To Serve Mankind

Any child of the 80s will remember the sitcom, "Who's the Boss?" My wife and I will always laugh whenever that comes up, and we both say, "ANGELA!" Now you may disagree with me on that, but when it comes to the Church, we must get clear on how it gets built... where the responsibility lies... where the buck stops. Without clarity, we fall into error, and it can set us up for serious failure in doctrine and practice. While I don't discuss those specific pitfalls in this episode, I do discuss the different parts that are played and where they fall in terms of effectiveness and assign credit appropriately, scripturally. Dive into this fascinating quick study with me to find out if anyone is responsible for "build[ing] that."

Many times, a believer will wonder what God is up to, not realizing the multitude of dimensions He is operating in on our behalf... ALL of our behalf, simultaneously. As we seek Him, asking for wisdom, for answers, and all He has promised us in His Word, we often discovered that our prayers have been answered long ago... when we first sought Him. Oh, the clarity that comes in His presence. Listen for more.

"Sure, I love You, Jesus, absolutely!"

(Denies Jesus.)

Jesus: "Do you love Me? Do you love Me? DO YOU... love Me?"

How do any of us KNOW IF we actually love Jesus or not? (Hint: He tells us how - find out more as you listen.)

Continuing with a theme of overburdened and overtired, what are we supposed to do about it besides rest in The Lord? Surely there is more to being a Christian than sitting around... Of course this is intended a bit tongue in cheek, but only to an extent. What makes for a Jesus-pleasing disciple? Especially when we find ourselves so overloaded? I'm glad you asked...

People are overloaded, tired and need rest.  Thankfully, Jesus came and promised rest, as a gift and as a reward.  When we give weary people God's true Word, and invite them into relationship with Him, we relieve heavy burdens.  And it is the responsibility of every believer to do just that.

Christmastime can be warm and beautiful or harsh and cold and bleak.  Never minimizing the seasons we all endure from time to time, we are called to faith in the God who sees and responds to our calls on Him.  We are also meant, as Christians, to come alongside one another to weather the storms of life, in more tangible and close ways, until the warmth of the sun returns and melts away the difficult season.

Let's be honest, God calls us to things we don't jump right to... so we discuss how to overcome complacency, laziness, and even rebellion, giving attention to God's Word/instruction and honoring Him with our willing obedience.  Real stories from real people, applicable to your life and your situation.

When Jesus makes something, it is GOOOOOOOOOD!  Just like when God called His creation of the earth and everything in it good.  It lacked nothing.  It was complete.  It is good.  Jesus makes and remakes in the best way possible, when we are willing to follow His plans obediently in faith.

When Jesus says, "Come Get Some," we can be sure that there are some to be got!  We have to get on board with Jesus' plan... obedient to His instructions - and we will catch like we've never caught before.  Prepare to catch a bunch of truth, a bunch of faith, a bunch of "men" = disciples.

As you live your life as a Christian, at home, in your neighborhood, at school, at work, at play - do you yet have the faith to speak boldly and see the signs and wonders that follow those who truly believe that God will do what He said He will do?  Or are you timid and fruitless?  God wants you to be bold, to speak, and become fruitful and multiply, all in the name of Jesus.

Asking Jesus, "how do You know me" is kind of like asking the sun, "how are you so hot?"  Nevertheless, Nathanael asks this question and we process together in this message that brings clarity to just how well Jesus knows each and every one of us - and how we are meant to engage because of it.

Philip answers Nathanael's good question about Messiah with the words, "come and see" and immediately we read about Nathanael being on his way... to see Jesus!

Hezekiah had an uphill battle to fight, against shadows of past leadership, family, culture... thankfully, God's plans for his life to be spared and for him to become a good king came to pass.  Be encouraged and begin expecting God to show up and provide for you suddenly as you live for Him.

Conversationally, immediately following a sermon titled "come and see," we focus our attention on how to actually get out there and make disciples, following Philip's humble example of using three little words... "Come and see."  If Christians aren't knowledgeable or comfortable with the beginning steps and impetus towards making disciples, we tend to simply not do it - which means the Great Commission is forever ignored, and we must reverse this dire trend among the Church.  Find out how.

Today, Karla Luther moderates the conversation that accompanied the message, Following Him, as we discover the steps of following Jesus... applying His example directly and immediately to our own Christian experience as true disciples who follow Jesus.

