Hello TMC Family and Friends,

During the month of July 2023 we received deacon nominations from the congregation. After the Board of Elders prayerfully and carefully evaluated the nominations, we are happy to report that we have two strong deacon candidates and one yokefellow candidate (deacon in preparation) that we believe God has provided to serve The Mission Church of Lexington!

These three men are now being trained to serve in this important Biblical office. If once the deacon training is finished and the deacon candidates as well as the Board of Elders believe the Lord is still leading in this matter, these three men will be presented to the church during the “Information and Celebration Gathering” on December 3^rd for church affirmation. The newly established Board of Deacons will begin their tenure in January 2024. Over the next 6 weeks I will be sharing with you through this blog the sessions that I am using to train and equip our deacons so they can be the deacons they want to be and so they can be the deacons that TMC needs them to be! I believe the information in these sessions have spiritual and practical benefit to every Christian and every covenant church member.

 

Scenario Conversation Starter:

Carlton has served as a deacon in his local church for eight years, a church where many of his friends and family members attend. Needless to say, he was excited when he was first nominated and ordained as a deacon, but in recent years some of the excitement has faded, and being a deacon has become somewhat of a chore. Lately, Carlton has experienced some business setbacks that have motivated him to look for answers that have been hard to come by. As a result of searching the Scriptures for direction and considering his position as deacon, he is coming to grips with some glaring shortcomings in his life, specifically in the areas of foul language, conduct at work, and his example at home. One day while having lunch with a business colleague who is also a deacon at the same church, Carlton shares his concerns and guilt feelings. The fellow deacon lightheartedly dismisses the matter by saying, “You know, Carlton, everyone has faults. You’re no worse than anyone else. We’re all working on something, man. If you’re asking for my advice, I’d tell you to chill out.”

If you had been Carlton, how would you have responded to your fellow deacon?

If you had been the fellow deacon confided in, how would you have responded to Carlton when he shared his concerns with you?

 

As a pastor, I can assure you that there is nothing much better than serving alongside of men called by God to serve in the Biblical servant leadership position of deacon. These men are to be qualified, willing to work together in harmony, enjoy each other’s company, and take their calling seriously. This is the partnership between pastors and deacons that we will strive to create and maintain at The Mission Church of Lexington.

 

In Ephesians chapter 4, Paul tells believers how to “walk worthy of the calling” God has placed on their life. These instructions are given to every believer in the church body; however, they apply especially to deacons.

 

Ephesians 4:1-2 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, ² with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.

 

Here we find 5 characteristics that clearly demonstrate how every deacon is to “walk worthy” of their calling:

          1- By knowing they have been called by God to serve

          2- By being faithful in their service

          3- By humbly viewing service as a privilege, not a right

          4- By exercising patience as they serve

          5- By exemplifying a forgiving spirit

 

While these 5 characteristics show all believers- including deacons- how to walk worthy of their calling, the Bible goes further by listing qualifications that apply specifically to deacons. As we will see, much focus is placed on the deacon’s character. The church, therefore, should select deacons only after carefully examining their character, conduct, and commitment to the Christ and to His Church.

 

As an apostle and a pastor, Paul was sent by God to plant churches from Judea all the way to Rome. So naturally, he had a profound love for the churches he began. When he wrote to Timothy, he did so as a loving pastor. Since Paul knew his time on this earth was drawing to a close, he was particularly concerned that the churches he had poured his heart and soul into would continue on, healthy and stable without him.

 

Paul first lists the criteria for the pastors in 1 Timothy chapter 3:1-7, then follows with a list of qualifications the church is to use for deacons.

 

1 Timothy 3:8-13 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, ⁹ holding the ^[a]mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. ¹⁰ But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. ¹¹ Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not ^[b]slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. ¹² Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. ¹³ For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 

Note that the qualifications Paul outlines for Deacons are purposely set against the backdrop of the qualifications for Pastors. In addition, the similarities between the qualifications of pastors and deacons underscore the awesome responsibility inherent in both Biblically mandated servant leadership positions.

 

Careful examination of the Biblical qualifications yields valuable insight about men being considered for ordination as well as deacons being reactivated for service.

 

1 Timothy 3:8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money,

Proverbs 3:3-4 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, ⁴ And so find favor and ^[a]high esteem in the sight of God and man.

 

The Bible uses the word “reverent” in the first qualification found in the list provided by Paul in 1 Timothy chapter 3. Recalling the initial process that called into existence the prototype of what later became called the office of deacon, the qualification of having a good reputation stood as the first apostolic requirement that the early church observed when me were called and choose to serve.

Acts 6:3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

 

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

 

1 Timothy 3:8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money,

To be “double tongued” means to twist the truth, to relay a story one way to one person and another way to another person. Men who twist the truth disqualify themselves to serve as a deacon. Deacons must not be men of doubtful words. If they are, people will not believe them or trust them- therefore they will certainly not follow their leadership. A columnist once wrote: “The naked truth is always better than the best-dressed lie”.

 

James 5:12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.

 

3- A Deacon Must Be Without Offense

1 Timothy 3:8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money,

Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Romans 14:21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles ^[a]or is offended or is made weak.

1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful ^[a]for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things ^[b]edify.

Ephesians 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

 

1 Timothy 3:8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money,

The only antidote for greed (materialism) is generous giving. The best understanding of “greedy for money” is “an eagerness for dishonest gain”. It is not wrong to earn money, spend money, invest money, or save money. The danger is being so attached to money that a person is motivated to acquire it dishonestly and use it irresponsibility.

It has been said “you will never miss anything you willingly give away”. It has also been stated “we are never more like Jesus than when we give”. The Bible is clear that we cannot love God and money.

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and ^[a]mammon.

 

 

2 Corinthians 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of ^[a]necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

1 Timothy 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.

This phrase suggests having a clear understanding of basic Biblical teachings. Every deacon should have a clear understanding of orthodox doctrine such as salvation by grace through faith, the virgin birth of Christ, the resurrection, the doctrine of the church, and much more.

