The Importance Of A Vision (Part 3)

Bethel's God given vision is simple.  It is all about Outreach, Evangelism, Pastoral Care, Discipling, and Training.  I want to cover some aspects of our vision that are necessary for it to be effective.

1.  How A Vision Grows

The principles of a vision and how we arrive at the vision don't change.  But the methods of how

we accomplish the vision can and should change as necessary.  For example, forty years ago Training would not have involved electronic media as we know it today.  It would have been done face to face in a classroom maybe with a VHS tape and a TV.  However today with the proliferation of the internet and computers, a lot of training can be accomplished online via video and audio in the comfort of peoples homes.  The principles don't change, but the methods do.

2.  Workers/Leaders Are Our Greatest Need

Followers of Christ, activating their call and gift, is the greatest resource to fulfilling the vision.  It doesn't matter how big your facility is or how many ministries are needed to take care of the people, just know that nothing will happen without a sufficient number of workers and leaders. Jesus himself said the "harvest is plentiful but the workers are few" (Matthew 9:37).  Everyone wants a church that has all the benefits and that can take care of them and their needs, but few want to ever get involved.  The greatest challenge you have before you is the decision to get involved.

3.  Things To Know In Carrying Out The Vision

There are two important principles we need to understand if we are to carry out the vision:

• Every Believer Is A Minister.  Unfortunately too many believers view ministry as "Here am I Lord send Bill or Cathy!"  Many don't want to fulfill their role in the Kingdom.  It is the responsibility for every believer to be involved in outreach, evangelism, pastoral care, discipling, and training.  Every believer can do the supernatural (Mark 16:15-20).
• Every Believer Is To Do The Works Of Jesus.  In John 14:12 Jesus says "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."  What did Jesus do?  He preached the gospel to the poor, he healed the broken hearted, He preached deliverance to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind and set free them that are bruised, and preached the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18-19).  You and I are charged to do the same thing.

4.  What We Must Commit To In Carrying Out The Vision

There are fives areas where we must be absolutely committed if the vision is to be fulfilled:

• Prayer -- We should commit to pray for the harvest, pray for our national and local leaders, pray for one another in the church, pray for the leadership and ministries of the church and pray that your love would abound to all people.  Commit to pray for people more than you complain about people!
• Attendance -- Fellowship of the believers is vital.  We need each other for spiritual growth. Hebrews 10:25 informs us to "not forsake the assembling of ourselves together..."  Whether it is in a home like the early church or if it is in a church building we must commit ourselves to fellowship with other believers.
• Involvement -- Be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only.  Do the work of the ministry. Don't sit back and expect others to do it.  You need to get involved doing what God has called you to do.
• Finances -- Let's face it, everything cost money.  Finances are extremely important to the ability of the church to fulfill it's vision.  Malachi 3:10 tells us to bring the tithe into the storehouse.  Jesus instructs us to "give and it shall be given unto you" (Luke 6:38).  And Paul informed the Corinthians about the principle of sowing and reaping.  When we sow bountifully, we will reap bountifully.  It takes money and God has blessed you and I to give.
• Witnessing -- Every believer has to commit to being a witness.  We are all responsible for the fulfillment of the "Great Commission" to "go and teach and make disciples..."  How committed are you to fulfilling this command?

It's time we get off the sideline and get into the game!  Make your commitment today to get involved in fulfilling the vision of outreach, evangelism, pastoral care, discipling, and training.  Ask yourself, what can I do to get involved and help fulfill the vision?

-- Pastor Temple

The Importance Of A Vision (Part 2)

Any successful endeavor requires a vision and for the vision to be effective, it must be: 1) God driven, 2) individual, and 3) corporate.  In other words a local may have a corporate vision, but for the vision to be fulfilled, it has to implemented by individuals.  Each person must embrace the vision.  It is my firm belief, that God intends great things for His church, especially for those with a willingness to work the vision.

What A Vision Needs

There are four qualities to any vision:

1.  A vision needs specific action or steps in how to accomplish it.  Without the action to go with the vision, our efforts will be futile.  Vision without action is meaningless!

2.  A vision needs faith.  Faith in the power of the gospel and faith in the power of the Lord to prepare us and empower us for service.

3.  A vision needs boldness.  Boldness was a virtue displayed by the early Christians.  They had boldness to speak the Word of God no matter what the consequences.  We need that same boldness to speak what we know is the truth but to do it in a spirit of love.

4.  A vision need persistence.  Too often we give up just before the fruition of the vision.  It's important that we not lose heart because we shall reap in due time (Galatians 6:9).  Many visions are never realized because someone gave up too soon.

What Bethel's Vision Is All About

Bethel Church Choctaw has a five fold vision that God gave when the church was started.

