Benefits versus Responsibilities Part 3

March 26, 2009

Here are some additional benefits and responsibilities of believers. (Neither list is exhaustive)

#3.  Additional Blessings God pours out on His people.

Acceptance before God through Jesus Christ
Insight into God’s will
God’s mercy and love
An eternal inheritance
Wisdom and Knowledge
Spiritual life
The promise of eternal kindness (Eph 2:7)
The knowledge of God’s plan for us (Eph 2:10)
Unity with believers
Peace

#4. Responsibilities of believers

To grow and mature
To put away the old (Eph 4:17-24; 5:2-14)
To speak honestly and truthfully
To imitate God
To walk in love
To be good stewards (time, finances, relationships, etc…)
To be filled with the spirit (Eph 5:18)
To submit to one another
To have marriages that honor God
To demonstrate integrity in the workplace
To stand strong against the forces of evil

When I read the above list of benefits {blessings} I get excited and want to praise God. When I read the list of responsibilities it is a little overwhelming.

It is the grace and mercy of God that provides us with all of the blessings, and gives us strength to accomplish the responsibilities.

One final thought on the responsibilities: It takes work and diligence to be successful in the responsibilities of the Kingdom.  The responsibilities can be difficult at times, or inconvenient others, but we must be stead fast in our pursuit of the Kingdom.

The book of Matthew provides us with great wisdom and insight when we compare the benefits and responsibilities.

Matthew 6:33

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness is done through understanding and walking out the responsibilities of being a believer.

Thoughts?

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Posted by kevinjbradford

The Word

March 6, 2009

I heard an interview today and it got me thinking.

I have been preaching some hard core foundational stuff lately, and prior to that some inspirational, challenging sermons.

Recently God has had me preach on the encounter between Nicodemus and Jesus. It is a story from the New Testament that has drama and a provacative discussion between the two involved. That sermon had real fruit.

You see the Bible is full of messy situations, violence, sex, back stabbing, drama, and family feuds. That is just the Old Testament. The NT is also full of drama, back stabbing, love, service, and redemption.

The description above sounds like a best selling romance, action novel or even a new drama developed for NBC.

Yet church is boring! We preach from this thing called the Bible and somehow we pick out the clean cut passages, leave out all the provacative topics available, and PLAY CHURCH.

Our culture portrays the Word of God as a nice and neat wrapped up piece of wisdom and literature.

It is time the church quits being the nice and neat boring place you’re dressed up for and spend money at on Sundays!

Life is messy, we are flawed, and we have drama. We need the action, life and redemption that the Word of God presents on the pages of the Bible.

Here is my challenge to you today!

Find something you have not read or at least not in a while, or something interesting to you in the Word.

Read it and ask yourself, “How does that apply to my life and those around me?”

I am positive that in the messy, flawed lives of those in the Word and the inspirational life of Christ you will find that it is far from boring, and it is life changing!

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Where Are You? Part 2

March 3, 2009

Last week I wrote part 1 of “Where Are You? which discussed the three basic stages of maturing in your Christian Faith and walk with Christ. The ultimate question was “where are you in your walk?”

The first post was based on Hebrews chapter 5,  today I want to take a look a little further in Hebrews.

This past Sunday I preached on Hebrews 12 verses 18-29.  Let’s take a look at them.

Hebrews 12:26-28

26And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN.”

27This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

28Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;

The Message Version

So don’t turn a deaf ear to these gracious words. If those who ignored earthly warnings didn’t get away with it, what will happen to us if we turn our backs on heavenly warnings? His voice that time shook the earth to its foundations; this time—he’s told us this quite plainly—he’ll also rock the heavens: “One last shaking, from top to bottom, stem to stern.” The phrase “one last shaking” means a thorough housecleaning, getting rid of all the historical and religious junk so that the unshakable essentials stand clear and uncluttered.

In my message on Sunday I talked about what can be shaken will be shaken, and I believe we are in a time of shaking. This is not a doom and gloom message, nor am I trying to call out churches, the world, or pastors.

What I am trying to do is call the church to a time a reflection, prayer, and repentance. I live a very transparent life. I share a lot of the happenings in my life here on the blog, and in my messages. When I closed the service Sunday I prayed that God would show us the areas we need to get in order, so that no shaking could move us off of the firm Foundation of the Rock of Jesus Christ. I personally asked God to show me areas in my life.