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

If this is expected of all believers, how much more should it apply to deacons who are called to serve the church.

Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

If God’s Word works as a deterrent in my heart keeping me from sin, then I want as much of it as I can possibly have! It has been said “the Bible will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the Bible”. At TMC we often say, “what you do with the Bible will determine what God does with you”.

Having a strong grip on God’s Word produces two indispensable effects in deacons: They will trust in God’s promises, and they will believe in God’s power. A deacon must not only know the Word of God, but he must also do the Word of God.

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

 

1 Timothy 3:10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.

A man is not ordained as a deacon to acquire these qualifications. He is ordained because he already has them. A prospective deacon should be put to the test before he is given the trust to be a deacon.

1 Timothy 5:22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.

To be “tested” means that his walk is to be examined for evidence of faithfulness to the responsibilities that he will be assigned as a deacon. No man should be elected to the office of deacon if he has established a pattern of unfaithfulness in areas such as church attendance, tithing, sharing his faith, prayer, and Bible study, etc. Instead, he should be proven in all these areas and many more.

Matthew 25:21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

 

1 Timothy 3:10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.

The term “blameless” implies that the person has not been accurately accused. That is, there are no valid accusations being circulated that might indicate or point to problems with his character or conduct. The word “blameless” also implies a conscience that is clear of conflict between himself and others.

Acts 24:16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

 

 

1 Timothy 3:12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

The “husband of one wife” is a man who is sexually pure and whose marriage commitment is to one woman only. The deacon is to be morally and sexually pure. A deacon is to be a man who has brought his sexual desires under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. A man who is not faithful to his wife should neither serve nor continue to serve as a deacon.

Matthew 19:9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for ^[a]sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Matthew 5:28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. ¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? ²⁰ For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;

 

1 Timothy 3:12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

I believe that men who are known for leading, training, and discipling their children well have an excellent background for which to serve as a deacon. The implication here is not that their children must be perfect or without struggle, but that they have been nurtured correctly, instructed Biblically, guided safely, and disciplined appropriately.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Proverbs 20:7 The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.

Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

 

1 Timothy 3:12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

Since the home is the basic, God-ordained unit of society, it is in the home that a deacon develops his spiritual leadership by setting a godly example, and by encouraging, understanding, loving, and serving his wife and children. It is within the context of leading his family that a deacon will develop important skills such as conflict resolution, unity and conscious building, unconditional love, healthy confrontation and forgiveness, and sacrificial service.

Here is a simple, yet profound maxim: If you can be a good Christian at home, you can be a good Christian anywhere. It has also been said a light that shines the furthest should shine the brightest at home. Therefore, struggles in the deacon’s house will be reflected in struggles at the Lord’s house. It is crucial, therefore, that churches ordain and install only men whose homes reflect the peace and unity the church must have to flourish.

Ephesians 5:23-27 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. ²⁴ Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, ²⁶ that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷ that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

As we have seen, being a deacon is an awesome responsibility. I believe this is the reason that Apostle Paul sets the qualifications for being a deacon in the larger context of being a pastor. In a real sense, deacons are partners with and assistance to a pastor- by faithfully serving alongside him and supporting him as he leads the church.

Because a deacon serves with the pastor, he must meet the Biblical qualifications required for honorable service. His personal character, family life, and devotion to Christ come under the serious scrutiny of God’s Word. This is only right because the church, after all, is the Body of Christ. Those who serve as deacons must walk worthy of their calling.

 

1- Before beginning this training, how did you view the importance of the deacon ministry in the local church?

2- Have you ever been the recipient or a participant in a vibrant deacon ministry in another church? If so, what made that experience so effective?

3- How do you see a deacon’s ministry at home informing and impacting his ministry at church? Why does a deacon’s leadership at home and his relationship with his wife and kids matter?

 

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more please pursue any/all of the below options:

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at                   9am) and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY 40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex

5-              Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”

2 Timothy 4:5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

 

Have you considered that as a Christian, our Lord has positioned people in your life who are close to you, yet far from Him? God’s sovereignty is always strategic. God has placed you in your family, in your neighborhood, in your place of employment, in your community so that you can be a witness for Him and to those who need Him.

 

“God wants to work through your life to make disciples of those in your world- in your concentric circles of influence” – W. Oscar Thompson

 

Your Concentric Circles of influence:

 

Important: Live with an everyday evangelistic expectancy that God will providentially place people in your life that you can show the Gospel to and share the Gospel with. Remember, your encounters with people and your relationships are no accident but are the strategic plan of God. 

Here are some simple steps to help reach those in your concentric circles of influence:

Romans 10:13-17 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵ And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who ^[a]preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” ¹⁶ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” ¹⁷ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

God calls every Christian to be a witness. Not every Christian will be a preacher, but every Christian is to be a reach-er. In many ways, evangelism is much more effectively done by those who are not professional clergy. When a pastor shares the Gospel the person who is being witnessed to can often think… well, this sounds like a salesperson trying to sell a product to me… but when a non-professional clergy person cares enough to share the Gospel the person being witnessed to often thinks… this must be a satisfied customer… if they feel so strongly about this truth then maybe I need to give it serious consideration. God truly uses both the “Pros” and the “Joes” in His plan of evangelism!

Please make plans to join me next week for the 3^rd and final installment of this blog series called “Personalize the Mission.”

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more, please pursue any/all of the below options:

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at                   9am) and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY 40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex

5-               Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”

C.T. Studd “The light that shines the farthest shines the brightest at home.”

 

It is important to personalize our mission because God has providentially placed people in our lives that need to hear the Gospel. God’s sovereignty is always strategic. These are relationships that already exist in your life. Your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers.

