Category Archives: Message Notes
Things Spiritual Giants Say
I’ve known what I’d consider a few spiritual giants in my life. These are spiritually mature people who I’ve looked to for encouragement & as an example of faith and discipline and spiritual growth. In thinking about what leads to spiritual growth, I got to thinking about their stories and their paths and what I’ve heard these people say about their own growth. What were the catalyst for them? Here’s a few that I remember:
“I surrendered my life to Christ when I was __ years old.”
Spiritually mature people can point to a time when they began their journey with God and they see that event as a catalyst for almost everything in their lives.
“I was reading the Bible the other day and…” or “It’s like the Bible says…”
Spiritually mature people have devotional habits like Bible reading that give them a foundation for decision making and life.
“I met ____ and they helped me understand God’s will more clearly.”
Spiritually mature people often point to catalytic relationships that spurred them on in their spiritual growth & pursuit of Christ. A pastor, a small group leader, a godly friend or family member.
“I was on a mission trip in ____ and…” or “I got involved in the ____ ministry of my church and…”
Spiritually mature people are always on mission. You’ll find them on mission trips, leading ministries, opening their homes, cooking, serving, sharing, giving.
“Life took a turn for the worse, but God & my church family gave me strength.”
Spiritually mature people often experienced hardships and tragedy, but they can point to the good and to God’s providential hand at work in the situation. And they can often testify that the hardship was a catalyst for growth and for deeper dependence upon God and others.
“Can I help you with anything?” or “Can I pray for you about anything?” or “How are you doing?”
Spiritually mature people are focused on others. Visit with them and you’ll leave with more than you came with – spiritually and maybe physically. Always giving, always pointing to others.
So, are you and I on the path to spiritual maturity?
- Can you point to a time when you began a relationship with God?
- Do you practice daily devotional habits that shape the way you live?
- Do you have catalytic relationships that challenge you? Or are you in the right place for these to happen?
- Are you on mission? Are you serving others through your church or some other way?
- Have you allowed the circumstances and hardships of your life to aid your dependence on God and spiritual growth?
- Are focused on others or yourself?
What Should I Wear? #devo
This is a key question to ask for those who want to be an effective witness for Christ. Are you serious? The clothes I wear impacts my impact on others? Well, maybe, but I’m talking about what ATTITUDE & DISPOSITION you wear everyday. In today’s world, your disposition & attitude are a tremendous opportunity for evangelism. People are so beat down & discouraged & negative. If they see the joy of the Lord in you, they’ll want to know what the heck happened to you. People of salvation should be the most joyful people around. We have ETERNAL LIFE! Direct access to the God of the universe! The promise that Jesus is living in us & is with us ALWAYS! & so much more. I’ve met a few people that have said to me “I’m a Christian” & I thought about responding to them with, “Well, you better tell your face about it.”
Colossians 3:12-13 says, “as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, PUT ON a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”
If you WEAR compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, forgiveness, you WILL stand out wherever you are today AND overtime someone will want to know how & why you’re different. (Check out THIS GREAT LIST of other things that the Bible says we should PUT OFF & PUT ON).
Even Christians who are experiencing less than joyful circumstances often will be recognized by the inner joy they carry. Joy is in believers, not because of what’s on the outside, but because of what’s on the inside. Like a bird that sings during a hurricane. His song reflects what’s inside, not what’s on the outside.
So, what are you wearing today? Put on Christ-like character & the joy of the Lord & get ready to make a difference!
This is a summary from part of Sunday’s message at Bridge Church. Get the audio here.
It’s NOT the End of the World. YET…
Well, October’s here & the world didn’t end after all. But we did get some great shots of the Blood Moon. (My favorite is attached from Mike Mezeul in Dallas. Taken every 10 minutes. Wow!)
Still we’re told in the Bible that Jesus will return like a thief in the night & bring an end to this world (Matthew 24:44), & we should wait expectantly for that day (Titus 2:13-14, Philippians 3:20). Then we’ll experience a new heaven & new earth where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:10,13).
