Issue 29 // January & February, 2016
A Fresh Start: The Leadership Inversion By Oscar Huerta
Looking for a few good Men By Mark Dever
From Cottage to Palace 4 Principles on Prayer My Brother's Keeper
Family rbc
gathering Potluck dinner | the lord’s table | family forum
Hawaiian Luau rbc
_ minnesota style
Saturday,
janUARY 30 th
5:00 pm
Fellowship Hall
sun, jan 10 5-8 pm
Luau Details 5:00 pm - social time 5:45 pm - hawaiian buffet 6:30 pm - live hawaiian music! • entertainment provided by RBC's own Johnny Pineapple, Wendy Pace, & David Wessner! • free will donation. • children are welcome, but no child care available. • Reservations required by January 15, 2016. GO TO: https://goo.gl/DUaJuR FREE JOHNNY PINEAPPLE CD TO THE FIRST 100 RESERVATIONS!!
reservations required! hosted by rbc hilltoppers
• Photo booth fundraiser by Redemption youth!
In this Issue 10
22 HOW I MET JESUS
A FRESH START: THE LEADERSHIP INVERSION 5 LETTER FROM THE ELDERS
Interim Lead Pastor Oscar outlines the model behind our church’s Fresh Start and helps to explain what leadership should look like at Redeemer.
16
Oscar & Cathi Huerta share their story of how Jesus rescued them and brought them to Himself.
MY BROTHER’S KEEPER What might the relationships at RBC look like if we all treasured the well-being of our brothers and sisters in Christ?
On behalf of the elders, Interim Lead Pastor Oscar encourages us to labor together for a new season of fresh growth.
lookingforafewgood menlookingforafewg 13 loomenlookingforag odmenlookingafew goodmenlforingforaA PRAYING CHURCH fewgoodmenlookingfWhat do your prayers look nlookingforafewgoolike for Redeemer Bible forafewgoodmenlooChurch? kingforafewgoodmen lookingforafewgood gforafewgoodmenlo dmenlookingforafew goodmenlookingfora fewgoodmenlookingf forafewgoodmenLoo
23 BUT GOD! Karise Pagano shares from her heart as she reflects on her time spent ministering to the people of Sicily, Italy.
orafewgoodmenlookingfor nlooking by mark dever fora
menlookingforafewg 6 odmenafewgoodmenl 14
LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN “When biblically qualified men are leading a church with character and skill, it is a deep and wide blessing for the unity, holiness, and spiritual growth of the church.”
20
FROM COTTAGE TO PALACE “The way forward is asking God to break us. Only then will God rebuild us again into something far beyond what we could ever hope or dream.”
24
4 PRINCIPLES ON PRAYER FROM SAINT AUGUSTINE
GOSPEL LIFE BLOG
Saint Augustine helps us to see who we must be in prayer, which in turn guides how we pray and what we pray for.
Check out two great posts from our Gospel Life blog; may they be encouraging as you live out the gospel in your daily life.
CONTENT MANAGER Lorie Schnell
EDITING Anne Lynn Brittney Westin
Communications Department CONTENT DIRECTION Sara Briggs Lorie Schnell Bill Walsh
DESIGN & LAYOUT Sara Briggs
ALL NIGHT of
10 PM to 5 AM FRIDAY, JANUARY 8
In recent months, we as a church have acutely felt our desperate dependence on God to nourish, guide, and sustain our church. As we move into the New Year, we want to express that dependence by joining together in an extended time of worship and prayer to the only One who can sovereignly move heaven and earth on our behalf. We will use the Lord’s Prayer as our outline lifting up petitions for God’s kingdom to come, and His will to be done, in and through Redeemer Bible Church. Our time together will include a variety of activities including worship, scripture reading, leader-directed corporate prayer, and small group prayer. We invite you to join us for the whole evening from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM, or stop in as you are able for just a portion. There will be breaks during the night, along with refreshments. Childcare will not be provided.
4
MOMENTUM // JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016
Letter From the Elders
Dear Redeemer Family, If you are new to Redeemer, welcome! We are very happy to get to know you better. In this first edition of Momentum in 2016, here is where we understand God’s leading to be in the New Year: 1. Deep Roots – Our Father seems to be boring through the frozen surface of our layers of natural indifference to Him, planting the seeds of His gospel into the nutrients of Christ. Therefore, to start the year, we will begin to emphasize reading His word comprehensively, storing His word in hearts meditatively, and persevering in prayer together as our Father answers consistently. 2. Fresh Growth – Of course, not all growth is good for fruit-bearing trees. Too many leaves actually prevent trees from bearing their best fruit. In this month’s edition of Momentum, you will hear stories of difficulty and triumph, heartache and celebration—all lovingly crafted by our heavenly Father, demonstrating through us that He is merely pruning away branches to allow us to bear the best fruit possible as a church. 3. In Community – We believe the Spirit is speaking through our entire body in a multitude of voices. So we want to hear one another better, in articles, in large community gatherings, and in small groups, confident that our Father’s intent is not to bear fruit through a single person, but to cultivate growth in the entire vineyard of his people at Redeemer. The very first Psalm in the Bible describes how deeply rooted trees continue to bear fruit even during seasons of adversarial drought and withering blasts of bitter, cold hardship. Yet, when a man or woman meditates deeply on His promises of mercy and consolation, God creates through the gospel the ability to persevere with joy. Blessed is the man [whose] . . . delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.... Psalms 1:1a, 2-3 ESV
interim pastor OSCAR HUERTA
pastor WARREN WATSON pastor MARK SUCHTA pastor BOOMER PEEL pastor JOHN SWEET
Because of His great love for us, let us labor together with all the grace He provides to let our roots go down deep for a new season of fresh growth. With expectancy, filled with His love for you all, Oscar, on behalf of the elders
lookingforafewgood menlookingforafewg menlookingforafewg odmenlookingforafe goodmenlookingfora fewgoodmenlookingf nlookingforafewgoo forafewgoodmenloo kingforafewgoodmen lookingforafewgood gforafewgoodmenlo dmenlookingforafew goodmenlookingfora fewgoodmenlookingf forafewgoodmenLoo
forafewgoodmenlookingfor nlooking by mark dever fora
menlookingforafewg odmenafewgoodmenl 6
MOMENTUM // JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016
H
ow do you go about looking for elders, and what exactly is it that you’re looking for? Answering this question requires you to consider what exactly an elder is not, and then what an elder is. [1]
an alderman, and lead a boy scout troop and still not be qualified as an elder. Serving the community in these ways certainly doesn’t preclude a man from qualifying. But as we look around to see who might meet the biblical requirements, community service alone cannot be our ultimate criteria.
WHAT AN ELDER IS NOT A biblical elder is not simply an older male. There are plenty of godly older men who do meet the character qualifications for biblical eldership. I hope the Lord blesses our church with more! But bare chronological advancement, even when married to upstanding church membership, is not sufficient to satisfy the requirements outlined in 1Tim 3 and Titus 1. In fact, there are some thirty year old men (or even younger) who are more qualified to be elders than some men twice their age. Life experience alone does not qualify a man as an elder.
