Carry the conversation

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August 24, 2009 3 Comments

wldndp

Last night was fun… Man I love when we get together at the Five. Thanks for coming! If you weren’t there, check over here for the Podcast from last night’s teaching. It is www.thefiveonline.com there it is… put it in your favorites…

Anyway, we continued in the teaching series “Empowered”. I hope that this has been as challenging to you as it has been to me. Let’s keep the conversation rolling from last night… As usual, we have the text questions throughout the service and there were two really good ones that came in last night. I would love to hear your feedback as well on them. So here they are…

1. You talked about God having plans laid out for us. Where does this leave free will?

God has a plan for our lives. God had a plan for Jeremiah’s life and He has a plan for your life and mine. Free will comes in to play here: what do we do with the plan that God has laid out for us. A builder gets all kinds of plans and sketches done for how to build and frame a house. Now when it gets into the hands of the framers, the HVAC guys, the masons, the fireplace guy, the carpenters, the tile guys, then you can see what ends up where and how well they stick with the plan. That’s where free will comes into play. It’s your choice wether or not to follow what God has planned for you.

2. So how do you know when to say no to serving opportunities? I mean obviously bad things but like the whole “some things are good to do but some things are best” discussion.

Well this is a tough one. I think that this is where prayer comes into play. If I were you I would pray and ask God to clearly lead you in the direction that He would have you go. That way you know without a doubt that you are doing the right thing. I would pray and ask God to show you which area of service you are needed most. This is where checking your attitude comes in to play too. Sometimes it’s easy to get the attitude of “I’ve already done enough…” We need to be careful about not having this attitude.

I think the reality is that you need to be the judge of how much is to much. You need to know when doing one more thing will take away from your effectiveness of all the other things that you are doing. When you can become aware of that and remain balanced, that is where you will know when to not do the next “good” thing. Stick with those things that you do “best”.

What do the rest of you think? What has helped you? Thoughts?

~Peter

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Carry the Conversation

August 10, 2009 No Comments

Empowered

Last night was awesome! It was one night that was packed with all kinds of great stuff… Last night we unveiled our new website: www.thefiveonline.com. This is where we will have our podcast hosted as well as much more information. I am so excited for this! Again, it’s just a tool to help us be the Church and do what God has called us to do. Go ahead over there and check it out!

Thanks to all of you guys being there last night! I love what God is doing through each one of you here at FBC! It was tons of fun for me to get to know our friends from the Philippines, as well as to learn how to properly say their names! It is so cool to see what God is doing around the world through others, isn’t it? My favorite part was when Pastor Faustino was talking about how excited their church gets for worship. So cool…

I am proud to let you know that last night alone we received $602.65 for our Filipino friends at PhilSol. You all continue to amaze me. Having just heard about the opportunity to give, that is very impressive! Let’s see what we can do next week! Let’s come prepared to come alongside of them and support them in their efforts to purchase a base of operations for this vital ministry in the Philippines.

Thank you to all of you who made our Second Sunday dinner such a huge success! Many many thanks to the Simmons, the Rhoads, Gastgebs, Meg Burger, and others who were hanging out helping to clean up! You guys are all incredible! I watched as everyone chipped in and made the whole evening happen. It doesn’t ride on two peoples shoulders, but everyone! Great job!

We had one question last night so here it is…

Do you use a commentary, and if so which one?

Yes, I definitely use a commentary… Actually I use several! I rely on learning and studying as much as I can, and commentaries and other sources are so helpful in this area. I take each and every opportunity that I have to stand in front of you all as a privilege and a very high calling. So, in my effort to be prepared and accurate I use a couple different commentaries.

Here are a few of my favorite:

The Teacher’s Commentary
The New Bible Commentary
The Bible Exposition Commentary
N.T. Wright has written commentaries on many books of the Bible entitled “For Everyone” (great book to read alongside of your particular book of the Bible)

Hope this helps!

There is so much to be excited about! Let’s make movement in our communities! Be the Church!

