HalMayer.com

A Letter from Lockdown

Hal Mayer — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:22:16 +0000

We start a brand new series this weekend on the New Testament book of Philippians. Here is a little background: After his conversion to Christ, the Apostle Paul spent much of his time traveling the Mediterranean area starting churches. Whenever he started a church he would spend some time developing leaders and then he would hand off the church to the leaders, only to move on to start another church. We read in the book of Acts about the church Paul started in Philippi. The book (actually letter) of Philippians is written to the church that he started in Philippi. He writes this letter while he is in prison and encourages the church to pursue maturity in Christ and a life of joy. Can you imagine that? Paul is in an ancient prison and he is the encourager. The book of Philippians is only 4 chapters long and yet it is one of the most quoted books in the Bible. This study will encourage you to mature in Christ with an attitude of joy! Plan to attend every week and bring a friend.
By the way- would you like to see our Spoken Word segment from last Sunday- watch below

No video? Click here …

A family needs our help …

Hal Mayer — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:32:16 +0000

There are times in life when things happen that we can’t make sense of and we ask why. Often we never get the answer we are looking for and yet, we find God’s presence in huge ways. That is what I am asking Church at the Bay to do this week- be the hands and feet of Jesus- to a hurting couple and their family. Here is their story.

On April 29^th a mom attended Church at the Bay for the first time with a heavy heart- her baby boy (5 months old) was on life support. She asked me to pray with her and so we prayed. A few days later the little boy died and we did not know. But, yesterday, I got a phone call asking if I would do the funeral. Today Sandy and I went over and met with Mom and Dad and tried to offer the comfort that only Jesus can give. This couple is devastated as you might guess. When I looked around I knew they needed our help and so I offered several things and they said yes! Here is where you come in Church- this is what we need to do. You do not need to do everything but you MUST do something.

UPDATE: As of 9:42 pm Tuesday- we have the meals and cleaning covered. Let me know if you can attend the funeral… You all are great.

We need supper for Wednesday through Sunday for 2 adults. If you can help by providing a meal please email me and I will put you in contact with our coordinator. ( Hal@churchatthebay.com )
We need some families to come to the funeral on Saturday morning at 11am at a local funeral home Blount & Curry Funeral Home – Carrollwood Chapel 3207 West Bearss Avenue Tampa, FL 33618. Please email me and let me know if you can attend. I would love for them to have the support of our presence. When you come tell them you are from Church at the Bay and that you love them, are praying for them and that Jesus loves them. ( Hal@churchatthebay.com )
My wife, Sandy, is leading a team over to clean house. If you can help email me for the details. (Hal@churchatthebay.com)
Pray daily for the family.

I need you to email me so we don’t have too many or too few- please let me know which one you are available for. . Let’s do this Church at the Bay. (Hal@churchatthebay.com )

WHY???

Hal Mayer — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:10:55 +0000

This past Sunday I talked about a big WHY. If your WHY is big enough you will figure out how. So let me ask you a big WHY question. Why do you obey Jesus? Why do you serve Him? Why do you give? Over the past 30+ years of being a pastor I have heard a lot of answers, most include some variation of:

I feel guilty if I don’t…
I am afraid God will punish me …
I want His blessings in my life …

Often times we don’t express our motives as clearly as I have listed but, if you push in- it seems to land in one of those areas. Before I tell you what I believe is the best motive for obeying, serving and giving to Jesus- let me tell you why these are not the right motivation.

Guilt/Shame:

This is often a favorite tool of parents, spouses and sometimes friends. We are asked to do something and we feel like if we don’t we let them down. The problem with this motivation is once we fulfill the request we still fell empty. Guilt sounds like this, “I would be ashamed- I can’t believe you did ___________ after all Jesus has done for you.” Have you allowed yourself to become motivated by guilt and or shame?

Fear

Too many people view God as the celestial policeman. If you don’t obey He will catch you and make you pay. The better picture is the one Jesus gave us Father (The Lord’s Prayer- “Our Father…”- a loving father who desires a relationship with His children. The Bible says perfect love casts out fear. When we see the command to “Fear the Lord” in scripture it is speaking of reverencing God because we know He is all powerful and living with the understanding that He sees everything we do. An unhealthy fear of God will lead to a less than authentic relationship with the Father. Have you fallen into a fear motivated relationship?

Blessings

Let’s be honest we all enjoy the blessings of God and we should be grateful for them. The Bible even promises God’s blessing on our lives. Too often we follow God so we can get- more money, a better job, a great family and good health. What happens when we don’t get what we believe you deserve? We tend to be disappointed, feel overlooked and think God owes us. The truth is God has blessed us so much, if He never did another thing for us we have no right to complain. Be careful- this motive sounds Biblical at first but in the end will bite you! Have you been bitten?

