Because of the Kingdom ...

What is your mind set on today?  How are you actively managing your thoughts and intentions today?  I really believe that what we do in our "every-day-living" is a result on what we've set our minds on and that is an issue of control.

By not giving God daily control over our lives we open ourselves to drifting into the natural flow and pattern of this world ... something that God warns us of and even expects us to stand against (see Romans 12:1-2). 

In Romans 6 Pauls writes this about our those who've given their lives over to God through the grace of Jesus Christ:  "For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace (Romans 6:14)."  

It's that word Dominion that caught my attention today.  It reminded me of the "kingdom" metaphors used in the Bible to describe God's reign and rule.  It reminded me of the kingdom of this world and the kingdom of God.  The kingdom of God is both one yet to come and one that is here and now because of Jesus Christ.

Because of Christ, we live in and experience the kingdom of God.  Because of Christ we have the authority and power of the kingdom of God within us and available to us.  Because of the kingdom of God in our lives, God has DOMINION over us, under his Grace.

Dominion is that idea of:   1) to be lord of, to rule, have dominion over; 2) of things and forces; a) to exercise influence upon, to have power over.  [Strong's Concordance]

So I wonder, as we live in the Kingdom of God do we live under God's influence in our lives or the influence of sin?  What has a draw on our lives?  What are we giving attention to?  What are we setting our minds on?

The Kingdom of God is about freedom and LIFE.  Sin - which brings bondage and death (you know it to be true) - has NO dominion over you.  But God's rule because of Christ and through the Holy Spirit in us, has dominion and that leads us to LIFE.

Because of the Kingdom we have LIFE.

-Ben

Fully Persuaded

The other day a friend of mine told me a story of a 13 story building in China that simply toppled over.  It seems that the contractors and workers failed to accurately follow the plans that were given to them.  There was not enough strength in the base of the building to keep it from toppling over.

As I was reading in Romans today, I was reminded of how our faith is much like those buildings.  We need to be grounded according to the plans and the specs that are called for by God written and communicated to us through the Bible.  We need to know that when the storms of life come that we will not waver, we will not be shaken, and we will not fall in our faith.  We can't take short cuts.  We need to follow the plans.

There's also an element of trust involved.  Often we don't follow the plans because we don't trust the plans, the map, the direction, or the guidance given to us.  We're not persuaded that God's plan is the best course of action for our lives.  We know better; we have obligations; we have commitments and bills to pay; we have .... fill in the blank yourself.

Romans 4:20-21  New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

²⁰ Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ²¹ being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

Until we are persuaded that God can be trusted, our faith will be found lacking and the longer we wait to fortify our faith the sooner our lives will begin to topple.  We often don't have all the "therefores" and "hows" answered when God asks us to trust him.  He simply says trust! That is the essence of faith!

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Be praying for Christ Church this weekend.  We have a partnership exploration meeting with the leaders of 757 Life Church in Virginia Beach, VA.  They will arrive in Erie on Friday and stay through Sunday.  We are seeking a church to come along side of us as a partner to offer encouragement, coaching, mentoring, and accountability as we grow.  I hope that you will make worshiping with us this week a priority, we would love to introduce you to Kreg and Faith Vaughne.

We have a PODCAST where you can catch up on or re-live the messages from our services.  In the right hand column you can click on the word PODCAST and it will take you to our host site.  We trust that this will be a valuable resource for you.

 

One

One ... united ... unity ... solidarity ... One

I was surprised how often Jesus prayed for unity - for his followers to be "one" - as he prayed to God the Father in John 17.  This prayer in John 17 is considered by scholars a significant prayer, as Jesus prepares himself and his followers for what would soon follow - the cross and his death. 

John 17:20-23  ²⁰ “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: ²³ I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Unity was at the core of Jesus prayer.  He knew that without unity the world would not believe the message of his followers.  The same is true for us today ... in fact Jesus prayed for you and me in his prayer some two-thousand years ago:  "I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ...."  No one will believe the message we have in Jesus Christ unless we are united as followers of Christ. 