~Peter

In Faith in Real Life

Carry the Conversation

July 27, 2009 2 Comments

It was a great privilege for me to be able to speak at all three of our church services yesterday. It started with the 9:00 and motored through the 10:30 and finished up with the 5! A big thank you to Pastor Chris for giving me the opportunity to speak and to each person there yesterday…

As you know, we finished our teaching series 19.12. We have been working through this at the Five and we were able to share this last portion with the rest of the church yesterday. So, here are some of your comments and your questions… Remember, it isn’t all about my answer… it is about our conversation! So join in! Let’s go…

1. A church is a place but the Church is everywhere. A bank is just a building unless there is money tellers and bankers. A hospital is only a building unless there are doctors, patients, and medical supplies. And similarly a Church is just a church unless Christians are there. Some churches aren’t Churches and some buildings that aren’t churches can be a Church.

~good thought! I think the part I like best is that some buildings that aren’t set up as churches can be used as some of the greatest Church’s. God can use anyone and anything. The Church is God’s people… He said I will build my Church! I am so incredibly for the Church! I can’t wait to see the Church grow into what God has intended for us…

2. Hebrews 12:27 connects to me with each person’s faith. If a person’s faith cannot be shaken, it will remain. Also, nice use of the MFUGE video. That was exactly what I was thinking when I saw the sermon title.

~You are right on the money… the only thing that will remain is our faith! Cling to it!

3. I really have tried many times to witness Jesus to people but they usually will tell me whatever and won’t listen. I want them to know Jesus but what are some ways to witness without trying to seem like I’m forcing it on them? Because most people I try to witness to will just say that I am just accusing them!

~First off, there are many ways that you can witness to people. I’ve used everything from the gospel braclet, evangecube’s, Four Spiritual laws, Roman’s Road, tracts, stories, situations, etc… Sometimes one of the greatest tools to use in witnessing is your convictions! Just stand on what you believe to be right, and hold firm to that. People will look at you and ask you why you choose not to curse, or drink under age, or smoke, or whatever the circumstance may be. When you set yourself apart from the world it makes you stand out. People will notice! Use the opportunities that arise to have a conversation. Build that relationship… Honestly and genuinely care for the individual. Shower them in love, and be compassionate and gracious towards them!

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the Light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

4. Doesn’t the text say that you have come and not you have been called?

Yes, you are correct!

~Peter

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July 20, 2009 No Comments

Last night we had a lot of fun… It was good to be together with all of you. Let’s jump right in… We were continuing in our series 19.12 and we were looking at how our commitment to Christ calls us to be committed to others!

Here’s last night’s question…

I read Hebrews 12:12 to be speaking to us to strengthen ourselves, not others- right before it talks about being disciplined and not growing weary, – what part leads you to think that it is speaking about strengthening others?

You are correct in saying that it applies to yourself. However, there is a much broader principle that applies beyond just yourself. The New Bible Commentary says this about vs. 12

“The call to strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees recalls the image of an athletic contest. It is a challenge to abandon fear and despair and not become exhausted in the race of faith (cf. Is. 35:3–4). The quotation from Pr. 4:26 (‘Make level paths for your feet’) is a warning about following the way that God has provided, not swerving to the right or left. It is particularly important to help those who are spiritually lame to keep to the right pathway, so that they may not be tripped up and permanently disabled, but rather healed. In other words, Christians have a responsibility to care for one another and to encourage one another not to fall by the wayside. The practical implications of all this are revealed in the following section.”

Hope this helps…

~Peter

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June 22, 2009 2 Comments

s10074

Last night was another great evening at the Five. I’m glad that you were there. It really has been great getting together each week… You can keep on praying for the ministry of the Five here at FBC.

Last night I gave a challenge for Dad’s to step up there game in watching out and protecting their children from sin. However it doesn’t just apply to us as Dad’s. There is a universal call to every man woman, teen and child to guard their heart and mind from sin! We were in 1 Samuel and the story found there reminds us about how serious sin is to God. It is not something to mess around with and take lightly.

