Author: Believers Church

August 1, 2018 Believers Church

DISCOVERY

In a recent discussion in the School Discipleship, we were engaged in a conversation about the apostle Peter and his “commitment issues”. No doubt, Peter’s story is an insightful one to us. He walked with Jesus and was taught by him. Peter walked on water when the Lord called him out of the boat. He even stood in the very presence of a radiantly transfigured Jesus. But in the modern church age we often quip about Peter like he was some idiot. You know the stories… He pulled Jesus aside and rebuked him for talking about being arrested and killed (Matt. 16:22). Also, when Jesus was humbly washing the feet of the disciples, Peter proudly shut Jesus down, “You shall NEVER wash my feet!” (John 13:6-8) Even in the book of Acts, he was experiencing a vision from God and promptly said “No Thanks!” to the command God was giving him (Acts 10:13-14).

Now, before we get too judgmental about Peter, anyone out there want to put their ministerial life up against his? Nah, I didn’t think so. Peter indeed had his failures, but his life tells a different tale.

People today seem to be mostly committed to themselves. It’s kind of ugly and it’s not the way of the Christian

OBSERVATION

Commitment is often a curiously absent characteristic in the modern age. People don’t remain committed to really much except to their own lusts, desires, comforts and personal well-being (or perhaps their favorite sports team). I am awestruck when I legitimately see it today. I see it in many members of the military, for sure. Negatively, I have seen it in religious radicals, too (suicide bombers, etc.). Do you know that people used to be commonly more committed to things like their jobs, spouses, family members, or even good causes? People today seem to be mostly committed to themselves. It’s kind of ugly and it’s not the way of the Christian.

An element that came out of our discussion was something I found quite revealing. For all of Peter’s “commitment issues” in those three stories (and others), we must admit Peter was still a great servant of God, full of the spirit of God, and a fighter for the Kingdom of God. Looking at his life, no one can argue, Peter was a clear representation of a “Christian” by the strictest definition. With that said, I’d like to point your attention to the common thread in these three stories about Peter. The common thread is that Peter was engaged with God and God with Peter. Even though foolishly sometimes, Peter was clearly in relationship with God.

It could even be argued that in each of the stories, Peter had sincere motives for telling God “no!” With his rebuke of Jesus, maybe Peter did not want to see Jesus die perhaps because he thought if Jesus died it would mean the end of what he had left his old life for.  With his rejecting Jesus’ foot washing, maybe he thought so highly of Jesus that perhaps the idea of foot-washing should have been beneath Jesus. And finally with the command in the vision from God to kill and eat unclean animals, what if Peter was trying to honor what he had learned of the law of God? This is just conjecture but, in each story, there is at least a commitment (albeit misguided) to Jesus’ life, Jesus’ honor or God’s law. This is a far cry from what is seen today.

APPLICATION

Today’s church-goer (maybe you) looks at “commitment” and says, “Commitment means I go to church and read my devotions and say my prayers… believe in God. Non-commitment means I skip church, miss my bible readings, and neglect my prayers.” There are problems with these definitions. The first question I would ask you is, “Why do you do such things (church attendance, devotions, and prayers)?” My guess would be that, while you might never say it out loud, you hope that by your good committed behavior, you’ll get something from God. That is, by definition, “manipulation”. [Manipulation: 1. controlling someone or something to your own advantage, often unfairly or dishonestly. –Cambridge Dictionary]

So, perhaps you have created a list of things you believe will make you “acceptable” in the sight of God, and therefore “committing” to do those things should grant you God’s favor; eternal life. God is not blind, stupid, or gullible. He calls false motives out from a thousand miles away. Honestly, that type of life is far from the commitment of Peter or of the scriptures. The reality is, living that way is not actually commitment but compliance; a compliance that is ineffective with God and is not effectual… empty.

Commitment is liberty and compliance is legalism

So, I leave you with these definitions and a question:

Commitment: 1. The state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.

Compliant: 1. Disposed to agree with others or obey rules, especially to an excessive degree; acquiescent.

Question: Which one describes your Christian life? …Are you a person behind the cause or one who seeks to fulfill his quota?

-=pastor tom

July 4, 2018 Believers Church

R.C. Sproul

The Holiness of God examines the meaning of holiness and why people are both fascinated and terrified by a holy God. R.C. closely explores God’s character, leading to new insights on sin, justice, and grace. The result is a new awareness of our dependence upon God’s mercy and a discovery of the awesomeness of His majestic holiness. R.C. Sproul says, ‘It affects every aspect of our lives — economics, politics, athletics, romance — everything with which we are involved.’

