Missions Trip Return Update + Re-Posting- "Good" Friday Blog
Some sleep-deprived thoughts as we return home from our amazing Myanmar Missions Trip
This may be the longest Friday of my life. Waking up at 4:45AM is always challenging, but even more so in a not-so-clean, "no-tell" hotel in the city of Kunming, China. That would work out to 4:45PM on Thursday, Eastern Time. From there, our vigilant team caught a 7:40 flight to Shanghai. Then a quick two-hour layover got us to our current flight going across the Pacific Ocean towards LAX where we will go on later today to Charlotte and eventually home to Virginia Beach at around 11:30PM. If my calculations are correct, that works out to a nearly 31-hour-long Friday to get back to the promised land.
Current flight progress
It was truly a fantastic trip and we look forward to bringing a great report from our time in Myanmar. I don't want to spoil it now, but just write this quick note to encourage you all to be ready for a great Easter weekend ahead including:
- Outreach - Saturday @ 5PM
- Corporate Prayer - Sunday @ 10AM
- RESURRECTION EASTER SERVICE - Sunday @ 11AM
- Evening Worship - Sunday @ 6:30PM
Until then, could think of a few people that you know who you could invite to our Easter services? I know it's inconvenient and uncomfortable to reach out to someone and bring them to service.. But can we be reminded what this Good Friday is all about? It's about stepping out of the comfort zone to accomplish great things for the Kingdom of God. I'm so proud of our impact team for stepping out of comfort zone again and again during this trip. What about you? When's the last time you gave up some comfort to accomplish God's purpose?
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” —Romans 12:1
For a more in-depth study, take a look at my blog from last year:
This blog was posted last year. I am republishing for Good Friday, 2017.
Pain. We try to avoid it at all costs. We build our lives around convenience and comfort. If a situation gets even the slightest bit uncomfortable we are prone to dodge it. How many jobs, marriages, faith journeys, careers and destinies have been abandoned because they brought about discomfort and difficulty? In a generation that worships comfort and ease, it is difficult to imagine that anyone would willingly choose pain instead.
It was not easy for our Lord. It was not comfortable or convenient. He left His throne and His crown in the glories of eternity to be born in a barn to a couple of peasants in Bethlehem. It is on this "Good" Friday that Jesus, our Savior, chose to bear the nails, the scorn, the pain of the cross. Not only did He choose pain, but excruciation! The worst possible pain that a human being can experience. Worse than that, the emotional and spiritual distress of being separated from His Father as he bore the sins of us all on that most unjust day.
Let us fall out of love with our false God of convenience as we consider the ultimate sacrifice of the "Lamb slain before the foundation of the earth" (Rev 13:8). If our Savior chose to suffer on our behalf, shouldn't we be willing to accept some inconvenience and discomfort on His?
Prayer Needs – Three Day Fast
I hope you've had a great start to your fast today! Here's the promised prayer list to be lifting up during this time.
Roxanne - From the Dog Grooming Shop
Physical Healing, breaking the power of addiction
Adam McFeaters
1. Jobs that are well paying and keep disciples available for ministry and support.
2. Marriages to be strengthened.
3. Souls to be added to the church.
4. Outreach and prayer participation to increase.
5. Church bands and dramas to be anointed, visitors and salvations at concerts.
6. New disciples that will prepare to pioneer.
7. Financial stability and blessing.
8. Healthy pregnancy and babies for Hristina and Yessi.
9. Good grades for the kids.
10. A house to buy? God willing.
11. Missionaries to get break through.
12. Myanmar impact fruitfulness.
13. Tangible growth during Pstr Melrose revival.
14. Time off work for SE bible conference.
15. Ray and Corde McFeaters saved
Mimi Ivanova
1. My boss' Mom - Kerri - healing of stomach cancer (today I prayed with her for healing and salvation, I'm so grateful for the opportunity)
2. Favor with God and men on my audit for 2014 and 2015 taxes
3. Future husband :)
Amanda Wade
Salvation:
-Dakota Brock
-Kayla Brock
-Izacely Juarez
-Taylor-Painter Family
-Prevost Family
-New Families to get saved
Healing:
-Ronda Craddock
-Beth Chambers
-Uncle Ron battling depression/ severe back pain
Other:
-More Business for the small businesses in church
-Favor in a businesses payment dispute with a customer
-Increase in finances to be able to give more to the kingdom
-Souls to be saved while on missions trip
-marriages
Sandisover Grant
1 Spiritual breakthrough for each member of our congregation, so that we will be able to minister to others and win souls for the God.
2 Spiritual guidance for family, friends and neighbors to open their hearts to receive the word of god.
3 Spiritual cleansing for our hearts so we wull show love to each and everyone come in contact with in our daily lives.
4 Unity among family, friends and foes.
5 Help to kill flesh so I can walk in the Spirit
6 Salvation for my family - Brittany Lee, Melissa Nassar and William Nassar
7 Employment In a god fearing company that will provide good salary and benefits.
Stephanie Delcid - Emailed Need
Hello from Cuenca Ecuador. We would like to ask you to please link hearts with us in prayer for Wil and Elsy Cruz that have been unable to conceive for 13 years. Doctors say there is nothing wrong, we have been praying and fasting for God to give them a child. They are on our ministry staff.
Thank you, please continue to pray for us The Delcid's in Cuenca as we pray for you and your upcoming conference.
Pastor Dragoon
Salvation and discipleship
Rob Hardee
Joseph
David Pintor
Events
Revival
Conference
Missions Trip
Personal
Family
Relationship with God
Wisdom for Leadership
Direction for Church
Grandma Joni
Healing from Bronchitis
Feel free to add to this list by commenting below. Believing God to answer these prayers!
Time for Self-Review
In the interest of better communication between shepherd and flock, and in the continued growth of the Kingdom of God, I heartily invite you to participate in our yearly pastoral meetings.
Over the next few weeks, I’d like to engage in a voluntary Annual Review of your experience here at The Potter’s House Church. This time of review will consist of three phases:
- Self-Review (February 15-28)
- Leader Review (March 1-15)
- Discussion and Goals. (March 16-31)
This year, I have decided to include an opportunity for you to submit a self-review; similar to what many employers would ask from their employees. This is a chance for you to reflect on your own spiritual life and disciplines over the last year. When I was in the corporate world, this was always a very helpful time to evaluate performance and set goals for the future. To help you with this I have provided a sheet of some relevant questions to help you spark your mind.
