The Clothers...

Is Jesus who he said he was?

As I survey the miriad of churches, denominations, and faith traditions that surround Jesus, I have to pull back a bit to the central figure of the good news. Jesus.

Not questioning whether we will go to heaven or hell if we believe in Him or not. Not questioning whether we will live in peace and love with or without Him, but is He who he said he was?

Evidence That Demands a Verdict, The Case for Christ, and any number of books and people have applied themselves to this question, many ultimately concluding Jesus is the Son of God. He's the only religious figure out there who proved His divinity in resurrection. And most of the evidence seems to clearly support this.

But I guess anything is arguable for us humans, until we've experienced it.

Does the Washington Monument really exist? Yes, I've touched it.

The Great Pyramids? Seen them in lots of movies and pictures. I'm pretty sure they're real.

Did we really land on the moon, or was it done in a movie studio? I don't know. I think we did... but we did declare in 1961 that we'd put a man on the moon before the end of the decade (to keep pace with or beat the Russians' technological development) and it was July of 1969 when we met the goal. Pretty close to the deadline. Sounds suspicious...

Is Jesus who he said he was? Well, a lot of people who were there in person when he walked the earth died for telling others he is. No photos or movies, but a movement that spread like a virus ensued. Something sure happened.

I only know, that in spite of any debate, my personal experience with Jesus is real to me. I have touched Him, and He has touched me. And everything else falls into place from there. Forget all the debateable theologies, here's what Jesus said (John 12:47):

“If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world."

Who is Jesus to you? Someone you'd listen to? Believe? Do you believe Jesus is who he said he was?

 

 

 

 

The Perfect Church, Part 2

My friend and I were talking about picking a church. He commented he would err on the side of grace versus legalism. My response was on a different vein. I tend to err on the side of Bible teaching versus application based teaching.

Regardless of what "type" of church, teach me who God is, who I am, how I can be in God's family, and what my part is once I am. And then disciple me to follow Jesus in His ways.

That first part is simply the Gospel. And it can so easily be communicated in context with any Christian church teachings and conversations.

Don't make me wait until the next message or the next conversation, when it might fit in better. Tell me (or remind me) now.

It doesn't have to be offensive or defensive, just loving and factual, just the Good News in context. Because the Gospel is the context.

As Cynthia and I talk about where we belong, we think of house churches, megchurches, and everything in between.

We think about how we can be of help to a local body and how the local body will help us be prepared and accountable to God for our calling as His ambassadors to our community.

We think about who we're supposed to pour into, and who will pour into us. And we think about a family that is all on this journey together, loving God, speaking into each others' lives in love, learning together, and demonstrating to the fallen world around us what God's Kingdom looks like.

We think about our neighbors and a church where we can invite them to join us, and maybe even where we can learn Spanish.

And so we pray.

One thing for sure. God is faithful, and He will land us right where He wants us, if we keep our eyes focused on Him and not our personal inventory of the "perfect church."

 

 

 

 

 

The Perfect Church

Cynthia and I are entering yet another season of change. God has moved us on from the church plant we've been with the last year or so.

We have learned a lot and have grown a lot during the last two years since relocating 1000 miles from our church home of 20 years.

We've stayed true to who we are in Christ, and His call on us here in Oxnard. We have made many new friends, and I don't think we've lost any. And now we need to settle into a new local family.

I can't help but love the local church, in all it's different forms. I have friends in leadership at 8 or so local churches that are each a slightly different expression from conservative to charismatic. 

One of the local leaders has started a monthly gathering called "One Church." People from all different churches come together to pray and worship together in public spaces. It's small right now, but it's a big step in the right direction.

God's heart for His church is that we be one.

One church, but not under one roof, under one Truth.

I believe we are witnessing God moving in Ventura County. And it doesn't look like just one local church growing exponentially with multiple campuses, it looks like multiple local churches all over the place talking to each other like the family that we are called to be and mobilizing our people to love this county with the good news of Jesus.

I love being connected to so many churches, but at the end of the day, Cynthia and I are asking God what local body do we belong in? We can see all that was accomplished through being a part of Seed the last 18 months, and now we have a new assignment. So how do we know? Where do we go?

Well, I can tell you this. The perfect local church for us is the one God wants us involved in. In my next blog, I'll explore what that might look like.

What local church do you belong in? Where can God best grow you and release you as His ambassador with the Good News that God wants others to join His family too?