Hit the road, Jack

If the pastor’s face is the logo of a church, there’s a chance that Jesus is not the hero. If programs, creativity, leadership savvy, or innovation is your hero, this is a good indication that the church is not centered on the gospel . Jesus is always the hero of a church centered on the gospel.

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (Kindle Locations 1481-1483). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

We attended a church for a while where the pastor did about everything. He hardly missed a Sunday in the pulpit, visited every person is the hospital (and made sure to mention it on Sunday morning), and developed every plan or program that the church had to offer. And most people loved him for it.

So when we asked some questions about his theology, or gave another interpretation of what a passage might mean to our small group, it was not taken well. In fact, if we couldn't completely support the pastor without question, we were told there were other churches we could attend.

This church had been through some rough times, almost closing because of a split prior to this pastor coming on board. The people loved him for seeing them through that. You just might say they worshiped him, because they did. He was their new savior. And he relished the role.

The church was growing, not by leaps and bounds, but maybe 5-10 members per year. And growth means God's okay with whatever you do. At least that was leadership's opinion. It did not seem to matter that people were also leaving at a brisk pace. Turnover was the key. Keep a few more than you lose each year, and everything is fine.

There is a line in their stewardship video that just about sums it up for me. It comes around the 0:56 mark. The pastor states, "...and we probably wouldn't be here now if these facilities had not been built to meet our needs." Perhaps following up with a few lines from one of our hymns. "My faith is built on nothing less than this fine building and self-righteousness." Thank goodness their needs were met. We wouldn't, or perhaps couldn't, have a church if our needs were not met. Faith and trust in Jesus will apparently only take you so far.

So after shaking the dust off our feet, we hit the road.

In the same way, church cultures void of the gospel are empty and worthless. Church cultures, apart from the grace of Jesus, are utterly broken . And just because a church talks about grace does not mean its culture is filled with grace.

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (Kindle Locations 1536-1538). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

This is why we fail at life change

If a church declares that the gospel is the most important message the world has ever known , and yet the gospel is not seen as the impetus and motivation for all the church offers, this disconnect is indicative of an unhealthy church personality or culture.

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (Kindle Locations 1460-1462). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

I find this to be the most powerful and convicting quote I have read this far.

Why does the church exist, if not to spread the gospel? Is there anything that would be a greater priority? But we do things without considering the full implication of the gospel message. We create programs and events to draw people in, thinking perhaps that we are in fact spreading the gospel, when the reality is that the gospel is no where to be found. At least not the dying to yourself and surrendering all to Jesus gospel. And why not? Because we are not making Jesus beautiful, but rather are attracting people to ourselves, our denomination, or our club. No wonder, when persecution comes, people abandon "their faith," because their faith was not in Jesus or His Father, but in the comfort, convenience, or attraction to a building, program, or group. The gospel was never a part of it.

Offerings are down, we need to grow the church. We need a new gym, time to call people to give sacrificially. There is room for more people in the seats, lets challenge folks to invite their co-workers, friends, and family to church. Ch_ _ ch, what is missing? U R.

C h _ _ c h . What is missing? The gospel. The beauty of a Savior who came to rescue me, at the cost of His own life when I did not deserve it. That is what is missing.

Organic choices abound

Organic multiplication simply happens as people are constantly and continually refreshed with the gospel and reminded of their part in the greater story.

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (Kindle Locations 1406-1407). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

There is a lot of call for organic foods and supplements these days. And there are those who say that the organic foods differ little from the processed versions, other than in price. To be honest, I don't know. What I do know is that some people who eat, drink, and exercise "religiously" still die young, while others who don't live long lives. Kinda makes me think that we are not as in charge as we think! But I digress.

Organic means without the use of outside, artificial chemicals. It is real, and not induced by man's interventions. So what about church growth? Are the programs, worship bands, activities and so on just artificial chemicals that do not impact the final product? Or are these non-organic growth models God's means of growing the church today? Tough call, because God can use whatever He desires, and who is to say He wouldn't use such things? And yet, is that really consistent with what we know of the God of the Bible? I have my opinions. Do you have yours?

Mere service

A church that challenges its members to live as servants centered on the gospel invites people to serve continually in all the places where they live, for as long as they live. Serving is connected to the gospel and is to be encouraged in homes , neighborhoods, workplaces, and the church.

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (Kindle Locations 1192-1194). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

It is not enough to serve or to encourage service. Our service is a response to His service to us. Service
without connection to the gospel fails. If it doesn't, then what is the difference between the message of the gospel and the message of the local Rotary Club? God does not honor mere service, he honors those who are responding to the service of His Son.

Ultimate Goal

Serving for the sake of service is not the highest end. We must be careful not to teach people that the ultimate goal of Christianity is serving. Jesus is the ultimate goal, the highest end.

