Crossing Church

Build: Opposition to the Work pt. 2

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:09:51 +0000

Preached on 3.7.10 by Dustin Neeley Sermon Notes

15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” 21 So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. 22 I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.” 23 So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand. Nehemiah 4:1-23 ESV

“When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work.” Nehemiah knew that there was no time to lose. They would return.

P: When God delivers us, there’s often not much time to celebrate.

Do I walk in this truth or do I allow myself to ‘let my guard down’ spiritually? How are you doing this?

“From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.” Nehemiah had a well-thought-out plan.

P: Significant problems call for significant solutions.

Is this reflected in my planning or am I trying to take shortcuts that won’t lead to lasting change?

Practically Speaking:

1. It is likely that you didn’t get into the mess overnight, so it is likely you won’t get out overnight either.

2. The nature of our plan should reflect the nuances of our problem.

“And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another.” The difficult reality.

P: The biblical perspective assesses the situation as it is, not how we wish it were.

In the Scriptures:

Abraham (Rom. 4)
Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego (Dan. 3)
Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemanae (Mk. 14)

Are we addressing ‘actual reality’ or are we living in some kind of denial?

“In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.“

Nehemiah drew their attention back to Ultimate Reality.

P: Ultimate Reality is that God is the Ultimate Defender of His people.

Practically Speaking:

1. Their hands built the wall drew their swords but it was God’s hand that ultimately protected them.

2. The same is true for us.. We may take action to defend ourselves, but it is ultimately God who defends us. We stand against the world, the flesh and the devil, but it is God who gives us the strength to stand. (Phil. 2:12-13)

3. This should give us great hope in our struggle against sins of all kinds and hope, for our marriages, parenting, mission, etc.

Am I viewing life from the appropriate perspective? If not, what needs to change?

“So we labored at the work…” Nehemiah was a co-laborer, not a consultant.“…and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.” The workers would work by day and then sleep at their post at night. The need was great so the need for sacrifice was also great.

P: God’s work is hard no matter when or where it is done.

Have I wrongly expected God’s work to be easy? At home? At work? In relationships? Am I pressing into Jesus so that I can do the hard work that is my responsibility?

“So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.” Nehemiah and his team stayed the course.

P: Significant problems call for sustained solutions.

Do the solutions that I come up with reflect a ’spiritual stick-to-it-ive-ness?’

Through Jesus, we have the strength we need to live out what we have learned.

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Bible Commentary, ESV Study Bible, Numerous Resources from the Logos Electronic Library.

Build: Opposition to the Work pt. 1

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:36:17 +0000

Preached on 2.28.10 by Dustin Neeley Sermon Notes

Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. 2 And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building-if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” 4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. 5 Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders. 6 So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. 7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. 8 And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. 9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.10 In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” 11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” 12 At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.” 13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:1-14 ESV

“Sanballat… angry and greatly enraged…jeered at the Jews… in the presence of his brothers and of the army

of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that? Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building-if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” Insulting the workers and their work in numerous ways.

P: Any time we seek to do God’s work God’s way, there will always be opposition.

Three Enemies that Oppose Us All:

The world-the system of values on which the ‘kingdom of this world’ operates.
The flesh-the yet unredeemed part of us that we war against for holiness.
The devil-our spiritual adversary spoken of repeatedly in the Scriptures.

Do I know that this is true? Do I know how each of my enemies oppose me and do I have a plan for success?

“Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.” Nehemiah’s prayer.

P: When the opposition comes, our first response should be prayer.

Is prayer my first response or a ‘last resort’ when opposition comes in my life? What needs to change?

The Content of the Prayer:

It reveals that Nehemiah understood that they were working against God, not him.
- Very reminiscent of the ‘imprecatory psalms.’
- Our hearts are usually not so well-intentioned so we need to be careful.
This also reflects the unfolding nature of Redemptive History.
For us, this prayer is more descriptive than prescriptive.

“So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

P: God accomplishes His Sovereign will through the obedience of His people.

Am I walking in the appropriate balance between God’s sovereignty and my responsibility? If not, what needs to change?

“But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard…they were very angry…they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it.

Rhetoric is becoming reality. Jerusalem is now surrounded and they are plotting an attack.

P: God’s enemies don’t let up so we can’t either.

Have I been wrongly expecting the Christian life to be easy?

“And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.” Another obvious partnership between divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

“In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” Judah was another name for the area around Jerusalem. This shows that morale is weakening in the face of the greatness of the work.

“And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” Important to note that these weren’t idle threats.

“At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.” Frightened wives and family members.

P: In accomplishing God’s work, sometimes well-meaning people - even your own family can become an obstacle.

“So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. Nehemiah gets creative.

P: Good leaders play the hand they are dealt, not the hand they wanted.

Am I able to make the needed adjustments as the situation changes or am I ‘playing the victim?’

And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” Nehemiah directed their attention heavenward.

P: When opposition arises we need to look to the greatness of God not the greatness of the opposition.

Is my tendency to focus on God or the opposition in my life?

The greatness of God is seen most clearly in the Cross.

Works Consulted : Expositor’s Bible Commentary, MacArthur Study Bible, Message by Mark Driscoll, Other works by Ware, Wiersby, Carson, Stanley, Getz, others. Logos Library: too many to list!

Build: Just a List of Names?

admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:37:48 +0000

Preached on 2.21.10 by Dustin Neeley Sermon Notes

Facts About the Text and the Wall:

The list provides a counterclockwise ‘fly through’ around the wall and a list of the names of all the people who would have worked on it.
41 parties are named in the reconstruction of 42 sections. The project included rebuilding both the walls and the gates.
The circuit of the walls would have been between 2-2.5 miles enclosing between 90-220 acres. Each of the 42 sections would have averaged about 250 ft. in length though there was one extraordinarily long section and a couple of sections were very short.
The wall itself would have been 15-20 ft high and 3-4 ft wide.

Observations About the Text:

The fact that Nehemiah included these names is significant.

P: Nehemiah was a good leader who valued his people and the contribution that they made.

Do I value the people in my life or do I take them for granted? Who do I need to “appreciate?”

Who led the work and where the work began is significant (v.1).
- Eliashib the high priest led the way. 1 Pet. 5:3 leader as example.
- They began at the Sheep Gate which was named for where the sheep came in on their way to the temple to be sacrificed. By starting here there, they were “putting God first.”

P: Any time we undertake a task we should seek to “put God first.”

Can that be said for you when you take on a task-of any size? If not, what needs to change?

Some people are capable of doing more work than others (11, 19, 21,24, 27,30)
- By divine design, we all have different gifting, abilities, limitations, etc.
The workers were strategically positioned where they would make the greatest impact (v. 10, 23, 28,30):
- Most were positioned just outside their homes. People work harder when their hearts are in the work.
- Think 1 Cor. 12-14. One body, many members.

P: Each of us have been strategically positioned for the greatest impact as well.

Am I making the most of my strategic placement? If not, what needs to change?

Some jobs are less desirable than others:
- The Dung gate: It was like the ancient landfill/sewer system where all of the feces and trash were taken out to the dump. The man assigned there was some kind of ruler and showed great humility.

P: Faithfulness is not about which part you play, it is about how well you play your part.

Am I playing my part well? If not, what is standing in the way?

The nature of the work force:

Highly diverse: Rulers and priests (1, 12-19), men and women (12), professional craftsmen (8, 32) even some outside the city (2,5,7).
Unusually unqualified for building: From what we can tell, there were no expert builders here. Priests, priests’ helpers, goldsmiths, perfume makers, women, but no expert builders or carpenters are named.

P: God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

What is God using me to do? Do you see the significance of what you are doing for the Kingdom?

Some of the workers had a checkered past (v. 4, 11)
Meremoth’s grandfather had been excluded from the priesthood. Malkijah had married a foreign wife.

P: God can use anyone, no matter what his or her past.

Am I living in the good of this truth today or am I being shackled by my past?

Some of the workers worked hard, others didn’t work at all (v. 20, 5)
- Baruch: only worker said to work ‘zealously.’
- The nobles: These aristocrats thought they were ‘above’ manual labor. Some of the common people had to do double duty because they didn’t do their part.

P: Our pride can hinder our effectiveness in Kingdom work.

Where is your pride keeping you from being used by God to your full capacity?

If someone were to describe your work (with the church and beyond) how would you be described? Like Baruch or the Tekoans?

The workers and their work point us to the Ulimate Worker and His Work on the Cross.

Works Consulted : Expositor’s Bible Commentary, MacArthur Study Bible, Message by Mark Driscoll, Other works by Ware, Wiersby, Carson, Stanley, Getz, others. Logos Library: too many to list!

Build: Doing the Right Thing the Right Way

admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:51:41 +0000

Preached on 2.14.10 by Dustin Neeley Sermon Notes

9 Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. 10 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel. 11 So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode. 13 I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. 14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal that was under me to pass. 15 Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. 16 And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest who were to do the work. 17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” 18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20 Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.” - Nehemiah 2:9-20 ESV

“the king’s letters… Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen.” These letters, which came with an escort, would have ensured safe passage through what would have otherwise been dangerous territory. They came with a military escort.

These things are obvious evidence of the ‘good hand of God’ upon him.

“when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel.” The foreboding appearance of the “Joker and Penguin” figures in the book. They were disturbed because Nehemiah’s arrival threatened the Samaritan governor.More on them soon.

“So I went to Jerusalem and was there three days. Nehemiah took a break before he began work. This shows a great amount of discipline and that he understood his limits and the nature of the task at hand.

P: Before we lead others well, we have to lead ourselves well.

Do I have appropriate rest in my life or am I running at an unsustainable pace?

Steps Toward Change:

Ask “Why am I running so hard?” and apply the Gospel.
Consider the alternative.

P: There is a right way to cast vision (v.12-16).

Before the Vision is Cast (v.12-16):

Nehemiah “does his homework” secretly, silently and systematically before he ever goes public. This applies to all of us both at home and at work.

When It Comes Time to Cast the Vision (v. 17-18):

The timing matters.
- Nehemiah casts the vision at the moment when it has the potential to make the greatest impact.
The language matters.
- “the trouble…” “ruins…burned” “no longer suffer derision”
- All strongly emotive words meant to move the people.
“let us build…”
- Nehemiah is a co-laborer not a consultant.
The passion matters.
- The need is the seed of vision. The vision is a solution to a problem.
- He spoke passionately about what he was passionate about.
The facts matter.
- Nehemiah didn’t spin the truth. Integrity and credibility are at stake.
- The King is with me and God is with me.
- When appropriate, we need to point out where God is at obviously at work.

“But when Sanballat… heard…they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” lit. ‘ridicule,’ strong language.

P: When we seek to do the right thing the right way, we will always be met with some kind of opposition (v.19).

Do I know the opposition is coming? Or do I expect that things to be easy?

“And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”

Nehemiah speaks with clarity and confidence but not cockiness.

P: Our confidence must be in God and not ourselves (v.20).

Where is my confidence today? Especially when I encounter opposition?

The Gospel is our hope for doing the right thing the right way.

Works Consulted : Expositor’s Bible Commentary, MacArthur Study Bible, Message by Mark Driscoll, Other works by Ware, Wiersby, Carson, Stanley, Getz, others. Logos Library: too many to list!

Haiti Prayer Guides

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:06:16 +0000

Here are some excellent prayer guides to help you as you pray for Haiti.

Build: The Good Hand of God

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:44:28 +0000

Preached on 2.7.10 by Heath Lambert Sermon Notes

^2:1In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. ²And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. ³I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” ⁴Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. ⁵And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.” ⁶And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), “how long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. ⁷And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, ⁸and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me. (Nehemiah 2:1-8)

Nehemiah is EXTREMELY normal

In a Bible full of prophets and miracle-workers Nehemiah is a just a guy
He works hard and God blesses him and is pleased with him (2:8)
Nehemiah is an encouragement to other normal people who want to serve God and be blessed.
What did Nehemiah do that we can do?

