Who Told You That

    How do we measure discipleship?  Can we determine faithfulness?  These are two important questions.  For too long we have measured ones faithfulness by the amount of money one gives.  Perhaps our measurement is built on the number of times an individual attends services each week.  Although this is certainly a sign of ones commitment it cannot measure our discipleship.

     Discipleship must be measured by how closely we model our lives after the Christ.  Jesus is more important in the life of a true disciple than family or even self.

     Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 16:24, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”  This seems simple enough doesn’t it?  Consider this, can you identify your cross?  All have a different cross to bear and that cross may change as your life changes.  There is however one cross we all must bear.  That cross is the cross of self-denial. 

     In Mark 8:31-32 Peter condemns the Lord for speaking of His death.  Perhaps Peter is not so concerned about the Lord as he is about not getting what he wants.  After all if Jesus dies Peter won’t get the high position in the Lords physical kingdom.  Jesus dying doesn’t fit Peter’s agenda.  Whose agenda are we focused on?  Do we have the things of God in mind?  It is easy to focus on Godly things in the assembly, but what about Tuesday morning or Thursday night.

     In the song Poor Wayfaring Stranger there is a line that says, “I’ll soon be free from every trial, my body sleep in the churchyard I’ll drop the cross of self-denial and enter on my great reward.”  How do we learn self-denial?  How do we take up that cross?

     First, we must be convicted of our own needs.  Without our knowledge of our hopelessness we can’t follow in the footsteps of the Christ. We can’t deal with selfishness until we are convicted of our need.  We can’t understand what we are and what we need until we can wrap our lives in humility.

     Second, after we are convicted of our needs, we must deliberately choose self-denial everyday for the rest of our lives.  Have you ever come face to face with the fact of our own selfishness in some specific deed?  Have you ever know anyone who came before the church confessing selfishness?  It is the easiest sin to see in others and the hardest to see in us.

     If we are going to follow in the footsteps of Jesus we must bear the cross of self-denial.  I have never known of church trouble that did not center on someone not getting his or her way.  I have never seen a marriage in trouble that didn’t have more that it’s share of selfishness.  If we are going to walk in the steps of the master we must learn to bear the cross of self-denial.  If we learn this truth how much easier life would be in the church family as well as our own families.


                                                                        -dell kimberly-

     At times we need to stop and evaluate where we are in life.  When we do most of us will find that we should be “thankful beyond measure.”  Occasionally, when things aren’t going the way we want them to go we want to throw ourselves a pity party.  Oh poor me, woe is me.  When you find yourself discouraged, stop and consider the blessings God has given you.

     This week I took the time to stop and consider the blessings God has given me.  I am amazed, God has blessed me so much more than I deserve.  Not so many years ago I left Alabama broken.  Financially, emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually I felt hopeless.  It looked so dark.  I had sold a business and had not gotten paid.  This had led to great emotional and mental strain. For the first time in many years I couldn’t pay my obligations.  Individuals I had considered closest of friends had turned away.  It brought to mind something my dad told me before he died.  He had said, “When times are hard you still have the same friends, it is just that now you know who they are.”  This was certainly one of those times.

     Four years later, as I evaluate life, I am thankful beyond measure.  With the exception of a few individuals I had considered friends, God has given back everything that was lost and so much more.  He opened a door for me almost 1800 miles away.  God blessed me with an opportunity to heal, to grow, but most of all to do His work in Payson, Arizona.  He has blessed me beyond what I deserved. 

     We ought to be thankful everyday.  Especially this week, take the time to evaluate the things God has given you.  When we do an honest evaluation we will find we ought to be “Thankful Beyond Measure.”

                                                         -dell Kimberly-

    In Payson we believe that to follow in the footsteps of Jesus means more than meeting at the building 3 time each week.  We believe that being a Christian means making a difference in the community you serve.  We believe we must build relationships before those on the outside are willing to listen to the message of the Master.  Very few individuals who are not Christians will visit the worship services on any given Sunday.  If we are going to make a difference we must be willing to meet the needs of those outside our doors.

     This past Saturday we supplied groceries to 150 individuals. These were people in our community.  We delivered food to 51 families.  Our intent is to make a difference in the lives of those in our community.  Our purpose is to open doors that would otherwise be closed to the Gospel. 

.                                                       Dell Kimberly

   Why do some churches grow while others do not?  Is it emphasis or perhaps location?  If a church is experiencing no physical growth we can always use the old argument, “but we are growing spiritually.”  Without question God wants the gospel to reach people.  Logically that should translate into growth.  This being the case, why do some churches grow easily while others don’t grow at all?  Let’s make an attempt find some answers to this problem. 

     I have preached for a number of churches.  Some have grown and others have not.  Of those that did grow most did not continue that growth after I left.  I claim no special expertise in this area.  The following thoughts are in no way the final authority on the matter. My limited knowledge has been gained by evaluation of past experience.  I would appreciate your thoughts and comments along these lines as well.