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (Kindle Locations 1146-1147). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Have not heard this song in years, but it is still beautiful.

Margaret Becker "Just Come In"

Call it what you want...

You can do the right thing with the wrong motive, and God will always call it sin.

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (Kindle Locations 1138-1139). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Put 'em up!

Jesus was saying, “If you’re not committing adultery because of some sort of white-knuckled ‘I know it’s not right so I shouldn’t do it,’ then you’re not free. I have come to set you free from this. I have come to transform your heart so your actions are transformed, not because of self-will but because of a new spirit.”

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (Kindle Locations 1133-1135). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Freedom from sin, and all the trappings thereof, is such a baffling thing. I
struggle with sin. It seems David struggled with sin. Even Paul appears to have struggled.

Surely David knew what he did was not right. But he didn't white-knuckle not committing adultery, he committed it. He was not free.

Jesus came to set us free, I believe that. But this struggle with sin thing, it goes on and on, it would seem. At least in some areas. Perhaps not in all. I know of folks who have been freed from some level of compulsion, whether it be alcohol, eating, or even just plain old cursing, darn it. But I know of no one who beats it all. We all need Jesus, and somehow our addiction to sin seems to bind us to our need for Him. Weird, isn't it.

Now Paul says that we can't use this as an excuse to live in sin, and again, I would have to agree. There does seem to be a transformation that takes place. But it is not 100%, and won't be this side of heaven. Its a sanctification process. One that does not come from self-will, but from God's will.

To serve or to be served?

The essence of Christian faith is not that we serve Christ but that He served us.

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (Kindle Location 1029). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

That is so counter-intuitive. I want to think that somehow I have earned a place in God's heart. But I have done so much more to not earn that place. Jesus does not need my service, but I most definitely need his.

We serve because Jesus has served us. His service should melt our hearts and cause us to serve others out of sheer gratitude to Him.

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (Kindle Locations 1045-1046). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Anything less is just works, are as Isaiah put it, filthy rags.

Motivation

Since Christ has met our needs, we are motivated to meet the needs of our brothers and sisters.

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (Kindle Locations 972-973). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

We love others because He first loved us. Our motivation, if it is pure, is not based on results in the future, but is the result of what Christ accomplished in the past.

Love is...

The weakest, saddest, most hypocritical form of pseudo love is the kind that sees someone in danger and simply hopes everything works out in the end.

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (Kindle Locations 907-909). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Is heaven for real?

I saw the movie today. Not that I wanted to, but my daughter did. I wanted to see it so we could talk about it.

As far as movies go, it was okay. As far as the message, I guess I am as conflicted as the pastor in the movie.

Burpo wants to believe his kid. So do I. But he is not my child, and I do not know how factual the movie records the actual events. So I guess I am a bit more skeptical than the father.

My wife says, "As long as it gets people talking about heaven, then it is a good thing." But I ask myself, is that enough? Is it enough to just talk about heaven? Burpo has been talking about heaven for a long time. He is a pastor, and has raised his children to have faith. He is apparently a good speaker and has a church that is growing. But when things get tough, he questions God and his own faith. So what kind of faith has he been preaching about?

Heaven is a great comfort. To know that grampa is there, or an unborn child, that would be great. But is that what God wants from us, a desire to be with our loved ones? Or is heaven first and foremost about being with God? When we are told that we must love God with all our heart, soul, and strength, where does the idea of eternal bliss fit into this picture? Why didn't Jesus spend more time using this means to attract followers and converts? Instead, he talked about things like turning the other cheek and going the extra mile and picking up our cross to follow Him.

Well, maybe God has changed tactics. Maybe this one will work a lot better. Maybe.

Make me feel better

True Jesus-centered authenticity lovingly nudges believers toward continual repentance —not just a bunch of “nobody’s perfect” confessions but actual, gospel-driven changes in lifestyle.

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (Kindle Locations 896-897). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Ouch! Repentance can hurt, almost as much as those nudges toward repentance.

There is so much I want to say here, but don't know where to start. So many questions come to mind, like, "Is that what my faith community looks like?" and "What is my part in moving toward this type of a picture?" and "What are the challenges and changes that I have been driven to make lately?"

No, this is not safe or feel good. Neither is picking up a cross and following Jesus. I think that is the point.

Driven by grace?

In fact, if your small groups, journey groups, life groups, Sunday school classes, Adult Bible Fellowships, or whatever you call them are not centered on the common need for and common experience of grace, then they are actually doing more harm than good to the gospel movement. If groups are not gospel -centered and gospel-fueled, they are merely a social outlet for people, and they lack the power for transformation.