A biblical elder is not simply a “good ole’ boy.” Living in the same location and having the same friends or even being a member of the same church for 30+ years doesn’t make a man an elder. Serving in the capacity of elder in a local church should not be dependent on whether a man is willing to “play ball,” or whether he is a part of the right social network, or whether he’s from the right part of the country (or county, depending on where you live!). Likeability can often be deceptive.
A biblical elder is not simply a successful businessman. In fact, some of the very principles or character traits that get some businessmen to the top of the business ladder may actually put them on the bottom rung of the church leadership ladder. [2] We’re not looking for people who “know what they want and know how to get it.” Nor are we looking for people who know how to manage people, raise money, climb the ladder, or close the deal. Leadership in the church is fundamentally different than leadership in the business world. [3] The church is not simply a non-profit business. It is the body of Christ, and as such is the most unique corporate institution in the world. It operates on principles of distinctively Christian doctrine, servant-hood, holiness, faith, hope, and love. This is not, of course, to say that it is impossible to be a biblically qualified elder and a successful businessman at the same time. It is simply to say that success and leadership in the business world do not always or necessarily bode well for eldership in the local church. A biblical elder is not simply an involved community member. Being elected to sit on a city or neighborhood council is a wonderful privilege and a unique evangelistic opportunity for any Christian. But again, it is neither necessary nor sufficient for meeting the qualifications of elder. A man can be the president of the PTA, coach little league, be
A biblical elder is not a female. The criteria laid out in 1Tim 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 assume male leadership in the church. The office of elder is an office that requires the ones holding it to be able to teach. Teaching is an authoritative act, and women are forbidden to exercise authority over men in the church (1Tim 2:9-15). Paul roots that prohibition in the order of creation in Genesis 1 and 2–Adam was created before Eve, revealing Adam’s God-given place of headship over her. Both are equally created in the image of God, but God has given them different yet complementary roles to fill both in the home and in the church. [4] A biblical elder is not a politician. The biblical office of elder is an elected office. But the man who fills it should not be one who subtly or overtly campaigns for it, or one who is noticeably vocal about promoting political positions in the context of the local church. What, then, is a biblical elder? 1. How does your church choose its leaders? What are the dominant criteria? Why these? 2. What must a man believe to be an elder in your church? WHAT IS AN ELDER? Our question can be answered first in terms of the office and second in terms of the man. The office of elder is an office designed for the leadership of the church through JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016 \\ MOMENTUM
7
“When biblically qualified men are leading a church with character and skill, it is a deep and wide blessing for the unity, holiness, and spiritual growth of the church.” the teaching of the Word. [5] The character of the man who qualifies to fulfill that office is described in 1Tim 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. An elder is simply a man of exemplary, Christlike character who is able to lead God’s people by teaching them God’s Word in a way that profits them spiritually. We are looking, then, for men who display this character and demonstrate both an aptitude for and fruitfulness in teaching God’s Word to others in an edifying way. [6] This definition might serve as a good spiritual snapshot or profile of the kind of men you’re looking for to be elders.
Qualification Quadrants A helpful way to think about the criteria for choosing leaders might be in terms of the quadrants below. Again, the call to being an elder is a call to leadership through biblical teaching. This means that at a bare minimum, you need men who, first and foremost, share a deep, biblical understanding of the fundamentals of Christian theology and the Gospel. Areas to consider first are the authority and sufficiency of Scripture, God’s sovereignty, the divinity and exclusivity of Christ, and the atonement. No man who falters in the basics of biblical doctrine should be considered for eldership, no matter how gifted or likeable he may be. The Word builds the church, and as such it simply can’t be healthy for any of our elders to have reservations about fundamental Christian truths. Once it’s been determined that a candidate is sound in the central Bible doctrines, it is our practice to confirm that the candidate shares our particular doctrinal distinctives; namely, the necessity of believers’ baptism for local church membership. These issues, while not saving, are nevertheless important for how we decide to conduct our life together as a church. Such distinctives will obviously vary depending on the convictions of the congregation. The principle, however, is simply that the leaders of a congregation should understand and be conscientious advocates of a local church’s distinctive doctrines. The elders need to be agreed on these matters so that their own unity doesn’t fracture, and so that they can provide a unified lead for the congregation to follow.
Core Theology • Authority & Sufficiency of Scripture • God’s Sovereignty • Divinity & Exclusivity of Christ • The Atonement
Love for the Congregation • Attending Regularly • Discipling Selflessly • Serving Consistently
Doctrinal Distinctives • Believers’ Baptism • Congregationalism
Cultural Distinctives • Gender Roles in the Home & Church • Opposition to Homosexuality
Fig.14.1 – Qualification Quadrants 8
MOMENTUM // JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016
Third, it is extremely helpful to ensure that the candidate is courageous enough to stand against the culture on certain clear biblical issues, such as the role of women in the church. An elder must model for the congregation both a strength and a willingness to live a counter-cultural lifestyle in areas where Christ and culture conflict. If, as an elder, a man caves in to the conforming pressures of the culture on well-defined biblical issues, his example and teaching will eventually lead the church to look more like the world. Finally, we need to be able to discern from the candidate’s relational involvement in the church that he loves the congregation. We want to be able to recognize his love for the other members of the church by the fact that he’s already involved in doing elder-type work, even before he’s given the title. So we might reasonably expect a man who is recognized as an elder to be attending regularly, initiating with others to do them spiritual good, and serving the church as faithfully as he can. 1. What’s the difference between recognizing elders and training them? 2. Why might it be wise to recognize rather than train elders? 3. Who in your church might be qualified to serve as an elder? CONCLUSION One of the most significant human dynamics in the church’s continuing spiritual growth and health is the kind of leadership it is following. When biblically qualified men are leading a church with character and skill, it is a deep and wide blessing for the unity, holiness, and spiritual growth of the church. Put somewhat negatively, so many potential mistakes and heartaches can be avoided simply by ensuring that only those men who are biblically qualified become elders. Choosing elders, then, is a pivotal time in the life of a developing church; so much so, in fact, that we will continue to think about assessing the character, ability, and fit of potential elders in the pages that follow.
game night o and
o
bonfire friday, feb 5 th 6-11 pm
location: Fritz Jordan’s home in Cologne
Editor’s note: With the exception of the opening paragraph, this entire article is excerpted from the chapter “Looking For a Few Good Men” in The Deliberate Church, by Mark Dever and Paul Alexander (Crossway, 2005). 2 E.g., being a lover of money, being argumentative, not being gentle, not managing his own household well (1Tim 3:1-7). 3 Mark 10:35-45; John 13:1-17. 4 For a full exegetical and practical treatment of gender-based roles in the home and church, see John Piper and Wayne Grudem, eds., Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: A Biblical Response to Evangelical Feminism (Wheaton: Crossway, 1993). For a specific treatment of 1Tim 2:9-15, see Andreas Kostenberger, Thomas Schreiner, and H. Scott Baldwin, eds., Women in the Church: A Fresh Analysis of 1 Timothy 2:9-15 (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1995). 5 This is distinguished from the office of deacon, which is designed for the service of the church through tending to the physical and financial matters of the corporate body. 6 We will think more carefully about the practical necessity of this character in chapter 15, and what it means to be “able to teach” in chapter 16.
join us for Food and games in the (warm) barn and a bonfire outside!