8 characteristics of a strong church

1.                     Christians in strong churches have a strong commitment to and faith in God.  Many congregations are filled with second and third generation Christians.  We have been raised in the church.  The thoughts and beliefs are not really our own.  As a result of a hand-me-down religion we lack the commitment and many times the faith to build a strong church.

2.                     Strong churches have a willingness to adapt and change as we grow.  This is not about “doctrine.” I am talking about the ability to question our connection with the community.  If we do not connect we will not grow.  Strong churches will adapt and change if necessary to reach the lost of their community.

3.                     Strong churches have a proper understanding and appreciation of leadership.  We assume that leadership always comes from elders, deacons, or preachers.  Men are not automatically leaders because they are appointed to positions.  Leadership is not appointed.  Without strong leadership churches will not maintain strength.

4.                     Strong churches emphasize preaching Jesus rather than emphasizing doctrine.  I would never imply that we ought to forget doctrine. What we preach and believe makes a difference.  At times it is impossible to separate preaching doctrine and preaching Jesus.  Most of the time our emphasis is not preaching Jesus.  Too often emphasis is on everything under the sun.  Unless we emphasize the preaching of Jesus Churches will not reach those in the community.

5.                     Strong churches have the correct direction.  For many years we have emphasized restoration.  I am a believer that Bible things ought to be done in Bible ways.  Yet, we cannot make that our primary direction.  God does not command restoration.  The direction of strong churches will always be toward building and maintaining a relationship with the Lord.

6.                     Strong churches are united.  We will never have unity on a broad spectrum until we lose the idea that unity means we must be clones of one another.  When the Lord prayed for unity He was praying that we maintain unity of direction and cause.  Churches can use the same terms, the same Scripture, the same arguments and still be divided.  Congregations can be divided and meet in the same building.  You may have 5 groups with 5 different agendas all meeting at the same place.  Even though they may meet together they still remain divided.  Strong churches are united.

7.                     Strong churches have vision.  Too many churches have no idea where they are going or how to get there.

8.                     Strong churches are able to see the “big picture.”  Often our world revolves around our limited fellowship.  Everything is related to what we know.  Everything we know is in our “fellowship bubble.”  If it isn’t in our bubble we don’t understand, grasp, or relate.  God did not want us to be part of the world but we must live in the world.  Strong churches are able to influence both inside and outside the “fellowship bubble.”  God intends we take the gospel to those outside.  Strong churches can see outside the parameters set by the majority.  Strong churches are able to see the “big picture.”

-Dell Kimberly-

     
     I grew up hearing lessons on dressing modestly. I must admit it has been a long time since I have heard this subject addressed in a sermon. I have reached the conclusion that how often you hear a lesson on modesty depends on how close you live to large body of water. Even though we don’t hear lessons on modesty regularly today, how we dress ourselves remains an important issue.

-dell Kimberly-

Romans 1:16 says the gospel is God’s power unto salvation.  This hasn’t changed in the 2000 years between Paul’s writing and today.   It remains the same saving power today.   Let us continue to preach Christ and Him crucified.  This is the message that changes lives.

Since late summer the power of the gospel has been evident in Payson.  We have seen 6 adults put their Lord on in baptism.  These are adults from the community served by this congregation.  If we are willing to meet the needs of those in our community God will bless our efforts with the power of the Gospel.  God only asks that we preach Jesus.  God will supply the power.

Today Erin Neil obeyed the Gospel.  Erin is a married mom with a young daughter.  She is so excited about the Lord and the commitment she has made.  She is truly hungering and thirsting for the Lord.  I am excited for Erin.  It is always so motivating to see a babe in Christ who truly wants to grasp the blessings of God.

I want to encourage all who read this blog to rely on the power of the Gospel.  I know it is often easy to lose focus on the responsibility and power that is within our grasp.  Remember preach Jesus, love the brotherhood, and honor God. 

dell kimberly 

   I don’t want to appear negative.  There certainly is more than enough of that attitude among us already.  The truth is America is in trouble.  The problems are rampant.  The mortgage and banking industry is in real trouble.  Our stock market has taken a tremendous hit in the last few months.  Divorce is skyrocketing.  Sexual sin is becoming embedded into our culture.  Our society has killed more than 40 million babies since Roe vs. Wade was decided by our court system. 

     Tomorrow we will decide which man will be the president of this nation.  This is a disturbing decision.  Which man shall we choose? 

     The truth of the matter is simple.  No Leader shall stand except by the will of God.  God establishes all authorities.  These same leaders exist by God’s power.  The answer to this nation’s problems is not found in the man in office.

  The answer to our needs is found in 2 Chronicles 7:11-14.  As a nation we need desperately to do the things God outlines.  We need to humble ourselves and pray.  As a nation we must seek God’s face and favor.  To bring real change to our people it is necessary that we turn from our wickedness.

     God has promised that He will hear us and forgive the sin of the land.  God’s promise is that He will heal the land.     I would never tell you that we ought not vote for the man we believe would best lead this nation.  God forbid that we would forget to mention this election before the Father.  That being said let us understand this one point and understand it well.  The answer is not who is in office.  The answer is in this nation turning her face toward God!