Author Archives: shepherdbryan

Unknown's avatar

About shepherdbryan

My passion is to disciple and see men discipled in every area of their life to see the multiplication principle actually work in a 100 year generational blessing. As go men in the church, so goes the church. As go men in the nation, so goes the nation. Fortunately, because men have often not taken their spiritual role to the limit, God has raised up many godly women to carry the torch where men have laid it aside. May God rapidly raise up men for the next generation of leaders to the Fourth Generation of spiritual leaders! As men lead in a godly way, women will follow in a godly way and that people will be blessed of the Lord.

Book Review: Multiply: Disciples making Disciples by Francis Chan

Posted on by
Reply

“Multiply” by Francis Chan is a well-written, engaging book on an overview of the Bible story.  As Francis continues to minister to thousands of people around the world, he has provided an excellent volume to establish the story line for new believers to Christianity and Jesus Christ.  It is written so that anyone can read and understand the thrust of the message.

What is especially helpful in the book are the three parts preceding the overview of the Old and New Testaments.  The first part describes “Living as a Disciple Maker” and highlights from the beginning our responsibility to Jesus Christ to grow and make disciples ourselves.  The second part describes “Living as the Church” and the importance of life in the church, especially when the church is filled with imperfect people.  The third part describes “How to Study the Bible” and gives excellent principles of how to study and prayerfully obey it.

The last two sections cover an overview of the Old and New Testaments.  He works through important aspects of each Testament in God’s story of creation, fall and redemption.  His gospel presentation is clear; his emphasis on the sin failure of man is evident.  And he ensures God is glorified as the only means of redemption from man’s fallen state.

I appreciate how in the section on “How to Study the Bible” and specifically “Studying Logically,” he emphasizes interpreting Scripture by finding the plain meaning of the text.  He wisely places emphasis on the context and understanding the difference between interpretation and application.  His next two portions define “Find the plain meaning” and “Take the Bible Literally.” (pp. 129-133)  I agree with him completely.  These are accurate tools for interpretation. 

However, it doesn’t appear that he does that in his overview of the Old and New Testaments.  For example, it appears he takes the prophecies of Ezekiel 36, which he identifies given to Israel, but applies them directly to believers in the Church (pp. 279-280).  Those are prophecies given to Israel and will be fulfilled with Israel when the Lord comes back at the Second Coming.  There is truth about how the Holy Spirit will transform hearts of unbelievers in the Church Age, but not in fulfillment of Ezekiel 36.  Another example is identifying Jesus’ return at the Second Coming to be the end of the world (p. 316-318).  If a person looks for the plain meaning and interprets literally, Jesus’ return at the Second Coming precedes a thousand year millennium, which Francis does not identify.  Francis graciously identifies differences in end time perspectives (p. 317), but he takes a symbolic view of interpretation for many things rather than take a plain, literal interpretation. 

With that being said, Chan’s passion for discipleship and reaching the world for Christ is almost unparalleled.  I am convicted in reading this volume and pray that I might also seek to reach the world for Christ to the extent or manner that Francis Chan has.

Book Review: Forever & Always: No Matter What by Jeff and Erin Miller

Posted on by
Reply

Forever & Always: No Matter What by Jeff and Erin Miller is an excellent short book on how God can strengthen a marriage in spite of having an autistic child.  Their child, Owen, screamed for 18 hours a day and slept for six. That would test any marriage.  Jeff describes basic information about autism and then the struggles he faced with Erin in marriage. He also gives the real life story of how many ways other people lacked compassion for the few moments they were around Owen, not understanding autism or God’s plan with it.

Why did God allow Owen to be born with Autism?  Jeff and Erin accepted the sovereignty of God that it was their opportunity to glorify God through reflecting His love for Owen.  Jeff and then Erin reveal their heart for God, because they understand God’s heart for them.

Jeff and Erin are vulnerable as well as real.  They love Owen, because they love Owen.  They know God’s tremendous love for them.  So they accept Owen as a gift from God and are using the opportunity to raise Owen to the glory of God as well as equip others to honor the Lord in their challenges. 

This book is printed by Focus Publishing.