This article was originally printed at 9Marks.org.
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016 \\ MOMENTUM
9
A Fresh Start: The Leadership Inversion By Oscar Huerta
10
MOMENTUM // JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016
I
S A “FRESH START” NECESSARY? As we have set a course for a Fresh Start at a Redeemer, some have asked if a complete recalibration of leadership was really necessary. “Couldn’t we have made a few midcourse adjustments and prevented the disruption caused by a complete reassessment of all the leadership?” “Might we have gone too far by inducing the congregation to question leadership’s ability to lead the flock confidently?” The reason for the Fresh Start was that our leadership “culture” began to look increasingly less biblical over time. A CORPORATE MODEL Corporate, secular business leadership models often involve marshalling support for a small group of charismatic leaders or a single leader as he casts vision for the strategic direction of the organization. Modern leadership studies include empirically identifying the most extraordinary strengths of the leadership team, then empowering the leaders to refine and exert those strengths to meet the organization’s shared goals. The pyramid we found ourselves adopting at Redeemer looked very similar to a corporate hierarchical model, only replacing the CEO with Christ at the top of the pinnacle. The congregation’s distance from Christ in the model could induce leaders to see themselves as mediating or filtering Christ’s headship to rest of the church, with the congregation “reporting” to the deacons who “report” to the elders/pastors in a hierarchical chain of command.
Christ
elders/pastors deacons congregation
CHRIST’S MODEL Yet the Christ-centric model of biblical leadership looks inverted compared to the corporate model. In the biblical model, Christ is the servant of all, setting an example for leaders in the form of self-sacrifice for the sake of love. Jesus taught His disciples – and really all His disciples for all time – that the most distinguishable difference between His leadership model and the model which the “Gentiles” used was that the (corporate secular) Gentile model measured a leader’s worth by the degree and scope of authority he exerted. The greatest ones exercised the most authority. But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.” Matthew 20:25 ESV THE APOSTOLIC MODEL But for Christ’s disciples, the model would look exactly opposite. Jesus taught them that the leadership model which He exercised would emphasize, not the number who could be ruled, but the number that could be served. The greatest leader of all would die for the most amount of people. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:26-28 ESV The apostle Paul’s own leadership and the leadership of the others who preached the gospel with him looked very much like that of Christ’s, constantly considered at the very bottom of the church’s hierarchy, dying for the sake of others. Compared to the “strong” and “honored” church at Corinth, Paul was considered as “the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.” We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. 1 Corinthians 4:10-13 ESV JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016 \\ MOMENTUM
11
Paul’s goal in living this way was to provide an example for his flock, especially for his new believers and churches to imitate. I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though
...appoint elders in every town as I directed you. For an overseer, as God’s steward,… He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Titus 1:5a, 7a, 9 ESV
you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
1 Corinthians 4:10-16 ESV Paul meant to use his leadership style as an example of imitating Christ, who did not please himself, but pleased and served others for the sake of their salvation. Just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:33-11:1 ESV SUBMISSION TO OVERSEERS NOT BIBLICAL? So if leaders are called to humble themselves constantly to the point of weakness, remaining in a posture of continual servitude to please not themselves, but others for the sake of the gospel – if they are called to serve in this way as a part of their role, then how do they rule? Elders are also known as “overseers” (1 Tim 3:1-2, Tit 1:7), implying a function of governance and oversight. Congregations are called to “obey your leaders and submit to them” (Hebrews 13:17). Submission implies authority. How then can leaders become slaves to their congregations if they are also called to rule over them? LEADING BY TEACHING CHRIST’S AUTHORITY The men in the offices of overseers, elders, or pastorteachers (these are all the same office in the New Testament) must lead by teaching Christ’s authority. Men do not have authority by virtue of their office, but by virtue of their ability to teach and instruct their congregations in the gospel of Christ. What distinguishes the office of elder or overseer from the office of deacon is that the overseer or elder must possess the ability to teach. Therefore an overseer must be able to teach. 1 Timothy 3:2 ESV
12
MOMENTUM // JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 1 Timothy 5:17 ESV In every case, elders/overseers are regarded most highly when they serve their congregations by laboring hard to preach and teach the word of Christ. The reason for this high regard is that the Lord Jesus exercises His authority over His church by equipping and empowering teachers to persuade them to obey Christ’s words of gospel promise through faith. A FRESH START IN TEACHING So as we begin afresh looking at our leading, let us pray together that God would set aside men who can teach the authority of Christ’s reign in all humility and patience, not exerting their own authority, but the meek and gentle reign of the Lord Jesus over his bride. // RBC
Eldership Rebuilding Calendar Our calendar for January – February is to move ahead with the eldership rebuilding process, including training mostly on Saturdays from 9:00 - 11:00 AM for the whole church but especially those men who aspire to the office of elder. Lordwilling, we plan also to present constitutional changes for the congregation’s consideration, start vetting interviews on February 8th and conclude with a special installation service either on February 21st or 28th. Let’s keep interceding together.
A Praying Church By Betty Cooper
R
Praise God the Father and Son that
would be less characterized by the deeds
they sent the Holy Spirit to guide me,
of the flesh and give more evidence of
convict me, teach me, and shed abroad
the Holy Spirit working in us to produce
God’s love in my heart. How blessed we
“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
are that we can come to the cross and
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and
ecently I encouraged a
confess our sins and repent and know
self-control”? (Gal. 5:19-23).
group of friends to keep
that there is no condemnation for those
an index card in their
who are in Christ Jesus.
Bible and write on it things they desire
If you see something in scripture speaking of the body of Christ, and you
Throughout the history of Redeemer
don’t see it working out at Redeemer,
One woman replied
Bible Church, we have had the privilege
then I ask you to pray fervently that
immediately that she would like her
of praying for the church. Asking that we
the Lord will work that quality into the
church to be known as a praying church.
would be more and more conformed to
shepherds and the sheep at Redeemer
I agree.
No one should think I am a
the picture the New Testament portrays
Bible Church.
prayer warrior, but God has encouraged
should be true of Christ’s church. Working
faithfully and watch expectantly for God
me through the years that He hears my
with Paul’s prayers, we have been led to
to show you that He is hearing your
prayers and answers them.
for their church.
