Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?

“Mom, he hit me!” 

How many times have we heard that?  It seems like brothers have a built-in predisposition for contention.  They’re always doing something to one another.  Then the retribution starts, ending up with what seems like a never-ending cycle of name calling, hitting, accusations, on and on it goes!  It’s enough to drive a parent crazy!  But we always hope that when they get older, they’ll grow out of it.  We hope…

Sometime they don’t.  They grow up, and the cycle seems to repeat itself.  Sometimes we even see it happen in the church. It’s enough to drive a pastor crazy!

What do we do if a brother or sister in the church sins against us?  What is the appropriate response? How would Jesus have us to handle that situation?

Thankfully, God didn’t leave us to figure it out on our own.  He gave us an instruction manual, called “The Bible”, that helps guide us in these sensitive situations.

Join us Sunday for “The Model Citizen – Part IV:  Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?”

 

Till the whole world hears...

 Pastor Clay

Straying Sheep

What do we think when we see another Christian stray?  When someone we know goes off a cliff, heads off into the wilderness, into the darkness of the wilderness?  Perhaps we are sad.  Maybe mad.  Some might have a sense of righteous indignation.  Some might even feel a bit self-righteous. 

But more important is this:  How does God see the straying Christian?  What is God’s heart towards that person? Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:12:

What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?  Matt 18:12

So, God ‘seeks after’ that sheep – perhaps with a whip? With judgment?  Perhaps so when He finds that sheep He can set them straight? Or maybe…

And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray

Wow – God rejoices when He finds that sheep.  In other words, He is so happy to bring one of His sheep back from the dark wilderness, and back into His fold.

Join us Sunday, as we explore God’s heart towards the straying sheep.

 

Till the whole world hears... 

Pastor Clay

Leading Astray

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Matt 18:6

 

Remember when we were kids, sometimes our moms took a particular dislike to a certain friend.  Perhaps they thought that friend would be a bad influence on us, they might “lead us astray.”  Funny how moms are, because sometimes years later, we can see where that person ended up, and we are so glad we are not there with them.

 

As keen as mom’s discernment might have been, God’s is even greater. For that reason we should be sensitive to the Spirit of the Lord if He gives us discernment about hanging with a certain crowd.  Sin loves company, and if we hang with the sinning crowd, we will be lead astray.  And guess what, Jesus is very protective of His “little ones”, insomuch as if someone leads one of His little ones astray in their walk with the Lord, that person will give an account of that before the Lord!

 

Join us Sunday for Part II of our series “The Model Citizen.”

 

(miss last week?  CLICK HERE to go to the Audio Sermon page)

 

Till the whole world hears...

 

Pastor Clay

 

Spiritual Headship

But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 
1 Cor 11:3

In 1 Corinthians Paul lays our a spiritual principle:  God is head over Jesus, Jesus is head over man, and man is head over woman.  OK, we all understand hierarchy – we have a boss, or we are the boss…  but often our view is tainted. We think of our boss as someone to avoid, or someone we try an make ourselves look good to. We think of ourselves as the boss from a perspective of “what I get to do,” or “what’s in it for me.”

In reality – the position, from God’s perspective, is so much more. From God’s perspective, the “head” is one who should look out for the those that he oversees.  Make sure they are taken care of – make sure they are trained - make sure that they are successful.  It is the only way that an organization will be truly successful.

Why do I say all this?  Because as men, I want you to see your role as the spiritual head as so much more than a title or something you pull out in an argument with your wife! As the spiritual head, you need to understand how God has defined your role, what authority you have, and what responsibilities come with the title.

Interested in knowing more?  Join us for Men’s Breakfast on Saturday morning, prayer at 7, breakfast starts at 8 am!

CLICK HERE to register

 

Till the whole world hears... 

Pastor Clay