1. Nehemiah had a broken heart over a serious need (2:1-3)

The news of the broken walls led to Nehemiah’s broken heart (1:4)
Where is your heart breaking? Is it breaking at all?

2. Nehemiah turned to God in prayer (2:4)

Prayer is when we turn to God to speak to him and ask for his help
Nehemiah is a man of prayer (cf. 1:4ff, 4:4-5; 5:19; 6:9, 14; 13:14, 22, 29, 31)
Nehemiah did not keep his brokenness to himself but aimed it in a Godward direction

3. Nehemiah turned to God in Scripture (1:5, 7-9)

Nehemiah’s life-all his prayers and plans were informed by Scripture
The words of Nehemiah’s prayers and the foundation for his plans did not fall out of the sky but were rooted in texts of Scripture
- The Great God who keeps a covenant of love (Deut 5:10)
- The commandments, statutes, and rules (Deut 6:6)
- The promise to scatter and return (Lev 26:33-45; 2 Chron 6:36-39)

4. Nehemiah meditated on the character of God (1:5)

Nehemiah’s Scripture-soaked prayers reflect the thoughts of a man pondering God
Nehemiah’s exalted view of God
- The God of heaven (Deut 10:14-15)
- The great and awesome God (Deut 7:21)
- The God who keeps covenant and steadfast love (Deut 7:9)
What does your brain sound like?

5. Nehemiah took time to think and plan (1:1; 2:1)

From idea to implementation Nehemiah took 4 months
This gave Nehemiah time to think, prepare, and pray about . . .
- How do bring up the matter with the king (2:3; cf. Ezra 4:17-23)
- How long the work would take (2:6)
- What he would need to get the job done (2:7-8)
Nehemiah didn’t rush in (Prov 14:8)
But neither did he drag his feet (1:11)

6. Nehemiah acted, trusting God (2:4)

All preparation finally Gave way to implementation
Nehemiah was scared (2:2) but he trusted God and acted

All this met with God’s blessing (2:8)

Be careful: God’s blessing ≠ Getting what you want!
3 cautions from Nehemiah
- Nehemiah’s evaluation was based on the long-term
- Nehemiah was self-sacrificing
- Nehemiah was focused on God’s redemptive purposes

Build: The right response - Prayer

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:43:58 +0000

Preached on 1.31.10 by Dustin Neeley Sermon Notes

“4As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. 8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ 10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. Now I was cupbearer to the king.” Nehemiah 1:4-11

“As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days…” Tremendous

response for news that was 140 years old.

“and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” Going without physical food

for the purpose of being more focused in prayer. Sustained response as well

underscoring the deep affect that this had upon him.

P: God’s people should be broken by the brokenness of their city.

Is your heart broken for our city? If not, what needs to change?

P: When the bad news hits, we should PRAY!

What this does:

Enters God into the equation-better yet, it reminds you that He is already in the equation and already at work.
Gives you the spiritual resources you need to navigate this difficulty.
Puts things in perspective. Allows you to assess how big of a deal this is.

What is typically my response when I hear bad news? What needs to change?

“And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast

love with those who love him and keep his commandments…” He begins with adoration and a reminder of Who God is and highlights the ‘covenant keeping’ aspect of His nature (Deut. 7:9). This is his ‘hesed,’ a central theme of God’s faithfulness in the OT.

P: We should begin our prayers with worship.

What this does:

Makes sure that we are approaching God the right way.
- Too often, we approach God as if He was a vending machine as opposed to the matchless King and Creator that He is.

“let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses.” Note the appropriate thoroughness. “commandments” are directives like the Ten Commandments, “statutes” something prescribed in the Law like keeping the Passover, “rules” are legal decisions or judgments. He includes himself in the confession.

P: Confession should be a regular part of our prayers.

Is confession of my sin a regular part of my prayer life?

Practically Speaking:

Confess your sins immediately.
Be as specific as possible.

“Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand.” This is a restatement of the covenant promises of God. This was common in the OT. For us, this would be a modern equivalent of praying the Scriptures back to God. In his own “Old Testament” way, applying the Gospel.

P: The Scriptures should be a regular part of our prayer life.

Practically Speaking:

Allow the Text to guide your prayers. Simply pray through a passage.

Are the Scriptures a regular part of my prayer life? If not, what needs to change?

“O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” A prayer of supplication. Foreshadowing for what is to come in the book.

P: Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need.

Am I in the habit of asking God for what I need?

“Now I was cupbearer to the king.” Nehemiah’s statement about his job.

P: God strategically places us where He wants us to make a unique impact.

Do I recognize that I am where I am by the sovereign providence of God?

The Gospel is our hope for praying and serving rightly.

Works Consulted : NIV Application Commentary, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, Message by Mark Driscoll, Other works by Ware, Driscoll, Getz, others. Logos Library

AP Article on Matt Chandler and Brain Cancer

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:54:58 +0000

Read the full article here.

Build: Setting the Stage

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:16:48 +0000

Preached on 1.24.10 by Dustin Neeley Sermon Notes

Quick Facts about the Book of Nehemiah:

Who wrote it? Some debate, but according to both internal and external evidence, it

appears to be a combination of Nehemiah and Ezra.

When and why was it written? Likely between 445-432 BC. Most of the action takes

place in Jerusalem. It serves largely historical & educational purposes.

What is it basically about? Human: It is the story of a man named Nehemiah who

rebuilt the walls around the city of Jerusalem so that God’s exiled people could

return to their city (Jerusalem), reinstitute their worship of God and get back to

being the kind of nation they were intended to be. Divine: God reveals

His continued faithfulness to His people.

What are some of its major themes?

God’s plans are always accomplished.
God gives vision and the strength to carry it out.
Prayer is an essential component of any successful endeavor.
Nehemiah provides a great example of leadership.
Nehemiah provides a great example of perseverance in the face of ongoing

difficulties and distractions.

God brings repentance and revival to His people through His Word.

Why are we studying Nehemiah?

1. It is a great book to address where we are as a community and individuals.

Nehemiah set out to build a “City within the City.” So are we.
“A City within the City” of Louisville built on the values of the Bible. Gospel. Community. Mission.

2. Nehemiah effectively accomplished a great building task. We hope to as well.

3. All of the themes in this book are things we need to learn about.

How to Get the Most Out of Our Study of Nehemiah:

Know:

1. This begins by reading Nehemiah rightly.

We begin with its historical, grammatical, biblical context. Then we recognize that even though these texts are about Nehemiah first, they are not about Nehemiah only
He is a ‘hero’ in the Bible that points us to the “Hero” of the Bible.

2. We must understand the Bible as one “Big Story” of Redemptive History.

The Bible is not a loose collection of stories and pithy sayings but rather one, unified story that all points to Jesus.

Do:

1. Read (or listen to) the book in its entirety (www.esv.org).

a. Use the study notes in your Bible. Repetition leads to retention.

2. Read the Text we will teach each week. (We include it in the email.)

Write down some thoughts, questions, or observations.

3. Interact with your community group and on the City.

“The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the capital, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” Nehemiah 1:1-3 ESV

“Nehemiah” The main human character of the book. At least, the partial writer of the book. Chapters 1-7 and 13 are likely his journal entries. Amazing man who loved God, His glory and His people. Not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture. Not a ’religious professional’ of any kind. Just a man, working a job that God used.

P: God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

Do I believe and live as if this is true?

P: God uses one man to make a world of difference.

What ‘world of difference’ is God wanting to make through my life?

“Chislev…twentieth year…Susa the capital” Winter. November/December. 20^th year of the reign of the king that Nehemiah worked for.

“Hanani…certain men from Judah” Some visitors came to see him from Jerusalem.

“Jews…exile…Jerusalem” God’s chosen people had been carried away and enslaved by the Babylonians.

Backstory: God had called out a people for Himself (the Israelites) who were ‘blessed to be a blessing’ to the nations around them. Sometimes they fulfilled this role, but many times they didn’t. In order to lovingly discipline them, God allowed their kingdom to be split in two and their people to be captured by the Assyrians and Babylonians. The Jews from Jerusalem had been living in exile in Babylon. Jerusalem, which was to be their archetypical “city within the city,” was, instead, in great disrepair.

“wall…broken down and gates are destroyed by fire.” The wall was of had both practical and spiritual significance. It protected them from other attacking nations but it also symbolized how seriously they did/n’t take their relationship with God.

P: Disobedience always leads to discipline.

How is God trying to get your attention today through his loving discipline?

P: The ‘externals’ in our lives reveal the condition of the ‘internal.’

What do the ‘externals’ in my life reveal?

All that we learn about Nehemiah reminds us of all that we love about Jesus.

Works Consulted : NIV Application Commentary, Life Application Bible, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, Message by Mark Driscoll, Other works by Ware, Driscoll, Getz, others.

God and Money: Jesus on Money

admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:03:32 +0000

Preached on 1.17.10 by Dustin Neeley Sermon Notes

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:19-24 ESV

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth” Or “stop immediately.” Contextually, it would have likely been referring to clothing passed down as a form of wealth. Broader scope, it is “cease and desist” order of the “pursuit of stuff.”

P: As a citizen of the Kingdom, your life can’t be defined by the pursuit of temporal “stuff.”

Am I living my life and using my finances as a citizen of the Jesus’ Kingdom? What am I living for?

“where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,” Reason 2: It is not safe.

Vermin can attack them. Thieves can steal them.

P: Jesus is not saying, “Don’t save.” He is saying “Money can’t be your savior.”

To save us from:

Feeling out of control-’saved’ by the illusion of control money provides.
Our insecurity-’saved’ by our wardrobe, car, house, etc.
Our ‘uncomfortability’-’saved’ from things that make us ‘uncomfortable.

How am I looking for money to be my savior today?

“but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” Ref. to heavenly rewards.

P: As a citizen of my Kingdom, your life should be defined by the pursuit of eternal things.

This Happens By:

Living all of your life in obedience to God (all-inclusive).
Investing in the mission of God through grace-motivated giving that happens regularly, proportionally, sacrificially, freely, joyfully, & with accountability.

“where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” The “Big Why” in this verse.

P: Our hearts and our “stuff” are connected.

P: If you want to know where your heart is with God, follow the money.

Where does the money say your heart is with God?

“The eye is the lamp of the body” In Jewish culture, like the heart. Further amplifying v. 21.

P: Our perspective on money affects everything.

“eye…healthy…full of light…eye…bad…darkness…great darkness” If your perspective is right, you are on good footing. If your perspective is wrong, you are in big trouble.

Which kingdom’s perspective do you see at work in your finances?

“No one can serve two masters” A similar ‘crystallization’ as in vs. 21. Denotes slavery. ”hate…love…despise…devoted” Very strong language to make a point.

P: We cannot serve both God and money-we must choose.

Who am I serving (in my life, in this moment) God or money?

We answer this in an “Overarching” and “Moment by Moment” sense:

1. The decisive break in which we become a citizen of Jesus’ Kingdom.

2. The ‘moment by moment’ daily decisions that bear that out in life.

The way we serve God in both situation is the same:

Repent and Believe the Gospel.

Works Consulted : NIV Application Commentary, Life Application Bible, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, Bible Promise Books, Sermons by John Piper, Ligon Duncan, Andy Stanley

God and Money: a picture of generosity

admin — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:54:53 +0000

Preached on 1.10.10 by Dustin Neeley Sermon Notes

“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, ²for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. ³For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will, ⁴begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints- ⁵and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. ⁶Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. ⁷But as you excel in everything- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you- see that you excel in this act of grace also. ⁸I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. ⁹For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. ¹⁰And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. ¹¹So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. ¹²For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. ¹³I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness ¹⁴your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. ¹⁵As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Overview: Paul uses the example of the Macedonians’ generosity to encourage the Corinthians to give generously to the struggling Christians in Jerusalem.