Download it here: PDF Format | DOC Format
When your self—review is completed, I ask you to submit it to me by email at pastor@vbph.org so we can get to phase two. I hope this will be a helpful time for us all!
Pastor Adam Dragoon
Revival in the Air
It all starts tonight!
Tonight we welcome you to "Welcome Back" service that we have dubbed, "The Night to Invite". Evangelist Richard Brooks has a gift for stirring the pot, adding fire and zeal to churches and saints that have sunken into lethargy and mechanical routine. Tonight's service starts at 7:30 PM, with prayer at 6:30 PM. Anyone who brings a first time visitor (or someone who hasn't been around for 3 months or more) is going to get an awesome VBPH T-Shirt.
Revival Starts Sunday Morning
Revival, as defined by Webster's incomparable 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language, means:
Return, recall or recovery to life from death or apparent death; as the revival of a drowned person.
Renewed and more active attention to religion; an awakening of men to their spiritual concerns.
Only in the Gospel of Jesus Christ do we have the opportunity to experience such renewal on a constant and regular basis. I would dare say that part of the human condition is that we are constantly being pulled down to the pit of destruction by the gravity of monotony and religion.
That's why we are so looking forward to these services beginning tomorrow, Sunday, Oct. 30th at 11AM and then continuing in the evening at 6:30PM. The services will then go through the week, Monday through Wednesday, each night at 7:30PM. We can guarantee that you will be mightily blessed and inspired through these services. Don't miss one of them!
A Few Thoughts
I am currently sitting in the passenger seat of a minivan en route to Virginia Beach coming back from an amazing Men's Rally in Jacksonville, NC over the last 24 hours. What a time we had! With these few minutes that I have trapped in the vehicle on a beautiful day, I wanted to publish this post communicating a few things that I've been meaning to blog about for the past few days.
A Wonderful Report from Ruse, Bulgaria
I woke up last Tuesday morning to some incredibly encouraging text messages from my friend, Pastor Martin Klok from Amersfoort, Holland. Take a look at the pictures I received:
Altar call after the Dutch Impact team
Dutch teens making an impact in the nations
Pastor Klok has a fantastic group of teens that joins him for an impact team every year to different locations. This year, they endeavored to make an impact in the city in which my wife and I served served as missionaries from 2005-2010, where currently Romanian Pastor Victor and family are laboring for the Lord. You might imagine how my heart leapt at seeing the harvest of souls that were responding to the Gospel in these images. Truly, the words of Christ from John 4 encouraged my soul: "'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors." I am so grateful to play even the smalleat part in the harvest of souls that is being reaped there today.
Feeling Appreciated
After our Mid-Week service on Wednesday night, the church blind-sided us with another wonderful surprise:
Basket of goodies for Pastor Appreciation Month
The pastoral calling is difficult for many reasons. But there are also many things that make it worthwhile. One of those things is a church that recognizes the weight that the pastor and his family carries and truly appreciates them. I cannot express the gratitude that comes from having a church that understands these things. Yes, the basket of gifts is a blessing and a symbol of the church's sentiments. An even greater blessing comes from knowing that it is far more than just a sentiment. We are more than blessed to have a tight-knit group of faithfully committed men and women of God. I can't say it enough: THANK YOU!
Meat for Men
Altar Call from today's Men's Rally
Reactions from today's rally were all positive. Wow, I am constantly amazed at the quality of preachers and sermons that fill the pulpits of our fellowship all around the world. This Men's Rally featured seasoned pastors Paul Stephens, Dave Szczepanski and Louie Lobato. The men had more than their fill of quality ministry. We are now returning to Virginia Beach once again filled with wisdom and instruction from the Word of God through these faithful vessels. We can't wait to get back to the Kind business in future days and weeks.
Thanks for reading!
The Link Between Struggle and Success
I liked this article so much that I decided to post it here on my blog:
[H/T: onlinecollege.org]
50 Famously Successful People Who Failed At First
Not everyone who's on top today got there with success after success. More often than not, those who history best remembers were faced with numerous obstacles that forced them to work harder and show more determination than others. Next time you're feeling down about your failures, keep these fifty famous people in mind and remind yourself that sometimes failure is just the first step towards success.
Business Gurus
These businessmen and the companies they founded are today known around the world, but as these stories show, their beginnings weren't always smooth.
- Henry Ford: While Ford is today known for his innovative assembly line and American-made cars, he wasn't an instant success. In fact, his early businesses failed and left him broke five times before he founded the successful Ford Motor Company.
- R. H. Macy: Most people are familiar with this large department store chain, but Macy didn't always have it easy. Macy started seven failed business before finally hitting big with his store in New York City.
- F. W. Woolworth: Some may not know this name today, but Woolworth was once one of the biggest names in department stores in the U.S. Before starting his own business, young Woolworth worked at a dry goods store and was not allowed to wait on customers because his boss said he lacked the sense needed to do so.
- Soichiro Honda: The billion-dollar business that is Honda began with a series of failures and fortunate turns of luck. Honda was turned down by Toyota Motor Corporation for a job after interviewing for a job as an engineer, leaving him jobless for quite some time. He started making scooters of his own at home, and spurred on by his neighbors, finally started his own business.
- Akio Morita: You may not have heard of Morita but you've undoubtedly heard of his company, Sony. Sony's first product was a rice cooker that unfortunately didn't cook rice so much as burn it, selling less than 100 units. This first setback didn't stop Morita and his partners as they pushed forward to create a multi-billion dollar company.
- Bill Gates: Gates didn't seem like a shoe-in for success after dropping out of Harvard and starting a failed first business with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen called Traf-O-Data. While this early idea didn't work, Gates' later work did, creating the global empire that is Microsoft.
- Harland David Sanders: Perhaps better known as Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame, Sanders had a hard time selling his chicken at first. In fact, his famous secret chicken recipe was rejected 1,009 times before a restaurant accepted it.
- Walt Disney: Today Disney rakes in billions from merchandise, movies and theme parks around the world, but Walt Disney himself had a bit of a rough start. He was fired by a newspaper editor because, "he lacked imagination and had no good ideas." After that, Disney started a number of businesses that didn't last too long and ended with bankruptcy and failure. He kept plugging along, however, and eventually found a recipe for success that worked.
Scientists and Thinkers
These people are often regarded as some of the greatest minds of our century, but they often had to face great obstacles, the ridicule of their peers, and the animosity of society.
