"It's all about relationships!" That's what I have heard from the earliest days of my selling career. The other addage tossed around with a frequency like that of waves rolling ashore has a similar ring: "People buy from people." Or how about the other favorite, "It's not what you know; it's who you know"?
We can all relate (no pun intended, but indeed retained for purposes of staying on topic!) to relationships. In fact, all of us have a number of different types of relationships. For example, I am a son, a brother, a nephew, a grandson, a husband, a father, a son-in-law, an uncle, a friend, a neighbor, a pastor, a coworker, a boss, an employee, a coach, a church member, a teammate, etc. In every case, my life is connected to other people. And if you can fathom the mathematical model postulated by some very smart people, the entire human race is connected by "six degrees of separation." Yes, relationships matter. In seminary, these kind of relationships are called "Horizontal Relationships." These relationships are kept in tact by the last 6 commandments.
But then there is the "Vertical Relationship." This is the most important relationship...our relationship to God. This relationship is encompassed by the first 4 commandments. This Sunday begins our new sermon series entitled (fittingly, given this blog's content!), "RELATIONSHIPS."
Come join us Sunday as we look at Romans 12:1-2. We will learn what God's expecation is in our relationship with Him. You may just be surprised!
DISH OUT
Friday, August 21, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
The End of the World
Such a fascinating topic is the end of the world. I remember the first time I read through the book of Revelation. I was confused beyond understanding.
I remember that song by REM..."It's the End of the World as We Know it." Are we in the end times? What does that even mean? Will the world ever end really? What are the signs of the end times?
But as with any topic, no matter how provacative, the Christian must first and foremost ask the question, "What does the Bible have to say about that?"
Well, if we collected all the books written about this one topic...the end of the world...one might imagine that not even the Superdome in New Orleans could contain them. Many have allowed their lives to be consumed with this topic. Many others have erroneously - and sinfully - predicted the date of the end of the world.
The movie 2012 is coming out this fall. Watch and you may just learn that...of course its the end of the Mayan calendar! Yeah, right. As a dear friend of mine often said, "That's cooky-talk!"
Come join us at C3 for the final two weeks of our "Taboo Topics" sermon series, where we look to God's Word for clues we can count on! See you there...and...bring your Bible!
Pastor Randy
I remember that song by REM..."It's the End of the World as We Know it." Are we in the end times? What does that even mean? Will the world ever end really? What are the signs of the end times?
But as with any topic, no matter how provacative, the Christian must first and foremost ask the question, "What does the Bible have to say about that?"
Well, if we collected all the books written about this one topic...the end of the world...one might imagine that not even the Superdome in New Orleans could contain them. Many have allowed their lives to be consumed with this topic. Many others have erroneously - and sinfully - predicted the date of the end of the world.
The movie 2012 is coming out this fall. Watch and you may just learn that...of course its the end of the Mayan calendar! Yeah, right. As a dear friend of mine often said, "That's cooky-talk!"
Come join us at C3 for the final two weeks of our "Taboo Topics" sermon series, where we look to God's Word for clues we can count on! See you there...and...bring your Bible!
Pastor Randy
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Taboo Topics
I was in Washington DC this past week and as I was sitting in line waiting for the ticket office to open for the Washington Monument, I was confronted with the temptation to talk politics with the men around me...
I refrained. Call me chicken or wise. In either case, such a thought has buttressed yet again God's calling for me to preach a series entitled "Taboo Topics."
If you missed the first two weeks of the series, Politics or Hell, you can check out our podcast at www.c3charleston.com. The next several weeks are sure to get your attention. Join us as we explore the topics of:
Money - July 19th
Sex - July 26th
Addictions - August 2nd
The End of the World (1) - August 9th
The End of the World (2) - August 16th
See you then...
Randy
I refrained. Call me chicken or wise. In either case, such a thought has buttressed yet again God's calling for me to preach a series entitled "Taboo Topics."
If you missed the first two weeks of the series, Politics or Hell, you can check out our podcast at www.c3charleston.com. The next several weeks are sure to get your attention. Join us as we explore the topics of:
Money - July 19th
Sex - July 26th
Addictions - August 2nd
The End of the World (1) - August 9th
The End of the World (2) - August 16th
See you then...
Randy
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Who are you discipling?
I am into a new book now, entitled "Church is a Team Sport" by Jim Putman. Here is an excerpt from his book, where he is talking about what happens when a person abandons the self-improvement method and trust Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. He aptly points out that...
