The Law Of Gravity

Scripture

Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.

~2 Peter 3:18, NLT

Quote

Grow old along with me; the best is yet to be.

~Robert Browing

Astronaut Scott Kelly, 52, returned home from space a little bit taller than his brother and former astronaut Mark Kelly. The identical twins used to be the same height — but not anymore. Scott Kelly grew two inches during his 340 days aboard the International Space Station. Without the pull of gravity, the spine elongates.

When I heard the phenomenal news, two things crossed my mind: [1] If I could have spent two years in space, as a young person, I would have reached my coveted 6’3″. After reading up on the subject, I realized spending time in space would not have resulted in real height. Scott Kelly will return to his original height in just a few months. The weight of gravity will pull him back down. [2] Being earth bound keeps us from growing spiritually. The carnal influence of the world system is constantly pulling us down. This means we have to make a conscience effort to grow in grace and knowledge of the LORD Jesus Christ.

Long day, no extra.

 

CONNECTING IN GROWTH

SCRIPTURE

The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming.

~Ephesians 4:11-13, NRSV

QUOTE

The concept of an inactive church member is an oxymoron.

~Thom Rainer

A football team has 11 different positions on offense. Some are similar and some are diverse. There is only one quarterback, only one snapper but there may be more than one running back or wide receiver. Sometimes the same person can play all five positions on the interior line but as a rule, the Quarterback would make a poor guard or tackle. They have various gifts and roles but use them together to achieve one purpose.

All church members are gifted. All members are needed. Like the members of our body, each has a role to play. When I get something in my eye, my hands and fingers go to the rescue because my body members work together for the sake of the whole. We have grand children at various stages in life. The five little ones are growing daily. We are thankful for their healthy growth: every member in their body is growing and maturing at the same rate. When some members of the body grow and others do not, it indicates a physical problem.

Likewise you don’t want a church where some members are mature and some are immature. The ideal is to have a church where we all grow together. People who are concerned only with their personal growth become selfish and arrogant. People who are lazy or possibly don’t get enough encouragement from the body become childish and immature. They want to be catered to constantly: everything is about what they want or what they like: it is impossible for them to put others first.

June and I carried Chloe with us to Decatur yesterday. It is only a 15 mile trip but it seemed like 100. Chloe has one problem, she is two years old and she wants every thing her way. She can turn a short trip into a long trip.

Everyone should have the spirit of a deacon. The word for ministry is the same word we use for deacon. If we could become as committed to serving rather than being served; it would make a world of difference.

HOW IS CHURCH MEMBERSHIP DIFFERENT FROM BEING A FOOTBALL FAN?

• We do not purchase a ticket so we can watch someone else perform the work of MINISTRY…we are not SPECTATORS, we are members of the body and should be PARTICIPATORS.
• We are all important to the team. There are no starters and no bench warmers. Everyone plays who desires to: we are not an exclusive team, we are an inclusive body.
• We don’t compete or pull for different teams. We are all on the same team. We have the same Coach and Quarterback.
• We always win, even when we lose. Matter of fact, this is our game plan, we lose to win–we give to get–we die to live.
• No limitations. In football, you must be a young male and have some skill. In other words, I cannot play football. I am too old and never had very much skill. Every member of the church has a ministry. To be a football fan, you must have money. Neither Alabama or Auburn have a section in their stadium for the poor.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. Where or how is the best way to discover your gifts and your ministry?
2. In your personal opinion, why do some member prefer to be SPECTATORS?
3. The writer mentions five things about the character of Christ that we should measure ourselves by: using these as a criterion for maturity, what percent of our members do you think are spiritually mature?
   • Jesus lived to please His Father in heaven.
   • Jesus put others before Himself.
   • Jesus patiently endured suffering.
   • Jesus loved the unlovely. He loved unconditionally.
   • Jesus forgave the undeserving.
4. Note: Paul said that Pastor/Teachers are to equip the Saints to do the work of ministry. How much blame goes to the Pastor for failing to equip and how much goes on the congregation for failure to discover their spiritual gift and desire to be equipped? Is it possible that both parties have failed?
5. Spiritual gifts are discovered within the body. You will never discover your gifting on your own. Some pursue a gifting they do not have because they refuse to listen to other members of the body. Have you asked fellow-members and close friends what they think your gifting is?
6. Paul said, “Speak the truth in love.” Why do we need to speak the truth in love to one another? Does this have anything to do with our discovering our gifts? I gave a test on SPIRITUAL GIFTS one night and two women came forward immediately and said, “I have the gift of hospitality.” I said, “No you don’t. Both of you are Martha’s and neither of you have the gift of hospitality.” I was about to tell them why they misunderstood but they ripped the test up right in front me and said, “Here, you take your stupid test.” Both left the building unhappy but both forgave, I think but I was telling the truth. Perhaps, I needed more love. You think?
7. It is easier to deceive a child than it is an adult. Do you agree? One problem with childish believers is they pout when they don’t get their way but another is that they are easily lead astray by false doctrine.
8. Oswald Chambers said, “God rarely allows us to see how great an influence we have been on others.” Is there someone in your life that has had a great influence on you but you have never told them so? A good spiritual exercise for you this week is to look that person up and thank them. They may have no idea that they encouraged you.