Pray frequently and
Isn’t that
pray that our church would be filled with
prayers and working them out in His
amazing? The God that is sovereign over
people that long to know Jesus. Paul
time and His way. Let us give thanks
the universe, the rulers, and the nations
wrote of the need for us to encourage
that He never will abandon His people.
of the world will listen to my prayers. He
one another, to forgive one another, to
He invites us to bring our concerns to
doesn’t always answer the way I expect,
love one another, to grant grace to one
Him. May our hearts be filled with His
but in His wisdom and lovingkindness He
another. Peter and James exhort us to
praises and thankfulness and may we
answers in ways He knows are best for
humble ourselves under God’s mighty
improve at verbalizing those praises and
me and also to the praise of His glory.
hand. When we read the list of the deeds
thanksgivings to one another. // RBC
And He has given me the Holy Spirit to
of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit, don’t
be able to recognize His answer when it
we want to pray for ourselves and one
doesn’t come as I expected.
another that our life and community life
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016 \\ MOMENTUM
13
From Cottage to
Palace T
he Corinthian church was a mess. They were suing each other in court; they were getting drunk at the Lord’s Table; there was prostitution,
sexual immorality, and homosexual practice in their midst.
By Gabe Zepeda
One man was even sleeping with his father’s wife! There was also division and strife among them. Needless to say, the church was unhealthy. What was missing? A growing children’s ministry with exciting programs? No. A vital women’s ministry? Nope. A trendy youth ministry? Not even. A state-of-the-art worship center that would make the new Vikings stadium look like a shack? Yeah right. An indie-hipster worship team and worship leader with cool glasses and a man-bun? Negative. A church-wide Bible memorization program? Nah. An ultra-gifted pastor who speaks at top-notch conferences all over the world? Not that either. As good and as helpful as these things might be, the Corinthians were missing something. What they were missing was obvious, but not to them. They were missing Christ Himself.
14
MOMENTUM // JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016
Jesus is the foundation of the church. Referring to the church, the Apostle Paul says, “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). For this reason, that’s why Paul “decided to know nothing among [the Corinthian believers] except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (see 1 Corinthians 2:2). In Paul’s mind, "Jesus Christ" is shorthand for the cross—the gospel itself, which is the very foundation of the church. This is the only foundation that will last. A structure built on a faulty foundation will crumble. As soon as we lose sight of Jesus as the foundation of the church, things begin to fall apart. So, how can we decipher between a solid foundation and a faulty one? Like a good house inspector, we have the Holy Spirit who not only points out our sins but points us to Jesus. According to 1 Corinthians 3, here are three signs of a church that has a faulty foundation and the way to move forward: SIGN #1: DIVISION Unity is a sign that a church has a solid foundation. But, division is a sign of a church that has a faulty foundation. The emotional expressions of division are jealousy and strife (see 1 Corinthians 3:3). Jealousy in a community occurs when we become suspicious of one another and are slow to give each other the benefit of the doubt. Controlled more by fear rather than love, jealousy can create an "us vs. them" mentality. When that happens, there is strife and a divided church. According to Paul, division is a sign of spiritual immaturity. Regarding their knowledge, Paul says the Corinthians were just "infants in Christ" and not ready for "solid food" (see 1 Corinthians 3:1-2). Their behavior of jealousy and strife was proof of that (see 1 Corinthians 3:3). They understood the gospel conceptually but didn’t embody the forgiveness, hope, love, and peace of the gospel practically in their lives. And because of that, they acted no differently than the world does, operating out of the flesh rather than the Spirit. The moment there is fear, jealousy, and strife in our midst, there is something we misunderstand about the gospel, which is the remedy for division. The gospel reminds us that we are one big family because Christ’s precious blood is the DNA that unites us together. As the children of God we have a seat at the table of grace. None of us deserves to be welcomed, but we’ve been welcomed anyway. When you truly see how gracious God is toward you, it changes how you act in relationships. Grace replaces our pride with humility, our fear with love, our jealousy with faith, our strife with peace.
But, the only way to cultivate a movement of grace is in community. That’s why Paul says the church is like a field, and we are fellow workers in this field (see 1 Corinthians 3:9). Together with the help of the Holy Spirit, we must pull out the weeds of fear, jealousy, and strife. The only way forward is if we work together to cultivate an ecosystem of grace by pursuing love, forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace with one another in community. Grace plows the soil for a solid foundation. SIGN #2: FACTIONS Spiritual immaturity can produce jealousy and strife, which produce division. But, division is just the tip of the iceberg. Left unnoticed, division produces factions, which is the second sign of a faulty foundation. The Corinthians lived in a society much like our "selfie" culture. Just like them, we live in a pragmatic, narcissistic, self-important, self-promoting, selfgratifying culture. Our culture wants things now, on our own terms, and on a bigger scale. We want things to work for us. And, like the Corinthians, we can even bring this self-serving spirit into the church. This happens when we place church leaders on a pedestal above Christ. When we do that, we pledge our allegiance to elite camps, which is what factions are. The Corinthians not only had a misunderstanding of the gospel, but they also had a misunderstanding of church leadership. Before Twitter even existed, the Corinthians were saying, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos” (see 1 Corinthians 3:4). Sounds familiar, right? Why do we tend to have obsessive or defensive attachments to church leaders? We want leaders with all the gifts, a big name, a well-known ministry, because through them we want to feel important, successful, recognized—as if we have something that others don’t have. Here’s what happens if we esteem leaders too highly: If leaders are too greatly elevated in the popular mind, they can do almost anything, and large numbers of their followers will trail along unquestioningly […]. It is possible so to lionize some Christian leader that we start making excuses for his or her serious, perhaps even catastrophic, faults.* If we elevate church leaders in this way they will always leave us hurt, disappointed, exhausted, and divided. Besides, all church leaders—no matter how gifted or wellknown, are just servants that will be replaced or reassigned JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016 \\ MOMENTUM
15
according to God’s will (see 1 Corinthians 3:5). We can’t put our ultimate trust in mere men because they are temporary and imperfect. But, we can put our trust in Jesus because He is the permanent and perfect Shepherd of our souls! As the church (God’s building), this is Paul’s warning to us (see 1 Corinthians 3:9). As Christian leaders (God’s builders) we must keep a close watch on ourselves and deflect all the glory to Christ (see 1 Corinthians 3:10). That’s why, Christian leaders should refrain from presenting themselves as if they had the corner on the truth, or all the gifts, or exclusive authority or insight. We are only ‘servants’. We are ‘fellow workers’, and we are God’s.**
Paul’s exhortation to us is clear: “So let no one boast in men” (1 Corinthians 3:21a). But, what is the way forward? How can we move away from dangerously elevating men? We need to refocus our gaze on Jesus who is the remedy for factions. We don’t have to seek a sense of belonging from church leaders in order to feel significant, to get something, or to be part of the in-crowd. The reason why is because, as Paul puts it, “All things are yours, […] and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s” (1 Corinthians 3:21b, 23). Since we are in Christ, we already have everything we could ever want or need. We belong to the King of the universe! Doesn’t that status pale in comparison to the kind of ridiculous attachment we have with mere men? When we truly see how Jesus gave up His inheritance to serve us, we will want to serve Christ together in the building of God’s church, refuse factions, and give up our own self-serving agendas. SIGN #3: MAN-CENTRISM A church that is unified and seeks to deflect all the glory to Christ will be God-centered in their vision, mission, and values. But, a church that is divided and boasts in men will be man-centered in their vision, mission, and values. This mancentered approach to church and ministry is another sign of a faulty foundation. As God’s building, we are called along with church leaders to build Christ’s church. The only way to build a solid superstructure is to build it on a firm foundation. If you tamper with it, dig it up, or relay it, the building won’t last. The same principle is true for the church. That’s why Paul says, “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). Christ is the Solid Rock and all other ground is sinking sand. If this is the case, then we must “[…] take care how [we] build upon [this foundation]” (see 1 Corinthians 3:10). This means that whatever vision, mission, and values we have for our church, ministry, or life it must be centered on Jesus and His cross. But, if Christ isn’t at the center of who we are and what we do, we will replace 16
