Thoughts Of Some Guy In Ohio
Thoughts Of Some Guy In Ohio
Redefining Life's Mission Through Faith's Lens
Can success be measured by faith rather than fortune? Join us as we challenge the conventional wisdom of equating success with wealth by exploring the transformative power of spiritual fulfillment. Through personal stories, we illuminate how mentors and spiritual guides have shaped our faith journeys, emphasizing the profound impact of discipleship in nurturing our individual paths. Inspired by the Great Commission, we reflect on the essential role of passing on this wisdom and love to others, ensuring the cycle of mentorship continues to thrive.
As the apostles faced the critical task of choosing Matthias to replace Judas, we delve into the importance of unity and prayer in overcoming challenges. Peter's leadership, driven by faith and commitment to their mission, serves as an example of how divine guidance can empower us when we least expect it. We share personal anecdotes about the Holy Spirit's role in equipping us to communicate our faith, even in moments of unpreparedness, and how this empowerment is crucial for spreading the gospel to every corner of the earth.
Imagine standing before a crowd of thousands and igniting a passion for faith. We explore Peter's bold proclamation of Jesus' resurrection and the overwhelming response it received, demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit in transforming lives. By examining the early Christian community's devotion to teaching, fellowship, and prayer, we are reminded of the universal call for all believers to share their faith. This episode urges us to redefine our understanding of success, focusing on the eternal impact of spreading the gospel, and invites listeners to join in the mission of making a lasting difference in the world.
discipleship matters. I can think of a handful of men in my life that have mentored me to the place where I am today. My buddy Jen and my friend Doug come to mind during a really weird time in my late teens, early twenties, when I was still trying to navigate my faith. God brought these two young men into my life that helped me overcome a lot of the temptations and struggles I had when I was younger. Have you ever met Doug? Doug is the most honest and graceful person I've ever met. I think I've only ever seen him mad once, and it's probably because I accidentally punched him in the face. It was a youth group thing. We were fine. I think about my friend Jed, who had this incredible ability to speak truth into my life, and not only that, but he called me on my own junk. When I would say or do stupid things, he'd be the first person to correct me. I think about Pastor Jeff Greco, who used to be at Crossroads Christian Church, and he met me when I was 16, 17 years old and he told me that he saw something bigger for my life, and even until today he's someone who I call regularly, not only just to catch up, but just to process what it's like to be in ministry. He led that church for more than 20 years and now he's in Tennessee. He started the Crossford School of Ministry, which is what Jesse went through. He did his own podcast and, lo and behold, a preacher found himself in Tennessee and within six months he was preaching at another church.
Speaker 1:It happens, I think, about Jonathan Absher, who was the senior minister here when I first started, a man who loved God and understood the Scriptures in a way that I can only wish, a man who was also very witty and very good at comebacks. I picked up some of that, but not all of it. He was someone who, when I said something around him, I'd be very cautious what I said, but I saw him take this church and I saw him take a group of young believers and mold them, and I had the honor of watching him raise his kids to love God in the same way that he did. I think about my brother, jeff, my older brother, who has always been there for me my entire life, someone that I look up to. It's interesting because, while he didn't lead me to faith, I had the honor of leading him to his, but over that time, just to see him and to see how he loved people and to see how he cared, to know that he always had my back. There have been so many people in my life that have discipled me and continue to disciple me that I've taken it upon myself and I think we all should to go and disciple other people. If you were here for Jesse's ordination, there's something I said on stage that I stand by.