INSIGHTS

1. BE A PARTICIPATOR, NOT A SPECTATOR
2. DISCOVER YOUR GIFT AND GET EQUIPPED
3. SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE {Love without truth can lead to deception–Truth without love can lead to discouragement}

• Today we pray for STUDENTS. Pray specifically for REVIVAL to break out among our students.
• Jeff Garner has Strep-A and is still in Cullman Regional Medical Center. Connie Campbell who had Staph, got to come home yesterday. Larry Garner had to go to Huntsville for IV but is back home. Feeling somewhat better but not good. Every attempt to visit or contact Kenny this week has failed. I am assuming that his treatment went OK on Wednesday.
• Full slate this Sunday beginning with Deacon’s meeting at 8:00. PTL we will get a break October 12 {Columbus Day Weekend}. No Deacon’s meeting on the 12th and we have a cook0ut that night. TRUNK-A-TREAT falls on Friday night and DHS will be playing Falkville at Falkville. We do not believe we can start before 5:30 so we plan to do 5:30-6:15. That should give everyone time to get to the game.

 

 

Five Steps To Friendship

SCRIPTURE

“You are my friends if you do what I command.”

~John 15:14, NLT

QUOTE

The reality of the disciple of Christ is that he moves from stage to stage based on his willingness to obey.

~Dallas Willard {Divine Conspiracy}

COMMENTARY

Willard lays down five steps from slave [doulous] to friend. Abraham and Moses attained this status of being a “Friend of God.” How can you and I hope to reach this level?

• STAGE ONE–Absolute reliance and CONFIDENCE in CHRIST. We must put our hope and confidence in Christ and no other.
• STAGE TWO–This confidence that we have in CHRIST must be expressed in daily OBEDIENCE to His teachings.
• STAGE THREE–The result of your fellowship with CHRIST is that it will produce in you a LOVE for HIM.
• STAGE FOUR–Your life will begin to bear FRUIT.
• STAGE FIVE–Our confidence in CHRIST, expressed in obedience, produces love for CHRIST that results in fruit and this leads to stage five which is CHARACTER. When we reach the point that all we want is what He wants, then He frees us to do what we want, to His great joy and relief I would imagine. A slave has to be told what to do; a FRIEND knows what to do. [Read John 15]

EXTRA

• Safe trip to Mississippi. Heavy traffic on the Interstate last night but the LORD blessed the trip and we are grateful. Three wonderful visits and that good old fashion Southern hospitality, plus some delicious soup and caramel cake. We do love our Mississippi friends. They have practically made a commitment to come and visit us one Sunday at DBC.
• Today is the last day of 2013, a year that has zipped by for me. When I was younger, I got depressed every January but even January goes by in a hurry when you get to be 46.
• Lord willing, I will be preaching this Sunday morning and night and Joe David will preach both messages on the 12th. Big Mama and I will be in Grand Bay working for Bro. Teddy. We will be in REVIVAL January 12-15.
• REMEMBER my prediction and I want you to hold me accountable. The only one that I am confident about is the National Championship game: Auburn will win by two touchdowns. Remember, you read this on Bro. Jack’s blog. I ran this pic a few weeks ago and I thought it would go viral…It didn’t go anywhere!