- Albert Einstein: Most of us take Einstein's name as synonymous with genius, but he didn't always show such promise. Einstein did not speak until he was four and did not read until he was seven, causing his teachers and parents to think he was mentally handicapped, slow and anti-social. Eventually, he was expelled from school and was refused admittance to the Zurich Polytechnic School. It might have taken him a bit longer, but most people would agree that he caught on pretty well in the end, winning the Nobel Prize and changing the face of modern physics.
- Charles Darwin: In his early years, Darwin gave up on having a medical career and was often chastised by his father for being lazy and too dreamy. Darwin himself wrote, "I was considered by all my masters and my father, a very ordinary boy, rather below the common standard of intellect." Perhaps they judged too soon, as Darwin today is well-known for his scientific studies.
- Robert Goddard: Goddard today is hailed for his research and experimentation with liquid-fueled rockets, but during his lifetime his ideas were often rejected and mocked by his scientific peers who thought they were outrageous and impossible. Today rockets and space travel don't seem far-fetched at all, due largely in part to the work of this scientist who worked against the feelings of the time.
- Isaac Newton: Newton was undoubtedly a genius when it came to math, but he had some failings early on. He never did particularly well in school and when put in charge of running the family farm, he failed miserably, so poorly in fact that an uncle took charge and sent him off to Cambridge where he finally blossomed into the scholar we know today.
- Socrates: Despite leaving no written records behind, Socrates is regarded as one of the greatest philosophers of the Classical era. Because of his new ideas, in his own time he was called "an immoral corrupter of youth" and was sentenced to death. Socrates didn't let this stop him and kept right on, teaching up until he was forced to poison himself.
- Robert Sternberg: This big name in psychology received a “C” in his first college introductory psychology class with his teacher telling him that, "there was already a famous Sternberg in psychology and it was obvious there would not be another." Ouch! Sternberg showed him, however, graduating from Stanford with exceptional distinction in psychology, summa cum laude, and Phi Beta Kappa and eventually becoming the President of the American Psychological Association.
Inventors
These inventors changed the face of the modern world, but not without a few failed prototypes along the way.
- Thomas Edison: In his early years, teachers told Edison he was "too stupid to learn anything." Work was no better, as he was fired from his first two jobs for not being productive enough. Even as an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. Of course, all those unsuccessful attempts finally resulted in the design that worked.
- Orville and Wilbur Wright: These brothers battled depression and family illness before starting the bicycle shop that would lead them to experimenting with flight. After numerous attempts at creating flying machines, several years of hard work, and tons of failed prototypes, the brothers finally created a plane that could get airborne and stay there.
Public Figures
From politicians to talk show hosts, these figures had a few failures before they came out on top.
- Winston Churchill: This Nobel Prize-winning, twice-elected Prime Minster of the United Kingdom wasn't always as well regarded as he is today. Churchill struggled in school and failed the sixth grade. After school he faced many years of political failures, as he was defeated in every election for public office until he finally became the Prime Minister at the ripe old age of 62.
- Abraham Lincoln: While today he is remembered as one of the greatest leaders of our nation, Lincoln's life wasn't so easy. In his youth he went to war a captain and returned a private (if you're not familiar with military ranks, just know that private is as low as it goes.) Lincoln didn't stop failing there, however. He started numerous failed business and was defeated in numerous runs he made for public office.
- Oprah Winfrey: Most people know Oprah as one of the most iconic faces on TV as well as one of the richest and most successful women in the world. Oprah faced a hard road to get to that position, however, enduring a rough and often abusive childhood as well as numerous career setbacks including being fired from her job as a television reporter because she was "unfit for tv."
- Harry S. Truman: This WWI vet, Senator, Vice President and eventual President eventually found success in his life, but not without a few missteps along the way. Truman started a store that sold silk shirts and other clothing–seemingly a success at first–only go bankrupt a few years later.
- Dick Cheney: This recent Vice President and businessman made his way to the White House but managed to flunk out of Yale University, not once, but twice. Former President George W. Bush joked with Cheney about this fact, stating, "So now we know –if you graduate from Yale, you become president. If you drop out, you get to be vice president."
Hollywood Types
These faces ought to be familiar from the big screen, but these actors, actresses and directors saw their fair share of rejection and failure before they made it big.
- Jerry Seinfeld: Just about everybody knows who Seinfeld is, but the first time the young comedian walked on stage at a comedy club, he looked out at the audience, froze and was eventually jeered and booed off of the stage. Seinfeld knew he could do it, so he went back the next night, completed his set to laughter and applause, and the rest is history.
- Fred Astaire: In his first screen test, the testing director of MGM noted that Astaire, "Can't act. Can't sing. Slightly bald. Can dance a little." Astaire went on to become an incredibly successful actor, singer and dancer and kept that note in his Beverly Hills home to remind him of where he came from.
- Sidney Poitier: After his first audition, Poitier was told by the casting director, "Why don't you stop wasting people's time and go out and become a dishwasher or something?" Poitier vowed to show him that he could make it, going on to win an Oscar and become one of the most well-regarded actors in the business.
- Jeanne Moreau: As a young actress just starting out, this French actress was told by a casting director that she was simply not pretty enough to make it in films. He couldn't have been more wrong as Moreau when on to star in nearly 100 films and win numerous awards for her performances.
- Charlie Chaplin: It's hard to imagine film without the iconic Charlie Chaplin, but his act was initially rejected by Hollywood studio chiefs because they felt it was a little too nonsensical to ever sell.
- Lucille Ball: During her career, Ball had thirteen Emmy nominations and four wins, also earning the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center Honors. Before starring in I Love Lucy, Ball was widely regarded as a failed actress and a B movie star. Even her drama instructors didn't feel she could make it, telling her to try another profession. She, of course, proved them all wrong.
- Harrison Ford: In his first film, Ford was told by the movie execs that he simply didn't have what it takes to be a star. Today, with numerous hits under his belt, iconic portrayals of characters like Han Solo and Indiana Jones, and a career that stretches decades, Ford can proudly show that he does, in fact, have what it takes.
- Marilyn Monroe: While Monroe's star burned out early, she did have a period of great success in her life. Despite a rough upbringing and being told by modeling agents that she should instead consider being a secretary, Monroe became a pin-up, model and actress that still strikes a chord with people today.