MOMENTUM // JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016
Christ’s wisdom for human wisdom and build something that won’t last. So, what kind of church and ministries are we building? With the help of two Aussies, here are some reflective questions worth considering: is your church/ministry about running programs or building people? Does your church/ ministry use people or grow people? Is your church/ministry about filling gaps or training new workers? Is your church/ ministry seeking numerical growth or gospel growth? Is your church/ministry focused on immediate pressures or long-term expansion? Is your church/ministry focused more on planning or on prayer?† These are hard questions, but reflecting on them can help us determine if what we do flows out of a God-centered, cross-centered vision. THE WAY FORWARD As God’s field, we are called to cultivate an environment of grace that plows the soil for a firm foundation. As God’s building, we are called to build Christ’s church for His kingdom advancement. So, where does this lead us? What is God ultimately building? From the field to the construction site, God is chiseling us into a holy temple for His dwelling (see 1 Corinthians 3:16). Like the Corinthian church, we all have many problems inside and out. But, God isn’t done with us yet; He’s making a holy sanctuary out of us. That’s His vision for us. The question is how badly do we want this vision? As God’s temple, we are called to consecrate ourselves to the Lord. The only way forward is if we repent of our division, jealousy and strife, our obsessive attachment to leaders, and our man-centered approach to ministry. The way forward is asking God to break us. Only then will God rebuild us again into something far beyond what we could ever hope or dream. This is the kind of vision C.S. Lewis’s mentor, George MacDonald, describes so beautifully: Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of—throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself. ††// RBC *D.A. Carson, The Cross & Christian Ministry (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1993), 82. **ibid., 77. †adapted from Colin Marshall & Tony Payne, The Trellis & the Vine (Kingsfird, Australia: Matthias Media, 2009), chapter 2. ††qtd. in C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2001), 205
redemption youth
Sign up at:
redeemerbible.ccbchurch.com/ form _ response.php?id=57
Trout Lake Camp january 15-17, 2016
Womens ' MINISTRY
join us for a new
m
everyday grace
m
New Study!
Womens ' book study tuesdays
beginning january 19 th mornings // 9:30 - 11 am evenings // 6:30 - 8 pm Fellowship Hall
cost is $15 (includes book)
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016 \\ MOMENTUM
17
My Brother's A
few years ago, my dog, Bailey, ran away from home. Michelle and I were doing a project at our house that required the use of our nail gun and air compressor. If there was ever a tool that Bailey hated, the loud and scary looking nail gun and compressor combination was it. We didn’t notice she was gone until we were finished and started cooking dinner. When I realized that she had gone farther than her typical “running away” to the neighbor’s house, I began to panic. She wasn’t wearing her collar so I worried even more that I’d never see her again. Who was going to look after her? Was she on her own? Was she scared? I realize that to a non-dog
18
MOMENTUM // JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016
owner, this all might seem a bit silly. But Bailey had been a member of our family for six years; she was important to us. The more I thought about her being alone, the more I worried. With dinner still cooking on the grill, I took off in my car to search the neighborhood. I found her four blocks away at the park, barking at some ducks. All of that worry, all of that anxiety over a (not very smart) dog. Over the last couple of years, RBC has seen members and their families come and go. Some announced their departure, some seemingly slipped quietly out of sight. This had me thinking, if I had such a strong emotional response to my dog disappearing for an hour, shouldn’t my response to fellow members of my church family who have left or are leaving be even stronger? Absolutely! There are many reasons why we should be concerned
about our brothers and sisters in Christ, but I’ll focus on two. 1) We’re family. 2) We don’t want to see our family miss out on a major means of grace. Scripture describes the early church as a tightly-knit family. The early church members were “devoted to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). I imagine them gathering in one another’s homes, eating meals, praying, ministering – like a family would. Paul tells the Ephesians that they are “no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” If a member of my family stopped coming to dinners, holidays, and other gatherings, I would be very concerned. The anxiety I felt over my missing dog would pale in comparison. I would do everything I could to connect with them and ensure
Keeper they’re being cared for and that they’re okay. For that’s what our pursuit of each other should look like—loving care and concern rather than guilt or browbeating. Jesus calls us to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). His pursuit of us gives us the framework and motivation to pursue our church family members. We need to make sure our loved ones are doing okay no matter where they choose to worship and ensure they know that we love and miss them. Fellowship and local church participation is a major means of grace. Hebrews 10:24-25 says we should “stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together.” We ought not to neglect to meet together because it is where we experience God’s love for us and grow in our love for Christ and one another. When members and families decide to
By Casey Campbell
leave RBC, we need to ensure that they are being cared for and shepherded out from as well as into their new place of fellowship and worship. If we fail to do this, we fail to love them. As fellow members of the body, we have the responsibility to see to it that they are led from one green pasture to another. We also need to lovingly pursue those of us who still call Redeemer home but may be neglecting the assembly of the saints. Our encouragement should be the same as with those who have chosen to leave—loving care and concern for their hearts so that they might, once again, experience the green pastures of fellowship with the saints. Reflecting on this topic helped me come to a number of conclusions for which I am very grateful. I was convicted of my sin of indifference for departed members of RBC. When my dog was
missing, my emotions overwhelmed me into immediate action. When friends of mine left RBC, I did nothing. Not even a phone call to ask if they were okay. The way I viewed my church family in my heart was skewed by sin. I’m eternally thankful that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection has permanently adopted all of us into His family and that my sinful indifference cannot change that. When I look to the cross and see how great a price Jesus paid to adopt me as a son, I’m stirred to move outward in love. What might the relationships at RBC look like if we all treasured the well-being of our brothers and sisters in Christ above that of our pets? As members of RBC, we ought to pursue those who are leaving and have left – not for our own sinful gain, but out of love for God’s people for whom Jesus Christ treasured and died on the cross to save. // RBC
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016 \\ MOMENTUM
19
4 Principles on
Prayer
from Saint Augustine By Tim Keller
A
nicia Faltonia Proba, who died in AD 432, was a Christian Roman noblewoman. She had the distinction of knowing both Augustine, the greatest theologian of the first millennium of Christian history, as well as John Chrysostom, its greatest preacher. We have two letters of Augustine to Proba, and the first (Letter 130) is the only single, substantial treatment on the subject of prayer that Augustine ever wrote. I had the chance to read the letter recently and was impressed with its common sense and some of its unusual insights. Proba wrote Augustine because she was afraid she wasn't praying as she should. Augustine responded with several principles or rules for prayer.