Book Review: Day of War by Cliff Graham

Posted on by
Reply

”Day of War” by Cliff Graham is the first book of the “Lion of War Series” describing the mighty men of Israel during the time of David’s rise to rulership as king.  Cliff Graham is a chaplain in the US Army National Guard and has traveled to Israel in his study of history, geography, military tactics and culture.  It is an intensely well-written novel of heroic proportions.  Details are graphically laid out to engage the heart of any man who accepts the cost of gaining freedom for his people.

David is not the main character in this book, Benaiah is.  Benaiah, who is seeking to bury his troubled past, joins with the disgruntled warriors to fend off the Philistines and gain protection from King Saul’s insane jealousy.  Descriptions drip with vivid color and conversations project the heart of Benaiah seeking to gain battle status and accomplishment with David.

There are several books set out to grab the heart of men.  This book purposes to walk closely with Scripture to amplify the context of men seeking to honor the Lord and protect their women in King David’s day. This book, and likely the series, is destined to be made into an epic theater presentation.

Question: What is heaven like?

Posted on by
1

At a funeral this week, one of the passages I addressed was Revelation 21.  I was asked by one of the family members to address what heaven is like.  I only scratched the surface of how great heaven is.  It was just enough to give those who had not trusted in Christ an opportunity to hear that heaven is a place unlike the earth.  Let’s note several principles about heaven:

Heaven is coming. Twice in Revelation 21:1-2, John says, “I saw…” the new heavens and new earth.  We can praise the Lord for the great expression in the Bible, “And it came to pass…”  It didn’t come to stay, but it came to pass, because there is something better coming.  We may or may not experience it on earth, but we, who have trusted in Jesus Christ will experience the better in heaven.

Presence of Jesus. In Revelation 21:3, we see the “Tabernacle of God” is with men.  The Tabernacle in the Old Testament was a type of Christ with all of its articles pointing toward an aspect of Jesus Christ.  For example the showbread spoke of Jesus as the Bread of Life.  The Menorah spoke of Jesus as the Light of the world.  Revelation 21:3 says there will be a new relationship with men far beyond anything even what most Christians will experience on earth.  Jesus will be with Christians in heaven and they will willingly submit to Him as their head.  He is the great Builder of heaven.

No more pain.  Revelation 21:4 provides that great expression, “No more death, no more sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”  Why?  It is because God makes all things new in quality and wipes away every tear.  We will have sorrow and pain on earth, because this is not heaven and it is a sin-dreadful place.  But it will come to pass.

New surroundings.  Revelation 21:5 describes how Jesus will make ALL things new.  Nothing from the old will pass into eternity.  We can’t load up the Uhaul and take anything to heaven.  We won’t want to once we get there.  It will be beyond what we could ever imagine.  That’s the reward for simple faith at the point of salvation.  His words are true and faithful.

Living fresh water. Revelation 21:6 describes Jesus, the Alpha and Omega from Rev. 1:8 and 22:13, promising the water of life to anyone who thirsts.  We can experience that fresh water on earth, and it will be unbelievably real in heaven.

Overcoming friends. Revelation 21:7-8 describes those who overcame will be in heaven and inherit all things.  John writes in 1 John 5:4 that an overcomer is one who has been born again because of faith in Jesus Christ.  However, the rest of humanity who rejected Jesus and showed their rejection by hatred, sexual immorality, idolatry and lying will end up in the Lake of Fire, which is the second death.

Glory of God’s city.  Revelation 21:9-11 describes the Bride, the Lamb’s wife, which is the holy Jerusalem, the glory of God prepared for God’s people to dwell.  It is the presence of God.  It’s hard to understand the infinite, so John records Jesus’ words that He was going to prepare a place for Christians, mansions in heaven (John 14:1-3).

Solid structure for living.  Revelation 21:12-14 describe a city of walls, gates and foundations.  There is perfect protection and orderly living in heaven, because there will be perfect harmony in Jesus Christ.  It will be the best vacation spot, but where every believer will want to worship the Lord forever and ever.

Perfect spaciousness.  Revelation 21:15-17 describe the space provided in the city.  God has it measured and God’s perfect character ensures it will be perfect for us.  There will be no fighting because of a lack of room or having to share with another person. Why?  It will be because we will be in perfect harmony with each other.

Perfect beauty.  Revelation 21:18-21 describe using precious gems and stones the construction of the city.  It will be beautiful!  It will cause everyone to have to lift their mouths, like a gal who sees a beautiful one carat diamond ring a guy she loves uses to propose to her.  It will hold our attention because of perfect variety and beauty.