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (Kindle Locations 860-863). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

The authors continually pound upon the theme of gospel centeredness, and the idea that anything less is not acceptable to God. Grace, and our need for grace is what should drive us, it is the great equalizer. It is what makes the great speaker in complete fellowship with the stutterer, and the ones filled with an amazing gift of teaching in complete fellowship with those who just know that Jesus loves them. It is what binds the elderly man in his white shirt and tie to the young man in jeans who occasionally has to step outside for a quick smoke. It binds the soccer mom to the teen with a little baby. If we are not driven by grace, we quickly become a community divided. Or worse yet, a community isolated.

Choose carefully

we must be careful not to teach people unintentionally that the Christian faith is about our personal resolve and commitments.

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (Kindle Locations 719-720). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

I sometimes just think that I need to try harder. That is when I seem to get into the most trouble, and when I
am farthest from God.

When I think I need to tr harder, I remove myself from the gospel and from Christ. I need to depend on Him, on His grace. Not using that grace as an excuse to not try, but seeing His grace more clearly (which means seeing my sin more clearly too) and becoming motivated by grace to love and serve Him more completely.

Self motivation is a whip. It is a cruel master whom I will despise. Grace is a cup of cold water on a hot and sweaty day. It is an undeserved treat when I have failed time and again.

Grace is the the lamp that must lead me. And God's word teaches me about grace.

Heaven is for real

Heaven is not for people who just want to skip hell. Heaven is reserved for those who love Jesus, who have been rescued by Him and who long to praise Him.

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (Kindle Locations 682-683). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Wish I had said that...

“When sin becomes bitter, then Christ becomes sweet.”

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (Kindle Location 579). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

I need a bigger mower!

They persecuted Me, and they persecuted the prophets. This is what happens when you make a stand—what happened to Me. People get angry. They don’t like you anymore.” Jesus didn’t need the approval of man, “for He Himself knew what was in man” (John 2: 25 HCSB)— insincerity, false flattery, selfish interests, the fickle winds of change.

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (Kindle Locations 506-508). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

So where do I fit in? I clearly know that I am not Jesus, so I do not think that I have a Messiah complex. So do I just shut up? Do I join the crowd of those who just want everyone to get along?

I just have such a hard time doing that. I wish I didn't sometimes.

I think I get this Scripture. I am not perfect. I am a fickle SOB at times. But doesn't that describe everyone? Isn't that why we need Jesus in our lives? If being a better neighbor saves me, then I'll just go around and put money in everyone's mailbox, join the Rotary Club, and mow everyone's lawn on my block. I need an excuse to get a big, awesome lawn machine anyway.

But where is the persecution in that? Is that really what taking up my cross means, or are there deeper things that I might be trying to avoid by taking such a course? These are tough questions.

Jesus knows my heart. Even if I look like the greatest neighbor in the world, He still knows that I am fickle. But He loves me, and that is the heart of the gospel, it is what I live by, and it is what gives me hope and motivation to keep on.

Truckin' along

Our motivation to obey the commands (or imperatives) of Scripture can finally become a delight when we see that the reasons (the indicatives) almost always center around God’s love and provision for us in Christ. Through the gospel, the Holy Spirit empowers our motivations so that we are driven with gladness, not guilt, being ever reminded of our forgiveness in the gospel, not our failures in the law. It is God’s ability, not ours.

Chandler, Matt; Geiger, Eric; Patterson, Josh (2013-11-26). Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church (Kindle Locations 378-381). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

So here is one of my struggles, so much of what is preached and taught in church centers around our actions. If Jesus is lucky, he is tagged on as an after thought. Just last week our Sunday School teacher made a comment in jest, but there was really more truth to it than she realized. She said (about halfway through the lesson) "And let's talk about Jesus too, because after all, this is Sunday School."

The first half of our time together was spent on the law. The rules. Here is what you have to do to be a good Christian...in this instance it was "go out and get to know your neighbors. Now how can we be more intentional about doing that?"

Now I am not saying that getting to know your neighbors is a bad thing. I would even say it is a good thing. Unless I tend to be a jerk or something. Then maybe not. But a desire to know my neighbors it is not what I believe should drive my behavior.

Jesus endured the cross for the pure joy of it. (Heb. 12:2) He didn't do it to be a good guy, He did it because He loved His Father and wanted to please Him. He did it because nothing brought Him greater pleasure than serving His Father. I used to think that His joy came from saving me, but I don't believe that anymore. I believe I am the by-product of His joy, not the cause of it. His joy comes from glorifying God, not rescuing me. He fixed His eyes on God, just as I should fix my eyes on Him. My joy should not come from my neighbor thinking about what a great example I am, but my joy should come from Jesus calling me a faithful servant.

That is what I want to drive me, my love for God and His Son. To be driven by the beauty of my forgiveness rather than my attempts to earn that which is already given. To rely on God's ability, and not my inability.

I don't think I am completely there yet.

But I am working on it.