In last week’s Bible Study at Bridge Church, we looked at some of Peter’s advice to us concerning the end of the World found in 2 Peter 3:
- Be awakened by this truth – v. 1-2. Let it be like your morning coffee or shower. Everyday remember that life is short & tomorrow is not promised.
- Don’t be a scoffer. Take it seriously – vs. 3-8 A scoffer, takes lightly what he/she should take seriously. Heaven & hell are in the balance for many as they face the end of life or the end of the world. Don’t lose the weight of that truth from God’s word.
- Take advantage of God’s patience – vs. 9. God’s patience in not bringing about the end of the world or the end of our individual lives should tell us that we have more time to be a light & tell those around us about what he’s done for us in Christ. God’s patience should also serve as a reminder that he wants my friends, relatives, n
eighbors to know Him before its everlasting too late. - Let the Day of the Lord motivate you to godliness – vs. 10-12. If this is true “it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godlines”.
Great advice for parents to leave with teenagers as they leave the house – “Don’t do anything that you wouldn’t want to be doing when Jesus came back.” Good thought for all of us as we think about the brevity of life & the truth from God’s word that one day this will all end.
Join Bridge Church this Sunday as we continue our study of the new testament book of 2 Peter. 10:30am at the Madisonville Maritime Museum.
Time lapse photo taken by Mike Mezeul. Posted on a photography Facebook group that I’m in. See Mike’s work & get a print here: https://mikemezphotography.smugmug.com/Night-Sky/i-KpRzTb5/A
If This Were the Last Week of Your Life…
Well, apparently the world may end sometime this week! Great timing. Our church will hit 2 Peter 3 in our Fall Message Series called Godliness in a Godless World.
2 Peter 3:10-14
10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. 11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness 12 as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God. The heavens will be on fire and be dissolved because of it, and the elements will melt with the heat. 13 But based on His promise, we wait for the new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will dwell.
14 Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found at peace with Him without spot or blemish.
Will the world end? I don’t think so, but if this were the last week of your life how would you live? Truth is, none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Be at peace with God, with others, on mission with Christ. As a mentor of mine used to say, “Live every minute like the next may be the last.”
We’ll talk about what the Bible says about the end of the world this coming Sunday at Bridge Church, 10:30am at the Maritime Museum in Madisonville.
5 Reasons to Be Intentional About Relationships
Bridge Church in Madisonville is in the midst of a sermon series called Why Bother? We’re looking at things culture is pressing us to devalue but God counts as of great value. One thing thats valued less & less is relationships. We don’t build front porches onto our homes much anymore. Instead we build “privacy fences” in the backyard. Loneliness plagues neighborhoods & people who have hundreds if not thousands of Facebook friends. And relationships can be hard & messy, unlike the video game that we can hit restart on, or the relational lives of television characters that we live vicariously through in our imagination. It may not be lack of desire, but lack of intentionality. So Why Bother with Relationships? Why do we need greater intentionality? Why should we push through difficulty to build deep relationships with others?
1. God’s primary purpose was & is to RESTORE RELATIONSHIPS. Isaiah 59:2 reminds us that sins separates humanity from God & that separation extends to our earthy relationships (James 4:1). What is God doing in the world? Restoring Relationships (see 2 Corinthians 5:18-19). As we relate with God, his desire for relationship will spread to us & through us to others.
2. Jesus bothered with RELATIONSHIPS. In the gospels, we see Jesus spending time with a small group of 12 followers who he called friends (John 15:14-15). Then he had an inner circle of three that he shared an even greater depth of relationship (Matthew 17:1). We also see Jesus initiating relationships with difficult people like a crooked tax collector named Zacheus, a promiscuous Samaritan Women at a well, & a Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus. Jesus demonstrated intentionality in relationships & used relationships as the primary means for spreading the gospel.