20
MOMENTUM // JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016
The first rule is completely counterintuitive. Augustine wrote that before anyone can turn to the question of what to pray and how to pray it, he or she must first be a particular kind of person. What kind is that? He writes: “You must account yourself 'desolate' in this world, however great the prosperity of your lot may be.” He argues that no matter how great your earthly circumstances, they cannot bring us the peace, happiness, and consolation found in Christ. The scales must fall from our eyes. If we don't see that truth, all our prayers will go wrong. Second, Augustine says, you can begin to pray. And what should you pray for? With a bit of a smile (I think) he answers you should pray for what everyone else prays for: “Pray for a happy life.” But, of course, what will bring you a happy life? The Christian (if following Augustine's first rule of prayer) has realized that comforts and rewards and pleasures in themselves give only fleeting excitement and, if you rest your heart in them, actually bring you less enduring happiness. He turns to Psalm 27 and points to the psalmist's great prayer: “One thing have I desired of the Lord, one thing will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord to behold the beauty of the Lord.” This is the fundamental prayer for happiness. Augustine writes, “We love God, therefore, for what he is in himself, and [we love] ourselves and our neighbors for his sake.” That doesn't mean, he quickly adds, that we shouldn't pray for anything else other than to know, love, and please God. Not at all. The Lord's Prayer shows us that we need many things. But if God is our greatest love, and if knowing and pleasing him is our highest pleasure, then we'll be transformed both in what and how we pray for a happy life. He quotes Proverbs 30 as an example:
“Give me neither poverty nor riches: Feed me with food appropriate for me lest I be full and deny you . . . or lest I be poor, and steal and take the name of my God in vain.” Ask yourself this question. Are you seeking God in prayer in order to get adequate financial resources—or are you seeking the kind and amount of resources you need to adequately know and serve God? Those are two different sets of motivations. In both cases the external action is a prayer—“Oh, Lord, give me a job so I won't be poor”—but the internal reasons of the heart are completely different. If, as Augustine counseled, you first became a person “desolate without God regardless of external circumstances” and then began to pray, your prayer will be like Proverbs 30. But if you just jump into prayer before the gospel re-orders your heart's loves, then your prayer will be more like this: “Make me as wealthy as possible.” As a result, you will not develop the spiritual discretion in prayer that enables you to discern selfish ambition and greed from a desire for excellence in work. And you will be far more crestfallen if you suffer financial reversals. A Proverbs 30 prayer includes the request that God not give you too much, not only that he not give you too little. The third rule was comprehensive and practical. You will be guided, he said, into the right way to pray for a happy life by studying the Lord's Prayer. Think long and hard about this great model of prayer and be sure your own appeals fit it. For example, Augustine writes: “He who says in prayer . . . 'Give me as much wealth as you have given to this or that man' or 'Increase my honors; make me eminent in power and fame in the world,' and who asks merely from a desire for these things, and not in order through them to benefit men agreeably to God's will, I do not think he will find any part
of the Lord's Prayer in connection with which he could fit in these requests. Therefore, let us be ashamed to ask these things.” The fourth rule is an admission. Augustine admits that even after following the first three rules, still “we know not what to pray for as we ought in regard to tribulations.” This is a place of great perplexity. Even the most godly Christian can't be sure what to ask for. “Tribulations . . . may do us good . . . and yet because they are hard and painful . . . we pray with a desire which is common to mankind that they may be removed from us.” Augustine gives wise pastoral advice here. He first points to Jesus' own prayer in Gethsemane, which was perfectly balanced between honest desire (“Let this cup pass from me”) and submission to God (“Nevertheless, not my will but thine be done”). And he points to Romans 8:26, which promises that the Spirit will guide our hearts and prayers when we are groaning and confused—and God will hear them even in their imperfect state. Anicia Proba was a widow by her early 30s. She was present when Rome was sacked in 410 and had to flee for her life with her granddaughter Demetrias to Africa where they met Augustine. Augustine concludes the letter by asking his friend, “Now what makes this work [of prayer] specially suitable to widows but their bereaved and desolate condition?” Should a widow not “commit her widowhood, so to speak, to her God as her shield in continual and most fervent prayer?” There is every reason to believe she accepted his invitation. See Augustine's Letter 130 (A.D. 412) to Proba found in Philip Schaff, ed., “Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers,” First series, vol. 1, 1887. Christian Classics Ethereal Library pp. 997–1015. Used with permission from The Gospel Coalition. www. the gospelcoalition.org
How I Met Jesus More encouraging blog posts can be found at: RedeemerBibleChurch.com/resources/how_i_met_jesus
OSCAR HUERTA In 1980, I arrived at the University of Wisconsin completely enamored by the lifestyle and teaching of my professors, jettisoning the “shackles” of my semi-religious upbringing. Confident in my newfound “faith” in philosophical atheism, I embraced the passing pleasures of college life unencumbered by conscience. During one of my freshman classes, a professor assigned us readings on the historical horrors of modern political regimes, concluding with a discussion at the student union. Our small class spent a long time arguing the merits of each philosophical system, while indulging deeply in Wisconsin cheese and carafes of wine. Yet by the end of our heated discussion, I was deeply unsatisfied. Flush with frustration at our lack of resolution, I finally cornered my professor with the obvious, “We’ve been arguing for an hour and you have said nothing. So what is the answer?” He smiled, replying, “There is no answer.” With those four simple words he left me disillusioned and clueless. The university was the pinnacle of human knowledge, but he had no answer for my deepest longings for meaning. Just when I was near suicidal with hopelessness that impersonal evolutionary forces were the only reason I existed, God sent a nearly angelic being to find me. A staff member from Campus Crusade for Christ broke university regulations and knocked on my dormitory door of 72 residents to share the gospel of Christ 22
MOMENTUM // JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016
Oscar & Cathi Huerta
with me. Using the Bible, he showed me that my life, in fact, had meaning and that I could find forgiveness for all of my sins through Christ’s payment of them on the cross. Since those days, Christ has showed me that He Himself is all meaning and that every other created object is mere rubbish compared to the treasure that He is for me in this life and the next. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8 ESV
CATHI HUERTA When I was young, my family moved a lot because of my father’s business. We relocated to Italy, New York, and Oklahoma. I suppose I never felt like I was home. Then one Sunday when I was in junior high one of my best friends invited me to her church in the small town of Weatherford, Oklahoma where I heard the gospel for the first time. I sensed my desperate need for Jesus’ forgiveness. I could not help but come to the front to pray with the pastor. Yet I knew my journey was not over. In 1981 at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, I discovered complete submission to Christ. For my entire early adulthood, I had put God in the place I wanted Him to remain. But through the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, my heavenly Father showed me in His word that there
were no other lords more precious to me than the Lord Jesus. I found that, rather than traveling my whole life looking for joy, He was calling me home to a deeper joy—forgiveness for my sins through His payment on the cross. Since then, the Lord has only taken me on deeper journeys into His presence. In the early 90’s I was overcome with a powerful experience of His presence in prayer that has never left me. From 1996 – 2005, Oscar and I spent time planting churches in Uzbekistan. There, too, no matter where the Lord took me or how painful the difficulties were that we faced, Jesus fulfilled His promise never to “leave me or forsake me.” Looking back, I see that wherever I went, He was always providing a “home” for me in His presence, transforming my mind and my heart to align with His. He guided me to find my temporary home with Him now, anxious for the day when I can be with Him forever. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 ESV // RBC
Global Partners Update Karise Pagano is serving in Sicily, Italy
But God!