1.  Outreach

Outreach is very crucial to the growth of the local church.  The church must have a vision to reach out into the community and world in obedience to the Great Commission.  Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.  It is our responsibility to do the same.

2.  Evangelism

Similar to outreach, evangelism is what God has called us to do...evangelize the world!  This  isn't a task for just one person, but the entire Body of Christ.  With each person doing their part this great task can be accomplished.

3.  Pastoral Care

This is an area to is too often neglected in the local church, but pastoral care is extremely important for people of every local church.  It encompasses counseling, home visits, caring for people in time of death and other needs.

4.  Discipling

A disciple is a follower of Christ who is able to give direction to new followers as well as encouragement, involvement, and fellowship.  Discipleship is a way of life.

5.  Training

The final part of Bethel's vision is that of training.  The local church is under the mandate of God to train its people for service.  Strong leadership comes through training not teaching alone. Leadership must be developed, monitored, matured through discipline and seasoned with love, it doesn't just develop on its own. (2 Timothy 2:1-7).

So that's the vision! Now, what are you going to do with the vision?  It's your job to discover where you fit in!  God want's to involve you in reaching the world.  If Bethel is the place for you, then join with us and find your God given direction.  If it's not, then find another community of believers you can join with to help fulfill God's plan for the salvation of the world!

-- Pastor Temple

Your Words Matter

Today's post is a guest post from Bethel Church Associate Pastor Keith Fife.

"Sticks and stones my break my bones but names will never hurt me!"  As children we have all recited those words to someone who may have called us a name or said something ugly about us. Unfortunately, that little saying isn't true.  Calling people names, and speaking words of anger, ill will, and even hate does hurt people.

The Apostle Paul told the believers at Colosse to "Let your conversation (speech) be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (Colossians 4:6). Our conversation or speech means exactly what is sounds like it means: any word uttered by a living person!  It is anything reported in speech or conversation.  According to Paul, as a believer, our speech should have two qualities:

1.  Full of grace:  Grace is that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: It is a "grace of speech."  When we talk and converse with others our words should be words of delight, charm, and grace. Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful (good) for building others up according to their need that it may benefit those who listen.”  Unwholesome talk is the opposite of graceful talk.  Unwholesome is that which is identified as: 1) rotten, putrefied; 2) corrupted by one and no longer fit for use, worn out; 3) of poor quality, bad, unfit for use, worthless.  Our conversation should never be "unfit" and "rotten."  It should always be full of grace!

2.  Seasoned with salt:  Seasoned means:  1) to prepare or arrange, with respect to food. 2) to season and make savory.  Just like we spend time preparing to cook food so that it will taste good, we should also “prepare” what we are going to say so that it may "sound" good and be "received" well.  Unfortunately, too many people shoot from the lip! when it comes to their words. The words come into their head and right out their mouth.  Think about what you are saying.  Is it helping? Is it building up?  Is it beneficial?  Does it meet someone’s need?  Take the time to prepare and arrange your words so that it makes the situation better and more tasty if you will.

The purpose of salt is to keep things from rotting and becoming putrid.  Seasoning our words with salt, will make the situation better and keep it from deteriorating and rotting.  Let’s face it, salt just makes green beans taste better!  Our speech should make things taste better not bitter!

The Purpose of Our Speech

"To know how to answer everyone."  1 Peter 3:15-16:  “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”  If anyone is going to be ashamed let it be those who speak slander against you, and not the other way around.

Our words do matter!  Be careful with your words, use them to help and build up rather than to destroy and tear down!

--Keith Fife
keithfife.com

When Opportunities Appear

From the moment we receive Jesus, until we see Him face to face, our lives are filled with opportunities and should be characterized by excitement and adventure!  This is accomplished through the Lord's continual invitation for us to draw closer to Him and to participate with Him in touching the lives of others.  God wants us to be wise in our decision making and alert to opportunities that He provides.  There are seven areas that God provides opportunity for us to make a difference.

1.  To Share.  In John 6:1-14 a small boy "shared" his lunch with Jesus and as a result of what he gave, it was multiplied and thousands were fed.  Just like this little boy, you and I will rarely anticipate how God wants to use us.  So watch for opportunities to experience the joy of giving.

2.  To Serve The Lord.  Jesus called Peter to leave his successful fishing business and embark on a risky new venture of being His disciple (Matthew 4:18-20).  Because he stepped out in faith, God used him in powerful ways to help establish the early church.  Likewise, we can be confident that no matter how unqualified we feel, the Lord will always enable us to walk through the doors He opens.

3.  To Grow In Relationship With Christ.  Mary, the sister of Martha, wisely chose to listen to Jesus' teachings instead of being overly concerned with meal preparations (Luke 10:38-42).  We should never let unnecessary busyness rob us of our chance to know the Savior better.