Oscar Thompson believed that the most important word in the English language is the word “relationship”. Thompson reached this conclusion by observing the outward expansion the Gospel message traveled in the book of Acts in the Bible. The progression went from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria, and then the uttermost parts of the earth. In Thompson’s view, the Gospel continues to move outward in each Christian’s life, beginning with those in close in relationship and then extending out to acquaintances and then even to strangers.

Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be ^[a]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

 

We must see every person that we encounter as a potential divine encounter which in a potential opportunity to share the saving message of Jesus Christ. Bill Bright lived with a life motto that if God gave him more than 10 minutes with a person, he felt that was a sign from God that he should try to share the Gospel with that person.

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go ^[a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ^[b]Amen.

 

Acts 17:16-17 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was ^[a]given over to idols. ¹⁷ Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.

 

1 Corinthians 3:5-6 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? ⁶ I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

 

If you do not leverage the providential Gospel opportunities within your relationships, who will? The greatest act of love and kindness is to tell the people we know and care about that there is a Heaven, there is a Hell, and there is a hurry. The Bible provides for us a pattern of Gospel sharing within a Christian’s circles of influence.

 

John 1:37-46 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. ³⁸ Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” ³⁹ He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour). ⁴⁰ One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. ⁴¹ He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the ^[a]Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). ⁴² And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of ^[b]Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, ^[c]A Stone). ⁴³ The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” ⁴⁴ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. ⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” ⁴⁶ And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

 

John 4:39-42 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” ⁴⁰ So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. ⁴¹ And many more believed because of His own word. ⁴² Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed ^[a]the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

 

Acts 16:33-34 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. ³⁴ Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

 

When we share the Gospel within the circles of our relational influences it allows them the opportunity to understand the difference that faith in Christ has made in our life. They should see the Gospel so that we can speak the Gospel. This is why it is so important for the audio and the visual of our life to match!

 

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

 

As we process and pray through the calling to personalize our missional efforts to reach people with whom we are in friendship and relationship with, it should be a continual reminder for us to follow Christ and seek to invite others to follow Christ with us. The Christian life can be distilled down into two directives… Jesus says to first come to me and then He says go for me. We come to Jesus for salvation and sanctification and then we go for Him to serve and to share.

 

Mark 1:17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”

 

Statistics show that people often welcome faith conversations from those who are close to them. When we love and serve people well, we “earn the right to be heard”. Be encouraged: 8 of 10 unchurched people indicate that they would come to church if they were personally invited! Additionally, 75-90% of people who come to faith in Christ do so through a faith witness of a family member or a friend.

 

God has given each of us, on average, anywhere from 8 to 15 people who He has supernaturally and strategically placed in our relational worlds… this is the world He wants to use each of us to change, our individual world.

 

Just imagine if each of us took a focused responsibility to reach our circle of relational influence. What difference would it make? How would the evangelistic culture of The Mission Church of Lexington be enhanced? How many more Believer’s Baptism would we be able to celebrate? How many more new “family” members would be enjoyed? How would our neighborhoods, community, and city be impacted? How would our prayer life and worship life be energized? It’s just amazing to think about!!!

 

The Great Commission demands that we connect with people for the purpose of intentionally building relationships so that we can share the greatest Good News ever!

 

Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

 

Written by W. Oscar Thompson, and later revised and updated by Claude V. King, “Concentric Circles of Concern” is an evangelistic strategy and plan that focuses specifically on the relationships that God has sovereignly and providentially placed in our lives, starting with those closest to us and moving outward within concentric circles. This model helps move from a general plan to a specific plan in personal evangelism.

 

If you would like to understand this concept more fully, please make sure you read the next 3 installments of this blog post, Personalize the Mission.

 

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more please pursue any/all of the below options:

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at                    9am) and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY 40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex

5-               Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”

Fasting is the deliberate deprivation of food designed to deepen our devotion to and dependence on God.

Last week, in the blog post “The Power of Fasting and Prayer- part #1”, we considered many of the purposes of fasting, the benefits of fasting, and some of the wrong reasons for fasting. If you did not have an opportunity to read that article, please see the “Find Your Why with Pastor D” archives at missionchurchlex.org.

During this blog entry we will unpack the following information.

          1- Types of Fasts

          2- Helpful Tips for Fasting

1- Types of Fasts

The goal of fasting is to draw nearer to God. Biblical fasting always has to do with eliminating distractions for a spiritual purpose. Fasting hits the reset button of our souls and refocuses us from the inside out. Fasting also enables us to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God and prepares our hearts for all the good things God desires to bring into our lives.

Remember, your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body, your options, and most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do. The duration of your fast can be a meal, it can be hours of a day, it can be a full day, 3 days, 7 days, there are even examples in the Bible of 40 days of fasting. The length of your fast is a matter of spiritual discernment on the part of the person undertaking the fast. There are also a few different types of fasting you can commit to.

a- Selective Fast

This type of fasting involves removing certain elements form your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet and consume only fruits, vegetables, and water/natural juices.

b- Partial Fast

This fast is sometimes called the “Jewish Fast” and involves abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can either correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6am or 3pm, or from sunup to sundown.

c- Soul Fast

This fast is a great option if you do not have much experience with food fasting, have health issues that prevent you from food fasting, or if you wish to refocus certain areas of your life that are out of balance. For example, you might choose to stop using social media or watching television for the duration of the fast while focusing of prayer and devotion to God, and then carefully bringing those elements back into your life in healthy doses at the conclusion of the fasting period.

D- Complete Fast

2- Helpful Tips for Fasting

1- Focus on the Word of God and increase your prayer devotions during a fast. Fasting without prayer is nothing more than a diet… Allow the hunger pains to be church bells calling you to prayer!

2- During a fast, it is wise to keep a prayer journal and track how God answers your request.

3- Avoid eating a large meal before you begin to fast. This will make you even hungrier when you start your fast.

4- Drink lots of bottled/purified water throughout your fast

5- The beginning days of a length fast are always the most difficult. If you can push through the hunger pains, it will get easier as your body acclimates.