On to the questions…

1. Why do you think that God needed to punish the whole house of Eli and not just Eli and his sons?

I think that God needed to punish the whole house of Eli because it seems to me that the whole house of Eli was living in sin. It wasn’t just the boys… It was everyone. Each one of us is responsible for our own actions. Eli was responsible to judge the nation of Israel and lead the nation in the direction that the Lord would have them go. He unfortunately was accused of putting his sons in front of God. The punishment that God chose we cannot explain. God’s ways are higher than our ways. The Bible says who can understand the mind of the Lord. What I can tell you is that God is a just and fair God. He would not have done something out of anger or high tempered emotions. This was necessary.

2. You mentioned a period when God killed those that mixed with the Moabites. I get that they were sinners, but can’t racists use that as an example to justify their actions?

First off, there is never any kind of justification for racism. The passage that I referenced last night was Numbers chapter 25 verses 1-5. This passage recognizes the fact that those that were killed from Israel were going to a neighboring nation and joining themselves to that nations gods and idols. They were worshiping false gods and that is unacceptable according to the Lord. This is yet again another example from remaining pure, staying away from sin.

This would be a very difficult passage to argue racism from. God does not require the life of those who do not declare Him God, it is the lives of those who know better and run and worship at the feet of false idols. God deals very seriously with our sin. Therefore so should we!

3. What constitutes a man?

This is a difficult question to answer. Each culture defines manhood in a different way. I am reminded of something very simple and insanely ridiculous to even be drawing a spiritual truth from, “Madagascar 2”. In that movie Alex the lion reunites with his family and has to go through a rite of passage ritual in order to be allowed into the pack. I know, that was just outlandish. However, all that to say each culture has an age that it is recognized when a boy enters into “manhood”. I don’t know that I can answer this question. I think however the real question that you should be asking is, “What types of things should I be doing as a man after God’s heart?”

4. The enemies of Israel often said to Israel “May your children be fatherless.” This was a statement not only of “I wish you were dead” but also recognizes the leadership role the dad has in the family and the community. It was like saying “May your family and community lose its rudder.”

What about single dads? Sometimes hearing about the role of fathers just heaps guilt onto single dads, especially if they sinned and caused the family to break and realized it later (often too late). What about the role of moms in supporting the dads – letting him take appropriate leadership, supporting him, etc.

Clearly each one of us makes mistakes. There is no doubt. Some of us will make mistakes that leave deafening marks in the lives of those around us. God has something called Grace and Forgiveness for that. From that point forward there is an incredible opportunity for each of us to do the best that we can with the time that we have to help make amends and build the bridges back in the lives of those that we’ve hurt. My point last night was not to inflict guilt or heap on regrets of should haves or would haves but to help each one of us as dads reflect on the responsibility that we have in the lives of our children.

I didn’t have an opportunity to speak to the moms supporting the dads… Yes this is a very touchy and time consuming issue of men being the leaders in their household.

My prayer is for dads both married and single to turn to God and seek God’s heart as they raise their children.

Whew! Well, you guys have some great thoughts… Let’s keep this conversation going! I love it!

~Peter

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June 1, 2009 5 Comments

It was really good to be with everyone last night at the Five. There is just something about getting together and praising God! It was a great night. I was really excited to see all you guys there. As you know one of the things we value at the Five is conversation, and relationships. The church does not exist to only meet together for one hour a week only to return again the next week for another hour. The church exists to be more than that! We should be encouraging each other, praying for one another and meeting the needs of those we find ourselves surrounded with…

So, one of the things we like to practice is an open line of communication during our teaching times at the Five. Each week I encourage you to text any questions or comments that you may have so that we can interact with them here on the blog.

Last night we continued in our series Raw Worship. We picked up in Psalm 51 and looked at what true repentance really means. If you weren’t able to be at the Five, head over here and listen, then join the conversation below…

Here was the question we received last night….

If everyone is born in sin what happens to the babies that die in birth? Are they going to hell? Or how does that work?

I need to start off by saying this is a very difficult question which the finest and brightest of theologians still do not agree on. So for me to think that I am going to solve this question, that is going to be a tough one… However, I can try to give you some insight into what I think is going on here.