Monday Night (last Night) Ashlee and I took this to heart. We went to dinner for one purpose. We set down and discussed a list of issues, concerns, and thoughts to make sure were on the same page in unity. We dealt with church issues, non-church issues, and family concerns.

Our goal in meeting was to make sure we were walking in unity, not a house divided against itself during this time. We wanted to make sure we were moving forward together and not in different directions.

The conversation was not easy, although it was not difficult either. God blessed our discussion, and I believe we have a strong marriage this morning, than we did yesterday due to this set aside time.

One last interesting fact about this time is that we had a planned prayer meeting, but we felt it was so important to have this time of discussion that we got someone else to lead it, so we could make sure this discussion happened.

One may be asking how does this relate to shaking.

The answer is simple: We are now on solid ground in our relationship and the various things that are stresses to each one of us.  If shaking comes,  natural pressure of ministry and life, or warfare intensifies, we will be standing firm together on a solid foundation.

My questions for you today are:

Is there something in your life that you need to get in order, so that you know in your spirit that you are planted on solid ground?

Where are you at in your walk with Christ?

Where are you in your relationships with key people? Are you and your spouse on the same page?

Do you need to have some serious, intentional discussions to make sure you stand in unity in every area of your life?

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Tuesday Night Reflections

February 25, 2009

Here are a few thoughts before I head to bed!

  • On Thursday I took the girls to Milwaukee for the day, and to have Adalee’s tooth fixed.
  • We decided to go to the Betty Brinn’s Children’s Museum with the kiddos.
  • The museum was a lot of fun and the girls had a blast in the hands-on areas.
  • It makes me wonder why the church does not step up their game. Many of the things in the museum were not that detailed. The church should have a vision to WOW kids as they enter the children’s area.
  • I am excited that Overflow is having a new website developed. I got a sneak peak at it on Friday, and it looks amazing. Thanks Nate!
  • Our Saturday Night Life Group launched on Saturday night with 10 people attending. I was very excited about the turn out.
  • The feedback was that everyone enjoyed the group. We also heard from a couple of people they were stretched.
  • Continued preaching through the Gospel of John on Sunday morning with “The Message Part 2:LOVE”.
  • The message really emphasized the love of the Kingdom and the Father through the passages in John.
  • There are some things beginning to take shape here at Overflow.
  • We need to pray for a location to facilitate our growth.
  • Please continue to pray for those far from God to be reached through our ministry.
  • I am still praying for people to join our team.
  • I am looking at some universities to continue my studies. I want to work on a Master’s in Ministry Leadership or Master’s in Transformational Leadership. God is calling me to take this step, to prepare for parts of my vision that are starting to take shape even now. I need to be prepared for those things fully.

I cannot think anymore. I am exhausted, and about to relax a little before hitting the sack. Research and writing will come at 5.

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Where are You? (part 1)

February 24, 2009

Here at Overflow Church we focus heavily on discipleship and provoking believers to a level of maturity that allows them to function as a hearer and a doer of the word.

In the last few messages here at Overflow, I have used these examples on a couple of occasions. Reading a couple of different blogs today made me think, I should touch on these topics on my blog. I know I have brought them on Sunday morning, but not everyone reading attends our church.

Hebrews 5:12-14

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

This is such an interesting passage of scripture, because Paul uses natural example of maturation and growth to explain a spiritual condition.

When a child is a newborn we feed them they are nursed, or given formula through a bottle, and eventually take on whole or regular milk. During this time the mom or dad holds the child, holds the bottle and carefully feeds the child watching every meal with intensity.

In the next stage of life, a parent begins to introduce some solid foods. In the first few feedings the parent may feed the child and help them take bites, eventually leading up to the point where the child can feed themselves as long as a plate is placed in front of them. In this stage the parent still watches the child during every meal with a high level of interest and concern.

The final stage of the child’s ability to eat is when they come to the mom or dad and tell them they are hungry. The parent tells them there is food in the refrigerator, therefore the child runs to the fridge grabs something and beings to eat. The parent is aware of the child eating, but is not particularly focused on the child eat.

These are the same stages that Paul is discussing in Hebrews concerning a believer’s spiritual condition. You see many Christians ought to be teachers by now, at least ministering to people around them, yet they still don’t get the basics of following Christ.

In a believers journey to maturity they go through the same steps and stages as a newborn baby.