6- Fasting strengthens your inner will and develops discipline. You will not starve to death by fasting for moderate periods of time.

7- During your food fast also consider limiting (or better yet eliminating) other usual pleasurable practices (television, social media, hobbies, sports, etc.).

3- Topics to Pray for while Fasting

1- Pray that The Mission Church of Lexington would be built after God’s pattern and that God would be glorified and the name of Christ would be exalted in all things.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, ¹² that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

2- Pray that The Mission Church of Lexington would grow stronger through worship, deeper through discipleship, larger through evangelism, broader through service, and warmer through fellowship.

 

Acts 2:41-47 Then those who ^[a]gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. ⁴² And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ ^[b]doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. ⁴³ Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, ⁴⁵ and ^[c]sold their possessions and goods, and divided^[d] them among all, as anyone had need. ⁴⁶ So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added ^[e]to the church daily those who were being saved.

 

3- Pray that The Mission Church would faithfully demonstrate love and service to each other as a testimony and a witness to the watching world.

John 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

 

4- Pray that the Covenant Members and attenders of The Mission Church of Lexington would Find their Why. That they would discover, develop, and deploy their spiritual gifts in servant leadership for the glory of God and for the good of others.

 

Romans 12:3-8 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. ⁴ For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, ⁵ so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. ⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷ or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸ he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

 

5- Pray for the faithful and sacrificial financial contribution of the saints through The Mission Church of Lexington for the work of the ministry. We believe that God’s work done God’s way will never lack God’s supply.

 

Philippians 4:19 ^And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

6- Pray for the leaders of The Mission Church of Lexington. That we would have the wisdom, discernment, and ability necessary to be effective servant leaders. We truly want to do all things with excellence, with integrity, and with teamwork. We need the prayers, and you need the practice… so keep those prayers coming!

 

Hebrews 13:7 Remember those who ^[a]rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

 

7- Pray that The Mission Church of Lexington would always strive to be a Bible based, Mission Minded Church for God’s glory. Also pray that we never forget why we exist… to enlist unbelievers, to equip believers, and to empower missionaries. A great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will build a great Church.

 

Matthew 22:36-39 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” ³⁷ Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

 

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go ^[a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ^[b]Amen.

 

8- Pray that The Mission Church of Lexington would love and serve our community and our country well. We long to see a great awakening and a great revival both near and far!

 

2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

 

I will be calling TMC to a corporate 12-hour fast on Friday August 11^th from 10am to 10pm. This fast will take place during our monthly Unceasing Prayer initiative. If you are interested in knowing more about this opportunity or would like to participate, please contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org.

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more please pursue any/all of the below options:

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at                   9am) and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY 40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex

5-              Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”

Joel 2:15 Blow the ^[a]trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly;

 

Biblical fasting is abstaining from food for spiritual purposes. Simply going without meals for medical reasons or physical fitness reasons is not Biblical fasting. There must be a spiritual motivation to qualify a fast as Biblical. Fasting is a holy habit that disciplines our flesh by abstaining from natural pleasures for a selected period while focusing on a deeper relationship with God. Fasting without prayer and Bible study is nothing more than an extreme diet.

 

The practice of fasting is found throughout Scripture. Therefore, when we participate in Biblical fasting, we are in very good company!

 

Esther, Mordecai, and the Jews fasted upon hearing the news of Haman’s wicked plot for their extermination.

Esther 4:3 And in every province where the king’s command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

 

Nehemiah fasted before receiving permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 1:4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

 

Jesus fasted following His baptism and before He began His public ministry.

Luke 4:1-2 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, ² being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days, He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.

 

Jesus instructed and expected His disciples to fast.

Matthew 6:16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”

 

The early church fasted while worshipping and committing their ministry to the Lord.

Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

 

The early church also fasted as they sought the Lord for guidance and confirmation during the appointment of church leaders.

Acts 14:23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

 

One of the keys to personal renewal, fruitful recovery, and overall effectiveness in life is fasting with prayer. When the early Church in the Book of Acts wanted to see people saved and lives changed, they fasted. When they wanted to minister to the needs of people with the Lord’s power and provision, they fasted. When they need God to show up in a miraculous way to meet their needs and the needs of others, they fasted. When they faced personal or corporate challenges, hardships, and/or persecution, they fasted. And today, over 2,000 years later, fasting with prayer remains a key Christian competency for experiencing uncommon experiences with the Lord and provisions from the Lord.

 

I often say, the early church did so much with so little while the church today does so little with so much. What is the difference? If contemporary Christians want to see what the church in Acts saw, we must be willing to do and sacrifice what they did. The church of today enjoys feasting much more than fasting…  but as Adrian Rogers once said, “Christians need to spend more time in the Upper Room than in the supper room”.

 

Allow me to outline some of the benefits of fasting and prayer:

1- Fasting enables us to humble ourselves before God so that God can use us in dynamic ways.

2 Chronicles 7:14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

 

2- Fasting is a means by which a believer brings his/her body into submission to God’s will.

1 Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

 

3- Fasting changes a person, not God. God doesn’t need to change but we sure do.

Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I do not change.”

 

4- Fasting breaks down the barriers in a person’s carnal nature that stand in the way of the Holy Spirit’s control over his/her life.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

 

5- Fasting intensifies prayer and enables the believer to become more effective in hearing from the Lord.

Daniel 9:1-3 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— ² in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. ³ Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

 

6- Fasting unleashes spiritual strength against the enemy’s attacks as well as granting Christians greater ministry effectiveness.

Mark 9:28-29 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” ²⁹ So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer ^[a]and fasting.”

 

7- Fasting empowers the believer to obtain deliverance, spiritual breakthroughs, answers in prayer and victory in life.

Isaiah 58:6 “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?”

 

Warning! The Bible provides warnings against the wrong ways to fast.

 

1- Don’t fast to be seen by others. John Piper has a helpful teaching point regarding this, “the critical issue is not whether people know you are fasting but whether you want them to know so that you can bask in their admiration.”

