As a pastor concludes his ministry in a local church, in particular in a church he planted, What should his reflections be? What should he desire for his people? Paul articulates my sentiments.

Have you ever been a member of a church in crisis? If not, have you ever been in a personal crisis? Oftentimes when the alarm of the catastrophe becomes acute for us, our immediate thought is what do I need to do to get out of this – right now! In our passage today we find young Pastor Timothy in crisis at the church of Ephesus. Approximately midway through the letter Paul gives Timothy his purpose statement for having written the letter in the first place. VCF, like Ephesus, is experiencing a bit of a rough go of it & I like Timothy, and our respective churches need to be reminded of a few things if we are going to triumph in the mist of the crisis.

Here in the American West, we oftentimes see ourselves as individuals. We are a low-group culture. The culture in which Jesus was socialized was a high-group culture; they viewed themselves not as individuals, but a part of a larger social group. This social construct is evidenced in today’s story. Matthew, Jesus’ newest disciple, immediately upon becoming Christ’s follower conjures up an event where all of his friends (oikos), might hear the Good News and become followers of Jesus. Matthew’s idea for engaging his friends was not a Bible study or reading evangelistic tracts – his plan was to host an Evangelistic Mixer! 

The Easter narrative is pregnant with examples of Jesus’ closest followers cascading into unbelief. How does God get us back on track? What methods does He employ? What role, if any, do we play in the process? Today’s teaching will answers to these questions. 

When was the last time you shared your testimony with someone? Do you have one? Is it written down? It doesn’t have to be sensational, but is it compelling? In today’s narrative, Jesus delivers a man from demonic destruction and then sends him to evangelize his family & friend and then ten cities; armed with no apologetics, no biblical background, no theology, no evangelistic training – just the power of a personal testimony! 

Today’s message will probably reveal that we’ve been on both sides of this particular equation. Ever been thrust into a circumstance where you found yourself doubting what you once believed to be true of God? On the flipside, have you ever had a believing friend seek consolation from you because they just didn’t think they could put their trust in God the way they had in the past? Is it possible that you were at a lost for how to encourage them? In today’s teaching, Jesus is going to demonstrate how to “Be Contagious” with a doubting, believing friend. 

The definition of contagious is the transmission or spread of something from one person or object to another. In the medical field they distinguish between contagious and infectious ailments. A contagious ailment is contracted through general contact: a hand shake. An infectious ailment can be only be transmitted through specific contact: a blood transfusion. Is our Christian faith transmittable? What’s our obligation to be contagious? 

This week Paul shares a key paradigm shift in our thinking as we set out on a New Year. What does it look like to live as resident aliens in this world? Let’s consider Paul’s idea together. 

Did you know that you are under arrest? The Fourth Amendment states, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” In other words, the threshold for the arrest, search or seizure of one’s person or property must be met prior to law authorities attempting to do so. Paul says in this passage that we, as Christians, are under arrest, but for what reason? How will this truth shape our faith journeys in the New Year? 

What do you have planned for 2014? Are there any big moves on the horizon? How do you approach short-term or long range planning? Do you plan at all? Or, do you take life as it comes? Is it wrong to draft plans? What does the Bible say about planning? As we prepare for a New Year pregnant with new possibilities, how do plan in a uniquely Christian way? Today, James, Jesus’ little brother has advice for us as we embark upon a New Year!