Psalm 51 is written by David after he is confronted by the prophet Nathan for committing adultery with Bathsheba…(read about that here in 2 Samuel 11 & 12) One of the consequences for David’s sin is that the child was to die. “The Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had born to David, and he became ill.” -2 Samuel 12:15 While the child is sick and dying, David is beside himself and fasting and just a real mess, as you can imagine. Once he hears news of the child dying, David gets up washes up, cleans up and eats. His servants are a little perplexed by these actions and they ask him what’s up? He says, “Now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” This seems to imply that David has an eternal perspective, or eternal hope that he will see his son in heaven one day even though he died.

Many people also believe that there is an age of accountability. Meaning that there is a point in time when children just do not know that they are sinning. This is a difficult thing to nail down, because then you have to ask yourself, well what is that age? Is it four or five? Could it be three? However, this makes a lot of sense to me.

Personally, I do believe that when babies die they go to heaven. Above all else I rest assured in the fact that God is a good God. He is not shy in lovingkindness. He has great concern for children (See Matthew 19:13). God cares more for our children than we could possibly ever! So, I know that this doesn’t answer/solve the problem, but I hope it helps…

~Peter

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April 27, 2009 1 Comment

Good morning! What a monday… Whew… Last night at the Five we began a new series called Raw Worship. We are tackling the question what happen when worship and life collide? If you were not there last night, check out the podcast here, and then jump in the conversation.

As usual, we had a few questions come in. Get those phones out! Text some questions… Let’s go! Well, here are this weeks questions. Thanks to Dean Mellen for answering these… (I mean after all, he did just learn how to text…) Let’s interact… Here they are:

1. Choice… of wording, Punishment or Consequence? By definition they are VERY different. God disciplines those He loves. He does not punish but there may very well be consequences. Is there rationale for your choice of words in selecting punishment?

One of the greatest challenges as a communicator is to choose the right words to communicate your intended meaning. What word best communicates what the speaker wants the listener to understand? “Punishment” by definition implies the infliction of a penalty on a wrongdoer. The word can have other connotations too. Some people use it to mean the treatment of someone harshly or injuriously.

In Psalm 1:4-6 the wicked demonstrate that they are wrongdoers by the choices that they make. God punishes them by not allowing them to stand in the judgment. God’s punishment for the wicked is that they perish because of their choices. Sin does bring punishment as well as consequences. The wages of sin is death. When we sin, there is a penalty that will be inflicted upon us, if we do not deal with sin God’s way.

2. Isn’t it true God accepts all forms of worship?

Yes! But I guess I’m not getting the gist of the question. Did I say something that would make you think that God does not accept all forms of worship?

~Dean Mellen

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April 22, 2009 1 Comment

SO, I started this post on Monday, and then Monday went by like nobodies business. Tuesday was spent in travel and such, so here I am on wednesday writing from something that happened Sunday… this is a problem! Let’s go…

I’m excited for this one… I have a feeling that this is going to be an exciting conversation… who knows, maybe not. As usual, let’s pick up the monday/tuesday conversation. Head over here, and check out the podcast if you weren’t able to make it Sunday night.

Questions:

Wouldn’t it be better for us not to have a plan at all?

The simple answer to this question is yes! The more complicated answer is Yes… it is just extremely difficult to not have a plan. I have met few people who don’t have some sort of plan for how life should, or will turn out. The best answer is to live a life that is completely surrendered to God. Start today. Make small changes in your life that allow you to live completely surrendered to God. Let’s ask a question here: What things have you done/changed in your life which allows you to live a more surrendered life?

What’s with the V-neck?

Okay, so this is an easy one… First off, you’ll be wearing one before summer is peaced out of here… So just you rest easy my young friend. But… at the same time, the Vneck has been a work in progress. I remember the first time I donned the Vneck. I felt like I was doing something wrong. Now it just feels right… (okay, so if you and I are just becoming friends, I need to help you out… there was some serious sarcasm going on in that last sentence…)

Okay, here’s another reason for the Vneck… This is incredible! Why didn’t I think of this one???

Don’t worry friends, this isn’t the last of the Vneck. You’ll see more of that around these parts…

~Peter