Matthew 6:17-18 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

 

2- Don’t fast to feel justified by God or more righteous before Him.

Luke 18:9-14 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: ¹⁰ “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ ¹³ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be ^[a]humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

 

3- Don’t fast to be commended by God. Fasting does not cause us to “earn” something from God, but it helps us to be more receptive to what God wants to do in and through us to accomplish His awesome purpose.

1 Corinthians 8:8 But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.

 

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more, please pursue any/all of the below options:

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at                   9am) and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY 40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex

5-              Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”

Matthew 25:14-30 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. ¹⁵ And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. ¹⁶ Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. ¹⁷ And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. ¹⁸ But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. ¹⁹ After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ ²¹ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ ²² He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ ²³ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ ²⁴ “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ ²⁶ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. ²⁷ So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. ²⁸ So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ²⁹ ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. ³⁰ And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

 

 

Matthew 25:24 Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.

 

This is the excuse provided by the man for why he decides to do nothing productive with the talent given to him. The logical response, if he really believes the excuse he offered, should have been “I didn’t just stand there, I did something. I buckled down and got to work. These other fellas only doubled the talent you gave them, but I tripled what you gave me.” Therefore, this man’s response of doing nothing was foolish.

 

One day every Christian will stand before God and give an account of his or her life. The excuse and our lack of faithfulness will be just as foolish as this man in Matthew chapter 25. For the Christian, there is no longer condemnation but there will still be evaluation. The moment a person repents of their sin and places their faith in Jesus for salvation they have an irrevocable one-way ticket to Heaven but once we are there, we will still give an account for how we lived our lives for the Lord. We will not be judged for our salvation but for our stewardship. Our good works do not earn our salvation, but our good works are an expression of our salvation. It is foolish to know Christ but not to serve Him with your life.

 

James 2:20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

Matthew 25:26 But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.’

 

Wickedness is such a strong word of denunciation that that it is only used 16 times in all the New Testament. Jesus used the word 8 times, Paul used the word 4 times, John used the word 3 times, and the Gallio the Roman ruler used it 1 time. The reason this word is used so sparingly, is because it is such a potent and penetrating word of denouncement.

 

So, what was it about the man who did nothing with his God given “Talent” that prompted the Lord to call him wicked? The man was not a thief, for the money had been give to him. The man was not a prodigal, he did not use the money on drugs, alcohol and wild living as the man did in Luke chapter 15. The man was not a liar, he did not fabricate an alibi or shift blame on circumstance or other people. No, he simply decided to bury the money given to him in the ground and left it there… he did nothing at all with it. The man is labeled as a wicked man simply because he did nothing! He just stood there and did nothing of significance…

 

Idleness and laziness are not valuable virtues. In the evaluation of God, it is wicked to do nothing with what He has given to us for His glory and for the good of others.  Jesus highlighted this truth during his parable about the Good Samaritan in Luke chapter 10. He said the religious leaders that passed by the wounded man were in sin but the man who stopped to render care was the example we are to emulate.

 

James 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

 

Matthew 25:28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

 

This seems countercultural…  Jesus often demonstrated and taught principles that seem counter intuitive to our humanistic mentality. The governmental welfare states says, “take from him that has and give to him that has not” but here Jesus says “take from him that has not and give to him that has”.

 

Many regard this as one of the most difficult verses in the Bible, but the meaning is obvious. It is one of the most basic laws of life. Either you use what you have, or you lose what you have. This law applies to every area of living. You can take your right arm, strap it to your side and refuse to use it for an extended period; then when you release the arm you will find that its usage has been impaired. If the muscles of your physical body are allowed to remain dormant, they will atrophy, they will wither and become useless.

 

The same principle applies in human relationships. If you want a relationship to die you don’t have to actively destroy it, you just stop tending to it. If you never talk, write, visit, or spend time with someone, the friendship cannot be maintained for very long. This is true in marital relationships, parenting relationships, business partnerships, with teammates, coworkers, and friends.

 

If a farmer wants to destroy his crop, it is not necessary for him to plow it up and plant weeds in the field. All the farmer needs to do is sit back in his rocking chair and let the days pass. Just doing nothing will result in a garden that is overtaken by weeds and will not produce what it should produce.

 

This same principle certainly applies in the realm of spirituality. If you want to hinder your spiritual growth, hurt your church, and do detriment to the work of the Lord, here is a suggestion that will produce a guaranteed outcome. Just get so busy with the things of the world that you don’t have time for the things of God. Only attend church for worship occasionally. Never get involved in a Mission Group and certainly don’t serve on a mission team. On the rare and random occasions, you decide to do God a favor by showing up, just occupy a seat. Don’t put forth any personal effort, don’t practice your holy habits, don’t read the Bible or pray, don’t worry about sharing your faith, don’t give of your time, talent, or treasure. Don’t get involved and don’t care. Just do nothing…. I have heard it presented this way before… if everybody in your church was just like you what kind of church would it be?

 

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

 

One of the interesting stories coming out of World War 2 is about the British Prime Minster, Winston Churchill. It was during the days of the German blitz. Bombers from across the channel were pounding the Island of England night and day. The wheels of the British war factories were turning 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The industry of England was not accustomed to this intense pace, and they found themselves running short of fuel. So, Winston Churchill gathered the coal miners of England and assembled them in one of the great halls in London. Then he stood before them and put forth an appeal with an imaginary victory parade, which he said would one day take place in the streets of London. He said that in the parade there would come marching a blind man led by a buddy and someone from the crowd would ask, “Soldier, where were you during the bleakest, darkest hour of England’s history?” The soldier could answer back with pride, “I was at Dunkirk where hundreds died for liberty.” Also, in the parade there would come marching a soldier with no arms, and someone would ask, “Mister, where were you during the bleakest, darkest hour of England’s history?” The soldier could answer back with pride, “I was on the front line in France giving my best for my country.” The he said that at the back of the parade there would come marching a man with a light on his hat, black smudges on his face, and a pick in his hand, and someone half jeeringly from the crowd would ask, “Mister, where were you during the bleakest, darkest hour of England’s history?” And Winston Churchill said, “That man can answer back with pride, ‘I was in the pit with my face to the wall.’” Then he sent the coal miners home, and England had her needed fuel. If an earthly ruler can rally his citizens to produce like that, how much more eagerly should we respond to the call of God?