Speaker 1:When I was in the DR with Rob and we were on our missions trip and I remember Jesse and I were kind of having a moment. Jesse used to be one of my former students and after I left he hung around the church for a little while and then he left and he went off and he did some things and he lived in some crazy times. Nothing overly insane. I don't think he killed anybody At least we haven't talked about that. But I remember when I first came back and he started coming back to church and he got plugged in and kind, of course, corrected, and so him and I were talking about this when we were in the DR and I said this and I believe it, I told him, jesse, I was like if the only reason God brought me back here was to bring you to this point, then it's worth it. Now I don't think that's entirely true, because I've had the ability to disciple and to be discipled by countless people, but it's because the Great Commission tells us to take the message of the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Speaker 1:The gospels Matthew, mark, luke and John paint the picture of Jesus, who he was, what he accomplished, his sacrifice. The book of Acts establishes the role of not only the disciples, the apostles, but how the church is supposed to function in that culture and in this one. It's universal. So, starting in verse 1 of Acts 1, it says In my former book, theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach Until the day he was taken up to heaven.
Speaker 1:After giving instruction through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen after his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of 40 days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave this command do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my father promised, which you've heard me speak about, for John baptized with water, but in a few days, will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Then they gathered around him and asked him Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel? He said to them it's not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. By the way, let me just state this real quick Jesus himself said it's not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority, talking about the second coming of Christ. So for anyone who's concerned about the end of days, don't worry about it. God knows. There's no magical formula for us to figure it out. What we can do is rest assured that it's coming. But he said, starting and continuing in verse 8, but you will receive power and the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea, samaria, to the ends of the earth. After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up in the sky as he was going when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them, men of Galilee. They said why do you stand here looking into the sky? The same Jesus who's been taken from you into heaven will come back in the same way you've seen him go into heaven.
Speaker 1:When the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives a Sabbath day walk from the hill called the Mount of Olives a Sabbath day, walked in the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those who were present were Peter, john, james and Andrew, philip and Thomas, bartholomew and Matthew, james, son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas, son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary, the mother ofot, and Judas, son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Speaker 1:In those days, peter stood up among the believers a group numbering about 120, and said Brothers and sisters, the scripture had to be fulfilled, in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David, concerning Judas, who served as a guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was one of our number and shared in our ministry. With the payment he received for his wickedness, judas bought a field there. He fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. That's rough. So everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field, in their language, akadama, that is, the field of blood.
Speaker 1:For, said Peter, it is written in the book of Psalms may his place be deserted, let there be no one dwelling in it. May another take his place of leadership. Therefore, it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us this whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning from John's baptism, at the time when Jesus was taken up from us for one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection. So they nominated two men Joseph Calvarsavis, also known as Justice, and Matthias. Then they prayed Lord, you know everyone's heart, show us which of these two have chosen to take over their apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs when they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias, so he was added to the 11 apostles.
Speaker 1:So you know, in the beginning we see the reality that Judas has betrayed Jesus. You see this at the end of the Gospels that he's the one who kind of facilitates the arresting of Jesus, what eventually would lead to his crucifixion. And so Jesus, or Judas, feels remorse for what he did and he takes his own life. So Peter comes to the apostles and says listen, we've got to replace him. This is what scripture tells us, and so they did. So they found Matthias.
Speaker 1:But it's interesting because at the beginning of this, as they reflect as the author reflects on what is being said, especially about Jesus, he reflects back on the fact that Jesus says listen, you need to wait here until the Holy Spirit comes upon you. There's this understanding in the Scriptures that the journey, the task that God has called us to, we cannot accomplish on our own. It's not by human hands On our own. It's not by human hands, but the Spirit in us stirs it up within us that we are called to spread the Gospel. You know, a lot of times when we talk about sharing the Gospel, the one thing that I hear the most is I don't know what to say. If the Spirit of God is in you, that's okay, because the Spirit of God is perfect.
Speaker 1:I cannot tell you how many times I have found myself in a situation and ended up sharing the gospel with someone who I had really no intention of where that conversation was going and I reflect back on the things that I said and I'm like it's almost like this, like I don't know what was going. And I reflect back on the things that I said and I'm like it's almost like this, like I don't know what was going on. I think I've shared this before. I was sitting in you know the last job I had. I was sitting in the office one time and there was a young lady who worked for me and she came in and we were kind of having this conversation and she had some questions about faith and she wasn't really a believer and at some point, like I think she was trying to like trip me up. You ever had those people and they ask you questions.