"...the devil now sees the one we just baptized as an enemy. This is not like a physical game we might play, where at worst we get hurt accidentally and need medical attention. Satan is not happy about losing that person to Jesus...he is out to disarm and destroy them to protect his own evil kingdom. We often don't understand that we just got this new believer into a war they are not equipped to fight. They don't know the rules, or the weapons available, or even how to use them." (pg. 96-97)
To be sure, new Christians need to be developed and nurtured. This is the role of the body of believers we call the church. We are to nurture our own along in the faith.
Maybe you are not ready to disciple. If so, then who is discipling you? Who around you challenges you to grow in Christ? To whom can you reach out and ask to meet with you to talk about what it means to follow Jesus, what it "costs" to be a disciple?
The church does not grow unless the church grows. Do you get that?
A few notes before signing off:
"...the devil now sees the one we just baptized as an enemy. This is not like a physical game we might play, where at worst we get hurt accidentally and need medical attention. Satan is not happy about losing that person to Jesus...he is out to disarm and destroy them to protect his own evil kingdom. We often don't understand that we just got this new believer into a war they are not equipped to fight. They don't know the rules, or the weapons available, or even how to use them." (pg. 96-97)
To be sure, new Christians need to be developed and nurtured. This is the role of the body of believers we call the church. We are to nurture our own along in the faith.
Maybe you are not ready to disciple. If so, then who is discipling you? Who around you challenges you to grow in Christ? To whom can you reach out and ask to meet with you to talk about what it means to follow Jesus, what it "costs" to be a disciple?
The church does not grow unless the church grows. Do you get that?
A few notes before signing off:
- pray for our Romanian Mission Team
- calendar our Covenant Partner Classes (all C3 Covenant Partners are required to attend one class). Dates are June 18, 21, 22, and 28.
- calendar June 19th at 6:30 PM for our Mission Trip Worship Service!
- welcome Cliff Daniels to our Summer Internship
- calendar July 18th and August 8th for our C3 Community Movie Nights!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Randy
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Ask for Wisdom
In my annual Bible reading plan, I have come to 2 Chronicles, where Solomon asks God for wisdom. What he did NOT ask for is instructive.
Job declared the same: "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom." (Job 28:28)
David also declared the same: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." (Psalm 111:10)
Charles Spurgeon, English preacher of the 1800's, defined wisdom this way:
"Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom."
St. Francis of Assisi said, "Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
And the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to confess: "It is because of him [God] that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption." (1 Corinthians 1:30)
Our prayers to God should include a request for His wisdom!
I confess that I mostly ask God for what I want - it would have been very understandable if Solomon would have asked for victory over his enemies, wealth or honor, or a long life, but instead he asked God for wisdom. God added all the other things to him as well.
Randy
- He did not ask for wealth.
- He did not ask for riches.
- He did not ask for honor.
- He did not ask for the death of his enemies.
- And he did not ask for long life.
Job declared the same: "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom." (Job 28:28)
David also declared the same: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." (Psalm 111:10)
Charles Spurgeon, English preacher of the 1800's, defined wisdom this way:
"Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom."
St. Francis of Assisi said, "Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
And the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to confess: "It is because of him [God] that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption." (1 Corinthians 1:30)
Our prayers to God should include a request for His wisdom!
I confess that I mostly ask God for what I want - it would have been very understandable if Solomon would have asked for victory over his enemies, wealth or honor, or a long life, but instead he asked God for wisdom. God added all the other things to him as well.
Randy
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Spiritual Practice
I remember when I was a kid, my Dad used to say, "Practice makes perfect." As I would move from one sports season to the next (I tried a stint at saxophone in the 3rd grade but it was a train wreck!), I would here that same mantra from every coach. Whether it's baseball, football or basketball...or saxophone or dancing or art or learning a new language - practice does count.
It is no different in Christianity! Paul encouraged Timothy:
"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:8)
and...
"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." (1 Corinthians 9:25)
What does that practice look like? What is the strict training that Paul is referencing? The answer is training in righteousness:
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)
Therefore, part of the DNA of C3 is that all covenant partners are expected to be students of the Bible. In the book "Essential Church," Thom Rainer and his son Sam interviewed a young man who was strongly connected to his church. He said, "...the church should only be a supplement to a personal time of prayer and Bible study."
And THEN this young man said, "The Word is so much a part of my life that studying it has become a life priority for me. And when I am dealing with tough decisions or life-changing situations, I can always remember something I have studied in Scripture to help me know how to deal with anything."
He added, "And none of my studies in the Bible have ever told me to take a break from church. To the contrary, I realize that I need the church more than ever."
WOW! Never could I have said it better. Spiritual practice begins with a daily time in God's Word, asking Him to fill you with wisdom, knowledge and truth!
Study hard, because practice makes perfect!
Randy
It is no different in Christianity! Paul encouraged Timothy:
"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:8)
and...