So you are probably asking- “Hal, what is the right motivation?” It is simple- it’s what 1^st Corinthians 13 is all about- it’s what God wants from us- LOVE. When we serve Him because of who He is and we desire a relationship with Him because we love Him- our relationship with the father grows. When my kids were younger and truth is now that they are adults, I really didn’t want or need their gifts- I did want time with them and I do want them to Love me. If I, as an earthly father, desire that kind of relationship and I am sinful- How much more does our Heavenly Father a love relationship with us?

So let’s move past the guilt, fear and blessing motivation and press into a real relationship with a loving God. That is why Jesus came- to demonstrate how much God loves us and desires a relationship with us.

To Be Or Not To Be…

Hal Mayer — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:11:44 +0000

I am over in Orlando Florida for a couple of days at a conference for church planters called Exponential. This is the largest gathering of church planters in the world- over 4000 men and women. I am teaching with Ron Sylvia the founder of Next Churches and some other pastors. We are teaching potential planters principles and processes for starting a church. We share the successes and the misses we have all experienced along the way. This is always a great place for me- I love being around people who are crazy enough to trust God and start a church. Church at the Bay was blessed to have 12 other churches invest in us when we launched and we have invested in several church plants since we began. Each year our students do a mission trip or two to help a church plant. So, church planting is part of our DNA.

That is the background of why I am here- now to the take home point- pastor Mark Lee made a statement yesterday that I loved and plan to steal. This statement seems to bring real clarity to the role of a Christ-Follower and how we should live. This is what he said:

Christ-Followers should be living proof of a loving God.

So many times we talk with friends and co-workers who ask for proof or evidence that Jesus Christ is alive or active today. That is it- we are not perfect- and yet we are to be the evidence of a loving God. In the way we respond to our circumstances and environment. So the challenging questions for me and you are: Am I proof of a loving God? Does my life exude the living Christ? Am I living proof of a loving God? Those questions help me bring my focus to right now, this morning. I am praying this prayer today:

Father, I surrender to you right now. Forgive me for living so much of my life concerned with what I want rather than who you have called me to be. Holy Spirit would you fill me and help me to live moment by moment aware of your calling for me to be “living proof of a loving God”. Today I live in Jesus name and for His honor. Amen.

Wikipedia: exponential definition: of or relating to an exponent. →

Now God …

Hal Mayer — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:11:31 +0000

Sunday we looked at a Defining Moment in the life of the prophet Daniel. This teenager (along with 3 friends) was taken captive into a strange culture (for him anyway). There he was brain washed/re-educated over a 3 year process. They changed his

Location
Proximity to family
Name
Language
Education
And yet when they changed his diet- he would not follow.

Daniel 1:8 describes how Daniel had made a pre-decision not to defile himself. Because of his pre-decision we see his “Now God” moment in verse 9. It is amazing to me that a teenager would have this kind of conviction. And because he did- God shows up in his circumstances. If you read the book of Daniel you will see that “Now God” moments don’t always mean you and I avoid the trial or do not experience harsh consequences:

The 3 Hebrew boys with Daniel went through the fiery furnance experience
Daniel goes into the lion’s den
And they spend their lives in captivity.

“Now God” means that God shows up in the midst of your circumstances! Sometimes its with the peace of God (Philippians 4:7) or the provision of God (Philippians 4:19) or even the strength of God (Philippians 4:13) and sometimes with deliverance from the problem. All of those moments happen when we step out in faith- trusting God!

Got any NOW GOD moments?

If you missed the message on Daniel- just watch below

No Video? Click here

Thank YOU!

Hal Mayer — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:41:40 +0000

For years I have been amazed at how God has taken a guy with so many miss-steps, miss-ques, and miss-speaks and still uses me. I remember so many failures and times of disobedience in my life and yet when I repent and trust Jesus’ for forgiveness – He uses me and often uses my failure as a platform for His message. God has not only redeemed me- he has redeemed my failure and uses it for His glory. So on an Easter weekend when we see so many people said yes to following Jesus, said yes to Baptism, said yes to serving, and said yes to God- I am so thankful to Jesus for His grace and strength.

There is also a group of people I am thankful for and it’s our pastors and volunteers! God used you all in HUGE ways. Let me see if I can list a few, let’s begin with Friday Night:

Friday night the band and tech team nailed our Night of Worship. Great job!
We Baptized 20 and the baptistry was leaking like a broken pot for the whole service. BUT- our team kept mopping, emptying water, and smiling.
I thought the Lord’s Supper experience was moving as volunteers led it around tables.

Now how about Sunday:

Set-up and tear down people- you blow me away- every week you get us going!
Our greeters were spot on from the parking lot to the front door. I loved watching greeters escort 1^st time guests to kids check in and class rooms.
The ushers doubled up and did a great job of seating people.
Tech team another great job
Our kids volunteers cared for almost 200 children! Wow- thank you!

So I just want to say- Thank you Church at the Bay for saying yes to God- and yes to doing whatever it takes to help people take their next step with Jesus. It’s an honor to serve as your lead pastor.

I did have someone ask me if I “lip synced” the song I sang. I told them, “no, the song was live- I lip synced the sermon.

Can’t see Baptism Video? Click here

The Power of an Invite!

