Welcome to summer! I trust you are grabbing onto all of the sunshine you can. I also hope you don’t forget to grab all the Son-shine you can over the summer. Becoming a Christian is not simply about having Jesus deal with our sin issue but it is about accepting an invitation by God to have Him effectively involved in every aspect and moment of our lives.
Which brings me to this month’s topic: grace. Grace is often seen as “unmerited favour” or “God’s riches at Christ’s expense.” While both of these things are true, they are also far less than the fullness of grace. Grace is not simply accepting but also enabling. Grace is not simply a passive attribute but also an active contribution.
I am convinced that we need to grow in grace (2 Pe. 3:18). It isn’t that we lack grace — we need to grow in it. God is the God of all grace (1 Pe. 5:10). And, He is able to make all grace about to us so that we have everything we need for every good work (2 Cor. 9:8). Our difficulty is not in availability, its with access. We need to grow in grace.
There are more good works. God has more glory to get out of our lives. Anything that is accomplished is done by grace (1 Cor. 15:10). This is not a condemnation because there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1). This is, however, a challenge to us all. One of the things noted of the early church was that great grace was upon them all (Acts 4:38). The amount of grace we are accessing is insufficient for what we are facing — in our lives, in our church, in our world. The revival we all desire will not happen apart from great grace active in our midst.
Growing in grace with you,
Pastor Merril
Thoughts from Freedom Centre Church's pastoral staff to encourage and/or challenge you.
Thursday, 25 July 2013
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
June 2013 - Body Building with Spiritual Gifts
This month we will be looking at the Gifts of the Spirit. Last month we considered the Holy Spirit, Himself. It’s important that we not lose the connection between the two. We certainly recognize that these spiritual gifts are not simply natural abilities that are taken to a new level by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not some gas with a higher octane rating that gives our natural engine more power. These gifts are not simply empowered by the Holy Spirit but originate from Him. 1 Corinthians 12 says that the gifts, or graces, are “manifestations” of the Spirit. They don’t enlighten us about man but about God dwelling in His temple.
There is a distinct difference between saying, “I have the gift of prophecy” and saying, “Holy Spirit often reveals Himself through me by prophecy.” I have seen an ownership problem with the spiritual gifts in some people’s lives. It’s far to easy to believe that a gift of the Spirit is for the one who has it. The truth is that the spiritual gift that resides in a Christian is for someone else, or for the church. I can benefit as part of the church, but the gift in me is still other-oriented. I believe God wants us to be healthier and more mature in relation to the spiritual gifts.
As we consider the spiritual gifts this month, we will not be so much looking at each gift as much the gifts overall. We will consider their purpose, public practice, personal engagement and priorities. Each of the passages in Romans, 1 Corinthians and Ephesians speak of Christ’s body and unity. So, we will be on a monthly body building exercise and I hope you will put in the time and effort any such exercise warrants.
Journeying with you,
Pastor Merril
There is a distinct difference between saying, “I have the gift of prophecy” and saying, “Holy Spirit often reveals Himself through me by prophecy.” I have seen an ownership problem with the spiritual gifts in some people’s lives. It’s far to easy to believe that a gift of the Spirit is for the one who has it. The truth is that the spiritual gift that resides in a Christian is for someone else, or for the church. I can benefit as part of the church, but the gift in me is still other-oriented. I believe God wants us to be healthier and more mature in relation to the spiritual gifts.
As we consider the spiritual gifts this month, we will not be so much looking at each gift as much the gifts overall. We will consider their purpose, public practice, personal engagement and priorities. Each of the passages in Romans, 1 Corinthians and Ephesians speak of Christ’s body and unity. So, we will be on a monthly body building exercise and I hope you will put in the time and effort any such exercise warrants.
Journeying with you,
Pastor Merril
May 2013 - Intoxicated?
Some of you who are reading this may be doing your own pondering: “What are they getting at with the cover of this month’s bulletin?” What is meant by “Intoxicated?”
Let me start by reminding you that the event that is being referred to happens this month. May 19th is the day we celebrate Pentecost in 2013. It reminds us of a pivotal moment in the life of the church. Jesus told the disciples to not simply go off and witness to His resurrection. He said they needed power. (See Acts 1:8)
As you go on to read the account of that particular Pentecost celebration (in Acts 2, also noted in the image on the front of the bulletin), you will read that some thought they were drunk—intoxicated (Acts 2:13,15). In the context of the event, those who thought they were drunk probably heard the newly “filled with the Holy Spirit” speaking in tongues they did not recognize. It was the claim of the doubtful. And yet, it is also possible to have such a euphoric experience in the Holy Spirit as to seem drunk.