I like Jon Acuff’s take on Jesus’ minsitry:
What an ineffective communicator Jesus was by our modern standards of platform building. He could have spoken to hilltops of thousands of people each night, but instead he wasted time at dinner with a handful of tax collectors and strangers. Want to change the world? It’s easy. Have a long, time-wasting, friendship-generating dinner with someone.
3. Jesus commanded us to bother with RELATIONSHIPS. Jesus not only set the example of intentional relationships, he took this to “COMMAND FROM GOD” status in John 13:34-35, then in John 15:12 & John 15:17. Also, in stories like the Good Samaritan, where Jesus presses his people to put the needs of others ahead of themselves, even despite busy schedules & cultural differences (Luke 10:25-37). And he adds in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:41-48) that we are to love even the most unlovable, like Roman soldiers that make unjust demands, & avowed enemies. With Jesus, intentional relationships are not an option for His followers.
4. You can’t possibly obey the Bible without building relationships. People often say in our culture, “I don’t have to go to church, to be a Christian.” That’s true, but New Testament Christianity would tach us that you must be in relationships with other believers to be an OBEDIENT Christian. Depending on what Bible translations you use, there are 40-50 verses that you can’t possibly obey outside of relationships. We call them the One Another’s. A few of my fav’s:
- “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love…” (Romans 12:10)
- “…Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10)
- “…Serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)
- “…Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.” (Colossians 3:13)
- “…Build each other up…” (I Thessalonians 5:11)
- “…Encourage one another.” (Hebrews 10:25)
- “…Do not slander one another.” (James 4:11)
- “Don’t grumble against each other…” (James 5:9)
- “…Pray for each other.” (James 5:16)
Here’s a great Infographic with all of them listed.
5. RELATIONSHIPS bring growth & change into our lives. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” That’s a great image of the importance of friendships. I have a tool in my garage to sharpen my lawn mower blades. it’s called a Grinder. And when sharpening blades, it gets messy. Sparks fly. The noise is annoying. But the end product is a sharper tool & a cleaner cut. Without relationships, we run the risk of remaining dull & less effective as followers of Christ. So God compells us to sharpen one another. To push through the sparks that may fly as we grow & change through relationships.
Today there’s a great mission field to be had for the Christian that will be intentional about Relationships. We have so many lonely people. In our neighborhoods are people with few relationships. People are searching for answers in impersonal ways, but are open to a friend that will help them. Be intentional. Show up. Engage. Love. Serve. And see how God uses you.
Why Bother with Evangelism?
Bridge Church in Madisonville is in the midst of a sermon series called Why Bother? We’re looking at things culture is pressing us to devalue but God counts as of great value. Evangelism has long been at the top of the list for our culture, as we hate for people to “push religion on us.” But it’s also devalued by Christians because of our fears.
So, Why Bother with Evangelism? Four Reasons:
- God’s heart for the world should lead us to bother with evangelism (John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:19, 2 Peter 3:9)
- Jesus life & work demands & he commands that we bother with Evangelism (Matthew 28:18-20)
- The World is Broken & Breaking & we will be held accountable for our neglect of evangelism (Isaiah 59:2; Hebrews 9:27: Ezekiel 3:18)
- The Natural Flow of the Spiritually Growing Christian will be to give & share God’s heart & Jesus’ work with others & to care deeply about restoring the broken world (1 Peter 3:15; John 15:16; Acts 1:8; Matthew 4:19)
What would you add to this list?
Hear the sermon in its entirety along with the rest of the series here, or on Itunes (search Bridge Northshore).
Four Words that Test My Faith in Christ
Last Sunday, our church wrapped up a long study of the New Testament book of 1 Peter called Tested, with FOUR WORDS that sum up Peter’s message & that can serve as a test of our faith in Christ:
1. CHANGED: Has there been a change in my life? Simon became Peter. A fisherman & failed follower of Christ became leader of the Gospel movement b/c of his relationship with Christ.1 Peter 1:3. You’ll not come in contact with Jesus & not be changed in some way.