T
hree years. Three years of new adventures, of learning a new language, of trying to comprehend a different culture and people, of learning how to do life so very differently than everything I've known for the past 37 years. Three years of trying to develop relationships with the locals. Three years of helping to build a ministry from the ground up. The longer I'm here, the more I am convinced of two things. 1) Italy is a very difficult mission field. 2) For as long as God provides, I intend to exhaust my days and my energy here in this country, among these people, for HIS glory! The romantic Italian life is as much a facade as the American dream. The wickedness of those in power, the depravity of each individual, the devastating hope of a false religion, the desire to work out a better life, the masquerade that boasts the life we crave—It's in every country. The deeper I delve into this culture, the more overwhelmed I become at the work ahead of us. So much apathy; so many are content to attend service on Sunday and return to their life on Monday, unwilling to glorify God for more than the required two hours in church. Families are leaving churches and the assembling of a church body all together because of an offense; so much unrepented sin between believers. People are resistant to our call to do life together as a church family, to be invasive in each other's lives. There are so few men willing to carry forward the gospel in this country
By Karise Pagano
by leading their families or by leading a church; so few women willing to submit to their husbands and serve their families for the glory of God or stand beside these men in the difficulties of ministry. I see myself and my own sin struggles in so many of the people I'm attempting to minister to and often feel so incapable of helping them. BUT GOD! Our church numbers have dwindled, BUT GOD is knitting our hearts together as a church family. The Gospel is invading our lives and God is working within people. The youth group has all but faded away, BUT GOD has shown us glimpses of what seems to be His working in the lives of some of the youth. The work at the academy often seems too great to be carried by only the three of us, and the men desiring to study God's word often seem so few, BUT GOD has grown our program in Verona from 5 men to about 15 in the past year. God often takes us through the desert so that we appreciate every single drop of water in our future. I am so very grateful to be a part of His work here in Sicily. The spiritual fruit is scarce and often times hard to see, but it keeps me on my knees before God for the salvation of His people in this nation. And while it's often difficult, I know it is only God who keeps my heart fixed on continuing here for as long as He provides. // RBC
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016 \\ MOMENTUM
23
Highlights from the Gospel Life Blog More encouraging blog posts can be found at: RedeemerBibleChurch.com/resources/blog
Many Changing Seasons, One Faithful Shepherd By Josh Buttram
W
hen Jesus ransomed me on the cross, He bound Himself to be my shepherd, and He will always be with me, no matter what difficulty I’m going through. Sometimes as I watch my older friends and family struggle through life’s seasons, I’m fearful about going through those phases in my own future. Hope returns, though, when I remember how God has been my shepherd through my earlier stages.
24
MOMENTUM // JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016
When I was a teen, I felt powerless to stop sinning in my thoughts and felt like such a hypocrite. I was so ashamed and angry that I wanted to end my life. When I was newly married, I was proud, immature, and self-consumed. I was so afraid because my wife was changing me – so many things that had defined me were now disappearing. As a new parent, I was devastated and shocked at how I had lost all ability to order my own life. My routines, me-time, and sleep just evaporated. As a parent of very young children, it seemed like all my energy, emotion, and time was being consumed with caring for the needs of helpless little
ones. In all of these stages, Jesus was with me, whether I felt it or not. He was constantly loving me and refining me – He opened my eyes to see His power and His compassion in each new season. As I look ahead, I see scary stuff – losing my health, friends, family, career, and other things that I love. But Christ has shepherded me through the early stages and his faithfulness will always remain. “The Lord is my Shepherd… though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:1,4). // RBC
Highlights from the Gospel Life Blog
Walking Without Seeing, Trusting Without Knowing
C
By Rebekah Zepeda ommit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him and He will help you. Ps. 37:5 NLT
Faith is humble obedience to God. It is walking with God even though you can’t see; it is trusting in God even though you don’t fully know what’s ahead of you. I struggle with that. I struggle to commit everything to the Lord. I struggle to trust in God with the unknown. Yet, I want to have faith like a child. Let me tell you a story about how I learned this from my own kid. One day, as my husband and I sought the Lord for wisdom and guidance, I sensed my anxious thoughts and wearisome sighs had calmed down to waves of peace. Prayer was calming my soul. I was finding rest in my Savior. It’s as if I could hear Him whispering over me, saying, “It's ok. I love you. I know the plans I have for you. I know your future. Hope in me; my ways are so good for you; you can trust me!” In that moment, I felt God quieting me with his love and singing over me. As we began to talk and think about what the Lord might have for us in the future, my heart was open to whatever the Lord might bring. My heart was centered and steadfast on my Lord and my God. Through prayer, the Spirit softened my heart and tuned my ears to hear His voice. He seemed so near! I left that time filled with hope, thinking, “Wow! The Lord is so gracious and good!” As my son and I drove home, I started asking Micah what he did while Daddy and I were talking. He proceeded to tell me of the adventures and fun times he had. It brought a smile to my face to
hear him rattling on about toys, parks, and movies. Then he stopped and said, “Hey mom, what did you do tonight?” I told him we talked about our future. As I looked at him through the rear view mirror, I saw his big blue eyes widen—
Then Micah stopped me. He said, “So mom, what you are trying to tell me is that we are supposed to live like Noah, and Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and Joseph, and Daniel, right? Because they listened, and talked to God, and they obeyed?” “Yes, yes, Micah! That is exactly it!”
“What?! You know the future?” (You must know that this little boy loves allthings-magical.)
In that moment, I was so moved by Micah's ability to simplify the complexities of faith to obedience.
I chuckled at his response, then said, “Well, no, but God does, and He wants us to bring our future plans before him in prayer to ask Him what we should do.” I continued, “You know, sometimes God will open different doors for us.”
I continued, “Yes, buddy. And Jesus is the only example of perfect obedience.”