There is a verse in the New Testament that also refers both to being drunk and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 says: “And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit” (HCSB). Or, consider how this verse is translated in The Message: “Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him.” Paul is comparing the level of drink needed to be intoxicated with the level of being filled with the Holy Spirit. How full do you feel?
The tense/voice/mood of the Greek word for “be filled” indicates that it is actually a continual action of being filled. This might seem like an odd thought if you think that once filled you are full and needing no more. That would be true if you were not a conduit for the Holy Spirit to move through (see John 7:38-39). That might also be true if you were a vessel that remained the same size (see what the NT says about increase). Or, that might be true if all areas of your life were completely transformed by God (see 2 Cor. 3:17-18).
I will leave you with an interesting example from the lives of people in the early church, some of which were there on that Pentecost where the Spirit of God filled them.
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31, NKJV)
Journeying with you,
Pastor Merril
Let me start by reminding you that the event that is being referred to happens this month. May 19th is the day we celebrate Pentecost in 2013. It reminds us of a pivotal moment in the life of the church. Jesus told the disciples to not simply go off and witness to His resurrection. He said they needed power. (See Acts 1:8)
As you go on to read the account of that particular Pentecost celebration (in Acts 2, also noted in the image on the front of the bulletin), you will read that some thought they were drunk—intoxicated (Acts 2:13,15). In the context of the event, those who thought they were drunk probably heard the newly “filled with the Holy Spirit” speaking in tongues they did not recognize. It was the claim of the doubtful. And yet, it is also possible to have such a euphoric experience in the Holy Spirit as to seem drunk.
There is a verse in the New Testament that also refers both to being drunk and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 says: “And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit” (HCSB). Or, consider how this verse is translated in The Message: “Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him.” Paul is comparing the level of drink needed to be intoxicated with the level of being filled with the Holy Spirit. How full do you feel?
The tense/voice/mood of the Greek word for “be filled” indicates that it is actually a continual action of being filled. This might seem like an odd thought if you think that once filled you are full and needing no more. That would be true if you were not a conduit for the Holy Spirit to move through (see John 7:38-39). That might also be true if you were a vessel that remained the same size (see what the NT says about increase). Or, that might be true if all areas of your life were completely transformed by God (see 2 Cor. 3:17-18).
I will leave you with an interesting example from the lives of people in the early church, some of which were there on that Pentecost where the Spirit of God filled them.
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31, NKJV)
Journeying with you,
Pastor Merril
Wednesday, 10 April 2013
April 2013 - More than Financial Debt
As we move from a month considering consumerism and its affects on us, there is an area that I believe needs to be pondered. Household financial indebtedness has risen to record levels. We are spending more than we make or have invested. I’ve been pondering how much this is reflected in the spiritual lives of Christians.
Are we making enough spiritual capital? Have we invested enough into our spiritual lives that we can continue to make the withdrawals our lives demand? Are there Christians on the verge of spiritual bankruptcy? Am I there, or close to there, or on my way there?
This month we will be looking at key investment areas for our spiritual lives. It is imperative that we have the spiritual capital as the world moves forward towards its end. Jesus asked a question that constantly challenges me in this way: “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8, NKJV)
There is a passage in Hebrews that I want to end this brief, but hopefully catalytic, pondering with. Now is not the time to coast in our Christianity. We must be serious about our spirituality. Consider the verse on the front of this bulletin and make sure we are storing up treasure in heaven (Mt. 6:19-20).
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:19-25)
Journeying with you,
Pastor Merril
Are we making enough spiritual capital? Have we invested enough into our spiritual lives that we can continue to make the withdrawals our lives demand? Are there Christians on the verge of spiritual bankruptcy? Am I there, or close to there, or on my way there?
This month we will be looking at key investment areas for our spiritual lives. It is imperative that we have the spiritual capital as the world moves forward towards its end. Jesus asked a question that constantly challenges me in this way: “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8, NKJV)
There is a passage in Hebrews that I want to end this brief, but hopefully catalytic, pondering with. Now is not the time to coast in our Christianity. We must be serious about our spirituality. Consider the verse on the front of this bulletin and make sure we are storing up treasure in heaven (Mt. 6:19-20).