Speaker 1:I used to have a student. He's like is God so powerful that he can make a rock that he can't move? God's so powerful that he can make a rock that he can't move. I was like that's a stupid question. And he's like why? I'm like because I don't think there's an answer to that. And he's like, well, I'm just. I'm like listen, I know you, I know your dad, your dad's the same way. I was like we can have a bigger conversation about this.
Speaker 1:But so this young lady, she would come into my office and she would kind of like rapid fire these questions at me and there was one time she asked me a question. We were talking about Jesus and the historical evidence of him and we got to the point where I was sharing the gospel with her and his death and his resurrection and what that means, and I had zoned out so much that in my office by the time I was I don't know if you ever met me, but I'm long-winded or I can be by the time I was done explaining this to her, I realized, as I kind of like stepped back in my mind right that my office was full of about 20 employees. They had kind of trickled in as I was sharing the gospel with her, and that moment led to a ton of questions by all these employees later. And so that's what I say when the Holy Spirit is moving us, it will help us understand, it will equip us with what we need. So they end with chapter 1, where they bring Matthias into the picture.
Speaker 1:And now that group of 120 felt the urge and the need to go and spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. So, starting in Acts 2, and this is a long one it says when the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly, a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now they were staying in Jerusalem and God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.
Speaker 1:When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment because each one heard their own language being spoken. So when we see this happen in the book of Acts, as the tongues come down on them, they're speaking languages of those around them, languages they should not and could not have spoken on their own Said. Utterly amazed, they asked aren't all those who are speaking Galileans, and how is it that each of them hears them in our native language? That's the miracle. The message that they're sharing is heard and understood by those who are around them. They're sharing is heard and understood by those who are around them Parthenians, medes and Elamites, residents of Mesopotamia, judea and Cappadocia, pontus and Asia, phrygia and Pamphylia, egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, cretans and Arabs. We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongue. Amazed and perplexed, they ask one another what does this mean? Some, however, made fun of them and said they've had too much wine.
Speaker 1:At this moment, Peter stands up among the 12. And he feels the need to kind of course, correct this conversation. They're joking because they're assuming we're all drunk, as if, for some reason, being drunk allows you to speak another language. Listen, you're speaking something, but it's not another language that someone's going to understand. So Peter stands up among the 11, raised his voice and addressed the crowd. Peter, the same guy who rejected Jesus, the same apostle who has been tasked with spreading the good news of the gospel to the ends of the earth, stands up among this crowd of probably a million people and he starts to speak, empowered by the Holy Spirit. He said fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you. Listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning. No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel In the last day.
Speaker 1:God says I will pour out my spirit on all the people your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions and your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams Even on my servants, both men and women. I will pour out my spirit in those days and they will prophesy. I will show wonders on heavens above and signs on the earth below blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord, and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Speaker 1:Fellow Israelites, listen to this. Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you, by miracles, wonders and signs which God did among you through him. As you yourselves know, this man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to no said about him. I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices. My body also will rest in hope because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead. You will not let your holy ones see decay. You have made known to me the path of life. You will fill me with joy in your presence.
Speaker 1:Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne, seeing what was to come. He spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he is received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not send to heaven and yet he said the Lord said to my Lord sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. Therefore, let all Israel so, in that moment, empowered by the Holy Spirit, peter shares the gospel.
Speaker 1:He says listen, you were responsible for the death of Jesus. Don't misunderstand that. But it's not. It was never your plan, it was God's. God gave him to you because he knew this had to happen. But understand, unlike David. But understand, unlike david who has come before you.
