Erwin McManus' Definition of Church

Last week I was listening to a podcast series from Erwin McManus, pastor of Mosaic in Los Angeles. He gave the best definition I have heard for the church:

"The Church is the tribe of Jesus moving throughout human history, loving one another and serving the world in love"

This definition resonates with me because it rises above mere denomination by defining oursleves in Christ and nothing else. we are not defined by our ethnicity, culture, economic status, or gender, but by our identity in Jesus. It also takes the Church to task becuase if we are not loving one another and loving the world, we really aren't being the Church of Jesus.

Fresh Bread from the Mission: Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke 8:26-39

Today we engaged our imaginations in the story of Jesus healing the Gadarene demoniac. With the storm having been calmed by Jesus we see the disciple's boat coming ashore, Jesus getting out, and the demon possessed man coming to meet Jesus. It is curious there is no record of the disciples getting out of the boat. No doubt they were still "terrified" by seeing Jesus calm the storm, but would these good Jews step out of the boat where there was pig fodder and follow Jesus? No doubt living and fishing on the lake they had heard rumors of the demon possessed man living amongst the tombs on the South East shore. Perhaps they avoided and feared that beach head. Would they step out of the boat into a possibly dangerous situation with a powerfully strong, naked, filthy, demon possessed man? There is no record they even got out of the boat. Jesus didn't hesitate - he healed and restored the man to health and to fellowship with his community. Jesus didn't die on the cross and rise again to keep us safe and comfortable, but that we could take up our cross and follow him. Lord, may we be ready and willing to jump out of the boat and "follow you into the homes of the broken".

God's New Life Mission Bible Training Center in Marked Tree, Arkansas (Where I am privileged to teach every week) is a rehabilitation ministry of Mission Teens for drug users, alcoholics, and mentally unstable people. I partner with Mission Teens because I have seen first-hand how God is using this ministry to change lives and make disciples of Jesus.

http://www.missionteens.com/

Fresh Bread From the Mission: Thoughts On the Gospel of Luke 8:22-25

In 1986 there was a drought in Israel and the sea of Galilee receded. Local residents found a boat in the mud and archaeologists began excavating. The discovery sheds new light on a 1st century fishing vessel on the Sea of Galilee. The boat was brilliantly constructed without nails - wooden pegs were used and precisely cut so that when the boat was in water, the pegs would swell up and fit perfectly, holding the timbers together that were made of 12 different kinds of wood. Even in its dilapidated condition, the boat measures 25.5 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and 4.1 feet deep. It is estimated the boat could hold five crewmen and 2000 lbs of cargo, or five crewmen and up to fifteen passengers. This is much larger than our idea of a "fishing boat". My 14 foot aluminum boat would be dwarfed next to the Galilee boat. I would think one would feel pretty secure in such a vessel.

This helps us engage our imaginations in the story. Peter, James, and John owned boats like this for their fishing vessels, and explains how twelve men could easily fit with room for Jesus to be asleep in the hull. Experienced fishermen like Peter, James, John, Andrew, and Nathaniel had seen storms on Galilee. However, these weathered seamen were terrified at the storm that blew up so quickly. After Jesus woke and calmed the sea, they were "terrified and amazed". Then Jesus asks the painful question that I have also heard, "Where is your faith?"

We may feel pretty secure with the "boat" we've created. Maybe we have a great job, nice home, fat retirement plan... No matter how ingenius our boat is engineered, or how large it is built, the storms of life will have a crippling effect. Neither wealth, material, or creativity can insulate us from sudden disaster. Neither did Jesus promise smooth sailing and comfort when we follow Him. We are to take up our cross. Jesus didn't die on the cross to protect us from storms, He died and lives again to give us the gift of His presence in order to hold our hand through them. we are to be the presence of Christ in this world. Had the storm never come, the disciples would not have experienced Jesus' power. The storms of life are opportunity to see Jesus' glory, to see God at God's best. Shall we pray for storms or smooth sailing? Lord, when storms do come, help me to trust completely in Your power to deliver. Help us to see your glory through the storms, and be a vessel of Your love to others.

God's New Life Mission Bible Training Center in Marked Tree, Arkansas (Where I am privileged to teach every week) is a rehabilitation ministry of Mission Teens for drug users, alcoholics, and mentally unstable people. I partner with Mission Teens because I have seen first-hand how God is using this ministry to change lives and make disciples of Jesus.

http://www.missionteens.com

Fresh Bread from the Mission: Thoughts On the Gospel of Luke 8:1-24

This week at the mission in Marked Tree we engaged our imaginations through Luke 8:1-24. Several things the Holy Spirit pointed out through the discussion: Regarding the parable of the sower and the seed, we looked further at the producing seed and connected it with the remnant of the "holy seed" in Isaiah 6:13 who remained faithful to the Lord. The purpose of seed is always to produce a harvest. The purpose of fruit is to be eaten by those who are hungry. We can only be a blessing if we are producing good fruit, not bad fruit (Isaiah 5:1,2), or no fruit at all (Luke 13:6). We connected the fruit-bearing trees in Psalm 1 where we find the secret of such growth is to meditate on God's word day and night, and to remain in Christ (John 15:5). Lord, please let me never be "sour grapes" to people who are hungry in their souls, but fragrant, sweet, and delicious.

God's New Life Mission Bible Training Center in Marked Tree, Arkansas (Where I am privileged to teach every week) is a rehabilitation ministry of Mission Teens for drug users, alcoholics, and mentally unstable people. I partner with Mission Teens because I have seen first-hand how God is using this ministry to change lives and make disciples of Jesus.

http://www.missionteens.com