God’s presence.  Revelation 21:22 describes a lack of a temple, because the Father and Lord Jesus Christ are its temple.  It will be beyond anything we could ever imagine today.  Some great cathedrals seize your breath the first time you walk into them, because of their grandeur.  God’s presence will be amazing.

Light of glory. Revelation 21:23-24 describe the lack of light in heaven, because Jesus is the Light and all nations will walk in that light.  The infinite character of Jesus’ light is not easily understood, but in heaven, there will be no need for street lights for seeing or for protection.  Jesus will be the light.

Open access to Jesus.  Revelation 21:25-27 describe the open door policy of Jesus.  He doesn’t just have open door hours.  He is always available.  You won’t have to leave a voice mail or wait for a text message return.  Jesus will be instantly available, not for or to you, but with you because you will be in perfect submission to His glory.

Unending truth provided. Revelation 22:1 describes a river of life coming from the throne of God.  This will be truth that we will continue to enjoy the infinity of God.  Water is used for God’s Word in Ephesians 5:26.

Perfect sustenance. Revelation 22:2 describes 12 varieties of fruit for a different kind of pie or food each month.  God is creative and what is provided will not be boring or monotonous.  It will be better than anything you can imagine.

Freedom from cursing. Revelation 22:3 describes the freedom we will possess from the effects of the curse of sin.  All of God’s children will be servants who serve the Lord in perfect harmony.  There will be no estrangements.  There will be no hurt feelings.  There will be no harsh words spoken, wicked comparisons made, slights made toward anyone.  People will always be focused on the Lord in perfect unity.  THAT will be heaven!

Perfect fellowship with God. Revelation 22:4-5 describe that in the radiance of Jesus’ face, which will be reflected on our foreheads, we will see and reign forever.   Even as Moses’ face shone when he came off the mountain (Ex. 34:29-35), so we will bear that radiance on our face, because we will be face to face with the Lord!  There will be no shadows.  There will be no distrust.  There will be perfect harmony in heaven with each other, because we will be in perfect submission to the Lord.

 

Friends, are you a child of God?  You can become a child of God by trusting in Jesus Christ as your Savior.  There is nothing more important that understanding and taking the gift of salvation that God offers in His grace.  Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.  You will be adopted into God’s family and become a part of the Bride of Jesus Christ.  Your destiny will be heaven. 

Jesus was God and when He became man also, He bore the sins of all mankind while He hung on the cross.  God the Father made Him the target of His wrath as sin.  And pouring out His wrath on Jesus, the righteousness of God was satisfied and the world was reconciled to God awaiting that decision of faith by people to accept the gift of salvation.

Then you can begin to enjoy the blessings of heaven on earth as you submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  To the extent that you humble yourself to His Lordship, to that extent you will enjoy heaven on earth.  Yes, there will be tribulations (John 16:33), but you can have His peace and harmony that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7) and be a blessing to others regardless of their actions toward you.  You will be living heaven on earth, which is something the world does not and cannot understand. 

Let me know if you have any questions.

MSG: Strategy for Grace – Growing Disciple-Makers

Posted on by
Reply

Strategy for Grace –  Growing Disciple-Makers
Matthew 4:18-20
 
Timing is everything in life. It’s a New Year and time to start afresh.  2012 is behind.  2013 is ahead.  Timing is everything.
 In 1976, I was serving on a beach project with a Christian organization at Newport Beach, CA.  Yes, Newport Beach, CA, where the weather is almost perfect, and the surf is often great.  I worked at 601 Lido, a luxury condominium, on the graveyard shift as a security guard.   After sleeping for a few hours I went body surfing before our evening meeting and witnessing on the beach.   
Back at the University the next year, I was in Woody Johnson’s discipleship group and we met every week to go on campus to witness and to discuss discipleship.  I was discipling three guys: Tim, Bill and Brian.  We went to LTC, Leadership Training Class, every Tuesday night for encouragement and additional biblical discipleship insights.  One of the most important concepts Woody taught me was to cast a vision for men to follow.  Show them where you are going and let them decide to follow.  When they choose to follow, under the Holy Spirit, nothing will stop them.
That’s the intention of the State of the Church messages – casting vision for how 80% of the church can be a part of the reproduction process – to multiply disciples.  How do you set up a model whereby 80% of the people see how they can take reasonable steps and reproduce?  We are reproducing, but I want to help 80% spiritually reproduce.  What do you need to make committed disciples?
 