The Holiness of God

To read more on the subject, purchase a copy of R.C. Sproul’s best selling (and highly recommended) book, inquire at the bookstore or look online.

 

 

June 4, 2018 Believers Church

Pastor Timothy Keller gave a sermon at an open forum back in 1994 entitled “A Reason for Living”. In it he addresses the issue of life and it’s worth. He says, “To find absolute freedom in life, we must admit that life on its own accord is meaningless. True meaning in life is only found through Jesus Christ, the designer of life.” As you listen, see if you’re not compelled to consider his arguments as they pertain to your own life.

Click play below to listen to the teaching or you can download the audio for free at his website.

BONUS: In addition to this great message, take some time to read the following 1-page PDF where Tim Keller provokes us to think about our life motivations and the effects of such. Download below.

Download the PDF now

May 29, 2018 Believers Church

Today

The school year has come to a close and most of the international students from UW-Stout and UW-River Falls have returned to their home countries. For some of them this is just a summer break and they will be back again next year to continue their studies in America. Others have returned home for good with only this one year of experiences to form their opinions of what it is like to live in the western culture of the United States. When the school year began, we also began a new ministry outreach at Jesus Fellowship of Believers.

Street Level International Community is an arm of Street Level Ministries that was formed in an attempt to reach out to students from other nations that come to our local campuses to further their education. As the school year got underway, we began the year by holding weekly meetings designed to give students a chance to practice their English speaking and fluency. We were excited when two students from Korea showed up for our very first meeting. We really enjoyed our time with them, and discovered how hard it can be to explain exactly why we Americans speak the way that we do. As the semester went along, we had a number of students from China attend and were able to start building some friendships that lasted throughout the year. Some of these students heard about our meeting because they were matched with host families that attend JFB. Others were invited by members of Street Level that connected with international students in their classes on campus. As the semester wore on, the need for practicing their English diminished as their skills and confidence increased. As a result, our outreach efforts shifted more to hosting events such as snow tubing, bowling, and meeting at friends and neighbors houses for meals.

The Past

Looking back on the year, it seems to have gone by very quickly and the amount of time that we were able to spend with each student seems brief. It is easy to wonder if we were able to have any impact on their lives for the kingdom at all. But it is my hope and belief that what they were able to experience while engaging with our group was the kind of warmth, love, and acceptance that can only come from Christian believers who are able to reflect the nature and personality of the one true God. Many of these students come from countries where their belief system does not center on the idea of a personal loving God. Their faith rather is based on deeds to do, concepts to believe, and traditions to follow.

Most of the students that we met don’t follow these beliefs anymore, viewing them as the old ways followed by their grandparents. Most of them come to college with no personal belief or participation in spiritual things. We are prayerful and trust that God will use this interaction with American believers to challenge their thinking and touch their hearts. We were blessed this semester to meet a few students who came from their home countries already born again with a strong belief in God. It was a unique experience to be able to hear stories of how they practice their faith at home, and how that compares to what they experienced here in the states. It was a privilege for use to be able to encourage them in their faith while they were here, and we were sad to see them go.

What’s Next

As the summer comes on, it is a time for us now to look back at lessons learned and to seek God and his direction for this ministry next fall. I wanted to thank all of you what lent a hand to us last year, we couldn’t have done it without you. I would also request your prayers as we dream and scheme for next year that we would fall in line with how God would have us move forward in reaching out to international students.

God Bless, Andy

May 4, 2018 Believers Church

Mark Driscoll – John 6:16-22

Pastor Mark Driscoll is currently teaching through the Gospel of John. In this sermon, we learn a great many truths about ourselves as we watch what Jesus does with His disciples in a boat in a storm on the sea (John 6:16-22). One of the overriding messages in this teaching deals with God’s desire for relationship. In the middle of the sermon, Mark sheds some important light on the need for us to have regular solitude with God (not isolation but solitude).

We often seek God to fix our outward storms, but God comes to firstly deal with those that are inward. Do we recognize God in the midst of our storms? How incapacitated are you by fear of the storm? How are we to rise above the storms of life with Jesus?

Click now to watch the sermon.
Make some personal notes as to how God ministers to you in this season of your life:

subject: relationship
Mark Driscoll – John’s Gospel
May 3, 2018 Believers Church

Street Level Ministries is now accepting donations for their annual Thrift Sale.

Donate your unwanted thrift sale items by calling 715-233-2063 and making arrangements to drop off your items. Please only donate sell-able items. No undergarments please.

The Thrift Sale will take place May 25-26

at the Street Level House
1009 6th Street, Menomonie, WI

All Proceeds go to Local Missions.