- Oliver Stone: This Oscar-winning filmmaker began his first novel while at Yale, a project that eventually caused him to fail out of school. This would turn out to be a poor decision as the the text was rejected by publishers and was not published until 1998, at which time it was not well-received. After dropping out of school, Stone moved to Vietnam to teach English, later enlisting in the army and fighting in the war, a battle that earning two Purple Hearts and helped him find the inspiration for his later work that often center around war.
Writers and Artists
We've all heard about starving artists and struggling writers, but these stories show that sometimes all that work really does pay off with success in the long run.
- Vincent Van Gogh: During his lifetime, Van Gogh sold only one painting, and this was to a friend and only for a very small amount of money. While Van Gogh was never a success during his life, he plugged on with painting, sometimes starving to complete his over 800 known works. Today, they bring in hundreds of millions.
- Emily Dickinson: Recluse and poet Emily Dickinson is a commonly read and loved writer. Yet in her lifetime she was all but ignored, having fewer than a dozen poems published out of her almost 1,800 completed works.
- Theodor Seuss Giesel: Today nearly every child has read The Cat in the Hat or Green Eggs and Ham, yet 27 different publishers rejected Dr. Seuss's first book To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street.
- Charles Schultz: Schultz's Peanuts comic strip has had enduring fame, yet this cartoonist had every cartoon he submitted rejected by his high school yearbook staff. Even after high school, Schultz didn't have it easy, applying and being rejected for a position working with Walt Disney.
- Steven Spielberg: While today Spielberg's name is synonymous with big budget, he was rejected from the University of Southern California School of Theater, Film and Television three times. He eventually attended school at another location, only to drop out to become a director before finishing. Thirty-five years after starting his degree, Spielberg returned to school in 2002 to finally complete his work and earn his BA.
- Stephen King: The first book by this author, the iconic thriller Carrie, received 30 rejections, finally causing King to give up and throw it in the trash. His wife fished it out and encouraged him to resubmit it, and the rest is history, with King now having hundreds of books published the distinction of being one of the best-selling authors of all time.
- Zane Grey: Incredibly popular in the early 20th century, this adventure book writer began his career as a dentist, something he quickly began to hate. So, he began to write, only to see rejection after rejection for his works, being told eventually that he had no business being a writer and should given up. It took him years, but at 40, Zane finally got his first work published, leaving him with almost 90 books to his name and selling over 50 million copies worldwide.
- J. K. Rowling: Rowling may be rolling in a lot of Harry Potter dough today, but before she published the series of novels she was nearly penniless, severely depressed, divorced, trying to raise a child on her own while attending school and writing a novel. Rowling went from depending on welfare to survive to being one of the richest women in the world in a span of only five years through her hard work and determination.
- Monet: Today Monet's work sells for millions of dollars and hangs in some of the most prestigious institutions in the world. Yet during his own time, it was mocked and rejected by the artistic elite, the Paris Salon. Monet kept at his impressionist style, which caught on and in many ways was a starting point for some major changes to art that ushered in the modern era.
- Jack London: This well-known American author wasn't always such a success. While he would go on to publish popular novels like White Fang and The Call of the Wild, his first story received six hundred rejection slips before finally being accepted.
- Louisa May Alcott: Most people are familiar with Alcott's most famous work,Little Women. Yet Alcott faced a bit of a battle to get her work out there and was was encouraged to find work as a servant by her family to make ends meet. It was her letters back home during her experience as a nurse in the Civil War that gave her the first big break she needed.
Musicians
While their music is some of the best selling, best loved and most popular around the world today, these musicians show that it takes a whole lot of determination to achieve success.
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Mozart began composing at the age of five, writing over 600 pieces of music that today are lauded as some of the best ever created. Yet during his lifetime, Mozart didn't have such an easy time, and was often restless, leading to his dismissal from a position as a court musician in Salzberg. He struggled to keep the support of the aristocracy and died with little to his name.
- Elvis Presley: As one of the best-selling artists of all time, Elvis has become a household name even years after his death. But back in 1954, Elvis was still a nobody, and Jimmy Denny, manager of the Grand Ole Opry, fired Elvis Presley after just one performance telling him, "You ain't goin' nowhere, son. You ought to go back to drivin' a truck."
- Igor Stravinsky: In 1913 when Stravinsky debuted his now famous Rite of Spring, audiences rioted, running the composer out of town. Yet it was this very work that changed the way composers in the 19th century thought about music and cemented his place in musical history.
- The Beatles: Few people can deny the lasting power of this super group, still popular with listeners around the world today. Yet when they were just starting out, a recording company told them no. The were told "we don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out," two things the rest of the world couldn't have disagreed with more.
- Ludwig van Beethoven: In his formative years, young Beethoven was incredibly awkward on the violin and was often so busy working on his own compositions that he neglected to practice. Despite his love of composing, his teachers felt he was hopeless at it and would never succeed with the violin or in composing. Beethoven kept plugging along, however, and composed some of the best-loved symphonies of all time–five of them while he was completely deaf.
Athletes
While some athletes rocket to fame, others endure a path fraught with a little more adversity, like those listed here.
- Michael Jordan: Most people wouldn't believe that a man often lauded as the best basketball player of all time was actually cut from his high school basketball team. Luckily, Jordan didn't let this setback stop him from playing the game and he has stated, "I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
- Stan Smith: This tennis player was rejected from even being a lowly ball boy for a Davis Cup tennis match because event organizers felt he was too clumsy and uncoordinated. Smith went on to prove them wrong, showcasing his not-so-clumsy skills by winning Wimbledon, U. S. Open and eight Davis Cups.
- Babe Ruth: You probably know Babe Ruth because of his home run record (714 during his career), but along with all those home runs came a pretty hefty amount of strikeouts as well (1,330 in all). In fact, for decades he held the record for strikeouts. When asked about this he simply said, "Every strike brings me closer to the next home run."
- Tom Landry: As the coach of the Dallas Cowboys, Landry brought the team two Super Bowl victories, five NFC Championship victories and holds the records for the record for the most career wins. He also has the distinction of having one of the worst first seasons on record (winning no games) and winning five or fewer over the next four seasons.
DON'T GIVE UP!
Will God Move while the Church Stands Still?
My conviction is that if we truly want revival, we need to want revival services as well, no matter how inconvenient. I know, I know… Revival is much more than extra services on the calendar. But will God move while His church stands still?
Read this story at the church's new blog at the awesome platform, Medium.com
Yes, even from my position behind the pulpit, I could see the long blank stares that meandered across the sanctuary as the announcement was given. I tried my best to exude enthusiasm…
"Revival Services will be June 9–12 with Evangelist Richard Graham from Killeen, TX!!!"