There are two things necessary to make committed disciples.  First, understand what a committed disciple is and secondly, understand the four keys to develop disciple-making.  Let’s look at what a committed disciple is.
 
Understand what a committed disciple is:   What is a disciple?  A basic definition of a disciple is a “Learner, or follower.”  Dr. Dwight Pentecost and Dr. Fruchtenbaum describe three kinds of disciples: the curious, convinced and committed.  (cf. John 1:43-46; 2:1-2; 2:22; Matt 4:18-22)
18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. 21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them,  22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. (Mat 4:18-22)
 
This was not the first time Jesus invited the disciples to follow Him.  This time they made a conscious, committed decision.  The text says they immediately followed Jesus.  It sounds like the expression we teach children, “Right away, all the way, with a happy heart.”  We don’t know the disciples said it, but they did with their actions. 
We need to look at Matthew 4:19 to see what a committed disciple is. Matthew 4:19 says, “And He said to them,
“Follow Me,
“and I will make you
“fishers of men.”
 
A committed disciple is:
 
·         Committed to following Jesus. 
o   A great passage on this is Luke 9:23, “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”  A committed disciple will say Jesus is my Master, my Lord, my Head.  I willingly submit to His control in my life.  He died for me.  I want to serve Him.  I am and have nothing apart from His work in my life.  Without Him, at best I have the glitter of the world, at best I can find temporary happiness;  at worst I’m headed to the Lake of Fire.  It’s His plan, His authority, His direction and His life that I live to be His disciple.  I’m sold out for Jesus Christ. 
o   Two other great passages are Gal. 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” And one other great passage on commitment to following Jesus is Phil. 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
o   The second truth about a committed disciple is:
·         Committed to being changed by Jesus.
o   God is already in the process of changing His children. Paul writes, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” Rom. 8:29.  God is working to bring us into conformity to Jesus Christ.  The question is “Will you be committed to His change in your life?” He said He will conform me to His image, so I must be committed to that change.  I trust Him and you can too.  If you have accepted Jesus, He gave you His righteousness and is on your side.  Will you commit yourself to the change He wants?  When you understand His character and He is your hope, you will be committed to His change.
o   A committed disciple will say, “I am no longer content just coming to church and warming a pew. I don’t want to be a spiritual child anymore concerned only with myself.  I’m concerned about others.  I’m growing up, so I can become a spiritual parent to disciple others.  I trusted Jesus for salvation; I will trust Him for whatever change He thinks is necessary. I care more about others than my own agenda. I want Him to help me become winsome to reach others.”
o   Your response can be what Paul said in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
o   The third truth about a committed disciple is:
·         Committed to the mission: growing disciples who are making disciples.  
o   We studied this in the previous message when Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. Matt. 28:19-20  The committed disciple says,  “I have a mission.  I’m on it. A fisher of men.”
o   This is not like the expression, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” That is a great principle for discipleship, but not the mission Jesus was teaching.
o   This is catching men, who will be able to catch other men.  I’m on a mission. 
o   I love that about the military.  You train for a mission.  You rehearse tactically using a sandbox to lay out the terrain features and walk through the proposed mission.  Then you have each commander and staff run through it over and over to ensure you have the comms (communication), personnel, logistics and the right sequence of events including decision points, fire and movement, avenues of approach, advancement, suppression, recon patrols, overwatch, etc., etc.
 
·         A Committed Disciple is one who is:
o   Committed to following Jesus
o   Committed to being changed by Jesus
o   Committed to the mission: growing disciples who are making disciples.
 
Last week we asked the question:
Who is called to be a disciple-maker?  Do you remember the answer that you provided?  Yes, it was “Everyone.”  Well now we need to briefly understand four keys to develop Disciple-making.
 
There are four keys to develop Disciple-making:
 
1)      Biblical Foundation –Your understanding of the Lord Jesus Christ will deepen your desire to please Him and fulfill His will to make disciples who make disciples. Matt. 7:24-27; 2 Tim. 3:16-17
n  We have this!
 