Speaker 1:The jesus whom you crucified never saw the grave. He never stayed dead. He rose to life. We are witnesses of that. Those that group of 120 are witnesses of the resurrection of jesus. He spent 40 days with them prior to returning to heaven. He said we've seen his resurrection and we believe and we understand that God has restored him. Even though you killed him, god raised him from the dead and established him as Lord and Messiah for your sake. Death could not hold him. His death would pay the price for you to also not experience the same death. It was promised to us. Even David understood that. So in this moment, he shared the gospel with about a million people.
Speaker 1:Can you imagine that, standing in front of a crowd like that, as the Spirit washed over you and it gave you exactly what you needed? This fisherman by trade, this man who wasn't even good enough to become a Pharisee, as a man in that culture, as a young boy, your, your goal was to eventually find yourself into the synagogue and learning at the feet of rabbis in order to become a rabbi. That was the ultimate success most, uh, I would argue, all of the, the men, especially in that culture, who were tradesmen and woodworkers, and, and those are good jobs. But most of them chose those jobs because they weren't good enough to be a rabbi. So this man, who was a fisherman by trade, stood up, shared the message of the gospel and the response was profound, he said.
Speaker 1:When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and they said to Peter and the other apostles Brothers, what shall we do? Peter replied Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. With many other words, he warned them and he pleaded with them save yourselves from this corrupt generation. Those who accepted his message were baptized and about 3,000 were added to the number. That day they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship and to the breaking of bread and the prayer. Everyone was filled with all at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people, and the Lord added to their number daily, those who were being saved.
Speaker 1:The message of the gospel is never stagnant. Only the people who carry it are. Can you imagine Peter on that day feeling compelled to share the message with someone and he just says no, no, no, I'm just going to sit here and mind my business. Later, in the book of Acts, we come across by a man named Paul, who had a radical encounter with Jesus, who used to kill Christians but spends the rest of his life taking the mission of the gospel to the ends of the earth. This call to be men and women who share our faith is not just for the apostles and the early disciples. It's universal. Every single one of us has the responsibility to take the message of Jesus into our world. There's no benchwarmers in the church. There's no benchwarmers in the kingdom of God.
Speaker 1:You know, a lot of times when we talk about the success and failures of a church, we point to leadership. That's easy. Well, our preacher wasn't good enough, our elders were not really good elders. There's this weird thing where we like to pass the buck and we like to say well, that's someone else's problem. Listen, scripture tells us that every person who's a believer, who has the Spirit in them, has the responsibility to share their faith with those around them. So if the church is failing to do that, it's not just the leadership's fault.
Speaker 1:My prayer every single day is that God lights a fire in everyone who comes through our door, that they can't stop talking about Jesus. They can't stop talking about how he changes lives, how he restores marriages, how he sets addicts free, that they're not afraid of sharing the gospel. I'm not ashamed of what I believe in. Even if you don't believe it, I believe enough for you. Sometimes I believe so much that God has changed my life that I know that he'll change yours, and it's my responsibility to share that message with you. And how you respond is up to you. But there is no excuse for us not to be out there every single day intentionally looking for ways to tell people about Jesus.
Speaker 1:We live in what's become known as a post-Christian culture. There are fewer Christians in this country than there were 40 years ago. You know, I was in Greece a couple years ago and, as we were out one night, because we were the place where we were staying, we really weren't supposed to be there and so, like the landlord showed up, so it was like one in the morning, and the gentleman who was in charge, like you guys have to leave. Have you ever been to Greece? Culturally, they don't really like outside churches. They're heavily Greek Orthodox, so they don't want you as a missionary over there. We actually went over there to help missionaries who aren't missionaries. They're actually both teachers and they built a coffee shop. But in that coffee shop they have Bible studies, which is really cool, by the way, and Greek coffee is amazing. No offense to the DR, but Greek coffee like put hair on your chest Like you got. Like three-year-old kids with hair. It's crazy, but sorry.