P: Grace should be the greatest motivator to our giving (v.1-2).

Am I currently giving because of the grace of God? Am I giving at all? If I am, what drives me?

P: Our giving should be proportional to what we have (v. 3, 12)

Could this be said of your giving?

The tithe: “A great place to start but a terrible place to stop.”

P: Our giving should be sacrificial in light of what we have (v.3)

Could this be said of your giving?

P: Our giving should be done freely and joyfully (v.3-4)

Could this be said of your giving?

P: Our giving should begin with giving ourselves to the Lord first-then our money (v.5).

The best question is not: “Is God getting my money?” but “It is God getting me?”

P: Accountability for our giving will lead toward growth (v.6-7).

Upgrades: Finance Team, Giving in Weekly Email, Pledges, Pastoral Meetings

P: Our generosity flows from the generosity of God seen most clearly in the Cross (v.8-9)

Do I make the connection that I give back to God because He gave everything for me?

P: Giving to the Gospel benefits us. (v.10-11)

Do I give in faith recognizing that God will give back to me in some way?

P: Our passion must be accompanied by perseverance (v. 10-11).

Am I someone that follows through on my financial (and other) commitments?

P: We should manage our finances in such a way that we can help one another in hard times (v. 13-15)

Am I managing money in such a way that my ‘extra’ can become someone else’s ‘enough’?

The Gospel is our only hope for painting a picture of generosity in our own lives.

Works Consulted: “Giving and the Gospel Message by Daniel Montgomery, Stewardship Resources by Tim Keller, Generous Series by Mark Driscoll, Change You Can Believe Series In by Steven Furtick, Life Application Bible, MacArthur Study Bible

God and Money: Basic Instructions

admin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:39:35 +0000

Preached on 1.3.10 by Dustin Neeley Sermon Notes

God Owns Everything.

Ps. 24:1, 1 Chr. 29:11-12, Ps. 50:11.
We tend to like this truth when we need God to provide something but shy away from it when it reveals the true extent of His ownership.
Do we recognize that “our Father owning the cattle on a thousand hills” means that He owns OUR cows as well?

Practically Speaking:

You are wearing God’s clothes, driving God’s car, living in God’s house and spending God’s money.
The question is not “What can I do with this money?” but “What should I do with this money?”

Heart Idols that Must Be Addressed in Order to Live in Light of This Truth:

Pride.
- We like to think that we earned this money on our own and are entitled to do with it as we please. We need to hear the correction of Deut. 8:17-20.
Control.
- We like to run our own ‘financial kingdom’ where we do what we want with the money. “Tithing” (though a great and needful practice) does not save us from this.
Comfort.
- This idol, which is implicit in our context, is perhaps the most dangerous of all. This will kill our own souls as individuals and families and our Mission together as a church.

Our Hope in All of Our Sins is the Same : JESUS!

“Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Romans 7:24-25a

Practical Steps in the Right Direction:

Get to know Jesus-turn from your sins and trust in Christ.
Remind yourself effectively and often that your money is not your money.
- Effectively: Whatever works for you. Eg. Post-it on the check book.
- There is nothing like regular, systematic, generous giving to keep you oriented in the right direction.
- Often: You can’t “set it and forget it.” Finances change. Our Flesh wars against us. God wants us to always be growing in this area.
Enlist others to help you in your struggle for growth
- Community Groups. Fight Clubs. Your Pastor/Elders.
Begin to ask the right questions.

Not “What can I do with this money?” but “What should I do with this money?”

The Gospel is our only hope for real, lasting change that works its way from the inside out.

Works Consulted for this Series: Messages by Darrin Patirck, Craig Groschel, Andy Stanley, Daniel Montgomery, Tim Keller and More. Various resources by Dave Ramsey, Larry Burkett, Chip Ingram, Ron Blue, Etc.

A New Perspective on Money

admin — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:00:49 +0000

This morning I showed a helpful clip of a helpful conversation I had this week with Dan about how God has changed his perspective on money over the years. Here is the whole video. The whole thing is only 3 minutes and is definitely worth your time.

Looking Back, Leaning Forward

admin — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:00:14 +0000

Preached on 12.27.09 by Dustin Neeley Sermon Notes

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Philippians 3: 12-16

“Not…already obtained this…already perfect” Paul is referring back to the previous verses to clarify that he does not believe that he is fully spiritually mature. It is also possible that this false idea of ’spiritual perfection’ was at work in Philippi.

“but I press on to make it my own” Word used for a sprinter. Aggressive, energetic action.

“because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” The basis for his holy discontent.

P: Spiritual growth is spurred by a holy dissatisfaction and recognition that we belong to Jesus.

Do I have these today? If not, why not? What steps do I need to take to see change take place?

Putting Feet on It:

Realize that this is our spiritual destiny (Rom. 8:29).
Surround yourself with other growing Christians who can encourage you.

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own…” Restatement of previous idea.

“But one thing I do…” But I have figured this out…here’s how I am going to get there.

“forgetting what lies behind” Not erasing the memory, but not ‘dwelling’ on the past and allowing ourselves to be controlled by it. This includes our hurts, sins, or wins.

P: The past can be the enemy of the present.

Is my past affecting my present in an unhealthy way? If so, what needs to change?

Preaching the Gospel to Our Past:

1. A sin you committed - Jesus died as a ‘propitiation’ (a payment for our sins.)

2. A sin committed against you - Jesus died as an ‘expiation’ - to cleanse us from sin.

3. A hurt from the past - the Gospel brings healing.

4. A past success - restrains our pride, allows us to keep perspective.

P: The pursuit of spiritual growth includes both ‘forgetting’ what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.

“and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Strong words from an athletic contest, to be straining forward with every fiber of his being. Unclear if Paul is talking about heaven, eternal rewards, or Christ Himself. In any case, the principle is the same.

P: What lies ahead should motivate us to push ahead.

Am I motivated by what lies ahead? If not, why not?

“Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”

P: Paul’s perspective should be shared by all maturing Christians.

Is this my perspective today? If not, what needs to change

Putting Feet on It:

Immerse yourself in the Word-Sundays, personal study, group, etc.
- Focus on particular Scriptures that keep these things before you.
Surround yourself with others pursuing the same perspective.

P: We should live out what we know-as individuals and as a community.

Are we? If not, what needs to change?

The Gospel allows us to look back and lean forward simultaneously.

Works Consulted: MacArthur Study Bible, Bible Knowledge Commentary, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, NIV Application Commentary, New Bible Commentary, The Bible Exposition Commentary

Bible Reading Plan

admin — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:35:57 +0000

Here is the Bible Reading plan that I mentioned in today’s message.

It takes one year and is made up of 300 readings.

Thanks to Tom Ascol for sharing this with his church and the world.

Click HERE to get it.

Interview with Joe Thorn on “Dangerous Theology”

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:23:01 +0000

At the recent AMBITION Boot Camp sponsored by Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, KY, I had the opportunity to sit down with A29 Pastor and Blogger Joe Thorn. In this short conversation, Joe shares part of his own story and in the process gives us some great counsel. Watch and learn. And pass along.

Christmas According to Luke: Jesus is Born!

admin — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:32:19 +0000

Preached on 12.20.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Luke 2:1-21 ESV

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

These historical details remind us that this is actual, factual history and not myth.

Caesar Augustus - Supreme ruler of Roman empire. Great nephew of Julius Caesar.

Registered - They were taking a census to collect more taxes and soldiers.

Quirinius - His ‘cabinet member’ in charge of executing the census and other orders.

Nazareth — the ‘nowhere’ town that was their home.

Bethlehem - about 100 miles away on a donkey for a woman ready to deliver.

he was of the house and lineage of David - to fulfill the prophesies/promises from the OT

P: God is Sovereign over all of history-including our stories.

Do I recognize and rest in God’s sovereignty today?

P: God kept His promises-He still does.

Am I trusting in God’s promises today? Is God calling me to a greater study of Scripture?

“And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

swaddling cloths - tight strips of cloth to keep babies warm and safe.

manger - likely a dirty feeding trough in a cave with animals.

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.”

Shepherds - This was a job you ‘end up with.’ The were on the lowest rung of society;

disrespected, distrusted, and couldn’t even testify in court.

P: God entrusted the highest news to the lowest people-He still does.

Do we recognize the great grace we have been shown in even hearing the Good News?

“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

P: The Good News of Great Joy is for all the people.

Have you written anybody out of God’s Kingdom today?

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

P: Seeing what God has done should lead to sharing what God has done.

Are you in the habit of sharing what God has done? Remember: Unique opportunities of Christmas

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Luke 2:1-21 ESV

Jesus didn’t just come to be born but to die and rise again.

The Gospel is our hope.

Works Consulted: Message by Mark Driscoll, Expositor’s Commentary, MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, NIV Application Commentary

Why We Should Care About Matt Chandler’s Cancer

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:41:50 +0000

I JUST POSTED THIS AT MY CHURCH PLANTING BLOG:

As most of you now know, it has just been released that Matt Chandler’s pathology report indicated bad news.

From his church website:

“On Tuesday, Dr. Barnett informed Matt and Lauren that the findings of the pathology report revealed a malignant brain tumor that was not encapsulated. The surgery to remove the tumor, the doctor said, was an extremely positive first step; however, because of the nature of the tumor, he was not able to remove all of it.

Matt, who is being released from the hospital today, is meeting with a neuro-oncologist this week to outline the next steps of the recovery process. There is a range of treatment possibilities but the exact course of action has not yet been determined. He will continue outpatient rehab.”

In light of this news, and the last few of weeks since the news of Chandler’s illness broke, I have begun to reflect on why we are and should be so concerned about this situation. I believe there are at least three reasons.

Because Matt is a friend to many of us.

Though I do not know Matt very well, nor do I want to appear to sound closer to him than I actually am, I have gotten to know Matt through recent Acts 29 events and have found him to be even more impressive off the stage than on. And if you have ever heard Matt preach, you know that is saying a lot.

Though Matt is obviously an uniquely gifted and powerful communicator of the Gospel, he is also an unusually humble and approachable man as well.

Even at our first meeting at a recent Acts 29 Boot Camp in Houston, he graciously gave me a good chunk of time to talk about preaching, family, coaching young planters and leading a growing church. He was also extremely complimentary of this new ministry and encouraged the work that we are seeking to do here. This kind of exchange can be quite rare for someone with Matt’s high profile and busy schedule. I was, and am, supremely thankful for the time we spent together and what he taught me as we sat across a table and talked in Houston and again in Louisville just a few weeks ago. If you missed that conversation, you can watch it HERE and HERE.

I know that I am not alone in sharing a heightened degree of personal concern for Matt’s well-being because of similar interactions with him along the way.

But whether you have had the privilege to engage Matt personally or not, all should all be concerned for him for a couple of other reasons as well.

Because God has raised Matt up to be an example in his suffering.

Consider this tweet from before the results were released:

Path report is 2ndary at best…good report doesn’t mean much, bad report doesn’t mean anything…my days r numbered and nt by ths report

This tweet went to more than 19,000 people. His pre-surgery video has been watched thousands of times. This is a man who GETS the Gospel and the Sovereignty of God not just for preaching on Sunday but for bad news from a pathologist on Tuesday. It is obvious that God is raising him up even when he is down for the advance of the Gospel and the glory of His name. May we all be faithful to pray that he would suffer well and herald the goodness of God no matter what lies ahead.

The final reason I believe we should care is perhaps the most poignant.

Because Matt Chandler is our brother.

Though our digital culture might tempt us to think otherwise, Matt is not just a well-known preacher that we admire from afar that we could be concerned about losing from the world stage.

He is a member of our spiritual family facing the biggest trial in his life and it should drive us to prayer and dependence upon Christ on his behalf.

