Emmanuel Ministries Notes 5/31/09

The notes will be short tonight. I am dead tired! The ministry went very well. I led worship in Spanish and English (including songs I wrote myself). The message went smoothly and was well received. I had several people talk to me after service about things related to what I preached.

Ministry-wise, the successful feeling of our work springs from the fact that I am getting to know the people better (and there were about 18 English speaking folks and about 10 Spanish speaking folks). One gentleman revealed a prayer request to me that he was not comfortable sharing with the group gathered, another spoke to me about his life and his wife's health; yet another one asked me to come by where he works and pray with him sometime. I am going to try to run up that way on Saturday before I head to Seminary so I can meet with him.

Realistically, I do not think this is a pastor position that I am filling; all that is expected of me is to come and preach. However, I feel more responsible to the people than just being a preacher. I really believe that God is working on me in this area.

Finally, I noticed that one of our regulars was not there. Her name is Alice. She reported last week that she had been bleeding from her nose and mouth. My hope is that she was out for other reasons. If she is not there next week, we are going to try to visit her. I am concerned about her. She is a sweet lady who works hard on the midnight shift. I am convinced that she is a true believer in our Lord Jesus Christ. Saints, please pray for her.

In closing, after the service my family met with our old pastor (from the church that ordained me in 2004) and had lunch with them. Their children had grown! Afterward, we went to his brother's house and played hockey. That was fun- and it is confirmed, I am way out of shape. We won 6-3 and I scored 2 goals.

Commitment Has a Cost (outline)

This week's message will be Commitment Has a Cost- last preached at Antioch Fellowship Baptist Church. Click the title for a link to the Outline of the message. I will work on the three part message for next week. It's the direction I felt God was leading.

Emmanuel Ministries Notes 5/24/09

Today there were more people at Emmanuel Ministries. It was a good service and the heat was not overwhelming. I preached on Matthew 7.24-27 "A Foundation on Rock or Sand?" The message went well.

I was reflecting on the service afterward and realize that the work here will take some time. I preach evangelisticly, but the people have heard the Gospel multiple times before. I will need to continue to preach and, when appropriate, disciple those who prove to be Christians. It is difficult to tell at this point who are Christians and who are not. There are a few I know from before and I am confident that at least three are Christians. One I doubt is a Christian. I will pray for wisdom in working with the people there; in how and what I preach as well as in how I deal with them.

Next week I plan on bringing my guitar and leading worship in English and Spanish. I am not really a worship leader, but I will offer my best for the Lord. It will be about Him, not me anyway. I think the Hispanic crowd will appreciate my attempts at leading worship in Spanish. I told my wife that I will not lead worship unless it is in both languages. After realizing Márcia's heart last week, I share the caring for these folks.

May God be glorified in this work.

Matthew 7.24-27 "A Foundation of Rock or Sand"

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. ²⁶And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. ²⁷And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." (Matthew 7.24-27 ESV)

Built on the Rock (v. 24-25)

For a life to be built on the Rock, Christ’s Words are the Key (see v. 24). The person who hears the Word Jesus spoke and does what He taught builds his life on the Rock- Christ. He is a person who is wise, likened in this passage to a person who builds a house on a strong foundation so that it will stand in adverse conditions. Or, more specifically, like a house build on a rock (solid foundation).

Weathering the storm (v. 25) is made possible through the strength drawn from a life in Christ. When the storm comes and beats on the house, it remains standing. There is a strength that the firmness of the foundation lends to the house built thereupon. Jesus says that the house stands on the strong foundation.

Obviously, Christ is the strong foundation and trusting in Him is standing on the Rock. Therefore, trusting in Him gets us through the storms. The storms are not strong enough to tear down the shelter or refuge we find in Jesus.

Built on the Sand (v. 26-27)

For a life to be built on the sand, Christ’s words are simply ignored (v. 26). The person who hears and ignores the Word of Christ is unwise or “foolish.” The structure he spends his life building is like unto a house on a shifting foundation: it will not stand for the duration. It is clearly reflected in the well-known song lyrics: “On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

When our lives are not built on the Word of Christ, we are overwhelmed by the storm (v. 27). We are guaranteed that storms will come. Accordingly, when they do come, a life that has chosen to ignore Christ is like the house that is destroyed. It is illustrated in Psalm 127.1 (ESV) “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”

Built on Christ (Conclusion)

Christ is the Rock- He is the cornerstone. He is the One who gives strength to the structure. Being the point of strength in the structure Jesus is the inspiration for the following Scripture: Ephesians 2.19-21 (ESV) “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.”

