Pastor's Message

Pastor Greg

1 Cor 4:14-18

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church. NKJV

There are many people today wanting to give voice to what they believe the Bible to say by having their own websites so as to have their own followings for books ,cds, etc. They take up the role of wanting to be teachers of God's word,but they arent in any RELATIONSHIP with the people that may read their thoughts and teachings/beliefs. Just like days of old, there are many who may teach the word in eloquent form, but believers need more than just a teacher. Timothy was a spiritual son of the Apostle Paul who lived and breathed what he had been taught by his father in the Lord. Fatherhood implies hands-on training and nurturing and the OBSERVANCE of spiritual fruit and an empowerment to advance the gospel from the anointing that's being passed down. I am amazed as to how much deception is coming into the beliefs in the BODY of Christ from self appointed teachers who may not have been fathered and discipled themselves.

This is not something you force on someone, it naturally should come from people leading others to Christ as an ongoing experience. Just as it takes NATURAL parents to bring up children, it takes spiritual parents as well, This is simply not something that is taught or talked about much. Every believer should learn and be discipled by someone and then in turn, learn to disciple someone else.

The PROBLEM is that many people are wanting to just teach without giving any real help in guidance and direction or training. This is one of the missing or weak links that needs great improvement in the CHURCH today.

If it took the 5 fold ministry (apostle, prophet, teacher, pastor, evangelist) to raise up the BODY of Christ in the 1st church, it requires the same today. This why so many new believers seem to backslide to go back to the old self life within a short time. Spiritual orphans seldom grow up on their own.

Solution to Spiritual Dryness

From: Ms. Karen

In these troubled times are you MIA in your church? Do you feel dry and thirsty spiritually? Are you wondering where is the power of God today? It is time to take personal responsibility for your spiritual climate. In the book of the Bible named Acts it says, “They continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:41) This is what Pastor Greg calls the Four Spiritual Food Groups.

First is the Apostles’ Doctrine; which is the study of the Word of God. King David said in Psalms 119 beginning in verse 9, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!” Studying the Word of God by asking the Spirit of God to lead you and teach you will lead you in the way you should go. It will give you confidence. It will give you direction for your life as every situation is addressed in the Bible.

The second important aspect is Fellowship. Godly fellowship is very important. To surround yourself with people that have the moral standards that you want in your life will encourage you to live rightly. Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians, “bad company corrupts good character." (1 Corinthians 15:33) The company you keep will sooner or later reflect in your behavior. Parents, it is important to know who your kids are hanging around.

Breaking of Bread is the third important factor. Again in his letter to the Corinthians Paul explains the importance of remembering the Lord in Communion. “23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) It is important to attend a church and partake in the remembrance of what the Lord has done for us. When we take of the bread and the juice it is honoring the Lord Jesus Christ and declaring ourselves in communion with Him. The breaking of bread is also done in fellowship with one another as we commune with each other over a meal. Many churches have fellowship meals or you may just go out to lunch together. In olden times to have a meal together was very significant in the bond of relationship. I encourage you not to forsake the assembling together and partaking of the Sacrament of Communion as well as having a meal with those you fellowship with.

The fourth and last element of our Food Groups is prayer. Prayer is the communication between us and the Lord God of Heaven and Earth. He is a living God not made of human hands as a statue. He is one who answers your petitions and even speaks to your heart if you are listening. Prayer should be a two way communication. Many times Jesus would say, “let him who has ears hear.” Well, everyone around him had physical ears on the side of their heads. So what did Jesus mean by this statement? We must listen with the spiritual ears of our heart. Our innermost being is where we communicate with the Lord God. You can pray all day long, at any time and in any place. When believers come together to pray there is a stronger power as Jesus said in the Gospel of Matthew, “I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19)

The solution to spiritual dryness is to continue to do what the Apostle Paul says and join together for the teaching of the Word, fellowship, remembering Him as we break bread and especially prayer. To spend personal time with the Lord each day and then to come together and honor Him is the answer to spiritual dryness. For the Lord God of Heaven and Earth has said He prefers obedience rather sacrifice.

Karen McMullin