Did Jesus just tell me to wake up?  Is He calling me intentionally blind?  Surely, Jesus compassionately draws the attention of every true disciple to the reality that there are so many all around each of us ready to enter into new life in Him, if we will only see them as they are, in truth, with love, and offer them entrance.  May we all, as followers of Jesus, embrace the truth and then obediently carry out His instructions.

Different than the message the preceded this, notice the lowercase m on "me," which indicates someone besides God is talking.  :) today's Little Bible Conversation takes us deeper into the call of believers to follow the leader that Jesus established as under-shepherds in His ministry.  We talk straight about disappointment and letdown from human leaders, pride that prompts offense, spiritual maturity/immaturity and how the phrase "spiritual abuse" can be thrown around inappropriately without proper discernment of The Lord and His ways.  All in all, a powerful, practical LAB exercise.

Unfortunately, there are things that raise themselves up (or we raise up) above God's rightful place - in our minds - that do not belong there and must be removed.  We have each been gifted by God, equipped, strengthened and sent to tear them down, but we find ourselves back in the high life... again, worshipping at those same high places, instead of putting Jesus in that top spot.  It's time to break that pattern... break down the high places... and never return to living below our dignity as those entrusted by God to cause godliness to reign in our lives.

What's in a name?  A rose by any other name would smell as sweet... We discuss personal names and corporate names we should become aware of in today's Little Bible Conversation.

In today's Little Bible Conversation, we discuss, fairly precisely, how to "go make disciples."  We also look into submission to authority and unity and how they can and should work together for the best outcomes.  We take time out to pray for a disciple-maker who needs a boost of truth and life and encouragement and instruction from her spiritual family...  and we're all the better for it.

Often neglected in contemporary evangelical churches, doctrines, ministries and teachings, The Holy Spirit has many benefits available to every faith-filled believer willing to receive, so today's Little Bible Conversation asks, "What Does The Spirit Reveal?"

"The Preacher" dispenses timeless wisdom "all is vanity and grasping for the wind," and shares deeply encouraging nuggets like, "I hated life," which leaves many wondering, "what is my life worth" then?  Is my life worthless?  Vain?  What do we make of Scripture we know to be true, inspired by God, profitable to us for living godly lives?  We serve up the answer in "What Is My Life Worth?"

7 BFAM Secrets
#1 PRAY for direction and power
#2 HEAL with the gospel and miracles
#3 FIND persons of peace
#4 DISCOVER God through His Word
#5 PLANT reproducing churches
#6 GROW by walking with God
#7 MULTIPLY disciples and churches

We all have a picture of ourselves that is likely somewhat  complimentary.  Regardless of whether we paint ourselves in a more or less flattering way, we can all start asking ourselves the question, "What Do You Say About Yourself?" and weigh that against what God has said about us - either in comprehensive or specific ways... about your righteousness consciousness or your personal ministry assignment...  which leads us to the question, "Whatcha Gonna Do About It?"

Having read and discussed John 1:18-20 where John the Baptist is...  let's say 'approached' and not 'accused,' he responds not with a denial but a confession, reframing the conversation.  He confessed strongly and in humility and truth - and kept on with his mission from God. The question we ask in this Little Bible Conversation as we seek to apply the Word to our lives is, "What's Your Confession?" and "What will you do based on your confession?"   Let's process together.

The glory that Moses experienced in the tabernacle, the glory that Jesus experienced on the Mount of Transfiguration, and the glory we  experience today... What are we looking for?  What are we open to?  What will we welcome and receive?

Beholding Jesus, walking just like we all do on this earth, encumbered  and tempted in all the same worldly draws and snares, but He without  sinning, is truly remarkable.  Jesus - full of grace and truth is absolutely glorious and is the subject of today's Little Bible Conversation.

Using the highly charged political vernacular of our time, we look at a "right" God gives to His people, which is very meta in verbiage... the right to get right.

John the Baptist made his whole life about preparing the way for The Messiah - and preparing people to encounter, meet, follow and KNOW The  Messiah.  His singular commitment is one to be lauded.  We take a close look at this man who did not reject but accepted and welcomed The  Messiah with everything he was.

In this Little Bible Conversation, we dive deeper into what living your calling looks like, as did John the Baptist.

Following up from the message, "Made to Be Loved," we answer questions of devotion, ability, opportunity, and more.  Dig deeper into these  messages with these Little Bible Conversations each week.

In this first Little Bible Conversation, following the kickoff to our church's Verse By Verse teaching in the book of John, Pastor Jeff Little and Ally Jefferson discuss John 1:1-3 and the message, Take It From the Top.