Jesus is the solid rock foundation that will weather the worst of life’s storms. There is a promise that things will not always be easy, but He will see us through. In fact, in Hebrews 13.5 (ESV) the writer says, “he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”

The Way to Salvation

Salvation comes only through Jesus Christ (John 14.6/Acts 4.12)

Recognize ourselves sinful (Romans 3.23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”);

Recognize that Jesus is the Son of God who died a death penalty on our behalf, paying the wages for our sins giving us eternal life (Romans 6.23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”);

Recognize that we are to call on Jesus for salvation and commit our lives to Him (Romans 10.13, Philippians 3.14, “For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'” and “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”)

Emmanuel Ministries Notes 5/17/09

We arrived at the Ministry just before 11am. The folks were already there waiting for us. There were about thirteen English-speaking people when we arrived.

When we were walking into the door I heard Márcia (the director of the ministry) say, "Ah, here comes mi compadre!" That is what she calls me. Her husband and I call each other the same at times, but he also calls me Pete. He does not attend the ministry but another church.

Márcia started the services by leading in two songs- one in Spanish and one in English. The English song was a staple for her at the ministry: "This is the Day." The Spanish song was with the equivalent message, but a different song. After leading in song and having a prayer, Márcia introduced me... She said, "and now, coming to preach is Pastor... (she paused, trying to think of my name)... Pastor... Mi Compadre." That brought forth a laugh from the crowd gathered.

After that we separated the Spanish-speaking and the English-speaking to make the ministry run more smoothly. I preached the message posted earlier this weekend. The message went well and I feel confident I did not interject my thoughts as much as what the text was driving at. We closed with my daughter beginning "Jesus Loves Me" and closed by giving a testimony about what has been going on since we left a few years ago (some people there remembered us and asked). We tried to make the focus be on Jesus even when we were telling them about the past few years.

Finally, after the service, Lói (my wife) and I learned an important lesson. Márcia spoke about how she wanted to make sure she had items for each of the "three kinds of people" that show up to the ministry: "black, white and Spanish." We (Lói and I) told her "Don't worry about it, they are getting something that helps." However, later we realized that we were wrong. Márcia is in this ministry because she has a deep compassion for the people. She wants to give them the best possible. She is not providing welfare, but a ministry; to honor the recipients and Jesus she wants to offer the best possible.

May we also have that heart in what we do. Whether I preach to thirteen, ten, one or one hundred, I need to offer the best that I can offer to honor God and those who will be there to receive.

Anyway, that is the report from Emmanuel Ministries. I will plan on having these reports weekly for any who would like to follow what is happening in our ministry. We also have a place to follow on Twitter: #emmanmin ; posts will be from @pregador27 generally.

Proverbs 14.12 "A Way That Seems Right"

The following is based on the message I will preach at Emmanuel Ministries tomorrow morning.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 14.12/16.25 ESV)

Common sense tells us that the way to get to heaven is obviously by being good. The logic would seem consistent: be good and earn what is good, namely heaven. However, the Bible tells us that the “way that seems right to a man... is the way to death.” What seems to be “common sense” is often misleading when related to heaven and hell conversations.

The reason is that man's wisdom and God's wisdom are separated by the limited understanding of man and the infinite understanding of God. In Isaiah 55.8-9 (ESV) the Bible says, “my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” In other words, God's perspective gives Him a different outlook on what is sufficient for salvation. Accordingly, since God designed existence, His way will be the correct way.

Some people believe that we can earn heaven by keeping the Commandments. Jesus responded to this in an encounter with a rich young man as seen in Matthew 19.16-22 (ESV):

And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" ¹⁷And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." ¹⁸He said to him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, ¹⁹Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself." ²⁰The young man said to him, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?" ²¹Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." ²² When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

The point was- what this rich man missed- that salvation did not hinge on his keeping of the Commandments. Jesus requires whole-hearted devotion. Think of it this way: 'salvation is free, but it requires everything.'

Furthermore, we fail to keep the Commandments as they are defined by Jesus. Focusing on just the Commandments Jesus covered with the young rich man, we can look at the Sixth Commandment: “You shall not murder.” (Deuteronomy 5.17 ESV) Most look at that Commandment and say, “I have never killed anyone.” However, in Matthew 5.21-22 (ESV) Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' ²²But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.” In other words, Jesus characterizes anyone “who is angry with his brother” to be guilty of murder as prohibited in the Sixth Commandment.

