God's Help

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Towne Church · Tuesday, January 17, 2017

WE NEED HELP A LOT MORE THAN WE REALIZE

We all know what it means to need someone’s help. When we are changing a tire on the roadside or trying to fix a leak at the house, it helps to have a friend to assist us. Some of us, though, have a hard time asking for help. We are self-reliant and independent. Now, a certain level of independence is healthy but not an independence that causes us not to ask for help when we need it; and we need help a lot more than we realize. When it comes to God, we need his help all the time. Not a day or hour goes by without our need of his help. Psalm 121 makes this very clear. It affirms our great need of God’s help and his ability to help us.

We need God’s help. 

This entire psalm acknowledges that we stand continually in need of God’s help. It presents a picture of us as needy, as people who are weak and prone to stumble. That is why the Lord must guard our steps and watch over us night and day. Scripture is rather candid about our weakness and vulnerability. Matthew 26.41 tells us to watch and pray because, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” First Corinthians 10.12 warns us, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” Verse seven of this psalm speaks of the evil that surrounds us and attempts to destroy us. Thankfully, God is able to deliver us from “all” evil. God’s deliverance is complete (Ps 130.7-8). Behind the evil around us is the evil one. Thus, we pray each day for the Lord to deliver us from the evil one (Matt 6.13). Satan is no match for God’s power and protection.

God is able to help us. 

The first two verses of this psalm read,

“I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (NLT).

Mountains surrounded Jerusalem and provided natural protection, but the psalmist affirms that it is not the mountains that protected them but the one who made the mountains. The Lord is the one who made heaven and earth. As Creator, he is all-powerful and all-wise. If he could create this world out of nothing, I think he can help us with whatever difficulties we are facing today. It’s interesting that in this short psalm, the holy name for God, Yahweh, is used five times. This name speaks of who God is, what he has done, and what he promises to do. His name is our protection. Proverbs 18.10 says, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run in to it and are safe.” If we put our trust in the name of the Lord, we will be preserved from all evil.

God is present to help us. 

The Lord neither sleeps nor slumbers. As human beings, we must sleep on a regular basis. If we don’t, it will affect our health and our ability to function. We can become cranky or confused without sleep. But God never sleeps. He is always awake and watching over us. He watches over us when we can’t watch over ourselves. When we sleep at night, God is there to protect us and keep us safe. The old children’s prayer goes like this: “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.” At nighttime, temptations can hit us fiercely—the temptation to worry or fear, the temptation to despair, the temptation to do things unseemly. Yet, God is there even in the night to protect us. He is an ever-present, never-sleeping, all-powerful protector. He is there to help us night and day. There is no need for fear if our trust is in Him.

There is no need for fear if our trust is in Him.

~Dr. Mark Jackson

A Prayer of Sincerity

A Prayer of Sincerity

Towne Church·Tuesday, July 5, 2016 

Psalm 139 has always intrigued me. I find it to be a magnificent prayer. It seems like a well that never runs dry. You can return to this prayer of David’s again and again to find spiritual refreshment and revelation for your life.

There is an aspect of the prayer I find specifically interesting. David began by stating, “O Lord, you have searched me and know me.” As he comes to the conclusion of the prayer in verse 23 and 24, he states, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Wait a minute...he said, “You have searched me and know me.” Then he said, “...search me and know my heart.” David, are you contradicting yourself? I believe David’s closing entreat gives us the sincere prayer of His heart. “God, I want to know me as you know me, therefore, ‘Search Me!’”

This is a prayer that calls for Divine Scrutiny. David implied, “God, the truth is, you are the only one who can hold me accountable. Lord, I want to be accountable to you. God pull back the layers and let me see my heart like you see it.” David wanted to handle the truth about himself. When we desire the truth from God concerning ourselves, we have reached a deeper level of spiritual maturity.

David revealed that such an answer to his prayer will require Divine Discipline. He then called for God to test him. “Lord, examine me even if it is painful.” It is our natural tendency to avoid pain at all cost. However, a right relationship with God may require a time of testing to reveal our anxiety so that we may grow in our faith and trust of God.

“O what needless pain we bear, because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”

David seemed to be calling for divine accuracy. He suffered enough from the pain of sin and self ego. He called for the laser accuracy of God to point out anything offensive to God, to himself, and to others.

Finally, David called for Divine Leadership for his life as he prays: “...and lead me in the way everlasting.” David reached a moment of truth in his life. He had become aware that knowing oneself by a pure light is not a false light. He wanted his pathway to be eternal in every way so that all his ways were eternal. David reached that place where he wanted to move beyond forgiveness alone to heart purity.

