Go Pick a Fight!

March 26, 2012 in Parables, tampa church with Comments Off

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!

March 19, 2012 in tampa church with Comments Off

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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Our Students Rock!!

March 12, 2012 in Parables, tampa church with Comments Off

I am so proud of our students and student leaders at Church at the Bay.  This week for their spring break they have gone to help a church planting friend of mine, Pastor Jimmy Baughcum.  The church he is starting is called Journey Church and is located in Valdosta Georgia.  Hal (my son and our Student Pastor) tells me they are going to bust it this week.  They will be busy:

  • Cleaning and painting the concrete floors in their new worship space
  • Volunteering at the Second Harvest Food Bank
  • Putting out 100’s of door hangers
  • Giving out invite cards with water bottles.

Church at the Bay wants our students not to be the church of the future- we want them to be the church of today.  So they are acting like the Church by giving their time off to help another church reach their community.  You can keep up with them on our Students page on Facebook- CATB Students. Parents- I am sure they will come home with a whole new skill set for helping around the house.

Sandy and I went to Virginia to visit our daughter and son-in-law.  We had a great time and I am looking forward to jumping into our Parables series this Sunday.  Want to get ahead- I will be preaching about the Barren Fig Tree in Luke 13 and I have an interesting surprise for you.  See you Sunday and bring a friend.

Parables

March 5, 2012 in Parables, tampa church with Comments Off

I loved going to my great grandfather’s house ( his name was Pa).  He lived out in the country and it was there I experienced my first out-house.  I don’t think I will tell that story… The thing I loved about Pa was taking walks with him and his dog Dash.  We would walk through the pastures and woods and he could weave a story like no one I ever knew.  He told me stories of delivering the mail by horseback on a horse that had the famous Dan Patch blood line.  Funny, I don’t remember the conversations but I do remember the stories.  We are like that; we remember stories better than paragraphs.  Maybe that is why Jesus often taught in Parables.  A parable is a simple story with a HUGE truth.  During the next month we are going to spend time in the Parables (stories) of Jesus.  Each week we will discuss the parable, find ourselves in the parable, and then look for a personal application.  I am jacked about this series.  I know you will come… make sure you bring a friend.

I want you to hear Amber’s story.

No video? Click here

 

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