Every Home Needs to Prioritize: Rest

We live in a society where busyness is a badge of honor, a mark of importance, and often a fact of life. If we aren't busy, people may think we're lazy. We find ourselves being slaves to the schedule of our home: up early for work, out the door in a rush to get our kids to school, off to extracurricular activities after work/school, a frenzied dinner, then homework/projects/TV/social media, and whatever else we can cram into our day. We then find ourselves prepping with whatever energy we have left to do it all over again. Exhaustion, weariness, and constant fatigue plague our modern homes! Is this really the best of what God has in mind for us? Clearly, the answer is "no".

Principle: 
          Physical Rest is inescapably linked to Spiritual Renewal.

Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gently and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" Matthew 11:28-30

Maybe the reason we don't effectively rest is connected to one or more the following reasons:

 1. It's counter-cultural (busyness = importance)

 2. We don't think it's important

 3. Pride - We lack trust in God to provide

 4. Maybe we're not that grateful

 5. We're scared to look in the mirror of our soul 

If you are interested in learning the importance of rest from a biblical perspective, check out this video:

Prioritizing the Things that Matter Most (Part 2) 

Other Resources:

Blog: Austin Stone Worship - Practical Applications for Establishing Sabbath Rest

Blog: For the Church - 7 Principles for Sabbath Rest

Blog: Gospel Coalition - How to Guard Sabbath for Your Children

Blog: The Power of Deep Rest (Dr. Timothy Keller)

Every Home Needs to Prioritize: Time

As a Christian, my response to the grace of God matters - a lot! This post is the third of a series of posts about the home. The big question of this series: How are we honoring God in our homes? We are exploring what the Bible says along with practical application. 

A Christian home has a plan, submits to clear authority, 

and runs a disciplined race with an eternal focus.

For the above statement to be a reality, we have to realize the obstacles that stand in our way. As an affluent culture, we pack many things into our schedule. We work hard raising families, providing for our needs and wants through our careers, and do what we can to make a difference when we can. But, we are also prone to waste time on things that don't really matter.

I've learned (and am still learning) the importance of the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesian church where he encourages them to make "the best use of time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:16). Even Christians who are in love with Jesus and His Church waste time. We often lack discipline and fall prey to the wants of our bodies.

Our body longs for the temporary, but God wants to 

use our body as an instrument for the eternal.

What would it look like if we prioritized our time based on eternal goals instead of temporary ones?

As a Christian, my day would be far more purposeful if I constantly:
   1. Committed every day to the Lord.
   2. Intentionally invested in a person's soul.
   3. Prayed without ceasing while following the lead of the Holy Spirit.
   4. Knew that wasting time would always be a temptation.

Furthermore, what would happen if I consistently prioritized:
   1. Loving God (Matthew 22:38)
         a. Praying - admitting my need for full dependance on Christ with ongoing gratitude
         b. Reading the Bible - studying the depth of grace and truth as revealed from God
         c. Growing in trust and obedience knowing that faith is marked by these two attributes
   2. Loving Others (John 13:34-35)
         a. Serving others in such a way that shows selflessness and sacrifice
         b. Encouraging others by speaking the truth in love and building the church community
         c. Teaching others about God, His Word, and His redemptive plan
   * The time leftover can be used to enjoy all the blessings God has given me (1 Timothy 6:17).

The secret is found in understanding, "Today is the day the Lord has made..." (Psalm 118:24). Since He created this day, it's His - for His purposes. His plan involves us. Think of the possibilities!

Additional Resources:
   Biblical Counseling Keys on Time Management 
   Hooked App - designed to track phone/tablet addiction
   Edwards: A God-centered view of Time Management
   

Every Home Needs Clear Authority

Last Sunday, I preached one of the most counter-cultural sermons of my life. The premise was based on the principle that without clear authority in our homes, chaos is inevitable.

We have been "SHAPED" by our background, experiences, and surroundings in such a way that living biblically in the home is a counter-cultural idea. God has outlined clear authority in the Bible that can breathe life into our homes. Yet, many professing Christian homes settle for chaos.  

Here's a brief overview of what I mean by "SHAPED":
   Our Society opposes God's design
   Our Heart selfishly longs for glory
   Our Autonomy wants everything our way 
   Our Pride refuses to submit 
   Our Emotions makes us fearful
          Decline is the natural result of sin

The Bible teaches clear authority in verses like these (there are many more):
   1. GOD (Ex. 20:2-7, Luke 4:8, Eph. 1:22, and many more!)

   2. Men submit to Christ (1 Cor. 11:3)

   3. Wives submit to husbands (1 Peter 3:1, Eph. 5:22)

   4. Children submit to parents (Col 3:20, Eph. 6:2)

   5. Single Adults submit to God. (Is. 54:5, Pr. 23:22)

   6. Employees submit to employers (Col. 3:22-23)

   7. Everyone must submit to government UNLESS it violates God’s Word (1 Peter 2:13)

Here are some helpful resources I believe will re-shape our homes for God's glory:

Every Home Needs Clear Authority

Why Should Husbands and Wives Agree on Life Decisions?