4.  To Help Others.  In Luke 5:17-26 the paralytic's friends were determined to help their friend. And as a result they had the joy of seeing their friend not only healed but also saved from his sins. We, too, must be willing to do whatever God asks of us, even if helping others involves pressing through a challenge.

5.  To Witness For Jesus.  When Paul was in jail he had the opportunity to witness to the jailer and as a result the jailer and his entire household was saved.  We too, must be willing to do whatever God asks of us, even if helping others involves pressing through a challenge (Acts 17:22-34).

6.  To Understand Who Jesus Is.  Zacchaeus' life was transformed when he determined to understand who Jesus really was and Jesus reached out to him and went to his home.  Don't let other people or difficult circumstances discourage you from responding to the opportunities God sends your way (Luke 19:1-10).

7.  To Receive Salvation.  A rich young ruler asked Jesus what he needed to do in order to inherit eternal life.  Knowing that the man's wealth was a stumbling block to his faith, the Lord answered that he should sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him.  Unfortunately, the ruler chose not to heed Jesus' instruction and missed his chance at salvation.  The wisest choice anyone can make is to receive eternal life through Jesus Christ.  There is no greater thrill than to have a vibrant, personal relationship with the Make of the universe! (Mark 10:17-22).

What opportunities has the Lord set before you today?  Did He bring to mind someone who needs to hear the gospel, despite your fears of what that person might think?  Or maybe your compassionate Father is asking you to endure a circumstance He knows will bring about good, but one that also carries with it a measure of difficulty.

Regardless of what God prompts you to do, my prayer is that you will realize the promise and excitement of the Christian life as you walk carefully, make wise decisions, and lay hold of the opportunities before you.

Pastor Temple

A Determined Cry Of Faith

Mark 10:46-52 records an encounter that Jesus had with a blind man by the name of Bartimaeus. I believe Bartimaeus, in his hopeless condition, is representative of a lot of people today who are blind spiritually, living hopeless lives, and feeling useless and of no value.  Although none of that is true, that is exactly what the devil wants people to think and it is the lie he has put in many people today!  I want to share with you four lessons about faith that we can learn from Bartimaeus.

1.  OPPORTUNITY

Wherever Jesus went there were large crowds and many opportunities for him to heal and deliver those who had no hope in their lives.  When he came into Jericho "revival" was breaking out over God's Spirit.  Revival always provides for opportunity to be healed and to heal!  If you feel as though you are in the same hopeless condition as Bartimaeus, then grab the opportunity to cry out to Jesus and receive your need met.

the town and there was a great outpouring of

2.  THE CRY OF FAITH

No one prompted Bartimaeus to cry out to Jesus.  I believe he was tired of living in his condition and he knew that Christ was his only hope.  Bartimaeus made a confession of faith when he declared, "Thou Son of David, have mercy on me!"  He knew who Jesus was and what he could do.  If you are in a hopeless situation, cry out to God with your confession of faith.  Recognize who Jesus is and what he can do for you.

3.  DETERMINATION

Even though Bartimaeus knew who Jesus was and what He could do, he met opposition from the crowd.  Many who were there rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but Bartimaeus' response was to "shout all the more."  Bartimaeus had determination.  When we are struggling with life, we must have a spirit of "determination."  Never give up!  Press on!  Ignore your detractors and just cry out to God.  He is the source of delivery for whatever it is that you are going through.  Be determined!

4.  THE ANSWER

Because of Bartimaeus' determination, he received the answer he was seeking.  Although the crowd tried to quiet him, Jesus "called for him" and asked him what he wanted.  Bartimaeus responded with "I want to see" and Jesus told him "Go, your faith has healed you!"  If you want to receive the answer to your situation, just tell Jesus what you want and your faith will heal you!

Are you ready to make your "determined cry of faith" to God for the answer to your situation? If so, then God's ready to speak the words to you: "Go, your faith has healed you!"

-- Pastor Temple

Where Is Your Focus (Part 2)

If we aren't careful, it becomes very easy for us to lose interest in the things of God.  And because of all the distractions the world has to offer, it is evident that we need God more today than ever before.  As I discussed last week a decrease in your interest in the Word of God, prayer life, giving, and worshiping with other believers are all signs that you have lost your focus.  I want to share with you some of the causes and consequences of losing focus and how to prevent it and get back on track.

Causes

There are many reasons people lose their focus from God but I want to share just four of the main causes.