PRAYER: O God, the words of David truly reveal to us the man after God’s own heart. Help me, O Lord, to find the will to pray such a sincere prayer that I may walk upright in your ways.

~Dr. Claude Robold

Is It Biblical or American? (Part 5)

Is It Biblical or American? (Part 5)

This is the fifth in our continuing series on "Is it Biblical or American," and I want us to focus on the next two points of this very challenging article by Bishop Joseph Mattera. These two points take us the the heart of one of the most significant challenges facing the growing church....the issue, the cultures' lust for entertainment. As a local church pastor, I am always in a bit of a struggle knowing we must pursue excellence in all we do including all our musical ministry, teaching ministry, and other programming; while at the same time, we must to be sensitive to the Spirit as He moves us through opportunities to minister and serve.  I invite you to read through these two points and ask yourself the question...Is It Biblical or American?

8. American Christianity promotes a culture of entertainment. The Bible promotes the pursuit of God.

In the typical growing American church, there will be an incredible worship team, visual effects, and great oratory. Consequently, we are often catering to the American obsession with entertainment and visceral experiences, which can promote a culture of entertainment instead of cultural engagement. Biblically speaking, some of the greatest examples we have of intimacy with God come from the Psalms in which the writers were in dire straits, with no worship team, and alone somewhere in the desert (Psalm 42 and 63).

Biblically speaking, we should not depend upon a great worship experience to experience Yahweh, but should have intimate fellowship with Him moment by moment, way before we even get through the church doors!

9. American Christianity depends upon services within a building. The biblical model promotes a lifestyle of worship, community, and Christ following.

Most of the miracles in the book of Acts and the gospels took place outside a building in the context of people's homes and in the marketplace. In Acts 2 and 4, the churches met house-to-house, not just in the temple. The man at the gate was healed before he went into the temple (Acts 3), which caused an even greater revival to take place.

What are your thoughts? Comment below.

Is It Biblical or American? (Part 4)

 

 Is It Biblical or American?  (Part 4)

6. The American apologetic focuses on human reason. The Bible's apologetic focuses on the power of God and experience.

Americans have been trained to defend the faith utilizing scientific, archeological, and linguistic historical proofs to validate the resurrection of Christ and the historicity of the Scriptures. This is because the Enlightenment trap that promotes human reason as the highest arbiter of truth has captivated the American church. However, when we read both testaments, we see the prophets, the apostles, and Jesus never based the propagation of their faith on the latest scientific research or human reason but on the anointing, authority, and reliability of God (1 Cor. 2:1-4; Hebrews 2:1-3).

Of course, Biblical faith is the most rationalistic, reasonable faith in the world since it comports with reality more than any other philosophy or religion. However, if the foundation of your faith is human reason, then the first person that has more knowledge than you in science could talk you out of being a Christ-follower. Truly, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom--not human reason (Proverbs 9:10; 1 Cor. 1:17-23).

7. American believers have a consumerist mentality regarding a home church. The Biblical emphasis is being equipped for the ministry.

Americans shop for a church today based on what meets their personal and family "needs" the best. It is almost like a supermarket mentality of one-stop shopping. While it is good if churches attempt to meet the practical needs of families and communities, the focus should be upon equipping the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12). God may lead a family to a new church plant instead of a mega-church even if the mega-church has more programs to offer. Biblically, it is all about assignment and equipping. If a person is doing the will of God, they will be fed by God anyway (John 4:34).

These challenging thoughts address two of the most necessary principles in all of Scripture. As you read through these two points, were you challenged to reposition your thinking around  the importance of the anointing, authority, and reliability of God? The priority of the church must change from that of "me and mine," to equipping people to be able to do the work of evangelism and discipleship! 

Any thoughts or points of discussion? 

Let's talk.... Please feel free to comment below!

Pastor Mitch

Is It Biblical or American? (Part 3)

Is it Biblical or American part 3

In our continuing series on "Is it Biblical or American," I want us to focus on the next two points of this very challenging article by Bishop Joseph Mattera. These two points really challenge me as I consider how often I pray for comfort, peace, prosperity, ease, and happiness. While all of us desire such blessings from the Lord, the idea of these comforts are really not the main concern of the Lord for any of our lives. I invite you to read through these two points and consider the veracity and truth of each.

   

4. American Christianity appeals to using faith to attain stability and comfort. The Bible encourages believers to risk life and limb to advance the kingdom.

Much of the preaching in American churches regarding faith has to do with using faith so we can have a nice car, home, job, financial security, and comfort. The biblical focus on faith is on risking our physical health and material goods to promote God's kingdom (read Phil. 2:25-30). Most of the original apostles of the church died as martyrs as did the Apostle Paul, and the hall of faith shown in Hebrews 11 equates faith with a life of risk and material loss for the sake of Christ. Much of the preaching on faith in contemporary churches would seem foreign to biblical prophets and apostles.