Consider Paul’s commands from the Scriptures:

“If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” 1 Corinthians 12:26

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15

Oh that God would give us the grace to fulfill these commands on Matt’s behalf, love our own families and flocks with as much passion as Jesus will give us and to examine our own lives and their potential brevity.

And may we respond to God’s call to us to pray mightily. To ask our churches to pray mightily. To pray that Matt would be healed and suffer well until he is on earth or in heaven.

And may God would grace us all to care about Matt Chandler’s cancer not because he is famous but because he is family.

If you would like to pray specifically, consider these directives from the church website:

Wisdom for all the coming decisions
Strength and peace to endure
The kids’ (Audrey, Reid and Norah) hearts; pray the Lord is merciful as they process and that their little hearts do not grow embittered
The Chandlers and The Village would suffer well because of the gospel and for the sake of Christ’s name

If you wish, send cards and letters to Matt and Lauren at 2101 Justin Road, Flower Mound, TX 75028.

Christmas According to Luke: Mary’s Song

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:00:47 +0000

Preached on 12.13.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home. Luke 1:46-56 ESV

P: Mary is a “hero” that points us to the “Hero.”

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” 
Magnify = to make or declare great. 2 Ways to Magnify: A microscope (makes tiny things visible). A telescope (makes enormous things visible). This is the latter.

P: Our God is the Lord.
Are we living like this is true?

Rejoices-to exult, celebrate, rejoice greatly. The right response to the good news.

P: Our God is the Savior.
Savior-rescuer, deliverer, hero. Also shows us that she recognizes that she, herself, needs to be rescued. No immaculate conception.

Do we recognize that we need a Savior as well?

“for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed”

P: Our God is omniscient—all-knowing.
Do I know that the Lord knows me and my situations this morning?

“for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” 

P: Our God is mighty.
Mighty-Strong, mighty, powerful.
Do I live like our God is mighty?

P: Our God does great things for people.
When was the last time I ‘took inventory’ of the evidences of grace in my life?

P: Our God is holy.
Do I marvel at the greatness of His holiness? Do I seek to ‘be holy as He is holy?’

“And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.” 
Mercy-not giving us the wrath that we justly deserve.

P: Our God is merciful to all who will turn from sin & trust in Him.
Have I experienced that mercy firsthand? Do I share the Good News of God’s mercy with others? “He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;  he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate” 

P: Our God is Strong.
Do I know that my God is strong? Do I lean on His strength?

P: Our God humbles the exalted and exalts the humble.
Am I living in light of this truth?

“he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.” 

P: Our God in generous and just.
Am I participating with Him in His generosity and justice?

“He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers,  to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

P: Our God has a long history of faithfulness.
Do I leverage the long history of God’s faithfulness recorded in the Scriptures?

The Gospel is our only hope for responding in worship like Mary did when God intervenes in our lives.

Christmas According to Luke: Jesus’ Birth Prophesied

admin — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:46:27 +0000

Preached on 12.6.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city ofGalilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, ofthe house ofDavid. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort ofgreeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son ofthe Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 3 3 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 3 5 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy-the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-38 ESV

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.”

Angel: ‘messenger from God.’

Nazareth: a ‘nowhere’ town. The least likely place for this to have happened.

Virgin: A young woman who had never had sexual relations with a man. This does actually matter. If this is untrue or inaccurate, the Bible can’t be trusted.

Joseph of the house of David: Significant to fulfill the prophecies of the OT.

P: God uses nobodies from nowhere to play a part in the most important thing He has ever done in history.

Application : We may feel like ‘nobodies from nowhere,’ but God wants to use us in a significant way like He used Mary and Joseph. Will you let Him?

“And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”

Word means ‘grace’ which means that she has been shown grace by God, not that she has extra grace to extend to others (as Roman Catholics teach).

But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”

This would have been frightening to Mary for several reasons: 1. An angel has showed up at night in her nowhere living room. 2. At this time in history, young girls were not to be alone with older men for obvious reasons. 3. There was some anecdotal folklore about angels raping women. She was understandably frightened.

P: It is o.k. to be caught off guard when God intervenes in our lives, but we can’t stay there. How will we respond?

“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Your son will be JESUS! The Great, God Himself, Eternal King whose Kingdom will know no end…King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

“And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” These are questions of awe and wonder, not unbelief.

P: It is ok to have spiritual questions as long as they come from the right heart and move us in the right direction.

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy-the Son of God.

Jesus will be sinless and perfect. This allows Him to pay for our sins.

“And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” God has already given her another proof He can do this. She just didn’t know it yet.

P: Nothing is impossible with God!

Application: The same is still true in our lives. Do we believe it? Does it make a difference?

“And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant ofthe Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

And the angel departed from her. This would have meant unbelievable risk & sacrifice.

P: When God calls us to do something, our response should be like

that of Mary.

Application: Too often, our response is to make excuses. Our excuses reveal our idolatry. What is God calling you to today? What is your response?

The Gospel is our only hope for moving from selfishness to selflessness

Works Consulted: Message by Mark Driscoll, Expositor’s Commentary, MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, NIV Application Commentary

The Blog Post I Mentioned this Morning

admin — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:48:53 +0000

As I mentioned this morning, this post from Pastor Matt Chandler before his surgery is an AMAZING challenge and blessing.

Check it out.

What I Am Already Learning from the Situation with Matt Chandler

admin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:22:53 +0000

It is a profound thing to be chosen to suffer.

It is an even more profound thing to be chosen to suffer while the world looks on.

As most of you know, Matt Chandler, Acts 29 Board Member, has been diagnosed with a tumor on the frontal lobe of his brain and is scheduled for surgery this Friday.

Because of the uniqueness of Matt’s ministry and his impact on us all, as we pray for Matt’s speedy recovery, I believe God has graced us with a unique opportunity to stop and reflect on our own frailty and pressing issues in our own lives. It is my hope that my sharing of my own personal reflections could perhaps serve you as well.

As you would expect, Chandler’s unexpected illness has hit close to home for me and many others for several reasons. The first of which is the most obvious.

Matt is young pastor with a younger congregation with young children in his early thirties…this is me.

In fact, this is most of us who are reading this post.

And this reveals the first truth that guys in their early thirties like to try to ignore.

Anything could happen at any moment.

We may think otherwise. We may plan otherwise. We may try to insulate ourselves and pretend that this is not true, but situations like this remind us that despite God’s immense grace to us, the fallout of the fallen world still falls on all of us.

In a moment like this, all of us who feel invincible would be wise to remember James 4:13-17.

13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:13-17 ESV

And I believe this unexpected Sovereign intervention calls us not just to reflection but also to action.

In this moment, I pray that all of us would be asking questions like:

In light of the fragility of life, what is it that God is calling me to do that I have been putting off?

Having that conversation with someone…?

Listening to your doctor about losing the weight…?

Adjusting your schedule to make more time for your family…?

Reconciling with that brother or sister from which you are estranged…?

If God is speaking to you about something specific, please do it. Do it today. Don’t give your flesh the opportunity to deceive you into putting it off until the someday that becomes never.

The second thing that I am being reminded is that

God really is in control.

Nearly all of us who are reading this post prize and readily proclaim the Sovereignty of God. In our day, the acceptance of this doctrine has become almost assumed among younger evangelicals as long as long as God’s sovereignty remains simply a theological concept.

But what about in these moments when it seems to become almost too real…?

Is this doctrine still an anchor?

A comfort?

Do we lean on our theology to hold us up in our own times of trial?

By God’s grace, Matt is. His tweets show it.

The first one from when the news broke:

“Thanks for all the prayers…I have a small mass In my frontal lobe…dye with the neurosurgeon early next week…I am His and confident”

Or the tweet and Facebook message from Driscoll containing Matt’s words.

“Matt Chandler my dear friend & Acts 29 board member texted. He’s got surgery on Fri & will be in ICU for the night & hospital for up to a week. He said he’s, “confident that He has chosen me for this and pray that I might suffer well while the world watches.” Prayer for he, his wife, children, & church are appreciated….”

These statements are coming from a man who doesn’t just believe in the Sovereignty of God but who walks in it, rests in it, and is leveraging it in the midst of his most difficult hour. His example, even at the beginning of what could be of a long road, calls us to do the same in our own difficulties no matter how big or small.

I believe there is another message in Driscoll’s tweet as well.

Matt knows that because of his public platform that his suffering will be public as well.

I believe the question for us here is “do we?”

Few of us will ever have a following like Matt Chandler, but all of us live our lives in front of other people.

Our wives. Our children. The churches we pastor. We are mistaken to think that any of us suffers entirely in the shadows.

Not long ago, John Piper served us well in his own battle with prostate cancer with “Don’t Waste Your Cancer” and though we may not face these particular struggles, we do face our own struggles in front of a watching world.

Finally, I am struck by the response of the Village Church elders. Their obvious concern to shepherd both their shepherd and their sheep well and encourage them to keep their eyes on Jesus is such an evidence of grace to us all.

I have been particularly encouraged and challenged by this and, in light of their example, have begun to put a plan in place for what to do if something similar were to happen to me.

Could God be calling you to do the same?

In many ways, it is possible that Matt, a man who is such a gift to us all, is just beginning this journey. As his brothers and sisters, we need to passionately pray for him, his family his church and His healing.

As we pray, we must also recognize that there is much more at stake here than simply the restoration of his physical body.

This is a opportunity for the glory of God to be magnified through this difficult situation in a way that is entirely unique.

This is opportunity for the Gospel to go out through Matt Chandler in a way that it never has, though, this time, not through his mouth, but through his life.

And from what I know of Matt, that is what I know he wants the most.

The recent interview that I did with Matt can be found here and here.

My Latest Video Interviews

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:13:03 +0000

As many of you know, I had the opportunity to capture some profoundly helpful video content at the recent Acts 29 Conference here in Louisville.

Because of the number of videos, they are rolling our episodically at my church planting blog.

The latest is from Missiologist Ed Stetzer.

Click here to go check them out.

James: Caring to Confront

admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:22:58 +0000

Preached on 11.29.09 by Heath Lambert
Sermon Notes

¹⁹My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, ²⁰let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20)

Christians Wander from the Truth

What does it mean to wander from the truth?

Truth is something we know. (1 Tim 2:4; Heb 10:26)

Truth is something we do. (Gal 5:7; 1 John 1:6)

Truth is someone we trust. (John 14:6)

A true Christian can never ultimately leave the truth (1 Cor 1:7-9; Phil 1:6)

This text is a sobering reminder that we can wander from it

What are we to do?

When We Wander, We Need Community to Bring Us Back

Community Care in James 5:13-20

James 5:14-Sickness-one who is sick calls for the elders

James 5:16-Sin-one who is sinning confesses to his brothers

James 5:19-Wandering-one slipping into sin is confronted by his brothers

Each of these have to do with personal ministry of the Word in counseling

This last one is different and has to do with our responsibility to minister to people when they don’t know they need help (Luke 17:3; Gal 6:1)

The ideal is that they listen but the Bible also gives guidelines on involving the larger community in bringing back the sinner (Matt 18:15-20)

“Bringing Back” Is Difficult and We Need Encouragement for the Work

Three common objections

“That’s none of my business.”

“It’s mean.”

“What if it makes them not like me?”

James encourages that whoever brings back a wandering sinner . . .

“Saves his soul from death”

“Covers a multitude of sins.”

Making this Work

Realize that you need help

Realize that your brothers and sisters need help

Come to church

Plug into your community group

Pray

Stay focused on Jesus

My Interview with Ed Stetzer

admin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:16:40 +0000

If you know anything about North American Missions or Church Planting, then you know about Ed Stetzer. Tune in tomorrow for the first part of my interview with him. It is great, great stuff. Thanks Ed!

James: Prayer in Suffering

admin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:32:24 +0000

Preached on 11.22.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

James 5:13-18 ESV

Introduction and Overview: Despite its number of interpretive questions, this passage is basically about prayer. We need to be careful to not miss the forest for the trees.