2. SUBMISSION: Can I say that selflessness & servanthood toward God & others is part of my identity? 1 Peter 2:13,18; Matthew 20:28. Peter was known in the Gospel for his assertiveness & brashness. But he learned that in Christ, SUBMISSION was the greater value.
3. SUFFERING: If following Christ cost me something, would I still do it? 1 Peter 4:1. Suffering & Christianity are inextricable linked. Why? Peter reminds us that we’re not of this world, so we can expect to rub this world the wrong way. And we’re going against the flow of our fleshly nature & cultural norms, so sparks will fly when our identity in Christ meets these two.
4. READINESS: Am I ready with everyday discipline in my Christian life (1 Peter 1:13)? Am I ready to share the Gospel with others (1 Peter 3:15)? Am I ready to face temptation & the tempter who desires my destruction (1 Peter 5:8)?
Peter was concerned about READINESS b/c of his own failures:
- In the Garden of Gethsamane he slept when Jesus as him to pray, so he tells us to “Stay awake” 1 Peter 5:8.
- When Jesus was arrested, he reacted by trying to commit murder, so he tells us to “Be sober” 1 Peter 1:13.
- He denied Christ three times even though he said he wouldn’t, so he tells us to “Be ready to give an answer” 1 Peter 3:15.
Great study & great book for our generation to study as we face more & more pressure because of our faith in Christ.
Find most of the messages at http://bridgenorthshore.podomatic.com/ or on our Itunes account.
God Gives Leaders for My Protection and Guidance
God’s gifts to believers in Christ include most importantly Jesus Christ, salvation & eternal life through Him. Also, the Holy Spirit who empowers us for life & ministry. But another one of the gifts God gives us is qualified, godly leaders (Ephesians 4:11) that serve us through teaching, encouraging, protecting, guiding, providing accountability, help us grow, etc. The New Testament gives us some great snapshots of what these leaders will look like in passages like Titus 1:6-9 & 1 Timothy 3:1-7. But what does this truth say about me & you? If God gives leaders to his church, I need leaders in my life to protect me, guide me, equip me, keep me accountable, etc. Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey your leaders & submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls… Let them do this with joy & not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
So a few questions:
- Am I allowing myself to be equipped by God-given leaders in my life?
- Am I isolated without spiritual protection & guidance in my life?
- Am I allowing Godly leaders to keep watch over my soul?
- Am giving joy to those that God has given to help me grow spiritually?
- Is God calling me to lead others, taking responsibility for their spiritual growth?
Don’t be isolated or think you can go it alone spiritually. Connect with a church, small group or both & ask God to put leaders in your life who will protect, guide, equip, & lead you to be all He desires you to be.
From my Bridge Church message notes from Sunday. Join Bridge Church this month for our study of the book of Titus called Bringing the Church into Focus. Sunday’s, 10:30am at the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum.
Humility Wins, Pride Loses
“At every stage of our Christian development and in every sphere of our Christian discipleship, pride is our greatest enemy and humility is our greatest friend.” ~ John Stott
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time” 1 Peter 5:6.
Diagnosing Pride
“Pride is the only disease in the world that makes everyone sick except the person who has it.” A few questions to help recognize pride in yourself:
- What happens in you when someone does something good?
- What happens in you when someone does something bad?
- What happens in you when someone encourages you?
- What happens in you when someone corrects you?
- What happens when someone successful walks in?
- What happens when someone unsuccessful walks in?
- What happens in you when you do something good?
- What happens in you when you do something bad?
Pride has to be on top, so it often sees other people’s successes, failures, words, & actions as opportunities for ill will, gossip, jealousy, resentment, or worse.
“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person” Proverbs 27:19 NLT.
Learn to listen to your heart to diagnose pride & other sinful attitudes.
Lane Corley 