In the first stage the new believer needs milk and nourishment in the word. The pastor, life group leader, or friend walks them through simple messages of love, new beginnings, grace, mercy, and such. They are getting the milk. A taste of what God has for them and it is satisfying.

In the next stage, the believer is not satisfied with the milk any longer, and they want some more solid food to chew on and process. In this stage the believer is coming to church and the plate is being placed in front of them. On Sunday morning the pastor is helping those taking bites through the preaching of the Word. Then the believer can process the food or take some bites of their own by asking questions of their pastor, life group leader, etc… One thing to remember in this stage is just like the child that a parent is helping feed their first few solids, sometimes the new believer takes in the milk into their mouth and spits it out. Then the pastors (parents) have to clean up the mess and continue to feed them.

In the next stage, definitely not final stage of a believer’s life, the believer begins to enter into some maturity. The believer is able to grab his/her Bible, open the Word and feed themselves. Sometimes the hunger comes from a word preached on Sunday and they want more, or something they hear on the radio. It is just like when the mom or dad says there is food in the refrigerator.

It begs the question: If you honestly looked at your life, and were only disclosing this information to yourself, where are you in the stages of maturing as a believer?

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Mustard Seed Church

February 17, 2009

In early January when I was in Texas, I began to process and pray through what God had planned for Overflow in 2009. While I was there I had the opportunity to hear someone preach a sermon on The Parable of the Mustard Seed.

During that sermon and the following days, God began to speak to me about Overflow Church, our 09 goals and vision.
Overflow Church is a Mustard Seed Church.

Matthew 13:31-32
31 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, 32 which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

In Luke 13:18-19 it says that the mustard seed turns into a large tree.

The principle here is that the Kingdom of God starts out small and insignificant, but it does not stay that way! A Mustard Seed Church is one that has the kind of faith, that you have the faith for the big when only the small is visible.

I believe that Overflow Church is a mustard seed church. We are a small church but have faith in the Kingdom. If we have mustard seed faith then we are not going to stay small, we are not going to stay the same. We will grow and become more significant!

I do not believe that we have to be a mega-church to do something significant, or have a major impact on a community. We will expand and spread to cause something significant to happen in this community! It is this passage that God used to speak to me about our 2009 goals and vision, and that is why I am so excited about 2009 for Overflow Church, and for our future as we continue to grow!

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Sunday Night Thoughts

February 16, 2009

God is so good!

Our church service this morning was amazing. God really showed up and some powerful things happened at Overflow Church this morning. The worship was great, and then setting in our Worship Leader as a pastor at Overflow will be a thing to remember for a long time.

Then I preached the sermon “The Message” and I think I did an okay job presenting the Gospel! An elder in Texas were I was a pastor once told me that if people get touched and people respond during ministry time, then it was a good message and presentation.

Well, today people responded. We had at least three people receive Christ during our service today, and some renew their commitment to Jesus.

My preaching style was toned down in order to present the Gospel through the scriptures in John chapter 3.

I am so thankful that I serve a powerful, loving God who wants to breath life on those so that they may have life, and it more abundantly.

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Inadequacy

February 12, 2009

Inadequacy is the sudden feeling I got Tuesday afternoon setting in my office thinking about this coming Sunday’s service.

Over the past week I have posted a little about this Special Sunday.  I was processing through all of the things that must be done, accomplished, put in place,  and finalized in order to make Sunday successful.

Suddenly, without notice, a feeling of inadequacy washed over me. I got nervous, became flush, and even started to think, “man what am I doing.”  Have you ever had that sudden feeling of inadequacy. The feeling that you have jumped in over your head? That feeling that if God does not come through in a real and relevant way this whole thing is going to be a wash! Those were the feelings that rushed around in my mind for a few minutes. My anxiety level began to rise, my blood pressure was rising, my thoughts were getting quicker and quicker to the point I could not concentrate.

Then, as quickly as the feelings of inadequacy rushed in to my mind, God began to speak to me about I was right where he wanted me. He wanted less of me, so there would be room for more of Him.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

A few moments of rattling this precious scripture around in my head created a thankfulness in me. It’s not that it was not already there, it was more like a reminding, a gentle nudge in the right direction. So I began to thank God for all of the opportunities I have in my life and in our church.

As I was thanking God for this Sunday and for the grace to deliver a powerful, life changing message and reach people imploring them to be reconciled to Christ Jesus.  The thankfulness and gratitude that I am allowed to even pastor a church in the Kingdom of God, the fact that God has honored me with such a opportunity to change lives is so amazing, and I am so thankful.

