also had the opportunity to meet with Pastor James for a few hours. We began to look at how to outline Revelation 3:14-21, talked about leadership, administration and the role of the Pastor. Once again a very fruitful time learning under Pastor James.
Yesterday, a few of us guys from the Training Center went over to Granger, Indiana with Pastor Craig Steiner. Craig is on staff with Harvest Bible Chapel Elgin and he is in charge of small groups and assimiliation. HBC Granger has been in operation for about 8 months now and it is doing very well. It was a joy to go and be a part of the service there. The worship was fantastic and Pastor Craig did a great job preaching out of Matt.14. They have also done a great job of transforming the school that they are meeting in into a warm atmosphere to worship together in. The crew that sets up and tears down is to be commended.
God is doing a work in Granger. We heard of a man who had come several weeks before. He came because he worked in an office adjacent to the church office. The pastor was speaking on marriage. The man, who himself was having marital problems, was so convicted that he left half way through the service, a broken man. He contacted the pastor on Monday and on Tuesday he repented and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. The next day he went and bought Bibles for himself, his wife and his children and they have been attending the church ever since. God has the power to transform lives!
Many people are flocking to Harvest Bible Chapel Granger and Harvest Bible Chapels around North America to be fed God's Word. Sadly, many have attended churches where the Word is being watered down or has been replaced by psychological or philosophical jargon meant to "make your life better". Every Harvest Bible Chapel has as one of their pillars, "to preach the truth of God's Word without apology." I have heard so many people testify that they are so thankful for the depth of teaching that are receiving at Harvest. This is one of the reasons that I believe that God is blessing Harvest in the way that He is.
Isaiah 55:10,11 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but ?it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (ESV)
My prayer is that all Christian churches will return to giving the Word of God it's rightful place within the church. Culture and the views of man are not to be our authority, but rather the Word of God. May God raise up many more churches like Harvest who will preach God's Word with apology. It is time that the church once again stands behind the authority of God's Word and quits trying to accomodate the opinions of men. For I fear that there are churches today who have left Jesus outside their church knocking on the door as He did to the church of Laodecia. However, Jesus is gracious and merciful and if these churches would only repent God will once again use them as He once has before. Rev.3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and ?knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." (ESV) Revive your church oh Lord!
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