Somewhere I heard that people need to hear an announcement three times before they actually listen to it. On this first announcement of our upcoming revival there was almost a discernible groan at the thought of having five services in four days. I could already hear the concerns (such a nice word for complaints) that people might be having in the backs of their minds: “I won’t have the freedom to relax that weekend” “Didn’t we just have a revival?” “Oh no, I’ll have to take nursery AGAIN!” I even perceived one coming from my own flesh: “Is this really worth all the extra expenses?”
I wonder if we can still recognize that all of these yawning objections come from our carnal lazy nature. They don’t take into consideration the possibility... [Read the rest at Medium.com]
Richard L. Graham Sr., is an evangelist out of Killeen, TX, under the ministry of Pastor James Rosario. Revival in our congregation begins Thursday, June 9 and will run through Sunday June 12. See our events page for more details.
Pastor Campbell in Hampton Roads | April 22-26
To all the Potter's House People:
We have a fantastic lineup of events ahead of us this weekend that we don't want you to miss out on including...
Friday Night Revival Service at 7:30 PM with Pastor Joe Campbell!!
Wow, you never, never want to miss a service when Pastor Campbell is here!
Saturday Morning Men's Discipleship Class at 11AM.
This class, being preached again by Pastor Campbell, will be happening in the Norfolk church located at 6820 N. Military Highway. Let God challenge you to rise up and become the man of God that He created you to be.
Saturday Night Revival Service back in Virginia Beach at 7:30 PM.
It is rare that we get to have such a wonderful guest speaker. It's even better to have him twice!! What a treat. Cancel your plans and make sure to be here for the second revival service in our own location in Virginia Beach.
Building Your Family Legacy – Part 8
It's been a challenging and moving eight weeks as we've gone through this material. Don't miss the last installment of our Sunday morning video series this Sunday at 9:30AM.
World Evangelism Sunday
Get your international gear ready as we observe our monthly tradition of World Evangelism Sunday. Pastor Dragoon will be challenging us to keep our eyes fixed on the need of the hour to win our city and our world for Jesus! Morning service will be at 11AM as usual.
In our evening service, we will have a special treat as Pastor Dragoon will be sharing the photos and videos of the events that took place during his international missions trip to Manilla last week. Here's a video preview of what you are in for:
Pastor Campbell in Newport News on Monday and Tuesday Nights
The revival continues into next week as Pastor Campbell will be preaching in our sister church up in Newport News. These services will begin each night at 7:30 PM and we would encourage you to do everything possible to attend these powerful services. The address of the church is 13751 Warwick Blvd in Newport News. See you there!!
Passion Week – The In-Between Sabbath Day
In the story of the Passion, we have this unusual Sabbath day. It's the day after the darkest day in history: Jesus' death and burial. It's also the day before the brightest day in history: Jesus' triumphant resurrection! It's just in the middle. And we only have one verse of scripture from that day in Matthew 27:
“The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.” Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.” So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.”
This image was taken in 1922. It is the unbroken seal that was on the tomb of the ancient Pharoah, Tutankhamun. It was sealed upon his death at age 18 in 1323 BC, then laid untouched and unbroken for 3,245 years until its discovery in the 20th century by Howard Carter. I use this image to illustrate what the priests and Pharisees wished would've happened with Jesus. The only thing they could do to keep Jesus in the tomb was to put a seal on it, and post a couple of sentries there to ensure there would be absolutely no tomfoolery happening with the body of there least favorite rabbi from Nazareth. Humanity is endlessly trying to place human limitations on the power of God.
They were successful with this strategy... For about 24 hours. No rope, no stamp, no gravestone could hold Jesus down. Indeed, no strategy of man or devil could withhold the King of Kings from his destiny as the Resurrected One. But for one single solitary day, the day in-between, it seemed like it was going to work.
I want to suggest that the dispensation of the church age in which we live until this day is represented by that "In-Between" Sabbath day. We are caught between the wickedness of our past wrongs and the glorious hope that is in our promised future. From an outsider looking in, we look powerless to overcome. There are situations that strikingly appear like a sealed-up and guarded tomb. No hope there...
But fear not brothers and sisters. Just as surely as Jesus rose to conquer death, hell and the grave; so He will also rise to conquer your areas of weakness and death. We serve a God that can bring dead things back to life: no matter what human or demonic strategy may be employed to seal it up forever. In this "In-Between" life, let us...
“...lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares [us], and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of [our] faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Passion Week - Sunday
For the next week, I'll be highlighting the major events in the bible that occurred as Jesus prepared for the cross.
Yesterday was the traditional beginning of the Passion week of Jesus Christ. It was yesterday that Jesus triumphantly rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed colt. Something amazing happened on that victorious day: Jesus received the adoration and worship of a large crowd. This is something that we don't see him doing very often in the Gospel accounts.. Normally, he avoided the crowds, scuttled away before they would make him king:
“Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone”
But on this victorious day, Jesus finally gave his followers the opportunity to express their gratitude, their praise, their adoration for the One who had healed them, preached to them, taught them and loved them. This was not just a praise service though.. The palm branch was (and is) a symbol of great victory. According to Wikipedia:
“The palm branch is a symbol of victory, triumph, peace and eternal life originating in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean world. The palm (Phoenix) was sacred in Mesopotamian religions, and in ancient Egypt represented immortality. In Judaism, a closed frond of the date palm is part of the festival of Sukkot. A palm branch was awarded to victorious athletes in ancient Greece, and a palm frond or the tree itself is one of the most common attributes of Victory personified in ancient Rome.”
On that day, Jesus was experiencing His first coronation! This is just a small glimpse of what Heaven will look like one day! It was such a boisterous occasion that even the Pharisees took notice and asked Jesus to quiet them down:
“And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.””
This event was a preview of what life will be like in eternity. I don't know about you, but I can't wait until the day that I can join in with all the saints and the rest of the Heavenly host to welcome Jesus to His eternal throne in the New Jerusalem! GO JESUS!
Upcoming Events
To The Potter's House People:
Just wanted to give you an update regarding some upcoming events that you should know about:
Tomorrow is the last Sunday of the month which means.. World Evangelism Sunday!! Join us for prayer at 9AM, Sunday School at 10AM, and Morning Worship at 11AM. Tomorrow night we will present to you the POWERFUL World Evangelism Video from the Prescott Conference. You don’t want to miss this powerful presentation. In tomorrow night’s service we will also be raising up an offering for our International Impact Team to Manila, Philippines.