You know, His grace has brought me this far, and His grace has been sufficient for me up to this point, and it will be sufficient for me this weekend, when I am weak, He is strong!

In what areas of your life do you feel inadequate?

In what areas of your life has God’s grace been sufficient for you to achieve what you thought was impossible?

2 Comments | Challenging, God, Inspirational, Jesus, Life, Overflow, Random Thoughts, The Message | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
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Tuesday Night Reflections

February 11, 2009

If you have been around the blog for long, or if you went back and read the last few Tuesday Night Reflections then you would know that God has been really blessing my family and I. This includes my immediate family, and our church family at Overflow Church.

God has not disappointed these last seven days either. Below are a few of my reflections from the past few days.

  • Our Wednesday Night Life Group had some wonderful discussion. The topics in our Renovate series has really been inspiring some good dialogue.
  • On Friday some people that we knew as acquaintances through our home school co-op came over for dinner and an evening of games. After the night, I could say that they are some good friends, and I am excited to continue to get to know them. (And John saved me $1000…seriously)
  • Overflow Church’s Men’s Ministry (OCMM) kicked-off the 2009 schedule with men’s breakfast on Saturday morning.
  • After the  OCMM breakfast I went with a couple people from our church body and we purchased our first PA/sound equipment.
  • We used the equipment for the first time on Sunday. We got great reviews from those attending.
  • Sunday… that is a whole topic for itself. I could blog an entire series on the firsts, deep revelation released, and the worship experiences created this weekend.
  • Overall it was our most powerful service of 2009. (I was really worried that it would not be very good. I was struggling with how things had come together.)
  • The worship on Sunday was really great with the new sound equipment, the message was a little meaty (deep). God proved one more time, if you will unashamedly speak what He leads you to say.
  • I know at least 2 people that got really touched, and very, very effected by the Word.
  • On Sunday I cast vision to remind our church about the vision and goals for 2009.
  • This Sunday at Overflow will be a very special Sunday Celebration Service entitled “The Message”.  I am pumped about the message being prepared, the worship, and some of the exciting things going on during the service.
  • We currently have more visitors confirmed to attend, than we have in our church. This is going to be exciting.
  • Please pray for our service, our team, and that God moves powerfully in these peoples lives.
  • Tonight was a good night. I went to buy 1 new shirt to wear on Sunday for our service. I wanted something new and fresh to wear. I ended up with 8 new shirts, and I paid less than I had expected to pay for 1. (PRAISE GOD)

Well, those are all the thoughts I can get out tonight. Check back in the next few days for the following blog topics: Leadership Via Dora 3, Lessons Via Parenting Part 2, Inadequacy, Forgiveness and more.

In His Favor,

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The Message!

February 10, 2009

I am very excited about this Sunday’s Celebration Service here at Overflow Church!

We have some special things going on this weekend, and I have been pumping this service to our Life Groups and our friends around the area. One of the things I have been doing is casting the vision that this particular Sunday will be pivotal to us reaching our goals & vision for 2009! The team and the people in our Life Groups have caught that vision.

We are a church of 20 people! We have approximately 24 vocal commitments to attending this Sunday’s Celebration Service titled “The Message”.

Those numbers are right. This Sunday at church we will have more visitors in our body than we will partners in our church! PRAISE GOD!

You see we have been working diligently to get this set up and ordered the way that God has been speaking to us about. Last week we set up our NEW Sound System (first one actually). We have now have a full audio/video package working with the projector, and the wonderful audio components in place.

I am very excited about this weekend, and it will be one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful, messages I have every preached! Hence, the title “The Message”!

This will be a very powerful kingdom-minded presentation of the gospel. I believe that it will touch/rock those people that are far from God, or simply do not attend church for one reason or another that will be attending.

If you are in the Appleton area your invited to Overflow Church’s presentation of “the message”. If your not from the Appleton area, and you believe prayer changes things, it changes everything, then please pray for the Holy Spirit to move in power and love during this week of preparation. Please pray that all those who answered yes, will come and bring friends and/or family. Please pray that the Holy Spirit really blows through our service on Sunday in a wonderful, awe inspiring way.

4 Comments | Appleton, Family, God, His Kingdom, Inspirational, Jesus, Life, Overflow, The Message, Vision | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
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