Unity is NOT:

1.  Uniformity ... there is no uniform or detailed way to live outside of the guidelines of Scripture.  We are all uniquely created by God who is the author of diversity and creativity.  We are to thrive in our diversity, thrive in our uniqueness as individuals - as long as it conforms to the guides of faith and truth in the Bible.  Being ONE/UNITED under the banner of Christ allows for diversity, in fact it's expected (1 Corinthians 12).

2.  Abuse of Leadership / Getting My Own Way ... One of the great outcomes of our unity in diversity is that we have the opportunity to hear different opinions and perspectives and we can learn from each other.  Leaders who fail to allow people to express their ideas, thoughts, or perspectives via their character and temperament miss the chance to learn from others.  Leaders who jam their agenda downward and leaders who only want their own way are both abusing their role and hold a selfish grip.

Unity IS:

1.  A Shared Belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  That's where unity begins.  Check out John 17:6-8.  This is what binds our spirits one with another.  There's something mysterious and wonderful when you find a kindred spirit ... it's as though you know something that others don't.

2.  A Shared Mission.  A lot is made about vision and mission statements.  Sometimes in church-world this gets way over blown.  Our mission as the Church is clear - to make disciples of all nations, by going to them, teaching them the character and priorities and truth of Christ, and baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Regardless of where you live kindred spirits in Christ share and are called to the same mission.   

3.  A Shared Love for God and People.  As we love God and understand how he loves us we learn to truly love others. 

Here at Christ Church we are on a journey to be united.  We want to worship, live, serve, and love united, in solidarity and as one. 

• We would love for you to join us on Sunday mornings at Fairview Middle School @ 10:00am.  You will find a group of people who love God and are trying to do their best to follow him.  You will find flawed people with messy lives – we will be the first to tell you that we’re not perfect – who are accepting and encouraging each other.  You’ll find lively music, guitars, keyboard, and drums.  And you’ll hear a relevant message from the Bible.  All of this will happen in the span of about 65 minutes. 

• Also, if you'd like to make a donation to help Christ Church get up and get going, you can forward it to our address:  170 Gateway Dr., Fairview, PA  16415.

• If you have questions, check out our FAQ tab above or feel free to email us at ccwestco@gmail.com.

Church Should Be Simple:  Love God and Love People!

-Ben

Just Ask

As I read through the gospel of John, I notice Jesus mentioning a few times in a very short section to ask God whatever you want and he (God) will give it to you.  This came at a very critical point in Jesus' life.  These were some of the last words of instruction he would give to his followers.  Ask and he will give (John 14:13; 15:7; 15:16). 

Now, this isn't the "name it and claim it" prosperity message.  There are caveats ... there are conditions.  Jesus puts it in context of "doing his work."  Is it possible that as we are doing God's work: love, care, compassion, testimony, worshiping, teaching, preaching, etc., that we would just need to ask God for what we need and we'd have it?

It's an asking that is rooted in Jesus name (14:13).  Not in our name, in our effort, in the name of our church or the name of a denomination.  It's in Jesus name so that the "Son may bring glory to the Father."  We receive because the Son (Jesus) wants to bring glory to the Father.

It's an asking that is rooted in Abiding in God (15:7).  If we are not connected to God, how will we receive what we ask for.  There is a relational connection to asking and receiving.  It's interesting how the the impetus is on US remaining in Him.  God never leaves us ... but we are so prone to wonder from him.  If we remain in him, through the good, the bad, and the ugly we can receive what we ask for.

It's an asking that is rooted in proven faithfulness; Jesus calls it "bearing fruit (15:16)."  It's related to remaining in Him.  Using a vineyard metaphor Jesus claims that by remaining in him we bear His kind of fruit.  When that is evidenced in our lives, then we ask and we receive.

I know that for me, I often get lost in the mania of life and I really forget to just ask, in Jesus name, for that which I desire.  It can sound a bit self-serving too ... but as we remain in/stay connected with God we develop an affinity for Godly things, behaviors, and lifestyles that then influence our asking.  But we just forget to ask.

How about you?  Have you remembered to ask of God today?  Are you connected to him, does your life display his values, do you ask in Christ's authority?

Take time this week and just ask of him.  At the same time measure your own life with the verses above and see where there's room for improvement.  I have a feeling you will begin receiving what you ask for ... in God's timeline.

Hope to see you Sunday at Christ Church of West County.

Sunday 10am @ Fairview Middle School.

In Christ,
Ben DiStefano

SHAKE IT OUT

* Colossians 4:2-3: ² Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ³ And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

Phew!!! What a crazy two weeks ... I've really been putting our value of investing in the community to the test.  As most of you know, I am an assistant football coach at Fairview Middle School and these past two weeks have been consumed with the opening practices of the new school year season.  In addition, I volunteered to help my son's "little gridders" football team.  So I've had 2-a-day practices myself for much of the past two weeks. 

Some may think I'm a glutton for punishment but the reality is that "leadership leads" and if we value investing in the community I need to model that and be in the community, doing what I do well, with the gifts I've been given.  For me that means that for two weeks out of the year my world gets really hectic.  Many of you can relate as you invest yourselves in other areas in our community or abroad.

While I love coaching football, many of you will understand when I say that I don't do it for football sake, but to build relationships with people and share the love and grace of Christ through my normal everyday living.  This is one way (among others) that I can practically be "salt and light" (Matthew 5:13-16) in my community and outside the parameters of the church.

I'm not sure where your influence is in the community (neighborhood, schools, workplace, gym, or your favorite coffee shop) but I know that there is a space that you can influence for Christ.  Through your actions, decisions, and values you are model - people are watching.  For those of us who call ourselves Christian we have an opportunity to "shake out" and "shine out" our faith; and with eyes that are open wide, see the opportunities and open doors* to speak God's truth into the lives of those who are not yet Christ followers.

Come Sunday, let's celebrate what we've seen and heard this week as God's been moving in our lives and in our community.

See you Sunday at 10am at Fairview Middle School.

Don't Ask for Too Little

Yesterday was a great day of worship at Christ Church.  We began a new series on the person and the power of the Holy Spirit. I hope that as we experience the rest of this week we would tap into the person and power of God to work through us and sustain us.  Too often we settle for too little of God because we simply don't ask for more of him in our lives.  Ask for more and see what he does for you this week.


Today I want to share a message from a friend of mine that came through his recent weekly update.  From Dr. David Aderholdt, international worker in Macedonia:

Leadership Corner - Authentic Church, True Spirituality in a Culture of Counterfeits

In a world of consumerism, seduction, sexuality and self-indulgence, what should Church look like?  These competing values to the Cross, which we say is central to our lives, how does that work out in 2012?  Obviously we are gonna have to make choices that other's are not making.  We cannot rely on human wisdom, but instead make the Cross central to our lives.  It is the only way to moral purity in a world gone mad with moral permissiveness.  Some gems from this book:

"In a world that regards the message of Christ crucified as weak and foolish, it will always be tempting for Christians to look elsewhere for the power and wisdom we feel we need to impress others. Our attention can so easily shift from the message of the Bible, with its focus on the saving work of Christ through the cross, to other preoccupations." (p. 18)

"We too have done many terrible things, but now, if we trust in Christ, we are completely clean in God's sight, washed by the blood of the one who died for us. We have been 'sanctified', set apart from the wickedness of the world to live godly lives as God's people. We are under God's condemnation, but now we have been 'justified' and are completely in the right with him.... This glorious truth was underlined for a friend of mine when he was given a book called The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner. When he looked inside, he found the pages were completely blank. God has wiped the slate clean for all who trust in Christ." (pp. 70-71) 