Speaking of which, the dates for this trip have been postponed. Which means there still might be a chance for you to make it!! The new dates for the trip are April 12-18. WE need you to pray give and go! Please contact me if you have the opportunity to attend.
Flag of the Philippines
Next week will also be quite eventful since we are restarting our monthly Saturday Movie Nights. Next Saturday we will be showing a powerful film called Woodlawn at 7PM. Please begin inviting friends, coworkers, family and neighbors out to this exciting event. Check out the trailer on our sister website: SaturdayNightAlive.info.
Finally, we are excited to announce our new Sunday School video series premiering next Sunday at 10AM, Building Your Family Legacy by Dr. James Dobson. This is a powerful series for your marriage, family and parenting skills. DO NOT MISS THIS if you desire to have anything valuable to pass on to the next generation of your family tree. See more info here.
Thanks for all you do!
τετέλεσται
Guest Post: John Kaptan – The Best Year of Our Lives
From Pastor Adam: For those who don't know John, he is the father of the precious little boy named Johnny who was in the same kindergarten class as our daughter, Jaylee. They were not only classmates, but also friends. We counted it a privilege to know Johnny before his sickness, but an even greater privilege to watch him and his family rely on God's supernatural provision during such a difficult season of treatment, disappointment and ultimately Johnny's departure to the arms of Jesus last October. We received this note from John earlier today and I continue to stand in awe of the grace of God all over this family. I hope it touches you the same way it touched us:
On Christmas Day I overheard Tracy telling a friend “This has been the best year of my life.”
How could a year that opened with her oldest son in perfect health and closed with him dead from brain cancer be the best year of her life?
To paraphrase a favorite pastor’s sermon on Romans 8 – “In all things – God.”
In anguish over unexplained decline in health – God.
In heartwrenching diagnosis – God.
In uncertain treatment – God.
In miraculous response to radiation – God.
In apparent open door to cutting edge experimental treatment – God.
In unprecedented regrowth of tumor – God.
In crushing disappointment – God.
In the peace and joy of a six year old who knows his time has come – God.
In the comfort and sustaining grace over a broken hearted family – God.
We have tasted, and we have seen – the LORD is good. We have shed more tears in 2015 than perhaps in all our other years combined. Yet we rejoice. We rejoice through the pain – not in spite of it, nor as if it were not there. Thanksgiving was harder than I had anticipated. Christmas was a mix of bitter and sweet as our family celebration of Jesus’ birth was notably quieter, and we reflected that Johnny now worships his Savior by sight and not by faith. But years’ end brings swelling confidence in the goodness, kindness, and faithfulness of Jehovah.
This year we encountered a God who keeps His promises. We can say at the end of 2015 that we know God better. I am tempted to grit my teeth as I type this as unbelief yet battles faith in my heart and tears stream stinging down my face – but IT.IS.WORTH.EVERY.TEAR-EVERY AGONY, EVERY WAIL.
With David in Psalm 23 – I have walked through the valley of the shadow of death, but I did not fear the evil that did befall me – for you have been with me. Your rod, your staff – they have comforted me.
With Paul in Philippians 3 – I count everything as loss – even the dreams and plans for my son – because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things.
This is radical – and the kind of thing over which people fall away from the truth.
Any strength I have is from God. I am no Greek scholar, so I cannot speak with authority on the following – but hear me out on Philippians 4:13 which says “I CAN DO all things through him who strengthens me.” Athletes put that verse on their cleats and students claim that as a promise of achievement before exams, however I think the verse means the near opposite in context. I think perhaps the meaning is better understood “I can SUFFER all things through him who strengthens me.” Verse 12 mentions hunger and need, and verse 14 speaks of sharing in trouble.
I have endured all things through him who strengthened me.
The truth in this is hard – and I urge you not to regard lightly the deep things of God.
The matter of suffering is a real source of unbelief for honest atheists. They say, “I cannot believe in a God who would allow…” fill in the blank.
Well, our blank is…”a healthy six year old boy to die of an inoperable, incurable, aggressive, progressively debilitating brain tumor.
Yet we believe. And for that, we glorify Him. Our faith, a completely rational response to all that we can see and know – is still a gift. It is a treasure, hidden in our clay vessels, to reflect the value of Him who gives, not him who has received.
If you read the words of Jesus He makes clear to his disciples (and all who follow after Him) “In this world you will have tribulation” (John 16) and “any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14)
But, I tell you in this trial we have not been alone. It was like a burning oven to us, but like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego we found “the fire had not any power over us – our hair is not singed, our clothes are not burned.”
----
I hope to one day enumerate all those to whom we desire to give our thanks. I hope to share recollections of the joy of being Johnny’s parents. But for now, here find that your prayers on our behalf continue to be answered graciously. We are sustained by grace and comforted in our pain. We rejoice in the near six years of healthy life that Johnny experienced, and we treasure the memories we had opportunity to make this year. We tremble at the faithfulness of God to grant our son such peace, joy, and assurance of glory-filled redemption in the presence of His Savior through weakness, pain and death. We see that in 2015, the Lord drew near to us.
We start 2016 with grateful hearts. Our gaze is lifted Heavenward. Through our tribulation, the grip this world has on our hearts has been severely weakened. For this we glorify God.
Importance of Israel's Rebirth
Check out this scripture:
“Who has ever seen anything as strange as this? Who ever heard of such a thing? Has a nation ever been born in a single day? Has a country ever come forth in a mere moment? But by the time Jerusalem’s birth pains begin, her children will be born. When you see these things, your heart will rejoice. You will flourish like the grass! Everyone will see the LORD’s hand of blessing on his servants— and his anger against his enemies. See, the LORD is coming with fire, and his swift chariots roar like a whirlwind. He will bring punishment with the fury of his anger and the flaming fire of his hot rebuke. The LORD will punish the world by fire and by his sword. He will judge the earth, and many will be killed by him.” -Isaiah 6:8, 14-16 NLT
Analysis
The rebirth of Israel in the year 1948 was a powerful fulfillment of God's promise in this passage. Two lessons from this truth:
1. Nations don't recover from annihilation.. Ask the Amalekites, the Philistines or the Romans. The only civilization that has ever recovered from disastrous destruction is one that was formed in the covenant of God: #Israel. There is only one other nation that cut a covenant with God: America! Think of the striking similarities: Both Israel and America were born when they were miraculously freed from a tyrant, both crossed a sea to enter their promised lands, both struggled to take dominion over the inhabitants of that land, both fought a desperate and bloody civil war between north and south, and both came out from that struggle stronger than before! Both Israel and #America are melting-pot societies, remote islands of unprecedented freedom and prosperity, where every culture, language, religion and way life are welcomed and celebrated. Both Israel and America are most hated by the enemies of good: we've been called the Big Satan and the Little Satan.