Article: What Should be the Husband's 'Role' in Marriage?

Article: What Should be the Wife's 'Role' in Marriage?

Every Home Needs a Plan

This verse hangs in our house as a reminder of our purpose as a family. It is a reminder of our faith and heritage as well as a call to action to every member of our home. We are Christians who long to serve the Lord and obey His Word. Does this mean we're going to be perfect? Absolutely not! We are saved and sustained by His grace - this is a great gift from God. We are sinners who have a lot to learn and apply to our lives. Therefore, we humbly acknowledge that we need Him to accomplish in us what only He can do - shape us into the likeness of Jesus (Philippians 1:6, 2 Corinthians 3:18).

The Bible speaks clearly about the home:

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Psalm 127:1

The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. Proverbs 12:7

The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. Proverbs 14:11

Jesus spoke clearly regarding to obedience:

Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:46-49

Christians Respond, That's What We Do!

To call Jesus "Lord" means that there is a response to the Gospel. This response is worship and faith in action out of gratitude for who God is and what He has done (Romans 12:1-2, James 2:14). This response in no way has anything to do with "earning" salvation, because that's impossible (Ephesians 2:8-10)! Jesus already did that (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Your Plan: Create Biblical Alignment & Cultivate Obedience

A Plan shapes our VALUES

A Plan defines our PRIORITIES

A Plan guides our DECISION-MAKING

A Plan helps in making FAITH a verb

A Plan HONORS the Lord

Do you have a PLAN for how you (and your family) are going to serve the Lord?

Here's some ideas of how to get started:

Vision for 2016

Advance Community Church

Our Mission: Make Disciples of Jesus Christ
Our Vision: Plant Church-planting Churches

Link to the Video

What to Expect in 2016:

1. Corporate Worship (Sunday Nights)

      - Environment where our focus is clearly on Jesus

      - Environment where everyone is invited and included

      - Environment where there’s freedom in worship

      - Environment where demographic diversity is celebrated 

      - Environment where the Bible is boldly preached

2. A Clear Focus on the Home

      - We must all mature in the Gospel (Identity in Christ)

      - We must all mature in Obedience (Response to the Gospel)

      - We must all mature in Gratitude (Stewardship of Time & Treasure)

      - We all play a role in the discipleship of Teens & Children

      - Marriages must mature (4 Great Dates & Mentorships)

3. A Culture of Growth & Equipping

      - Community Groups - Grow Relationally & Spiritually

      - “IF” - Regional Opportunity for Women to Grow in Christ

      - Bible Studies - Growth in Expositional Knowledge & Response

      - Advance Community Institute - Equipping Future Leaders

      - Advance Residency Program - Focused Ministry Training

4. Emphasis on Missional Engagement

      - Scattered Worship - Organic Evangelism (twice a year)

      - Community Outreach - Opportunities to Bless Our Region

      - International Missions - D.R., Pastor Training, Church Planting

Accomplishing this Vision Requires:

     1. The Church abiding in the Holy Spirit

     2. The Church committed to Prayer

     3. The Church embracing Sacrificial Giving

     4. The Church joyfully Serving

     5. The Church humbly United in Christ

Our Pursuits:   

   GOSPEL SATURATED

      - Our identity is secure in Jesus

   BIBLICAL FAITHFULNESS

      - Our lives are shaped by the Bible

   COMMUNITY FOCUSED

      - We are here for each other

   MISSIONALLY ENGAGED

      - We herald the Gospel (locally & Globally)

Would you prayerfully consider partnering with us in 2016?

What are Your Personal Convictions?

Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards

The process of continually developing personal convictions is vitally important in the life of a Christian. If you're single, this can be of great help to you before you take the plunge of marriage. If you're already married, it can work to shape and refine your unity as a couple.

Over the years, I have discovered many people (singles and couples) who have unspoken personal convictions. They're unspoken, because they really don't know what they believe until someone steps on their toes. The result? Boom! Their convictions functioned as landmines located just below the surface of life that can, and often do, randomly explode, because people didn't actively know what they were. They have been the cause of damage in relationships to people of all walks of life. Do you really know your convictions?

My convictions have been forming and developing for years. I actively base them on doctrines and principles found in the Bible. Why? Because it is there that God has revealed His perfect design for life. I have many more than these listed below, but here are my top ten. All of them can easily be defended throughout the Bible.

Here are my Top 10:

          1. Jesus saved me, because I couldn't

          2. I have been saved from sin and for Him 

          3. Christianity is an "all-in" life of worship 

          4. His Spirit is shaping me into Christ's likeness

          5. My time, skills, stuff, and money are His

          6. Parents are primary disciple-makers

          7. The local church is God's plan for His mission

          8. Prayer and peace go hand-in-hand

          9. The Bible is God's relevant Word to humanity

          10. Judgment, Heaven, and Hell are very real  

If you don't know your convictions, take some time to figure them out. Here are a few resources to help you in this important effort:
 - The Bible: this is by far the most important!!
 - What should Christians do when convictions violate a tolerant society?
 - Blog: Moral Convictions Must Emerge Out in the Open
 - Blog: Mental Growth means Growing into More Definite Convictions

The Advent Challenge! (part 4 of 4)

The Challenge: Dedicate 60 minutes a week to deeper exploration of God's Word. 