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.” James has been addressing suffering throughout the book and in v.7-12.

P: Whatever situation we find ourselves in, we should direct our response back to God.

What is your response when something happens, good or bad? What needs to change?

Start With the Heart:

Pride is the enemy of prayer.

We don’t just ‘get over’ our pride. The way that we deal with it is by living in continual confession and repentance.

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” Lit. translated “weak.” Significant debate here about whether or not this means physical illness or weariness from persecution. In either case, the point is the same.

P: Believers in serious situations should call for serious prayer from their elders.

Elders” or “Pastors” are a group of biblically qualified, faithful men called to lead and shepherd God’s church. “Anointing…” Could be referring to oil as medicine, ceremonial honoring as in the OT, symbolic reminder of the presence of the Holy Spirit at work. What is clear is that it is not sacramental (no extreme unction as in Catholic Theology) and that there is nothing “magical” about the oil.

“And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” The prayer of the elders. ‘Save/raise him up’ means to restore (either physically or spiritually).

Why Don’t We Do This?

We don’t want to bother the elders (This could be a noble reason).

Pride-(Likely not so noble.)

We don’t want to admit that we need someone else’s help.

We need to repent and ask for help.

“And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

P: Though infirmity is not always a result of sin, there can be a connection.

P: Confession of sin and prayer for one another are integral parts of living in community and lead to healing.

Is the confession of sin and prayer for one another part of my spiritual experience?

“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Two Dimensions of Righteousness: Positional righteousness (Gospel Identity) and Practical righteousness (”Putting off” sin and “putting on” Christ).

P: Our personal righteousness affects our effectiveness in prayer.

“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.” Elijah is a ‘just a man’ - not a superhero.

P: God can use our passionate prayers to do powerful things.

Putting Feet On It:

Pray for those who don’t yet know Jesus.

Pray that we would see more people converted through our ministry.

Pray for us as your pastors-within and beyond this church.

Pray for our search for a facility.

The Gospel is our only hope for praying rightly.

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Commentary, MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Commentary on James, The Bible Exposition Commentary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, A Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, New Bible Commentary, The Outline Bible, Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary, Wilmington’s Bible Handbook, Word Pictures of the New Testament

My Recent Video Interview with Matt Chandler

admin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:46:27 +0000

At the recent Acts 29 AMBITION conference here in Louisville, I had the opportunity to sit down with Matt Chandler, pastor of the Village Church and talk about a number of topics.

In part one of our conversation, we discuss success in church planting, preaching and leadership. As you would expect, Chandler does not disappoint.

Listen, learn, and link, tweet, facebook, blog…whatever. Help us get this great content out there to as many folks as we can. I will post the rest of this interview soon.

Click HERE to watch it.

James: Patience in Suffering

admin — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:00:31 +0000

Preached on 11.15.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

Patience and Suffering : James 5:7-12 - Dustin Neeley from Crossing Church on Vimeo.

7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. 12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. James 5:7-12 ESV

“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Connected to v. 1-6. “Patience”

Describes the self restraint that doesn’t try to get even for a wrong that has been one. This is to be our pattern until Jesus returns.

“See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. In Palestine, two rains fall that are critical for a good harvest. The 1^st is in autumn just after sowing and the 2^nd is just before the harvest in April or May. Both were critical for a good harvest.

“You also, be patient.” James applies the illustration to his hearers.

P: Patience in suffering should be the pattern for followers of Jesus until Jesus returns.

Putting Feet on It:

Recognize that you don’t become more patient by ‘trying harder’ to be patient.

We become more patient by confessing & repenting of our lack of patience and by depending upon Jesus to work out His patience within us.

Galatians 5:22. “Fruit” is singular. Repent of your sin and allow the Spirit to bring the Gospel to bear in your life.

Is patience in suffering my pattern? If not, what needs to change?

“Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” Lit. be strong in the inner man;

Provide solid support for establishing a person and enabling him to stand unmoved by trouble.

P: The return of Christ should be a encouragement for the establishment of our hearts and our patience in suffering.

Do I look to the return of Christ to motivate me to suffer well?

“Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. Lit. to sigh, to groan. Speaks of inner distress more than open complaint. Specifically, not the outward denunciation but the unexpressed bitterness or smothered resentment that would come out in a sigh. God is judge.

Putting Feet on It:

Identify where it is happening. (Home, Work, Church, etc.)

Get to the heart of the matter.

We grumble because of our prideful hearts that want what we want when we want it.

Stop. Confess. Repent. Cling to Jesus for grace for the outside situation that you are grumbling about and the inside situation that is behind it.

“As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”

P: The heroes in the Bible have been given to encourage us to heroic faith in God and patience in suffering.

Are we engaging the “little h” heroes and ultimately the “capital H” hero for encouragement and empowerment for patience in our suffering? If not, what needs to change?

“But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. Unclear on exactly how this fits with the rest of the passage, but the principle is clear.

P: Followers of Jesus are to be men and women of their word.

Are you someone of your word?

The Gospel is our only hope for fulfilling these commands.

The Good News: All that it requires, it provides.

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Commentary, MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Commentary on James, The Bible Exposition Commentary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, A Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, New Bible Commentary, The Outline Bible, Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary, Wilmington’s Bible Handbook, Word Pictures of the New Testament

James 5:1-6

admin — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:08:20 +0000

5:1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. 4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you. James 5:1-6 ESV

After writing to Christians throughout the book, it seems likely that James shifts gears to speak to wealthy unbelievers that have oppressed their poor Christians workers. To rebuke them, he uses some very strong language to call them to “all out” repentance.

Their first crime is that they have hoarded so much wealth it has rotted. Most of the wealth in their day would have come in the form of grain, oil or costly garments, but their “silver and gold” was “crying out against them” as well. Obviously, this uncontrolled greed has given way to oppressing the poor.

Their second crime was that they had failed to pay their workmen who harvested their crops. The workers cries had reached the Lord and the Lord is speaking back to them through James.

The third crime is that these people have lived in luxury and self-indulgence. One translation renders this as “fattened themselves.” For this and other crimes, their judgment is imminent.

Their final crime is that they have murdered innocent men. It seems that this is to be taken literally. It shows us the true depths to which greed can go—murder.

I believe the takeaway from this indictment of greed in their life is to look for greed in our own lives.

The problem is not just “out there” but “in here” as well.

Where is greed at work in our own lives?

Where have we lived in luxury and self-indulgence and turned a deaf ear to the cries of those around us?

What changes are God calling you to make in light of this text?

Listen and respond to the grace of God.

James: Planning the Right Way

admin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:22:42 +0000

Preached on 11.8.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

Planning the Right Way 11.8.09

13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”- 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:13-17 ESV

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”-yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.” James is likely speaking to Christian business men who may think they have made a good plan to tell them that it is actually a bad plan.

3 Reasons Why:

They have left out the most important part of the plan-God (v.13)

They think they have things under control but they are neglecting the One who ultimately controls everything.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Prov. 16:9

They don’t know what tomorrow will bring (v.14)

They think they have unlimited knowledge about the future, but they don’t even know about tomorrow.

Our lives are only a vapor (v.14).

We don’t just have a limited amount of knowledge, we have limited amount of life.

Our plans are only good if they include God and a humble assessment of our limited knowledge and nature.

Do my plans reflect this today? Do my plans leave enough room for the sovereign intervention of the Sovereign God? If not, why is this the case and what needs to change?

Putting Feet On It:

Confess and repent of your PRIDE.

Study the holiness of God. Read good books on humility.

Pray for humility. Get accountability in this area.

“Instead you ought to say,”If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.” Not intended to be a platitude for our lips but a principle for our lives. To plan without God in mind is arrogant, evil boasting.

Putting Feet On It:

Immerse yourself in the Bible

Start with “Sovereignty Scriptures.”

i. “Our God is in the heavens. He does all that He pleases.” Ps. 115:3

ii. “The lot is cast into the lap, but every decision is from the Lord.” Pr. 16:33

Study the Heroes.

OT: Joseph, Daniel, David, etc. Acts : Church made plans, but it is obvious their plans followed God’s plans.

Jesus: “My food is to do the will of the One who sent me.” Jn. 4:34

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” Directly linked to this passage though it can stand alone as well. “If you don’t do what I am saying, you are sinning.”

The Gospel is our only hope for planning the right way with realistic optimism.

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Commentary, MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Commentary on James, The Bible Exposition Commentary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, A Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, New Bible Commentary, The Outline Bible, Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary, Wilmington’s Bible Handbook, Word Pictures of the New Testament

James 4:11-12

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:00:09 +0000

Hey guys,

So that we can make it through James in time to begin our Christmas series (beginning Dec. 6), we will be passing over two short sections of Scripture in our Sunday teaching. Instead, I will be doing short video blogs for them.

This short video is about James 4:11-12.

Another one for James 5:1-6 will follow next week.

Warning Against Worldliness

admin — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:33:03 +0000

Preached on 11.1.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

4:1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:1-10 ESV

“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you?” The language here assumes that this is already happening. Conflict in general, specific manifestations.

“Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? The reason why the fighting is happening. Where we get our word hedonism.

P: Misplaced passions always lead to problems.

“You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel” Likely figurative, however it highlights the significance of their conflict and where it could lead. Also shows agreement with Jesus’ equation of hatred and murder.

“You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. When there is a need, you fight for it instead of asking God for it. When you do ask for things, you ask out of impure motives to selfishly spend it on yourselves.

P: When we are in need, we should ask God for the things we need - and we need to ask for the right reasons.

What are you asking God for these days? Why are you asking him?

“You adulterous people!” James has had all he can stand. Explosion of righteous anger.

“Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?” World system.

“Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” OT magery they would have understood.

“Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? Serious, significant, OT language his Jewish audience would have understood. God loves His people with a passionate, covenantal furious love and wants them to follow Him undividedly.

P: Friendship with the world is incompatible with friendship with God.

“But he gives more grace.” God’s unmerited favor toward us purchased for us by the cross of Jesus.

P: God’s grace is greater than our greatest sin.

Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

P: Humility is the pathway to grace.

Am I walking in humility before God?

“Submit yourselves therefore to God.” Line up under. Picture of soldiers under authority.

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” “Take your stand” against your enemy.

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” Ref. to OT priests, now through Christ.

“Cleanse your hands, you sinners” OT Priests had to ceremonially wash their hands before approaching God. Clean the outside.

“and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” Speaks of the heart. Clean the inside.

“Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.” Be broken over your sin. Flippant laughter in sinning.

P: Serious sin calls for serious repentance. All of our sin is serious. All of our repentance should be serious.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” This final command sums up all that James has been saying since v. 7. “Make oneself low.”

The Gospel is the only antidote for our sinful condition.

The Gospel addresses our misguided passions and calls us to a passion for Jesus.

The Gospel addresses the impure motives in our prayers.

The Gospel calls us away from friendship with the world and into friendship with God.

The Gospel shows us God’s grace that is greater than our greatest sin.

The Gospel shows us the ultimate example of humility and enables us to walk in humility.

The Gospel shows us the seriousness of our sin and our need for serious repentance.

In the Gospel, we see that we are more sinful than we could ever imagine, but more loved than we could ever dream.

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Commentary, MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Commentary on James, The Bible Exposition Commentary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, A Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, New Bible Commentary, The Outline Bible, Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary, Wilmington’s Bible Handbook, Word Pictures of the New Testament

I Love Our Church AND Exciting News!

admin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:42:36 +0000

Hey gang,

Just wanted to drop a quick note and say what a joy it is to be your pastor.

I have been reflecting on this a lot lately, especially as I have been able to connect with some other churches. Your desire for and responsiveness to the Word of God and heart for people is such a blessing in our lives. As I said in a recent sermon, I also sincerely appreciate your encouragement to me to keep doing the hard work in the Word in order to bring it to our church body.

