Basically . . .

So if your pastor speaks on the same topic two weeks in a row, chances are you really need to hear it!!  Getting Back to the Basics.  Last week I talked about how as Christians we need to get back to the basics through repentance; to give away to God that which he wants anyway, in order for us to grow closer to Him.  The closer we grow to Christ, the more we resemble him and the more we resemble Christ, the less of “us” gets in the way to share Christ. To spread the good news of the Gospel everywhere, that is what we as Christians are called to do.  Just as the first disciples were called by Jesus according to Mark 1:14-20.  Jesus said, “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” v 17.  They left “at once”, with no doubts, concerns or worries.  How many of us can honestly say that if Jesus walked into our workplace, said, “Hey, come with me,” would drop everything on command and set out for a foreign nation?  Hard to imagine, but that is exactly how the early disciples were called, they left it all for Jesus. 

Pastor Steve asked on Sunday, “Have you ever been a believer but not attending church?” I admit I had to raise my hand, how about you?  Are there times in your life where you can easily recognize the absence of God?  The times when you decided to “go your own way?”  How did that work for you?  I know it was NOT a good outcome for me!  Attending church regularly is one of the basic ways of staying connected to God.  It is through the church we find spiritual strength.  The early Christians gathered together in this same way, to be strengthened and renewed, built up in Christ.  “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.”  Acts 9:30-32.  Just as we meet today to fellowship and renew each other in the faith; meeting with fellow Christians helps “build each other up so we can spread the Gospel with others, with strength.” (Pastor Steve)  We as a body of believers will increase in numbers as we renew our strength.  How?  Because meeting together gives us the strength and boldness to witness to others the power of Jesus’ saving grace.  The reason why there are so many un-churched people is because they don’t know about Jesus.  Our job as disciples is to share the hope of salvation to those outside the church, just as the early disciples did.  As a Christian, are you more concerned about what goes on INSIDE the church than what goes on OUTSIDE the church?  As Steve pointed out on Sunday, the early Christians were not worried about who was leaving the church; they were worried about who was not coming because they did not know Jesus. 

^“Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” Acts 2:41

“Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.”  Acts 5:14

“The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.”  Acts 13:49

“They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples.” Acts 14:21

All throughout Acts we hear of the church growing by thousands, nowhere is there an account of how many left, why?  Because spreading the Gospel is not about people leaving the church, it is about people coming to Christ!  It is about being a witness for Christ.  Make no mistake, you are a witness either way, but what is it that you are witnessing to others?  Are you repenting daily, drawing closer to the image of Christ so that others see Christ in you?    It is rather difficult some days to be Christ-like to everybody, but because I am a constant witness, what people see in me still leaves an impression.  I want to leave a Christ-like impression, so how do you stay Christ-like?  By sticking with the BASICS through prayer, meditation, reading scripture and most of all being refreshed and renewed with fellow Christians each week at church. 

We are not called to just sit around and wait by the door for people to show up; we have to go out into the world and claim the lost for Christ.  If people do not know what Christ is about, how will they know to come to Him?  We are the priesthood called by Christ to deliver the Good News of the Gospel – everywhere to everybody! 

Called by Christ!

Amanda

Basics.

What do you think of when you hear the word, "basics?"  Many different things come to my mind, basic training, basic food groups, and basic skills.  All of which implies what?  Basic training we know is a grueling, intense, physical regimen conducted by every branch of military on new recruits.  They must "survive" the several weeks of "basic training" in order to advance to the next level of their military training.  Having been a Navy wife for many years, I have heard some of the "horror stories" of this intense training and how the officers in charge can be, let's say, less than nice.  So from this angle, a basic implies something very less than desirable. 

Basic food groups conjure up the image of that triangle we all remember from years ago in health class (okay more years for some than others).  Now I don't know about you, but when I think of basic from this stand point, I think needs.  Basic needs in order to survive.  The things my body must have for survival. 

Webster's dictionary gives the following definition:  Basic - (noun) - something that is basic, fundamental.

Fundamental, hmmm, how does that play in the mind in the spiritual realm.  Fundamental means, according to Webster again, "something fundamental; especially: one of the minimum constituents without which a thing or a system would not be what it is."  Let me repeat that, ONE OF THE MINIMUM CONSTITUENTS WITHOUT WHICH A THING OR A SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE WHAT IT IS!!  So what do you think of when you hear the phrase, "Getting Back to Basics" in the spiritual sense?  What are the basics of Christianity?  If you are lacking those basics and refer back to the previous definition of fundamental, then you are a missing one of the minimum constituents that makes you what you claim to be- a Christian.  Ouch!!  So does that means if I am not doing the "basics" am I missing out on what God has for me as a Christian, a follower of Christ, a child of God?  Umm, well I guess, "Yes" would be the answer.

