Functional Authority

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

How does the bible impact your life? I mean really, what difference does it make? There isn't a Christian out there that wouldn't say that the bible is the word of God. Most churches claim this as well. That's great and makes me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. But is this really true and functioning in the lives of believers? Is culture leading the way or is the word of God forming your convictions and opinions? Do your beliefs line up with the bible even when it's not popular? 

Pop culture does not like what the bible has to say about abortion (murder), marriage, homosexuality, adultery and a host of other moral issues. If the culture doesn't like what the bible says then what culture is saying is it doesn't like what God says on the subject. Christians are buying into the culture of compromise with what's popular in society instead of standing up for what God has said is right. God doesn't need to change His opinions or ways because our society says it's acceptable, no! You and I need to align our lives and opinions to Gods standard of life. 

Pastor Patrick

Heaven or Hell

‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ” (Read Luke 16:19-31)

This world is really good at making sure people live their life with blinders on to the truth of Jesus Christ. To the level that even if someone was to come back from the dead, they will still not believe. WOW!! 

There is an urgency in this life as a Christian to share the Truth of the Gospel to every man woman and child you come in contact with. How many people do you see everyday and never say a word about Jesus? Oh, you don't have time! I'm sorry, go ahead and go back to your busy life..

Pastor Patrick

Where are You Plugged In

 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. (1 Cor 9:19)

Outside of your relationship with God Himself other people should be your focus. Jesus washed the disciples feat not because He wants us running around town washing as many feet as we can. But, to set the bar for us at being a servant to all. Why? To bring others into right relationship with God. Start with your spouse if your married and cast a wide net to include family, friends, coworkers, the dude on the street corner and the kid addicted to pot next door. 

Pastor Patrick

It Just Doesn't Matter

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:24–25)

Why is it always about dying? Why do I always have to hate this life and the world? Because Jesus provides an eternal perspective of the kingdom. What happens in this world just is not that important anymore. People like you or not, it just doesn't matter. You have all kinds of stuff or not, it just doesn't really matter. Your popular or not, it really doesn't matter. These things are no longer of importance because this world is but a blink in my existence. 

Jesus goes on to say "if anyone serves me, let him follow me". Really, follow Him where.. TO THE CROSS PEOPLE!!! That's right! In order to serve Jesus you must be willing to DIE! Oh, it just got serious up in here didn't it. Remember, whether you live or die, it just doesn't matter. When the seed dies, it bears much fruit.. So die and then go and bear fruit worthy of repentance.

Pastor Patrick

Repent and Seek

"Then I will return to my place until they admit their guilt and turn to me. For as soon as trouble comes, they will earnestly search for me.” (Hosea 5:15)

This scripture is addressing Israel and Judah's idolatry. Do you get a sense that this happens more and more in other areas? We tend to live our lives and lean less and less on God until trouble comes then we search for Him. God comes to the rescue and returns everything back to normal then we get complacent again and forget God until we need Him again. I have a stern warning for those that live this way because you do not know God. 

It is not in Gods character to play second fiddle to your self centered idolatry. When you abandon him with your idolatrous American Dream worship, thinking you can do it on your own. You can live life on your own without God, because he will not be a part of your idolatry lifestyle. You worship work, money, funding your retirement. You worship being in the limelight and being acknowledged for the good deeds you do in Gods name, when God is the far from your heart. You ignore God, you only pray to Him when your in crisis and expect Him to rescue you. 

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Jesus is not on your speed dial. You have to work on developing your relationship with Him through reading His word, meditation, prayer, worship and accepting His call to Love God and Love people. The unction you need to be in fellowship with Him comes from Him. Tap into that Holy Ghost power to live in purity and holiness, it's available and required. Let Him come in and transform you, motivate you and redeem you.

Pastor Patrick

He Loves us Anyway!

And the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.” (Hosea 3:1)

God is one who goes out of His way to forgive and love us. He is just wanting you to love Him as much as He loves you. How do you show God that you love Him? Doesn't this make you just want to fall face down and cry out to the Father. Why does He want to love a sinner like me and you so bad that He will go out of His way to overlook our shame? I don't know that we can ever fully grasp the concept of unconditional love as the Father gives it. But dang it, I'm gonna spend the rest of my life trying.

Pastor Patrick

He Didn't Have to But He Did

Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it; yet the LORD set his heart in love upon your fathers and chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as at this day.(Deuteronomy 10:14–15)

He didn't have to choose you, but he did. I mean serious, look at the verse. To Him belong heaven and the heaven of heavens. He created it all. It all belongs to Him. He did not have to choose Israel, nor did he have to choose you. But He did! 

Pastor Patrick

He is Always There

Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close. (Psalm 27:10 NLT)

Most of us growing up have felt like we have been let down in some way or another. It may be your mom or dad, teacher or even a pastor. There is one thing you can hang your hat on and that is the true Father and his faithfulness. Your biological father may have never been there for you, he may have not been the daddy you expected him to be. But never let that hold you back from embracing the real Father because he will never leave you or forsake you (Heb 13:5)

Pastor Patrick

He Understands

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. (Hebrews 4:14-15 NLT)

Yes, even when we are weak we need to hold fast to the truth of the Gospel and Gods commandments. Jesus understands and has overcome far more testing then you or I ever will. We sin and try and sugar coat it with being human. That's not an acceptable excuse, period. If you have accepted Jesus as the Son of God, His death on the cross as payment for your sin and His resurrection as assurance of your eternity, then you have accepted a new holy and pure nature. Know that God understands your struggles but they are your struggles created by you. Don't want to struggle with these things, whatever it may be, then don't. 

Pastor Patrick

God is After You

In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. (Ephesians 1:5)

I find myself often letting people know what I did and how I did it. But the reality is God does it. I am not able to save myself from the flames of hell. I am not able to love people the way God loves people. I am not able to grasp the knowledge of an eternal God and his ways. It is God who works these things in me. Because of God I am able to love, live and grow. 

God is after you! He is seeking you, to know you, To love you. Be thankful by expressing your appreciation to the Father today. Take a few moments and pray.

Pastor Patrick

World Mission

John 17:14-17. 14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

The world hates us. This is true and to prove it all you have to do is look at the news and you will see Christianity under attack all around the world and with greater intensity building here in America. The world has a mission just as we have a mission and the mission of the world is to trap us in its culture and philosophy, it shoots arrows at us Christians and try's to distract us from the truth of Gods word by distorting it.

Fear is a big distraction for the people of God. It was because of the fear of Rome why They crucified Jesus. The fear of the world that causes us to compromise the truth of Gods word is unhealthy and we do not need to have a spirit of fear. Fear is a selfish character trait. Do not embrace fear but embrace the mission you have been given by God to the world. What is your world mission?

Pastor Patrick

NOW GO!

Matthew 28:18-20. 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,* baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.

Do you call yourself a Christian? If you do then this word is for you. Straight from the mouth of Jesus himself. You are called to make disciples and teach them to obey the commands Jesus gave you. If you have a bible, phone or computer then you have the tool needed to accomplish this command. 

So the question is, "who are YOU discipling?" Who are you meeting with and encouraging to live like Jesus and teaching to obey all the commands Jesus gave you? Don't say your wife or kids because that is a given. Of course you are going to disciple your family and if that's all your doing your not being obedient to the Lord's command to go and make disciples of all nations. So enough with the excuses! NOW GO!