1. The influence of others.  Don't be swayed by poor influences.  It's very important that you
   
   establish good godly friends who will encourage you in your faith rather than discourage you.
2. The lure of the world's ways.  The world will always have it's attractions.  John identified them as "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" (1 John 2:15-17). These are all a part of the world and its desire to lure you away from God.  Don't be caught up in the world's attractions.  Keep your focus on God.
3. Doubting that God really cares.  When we begin to doubt God, we begin to lose hope and start operating in unbelief.  Doubt is the opposite of faith.  Your faith is what will see you through the difficult times.
4. Giving in to temptation.  This is the end result of the previous three reasons people lose focus.  After being influenced by others, giving in to the worlds allure, and doubting that God cares, people are in prime position to just give in to the temptations of the flesh.  Be careful that sin isn't causing you to lose focus.

Consequences

Some of the consequences of losing focus are:

1. Your conscience becomes dull.
2. You step out of the will of God.
3. You shrink away from spiritual things.
4. You lose your ability to hear God.
5. You fall into the sin of unbelief (Hebrews 3:12).
6. You miss God's best for you life.
7. It affects every area of your life.
8. You have a negative impact on others when God wants us to be salt and light.
9. You have no peace.

Prevention

The question then becomes "how do I prevent this from happening?"  Well the answer is to:

1. Anchor yourself in the Word of God by reading, studying, and meditating on it (Psalm 119:15-16).
2. Obey what God says in His Word.
3. Submit to Him when He shows you an area that needs correction (James 4:7-8).
4. Surrender your life to Him each morning.
5. Stay on guard (1 Peter 5:8-9; 2 Peter 3:17-18).

How To Get Back On Track

If you find yourself "out of focus" when it comes to the things of God, the first thing you need to do, is recognize what has happened in your life.  Once you do that then simply confess it and repent and trust the Holy Spirit to enable you to follow Christ.

God has a real interest in your success.  He will give you clear warnings about any spiritual decline in your life, so pay close attention to it.  Be wise enough to recognize the warning signs and allow God to help you get back on track.

What are you doing to prevent losing your focus when it comes to the Lord?  Leave me a comment.

Pastor Temple

Where Is Your Focus (Part 1)

What is it in your life that has most of your attention and focus?  Our interest in the things of God should be increasing and should permeate every area of our lives. Unfortunately, there are many distractions but we must be careful to not allow them to draw us away from our relationship with God.  This happens when we "compartmentalize" our relationship with God from all the other areas of our life.  God should be the focus in all aspects of our being, our family, career, schooling, etc.  In this day and time we are living, we can't afford to take our eyes and our focus off God.  He must be the "all in all" of our life.  I want to share with you "why" it is important for God to be first and foremost in your life and what some of the "danger signs" are that you may be losing your focus on God.

Why?

Without God you can't survive in this present world and because of that, you need God more today
than ever before.  With all the problems we face in this world and sin more rampant than ever, we can't afford to lose interest in our relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ.  And now more than ever, is not the time to give up, but rather to press forward.  We can't afford to take our eyes off of Jesus and lose interest and give up.  We have to stay focused on God, no matter how hard that may be.

Danger Signs

I want to make you aware of six danger signs that you may be losing your focus on God.

1. Your interest in the Word decreases.  Psalm 119:9-11 tells us "How can a young man keep his way pure?  Buy living according to your word.  I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.  I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."  It's God's Word that will help keep us focused on Him.  If you find yourself reading and studying the Word of God less and less, it is a clear sign you are losing focus on what is really important.
2. Your prayer life begins to diminish.  Whether you realize it or not your prayer life is extremely important to you and your success in following God. 
3. You no longer have a desire to gather with other believers to worship God.  It is important that you make time to be with other believers.  You will find that when you take time to pray and attend church, God will multiply your time!  The purpose of joining with other believers is found in Hebrews 10:24-25 -- "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
4. You aren't giving faithfully.  God has blessed us so much, we should be giving  back to others who have need.  Luke 6:38 -- "Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over shall me give unto your bosom.  For with the same measure you use, it shall be measured back to you."  
5. You no longer have a desire to share your faith with others.  Sharing your faith with others is an important part of following Jesus.  This should be done humbly and with much love for people.  Don't worry about being politically correct, just be concerned about following God's Word and being "biblically" correct.
6. You no longer feel close to God.  This feeling generally comes about as a result of the first five.  When you lose interest in the things of God, you will begin to feel that God is distant and doesn't care about you.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  God never moves away from us, but we move away from Him.  

Be aware of the danger signs of losing interest and focus on God.  When you see them creeping in, reject them and submit yourself to the Lord.  He will deliver you from any of the dangers of falling away from God if you will only let Him.  What changes will you make this week to stay focused on the One who is of utmost importance?  In my next post I will cover some of the consequences of losing focus on God and how to get back on track.

Pastor Temple