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Got Any Proof?

November 7, 2011 in Bible Study, Tough Questions with Comments Off

Our series, The Giant Elephant, has been very engaging.  The questions submitted  on TheGiantElephant.com  will top 50 this week and your text questions during the message have increased as well.  I am grateful to be the lead pastor at a church where people are hungry for God’s truth.  I said this weekend our purpose in this study is not to help you argue your faith better at the water cooler.  I really hope to win hearts rather than arguments.  Our goal is that we would all understand better what our next step in following Jesus Christ is.  The last two Sunday’s I began with this statement:

 Basic Instruction for Life and faith

are found in The Bible

So as I approach you questions each week, I look to the scripture for the answer.  So, this week’s Elephant questions will address the Bible itself.  I will talk about:

  • How is the Bible different than other “religious” books?
  • Does the Bible have errors?
  • Who wrote the Bible?
  • Does the Bible conflict with evolution and science?

That will give us a good start and then I want to step into some real controversy.  I will talk about what the Bible has to say about:

  • The Death Penalty
  • War
  • Abortion
  • Euthanasia

Everything we do at Church at the Bay centers around the Bible and what God has commanded us to do.  Plan to come this week and take some good notes- I believe you will be greatly encouraged!

One more word, please pray for an open reception over the next two Sundays.  I will be addressing some polarizing issues and I am asking God to use me to bring peace and healing for many wounded people.  When I talk about Abortion this weekend I know there will be ladies in the room who have been wounded.  I am asking God to use me to bring clarity; healing and hope to everyone in the room.  Would you please pray to that end?

According to Jim … Prayer

July 25, 2011 in According to Jim, Bible Study with Comments Off

I have enjoyed our journey through the book of James this summer.  James, the half-brother of Jesus, brings a message to life that gets in your grill.  He brings the hammer on things like double-mindedness, worry, lack of faith, caring for people, praying, generosity and more.  When Jesus began His public ministry- his family did not believe.  But, after the resurrection James comes full circle on who is older brother really is- The Son of God and Savior of the world!  He becomes a huge leader in the early church in Jerusalem.  When he writes the Book of James he gives us a perspective that few experience.  He speaks of the fruit of faith… life change and works!  We talked about that in the 1st message- Where there is Fire there is Smoke!  The whole series can be seen on this channel (click here to view).  People often (mistakenly) assume James and Paul contradict- nope!  Paul is usually talking about root of faith (how we begin) and James is discussing the fruit of faith (how we live once we trust Christ).

This past weekend we followed James and he took us down the road to patience.  That seems to be one area I have to go to school on regularly.  It seems too often I learn the lesson, take the test and then re-enroll for another lesson in patience.

This weekend we will conclude with a message on Prayer.  James talks about when to pray, who can pray and how to pray.  Ever wonder why your prayers feel like they are bouncing off the ceiling? Or never answered?  Make sure to attend this week and bring a friend!

The Bible is an Amazing Book!

June 6, 2011 in According to Jim, Bible Study with Comments Off

The Bible is an amazing book.  I believe it is God’s Word for mankind.  Did you know that the Bible was written …

  • over a 1500 year span (from 1400 B.C to A.D. 100)
  • over 40 generations
  • by over 40 authors from many walks of life (i.e. – kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen, scholars)
  • in different places (i.e. – wilderness, dungeon, palaces)
  • at different times (i.e. – war, peace)
  • in different moods (i.e. – heights of joy, depths of despair)
  • on three continents (Asia, Africa, and Europe)
  • in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek)

Google will give you hundreds of resources of fun facts about the Bible.  Although I enjoy reading them, the Bible purpose is much BIGGER than the mere increase of knowledge.  The Bible is a book that challenges us to change!  If you read carefully, the Bible will challenge you to change:

  • how you treat your neighbor
  • how you love your spouse
  • how you discipline your children
  • how you pray
  • how you spend your money
  • I could go on and on.

James says in Chapter 1:

21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. 22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

God’s Word has the power to save our souls … and we must do what it says!  Would you like some tools for watering the Word God has placed in your heart and experiencing the fruit of that Power?  Then you want to be here Sunday our study of James we are calling :

What I learned from the Apple Store about Easter

April 12, 2011 in Bible Study with 1 Comment

To say I was a slow convert to the iPhone would be an understatement!  Even after I began using it, I was never in love with the product.  Yeah, it does cool things, but I have HUGE fingers and texting is not very exact.  So when my iPhone stopped working yesterday, I thought “Hmmmm, we will see about this service.”  After a brief stop at the AT&T Store, I was thinking “Blackberry”.  I went home and made an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar.  When I first arrived, they said that they were really busy and I would have a wait time.  “Great”, I thought. “… how long?” They replied, “Five minutes”.  I was really relieved when Ashley walked up (from behind the counter) and asked me how she could help.  I explained, and she said she would fix it or give me a new phone.  Five minutes later, we had wiped the info from my phone and I was walking out the door with my new iPhone.  In the modern era of cell phones, I have NEVER left a store feeling like talking about the experience in a positive way- NEVER!

So what does that have to do with Easter?  I will make some assumptions about people and their expectations for our Easter Services and also give you my applications based on my great experience at the Apple Store.  I welcome yours as well…

Assumption #1

There will be people coming to church on Easter that are there because someone has pushed them (probably not AT&T) for all types of reasons.

Assumption #2

Some will come having had a bad experience in church and may be expecting the same.

Assumption #3

Many will be negative before the experience starts and will just be waiting for the “other shoe to drop”.

Assumption #4

Wait time will be measured in seconds – not minutes.  If they came under duress- they will watch the time closely.

 

The Apple Store makes similar assumptions about their customers and takes steps to ensure their customer’s have a good experience.  So how can we do the same thing?

 

Application #1

We need to create an environment on Easter that allows for easy access (see: Big Apple Logo, “Genius Bar” sign).  That means parking, kids’ areas, and seating.

Application #2

Make our “guest service” volunteers obvious with a name tag or shirt.  When I first walked in the Apple store, it was obvious who would have the answers because of their name tags.

Application #3

A smile can disarm almost anyone (including this very large man who was VERY frustrated with my broken phone)!  All three interactions with Apple employees began with a smile and pleasant communication.  It was like they were glad to see me- not put off because I was crowding their store.

Application #4

We must design environments where people can leave with a “Wow!” feeling.  Let me be clear: The message of Easter is WOW- GOD LOVES ME THAT MUCH!  To package the WOW message in anything less than a WOW environment would be a miss.  I don’t want to diminish the WOW of Easter because I allow clutter!

Bottom Line- Apple has a good product and incredible service.  We have an unbelievable provision from God- forgiveness through His Son!  I want to make sure I don’t diminish that message by a less that incredible environment.

My final thought is this: every weekend, we have a chance to help people experience the love and forgiveness that Jesus has provided.  Every weekend ought to exceed what any Apple Store can do.  Our commitment to that message will be tested by large numbers on Easter… Let’s be prepared!

What would you add to these assumptions and applications?
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