From the Pastor's Pen - October

From the Pastor’s Pen

A missionary sat on the patio watching a black ant crawl up a table leg until it reached some spilled sugar. It seemed to eat, then crawled back down the table leg. Soon the two black ants crawled up the table leg to the sugar. They ate and left. Soon a steady steam of black ants moved up and down the table leg to enjoy the sugar. The missionary thought to himself, "They must have some system by which they communicate, 'I have found something good and I want to share it!'"

Last month I wrote about finding the authentic Jesus, that is, one who is both relevant today and true to the record of scripture. When we find that authentic Jesus, we need to share that knowledge with others. This is the essence of evangelism. And that is the word that best describes our activities this October. Consider the following:

· This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, we will be holding Revival. Revival should serve two purposes: it encourages and mobilizes those already in the church, and it provides an opportunity for us to bring unchurched persons to meet Christ.

· This Thursday we will kick off our Fall Kid’s Church program. For six weeks, the church will open and invite the children of the congregation and the community to come and learn about the truth the Bible has for us today. Through this program, we not only impact these children, but their families as well.

· At the end of the month, we look forward opening the church during “Trick or Treat Night.” While the world celebrates Halloween, the church celebrates All Saints Eve (or All Hallowed Eve), where we celebrate the life and testimony of the saints that came before us. Our theme for this night will be “Fishers of Men.”
By providing the light of God’s word and some goodies for the kids, we also have the chance to share with the families of our community the love of Christ.

It will be a full month, and there are a lot of other activities going on this month. As you read this, take a moment to reflect on how you can share God’s word with others this month.

~ Pastor Tom

Revival: Misconceptions, conditions, and marks of true revival

Misconceptions:

Not earthly source. True revival comes from God.

Not emotionalism and enthusiasm. Not about feelings and hype.

Not evangelism. More than telling others about Christ. That's only part.

Not education. It’s more than knowledge. We're already educated beyond our level of obedience.

Not enlargement. A church does not necessarily grow in numbers during revival.

Conditions

1. Consciousness of need. (Rev. 3.14-18 "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God's creation: "I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. For you say, "I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.' You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. ) Do we like the Laodicean church fail to see the need for revival.
2. Firm belief in revival (Matt. 21.22 Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.") Have we asked for revival?
3. Recognize that God desires revival (Is. 48.18 O that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your prosperity would have been like a river, and your success like the waves of the sea) God’s desire for us is for us to prosper.
4. Strong sense of urgency (Rev. 3.20 Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.)
5. Earnest desire to be revived (Look at the day of Pentecost. They were gathered together in prayer seeking God’s revival. Do we desire revival so much that we go to prayer to pursue it?)
6. Willingness to pay the price (Earnestly following God will cost you something. Are you willing to count the cost? Are you willing to give up all that you have, all that you are, all your aspirations and desires, to be revived by the power of God? It is not something that is lightly undertaken.)

Marks of (2 Chor. 7.14)

1. Brokenness (confessed Sin, Humility)

2. Beseeching (pray, meditate on word, seek God’s face)

3. Burden (will of God, needs of community, desire to reach lost)

4. Behavior (obedience to God’s commands, turn from sins)

John Wesley, “Give me 100 Christians who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen. They alone will shake the very gates of Hell and set the kingdom of Heaven upon the earth”

I feel like Abraham talking to God: If we don't have 100, God, is 50 enough? What if we have 20? How about 5? Do we have five people who will seek God's face with everything in them, and resist sin with the same? God, can you start with one? Here I am, Lord, use me.