Pastor Steve quoted his mentor, Bill Sweigert on Sunday saying, "If you are not growing, you are dying." So if you are not practicing the basics then you cannot grow closer to God.  Much like my previous example of basics with the food pyramid, if you continually leave out one of those food groups your body becomes deficient in that area.  That's why our parents always made us eat our veggies, our body needs them!!  In the same sense, our "spiritual" body needs the basics too.

So what are some Christian "basics?"  I immediately think of prayer.  When we have an active, vital prayer-life with God, we sense His presence and draw closer to Him.  Personally speaking I can look back over my life and see the moments when I was actively praying and the moments when I was not.  Any guesses on how each looked?  As Christians we KNOW we are suppose to pray, but as humans we try to accomplish too many of our lives challenges without it, which usually does not turn out for the best.

Another Christian basic for me is reading the Bible, you know, the Word of GOD!! (Double-ouch!)  Too many Christians, including myself are trying to make it in this world without consulting the Good Book!!  God gave us HIS word for a reason, to read!!  We need to be actively reading the scriptures to draw closer to God, yes, but the Bible is so much more than just a channel to connect with God.  It is an instruction book for life.  The "basic" needs for Christianity are found in there.  Here is where we are taught to pray, worship, praise, minister to others.  Moreover, if you claim to be a Christian and cannot back your belief by knowing the scriptures, your effectiveness among the non-believing is diminished.  You lose credibility as a witness, if you are asked pointed questions you know nothing about.  Remember you are a continual witness for God, good or bad.  I am just as guilty as any other, but plan to make a change in that area, immediately.

As noted by Pastor Steve on Sunday, another individual basic as Christians, is baptism.  Jesus himself was baptized before he began his ministry, which suggests that requirement of each of us as well.

The Baptism of Jesus

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” - Matthew 3:13-17

Now personally speaking I cannot say I remember such an occurrence when I myself was baptized, but I am assured through scripture that the Holy Spirit did in fact descend upon me and fill me when I was baptized almost 30 years ago.  "Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38. What I have chosen to do with the power of the Holy Spirit within me since that time is my own personal choosing.  What have you chosen to do with the power of the Holy Spirit within you? As I have matured into adulthood, I have recognized the need to "renew" this feeling or I guess "filling" often, perhaps even daily.  Though we do not need to be physically baptized each day, we do in fact need to repent each day which is part of what we do when being baptized.

1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him." . . . . . . 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Repent and be baptized!!  - Matthew 3:1-3, 11

Repent, such a bold and sometimes frightening word. But simple put it means to remove from yourself anything that is separating you from God.  "Letting go of the things that God wants to take from you anyway." - Pastor Steve Singelstad.  When you hang on to even the smallest sin you are keeping yourself from receiving all God has for you.  He has blessings for you and you have blessings to give back to His kingdom, but only if you are pure and filled!!  Filled with what?? - The Holy Spirit!!!!

What ministry, service or action have you always wanted to do, but never have?  Perhaps you have a great purpose that God wants to fulfill, but you are keeping yourself from it by not giving up those things that are keeping you from HIM!!

New Year's resolutions.  How often do we make them, but never keep them?  Maybe this year you have resolved to get in better shape or eat healthier, both of these would imply use of some of my previously mentioned "basics."  Basic training and basic food groups.  What have you committed to accomplish for the Kingdom of God in 2012?  As Steve pointed out on Sunday:

• "Are you about to do something really important for Jesus Christ?"  This one really hit home for me with starting this blog.  I have wanted to do it for many months, but never took the plunge until last week when I recognized some sin in my life that I had to remove.  God called me to do this and so I answered the call.
• "Is your 2012 filled with hope and promise?"  Do you have the faith to step out into a ministry for God's cause?
• "Is it possible this year there will be a profound change in your gift of service to God?" God will actively pursue you until you give in to HIS calling.
• "Do you sense this is the beginning of a greater pursuit of personal sanctification?" If you are not getting closer to God, get back to "the basics."

God wants to do amazing things through you for His Kingdom in 2012.  Are you willing to say "YES" to God?  Are you ready to be "a voice of one calling in the wilderness"?  Do you want more of God in 2012?  Give more of yourself to him!!

Called by Christ!

Amanda

In the beginning . . .

Several years ago I was led to begin taking sermon notes each week at my home church of Mt. Lebanon UMC in French Lick, IN.  I have used these notes over the years for personal growth, reference when speaking and spiritual guidance.  Over the last several months, God has been speaking to me to share my notes and what they mean to me. 

I am in no way an expert on God, The Bible, Theology, etc.  I just enjoy listening to my pastor and lay speakers and taking notes on what they say to use in my own personal life.  I am hoping myself to become a lay-speaker soon and pray that God can use me to reach others the way these men and women of God have reached me. 

Thanks for checking out my blog!!

Called by Christ!
Amanda