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:19-25)
Journeying with you,
Pastor Merril
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
March 2013 2.0 - Have You Rolled Up Your Rim® Today?
So, this is Canada in the middle of March. Many Canadians are involved in their favourite pastime — rrrrrolling up the rim to win®. Yes, so many of us are hitting the drive-thru and checking to see what we have won. Many times us Christians are told to please pray again (I know, it says play, but be honest -- you pray before you roll the rim) and we dutifully do that.
My thoughts are about what we do with this process. Are you so excited about the prospect of winning that you dump out your coffee and roll up the rim without even drinking it? No, that would be ridiculous. Ok, let’s drink the coffee first. Now, are you so excited for winning a free coffee that you run out in the middle of your work, leaving your boss and your business to fend for themselves, while you go and turn in your coupon? Nope: something wrong there too. So, what do you do? You drink your coffee, get your coupon and then turn it when it is convenient and appropriate to do so.
So, what are you trying to tell me Pastor Merril? I’m saying that sometimes Holy Spirit empowered, prophetic people dump out their coffee and run off in the middle of something else that is happening just to hand in a coupon to someone, which they could receive and turn in at another time. I can understand the excitement of giving someone a prophecy or word of knowledge or word of wisdom just as much as handing someone the Rav-4 coupon that you rolled up on your coffee cup. However, it is impolite and even can be rude to dump out the cup of coffee that God has been asking you to drink or to interrupt the conversation He is having with everyone just to run off and hand someone a coupon. Our personal agendas, desires or passions do not trump God’s plans for a group event (see Luke 14:16-24).
If God is speaking to you something that you need to pass on to someone else, while in the middle of worship or a sermon for example, then note it internally or externally (paper, smartphone, etc.) and wait for the proper time to pass it on. You could even ask the Lord to deepen what He is speaking while continuing to worship, or whatever else is happening. Allow what God is speaking to you to actually affect you so that you don’t simply deliver it like it is just some coupon but let it actually be rooted in the power of relationship. Also watch for times in group settings where a declaration, proclamation, prophecy or prayer is appropriate to be given to someone, but be mindful to not interrupt what God is doing in you and others.
In 2012, 64% of 911 calls in Edmonton were not emergencies. The majority of prophetic messages that prophetic people receive are not emergencies. Wait for the appropriate moment and still be the Holy Spirit empowered, prophetic people God still wants us all to be.
Journeying with you, Pastor Merril
My thoughts are about what we do with this process. Are you so excited about the prospect of winning that you dump out your coffee and roll up the rim without even drinking it? No, that would be ridiculous. Ok, let’s drink the coffee first. Now, are you so excited for winning a free coffee that you run out in the middle of your work, leaving your boss and your business to fend for themselves, while you go and turn in your coupon? Nope: something wrong there too. So, what do you do? You drink your coffee, get your coupon and then turn it when it is convenient and appropriate to do so.
So, what are you trying to tell me Pastor Merril? I’m saying that sometimes Holy Spirit empowered, prophetic people dump out their coffee and run off in the middle of something else that is happening just to hand in a coupon to someone, which they could receive and turn in at another time. I can understand the excitement of giving someone a prophecy or word of knowledge or word of wisdom just as much as handing someone the Rav-4 coupon that you rolled up on your coffee cup. However, it is impolite and even can be rude to dump out the cup of coffee that God has been asking you to drink or to interrupt the conversation He is having with everyone just to run off and hand someone a coupon. Our personal agendas, desires or passions do not trump God’s plans for a group event (see Luke 14:16-24).
If God is speaking to you something that you need to pass on to someone else, while in the middle of worship or a sermon for example, then note it internally or externally (paper, smartphone, etc.) and wait for the proper time to pass it on. You could even ask the Lord to deepen what He is speaking while continuing to worship, or whatever else is happening. Allow what God is speaking to you to actually affect you so that you don’t simply deliver it like it is just some coupon but let it actually be rooted in the power of relationship. Also watch for times in group settings where a declaration, proclamation, prophecy or prayer is appropriate to be given to someone, but be mindful to not interrupt what God is doing in you and others.
In 2012, 64% of 911 calls in Edmonton were not emergencies. The majority of prophetic messages that prophetic people receive are not emergencies. Wait for the appropriate moment and still be the Holy Spirit empowered, prophetic people God still wants us all to be.
Journeying with you, Pastor Merril
Thursday, 28 February 2013
March 2013 - Easter Rocks!