Hal Mayer — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:46:27 +0000

If you were at Church at the Bay this past Sunday you heard Luly Acosta’s story! If you missed it or would like to see it again- it is posted below.

(No video Click here)

When I see life change by the power of Jesus I always want to know where it started. So I asked Luly, “Who invited you to Church at the Bay”. Luly said, “My friend Yajaira”. I can only imagine the joy that her friend feels now.

So here is my question

Who is your Luly? Who do you know who needs to know Jesus personally? What if they come on Sunday and commit their life to Jesus and you are the one who invited them? Would that make your Easter the best ever?

The God of the universe made displayed His love for all mankind when He sent His Son, Jesus, to live a perfect life- die on a cross for our sins- raise from the dead on the third day!

Please invite your friends to meet Him this Sunday- Easter- at Church at the Bay.

If you would like to see more Church at the Bay stories you can

Download our smart phone APP, they are featured there (click here to download)
Or go here on your computer

It’s GOOD NEWS!!!

Hal Mayer — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:19:28 +0000

The message of Easter (the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ) is GOOD NEWS. We all have neighbors, friends, coworkers, and enemies (for that matter) who have not yet responded to the GOOD NEWS of Jesus. Will you step out, step up, and invite the people in your life to hear the GOOD NEWS this Easter at Church at the Bay. Sure, I preach the GOOD NEWS every week and yet Easter is special. Here is why, depending on the survey you look at, somewhere between 60 and 80% of your friends who do not attend a church will come to church with you on Easter! That means there is not a better time to invite your friends!

I want you to understand this- Easter at Church at the Bay is all about the GOOD NEWS of Jesus. I am praying, inviting, and planning so that when your friend comes we give them every reason to surrender their lives and trust Jesus Christ as their Savior. We are doing Cardboard Testimonies again. If you did not see last year- watch below…

No video? click here

So, Church at the Bay, let’s step up and bring our friends this week. Do what you must beg… borrow… or kidnap… (Okay maybe not kidnap- nope… for sure don’t kidnap) your friends who need to understand the GOOD NEWS to CATB Easter Sunday. Here is an Easter invite video you can send them so that they can be prepared for what they will experience…

No video? Click here

Go Pick a Fight!

Hal Mayer — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:43:27 +0000

It’s Monday and I have jury duty. I was selected for a pool of 30 and then sent to lunch. I am back early from lunch and there were no seats outside my court, so I went downstairs outside another jury room. I sat beside a Mom and her daughter that were awaiting sentencing (the daughter was the accused). I did not discuss the case—just talked about how tough it must be. They were really having a tough time. I was hoping I would get to pray with them, but they were just called into the courtroom. Again, I don’t know anything about their case, but she is definitely at the mercy of the court. Have you ever been there? The accused or the accuser? I have been on a jury before, but never in a courtroom as a defendant or a plaintiff. I can’t get yesterday’s sermon out of my mind about a lady needing justice from an evil judge. The Scripture explains that even the evil judge gave justice because of the widow’s persistence. When we consider the question of “How are we like the widow?”, I don’t want us to consider where we can find an offense. Rather, let’s consider what we are fighting for that matters? Do you have a cause? Causes? Do they matter? Some people live their life to fight every battle and some live their life to avoid conflict. I want to challenge you to pick a fight and engage! Here are some fights worth considering:

Your family’s relationship to God
Your marriage (not a fight with your spouse, but for your marriage)
Your friends to know Christ (not by an argument, but a passionate care that is irresistible)
God’s leadership in your personal life
You probably have others

When I say fight, I do not mean physical. I am speaking of passionate persistence. Think of the fight Jesus picked- a fight for your soul and mine and every person who walks planet Earth. Engage the battle- it makes life worth living! Life is too short to be navigated passionlessly. Go pick a fight!

Don’t see a video click here

BTW- I was not selected to be on the jury.

So it’s Monday!

Hal Mayer — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:30:12 +0000

So it’s Monday and yesterday we looked at the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree. The Big Idea: God looks for, cares about, and expects fruitfulness. I posed the question: How many figs do you have? Where? And, where do you want to see fruitfulness?

Have you ever been around a floater? These are folks that just ride the current of life and never choose a direction. I have seen people float into:

Financial ruin
A divorce
Getting fired
Pornography
Immorality
Relationship ruin

And they floated there because- they never paid attention to their lack of fruit, they never changed anything and we all know where that leads. I have been around to many people who say they love Jesus and yet when it comes to their lack of fruit they tell me: “God understands”. This parable teaches that God expects fruit and that He is generous with time and He is patient with us.

The interesting part is that the kind of fruit that God is looking for:

A changed life
Obedience
A heart for people
Generosity…

is not a product of self-help or working harder. The Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives as we are filled, follow His promptings, and submit to Him daily. So really- we don’t produce the fruit- but we can prepare our soil! How’s your soil prep going? I shared 4 ways to prepare your soil in this message. If you missed it you can watch here:

(No video? click here…)

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