Almost…

Posted on August 2, 2011 by jordan

Timely and noteworthy.

Posted in Thoughts and Theology | 3 Comments

What is coming up in July?!

Posted on June 30, 2011 by jordan

July 1st, 8th, 15, 22nd(Canceled) & 29th: Friday Night Ignite(Jr/Sr High/College 7:00PM-10:00PM)
-Please see Facebook event for further information.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=158588247543863

July 2nd: Jr. High room makeover(Jr High only, 11:00-3:00PM).
-Painting and Pizza.

July 6th(Canceled), 13th, 20th(Canceled) & 27th : Lion’s Den.
-Times vary due to conflicts with Mexico meetings.
-See Facebook event updates.

July 13th: Youth Outreach.
-Contact Pastor Jordan for times and info.

July 17th-23rd: Mexico Mission Trip.

More to follow….

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Get it right!

Posted on June 14, 2011 by jordan

The gospel that Jesus proclaimed was a call to discipleship, a call to follow Him in  obedience, not just a plea to make a decision or pray a prayer. The gospel was never intended to be remarketed in a more pleasing and seeker-friendly package. At face value it was clear and precise. Jesus’ message liberated people from the bondage of their sin while it confronted and condemned duplicity. It was MEANT to be offensive. It was an offer of life and grace to repentant sinners, but at the same time it was an honest rebuke to those who found  hope in themselves. It was a clear declaration of God’s intentions. Repent and believe or recieve the fullness of His wrath. Our Lord’s words about eternal life were intrinsically connected with His warning to those who might be tempted to make light of His salvation. He declared that the cost of following Him is high, the way is narrow and few find it. He even said many who call on Him will be forbidden from entering the coming kingdom.

What do we make of this?

I often survey the broad scope of modern evangelicalism and feel a great sense of uncertainty. Sound doctrine is shelved for bullet points and core values, exegetes for entertainers and sadly, the gospel for gullibility. As if we were doing Jesus a solid, we revamp our services, presentations and evangelism to fill the pews with spectators and attendees. We quite litteraly replace the call to repent, believe and follow with recite, participate(at your own discretion) and sit.

Though it might appear this way, this isn’t an attack on creative and effective ministry philosophies. I am blessed to serve in a church where the avenues are both relevant and diverse and yet by His grace the gospel is still paramount. Rather, this is an appeal. An appeal to those who may have become distracted by the allure of full attendance and Pastoral “success”.

Repent and remember.

*Scripture teaches that the gospel calls sinners to a faith that is united with repentance (Acts 2:38; 17:30; 20:21; 2 Pet. 3:9).

*Scripture teaches that salvation is accomplished by the Sovereign mercy of God. Those who believe are saved utterly apart from any effort on their own (Titus 3:5).

*Scripture teaches that the object of faith is Christ Himself (Christ is what Christ offers) (John 3:16).

*Scripture teaches that sincere faith produces a new and changed life(2 Cor. 5:17).

*Scripture teaches that Jesus is the unchallenged master of all things, and the faith He demands involves unconditional surrender (Rom. 6:17-18; 10:9-10). In other words, holiness and obedience are not optional.

*Scripture teaches that those who truly believe will love Christ more than themselves(1 Pet. 1:8-9; Rom. 8:28-30; 1 Cor. 16:22; John 14:15, 23).

*Scripture teaches that behavior is an important test of faith. Obedience is evidence that one’s faith is real (1 John 2:3).

*Scripture teaches that genuine believers may stumble and fall, but they will persevere in the faith (1 Cor. 1:8).

This issue is not a trivial one. In fact, how could any issue be more important? The gospel that is presented to unbelievers has eternal ramifications. If it is the truth, it can direct men into life. If it is corrupted, it can commit the lost to a false sense of hope while they await a coming condemnation. This is not merely a matter for theologians to pontificate. This is an issue that every pastor and professing follower of Christ must understand in order that the gospel may be rightly proclaimed to all people.

Getting it right, matters!

