Pastor Dave's Corner-September 2011
By Pastor Dave Banfield | August 30, 2011
At the beginning of each school year the teacher or professor presents to their class a syllabus, which outlines the expectations and requirements for the class. This syllabus becomes the guide for the year ahead. Those who are wise pay attention to the syllabus and plan accordingly. Those who are less wise put the syllabus away and disregard it. Early on it doesn’t seem to matter, but as the demands of the class build what a person did with their syllabus means the difference between calm and panic.
In the Christian life we don’t operate on semesters and class schedules. We are however expected to grow in our faith. God has given to us a syllabus, of sorts, in the Bible. Those who pay attention to what the Bible teaches are equipped to face the tests of life. Those who fail to take the Bible seriously are ill-equipped when life’s exams come. As we begin a new school year I want to lay out a simple four-part syllabus for our spiritual growth together.
1. Come to Worship
Corporate worship is an essential part of our life together as followers of Jesus. Hebrews 10:23-25 instructs us about the importance of gathering for worship. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Worshipping together on Sunday is an important part of growing in our faith. It reminds us that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. It gives us the opportunity to encourage one another. It challenges us to listen to and apply God’s word to our everyday lives. There is great power present when God’s people gather together. Sunday worship can lift our spirits and empower us to face the challenges of the week ahead of us. I want to encourage you to make attendance at a worship service a priority this fall.
2. Connect to a small group
All of us have the desire to feel like we belong. Although we can experience that feeling to a certain extent in Sunday worship, the need to belong is best met in a small group. When the church was born in Jerusalem the new believers worshipped in the Temple and connected with one another in their homes. “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. “ Acts 2:46-47 The outcome of their commitment to one another was significant growth in the church.
Being a part of a small group gives a person the chance to really get to know others and be known by them. It helps us move beyond a smile and a handshake in the church lobby. In a small group you have the freedom to ask questions that you might never ask at church. A small group can turn acquaintances into friends. It is a tangible way for us to obey Jesus’ command to love one another. I want to challenge you to get involved in a small group this fall.
3. Commit to serve
We all know how easy it is to gather information but never act upon that information. A big part of being a follower of Jesus is giving our lives away for Him. Jesus made it clear that being his disciple means being a servant. “Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:25-28
God has given to each of us gifts that He wants us to use for the good of others. We can choose to keep these gifts for ourselves, but they will never reach their full potential. The only way that we will ever experience the full power of these gifts is to give them away. Being a servant is not a burden, it is a joy. When we discover how God has gifted us and then unleash those gifts in service, we experience the joy of the Lord. I want to challenge you to discover your place of service this fall.
4. Contribute financially
Giving money to the church is a significant act of worship. Being generous moves our faith from theory to reality. It puts substance to what we say we believe. God has challenged us to trust Him in this area. He tells us to give to him first and watch how He will bless us. “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV)
Collectively we make up the local church. The local church has no other means of support than those who attend. From the time God launched the Church in Jerusalem to today the church has been sustained by the tithes and gifts of its members. God uses our tithes and offerings to accomplish His purposes in our world. Giving is not a burden but a joy, an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to Christ in a tangible way. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NIV) I want to challenge you to become a regular contributor to Bethel this Fall. Trust God in this and see what He will do in and through you.
That is our syllabus for the Fall, our game plan for growing in our faith. Let’s not just talk about transformed lives, let’s do our part to experience that transformation ourselves.
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