"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." (1 Corinthians 9:25)
What does that practice look like? What is the strict training that Paul is referencing? The answer is training in righteousness:
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)
Therefore, part of the DNA of C3 is that all covenant partners are expected to be students of the Bible. In the book "Essential Church," Thom Rainer and his son Sam interviewed a young man who was strongly connected to his church. He said, "...the church should only be a supplement to a personal time of prayer and Bible study."
And THEN this young man said, "The Word is so much a part of my life that studying it has become a life priority for me. And when I am dealing with tough decisions or life-changing situations, I can always remember something I have studied in Scripture to help me know how to deal with anything."
He added, "And none of my studies in the Bible have ever told me to take a break from church. To the contrary, I realize that I need the church more than ever."
WOW! Never could I have said it better. Spiritual practice begins with a daily time in God's Word, asking Him to fill you with wisdom, knowledge and truth!
Study hard, because practice makes perfect!
Randy
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
If "The Church" Collaborated...
One of my mantras of late has been to look for others who desperately want to see something amazing happen in Charleston, SC. If we don't watch it, we will continue to pour all our resources and energy into doing church, leaving very little left in actually being the church.
Jesus said, "He who is not with me is against me." (Mt. 12:30) The context of that statement is Jesus, having just driven a demon out of a man, is accused of being on the side of Beelzebub (the prince of demons, an agent of Satan). We are in a war folks, and guess what God's church is doing in Charleston - and for that matter all over the United States? The church is hunkering down as individual entities - a church here and a church there - each existing in this world by itself.
Satan has effectively devised a plan to divide the Church of Jesus Christ - pride. There. I said it. Pride and the view that churches are in competition with one another is what keeps churches from working together, collaborating to storm the house of Satan - namely, this world. Jesus said, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." (Mt. 12:25) Every city divided against itself...sobering, isn't it? Much less every church. Imagine if churches saw other churches as more soldiers, reinforcements, additional supplies - all for the goal of winning the war!
By His death, burial and resurrection, Jesus bound up the "strong man" (Satan), and now our job...our mission... is to rob his (Satan's) house and take what he possesses, namely people who don't know the truth. Remember what Jesus told Peter? "...upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." (Mt. 16:18) The gates of hell (Satan's authority) will not hold up under the siege of Christ's army! The question is, are we storming the gates of hell or are we going to sit idly by in comfort? We've been called to go!
Every day, I have committed to entering into a bold conversation with someone about Jesus. I could care less what church they end up attending. That is immaterial until they find Jesus. The fact is, 79% of Charleston does not worship at a Christian church on any given weekend. So, we need to modify our emphasis from inviting people to church and continue (or start) inviting them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Will you commit with me? One meaningful conversation a day? This is the war plan:
1) Pray for opportunities
2) Look for the open doors
3) Step out courageously
4) Depend on the Holy Spirit
5) Praise Him for the outcome
In Christ Alone,
Randy
Jesus said, "He who is not with me is against me." (Mt. 12:30) The context of that statement is Jesus, having just driven a demon out of a man, is accused of being on the side of Beelzebub (the prince of demons, an agent of Satan). We are in a war folks, and guess what God's church is doing in Charleston - and for that matter all over the United States? The church is hunkering down as individual entities - a church here and a church there - each existing in this world by itself.
Satan has effectively devised a plan to divide the Church of Jesus Christ - pride. There. I said it. Pride and the view that churches are in competition with one another is what keeps churches from working together, collaborating to storm the house of Satan - namely, this world. Jesus said, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." (Mt. 12:25) Every city divided against itself...sobering, isn't it? Much less every church. Imagine if churches saw other churches as more soldiers, reinforcements, additional supplies - all for the goal of winning the war!
By His death, burial and resurrection, Jesus bound up the "strong man" (Satan), and now our job...our mission... is to rob his (Satan's) house and take what he possesses, namely people who don't know the truth. Remember what Jesus told Peter? "...upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." (Mt. 16:18) The gates of hell (Satan's authority) will not hold up under the siege of Christ's army! The question is, are we storming the gates of hell or are we going to sit idly by in comfort? We've been called to go!
Every day, I have committed to entering into a bold conversation with someone about Jesus. I could care less what church they end up attending. That is immaterial until they find Jesus. The fact is, 79% of Charleston does not worship at a Christian church on any given weekend. So, we need to modify our emphasis from inviting people to church and continue (or start) inviting them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Will you commit with me? One meaningful conversation a day? This is the war plan:
1) Pray for opportunities
2) Look for the open doors
3) Step out courageously
4) Depend on the Holy Spirit
5) Praise Him for the outcome
In Christ Alone,
Randy
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