2)      Intentional Discipleship– This takes the accidental out of discipleship Eph. 4:11-13.  Jesus had intentional actions  Matt 14:15-18, 27-31; Luke 10: 1; 22:7-13; John 6:5-6
n  How are we intentionally raising up 80% to be committed disciples? 
n  Does our present plan help 80% reproduce disciples?
 
3)      Relational Environment– it must be small enough for open communication and trust. There must be transparency and authenticity 1 Cor. 12:25   Must spend time with the people Deut. 6:7-9  in real teaching to establish a biblical worldview John 17:17; Matt. 4:4; Ps. 119:105.   Jesus demonstrated a relational environment to help the disciples out of their comfort zone.
n  Are you in a relational environment for discipleship?
 
4)       Reproducible Process – we must develop a process to reproduce or all we will do is add. 
n   Do we have a process whereby new people can understand how they can begin reproducing within six months to a year?
 
Let’s make sure we hold fast to this principle:
We must determine how to maintain the past while adding reproduction to the future.
 
So, what is our plan to grow disciples who will disciple those who can disciple others?  What would the model look like?  Whatever the model is:
·         It has to deal with fear factors – failure; fool; fake (intimidation of growing up spiritually)
·         It has to deal with trust in relationships
·         It has to deal with talking with others (people don’t want to be wrong in a group setting, so they’ll be quiet instead)
·         It has to provide OJT because we learn by doing
·         It has to amply provide encouragement with accountability
 
The model that I will present deals with all of these.  So let’s summarize this message:
 
Jesus calls you to be His committed disciple. 
 
How? The Holy Spirit’s power: Acts 1:8, 6-11
 
·         Discipleship is a flexible step by step process. Disciples are shown how to take each step.  Everyone learns by trial and error.  You need an environment whereby you can make mistakes.  You need someone to pick you up and encourage you to get back in the battle. Luke 9:1-3
·         Disciples are those committed to Jesus, who will change them.  However, He will change you only as you humbly request His change and put into practice what you are learning.  Change will not happen by only listening Jam. 1:22
·         Discipleship occurs in an intentional, relational environment.  Relationships that keep picking you up and helping you become fishers of men.  Matt 4:18-22
 
Let’s say this prayer together:
 
“Lord, I want to please You.  I want to be a committed disciple to Your will.  Help me take one lesson at a time that I might listen to understand how I can be a part of Your miracle of multiplication at Grace.” 
 
 
Now is your time to see God’s miracles in your life.  The next message presents one more aspect of this vision – spiritual growth characteristics.
 
 
 
 

MSG: State of the Church – Vision – Part 2

Posted on by
Reply

The following is the second half of the message “State of the Church – Vision” 
given on December 30, 2012 at Grace Evangelical Church.

The third concept is Multiplying:

Multiplying disciples – Matt. 28:18-20.  This has been my challenge.  I’ve been convicted that while I like the principle, I wasn’t sure this was being accomplished well.  

Do I just want to increase numbers or get rid of the debt?  No. It is obedience to the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…”

I remember fishing with my father-in-law in June of 1983.  We caught a female bluegill, which we realized during the cleaning process back on shore.  She was loaded.  That is she was loaded with hundreds of eggs.  If fertilized, she would have produced hundreds of other bluegills for many more fish fries.  God has a great plan of multiplying fish.  Do you know what the gestation period of a rabbit is?  31 days.  How about an elephant?  600 days.  Both rabbits and elephants multiply, but at entirely different rates.   

I began thinking, “What are we producing at Grace?”  I praise the Lord for young people who have gone on to the pastoral and mission field like Nate Davis, Michael Kramer, Sara Sparks Detig, Kim Hillebrand, Suzanne Paschal Varghese, Kristen Horn He and others in our church.  But I became more and more convicted that we really need to focus on the 80% of the congregation.  How do I help the 80% to catch the excitement of reproducing?

Here are some passages on multiplying:

Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth (Gen 1:28)

So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. (Gen 9:1)

And as for you, be fruitful and multiply; Bring forth abundantly in the earth And multiply in it.” (Gen 9:7)

“blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiplyyour descendants as the stars of the heaven. (Gen 22:17)  

“in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. (Deut 30:16)

Here are a few more:   Gen 26:24; 28:3; 35:11; Ex. 32:13; Lev. 26:9; Deut. 6:3; 7:13; 8:1, 13; 28:63; 30:5; Acts 6:1,7; 12:24; Heb. 6:13-14

Yet, there are few other specific passages in the NT.  So does that mean multiplying people is not important?

