Gulf Coast Disaster

"Zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14)

"Ready to every good work" (Titus 3:1)

"Careful to maintain good works" (Titus 3:8)

"Learn to maintain good works" (Titus 3:14)

Be praying about how our church family can minister in the middle of this unimaginable disaster. Send relief and money? Adopt an evacuated family?

Lord's Day - August 28, 2005

Scripture Passage for the Week: Titus 3

Alan brought up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abdnego (Daniel 3) as examples of being known by good works and of being "subject to principalities and powers" ... until obeying the authorities crossed the line of the word of God. We are not saved by works, but we are known by them. Living the way we are supposed to live points people to God.

Mark briefly noted that Christians involved in politics often neglect the command of verse 2 ... "to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men."

Craig summed up the theme of Titus as it is found in verse 8 ... "that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works." He challenged the church with the question: Whose life, outside of your own family, did you impact this week?"

Dean followed up with a few thoughts, illustrated by a true story, on how exciting it is to see how God will bless in unexpected ways when we make ourselves available as a channel of good works.


PRAYER BURDENS:

Those in the path of Hurricane Katrina
Daniel begins Audio Integration Therapy Thursday.
John has second interview upcoming
Shana's brother and his family
Anthony D. (Alan's friend) ... God's help to stop smoking.
Dean ... prayer for job issues.
Eloise's mother.

"A Time for Maturity"

Some words to the wise from Doug Phillips in an article entitled, "Uniting Church and Family: A Time for Maturity."

But once a vision is cast, the real work begins. It is one thing to dream great dreams for Christ; it is another to make ourselves willing vessels of the Lord to accomplish these goals. Vision requires hard work, long-term commitment, and a persevering spirit. Along the way mistakes will be made. The godly man stumbles six times, but rises seven. So too, we must not quit because attempts to unite church and home are imperfect.

Nor do we have the luxury of allowing every personal preference which is not appeased to be the basis for severing our relationship with those who stand with us in this great cause.

I am amazed at the number of people who quickly give up on a vision when the first micro controversy arises, or when their feelings get hurt over issues of personal preference. Some actually masque a spirit of rebellion under theological verbiage aimed at justifying their unwillingness to commit themselves to others or to be personally accountable within a local body.

In my view, we can no longer afford to act and think as children. The need of the day is for maturity. This means making tough choices, and acting on them. It means working through problems, not simply quitting every time a problem arises. It means being a problem solver, not just a complainer. It means recognizing that the grass is not always greener elsewhere.

Click here to read the rest of Doug Phillips' article.

Neglected Key to a Thriving Church

"Sound in faith, in charity, in patience." (Titus 2:2)

Ah, patience ... how many attempts to build a New Testament church have failed because of it? How many assemblies shrivel up when the adrenaline rush of the new adventure fades?

As the new wears off, thankfulness turns to grumbling. Differences and disagreements loom larger. "Praise the Lord for likeminded families!" gives way to "Maybe we need to find a group more in line with our convictions."

It is the critical point in any new work ... when families start to realize that the church of their dreams exists only in their dreams.

You know, that shining church on a hill where....

• All the families look like they stepped off the cover of a homeschooling magazine.
• The Bible teaching is always riveting, deep, and eloquent, but all the men have opportunity to exercise their gifts and grow in ministry.
• Doctrine is emphasized, but it's always my view of doctrine.
• Forbearing one another in love is a nice theory, but never actually needed.
• God fills the quivers with lots and lots of children, all of whom come ready-equipped with godly character or somehow attain it without any messy growing process.
• All the families have pristine standards of godliness in dress, music, television, movies, and books, but there is not a streak of legalism to be found.
  

Sigh ... wouldn't it be nice?

Not really. For one thing, stewing in our own perfection would get boring after a while.

Plus, God knows that really to grow in love and Christlikeness, we need to spend some quality time with those two Bible "bears" ... bear and forbear.

So, since there is not the perfect church, there is ... patience.

Lord's Day - August 21, 2005

Scripture Passage of the Week: Titus 2

Craig spoke about the importance of the older teaching the younger (men as well as women). He tied this to Deuteronomy 6 ("You shall teach them diligently to your children....") ... words spoken on the brink of the promised land. Spiritually, the promised land means a daily, close walk with God. There are always giants there, but we are not to fear them ... God intends for these giants to be "bread for us" (Numbers 14:9) ... to make us stronger, and in the words of Titus 2:14, to "purify unto himself a peculiar people."

Alan pointed out some similar phrases in verses 5, 8, and 10 ... "that the word of God be not blasphemed" ... "that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you" ... "adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things." Our actions make a difference in how the word of God is received.

Greg, in light of some serious prayer requests involving children, reminded everyone of the love of God and the joy and wonders of heaven. God loves children, and when a child is taken home to heaven, this is a tragedy to those left, but not for the child!

Mark talked about the "Titus 2 Man." The older men are to have a well-rounded soundness ... in faith, in love, in patience. The younger men are exhorted to be serious minded ... a rebuke to our culture's notion of a frivolous, irresponsible "adolescence" between boyhood and manhood.