2. Bible believers must recognize that the restoration of Israel is a precursor to the imminent return of the #Messiah to rescue His people and judge the world.
Are you ready?
#CFMToday #CFM #IStandWithIsrael #Prophecy #PromisedLand
Making Giving Easier.. AGAIN!
To explain why we think this will be a helpful upgrade, please read the following blog from the company behind this technology:
Giving isn’t a transaction.
1. Generosity is a lifestyle.
Traditionally, giving was done within the four physical walls of the church, but generosity and the church have never been limited to a building. Smart Giving is a system that matches this belief. You can give in church, during the service at home, at work, or literally anywhere else. Smart Giving frees us to think of our giving and our church as a part of our life, not just our Sunday.
2. The focus is on the gift, not the technology.
Great technology should make you forget you’re even using it. Smart Giving technology does as little as possible to interrupt moments of worship. You don’t have to get out of your seat, you don’t have to pull out your wallet, and you don’t have to write anything down. You can complete your gift while focusing on what’s happening, in that second. Technology should never impede generosity.
3. The relationship is between the Giver, God, and the Church.
Tens of thousands of people use Kindrid’s services to give, however, most people never even hear of us. That’s the way it should be. Smart Giving is a brand built to respect the fundamental relationship between the giver, God, and the church. Not the giver and God, and the Church, and Kindrid.
4. It’s a gift, not a transaction and not a donation.
There is a difference between a gift and a transaction. And that difference should be visible throughout the whole giving process. Whether in the way thank you messages work, how a confirmation email is sent, or in the words we use. This all matters. When we make a gift, it shouldn’t feel like we just bought something with Paypal.
Check out the instructional video if you'd like to try out the new, secure giving format:
Never Again is Now - Time to WAKE UP!
Today's Holocausts
When the history books were written about WWII, the world promised... NEVER AGAIN! Never again would we allow a holocaust to happen under our noses. In 2015, we are letting it happen again on a much larger scale.
A Christian Holocaust
Are you aware of what is happening to the once-thriving Christian community in Iraq and Syria? There is a new genocide that is happening in the very cradle where Christianity was born. Check it out:
And the American Government doesn't seem to care:
The following text comes from Johnnie Moore's book, Defying ISIS:
The dictionary defines martyr as “a person who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs.” In the sixteenth century, a Christian “book of martyrs” was famously compiled by John Foxe to insure that subsequent generations of Christians would never forget the tragic stories of those who had given life and limb for the cause of Christ. Foxe begins his classic with these words:
“(The) Church has endured and held its testimony of Christ through every attack brought against it. Its passage through the storms caused by violent anger and hate has been glorious to see, and much of its history is written in this book so that the wonderful works of God might be to Christ’s glory and that the knowledge of the experiences of the Church’s martyrs might have a beneficial effect upon its readers and strengthen their Christian faith.”
Foxe’s book has been passed down through generations of Christians. Millions have read and told its stories, and told them as legends from a bygone era. We have celebrated their faith and heroism, and thanked God that we didn’t live in an era where our faith might cause us to be thrown to lions, crucified, beheaded, sold as slaves, impaled on stakes, or buried alive.
Yet, as a shame to our modern world, this barbarism persists; history is replaying itself in places like Iraq and in Syria, and we’re witnessing a new Foxe’s Book of Martyrs being written every single day at the hands of terrorists who intend on giving both Christians, and everyone else, one option: convert or die.
We need to get involved! Pray, fast and give! Mercury One Charities is raising funds to rescue these persecuted Christians from the horrors of ISIS. Check it out here.
I've had enough. How about you?
When will the killing spree end? How long will this genocide continue? When will the righteous rise up and be counted?
With the release of four heinous videos detailing the horror happening in abortion clinics everyday in America, I wonder.. Do you care? You should.
Thanks to the wonderful group at onlineforlife.org
“It Is Finished!” Jesus Does Not Need Your Help
by Tony Miano
Jesus' words, "It is finished," appears only twice in the New Testament--John 19:28 and John 19:30.
"After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), 'I thirst.' A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, 'It is finished,' and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." (John 19:28-30, emphasis added).
What Does Tetelestai Mean?
"It is finished," which is one of Jesus' most important statements, is translated from the single Greek word tetelestai. The grammatical structure of the Greek word, perfect passive indicative, is very important.
The perfect tense indicates that the progress of an action has been completed and the result of that action is ongoing and with full effect. The passive voice indicates that the subject of the sentence is being acted upon, and the indicative mood indicates a statement of fact or an actual occurrence from the writer's or speaker's perspective. While this may sound like more of a grammar lesson than most readers care for, this information is, again, very important to understanding the significance of Jesus' words. Allow me to break it down.
What Did Jesus Finish?
Let's begin by identifying what the "it" is. What did Jesus finished? Jesus gives us the answer throughout the gospels, and the New Testament writers give us the answer throughout the epistles.
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them" (Matthew 5:17).
Jesus obeyed the Father by being the perfect fulfillment of the Law of God and the prophesies regarding the Messiah. Jesus finished the work given to Him by His Father.
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household." (Matthew 10:34-36).
"Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division" (Luke 12:51).
Jesus did not come to preach a message of coexistence, tolerance, or ecumenism. Jesus made it clear that you are either with the one true God or against Him. Such truth was and is today the most divisive message the world has ever known. Jesus finished the work given to Him by His Father.
"I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him" (John 5:43).
"For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me" (John 6:38).
Jesus came in the name of the only true God and to perfectly do His will. Jesus finished the work given to Him by His Father.
"If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father" (John 10:37-38).
Jesus came to perfectly do the works of His Father so people could understand that He and the Father were one (John 10:30). Jesus finished the work given to Him by His Father.
"I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day." (John 12:46-48).
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'" (John 14:6).
Jesus came as the light of the world, giving fallen mankind the opportunity to move from utter darkness into His marvelous light. He came to save people. Jesus finished the work given to Him by His Father.