“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.” (1 Timothy 4:16).

Posted in Thoughts and Theology | 1 Comment

What would happen if we told them?

Posted on June 1, 2011 by jordan

Before I get into it, let me make something clear.

I get it.

Telling people that Jesus is God, is costly. The very act persuades the listener to assume a few things about you that do not scrub off easily.

1. You are a religious nut-job.

2. You are insensitive and judgmental.

3. You are close-minded and ignorant to the rest of existence.

These aren’t small things. In fact these very statements could cost you your friends, family, desired High-school experience, the very feeling of being liked and any other type of positive affirmation from your peers. Certainly there is a lot riding on this.

But lets pretend for a moment that you don’t care. Lets venture off into a fantasy land where people accepted the fall-out of Jesus claims by stating, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You alone have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69).
Where men and women dedicate themselves to the proclamation of the Gospel as if it mattered. A place where you couldn’t find anyone in the entirety of your city who hadn’t heard(Acts 19:10).

Does this HAVE to be fantasy?

What would happen if we told them? What would the church look like if we abandoned our liberties and pride for a cross? What if our school campuses stopped being a place where we could just blend in and survive? What if the living stopped seeking counsel about life from the dead? What if we just opened our mouths and told them?

What if?

Are you curious?

Posted in Current Lion's Den Scripture, Thoughts and Theology | 1 Comment

Why it matters now?

Posted on May 19, 2011 by jordan

“1 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands…”(1 Peter 3:1)

“7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect…”(1 Peter 3:7)

It is no great secret that I pastor teens. The young and excitable junior high student to the independant high school-er. Their lives are overwhelmed with academic pursuits, hormone induced crushes and the ever present struggle with identity. Their affections are mostly set on college, career and the lure of a “freedom” associated with adulthood. No matter what their future intentions may be, it is almost universally assumed that most are not even considering marriage at this point.

If that is the case(and I believe it is), then how does the intimate discipline and conduct between husband and wife spoken of in 1 Peter chapter 3 apply to our young people at this stage in their journey?

I’m glad you asked.

We are responsible to train young people in Godliness(Eph 6:4; 1 Tim 4:7). And though they may not fully understand or appreciate the method and structure now, later, when tested, the student will enjoy the righteousness and peace produced by them(Hebrews 12:11).

The sad reality is that all too often we are so concerned with catering to the present progress of our young people that we forsake much of what is meant for their long term growth. Would we assume that they never intend to get married? What qualities will they look for in a spouse? How will they know how to love, serve and care for them properly?

Much of what we see in our society concerning marriage is a gross misrepresentation. Scandalous affairs, skyrocketing divorce rate and the subsequent fall-out…Broken families and children who are destined and trained to reciprocate the same.

But what if things were different?

What if we looked at marriage as another opportunity to make much of Jesus? What if by modeled humility, service and character, struggling faith was restored? What if by reverent respect and sacrificial devotion, a subordinate partner was established? What if?

It would look like Christ. It would model Him in His footsteps and it would make a big deal of His worth. This is why we train now for the future. This is why talk about marriage when it is yet to be considered. Because every student who is fully trained by his teacher will become like his teacher(Luke 6:40).

Who will they follow?

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God is the Gospel

Posted on May 10, 2011 by jordan

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God…” (1 Peter 3:18)

If the Gospel means “good news” then what makes it so good? What is the main point? We often recognize what we are being saved from, but what are we being saved to? How about heaven and Eternal life? Though they sound great, what are they and what makes them “good”?

The truth is that none of these are good or satisfying if they are the climax of our hope. Christ died to bring us to God. If God is not the treasure and reward then we have missed the point of the greatest event ever to take place. But the Gospel is that God gives us Himself. Christ IS what Christ offers! And this self-giving is the highest vision of grace and our greatest good. 

What is a better gift than that which satisfies, saves and allows us to savor for all of eternity?

Come, let us reason with one another…

Posted in Current Lion's Den Scripture | Leave a comment