 

Don’t just stand there, Do Something!!!

 

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more please pursue any/all of the below options:

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at                    9am) and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY 40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex

5-              Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify^[a] you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Human beings consist of both body/flesh and soul/spirit. There is a physical and spiritual capacity that makes up every person. Some Biblical scholars are dichotomist- believing that soul and spirit are synonymous, while other Biblical scholars are trichotomist- believing that we are comprised of body, soul, and spirit. Regardless, when the Bible refers to “flesh” it is often not just speaking about the physical body of elbows and toes but of a natural and sinful nature (you must interpret the application of the word within the context of the passage and the verse). Lewis Sperry Chafer says “the word flesh refers to the physical body. It, however, has moral, or ethical, meaning as well. It includes the body, but it also includes the human spirit and soul as animating the body”.

 

Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Galatians 5:24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

 

The physical body is not inherently bad. Our bodies are created by God… though corrupted by sin. One day our physical bodies will die but the Christian will receive a new and glorified body in which we will inhabit for eternity.

 

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

 Philippians 3:21 Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

1 Corinthians 15:42-43 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. ⁴³ It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.

 

Our physical bodies are gifts given to us by God for us to use in service to Him. We are not bodies that happen to have a soul/spirit, but we are a soul/spirit that has a body. Some have called the physical body an earth suit. We are to value it, we are to be a good steward of it, we are to take care of it, but we are not to waste it or worship it. We can honor God with our bodies but the key to that is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit within us.

 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? ²⁰ For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body ^[a]and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

 

Although our body/flesh is not sinful the flesh/nature that lives within us is. We are not sinners because we sin, but we sin because we are sinners. The Bible states that we are born with a natural default condition that separates us from a holy God. We are sinners by birth and by choice. Somebody who does not know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord cannot help but to sin…. Because it is in their nature to do so. However, a Christian doesn’t have to sin because we have the Holy Spirit of God within us. We have both the flesh and the Spirit residing within us… until we get to heaven…. It is our job to choose obedience to the Spirit and to choose to crucify our flesh every day.

 

Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Galatians 5:16-17 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

 

You may have heard the fable of The Scorpion and the Frog. A scorpion that lived in the woods wanted to leave the forest and explore the world. Leaving its home for the first time, it came upon the banks of a raging river, but the scorpion could not swim. Spotting a frog, the scorpion asked the frog to carry it across on its back. The frog initially said no, fearing that the scorpion might sting and kill him. But the scorpion reasoned with the frog saying, “I won’t sting you, because if I do, we will both drown!” This argument seemed sensible to the frog who agreed to transport the scorpion. The frog began swimming with the scorpion on its back, but halfway across the river, the scorpion stung the frog anyway. The dying frog cried out, “You fool! Why did you do that? Now we are both going to drown!” The scorpion simply replied, “Sorry, it’s just my nature”

Like the scorpion, we all have a nature that will destroy ourselves and others. Scripture teaches that we are born with this earthly or sinful nature. Although we possess both body and spirit, unless we receive the Spirit of God and are transformed (regenerated) through faith in Jesus Christ, we will be stuck living according to our flesh/old nature. Our human spirit has no victory over our flesh. To state it simply, this means that if our spirit and our flesh duke it out, the flesh will win every time.

 

Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.

1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.

 

However, if you are saved you have the Holy Spirit, therefore you can choose to allow the Holy Spirit to conquer your flesh so that you can live in obedience and righteousness.

 

John 3:6-7 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

Romans 8:9-16 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. ¹⁰ And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹ But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies ^[a]through His Spirit who dwells in you. ¹² Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba,^[b] Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

 

Let me close with an old, but apt illustration. It is a Cherokee legend, but it is loaded with truth: Once, and old man and his grandson were walking through the woods when the grandfather turned to the young man and said, “Young one, inside all of us there is a battle raging between two wolves. You have felt it even in your young years, and I have felt it all my life. One of the wolves is evil – he is anger, envy, greed, regret, arrogance, resentment, lies, hatred, and ego. The other is good – he is love, joy peace, hope, humility, kindness, empathy, generosity, compassion, truth, and faith. Everyone has this battle going on inside them.” They walked a little further in silence, until the young boy stopped and asked, “Grandfather, which wolf will win?” The wise, old man simply replied, “The one you feed.”

 

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more please pursue any/all of the below options:

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at                   9am) and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY 40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex

5-              Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”

Matthew 22:37-38 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment.

God has intentionally created each person with different skills, interests, gifts, personalities, and abilities. We are all made in the very image of God therefore humans are designed with creativity and complexity. God has created every person as a unique one-of-a-kind masterpiece. But there are some things we are all born to do! For example, we are all born to love. We were designed to give and receive love.

This innate need to love others is called relationship or fellowship and this innate love for God is called worship. However, our sin natures pollute and distort this natural desire which leads us to worship and serve lessor things… John Calvin said, “The human heart is an idol making factory.” That means we will all worship something or someone, therefore we had better choose wisely. Only God is worthy of our worship and obedience… anything or anyone else is a false idol that won’t produce life but will only deliver spiritual death! The fact is, we are alive right now to know God and to make Him known!!!

Without worshipping God, we just don’t function as God intends. Without clean oil, a car engine doesn’t work well. The vehicle will break down… the engine will overheat and self-destruct. Without worshipping the true and living God the human heart doesn’t work well… our lives will break down and we will eventually self-destruct.

