Evangelism All the Time

As missionaries, church planters, and mere Christians, our lives consistent of full-time evangelism. While many think that evangelism is limited to special events or one-on-one conversations about conversion, the truth is that evangelism is so much more!

Our church plant is full of new believers who make up a wide demographic in regards to age. We have the late-teens and the late-70's inside the Midway on Sunday, and it proves to not only be a testimony of God's work, but of His desire that the church never be homogeneous in culture. Nevertheless, with this range of age, so comes the wide variety of evangelistic opportunities. This week, it comes in the form of a funeral.

One year ago, God brought an incredible 22-year old girl into our church. She was fired up about Jesus and passionate about living her life completely for Him. Since, that point she has grown into a phenomenal woman of God, who lives to tell others about what God is doing in her life and His church. Tragically, however, she learned four months ago that her daddy had terminal cancer; and what was suppose to take a years to kill him, destroyed him in months.

It is our honor to stand with this young lady and her family during this time of grief and sympathy. And in doing so, we are witnessing still; not just to her, but to all who are watching and observing the Christian response to death. Pray that we serve her, our community, and above all, our Jesus well.

Become Like Children

A lot has been said over the years regarding Jesus' command in Matthew 18:2 "to become like little children." Most have emphasized a need for humility and simplicity; others have picked up on the dependency of children upon their parents. Each of these understandings is correct and valuable; however, I believe that there is another directive Jesus is making within this statement, and that is a command to learn.

As a parent of three young men, I have learned that their trademark behavior is learning. Whether it is made manifest through the relentless asking of "why" or through the destruction and rebuilding of toys and games, my kids live to learn. They know that they do not have it all figured out, so they experiment and consistently come to Mommy and Daddy for answers. Perhaps Jesus is commanding His followers to become "students" if heaven is to be their inheritance?

Surveying the current world Christian community, it is obvious that it is suffering from ignorance. Christians are regressing in their teaching and appreciation of Scripture and have instead settled on mimicking worldly behavior and surface-level passions. The creature-comforts of a church are vastly more important than is Scriptural consistency. The appeal to man vastly outshines the church's effort to honor God. Nevertheless, the Christian community believes itself to be progressing and improving. How obvious these mistakes would appear if only those leading would return to the Word of God and its consistent appeal to the sole glorification of God.

This post is not written from a standpoint of arrogance, but rather a cry of humility. The ignorance of the church is leading to increasing arrogance, and both Lost and church-going people are continuing to suffer the effects of sin. The only cure for this dreadful condition is an education based and supplied through the Word of God. Let us once again become like little children and run to our Father for wisdom and direction. He who is wisdom gives freely to all of those who ask (James 1:5).

Why do we Preach?

As a minister, church planter, and student of God's Word, I am alarmed by the increasing trend I am seeing inside of ministries and churches. It seems that so many Christians have lost their way, and are now huddling around "good ideas," rather than biblical principals. Tragically, these Christians are not become lost due to cultural change or personal rebellion, but rather because their shepherd/pastor is lost as well.

I could spend a moment or two and expound on several reasons for this loss of identity, and I could spend even longer on citing examples of "good," but "non-Christian" behavior; but, I believe that to be unnecessary. I have concluded the best way to address this sin inside the church is to propose the following question:

Pastors and Christians, why do you do what you do? Is it because:
a - you like the experience?
b - you love Lost people?
or, c - you solely love Jesus?

While "a" might seem superficial and impossible a reason on the surface, I believe that if a person would answer honestly, this would be his/her true cause for behavior. They simply love the opportunity to be before others as judge or servant. All that matters is that the limelight is on them, and the reward is an emotional and psychological high.

At the same time, there is a new crop of ministers and missional congregationalists who would respond emphatically to answer "b." And while this may seem like a truly biblical and Christian response, nothing could be further from the truth! If the primary reason for witnessing, church planting, evangelism, etc. is because the individual loves the "unsaved," then it stands to reason that the minister will kowtow and long for the sole response/approval of the "unsaved." It is no wonder why so many Christians refuse to invite their friends to church, and why ministers refuse to preach against sin and sinful living. For to do so would offend the objects of their love (their reason for being), the unsaved. So, rather than offend the Lost, they offend the Lord...

As you can see, the only reason any of us have for living, ministering, or being is answer "c." It is He who has given us life and purpose, and it is for Him and through Him that all ministry must take place. This does not mean that it is wrong for the minister to enjoy the effects of ministry, or that it is wrong to be concerned for the response of the unsaved; however, at the end of the day, it must be all about Jesus because Jesus alone is our Life and God.

May God restore the church, so that the church may glorify God alone.

Colossians 1:15-20:
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. ¹⁷He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Summer Book Club

As Christians, we have a responsibility to be knowledgeable and wise in our understanding and practice. This wisdom does not occur naturally, but comes through disciplined study and devotion. The same Holy Spirit that inspired the 66 books of the Bible, has illuminated the hearts of Christians since the resurrection to write and live as shining examples of God's truth. Modern Christians have much to learn from these heroes of the faith, and that is why out church plant (Forest Hills Community Church) will be offering the 2010 Summer Reading Challenge.

Over the next 4 months, FHCC will be highlighting a book a month and offering the book at a discounted price. Reviews and thoughts on the highlighted work will be posted on our online community (FB and Blog) throughout the designated month to challenge and grow the quality of those participating.

Our first book is: Foxe's Book of Martyrs.
With millions of copies in print, Foxe's Book of Martyrs has become a classic of magnificent courage and faith. This unparalleled volume chronicles the tragic yet triumphant stories of men and women who faced torture and martyrdom rather than deny their vision of truth and of God. Beginning with Jesus Christ, this exceptional historical record traces the roots of religious persecution through the sixteenth century.

Christianbook.com is offering this incredible book for only $3.00.

Please share your experience with this book on our Facebook Fan Page. (Once on the FHCC Fan page, simply click the "Discussions" Tab on the top of the page.)

God Provides Rest

The past 8-weeks have been a whirlwind to say the least. On top of watching my third son grow out of infancy, I've had 2 grad classes, Passover, Easter, and all the routine challenges of pastoring and planting. I mean not to sound complaining in the slightest, but to simply state that it has been a never-ending experience, causing it to be nearly impossible to "rest" in any way shape or form. And then there came Baseball season...

I've never been a baseball fan. (I mean I loved going to MLB games, but the sport never appealed to me in the slightest.) But, something happened this Spring and not only do I love watching the game on TV now, but so do my boys. So now we gather as a family for a couple of innings and just chill. We do not "veg" out in front of the TV, however, we talk and play around the game; and not just about baseball. The Sweeten family's recent obsession with "America's Past-time" is about "rest," not baseball.

God gave man the Sabbath rest not to ignore his obligations, but to fulfill them. Those obligation are to God and the priorities that He has established. All the ministry and professional obligations are important and needed, but they too only exist to serve the primary command: to love God. Resting with my family (His greatest gift, second only to my salvation) brings not only a new love for them and the ministry, but ultimately an increase in my love for God.

It's pretty amazing that God could use the Yankee's to preach...