On that note, I want to share an exciting door that God has opened for me in regard to writing to serve the larger Body.

As you know, I have always had a heart for church planting and church planters (since I am one!). To serve this community, and all who are seeking to live missionally, I am now beginning to blog at The Resurgence, which is one of the Top 5 Christian Blogs on the Web (often #1). Yesterday, I began a series of 5 entries for Church Planters and we hope that this will now be a regular event as they have encouraged me to keep submitting my work.

Please check it out and pass it on to anyone that you think it could help serve.

The link is HERE. Just scroll down till you see me as they post new stuff daily.

I have also just launched another new blog called “Church Planting for the Rest of Us” to equip the church planters we are raising up in house and the guys that God allows me to encourage in other environments. Click HERE to check it out. I would welcome your feedback.

As I said, it is a joy to be your pastor.

Please continue to pray for my ministry to our body and this burgeoning writing ministry that will benefit both our tribe and those around the globe.

James: Two Kinds of Wisdom

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:49:53 +0000

Preached on 10.25.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

13Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

In a Nutshell: James is contrasting the two kinds of wisdom and the particular kinds of fruit they produce—wisdom ‘from above’, ‘from below.’

“Who is wise and understanding among you?” A rhetorical question to introduce James’ main idea. Common Greek word for speculative knowledge and philosophy, but the Hebrews infused with the much richer meaning of skillfully applying knowledge to practical living. Some debate about whether or not he is speaking specifically to teachers (mentioned previously), in light of the tongue (v. 1-12), or to all of his readers in general. Seems most likely to be the latter.

“By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” Biblical (vs. Greek) wisdom emphasizes the real test for wisdom is in how we live—our actions. Biblical ‘meekness’ is not weakness but rather strength under control. To walk in wisdom is to walk in strength under control.

P: True wisdom is a ‘show and tell.’

“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.”

‘bitter’ – undrinkable water + ‘jealousy’ = harsh, resentful attitude toward others. ’selfish ambition’ stirs up antagonism and factionalism. Often used for politicians.

‘hearts’ – where all behavior begins. Must be addressed if we want real change.

Where are bitter jealousy and selfish ambition at work in your heart?

Both of these sins are a denial of the truth and reveal a failure to believe the Gospel and trust the sovereignty of God. Wisdom from below is 1. Earthbound. 2. From an unredeemed heart. 3. Ultimately from Satan. (World, Flesh, Devil).

“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”

Wisdom from below yields fruit from below. Chaos and uselessness.

P: Bad wisdom from a bad source leads to bad fruit.

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. ‘pure’ – spiritual integrity and moral sincerity, ‘peaceable’ –peace-loving, promoting, ‘gentle’- sweet reasonableness, willingness to endure mistreatment, ‘open to reason’ – teachable, follows God’s Word, ‘full of mercy…’ – ability to forgive quickly, ‘impartial and sincere’ – doesn’t make unfair distinctions.

P: Good wisdom from a good source leads to good fruit.

“And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” Sums up his paragraph with what seems like a proverb. Those who walk in wisdom will see peace and that peace will lead to a harvest of righteousness.

There are two kinds of wisdom. Followers of Jesus are to walk in the wisdom from above.

Which wisdom are you walking in today?

Putting Feet on It:

1.Look at the fruit in your life.

a.Wisdom from Below: Bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, Disorder, every vile practice. Is this what I see in my life?

b.Wisdom from Above: Purity, peace, reasonableness, mercy, ‘good fruits,’ impartiality, sincerity. Is this what I see in my life?

c.All of us have a mixture of both. Confess. Repent. All of life is repentance.

2.Examine why things are the way they are.

a.Have I not been told there is another way? Not choosing it?

b.What is going on in my heart that is driving that behavior?

c.Are there things in my life that is encouraging this good/bad behavior? Things to eliminate/encourage?

3.Get to know the Source of ‘wisdom from above’ : Jesus.

a.“the power of God and the wisdom of God…who became to us wisdom from God, and a righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:24, 30)

b.Turn from your sin and trust in Christ.

c.Immerse yourself in the Bible and begin talking to God (prayer).

4.Surround yourself with wise people.

a.Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. Prov. 13:20

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Commentary, MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Commentary on James, The Bible Exposition Commentary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, A Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, New Bible Commentary, The Outline Bible, Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary, Wilmington’s Bible Handbook, Word Pictures of the New Testament

James: Faith and Works

admin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:57:43 +0000

Preached on 10.18.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. James 2:14-26 ESV

Interpretive Key: Words can be used different ways.

Dead Faith (v.14-17) :

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?” James’ Greek presupposes the answer will be “no.” Probably better translated as “can that kind of faith save him?”

Faith that does not lead to works is not saving faith.

“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food…” A familiar, concrete illustration of his point. Almost a reduction to absurdity. He is comparing the ineffectiveness of words of compassion without acts of compassion with the ineffectiveness of faith that does not give way to works.

“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James moves from a question to a proposition to speak his mind clearly.

Demonic Faith (v.18-20) :

“But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” “Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” Anticipating the pushback to his idea, he speaks either directly or hypothetically to further his argument.

“You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” Ref. to the Shema from Deut. 6. Even demons believe it. Cultural faith is not enough.

“Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?” Lit. empty, defective. James uses an ancient rhetorical technique to further press his point. James is not contrasting two different two different kinds of faith.

Dynamic Faith (v.21-26) : 3 Examples of Dynamic Faith

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?”

James is using the word ‘justified’ in a different way than Paul uses it. Justified can Mean “to be judicially declared righteous” or “to prove oneself true/right.” Ex. “Justify your claim” does not mean “make it true” but “show its truthfulness.”

This event that James is claiming ‘justified’ Abraham (Gen. 22:9, 12) occurred many years after his conversion (Gen. 12:1-7, 15:6) which demonstrates his actual faith.

“You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works…” This word means ‘brought to its end, fullness or maturity.’

“and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” Again, the correct interpretation lies within a correct understanding of how James uses the word ‘justify’.

“And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? “ A second OT example (Josh. 2, 6) that bears out James’ point. Her actions bore out her true faith in the God of the Bible.

“For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” James restates what he has been saying all along with one final, concrete analogy.

What Do We Do with what James is Saying?

Examine yourself to see if you are in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5).

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (2 Cor. 13:5)

Ask yourself some important questions.

If you are in the faith, ask yourself:

Where is my faith failing to “work itself out?”

Why is this the case?

What are the ‘sins behind the sin’ driving this disconnect?

Believe and apply the Gospel!

Jesus died to purchase you a faith that works itself out. Jesus empowers you to live a faith that works itself out.

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Commentary, MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Commentary on James, The Bible Exposition Commentary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, A Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, New Bible Commentary, The Outline Bible, Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary, Wilmington’s Bible Handbook, Word Pictures of the New Testament

James: Don’t Show Favoritism

admin — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:23:10 +0000

Preached on 10.11.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

Don’t Show Favoritism : James 2:1-13 - Dustin Neeley, Lead Pastor, Crossing Church from Crossing Church on Vimeo.

Don’t Show Favoritism 10.11.09
2:1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 1:1-13 ESV

The  Command : “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” (v.1)

Favoritism is incompatible with our Faith.

The Example (v. 2-4):
“a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing” rich man who wore rings and shining clothes.
“your assembly” likely their “church service.”
“a poor man in shabby clothing” The poor could be identified by their clothing.
“You sit here in a good place,” Giving him the place of honor.
“You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” An obvious act of dishonor.

The Reasoning (v.5-8):
1. God has chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom (v. 5).
a. Being poor doesn’t save you. James recognizes that those who are physical poverty are often more in touch with their spiritual poverty.
2. The rich oppress you and drag you into court (v.6).
a. The rich often used the court systems to steal from the poor.
3. The blaspheme your God who called you by His name (v. 7).
a. OT : A man was set apart for God by calling His name over him.

The Reality (v.9-13):
“the royal law according to the Scripture…” The “Greatest Commandment.”
“But if you show partiality, you are committing sin…” Actual reality. Very serious.
“whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.” If we break one of God’s laws it is as if we have broken them all.
“So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.” Strong Greek.
“For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
Proverbial statement. If you know mercy, show mercy, or no mercy at judgment. day.

If we know this is so wrong, why do we still show favoritism?
1. Remaining sin.
2. Sins behind the Sin:
a. Pride.
b. Insecurity.
c. Lust for power.

Putting Feet On It :
1. Be honest about what is actually happening.
a. Am I showing favoritism? How am I? Why Am I?
b. When we show favoritism, we are dishonoring someone created in the image of God.

2. Confess, repent, and get the healing that you need.
a. What is driving this sin? Pride, Insecurity, Power, Pain, Other? Be specific.
b. Where is it that you are so wounded that you need to push others down to pull yourself up? Allow God to heal that hurt.

3. Believe and apply the Gospel!
a. For all of your sins & for every reason you show favoritism.
b. God shows no favoritism.

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Commentary, MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Commentary on James, The Bible Exposition Commentary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, A Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, New Bible Commentary, The Outline Bible, Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary, Wilmington’s Bible Handbook, Word Pictures of the New Testament

James: Pure and Undefiled Religion

admin — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:00:24 +0000

Preached on 10.4.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

Pure and Undefiled Religion : James 1:27 - Dustin Neeley, Lead Pastor, Crossing Church from Crossing Church on Vimeo.

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” James 1:27 ESV

“Religion that is pure and undefiled” Means “the outward practice, the service of a god.” Used only 5 times in the NT. Refers here to our set of beliefs and practices about Jesus and is used in a positive light instead of the negative light we saw in Colossians. Two synonyms to communicate spotlessness. James is seeking to redeem and reframe their concept of religion.

“before God, the Father” It is God who determines the purity of our ‘religion,’ not us.

“to visit orphans and widows in their affliction” Orphans and widows were two the neediest groups in the early church. There was no welfare or life insurance to support them. Serving them shows the very essence of Christian love (sacrifice) because they had nothing to give in return. The word “visit” is important. We can’t just believe that these people should be visited. We must visit them. It means more than just dropping by for a chat. It means caring for others, exercising oversight on their behalf and helping them in whatever way is needed.

P: The purity of our religion is in the proof of our service to others—especially those who are the most needy.

1.The “needy” have always been close to God’s heart.

a.OT: (Ps. 68:5 Ex. 22:22, Deut. 14:28-29).

b.NT: 1 Tim. 5:3, 1 John, Acts 6.

2.When we show mercy, are being the ‘City within the City’ and modeling the Kingdom that is to come.

3.There is a “Social Gospel” caution in our day. This does not diminish the force of this Text.

Why Don’t We Care for Orphans and Widows?

1.We are too busy.

a.We are moving so quickly that we just don’t notice.

2.We are too selfish.

a.Serving ourselves and our agenda eclipses serving others.

Am I caring for the ‘orphans and widows’ in my life? If not, what needs to change?

Putting Feet On It:

1.Serve with Crossing!

a.Oct. 24 9 AM- 1 PM Orphans at Boy’s Haven.

b.Oct. 31 6 – 8 PM Widows and Outreach.

2.Look for those already around you who are in need.

a.The principle here is intended to be broadened to anyone in need, not just orphans and widows.

3.Just do it.

a.Don’t give your flesh opportunities to make excuses or explain the need away.

“and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” “Keep” denotes regular, continuous action. “Unstained” means ‘moral and spiritual purity.’ It is not a command to sinless perfection (only Jesus could do that) but rather describing the basic orientation and trajectory of our lives. Similar to 1 Pet. 1:17b-19. Also, “holiness.”

Two Dimensions of Holiness:

1. Positional:

a.“Double Imputation” (our sin on Christ, his righteousness on us)

b.Our “Gospel Identity” (Being clean and righteous before God)

2. Practical:

a. How the Positional is playing out in daily life.