“Holiness is the characteristic of God’s nature that is at the very core of His being. Only as we encounter God in His holiness is it possible for us to see ourselves as we really are. The view of God presented in Isaiah 6:1–4 leaves an individual with a deep sense of awe at the greatness of His majesty. To be indifferent is impossible for the Christian when confronted by the holiness of God. The practical life of the Christian flows from the vision of the God of holiness. In this first study we will see the importance which God puts on His holiness. In later lessons we will look at the impact of God’s holiness upon our own lives.” RC Sproul

 

1 Samuel 2:2 No one is holy like the Lord, For there is none besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.

Psalm 29:2 Give unto the Lord the glory ^[b]due to His name;
Worship the Lord in the ^[c]beauty of holiness.

2. Recognize the Point of Worship

Many people wrongly think worship is simply the warm-up for the sermon, but worship is not just an appetizer but it’s an essential part of the spiritual main course! That is why so many church attenders show up 5, 10, 15 minutes late… If we had an appointment and opportunity to meet our favorite celebrity or professional athlete, I am sure we would be punctual and prepared to make the most of the special occasion… I wonder why we take the weekly opportunity to meet with other Christians and to worship the Creator of the universe with such a flippant demeanor… Worship must not be relegated to a secondary place in our hearts. Just as we would feel slighted to miss the first 20 minutes of a movie or the first half of a UK basketball game, we should sense a deep and profound loss when we miss out on the weekly worship experience.

 

One the most disheartening things about being a pastor… having the responsibility of looking from the front out and over the congregation… is to see people standing stoically, with their arms crossed, looking like they had just been baptized in pickle juice. The same people who will jump, cheer, clap, shout and act crazy at a concert or a sporting event will stand like a statue during worship…. It almost seems like for many church members their favorite song to sing should be “I shall not be moved”!

 

I am personally not a great singer, (I know how to carry a note, I just don’t know how to unload it…lol) but I have learned over the years to participate in worship. The Senior Pastor is not the worship leader, but he is the lead worshipper. I want to be a good example for The Mission Church of Lexington on how to be engaged in the worship experience. I have also learned, not to participate in worship is often rooted in pride or fear… and pride is a sin and fear is opposite of faith! Lord, please forgive me!

 

People are welcome at The Mission Church of Lexington who never sing a word or lift a hand or even crack a smile, but I know once somebody truly begins to experience the Lord’s presence, they will long to experience worship with both their voices and their bodies!

 

Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, ^[a]giving thanks to His name.

 

Psalm 47:1 Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!

 

Psalm 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the Lord.

 

Psalm 149:3 Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.

 

3. Recognize the Pursuit of Worship

John 4:23-24 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. ²⁴ God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

 

Like a runner leaning forward to reach the finish line is a picture we get when thinking about the pursuit of God in worship. To earnestly worship requires a gaze not a glance of the True and Living God. Worship is looking intently and intensely at His majesty and his might. It is looking with anticipation at His presence and His promises.

 

Every time we worship, we are to expect God to speak to us. Not in an audible way but in and through our mind, soul, and spirit. Therefore, we must come to God with an attitude of anticipation. Some people will say “I just didn’t get anything out of that worship service”. This statement says more about you than it does about the worship service. When we come prepared to pursue God in praise, that changes everything!

 

Many years ago, when the billionaire Howard Hughes died, his company’s public relations director asked the casinos in Las Vegas, where Hughes owned multiple casinos, to show him respect by giving him a minute of silence. For an uncomfortable sixty seconds, the casinos fell eerily silent. Then a pit boss looked at his watch, leaned forward, and whispered, “Okay, roll the dice. He’s had his minute.” (From the book, Howard Hughes: The Hidden Years, cited in “Our Daily Bread,” 11/77.)

 

I wonder if sometimes we treat God as those gamblers in Las Vegas treated Howard Hughes. We interrupt our busy schedules once a week, rush into church, give God “His hour,” and then forget about Him and get back to what we’d rather be doing.

 

John MacArthur was certainly correct to title his book on worship, The Ultimate Priority [Moody Press, 1983]. God created us for the ultimate priority of worshiping Him. As the Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Or, as John Piper modifies it, our chief end is “to glorify God by enjoying Him forever” (Desiring God [Multnomah Books], 1996 edition, p. 15).

 

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more please pursue any/all of the below options:

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at                   9am) and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY                           40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex

5-              Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”

Recent surveys show that professing Christians and church members are skipping church attendance more frequently than in the past. One denomination has reported that of their recorded 16 million members only about 6 million of those members attend church on a given Sunday. That means 10 million members are skipping!!! Where are they? What could be more pressing and important than worshipping and serving God with their faith family??? This is an alarming reality considering the importance and necessity of corporate worship for a Christian. As a pastor, I can accurately determine a person’s spiritual commitment and maturity based upon their level of engagement and participation in a solid local church. When people start skipping church it reveals a spiritual disconnect in their lives…

There are clearly some circumstances in which it is appropriate and even necessary to skip church attendance- sickness, physical disablement, being out of town to care for a family member, or a family vacation (even on vacation why not find a nearby Bible based church and worship? You might just be a blessing to them, and they will be a blessing to you). However, skipping church should be the exception and not the rule in your life.

It has been said, “When a church member skips worship it’s a vote to close the doors”. Ouch!

God uses 3 things to build our faith and strengthen our walk with Him. He uses the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the people of God. If you are trying to live the Christian life alone and not connected to a faith community… you are missing out. God uses the corporate praising, praying, and preaching as primary tools of discipleship in our lives.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

 

Greg Gilbert says “At the very least, therefore, we have to say that, for every Christian, attendance at church gatherings is not optional. The author of Hebrews- and therefore the Holy Spirit himself- commands Christians to be present when the believers to who he or she belongs gather”. God reveals 2 general commands for all people, the first is “Come and keep coming to Him” then “Go and keep going for Him”. Not to do either of these is to be disobedient to His plans and purposes for your life.