"Christ's headship over Christians does not demean us, but rather enables us to flourish into the people we long to be. He was so committed to our welfare that he was willing to go to the cross so that we might enter into the relationship with God for which we were made. In the same way, a wife will blossom if she is married to a husband who exercises his headship not to please himself, but in the interests of what is best for his wife, even if it kills him." (p. 141) 

"Teaching which promises material and spiritual prosperity now is much more attractive to us than any reminder that, wonderful as the blessings God has already given us in Christ undoubtedly are, the Christian life in this present world still requires self-discipline and suffering. Talk of discipline is not popular in a self-indulgent world which always tends to opt for the easy life; and teaching that points us to the future leaves many cold in a generation that lives for the moment and is frustrated by having to wait even a few seconds for an Internet connection." (p. 194) 

 

"A good test, therefore, of any movement or message that claims to be spiritual is to ask, 'Does this point me to the crucified Christ and encourage me to grow in knowledge and love of him, to serve him and imitate him?' If not, it does not come from the Holy Spirit, however impressive it may appear." (p. 19)

 

The story is told of a bear that bumped into a hunter with a loaded gun. The bear put up his hands and said to the hunter, 'Come on, let's be reasonable - let's light a fire and chat a bit; you can tell me what you want and I'll tell you what I want.' 'All right,' said the hunter, 'I'm hunting bear because I want a great big fur coat.' 'That's fine,' said the bear, 'I'm looking for hunters because I want a great big square meal.' Fifteen minutes later the bear got up, patting his stomach contentedly. He had had his meal, and the hunter had got his fur coat on. (Illustrating the point that in some situations, wisdom demands that we flee, not negotiate, especially when we are tempted sexually). (p. 76)

Everyone is Welcome

Over the past couple of weeks the issue of acceptance has crossed my radar a couple of times.  One has been the very public Chick-fil-A controversy and the other one came through a private conversation with a friend of mine.  Somewhere at the heart of both issues is the idea of acceptance and tolerance in its truest sense.

As we begin Christ Church we are taking the position that everyone is welcome at our church ... and we mean everyone.  We desire and want to be a place where all people feel welcome and honored.  As a protestant church we hold to the values and teachings presented in the Bible.  But those values and teachings are not to condemn people (John 3:17) but to love and honor each other, encouraging them to live out Christ's priorities and become people of his character (Romans 12:1-2). 

We realize that people at times will feel uncomfortable, challenged, and confronted by God's word.  This doesn't mean they are not welcomed or loved.  It means that we are all people trying to be more like Christ in a world that works against us.  It means that in our disagreements we show grace; we honor each other; and we value a person more than their behavior (John 8:7).  

This is how we parent our children.  We love them, honor them, and value who they are ... but there are some things they do that are outside the character and priorities we are trying to invest in them.  At those times we don't banish them from the home; we don't tell them they are not welcome here; we don't stop loving them; we don't stop being with them; and we certainly don't go to their schools and hold signs in the hallways claiming how terrible they are as children.

We love them; we honor them; we value them and we stay close to them.  We teach, model, instruct, and guide them with love according to our values and priorities (Ephesians 4:15).

As a church we will welcome all people.  We won't change our position on our values - and quite honestly I don't think anyone would expect us to - but we will live with respect and love towards each other.  This is good news to all of us liars, thieves, gossips, over-eaters, excessive drinkers, short tempered parents, speeders, and the like.

We meet on Sundays at 10:00am at the Fairview Middle School on Avonia Road/Rt 98 in Fairview.  Everyone is welcome. 

Church Should Be Simple:  Love God and Love People

See you soon!
~Ben

It's Not Complicated

Over the past few weeks we’ve seen the results of the continued decay of the value and authority of God’s word – the Bible – in our culture.  What’s sad is that this decay is coming from within the church.  This decay is happening on the watch of the very people who have given their lives to God.  This decay is happening at the hands of people who have claimed a call on their lives to work for God.