5. American Christianity usually focuses on individual salvation. The Bible deals with individual and systemic redemption.

Jesus' first sermon text in Nazareth was a quote from Isaiah 61 (read Luke 4:17-19). American preachers usually interpret these passages in an individual manner only. However, when you read Isaiah 61:1-4, you will clearly see that the gospel not only saved and healed individuals but also transformed whole cities! The biblical gospel deals with systemic sin--not just individual sinners.

Is It Biblical or American? (Part 2)

For this weeks Blog, I want to share 2-3 points from Bishop Mattera’s article with the hope that it will continue to stir our thinking and motivate a systemic change to our way of life and ministry. Please read, and let’s talk about it…feel free to comment or post below to engage with this ongoing conversation!

As we read this weeks thoughts, let's ask ourselves this specific question. "Are we more or less Biblical or American?"

Looking at points 2 and 3, we are confronted with a "Biblical concert that really challenges our Western 'American'" mentality and lifestyle...

 

2. American Christianity focuses on individual prosperity. The Bible focuses on stewardship.

Much American preaching today focuses on "our rights in Christ" to be blessed. However, in Scripture, the emphasis regarding finances has to do with being blessed by God to be a blessing by bringing God's covenant to the earth (Read Deut. 8:18; 2 Cor. 9:10-11). Jesus promised material blessing only in the context of seeking first His kingdom (Matt. 6:33). How does a revival of Biblical Stewardship change our lives, our churches, and our communities? WOW!

3. American Christianity focuses on self-fulfillment and happiness. The Bible focuses on glorifying God and serving humanity.

I heard a statement several years ago that framed this for me... "God is not interested in our happiness but rather our Holiness." While that sounds like a negative statement, it is in reality a positive one. God's desire is a relationship with us now and in eternity. In order for that relationship to happen, there is some work God wants to do in our lives, and that is the development of a lifestyle of focus on loving Him and obedience to Him, His Word, and Will. 

Bishop Mattera's, The Great Commandments are to love God and love our neighbor (Matt. 22:37-40). It seems to me that much of the focus from the American pulpit has to do with individual fulfillment and satisfaction.

Want to talk about it? Share your thoughts below.

Pastor Mitch

Is It Biblical or American? (Part 1)

In an article I read recently by Joseph Mattera, the overseeing bishop of Resurrection Church, Christ Covenant Coalition, in Brooklyn, N.Y.,  a provoking thought and much needed word concerning Biblical Christianity was presented. Unfortunately, his assessments are all too accurate! However, we can make choices in our lives, in our ministries, and in our communities to be more “Biblical” and less “American” in our view of Christianity. Our view of Christianity will definitely impact the way we live our lives, conduct our ministry, and carry out the mission of Christ on the Earth.

For the next few weeks in this Blog, I will be sharing from Bishop Mattera’s article with the hope that it will stir our thinking and change our way of life and ministry. Please read and let’s talk about it…

It has been evident to numerous biblical scholars that, often (if not most of the time), believers (including preachers) interpret the Bible through the lens of their culture. This has resulted in many beliefs, doctrines, and practices prevalent in the church that are not in accord with the clear teaching of Scripture. Sadly, this is often the case with the evangelical church in the United States.

Since the U.S. is so influential, American evangelicals have also exported a Gospel replete with an American cultural paradigm that is not in line with the Hebraic paradigm of Scripture. Consequently, sometimes in the U.S. pulpit, preaching can sound more like the "American Dream" than a sound, biblical teaching.

The following are some of Bishop Mattera thoughts which bring to light the real contrasts between American Christianity and biblical Christianity:

1. American Christianity focuses on individual destiny. The Bible focuses on corporate vision and destiny.

Most of the preaching in today's pulpits in America focuses on individual destiny, purpose, and vision. However, a quick look at the Bible shows us that, in the Old Testament, the emphasis was always on the nation of Israel, and in the New Testament, the emphasis was always on the church. Every promise of God in Scripture was given to the community of faith as a whole. Hence, if a person was not flowing in the context of the church, or the nation of Israel, they would have never even known Scripture since the average person did not own a Bible and only heard the Word when they assembled with the saints on the Sabbath. Of course, believers had to apply the word of God as individuals, but they could not conceive of doing this if they were not part of the corporate body of faith. In the Old and New Testaments, there was no such thing as "individual prophecy" since every prophetic word given to an individual had to be walked out in the context of their faith community and/or had to do with the life of their community.

Want to talk about it??? Comment below!

Check back next week for part 2...

Pastor Mitch