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

 

It is said you can identify a person’s priorities by looking at their checkbook and their datebook. How a person is spending their money and time will reveal what is the most important thing to them. If anything is more important to you than God, it has become an idol.

John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.

 

Too frequently people think that corporate worship is only about getting their spiritual needs met. Therefore, if they don’t have any spiritual needs now…. They see no pressing reason to attend church. The problem with this mentality is that it is far too individualistic and self-centered. As followers of Christ, our lives are to be spent serving, helping, and encouraging others.

Skipping church robs you of the opportunity to welcome an unbeliever to church, to make a first-time guest feel comfortable, to pray for and with other church members, to encourage the congregations with your singing, to be an example in your giving, to speak words of encouragement to those who are hurting, to volunteer on one of the many Mission Teams and so much more!

Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

 

God created us to worship Him, that is the primary reason we exist! This is why Christ is redeeming a people on earth and is preparing a people for Heaven. I have been to many boring church services, but I have never been to a boring worship service! When we are truly worshipping God it is a little piece of Heaven. If you don’t look forward to worshipping and serving God together here and now on earth what makes you think you would enjoy worshipping and serving God, then and there in Heaven? We are to begin practicing now, imperfectly, what we will enjoy doing then, perfectly. 

Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.

 

The Mission Church of Lexington has a Church Covenant and a Covenant Membership Agreement which reflect our high view of commitment to the local church:

Church Covenant

 Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive Jesus Christ as the Lord, Savior, and, supreme Treasure of our lives, and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love, to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness and peace; to promote its spirituality and fruitfulness; to sustain its worship, ordinances, and discipline; to welcome, and test biblically, instruction from the Scriptures by the Pastors of the church, seeking to grow toward biblical unity in the truth; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.

We also engage to maintain family and personal devotions; to educate our children in the Christian faith; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment, to avoid all tattling, backbiting and excessive anger; to seek God’s help in abstaining from all drugs, drink, and practices which bring unwarranted harm to the body or jeopardize our own or another’s faith.

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.

We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will, if possible, unite with a like-minded church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant.

 

 

1 Thessalonians 1:2 (NKJV)
² We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,

Luke 14:23-24 (NKJV)
²³ Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
²⁴ For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’ “

 

1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV)
¹⁰ As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Ephesians 4:11-12 (NKJV)
¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

4. I will support the testimony of my church

 

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV)
²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Philippians 1:27 (NKJV)
²⁷ Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

1 Corinthians 16:2 (NKJV)
² On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

 

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more, please pursue any/all of the below options:

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at 9am) and Mission Groups                   each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY 40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex

5-              Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”

1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

“So, what exactly is a disciple? On one level the answer is simple: a disciple is a follower of Jesus. Now in our culture, the word “follower” is often quite negative: a follower is the opposite of a leader. And we are all called to be leaders, at least according to our culture.

 

\Leadership is an entire genre for books, for conferences, etc.… If you can still find a brick-and-mortar bookstore, you will find a leadership section. Interestingly though, I’ve never seen a follower section in a bookstore, have you? Now “followers” as a term has gained some popularity in recent years because of social media. Instagram and Twitter enable people both famous and almost famous to try to build their own brand by gaining “Followers”. But again, the whole point is that you need to be a leader, so that other people can follow you.

 

So isn’t it interesting that the primary word for people who worship Jesus as Lord and Savior is the word “follower”? (disciple) Now in the context of Jesus’ day, a disciple was a follower not just in a general sense, but also in a particular way. A disciple tended to be either a pupil, someone that would sit at the feet of a master or be an apprentice in some sort of trade.

 

And I think there is something to this, that even for the first disciples, they never graduated into something else. They always remained disciples, that is followers of Jesus. And one of the many reasons for this is that a disciple is always in a position of humility, right? They are never the master with all the answers, but always the ones who sit at the feet of Jesus. So being a disciple is to be a follower, but not just in a casual way. An apprentice or a pupil has essentially given up a whole variety of opportunities to follow the one master. We can follow a lot of things, sports teams, musicians, politicians, etc…but to be a disciple of someone is to turn your life over to them and ask that their wisdom might help direct your life. So that’s discipleship…it’s following Jesus every day, becoming more and more like Him.”  By Stuart Strachan Jr., The Art of Followship.

 

Matthew 4:19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

 

Jesus provided two main objectives for every disciple. They were to first come to Him then, they were to go for Him. We go to Jesus for salvation, then we go for Jesus in service. There was a saying in the ancient near east that went like this, “May you be covered with the dust of your Rabbi”. This means a disciple would be following their teacher so closely that the dust of the teacher was literally apparent on the disciple.

 

How closely are you following Jesus Christ? Do you have any dust of the Rabbi covering you? Are you following in your Teacher’s footprints?

 

 

Jesus always demonstrated a perfect trust and obedience in His Heavenly Father. Every disciple must live a life committed to trusting the one and only true and living God.

 

John 5:19Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall ^[a]direct your paths.

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

 

In an issue of CT magazine contributing editor Susan Wunderink writes:

 

Man is never more like the devil than when he is full of pride and man is never more like Christ than when he is walking in humility. Jesus was a perfect picture of humility and if we are to follow Him, we must also nature a heart a humility. Walking around with your shoulder slouching, head down and looking at the ground is not humility… that’s just bad posture… True humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.

 

Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Micah 6:8He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love ^[a]mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

James 4:10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

 

 

It has been said that you can give without loving but you can never love without giving. Therefore, there has never been anyone who has ever loved like Jesus because nobody has ever given like Jesus. If a disciple is following Jesus that disciple cannot help but show and share the love of God with others.

 

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Luke 10:27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

1 John 4:10-12 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. ¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

 

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more please pursue any/all of the below options:

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at 9am)                       and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY 40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex