Living in Humility
Today is the last day of the year. It is a time to reflect on the past while striving to move forward in faith. God has been ever so present at our church. We have seen many new faces and have seen many new opportunities to grow together to the maturity of Christ. As we set our sights on letting Jesus be Lord of all in this New Year, I want to bring our attention to Philippians 2:1-11.
Paul knew that there is a difference between unity and uniformity. True spiritual unity comes from within; it is a matter of the heart. Uniformity is the result of pressure from without. This is why Paul opens this section appealing to the highest possible spiritual motives in verses 1-4. Since the believers of Philippi are “in Christ” this ought to encourage them to work toward unity and love, not division and rivalry. In Paul’s way, he was saying to the church, “Your disagreements reveal that there is a spiritual problem in your fellowship. It isn’t going to be solved by rules or threats; it’s going to be solved when your hearts are right with Christ and with each other.” Paul wanted them to see that the basic cause of disunity was selfishness, and the cause of that was pride. There is no joy in the life of a Christian who puts himself above others.
The secret of joy in spite of circumstances is found in Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” In Philippians 1, it is “Christ first” and in Philippians 2 it is “others next.” Paul the soul winner in Philippians 1 becomes Paul the servant in Philippians 2.
It is important that we understand what the Bible means by “humility.” The humble person is not one who thinks meanly of himself; he simply does not think of himself at all. Humility is that grace that, when you know you have it, you have lost it. The humble person knows himself and accepts himself. Romans 12:3 says, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” The humble one yields himself to Christ to be a servant to bring glory to God and to see himself through the gift of faith given by God Himself.
Being a servant does not mean that the believer is at the beck and call of everybody else or that he is a “religious doormat” for everybody to use! Paul is not suggesting that we purchase friends or maintain unity in the church by giving in to every whim and wish. Look at what 2 Corinthians 4:5 says, “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” Did you see it? It is for the sake of Christ. All that we do should be for the sake of Christ. If we put Christ first then we will have no problem submitting to others in service.
Before you start the New Year, take the time to read Philippians 1 and 2. Make this a year to remember by being filled with the spirit and attitude of Jesus in all things.
I am looking forward to seeing what Jesus does through His Holy Spirit who lives in us this year.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
www.findlayfirstnaz.org
Merry Christmas
For the past several years the motion picture industry has been featuring movies that tell the story of Christ – from “The Passion of Christ,” to “The Chronicles of Narnia,” to “The Nativity.” They have taken different stories like Noah, the book of Exodus, Moses, and several more to come because people have always been drawn to God’s Word. I will be the first to say that everything that happens in a Hollywood motion picture is not always completely accurate. They may have the overall story right but the details get lost or exaggerated. Some would say that Hollywood is trying to make a quick buck on a great story. That may be the case but I choose to believe that God wants to give people an opportunity to know Him better and accept the free gift of salvation. It is an opportunity for Jesus to speak to the hurting and lonely. In Romans 5:8 it says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
The Nativity is about Almighty God sending His one and only Son down to this earth. This is His gift to us, not for Christmas, but for eternity. He doesn’t want us to admire it, anymore than we would merely admire a gift given from a loved one. He doesn’t want us to merely acknowledge His gift. He wants everyone; He wants you and your neighbor, to receive His gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, by inviting Him into your life. He wants those who have already received this gift to be faithful and share the Good News with a lost world.
Are you prepared to be available for God to use you to share the greatest story ever known? Invite someone to attend the Christmas Eve Service at 4:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.Invite someone over to share the love of Jesus this season. Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God!
I want to say on behalf of the staff, that we find it a privilege to work alongside such an awesome church. Many people who have visited our church have said that we have a unique church in the sense of so many things going on the unity we share together in Christ. I would have to agree. God is so greatly to be praised.
May the Lord give you a safe Christmas and may the end of this year be filled with many memories of God moving through your life.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
www.findlayfirstnaz.org
The Miracle of Christmas
“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
It’s hard to believe that a week from today is Christmas Eve. There are still lots of things happening leading up to Christmas. Tonight is the “Light the Night” Christmas Concert at 7:00 p.m. On Sunday we will gather for our Christmas Sunday Celebration and enjoy a special quartet number, a drama presentation, and my message concluding the series Bright Christmas entitled, “Leave the Past in the Past.” Men, don’t forget your red socks. Then there is the annual Christmas Eve Service. What a highlight to a great year.
On Sunday night we had the Chinese students over at our house. We had 30 counting my family. It was a great time of fellowship and sharing the greatest story of all time – the story of when Christ entered and intersected our world. The testimonies of how these students and their families are accepting Christ as their personal savior was exciting. We are so blessed to have the International students as a part of our church. It humbles me to think that God is using our church to make such a big impact in China.
As I was praying this morning during our prayer time at the church, I was reflecting on the Miracle of our God choosing to come and live among us. As I prayed through the names of God I prayed that we would live out His name today as a church. Let me recall the power and authority that rests only in the name of Jesus. He is the Triune God, the Creator God, the Most High, the All-Sufficient One, He is the Great I AM! Jesus is our sanctifier, our righteousness, our peace, our provider, our shepherd, our victory and our purpose. He is our healer, our hope, our future and everything we could imagine and more. Yes, Jesus, the little baby in the manger is all of these things to us and He so desperately wants to live out His name through us today. Would you step aside and let Him spill out of you today and impact a world in need of a Savior?
Looking forward to see what God is going to do with our availability.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
www.findlayfirstnaz.org
Serving Brings Contentment
“The end of all things in near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:7-11
I was just thinking this morning how many people fall into a rut. We get so consumed with our routines that no one, not even God, can get us out. Did you know that God has better things in store for your life than just having your day end well?
Peter is getting caught up in helping people to understand what it is to really live for God. He states that we are to pray purposefully, love deeply, love without grumbling, and use our gifts to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace.
I love the church. It is a place where we can do all of the things Peter lays out for us. This Christmas is about taking our eyes off of ourselves and ministering in Jesus’ name. In order to experience a Bright Christmas, we are to take the focus off of ourselves and care for others. That not only brings a Bright Christmas rushing in, but it brings life back into the church. It is at that moment that selfishness and discontentment fall off. New life and purpose in our lives, our families, and our church begin to emerge. That is why we have Operation Serve: Christmas Edition.
I just had lunch with Stuart Wyatt yesterday and he was sharing with me about his son Noah. We have adopted this family as part of our Operation Serve: Christmas Edition. Noah was born with Spina bifida. He is paralyzed from the arm pits down. Noah is 12 years old and has undergone surgery to open up his airway through his vocal cords. There are two other surgeries scheduled for January and February. We are in the process to know how best to minister to this family. Stuart is a pastor in Van Wert, Ohio. Please be in prayer for this family (Stuart, Amy, Noah, Alex, and Lily).
What can you do to serve others this month? We are encouraging everyone to look for ways to bring glory to God. There is an opportunity tonight to go out and serve with your church. Come to the church at 6:30 p.m. and leave with a group to carol at a nursing home or the house of a shut in. Many have already signed up or have planned to serve in some way. If you have not already let us know that you were coming, then call the church office (419-422-8660) to tell us how many are coming with you. We will assign you to a group. Teens, children, families are all welcome to join us. There are some Disciple Groups already planning to visit people or help with a particular project. Following our different serving points, we will gather in the Family Life Center for hot cocoa and cookies.
What a great service we had last Sunday. We are in the middle of an exciting Advent Season. This Sunday we will continue with our theme of forgiveness as we open our lives up for the Lord to fill us.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
www.findlayfirstnaz.org
The Prayer of Faith
The American missionary to India, John Hyde (1865-1912), was known as a man of strong faith. He set out in life to bring one person to the Lord every day. The Lord honored his prayers. Later, he felt led to be even bolder and ask for two souls a day; eventually the number increased to four! But he was best known as one who prayed for revival. He was like a modern day Elijah — the prayers of this righteous man were powerful and effective. In 1911 Hyde began his return to the States because of broken health. As he was returning, he stopped in England to visit missionaries he had known in India. There was an American evangelist by the name of J. Wilbur Chapman preaching in the area. The response to the altar was very minimal. John Hyde attended the services and noticed that there were not many responding to the messages. When John decided to pray earnestly for people to be open to the Holy Spirit, the response changed dramatically. Now the place where they were meeting became filled with not only people, but the Holy Spirit. Fifty people responded to the invitation to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
I earnestly desire to see God continue to move in the hearts of people here in Findlay. During this Advent Season, we are focusing on forgiveness. Our theme is “Bright Christmas.” There are so many people who need to experience the forgiveness of God and to experience the power of forgiveness given to others. When we are faithful to forgive as God has forgiven us, then we can experience the Bright Christmas God intends.
I want to remind you of some times set up to pray for the Lord to continue to move on the hearts of people in our services and in our sphere of influence in the community. EverySunday we gather to pray from 8 to 8:30 a.m. in room 202 which is across from the church office. Every Wednesday we gather in the sanctuary from 6 to 7 a.m. I want to get in the rhythm of praying together as a church and I invite anyone to join me as we desperately call upon the Lord to fill this place with His presence.
This Sunday we will be having a regular service at 9:15 a.m. in the sanctuary and then at10:45 we will gather in the Family Life Center for our annual Children’s Musical. We are so blessed to have children who love the Lord and want to express it in worship. Come, and invite someone to come with you for this powerful day of worship.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
www.findlayfirstnaz.org