As Christ Church continues to grow and develop it should be known that we view the Bible – God’s Word – the Holy Scriptures as the highest and final authority for faith and life.  We express our belief in the Word of God as God’s words to us, for all generations past and present. 

At Christ Church we will seek to study God’s word with proper study methods:  understanding the culture, context, themes, norms, and values as written and presented.  We will adjust our values and life to align with God’s word as best we understand it and accurately pursue it.   

When we encounter passages that are hard to hear, we will seek to examine our hearts and not soften the message.  When we encounter passages that challenge our living, beliefs, or upbringing, we will first examine our spirits and personal decisions and not recalibrate God’s word to fit our life.  At Christ Church you can expect a conservative teaching of God’s word but in a relevant, meaningful, and common manner.

What’s great about God’s word is that it’s clear.*  It only becomes complicated when we don’t like what it says about the way we are living our lives.  We need to be reminded that this is God’s message to messy broken people inviting them to live with, dine with, and walk with a Holy God.  After we accept that invitation, we adjust our lives to Him. God is patient and helpful; he’s there for us.

God help us to accurately and passionately hold on to God’s Holy Word for us!  It is a revelation of his heart to ours that draws us to him.  This is our message.

• Remember Christ Church now meets on Sunday mornings at 10am at Fairview Middle School
• If you have a question or concern, please contact us at:  ccwestco@gmail.com.

Church Should Be Simple:  Love God and Love People,

Ben

 

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*There are passages that are confusing or leave us scratching our heads.  But these generally relate to specific cultural nuances or original [Hebrew/Greek] translation issues – have you ever had a friend from a foreign country, yeah, you understand how some things just don’t translate well.  These sayings or passages NEVER deviate from the overall message, theme, or common thread of the Scriptures.  They cause us to dig deeper in understanding and in the end enhance the message God is giving.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall ...

I just read this post from a friend serving overseas.  I thought I'd share it as a guest post today. From Dr. David Aderholdt working in Macedonia and eastern Asia.  Enjoy. 

Dear Friends and Family

Let me tell you something, if you don't press a button for a floor other than the one you start on, the elevator won't move!  I found this out this morning when I had to wait three rounds of people who kept showing up while I was waiting for the elevator.  And since it is so small, I am the only one that can fit in there when I have my bicycle with me and I did.  Finally I got one that was empty and no one was waiting, and so I raise the bike up on it's rear wheel and roll it into the elevator.  Press one and then start admiring myself in the mirror that covers the rear wall of the small elevator (I have noticed that Asians are extremely mirror focused and they are examining their looks constantly, guess I am starting too as well).  When my internal clock notified me that I should have arrived at the 12th floor by now, I looked up at the digital readout and saw that I was not moving and that I was still on the 1st floor.  Thank God no one came and pressed the button for the elevator or they would have found me there standing there, holding my bike, admiring myself in the mirror!

I think we often live out our spiritual lives like this too.  We expect progress without taking the necessary steps toward maturity.  We expect sin to lose it's appeal, and we expect our embrace of all things spiritual to happen naturally and without effort or thinking or care or steps . . . you may soon wake up and find yourself on the same level you started out on.

Just a Little Peace

Peace of mind, peace of heart, peace between siblings, peace between spouses, peace in families, just a little peace can be quite elusive.  At times, we can’t seem to find peace anywhere.  Strife, frustration, fighting … those we can easily find.

When our relationship with God is RESTORED, there is a peace that enters our spirit.  When we live in harmony with God, that peace begins to resonate to the rest of our lives.  We may not be able to immediately have peace in all our other relationships or areas of life and they may not be consistently peaceful, but we have the opportunity and power from within to live in and bring peace.

Ephesians 2:14-18:  ¹⁴ For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, … His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

On Sunday we will continue our series “RESTORED” as we understand the mission of the church and God’s desire to restore relationships with him and help us find peace.

You can join us on Sunday at 10:00 am at Fairview Middle School, and for at least 65 minutes find a little peace.

Church Should Be Simple:  Love God and Love People!

-Ben