Let’s consider this: Where are most passages for parenting? Dealing with money? Courting?   
We learn from the Old Testatment (Rom. 15:4) and through progressive revelation, we apply truths for our spiritual lives today: Matt. 28:19-20; 2 Tim. 2:2.

 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Tim. 2:2)

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. (John 14:12)

Read: Acts 1:6-11.  We can reproduce, because of the power of the Holy Spirit.

Everyone of us are here because of parents.  You may not have grown up with your parents, but two people under God’s sovereign plan gave you life.  Parents are supposed to know what to do, so that they will teach their children how to prepare for life.  No one needs to feed parents, tell parents to brush their teeth, floss, take a shower, get along with others, they just do.  No one tells parents to do their laundry or clean their room, they just do.   

Most normal parents want their children to be successful, i.e. able to fit into society, have a job and get along.  Most really want their children to be successful-“to get a job”- in order to provide so they can have a family and there can be grandchildren and great grandchildren.  That’s called growing a family or multiplication in the human race.  

Who is called to be a disciple-maker? Everyone is commanded to make disciples.  Does Grace have a model to facilitate that?               

 

Jesus is my model for everything.  He was single.  If He was single, then you can reproduce disciples if you are single.  That is important for singles to understand.
 
So let’s get specific.

How were you Connected?  Note Jesus’ model:   Luke 6:12-13

If Jesus is your model, ask yourself the following  question:

·         How am I currently reaching or connecting others?              

How are you being Equipped?   Note Jesus’ model: Luke 9:1-10

If Jesus is your model, ask yourself the following question:

·         How am I helping to build up others?                       
·         How am I equipping others for ministry? (for outreach, service, discipling) 

How are you Multiplying, so more will follow?  Note Jesus’ model: Luke 10:1,17-21

If Jesus is your model, ask yourself the following question:

·         How am I helping others to grow deeper?    
 

Jesus commanded each of you to make disciples.
How? Acts 1:8, 6-11

·         Does our model facilitate 80% of the church reproducing? 
·         How are we developing disciple-makers?
·         Will you humbly ask the Lord what His next step is for you?
 

Make this your prayer:

“Lord, I want to please You.  I want to be committed to Your will.  Help me take one lesson at a time that I might listen to understand how I can be a part of Your miracle of multiplication at Grace.” 

MSG: State of the Church: Vision – Part 1

Posted on by
Reply

The following are some of the notes given for
the State of the Church message given on Dec. 30, 2012.

State of the Church: Vision
Matthew 28:18-20

           

While I was in college, I joined a Christian organization where I was discipled in the Christian way of life.  I had a discipleship group leader with whom I did Bible studies, learned how to give my testimony as went witnessing on campus. Then I led Discovery Bible studies on campus at Coffman Memorial Union.  It was the first time I had ever led a group of people in a Bible study.  I had prepared material and I merely facilitated the discussion.  Later that year, I led my own discipleship group.  I enjoyed the process, because it helped me get out of my comfort zones and helped me grow up.

After college and my military service, I went to seminary and planted a church in Minnesota.  I thought my role as pastor was to study and teach.  If people were hungry, they would come and listen.  I was blessed to be called to serve at Grace Evangelical Church and God has challenged my thinking in many ways here.  One of the challenges was how important reaching out to people in an outside the church, not just teaching God’s Word.  A half dozen years ago, I knew something was missing from my ministry.  In June, 2008, I realized what it was and it went back to my spiritual roots of discipleship.  In July, 2008, I accepted, as pastor, I needed to set the model for discipling other men.  I began the Hungry Hunters on Wednesday night and I also started discipling two groups of men.  After launching one group of me,  I’m still working with two groups of men.

Over time, God  has continued to refine my thinking and to present that thinking by way of vision to the Elders and to you. It was back in the 90s that we established the Mission of Grace as “Love God, love others and make disciples of Jesus Christ.”  That comes from Matthew 22 and 28, the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.  The Great Commandment is “Love God and love others” and the Great Commission is “Make disciples of all the nations.” 

In May of 2012, the Elders approved the following Vision Statement.

