The Tuesday morning session of the 2016 BBFI meeting in Cape Cod had 3 great young pastors (young in comparison to me). They were all different, but the unifying theme for me was to do something for God.
An Example of a Great Congregation
Jon Slayden is pastor of Second Baptist Church in Midland, Texas. In his church it is easy to keep our eyes focused on where we need to be and forget how far we’ve come. Sometimes you just need to get
From 1 Thessalonians 1:3 we find an example of a church that had 3 things going for it.
1 – Works of Faith – Working Faith. This is not teaching salvation by works but that faith does work. God changed them and it filtered out to everyone around them. They had big faith. Twice Jesus was amazed at faith – The centurion’s great faith and the towns’ people’s lack of faith. Do we lead or serve out of faith or fear (fear of criticism, failure, inadequacy, or success)
2 – Labor of Love – Impact up Close. they sincerely loved people. Loving others can be hard but that’s the only way to follow Jesus’ example.
3 – Steadfastness of Hope – Enduring Hope. They were not swerving from what should be done in spite of the difficulties. A Christless world is a hopeless world. Give them Jesus.
Leave the Mountain!
Kevin Whitacre is the pastor of the church where he was saved, Life Point Church in Chicopee, Massachusetts. He knew immediately that his life would never be the same. The ‘theology of change’ is that when you accept Jesus, nothing will ever be the same.
Deuteronomy 1:1-8 depict the challenge of the people of God to move from Mount Horeb to where God was leading them. 3 lessons we learn about this story…
1- Staying at Horeb was not the plan.
Horeb was a special place, a holy place. Are we comfortable where we’re at?
2 – Days turn to years when you wander.
When you decide to stay where you are you begin to wander. When you wander you’re confused and exhausted. What should have taken 11 days took 40 years because they lost sight of who God was (v. 27). They believed the wrong thing about God.
3 – The call is to move God-ward.
We need to keep moving forward and God-ward. When we don’t know which way to go – go toward God. If Satan can’t convince us to go back, He will convince us to stay where we’re at.
What God wants to do with us and the place He wants to take us is not far away (just 11 days).
When will it be your turn?
Paul Blue is the pastor of Family Fellowship Church in Greenville, Texas. Often we feel like others are getting all God’s blessings. Even as pastors, we sometimes feel like others are succeeding, and we are left behind. We ask, ‘When will it be my turn?’
The story of the lame man in John 5 is similar to this. He was by the pool waiting for the moving of the water so he could be healed. but others stepped in front of him every time. After 38 years I’m sure he asked, ‘When will it be my turn?’
Maybe you ask the same question. It will be your turn for God to step in and do something big when…
1 – You get tired of your handicap. A handicap is anything that makes progress or movement difficult.
2 – You get your eyes off the world and on to Jesus. His hope was in the water. He was watching the water to see if it moved. Jesus asked him what he wanted because He wanted to get his eyes off the water and on to Him.
3 – You quit blaming others. His answer to his dilemma was “I can’t” and “No one will help me.” We can blame others. But you will never be a victor if you keep being a victim.
4 – You are willing to try the things you know God is telling you to try, even if you don’t see how it is possible. Quit lying in the same place. Do what God wants even though you’ll receive criticism.
5 – You are committed to picking up your mat. The man had his favorite spot marked by his mat. But when Jesus healed him, he didn’t need his mat anymore. Your mat represents where you are stuck. You aren’t coming back here again so get rid of it. We keep our mat just in case things don’t work out.
What got you where you are won’t get you where you want to go. Do you want a turn? Do you believe you can have a turn? Do you believe God can do anything? Then follow Him.
You can about the other sessions: BBFI in Cape Cod 2016.