Step 1: Pray for clarity and understanding

Step 2: Read Luke 2:1-21 ESV  

Step 3: Read the Notes in your Study Bible for the Luke passage  

     * If you don't have one, you can create a free account with FaithLife by following the directions on the right side of the screen located in "Step 2". This site is rich with great resources! (Don't have a Study Bible, buy one here.)

Step 4: Dive into deeper exploration by reading: 

* ...this excerpt from "Mary: Devoted to God's Plan"

Historical & Cultural Background. Under normal circumstances, there would have been no reason for Mary to give birth in Bethlehem instead of at her home in Nazareth. Yet world events demanding a cross-country trip intervened at a most inconvenient time. Luke records that a decree from Caesar Augustus required all the inhabitants of the Roman Empire to register for the census, undoubtedly to facilitate the collection of taxes.

Following Jewish custom, the people registered according to their ancestral property divisions. For Mary and Joseph, this meant traveling to the territory of the clan of David, which was in the southern region of Judah in the area of Bethlehem—about 80–90 miles from Nazareth, which was located in the northern region of Galilee. Luke skims over the details of the couple’s arduous journey, saying only that Joseph “went up” from Galilee to Judaea (Luke 2:4). We can presume that they most likely traveled with a caravan of people making the same trip (see Chapter 2). Mary may have been required to register as well since she was Joseph’s wife, or Joseph may have brought her with him simply because he did not want to miss the important event of the birth. Even without the exact details, we can imagine Mary’s discomfort and anxiety in traveling during the late stages of her pregnancy.

As Mary trekked down the long, dusty road to Bethlehem beside Joseph, feeling more discomfort each day from the growing child, thoughts of giving birth to God’s Son—the long-awaited Messiah—on the roadside likely plagued her. Although God prevented her fear from becoming a reality, the circumstances under which He brought His Son into the world still fell short of Mary’s—and all of Israel’s—expectations. Following the glorious manner in which she had learned of her pregnancy, Mary may have held hopes for an equally incredible birth. Knowing that her son would “reign over the house of Jacob forever” (Luke 1:33), she may have expected His delivery to be a time of great celebration or coronation. When she went into labor in a stable, Mary was probably shocked to realize that she would give birth to this promised King in such lowly and lonely circumstances. Yet this was God’s will for the birth of His Son.

* ...this excerpt from "The New American Commentary: Luke"

Several Lukan themes are found in our passage. The Christological description of Mary’s firstborn son is clearly one. Luke taught his readers that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Jewish messianic hopes by showing that he was born in David’s town (2:4, 11). Although he did not quote Mic 5:2 as Matt 2:6 does, the account of the birth in Bethlehem is clearly meant to demonstrate that Jesus is David’s legitimate offspring and the promised Davidic King/Messiah. Thus Luke 2:4, 11 picks up the theme of 1:27, 32–33, 69. Mary’s child is also referred to as a Savior, is called the Christ in a way that indicates that Luke’s readers were already aware that this title had become a name for Jesus, and is called the Lord (2:11). Although the child’s work as Savior and full authorization as Lord was still future, he was proleptically referred to as such. Later the church would proclaim that Jesus is the only Savior, for salvation is found in no one else (Acts 4:12). Luke also continued the John the Baptist—Jesus parallelism in this account. Once again the greater nature of Jesus is evident, for whereas John the Baptist was the prophet of the Most High (1:16, 17, 76; 7:26), Jesus is Savior, Christ, and Lord. And whereas at John the Baptist’s birth Zechariah uttered a prophetic pronouncement, at Jesus’ birth an angelic host sang a doxology to God.

Another theme that appears in this passage involves God’s sovereignty over history. The historical description in 2:1–3 is to be understood not simply as an accidental quirk but rather as showing how God, who rules over nations, directed Caesar Augustus to issue the census decree in order to bring about the fulfillment of what God had decreed centuries earlier. Thus in God’s providence while they were there (2:6) David’s greatest Son was born. God’s sovereign rule is also emphasized in 2:20, where Luke remarked that all took place “just as they had been told.”

A final Lukan theme is the divine visitation to the poor and humble of Israel. God’s visitation of salvation comes to the humble (1:48, 52) and hungry (1:53), not the proud (1:51–52) and rich (1:53). Thus those present at the birth of God’s Son were not this world’s rulers or its religious leaders. Rather the angelic invitation was extended to shepherds on the fringe of society, and they were present to see the birth of the Lord Christ.

Step 5: Consider the following:

     - How has your understanding of the Christmas story grown over the years?

     - Have you ever wondered why God has involved you in His redemptive plans?

     - Do you believe you have responded obediently to His invitation to follow Him?

     - In what ways have you experienced peace in your journey of faith in Christ?

Everyone is invited to come to Advance Community Church this Christmas Eve and Sunday at 5:00pm where this passage will come to life.