Connecting together to worship God                                  1 Cor. 12:19-25

Equipping together in grace to be more like Christ           Eph. 4:11-14

Multiplying together with the gospel to reach the world  Matt 28:18-20

 

Let’s look at each of these three concepts:

The first concept is Connecting:

Connecting – 1 Cor. 12:19-25.We are addressing Connectingin our Outreach Team, Welcome Team and Connection Team.  We’re improving our connecting so we can reach people in our community, reach those who visit and reach those who attend to identify with and belong to Grace as their church home.  Our purpose is to worship the Lord in all that we do, even corporately.  We studied John 17:20-26 as Jesus’ purpose for us to be one. That’s what parents do in a family, they help children understand: our family, you belong.

The second concept is Equipping:

Equipping – Eph. 4:11-14.  We are Equipping, through church services, Fellowship Groups Sunday morning and Home Groups.  We also have extra equipping ministries like Men’s and Women’s Ministries and special classes like the Belonging, Financial and In-depth Discipleship Classes.  We will continue to refine equipping so we, in grace, can be more like Christ, equippedto do the work of ministry. Note how the body equips in the body in Eph. 4:14-16.  Parents equip children to go to the bathroom, tie their shoes and pick up their room.  In the same way, spiritual parents teach new believers how to confess sins, share the good news and organize their life.

The third concept is Multiplying:

Multiplying disciples – Matt. 28:18-20.  This has been my challenge.  I’ve been convicted that while I like the principle, I wasn’t sure this was being accomplished well. Who is called to be a disciple-maker? 

Do I just want to increase numbers or get rid of the debt?  No. It is obedience to the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…”
 
The next segment has the second half of the message:

Book Review: Freely By His Grace: Classical Free Grace Theology ed. By J.B. Hixson, Rick Whitmire, and Roy B. Zuck. Pp 580.

Posted on by
3

Freely by His Grace, edited by J.B. Hixson, Rick Whitmire and Roy B. Zuck is the best text  on the market on Free Grace Theology.  It should be a seminary text for every student of God’s Word.  It objectively analyzes the subject matter, God’s Word and arguments made regarding God’s grace from Dispensational and Reformed Theologies.  This text should be examined closely so students of God’s word don’t fall into gospel confusion, works righteousness or eisegesis in interpretation.

Each of the 17 chapters define specific issues related to Free Grace Theology.  Each chapter secures linchpins for Free Grace Theology.  For example, the first chapter, “What is Free Grace Theology?” written by Michael Halsey, outlines a clear, but succinct presentation of Arminianism, Lordship Salvation and Free Grace Theology.  The term Lordship Salvation is used, because Reformed Theology holds to the Lordship Salvation  position.  Lordship emphasizes “entire surrender” of every area of life to the Lordship of Jesus with the requirement of “works of righteousness” to ensure salvation.   The challenge presented in this article and the rest of the articles is that the Lordship position is not supported by Scripture.  It is a practical reaction to the failure of many Christians who say they are Christians, yet do not grow spiritually in sanctification.  Instead they continue living in sin.  As Halsey concludes, “Salvation is not by maintenance; salvation is not by performance.”  (14)  It is solely by the finished work of Jesus.

The second chapter is a reprint of chapter one from L.S. Chafer’s book on “Grace.”  In summary, “God saves by grace,” “God keeps through grace those who are saved,” and “God teaches in grace those who are saved and kept how they should live.” (27)  Yet, Chafer cautions, “The eternal relationship between the Father and His child can never be set aside.  The Father may correct and chasten His erring child (1 Cor. 11:31-32; Heb. 12:3-15)…” (25)

J.B. Hixson focuses on “What is the Gospel?” to define this essential truth.  The Gospel is good news, but what are the human requirements at the point of salvation or after salvation?  Hixson wisely outlines if something must be done or added to life after salvation, then it is no longer grace, but works.  Interestingly in the endnotes, he takes issue with other Free Grace theologians who while they do hold to the finished work completed on the cross, that information is not necessary to be understood for salvation.  This some have referred to as a “crossless” gospel.  I completely agree with Hixson. (59)

George Meisinger addresses the content of the gospel from 1 Corinthians 15 in chapter four.  Meisinger delineates the basic essentials of the Gospel and then well defines six end results of understanding Christ’s death and resurrection.  Each  result helps define why Free Grace must be held if Scripture is rightly divided. (90-93)