Speaker 1:So we're walking around downtown and there's this like big dude like running. He's out one in the morning because that's what normal people do, and so he's running and we're all talking and he catches part of our conversation and he stops and he turns to us Nicest guy I ever met in my life. His name was John, and so we start talking and all this stuff and he's like I go to church? I'm like okay, and he's like he's like why I go to church? I'm like okay, and he's like I go to church because of my grandmother. He's like but I don't believe any of that. And I was like so you go to church, but you're an atheist? He's like, yeah, I guess I am. And I was like, okay, so this is kind of culturally for me. I was like, well, that's a little weird. And so we started this conversation and we realized that he goes to church out of obligation to his grandmother, because if he doesn't go to church, his grandmother calls him and she yells at him. That's a good grandmother, but he really doesn't have a personal faith.
Speaker 1:And so we were there for about a week and a half and we realized that almost everyone under 20 was about the same way they want the church, but none of them believed. In our country it's the opposite they don't believe and they don't go to church. They don't want any part of this right. So we live in a world that has gotten away from that, and the reason I think that part of that is is because the church has not done a great job of seeing and understanding that we're all on a mission. For the last 20 years the conversation has been around well, that's my preacher's job. If I can just introduce someone to my preacher, he can lead them to Jesus. No, no, you lead them to Jesus. That's the whole point of this. And so when we talk about the mission that God has called us to, empowered by the Holy Spirit, god will give us opportunities to share our faith, and in those moments we pray that people respond. But the response can't happen if no one's telling them.
Speaker 1:So, going into next year and I know that our theme this year was His Kingdom First going into next year, our yearly theme is real simple as a church, we're going to be on mission. Our mission is to spread the gospel. Our mission is to see people come to Jesus. Listen, I'm not worried. I'm not trying to fill this place to say, oh look, we have 300 people here. Our heart should be motivated by we want to see people come to Jesus because it's life-changing. I want to see them in heaven someday with me, but it's going to take all of us.
Speaker 1:So that's my challenge to you as we go into next year are you on mission? Do you really believe that the message of the gospel is life-changing and do you live that way? Or are you just here to punch a time clock and go home? Or are you just here to punch a time clock and go home. We should be on mission always. The Holy Spirit in you gives you everything you need to be on mission. Hell will not overcome it. Darkness is not stronger than light. I believe we can see this valley changed for the kingdom of God, but it's going to take all of us. Are you willing to do what is ever necessary? Are you willing to sacrifice, even to be on mission for God? It's a hard question.
Speaker 1:I said at the beginning a couple years ago, my goal was to step into a job where I made as much money as possible. Isn't that what we teach people? Our young kids? Be successful. In order to be successful, you have to have a lot of money. My kids have no concept of money. That's why Everett wants a Tesla truck for some reason.
Speaker 1:We were talking about this the other day. He said to us he's like I can't wait till I live in my million dollar mansion and he's like, don't worry, there's going to be a room for you. And I'm like that's fine, I'll take it and listen. I joke about it and it's funny and I'm glad that my kids have ambition, but really, what I hope that I instilled in them is that the message that they believe in, the Jesus they believe in is meant for everyone, and that's their mission. That's what they base their success on.
Speaker 1:Am I bringing people to the knowledge of Jesus? Am I fulfilling what God has called me to do? I came back here because I believe God had something big in store. I came back here because I trust that God leads me in the direction he needs me to go, because my success is not determined by how much money I make. My good and faithful servant moment when I die is going to be tied to how many people I've shared my faith with. That's eternal. That has lasting impact. Everything else is pointless. Are we committed as a church to be on mission, and not just for six weeks? This isn't a temporary resolution, by the way. I felt slightly attacked by that, but we'll talk about that later. This is not a simple resolution. This is a commitment to say that God, we are here in the city of Follingsby and we are committed to seeing people come to the knowledge of you, whatever it takes, because we believe that as you changed us, you can change them. As you saved us, you can save them. Be on mission, let's pray.