Easter is early this year. We will be celebrating it on the last day of March. Of the many holidays (holy-days) that appear on our calendar, this is the supreme event for followers of Christ. This is the World Cup of Christian holidays. And yet … it often isn’t celebrated by Christians in that manner. Christmas is the king of holidays for most Christians in our North American culture. Why is that?
We need to own up to a consumerism that can corrupt and co-opt our walk with Christ. There is a degree of self-interest that enjoys a baby born in a manger more than a death and resurrection. The gift-giving theme of Christmas is far more marketable than the self-sacrificing death of Good Friday. How much of this consumer mentality actually causes us to celebrate Christmas over Easter?
Christmas is comparatively nothing without Easter. Jesus knew He was born to die for us. Christmas without Easter is like any other visit by royalty — brief and exciting but without lasting merit. Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection are at the heart of Christianity. Paul preached Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 1:23, 2:2). Paul knew that all of life revolved around being crucified with Christ and Christ living through him (Gal. 2:20; Phil. 3:10).
I pray that by the end of March, we will be celebrating Easter like never before — not with a new consumerism but with a new heart. I pray we will be able to separate the consumeristic influence of the world from our Christianity. I look forward to a passionate pursuit of God that would reveal Christ’s Passion to those around us. I’m excited to see the stone of consumerism rolled away from our lives and Jesus breaking forth.
Journeying with you,
Pastor Merril
We need to own up to a consumerism that can corrupt and co-opt our walk with Christ. There is a degree of self-interest that enjoys a baby born in a manger more than a death and resurrection. The gift-giving theme of Christmas is far more marketable than the self-sacrificing death of Good Friday. How much of this consumer mentality actually causes us to celebrate Christmas over Easter?
Christmas is comparatively nothing without Easter. Jesus knew He was born to die for us. Christmas without Easter is like any other visit by royalty — brief and exciting but without lasting merit. Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection are at the heart of Christianity. Paul preached Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 1:23, 2:2). Paul knew that all of life revolved around being crucified with Christ and Christ living through him (Gal. 2:20; Phil. 3:10).
I pray that by the end of March, we will be celebrating Easter like never before — not with a new consumerism but with a new heart. I pray we will be able to separate the consumeristic influence of the world from our Christianity. I look forward to a passionate pursuit of God that would reveal Christ’s Passion to those around us. I’m excited to see the stone of consumerism rolled away from our lives and Jesus breaking forth.
Journeying with you,
Pastor Merril
February 2013 - Unity
As I was pondering about my pondering … that is what I do when I work on these :) … I couldn’t get my mind off of the informational meeting we had on January 20th to discuss the finances. I must admit that what you (this church, this body) displayed at the meeting was amazing and inspiring. More was accomplished in that meeting than is represented by the offering from that morning and the Sunday following. You showed such great unity of faith and purpose—more than I have ever seen here in the more than thirteen years that I have been part of this body. True unity as a body a significant key to seeing God’s blessing, provision, power and glory at the Freedom Centre. Look at some Scriptures: (all from the NKJV with my underlining)
It is vital as we move forward that we keep this unity. I know that God this is important to God and that He is watching over it. Much of Paul’s motivation in writing his first letter to the Corinthians is rooted in dealing with dishonour and disunity. Following close after the quote above from the end of Acts 4, we read at the beginning of Acts 5 how God dealt with those who would bring dishonour and disunity at the crucial moment where His blessing, provision, power and glory were being released in the church.
God is doing a great work here. We are moving into more things that have never fully come to pass at the Freedom Centre. As we advance, let us be careful about unity, just as Paul wrote:
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3, NLT)
Journeying with you, Pastor Merril
- Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
…
For there the Lord commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore. (Psalm 133) - Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. (Acts 4:32-35)
- I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. (John 17:20-23 — Jesus praying)
It is vital as we move forward that we keep this unity. I know that God this is important to God and that He is watching over it. Much of Paul’s motivation in writing his first letter to the Corinthians is rooted in dealing with dishonour and disunity. Following close after the quote above from the end of Acts 4, we read at the beginning of Acts 5 how God dealt with those who would bring dishonour and disunity at the crucial moment where His blessing, provision, power and glory were being released in the church.
God is doing a great work here. We are moving into more things that have never fully come to pass at the Freedom Centre. As we advance, let us be careful about unity, just as Paul wrote:
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3, NLT)
Journeying with you, Pastor Merril
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