Micah interjected, “Wait, what?! God opens doors for you?” I clarified, “Well, not like Luke Skywalker, but He does guide us as we trust in Him.” As I began to stumble over what I was trying to communicate to my little kid about trusting God, it didn’t seem like I was getting through to him. ”It's like faith,” I said. “What's the definition of faith, Mom?” “Well, Micah, faith is like walking without seeing and trusting without knowing where God might take you or lead you. It’s not being guided by your feelings but driven and grounded by truth.”
All those guys we read about in the Old Testament are types that point us to the One who is always righteous. He always perfectly obeyed where we have failed. He lived the perfect life and died the death we deserved in our place. Jesus continually entrusted himself to his heavenly Father. He always prayed for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. That’s why we need Jesus! He has even provided a way for us to be part of His story. So, where are you at? What are you struggling to believe? What anxious thoughts are ruling your heart? Jesus is interceding for you right now before the throne. So, you can bring all your doubts and unbelief before Him in prayer. When you cast your cares on Jesus, He will calm your restless heart and strengthen you. He will help you walk with Him even when you can’t see and trust in Him even in the midst of the unknown. // RBC
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016 \\ MOMENTUM
25
GLOBAL PARTNERS
SICILY 2016
MISSIONS TRIP JULY 2-10
JOIN US! We are looking for up to 12 team members (teenage through adult) to engage in community-based, gospel-centered ministry through Messina Bible Church and The Italian Theological Academy. Application and $100 deposit deadline is FEBRUARY 1st. For more infomation, visit: redeemerbiblechurch.com/sicily
26
MOMENTUM // JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016
King
of the
9:00 to 1 1:00 am
[
&
brunch Saturday,
january 23
rd
fellowship hall
Ireland Missions Briefing with Samuel Chestnutt
Samuel Chestnutt from Northern Ireland is founder of EdenGate, a cultural tours company and partner in church planting in the Republic of Ireland. Through a long friendship and partnership in past ministry with Bill Walsh and Oscar Huerta, we have the opportunity to come alongside this
Sunday
January 24, 2016
X
9:00 - 10:30 am
YOUTH ROOM 105
ministry in support of small churches across Ireland. Samuel will be with us on January 24th to give an orientation and briefing on how the Lord is working in the Republic of Ireland and how Redeemer could consider partnering in this work in the coming years.
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016 \\ MOMENTUM
27
January
February
SUNDAY // 3rd
TUESDAY // 19th
TUESDAY // 2nd
9a | Gathered Worship 11a | Gathered Worship
9:30a | Women's Book Study 6:30p | Women's Book Study
9:30a | Women's Book Study 6:30p | Women's Book Study
9:30a | Women's Book Study 6:30p | Women's Book Study
WEDNESDAY // 4th
WEDNESDAY // 20th
WEDNESDAY // 3rd
WEDNESDAY // 17th
6:45p | Redemption Youth 7-8p | Gathered Prayer
6:45p | Redemption Youth 7-8p | Gathered Prayer
5-7p | Elder Training Session #5
6:45p | Redemption Youth 7-8p | Gathered Prayer
FRIDAY // 8th
THURSDAY // 21st
10p-5a | All Night of Prayer
7p | Children’s Discipleship Mid-Year Refresh
6:45p | Redemption Youth 7-8p | Gathered Prayer
FRIDAY // 5th
6-11p | Men's Game Night and Bonfire
SUNDAY // 10th
SATURDAY // 23rd
9a | Gathered Worship 9a | Redemption Youth SS 11a | Gathered Worship 5p | Family Gathering
9-11a | Elder Training Session #3 9-11a | Mothers & Daughters of the King Brunch
SATURDAY // 6th
WEDNESDAY // 13th
SUNDAY // 24th
6:45p | Redemption Youth 7-8p | Gathered Prayer
9a | Gathered Worship 9a | Ireland Missions Briefing 11a | Gathered Worship
9a | Gathered Worship 9a | Redemption Youth SS 11a | Gathered Worship
FRIDAY // 15th
TUESDAY // 26th
9:30a | Women's Book Study 6:30p | Women's Book Study
9:30a | Women's Book Study 6:30p | Women's Book Study
WEDNESDAY // 10th
5-7p | Elder Training Session #1
9a-3p | Dorcas Dames
SATURDAY // 16th
SUNDAY // 7th
TUESDAY // 9th
9-11a | Elder Training Session #2
WEDNESDAY // 27th
FRI 15th - SUN 17th
6:45p | Redemption Youth 7-8p | Gathered Prayer
SATURDAY // 13th
SUNDAY // 17th 9a | Gathered Worship *LT 11a | Gathered Worship *LT
SATURDAY // 30th 9-11a | Elder Training Session #4
5p | Hawaiian Luau
SUNDAY // 31st 9a | Gathered Worship 9a | Redemption Youth 11a | Gathered Worship
FRIDAY // 19th
9a-3p | Dorcas Dames
SUNDAY // 21st
9a | Gathered Worship *LT 9a | Redemption Youth SS 9-11a | Elder Training Session #6 11a | Gathered Worship *LT
6:45p | Redemption Youth 7-8p | Gathered Prayer
Youth Winter Camp
TUESDAY // 16th
9-11a | Elder Training Session #7
SUNDAY // 14th
9a | Gathered Worship 9a | Redemption Youth SS 11a | Gathered Worship 5:30p | Family Gathering
TUESDAY // 23rd
9:30a | Women's Book Study 6:30p | Women's Book Study
WEDNESDAY // 24th 6:45p | Redemption Youth 7-8p | Gathered Prayer
SUNDAY // 28th
9a | Gathered Worship 9a | Redemption Youth SS 11a | Gathered Worship
TUESDAY // MAR 1st 9:30a | Women's Book Study 6:30p | Women's Book Study
WEDNESDAY // MAR 2nd 6:45p | Redemption Youth 7-8p | Gathered Prayer *LT (includes the Lord's Table)
Thursday JANUARY 21st
Children's Discipleship Refresh FIGHTER VERSES COMES TO REDEEMER
7:00 - 9:00 PM | FELLOWSHIP HALL
Beginning January 3rd, we will be memorizing Set 1 of Fighter Verses
Children's Discipleship volunteers (Nursery to Grade 6, including substitutes & prayer corner volunteers) are invited to come for a delicious dessert, encouraging fellowship, and uplifting program and speakers–all designed to help us persevere in 2016 with our discipleship efforts for the sake of the gospel in the next generation at Redeemer. Please RSVP by responding to the Evite invitation that will be emailed to you on January 4th.
(www.fighterverses.com). Families are encouraged to make memorizing the Fighter Verse each week a part of their devotions time. Children's Discipleship will also be helping the children to memorize the weekly Fighter Verses. One resource to help in this challenge is the Fighter Verse App for iPhone and Android which was developed by our own John Huss. Visit the Fighter Verses website for other resources for you and your family. Let's fight this good fight together for God's glory in 2016.