PRAYER BURDENS:

Anthony Dye (a man Alan met this week) asks for strength to continue his ministry to the homeless.

Michelle Melvin ... 13 year old with serious diagnosis of cancer.

Josiah Atkinson ... 5 year old with inoperable brain tumor.

Eloise's mom ... getting stronger.

John K. has job interview Monday.

Faith Harris ... infant needing heart transplant.

Hannah F. leaving for two week strings workshop in Indianapolis.

Eldership and Family Integrated Churches

Speaking of eldership....

I thought it might be encouraging to see that we are not out on a wobbly limb by ourselves on this.

The number of churches recognizing the truth of scriptural eldership has multiplied over the last several years ... especially churches influenced by the family reformation movement of our day.

Why?

Family integrated churches are typically born of a radical reexamination of modern church life in the light of Scripture. When these churches lay aside tradition and take a fresh look at the New Testament pattern of church leadership, many come to the same conclusions we have.

Take a look at this excerpt from the "Biblical Confession for Uniting Church and Family" from the National Center for Family Integrated Churches.

This could not have stated our position more exactly if we had written it ourselves!

ARTICLE V -- Church's Leadership and Ministry

We affirm God's revealed pattern in Scripture that the church be led and fed by a plurality of biblically qualified elders whom the Holy Spirit raises up from within the local church, who equip all the saints to do the work of ministry, and who may or may not be remunerated (Acts 14:23; 20:28; Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Tim. 5:17-18).

We deny/reject the two unbiblical extremes of our day: authoritarian, one-man leadership/one-man ministry that impedes the biblical functioning of the body, and leaderless house churches that disregard the biblical necessity of elders.

When it comes to scriptural principles, we ought to be willing to stand alone. But sometimes it's encouraging to see a brother or two standing beside you!

We Are FOR Pastors

Because Heritage Family Church teaches and practices biblical eldership, someone might jump to the conclusion that we are somehow opposed to pastors and the work they are doing.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

We believe that the scriptural pattern favors a plurality of elders/pastors/overseers (these are clearly the same office in the New Testament ... see 1 Peter 5:1-2, Acts 20:17,28).

But wherever men are doing the work of a pastor--whether as part of a plural eldership or not--those men and their work are worthy of honor and prayerful support.



Craig sends along the following excellent statements, clarifying our position in regard to pastors. I'm sure these would express the unanimous view of our church.

1. We believe that God calls and raises up certain men to be shepherds (pastors) or overseers of local churches and that this is a biblical calling.

2. We believe that this calling of shepherd (pastor) or overseer can be full time or part time.

3. We believe that godly shepherds (pastors) and overseers of local churches serve a vital role to strengthen and edify the body of Christ and deserve full support and honor from the body of Christ.

4. We believe that in certain situations where a brother is called into full time service either as a shepherd, minister, or missionary, he may be supported financially.

5. While we do not believe that the "one man pastor" organizational structure is the scriptural pattern, we fully support and honor all godly pastors that serve the body of Christ.

To what Craig has said, I'll add this:

If only one pastor/elder/overseer is recognized in a particular church (even though as a permanent arrangement this is neither ideal nor scriptural), that brother is worthy of the respect and godly submission of the saints.

"And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake." (1 Thess.5:12-13)

Lord's Day - August 14, 2005

(Sorry to be late with this.)

Scripture Passage of the Day: Titus 1

Mark focused on the eldership issue and Paul's command to "ordain elders in every city" ... noting that neither Titus nor Timothy were "pastors" in the modern since of the word. This passage supports a plural pastorate and a leadership raised up by the Holy Spirit from within the body, not imported from outside. 1 Peter 5 and Acts 20 both make clear that elders=pastors=overseers/bishops ... these are different names for the same office.

Alan spoke about the deceivers portrayed in this chapter. "Dishonest gain" of one sort or another is usually behind deceit. We must be careful to keep ourselves in the middle of the truth.

Mike noted the first three words of the chapter ... "Paul, a servant." Being a "servant" implies being a "dependent." We are dependent on the Holy Spirit's working so that we can love God, be godly, and love one another.

Ken shared some thoughts on the importance of preaching/proclaiming ... as opposed to the mere sharing of facts.

Craig followed up on this with a brief thought from Isaiah 55:11 ... God's Word will not "return void." Power in preaching or teaching is not in eloquence but in the Word itself.

Mark noted that brothers who share a message should feel at liberty to press it home with a time of decision or "invitation."


PRAYER BURDENS

Praise for developments in Julie's family
Mrs. Birch
Martins are exploring audiotherapy for Daniel
Molly K. wants us to pray that a special friendship from prior church can continue
Faith Harris -- newborn with congenital heart problems ... needs transplant
Moody family -- God's blessing and guidance

New blessings on the way!

We're all rejoicing over the great news from the Speers and Nelsons!




"And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them, but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not."


Let the Little Ones Come

When those who surrounded the Master
Had sternly commanded them home,
He beckoned them gently, loved them intently,
And said: "Let the little ones come."