Retreat / Fundamentalism “Worldly”

P: Our goal should be to “In the World and not of the World.”

Where am I and my family on this continuum? What changes need to be made?

Putting Feet On It:

1.Look to Jesus.

2.Listen to Jesus.

a.Immerse yourself in the Bible. It shows us what holy living looks like & gives us wisdom to navigate the gray areas.

3.Live “with Jesus” and in community.

a.Respond to the Holy Spirit’s conviction and promptings.

b.Part of our role is to encourage and correct one another on this path.

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Commentary, MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Commentary on James, The Bible Exposition Commentary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, A Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, New Bible Commentary, The Outline Bible, Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary, Wilmington’s Bible Handbook, Word Pictures of the New Testament

James: Watch Your Mouth

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:00:33 +0000

Preached on 9.27.09 by Heath Lambert
Sermon Notes

Watch Your Mouth! from Crossing Church on Vimeo.

James 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless./ 3:1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Our Mouths Are a Big Deal

Tons of things we say are meant to minimize our words

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.”

“We were just talking.”

“I know I said it, but I didn’t mean it.”

The Bible never minimizes our words but rather maximizes our words (3:8)

Three analogies

Animals (1:26; 3:3, 7)

Ships (3:4)

Fire (3:5-6)

The point: Big things are guided, steered, and started by small things.

The same is true with the mouth. Our little tongue . . .

Shows the purity of religion (1:26)

Exposes (teachers) to judgment (3:1)

Can lead to perfection (3:2)

Guides the course of life (3:6)

Our Mouths Are a Big Deal because They Reflect Our Hearts

If we do not watch our mouths, our heart is deceived and our religion is worthless! (1:26) How can this be?

James 1:18—We have been born again by the word (cf. Ezek 36:26-27; John 3:1-8).

James 1:21—Having been born again by the word we are to receive the word.

James 1:22—But we do not merely receive the Word we are also to do the word.

James 1:26—The words that come out of our mouths ought to reflect the word that has changed our heart and the word that has been received in our heart.

James’s message is that the mouth is an apt indicator of the heart (3:9-12; Matt 12:33-37)

James is concerned that we watch our mouths because James is concerned that we watch our hearts.

We Should Watch Our Mouths

Speech we should put off

Gossip (3:9-10; 4:11)

Lying (Col 3:9-10)

Filthy Language (Eph 5:4)

Speech we should put on

We should speak words of GRACE (Eph 4:29)

God

Repent

Ask

Confront

Encourage

We MUST find ways to do this in our church

Watching Our Mouths Takes Grace

James tells us to watch our mouths

Biblically we know that we watch our mouths by watching our hearts

If we are to talk the way we should we CANNOT do it by behavior modification

This means we must look deep: beyond our words to our heart

This means we must look high: beyond ourselves to Jesus (3:8)

We need Jesus’ grace to forgive us

We need Jesus’ grace to empower us

James:Hearing and Doing

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:00:35 +0000

Preached on 9.20.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” James 1:22-25 ESV

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James is building upon his previous comments about the Word. ‘deceiving’ a mathematical term referring to a miscalculation. Thinking that hearing the Word without taking action is self-deception.

“For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.” “looks” is a strong Greek word meaning to stoop down and observe carefully. First century mirrors were not glass, but metallic—polished bronze, silver or gold. “…at once forgets…” This is a picture of forgetful ‘insanity.’

Why Do We Do This?

Our sin—Hearing is easy, doing is hard. Comfort idol.

Our culture—Information overload. Education. Work. We have been trained to simply hear and not have to act on what we have heard.

Church culture—We have been trained to be consumers.

The point is not for us to ‘enjoy the message’ but to be changed by it!

P: Hearing the Word is not about information but transformation.

In what areas of my life am I hearing and not doing? What needs to change?

“But the one who looks into the perfect law…” Not just a portion of OT but all of Scripture.

“…the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”

P: Obedience to the Scriptures leads to freedom and blessing.

Is this how I approach the Bible? Where do I not see freedom in my life?

How Do We Do What God is Telling Us to Do?

Hearing the Word must become a priority.

Sundays. Group. Personal Study.

I will do what I am hearing. I will allow my friends to encourage me and hold me accountable in it.

When I don’t, I will repent quickly and apply the Gospel to my life.

Carefully consider the alternative. -

Look back. Look forward.

Look to Jesus as your pattern, payment, and power.

There was never a single moment where Jesus didn’t ‘do the Word.’

Because of His obedience, His sacrifice for our sin was enough.

He empowers us through His Spirit to obey His Word.

Where are you simply hearing and not doing the Word today?

What is standing in the way?

Works Consulted : Expositor’s Bible Commentary, ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, Message by Darrin Patrick

Healthy Pastors

admin — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:00:45 +0000

In light of this week’s message on Elders and Deacons, it seemed appropriate to share some great blog entries that I found in my research this week on “Healthy Pastors” and how congregations can help them remain just that. Read and share with anyone you think it could help.

http://theresurgence.com/series/healthy-pastors

Elders & Deacons

admin — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:18:44 +0000

Preached on 9.13.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

Foundational Principles:

Jesus Christ is the ULTIMATE leader of any church (Eph. 1:22-23)

Church leadership is an important issue.

The Bible gives careful attention to leadership in the church.

As leadership goes, so goes the church.

What are Elders?
“Pastors responsible for leading, feeding, guarding and shepherding the church.”

1. Elders must meet biblical qualifications (Ac. 20:28, 1 Tim. 3:1-7, Tit. 1:5-9)
Relation to God:

A man – masculine leader.

Above reproach – not perfect, but without any obvious character defect.

Able to teach – a student & effective teacher of God’s Word.

Not a new convert – a mature Christian, growing in his faith.

Relation to Family:

Husband of one wife – one-woman man, sexually pure.

Has obedient children – children ‘under control.’

Manages family well – provides for, leads, organizes, loves his wife and children. *It is not a necessity for elders to be married or have children to serve (Paul, Jesus), though this would have obvious benefits.

Relation to Self:

Temperate – mentally and emotionally stable.

Self-controlled – disciplined life, not a slave to his passions.

Not given to drunkenness – doesn’t misuse alcohol, free from addictions.

Not a lover of money – financially content and upright.

Relation to Others:

Respectable – worth following and imitating.

Hospitable – welcomes strangers, especially non-Christians.

Not violent – even-tempered, not a ‘hot-head.’

Gentle – kind, gracious, loving.

Not contentious – peaceable, not quarrelsome/divisive.

Good reputation with outsiders – respected by those outside the church.

2. Elders must fulfill certain biblical duties.

Prayer and Scripture study (Acts 6:4)

Preaching & Teaching the Bible correctly (Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 3:2, 5:17)

This can be from the platform or in other environments such as in counselling, etc.

Refuting false teachings and protecting the church from false teachers (Titus

1:9, Acts 20:17–31)

Teaching sound doctrine, refuting false teachings and protecting the church from false teachers (Titus 1:9, Acts 20:17–31)

Living exemplary lives (Heb. 13:7)

Ruling/leading the church (1 Timothy 5:17)

Managing the church (1 Timothy 3:4–5)

Rightly using money and power (1 Peter 5:1–3)

Working hard (1 Thessalonians 5:12)

Caring for people in the church (1 Peter 5:2–5)

Praying for the sick (James 5:13–15)

Disciplining unrepentant Christians (Matthew 18:15–17)

Giving account to God for the church (Hebrews 13:17)

3. As a general rule, there should always be more than one elder (plurality).

Ac. 14:23, Ti. 1:5, 1 Tim. 4:14 “…elders…”

There are many practical benefits of a plurality as well.

The “Lead Pastor” serves as a “first among equals” or “point guard.”

4. Elders and the congregation function together in a healthy partnership.

Like a “Healthy Husband/Wife Relationship”

What Are Deacons?
“Lead servants responsible for meeting specific needs and leading in ministry.”

Deacons must meet specific qualifications (1 Tim. 3:8-13)

Essentially the same as Elders with the exception of teaching.

Women may serve as deacons in our church (article posted at the blog).

Rom. 16:1, debate over 1 Tim. “wives,” history, etc.

*If deacons are functioning like Elders in a church, they should not.

Deacons must fulfil certain biblical duties (function like Acts 6:1-7):

Meet specific designated needs. Lead ministry teams. Provide support.

Practical Application:
1. Pray for and encourage your leaders. - Please don’t take this for granted.
Am I in the habit of praying for and encouraging my pastors, group leaders, deacons?

2. Imitate their faith.
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” Hebrews 13:7 ESV

These are qualities that every Christian should aspire to.
Where am I in regard to these qualities? What needs to change?

3. Submit to their leadership.
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrews 13:17 ESV
Don’t grumble or complain. Pray about your concerns and respectfully bring them up.

Works Consulted for this Message: Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem, The Deliberate Church by Mark Dever, 9 Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever, Elder Government by Mark Driscoll, Biblical Eldership by Alexander Strauch, Various items from other Acts 29 Network Churches: sojourn community church, Elders by Andy Smith. Please visit www.crossinglouisville.com for more resources on this topic.

Women in Ministry

admin — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:00:58 +0000

As I mentioned in today’s message, I have posted several helpful documents that deal with the role of women in ministry for you to read and interact with. Should you have any questions, we would welcome you to email them to info@crossinglouisville.com and we will answer them as best we can. Enjoy.

Danvers Statement on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Summaries of Egalitarian and Complementarian Positions by Dr. Bruce Ware
A Position Paper on Deacons and Female Deacons by the Sojourn Elders (Our Mother Church)

James: Sin Out, Scripture In

admin — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 19:53:18 +0000

Preached on 8.30.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:19-21 ESV

Overview of the Text: James gives us the command “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger…” & then he offers an explanation for that command: for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” He then gives another command to “put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness” and instead “receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

“Know this, my beloved brothers” An attention getting phrase that reveals James’ “pastor’s heart” for his people.

“let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; The pressure is on. The “stress level” and temptation to sin against one another is high. James is encouraging them to remember the power of their words and to be patient with one another.

“for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

Two Types of Anger in the Bible:

Righteous. (Matt. 21, 23, Mk. 11)

Unrighteous. (This is what James is speaking of).

Where Does this Unrighteous Anger Come From?

Anger is seldom a primary emotion.

We are hurt (Either in the moment or in the past).

We feel threatened (We get angry in an attempt to protect ourselves).

We have unrealistic/unbiblical expectations that are not being met (We get angry like a child does.

One of our idols is threatened (Self-Insecurity, Control, Greed, etc.) and we get ready to fight to defend it.

What makes me angry? What does that reveal about my heart? What needs to change externally/internally so that I wouldn’t walk in the ‘anger of man’ that does not produce the righteousness of God?

“Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness” “Put off” any and every kind of sin. Similar to what we see in Hebrews 12:1.

“and receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls.” A ref. to the Scriptures which has the obvious benefit of saving our souls if we heed what they say about Jesus and appropriating that message to all of our lives.

The more sin we eliminate from our lives, the more room we have for the Word of God.

Putting Feet On It:

“let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;”

Start with learning keep your mouth shut.

Pray that God would give you the strength and that this becomes your habit.

Learn to practice the PAUSE—stop yourself when you get angry.

Pray:

That you would be angry and not sin (Eph. 4:26).

That you would not repay evil for evil (Rom. 12:17).

That you would not look to your own interests but also the interests of others (Phil. 2:4).

Look to Jesus for His strength and not your own.

Ask questions:

Is this something I should be angry about at all?

Is this righteous/unrighteous anger?

Why am I angry about this?

What is the most constructive way to express this anger?

When you act, be as Christ-like and measured as possible.

When you get it wrong (and you will), confess and repent quickly—both to God and those you hurt.

If there are deeper issues fueling your anger, get the healing you need. We have resources available to help you.

“Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted  word, which is able to save your souls.”

“Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness…”

Turn from sin and trust in Christ. First things first.

What are the particular sinful practices that you are struggling with at this time? Be as specific as possible.

What are the idols that are driving those practices? What is my strategy to deal with them? What are the wounds that need to be healed?

“…receive with meekness the implanted word…”

Sunday messages. Community Groups. Personal reading.

Upcoming Bible Class, October 18, 2009.

What is preventing me from receiving and responding to the Word of God?

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Commentary, MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, Messages by Chip Ingram and Daniel Motgomery

A Great Resource!

admin — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:21:35 +0000

Here is a GREAT resource for you as an individual or for your accountability group to use to help you with a Gospel-Centered view of discipleship and how to use “fight clubs” to kill sin in your own life. It is written by Jonathan Dodson, an Acts 29 pastor I have gotten to know, who is a good pastor and a great writer.

Enjoy.

James: Sin is Bad, God is Good

admin — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:08:34 +0000

Preached on 8.30.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. James 1:13-18

Overview of the Text: James gives a command “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God…” & then he offers an explanation for that command. He then explains how temptation actually works and makes further comments about the character of God.

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” This is the same Greek word for ‘testing’ that we saw earlier.

P: Every trial contains both ‘testing’ and ‘temptation.’

P: When we are tempted, we often look for others to blame.

“for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.” God cannot be tempted by evil because His nature is perfect holiness. If He can’t be tempted by evil, then He certainly couldn’t tempt anyone else with evil.

“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed” Fishing and hunting terms.

“Drawing fish out of their hiding place to catch them.” “Baiting a trap.”
“by his own desire.” Ref. to our own human lusts and desires. Most often, not a normal-sized desire for a bad thing but an oversized desire for a good thing.

P: The problem in temptation lies inside of us, not outside of us.
Do we take ownership for this or do we try to blame others for our sin?

P: We are only tempted by the things that are attractive to us.
Do I know what my weaknesses and temptations are? Do I have a plan to address them?

“Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James changes to a conception/birth metaphor.

P: Sin has a sequence.

The Sequence of Sin:

We are lured by our own desires.

We sin. We “miss the mark.” In that moment, we are treasuring something else more than Jesus. We are turning from our actual Savior to a functional savior.

That sin leads to death.

Where do I see that sequence unfolding in my life? Do I see the inevitable death that it can bring?
What do I need to do to stop it?

Breaking the Sequence:

Immerse yourself in the Scriptures. - They will strengthen your faith and allow you to fight like Jesus.

Confess your sins to God and someone else. - Pray for each other and hold each other accountable. Check website.

Deal with the outside and the inside. - All of our behavior comes from our hearts.

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” Lit. “Stop being deceived” Possible this has been happening. Increasingly good gifts. “Lights” – the celestial bodies (earth, moon, stars) change but He does not.

P: God is a good and generous Father whose character does not change.
Is this how I perceive God or am I allowing other experiences to cloud my thinking?

“Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” Ref. to our regeneration unto salvation through the Gospel. Firstfruits: Could mean the first of many Christians to be saved or that we are a ‘living example’ of the Kingdom that is to come.

P: God is the initiator of our salvation.

P: We have been saved to be a living example of the Kingdom that is to come.

Is this being reflected in my life? If not, what needs to change?

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Commentary, , MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, Message by Jonathan MacIntosh and Darrin Patrick

James: Poor Man, Rich Man

admin — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:36:57 +0000

Preached on 8.23.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

James : Poor Man, Rich Man from Crossing Church on Vimeo.

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. 12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:9-12 ESV

P: In a fallen world, trials come to everyone—both rich and poor.

“Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation” Let the poor Christian rejoice in the fact that 1. he belongs to Jesus 2. he has been ‘counted worthy to be suffer dishonor for the name’ of Jesus (Acts 5:41). Also possibly an encouragement that God has not forgotten them.

P: Trials are not a sign of God’s absence but God’s presence.
Do I remember this during my trials? Do I seek to draw nearer to God during these times?

“and the rich in his humiliation” These trials would have seemed like a ‘step down’ for them. James is quick to encourage them toward the proper perspective.

“because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.” Ref. to the flowering grasses of Palestine that appear in Feb. and are gone by May. Rem. of Is. 40:4-6.

“For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.” Another concrete
example from nature to communicate the brevity of life and the following truth:

P: Wealth cannot exempt us from trials.

P: Wealth may shield us from some trials—but that may not be a good thing.

Potential Dangers of Wealth:

It can keep us from heaven. (Matt. 19:23)

The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. (1 Tim. 6:10)

It can make us feel self-sufficient instead of God-dependent.

It can tempt us to use physical things to address spiritual problems.

How Is James Able to Say This?
James understands the purpose of our trials—to move us toward spiritual maturity.

Why Don’t We Do This? (Boast in our exaltation/humiliation)

We allow the world to influence our perspective more than the Scriptures.

We don’t see what James is encouraging them to see.

We are more concerned with our own comfort that being conformed to the image of Jesus.

We get consumed with asking “Why?” instead of “What?”

What changes are God calling me to make so that I am able to boast in my position in my trials?

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial” “Happy/Joyous” with true, spiritual joy is the man who ‘hangs in there’ and ‘stays the course’ in his faith.

“for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” The crown would have been the athlete’s crown that was given at the end of a race. “Crown which is life” meaning “eternal life” which includes heaven but also an ‘eternal quality’ of life now. What Paul mentioned as one of the motivations given for perseverance in the Scriptures.

P: There is a reward coming for those who persevere in trials.
Does this motivate me to persevere in my trials and in my faith?

Putting Feet on It:

Turn from sin and trust in Christ. There is no way to do this apart from Christ.

Keep the proper perspective.

Our pain has a purpose and that purpose is our spiritual maturity.

Maintain close relationship with God: Sunday, Group, Personal prayer & time in the Scriptures.

Pay attention to your finances.

Not just good stewardship, but monitor how you use money. Is it just to avoid trials? Am I making it an idol?

Connect in community with others, esp. those who may be in a different financial situation.

Be mindful of how God could be challenge your perspective through their experience.

Look to Jesus as your payment, pattern and power.

Jesus left the riches of heaven for the poverty of humanity.

Jesus’ perfect suffering allows us to boast of Him in our suffering.

Through His Spirit, Jesus empowers us to keep the proper perspective and persevere in our trials.

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Commentary, Life Application Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, Messages by Darrin Patrick & Others

James: If Any Of You Lacks Wisdom

admin — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 19:00:52 +0000

Preached on 8.16.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

James: Count It All Joy

admin — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:00:53 +0000

Preached on 8.9.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

2Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 ESV

Overview of the Text:

There are two commands in this text. (”Count it all joy…” and “Let steadfastness have its full effect…”) He offers the first command & then an explanation. He offers the second command and its explanation.

“Count it all joy, my brothers…” Spiritual, enduring, “complete joy.” Not happiness that can fluctuate with our circumstances but true spiritual joy that only comes from Jesus.

“…when you meet trials…” Word can also mean “temptation” but here describes things that “put us to the test.”

“…of various kinds…” lit. “Multi-colored.” This word covers a variety of difficulties

(persecution, sickness, financial distress, etc.)

P: In a fallen world, “trials” of various shapes and sizes are inevitable.

What James is NOT Saying in Saying “Count it all Joy” :

1.      He is not advocating an odd kind of Christian masochism or saying that trials, in and of themselves, are good.

2.      He is not minimizing the reality of pain.

We can “count it all joy” when we face trials of various kinds because our PAIN has a PURPOSE.

Why is he saying this?

“for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

“…the testing of your faith…” Term denotes a positive test intended to make one’s faith genuine.

P: Trials reveal what is really in our hearts.

“…produces steadfastness.” Lit. endurance, persistence, ’stick-to-it-ive-ness.’ The development of spiritual stamina.

P: Trials develop “spiritual stamina” in our lives.

“And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

“…steadfastness…” The same steadfastness from the verse before.

“…full effect…” Or “finish its work.”

“…that you may be…” Indicator of the purpose clause.

“…perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Fully mature in our faith.

The PURPOSE of our pain is to move us toward SPIRITUAL MATURITY.

Putting Feet on It:

1.      Hear these Scriptures for what they have to say.

a.      These are commands, not suggestions.

2.      Recognize this is not our default setting. It requires a conscious decision on our part to:

a.      Turn from sin and trust in Jesus. Become a Christian.

b.     Confront and repent of our sin on the outside (grumbling, complaining, questioning, etc.) & on the inside (comfort, selfishness, love of the world, sense of entitlement before God, etc.) as you apply the Gospel to your situation.

3.      Adjust our perspective to see the “Big Picture.”

a.      This all begins with a God-centered perspective on life.

i.     Life is ultimately about God and His glory.

ii.     Remember, God has a purpose for our pain and that purpose is our spiritual maturity.

4.      Lean on those around you in your suffering.

a.      It is God’s design that we would “bear one another’s burdens” and “weep with one another.” Others can also call us back to the truth.

5.      Look to Jesus as our pattern and our power.

a.      “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 ESV

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Commentary, Life Application Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, Introduction to the New Testament by Carson and Moo, Messages by Daniel Montgomery and Darrin Patrick

James: An Introduction & Reading

admin — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 19:00:52 +0000

Preached on 8.2.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

What Is It?
A “General” or “Universal” (vs. a “specific”) Epistle—written to the “church in general” as opposed to a single congregation within a specific city.

Who Wrote It and When Did He Write It?
James, Jesus’ brother (Matt. 13:55), who was the leader of the Jerusalem church.
We know this because of history/tradition, the vocabulary he used, the authority he exercised, and his teaching is consistent with what we know about James from Acts. It was most likely written in the early to mid 40’s.

To Whom Did He Write It?
A scattered group of Jewish Christian house churches outside of Palestine. We know this from their mention in 1:1, its distinctively Jewish content and its focus on poverty and persecution. It appears that these causes have driven them from their homes and conflict of various kinds has entered their midst. They have failed to put their faith into practice and become ‘worldly,’ begun fighting, showing favoritism, and continually wavering between God and the world.

Why Did He Write It?
From what we can read, it appears that James is seeking to ‘pastor his flock’ from afar. He writes both to encourage and rebuke them.

Structure and Themes of the Book:

Trials and Christian Maturity 1:1-18.

*True Christianity seen in its works 1:19-2:26.

Dissensions within the Community 3:1-4:12.

Implications of a Christian worldview 4:13-5:11.

Concluding exhortations 5:12-20.

Other Facts About the Book:

Apart from its initial greeting, James reads more like Proverbs than Colossians. It is a collection of wisdom sayings and some believe it to be an ancient form of Greek satire.

It bears some strong similarity to the Sermon on the Mount.

Doctrinally, it touches repeatedly on the doctrine of God, sin, and the end times.

It is an intensely practical book (contains more than 50 imperatives in the book’s 108 verses) that seeks to call its readers to action.

How Can I Get the Most Out of This Series?

Read the book on your own in its entirety.

“Steep in it.”

At a minimum, read our Text each week before each Sunday.

Meditate on it.

Write down your reflections/questions for Sundays/Group.

Read the Text devotionally applying the Gospel.

Eg. “The Tongue”

Am I speaking wrongly to others? Stop and repent.

Why am I doing this? Do I need to run others down to lift myself up? Apply Gospel Truth to your own heart.

Eg. “Showing Partiality”

Do I show partiality to the rich over the poor? Stop & repent.

Why do I do this? Apply Gospel Truth to your own heart.

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Commentary, Life Application Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, Introduction to the New Testament by Carson and Moo

Free book for Dads!

admin — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:00:43 +0000

Dads,

Here is a great little free e-book from Pastor Mark Driscoll, President of our Acts 29 Church Planting Network.

It includes biblical and practical insights into being a biblical father that I believe you will find very helpful.