Another example is found in the Seventh Commandment (Deuteronomy 5.18 ESV): “you shall not commit adultery.” Again, in Matthew 5.27-28 (ESV) Jesus makes clear the definition for adultery used by God, “You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' ²⁸But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” That is right- the one who says, “I have never cheated on my wife” or even “I am a virgin” has, most likely, violated this Commandment at times in his or her life.

This all means that we are unable to earn heaven. Our attempts to do “good” fail to live up to God's requirements. In Isaiah 64.6 (ESV), it says, “all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.” Our “good” is miserably inadequate. All our efforts fail. When measured alongside God's standards our best is pitifully, even embarrassingly, unworthy.

Despite our inability and worthlessness, God has a plan to make us worth and acceptable to Him. The only way to heaven is Jesus. John 14.6 (ESV) says, “Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” The exclusivity of Christ as a means to salvation is also seen in Acts 4.12 (ESV), “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” The name being spoken in this verse is, of course, Jesus.

God's plan was for Jesus, God the Son- God in human flesh- 100% God and 100% Man (in a way that only God can adequately comprehend), to come and live a perfectly sinless life to become an unblemished and perfect sacrifice for the evil sin committed by every human being. He was betrayed and gave Himself freely to be punished in our place. He came to pay a price we were unable to pay, to reach a God we were unable to reach by our own efforts.

When Jesus died upon the cross, it was not an accident. It was not a failure. In the days of the Old Testament, God required His people to sacrifice lambs to pay for their sins. It was a picture of what was to come. In fact, Hebrews 9.22 (ESV) puts it into perspective: “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” So in the New Testament, a new covenant was made- a new contract- based on a new sacrifice: it was Jesus, the unblemished, perfect Lamb of God, who was being sacrificed for the sin of the world. He was paying the death penalty for those of us who sinned. 1 Corinthians 5.21 (ESV) says, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Once Jesus completed the work of being killed upon the cross, He was buried and rose from the dead on the third day. Jesus alone demonstrated victory over death and the grave. His death and resurrection mean that we can have freedom and spiritual life in Him. When a person receives Christ, the sacrifice is applied to Him and he is seen as “righteous,” or “in right standing” with God. He no longer sees our wickedness, He sees us through the sacrifice of Christ and sees us as worthy. It is not by what we do or have done. It is solely a work of God.

To accept Jesus we must recognize ourselves as being sinful (Romans 3.23 [ESV] “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”); Recognize that Jesus is the Son of God who died a death penalty on our behalf, paying the wages for our sins giving us eternal life (Romans 6.23 [ESV] “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”); and Recognize that we are to call on Jesus for salvation and commit our lives to Him (Romans 10.13, Philippians 3.14 [ESV]), “For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'” and “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Return to Emmanuel Ministries

I have been asked to return to Emmanuel Ministries to preach to the English-speaking people there. Emmanuel Ministries is a non-denominational ministry that provides food and other items for needy families.

The director, Márcia, is a wonderful person. She and her husband are close friends of ours. Her ministry has had to overcome many hurdles, but still exists after over ten years of service.

Márcia funds a lot of the work herself. The donations she receives help, but she is the driving force behind the ministry (empowered by God, of course). We have helped in the past: preaching, cleaning, giving clothes, collecting food... The work is not easy, and for every thankful person it seems there is another who feels entitled or seeks to make trouble.

In the past I stepped aside to prevent issues in leadership. I was asked back once the Lord worked the situation out. Now Márcia is asking me to help again. We have already started to help in other areas; preaching will be my honor.

Do not get me wrong- the crowds will not be big on Sundays (most likely). There is no A/C to guard from the Summer heat. In many ways it will be like ministry in Brasil. The messages will be evangelistic and simple. I will seek to brush up on my apologetics, as many cultists have tried to infiltrate over the years. I had the opportunity to help counter some of them. This ministry can be rough and requires some out-of-the-box thinking at times. Logistics can be problematic. Manipulators and "pot-stirrers" abound. No worries; God equips whom He calls.

The ministry is in Dade City, FL- about 45 minutes from home. Antioch Fellowship is about 10 minutes from home. Travel time will be different. However, if the Lord sees fit to have us minister at Emmanuel Ministries, we will do so in all joy. His will be done.