To those who today would refuse them,
Who think God's choice gifts burdensome,
Who view with suspicion each Heaven-sent addition,
He says still: "Let the little ones come."

And we raise glad hands high in witness,
Who have watched each new jewel make our home
Sparkle ever so brightly! Yes, the Master spoke rightly,
When He said: "Let the little ones come."

--MAF

On To Titus....

We continue our journey through the "pastoral" epistles this Sunday as we take up Titus chapter 1.



Here's a very brief intro to Titus taken from J. Sidlow Baxter's Explore the Book:

In 1 and 2 Timothy the emphasis is on doctrine; in Titus it is on good works.

First Timothy is a charge. Second Timothy is a challenge. The epistle to Titus is a caution--a strong and urgent reminder that sound faith must be accompanied by good works. The doctrine must be adorned by doing.

These three Pastoral epistles are really a trinity in unity, exhorting us to "guard" the precious "deposit" of the Gospel. In 1 Timothy we are to protect it. In 2 Timothy we are to proclaim it. In Titus we are to practice it.

Read Titus again, noting the emphasis, all through, on good works as the necessary evidence of salvation. It will leave no doubt as to the key theme here.

Perhaps we may say that the key verse is 3:8--"Be careful to maintain good works"--though we might also say the same about 2:14 and one or two other verses. The very last word before the parting salutation is again, "Maintain good works" (3:14).

Burden-Directed Prayer

Here's a brief thought about corporate prayer from dear brother Watchman Nee, the Chinese Christian martyr. Nee viewed praying until the prayer burden is lifted as a key principle of praying in the Spirit.

Here he applies that principle to the church praying together. I found this thought-provoking, and I quote it here as food for thought and discussion:

In a prayer meeting, never think that since a matter has already been prayed for by a certain brother it does not need my prayer anymore. There needs to be prayer till the burden is discharged.

Let us not allow our prayer to jump about like a grasshopper, hopping to another matter before the first one is throughly prayed through, and before this second matter is thoroughly prayed for, we are found skipping back to the very first matter. Such hopping-around prayer does not discharge burdens, and is therefore difficult to obtain God's answer.

Let us recognize this one thing: burden is the secret of prayer. If a person does not feel within him a burden to pray for a particular matter, he can hardly succeed in prayer.

Hence in a prayer meeting the brethren must learn to sense the feeling of the gathering. For some items, praying once for each of them enough. There is no need to pray again, since the assembly has no longer any burden for it. But for other items, praying once is not sufficient. Each of these matters needs to be prayed for again and possibly a third or fifth time.

Before one burden is discharged, no one should commence to pray about another item. All must wait until the first burden has been lifted and then someone can change to another subject as the Lord gives another burden for prayer.

-- Watchman Nee, Let Us Pray

The Hammer and the Anvil

Speaking of the authority of the Bible ... John Clifford's poem, "The Hammer and the Anvil," is one of the great ones:

Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime
When looking in, I saw upon the floor,
Old hammers worn with beating years of time.

"How many anvils have you had," said I,
"To wear and batter all those hammers so?"
"Just one," said he; then said with twinkling eye,
"The anvil wears the hammers out, you know."

And so, I thought, the anvil of God’s Word
For ages skeptic’s blows have beat upon;
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unharmed--the hammers gone!

"Beloved of God ..."

"Beloved of God, called to be saints." (Romans 1:7)

Lord's Day - July 31, 2005

Passage of the Week - 2 Timothy 3

"All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)

Mark presented the case for an "God-breathed" Bible ... verbal inspiration vs. dynamic inspiration (the words are inspired, not just the ideas) ... plenary inspiration vs. partial inspiration (all of the Bible is inspired, not just parts) ... and inerrancy (no errors) vs. the notion that there are historical/scientific errors in the Bible.

John emphasized not only the inspiration of Scripture, but its divine preservation through the years ... "Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever." He spoke of the inspiration/preservation of scripture as a foundational doctrine ... then dipped back into chapter two (verse fifteen) to speak of the resurrection of Christ as another foundational doctrine ... foundational to justification and to sanctification.

Alan took a brief look at verse 14 and 15 ... "continue in the things which you have learned ... from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures" ... and noted our responsibilities toward scriptural truth: (1) Learn it, (2) Know it, (3) Be sure of it, and (4) Know the source of it.

Craig noted on the same verse the power of children meditating on the scriptures early in life.

Dean shared a testimony from the recent Scout trip ... the moving experience of the men and boys singing "God Bless America" at the Lincoln memorial ... and seeing those around break out in spontaneous applause.


Prayer Burdens

Safety and blessing on the Scout trip (Praise)
Eloise's Mom possibly coming home Friday, wisdom for decisions to be made
Jeffrey at Summit Christian worldview camp
Shana's Gardendale friends seeking the Lord about church issues
Stem Cell Research Bill -- would federally fund research on tissue from aborted babies
Stephen R. learned several new phrases this week (Praise)
Dean's Dad improving some from Bell's palsy (Praise and continued prayer)
Andrea's mother requested prayer for God's direction and strength


It was great to have Andrea's Mom with us ... also to have most of the Martins back!