Each of the writers record fine scholarship to remove cloudiness in thinking and restore objectivity for future discussions.  The rest of the chapters include: 5) What about Lordship Salvation?; 6) The Distinction between Salvation and Discipleship; 7) The Nature of Saving Faith; 8) Repentance and the Free Grace of God; 9) Regeneration and the Order of Salvation; 10) Is Salvation Forever or Can it be Lost?; 11) Can you know for Sure You are Saved Forever?; 12) Sin and Classical Free Grace Theology; 13) Sanctification by God’s Free Grace; 14) Rewards and the Judgment Seat of Christ; 15) What is Traditional Dispensationalism?; 16) The Link between Dispensationalism and Free Grace;  and 17) God’s Grace in Missions, Evangelism, and Disciple-Making.  I found each chapter well documented by God’s word and other authors.

The Gospel and the Christian way of life are far too important in which to muddle.  In our desire for clarity, it is important to stand with Christian charity, but without compromise.  Let no one take away from the sovereign work of God in Christ Jesus and let no one reduce the immensity of the grace of God by adding human works of righteousness. 

Newtown, Connecticut

Posted on by
Reply

It is devastating to lose one you love.  It is more devastating to lose a child to death.  It is tragic and horrific to lose children taken from you by a deranged man who has acted like the enemy:

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy… “ (John 10:10a)

I am trying to put myself in the shoes of the parents, grandparents, family and friends of the 18 children and 9 adults that were killed without any provocation or guilt on their part.  They were trying to teach about life, learn about life and live life.  They were innocent to this shooter.

Why did it happen?  I’ve heard the question asked many times.  The same question was asked in Aurora, Colorado, Virginia Tech, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and now Newton, Connecticut. Why did it happen?

There is a human reason for each incident.  There is a circumstantial contributing factor for each tragedy.  But there is one cause and it is the war of sin in the flesh.  We as a nation are pushing God out of our nation. 

We pushed prayer out of our schools in 1962, fifty years ago.  We don’t allow God’s Word in schools.  We are pushing the Ten Commandments out of the public arena.  We are seeing the tragedy of what happens when God is less a part of a nation. 

The solution is not gun control, but God-control.  If people would humble themselves before God, repent of their sins, and fervently turn back to God, pursuing all that God calls us to do, righteousness would reign again.  That includes doing what we are supposed to do, not just “not doing what we are not supposed to do.”  We Christians have stopped doing many sins, but we must also disciple others to build the kingdom of Jesus Christ and show His love toward others.

This is a time for mourning.  Mourning for the loss of innocent lives, grieving families and troubled people who will look to man for solutions rather than Jesus Christ.  Decisions may be made on the human level to prevent this in the future, but unless the Lord is included in the answer, no decision will provide what we need.

Jesus said it best, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy, I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

Book Review: Real-life Discipleship by Jim Putman

Posted on by
Reply

In “Real-life Discipleship”, Jim Putman records the strategy by which churches can build themselves through making disciples.  The emphasis is placed on what God does through ordinary people available and faithful to God’s calling to make disciples.  The challenge exists, but the process is simple enough for any person feeling “inadequate, fearful” or like a “failure” in life.

Discipleship does not just happen.  It won’t happen by accident, except in a few cases like the apostle Paul and Billy Graham.  Churches must become intentional about building up disciples.  When the Biblical foundation is secure in a relational environment, then the reproductive process can grow people spiritually. 

Putman outlines well the spiritual growth process through five stages of living.  The first is the spiritually dead and then four stages of the Christian: infant, child, young adult and spiritual parent.  He makes the case well, because several of the chapters include “the phrase from the stage” that identifies how far along the spiritual growth level a Christian has grown.  A Christian may have been converted for 60 years, but if he is still saying things like “Why do those new people have to come into our small group?” it’s obvious that he is still in the spiritual child stage.  This assessment is essential to help people understand where they are in the Christian life, so they can grow up and consider how to become spiritual parents and reproduce growing disciples.

This book could have been outlined more clearly.  At times it could have been more succinct, but the content is so refreshing and focused on a missing ingredient of multiplication.  Jim has a laser focus on what his church is supposed to do and every Christian ought to consider two questions.  First, “What is my goal?”  And secondly, “What am I producing?”