"Then Pilate said to him, 'So you are a king?' Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world— to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice'" (John 18:37).
Jesus came as fully God and fully Man to be the incarnation of the Truth of God. Jesus finished the work given to Him by His Father.
"But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Romans 3:21-26).
"Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted" (Hebrews 2:14-18).
Jesus came to make propitiation for our record of sin against God. Jesus finished the work given to Him by His Father.
"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation" (Romans 5:6-11).
Jesus came to make reconciliation between God and man possible. Jesus finished the work given to Him by His Father.
"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:25-27).
Jesus came to die for and to purify His Bride, the Church. Jesus finished the work given to Him by His Father.
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:5-11).
Jesus came to glorify His Father through His life, death, and resurrection. Jesus finished the work given to Him by His Father.
"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Jesus came to make a way, the only way, for people to find mercy, grace, and help in time of need. Jesus, the sympathetic Savior, finished the work given to Him by His Father.
Jesus Declared His Work Finished!
Having identified the "it" (the work God the Father had given God the Son to accomplish on earth), let's take a look at what Jesus meant when he cried out that He had finished the work.
As I mentioned early in this article, having an understanding of the structure of the sentence in the Greek text is very helpful toward grasping the full weight of Christ's forever-memorable words.
What Jesus did through His perfect earthly existence, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection fully completed the work the Father had given Him to do. Not only did He complete His salvific work, but His accomplishment is fully efficacious, today and will be forevermore. There is nothing more to add--nothing more to be done by God, man, or religious institutions. The undeniable, factual, historic, and eternal work of Jesus Christ has been completed--is complete--and will forever remain completed. "IT...IS...FINISHED!"
"It is finished!" Jesus finished the work given to Him by His Father, which culminated at the cross. At the cross, the gavel of the Supreme Judge of the Universe crashed upon His mighty bench when God the Father, pleased to crush His Son, poured the full cup of His wrath against sin upon His innocent Son.
"It is finished!" At the cross, the Great Exchange took place (2 Corinthians 5:21; Colossians 2:13-15). The eternal debt owed for the sin of mankind was paid in full. God the Father looked upon His perfect, precious, and priceless Son as if He had lived the filthy, detestable, sin-stained lives of fallen mankind. And, for those who repent and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, God the Father looks upon them as if they had lived His Son's perfect, precious, and priceless life.
"It is finished!" At the cross, God kept His promise to crush Satan's head through the bruising of His Son. The power of sin and death was vanquished once and for all time.
"It is finished!" Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross forever made man's work to appease God, to please God, and to be reconciled to God, impotent and blasphemous.
The sin debt I owe to God was and is paid in full by my Lord and Savior, my Master and King, Jesus Christ, when He shed His innocent blood on the cross on my behalf! IT...IS...FINISHED!
Implications of Tetelestai
The implications of Jesus' words on the cross are eternally positive for those who repent and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior--by the grace of God alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. However, the implications of Jesus' words on the cross are eternally negative for any organization or individual who seeks to add to, detract from, or replace not only Jesus' words on the cross, but also the work He accomplished to the glory of God the Father.
Every man-made religion and each of their faithful adherents stand, right now, in the cross-hairs of God's wrath. "For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him" (John 3:34-36).
Roman Catholicism denies the efficacy of Jesus' finished work on the cross through the practice and observance of the mass. During the mass, through the unbiblically magical art of transubstantiation (Jesus literally becoming the bread and the wine), Jesus must sacrifice Himself again and again for sin.
Jehovah's Witnesses deny the efficacy of Jesus' finished work on the cross by denying Christ died on the cross and by insisting one must be a member of the Watchtower Society and obey the Law of God to receive their demonic brand of salvation.
Mormonism denies the efficacy of Jesus' finished work on the cross by adding their perceived righteousness and works to their ungodly salvation process. According to 2 Nephi 25:23, in the Book of Mormon, salvation is by grace, plus works. "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."
Islam denies the efficacy of Jesus' finished work on the cross by seeing Jesus as nothing more than a prophet, second to their false prophet Muhammad. They also believe it was Judas (a treacherous false convert), not Jesus, who died on the cross.
But the implications of Jesus' words on the cross extend beyond false religions and into American Evangelicalism.
Some churches deny the efficacy of Jesus' finished work on the cross by spending time and resources wooing the unsaved to the "Christian Club" instead of calling them to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, how many times I have heard the testimonies of professing Christians--testimonies that culminate with happy membership at a church and not with the bending of the knee, in repentance and by faith, at the foot of the cross.
Some churches deny the efficacy of Jesus' finished work on the cross, diminishing the gospel as the power of God for salvation, by insisting Jesus and the gospel need the help of man's innovation and perceived ability to make the gospel more palatable. This is demonstrated through gimmicks, sales pitches, bait and switch tactics, and playing to the primal desires of health, wealth, prosperity, ease, comfort, and happiness without accountability.
Some churches deny the efficacy of Jesus' finished work on the cross by teaching unbiblical mantras such as:
"Christians have to earn the right to share the gospel with someone."
"Unbelievers need to see Jesus in you before they will hear what you have to say."
"People need to hear more than ‘Jesus can forgive your sins and give you eternal life.’ They need help with the real problems they're facing today."
Some churches deny the efficacy of Jesus' finished work on the cross by failing to distinguish service, helps, and hospitality from evangelism, which is the actual and literal presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are lost and bound for Hell.
And the list goes on...
When Jesus said, "It is finished," He meant it. He actually meant what He said. He really meant it. For any group or any individual to add or detract from Christ's words or finished work, regardless of the religious stripes they wear, is the height of arrogance and the depth of depravity.
But let's conclude on an up note. Having read several commentaries on John 19:30, I was particularly moved by the thoughts of Bible commentator and Presbyterian minister Matthew Henry. I will be adding the following to my open-air preaching Bible:
The dying word wherewith he breathed out his soul (v. 30): When he had received the vinegar, as much of it as he thought fit, he said, It is finished; and, with that, bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. Observe,
What he said, and we may suppose him to say it with triumph and exultation, Tetelestai- It is finished, a comprehensive word, and a comfortable one.
It is finished, that is, the malice and enmity of his persecutors had now done their worst; when he had received that last indignity in the vinegar they gave him, he said, "This is the last; I am now going out of their reach, where the wicked cease from troubling."It is finished, that is, the counsel and commandment of his Father concerning his sufferings were now fulfilled; it was a determinate counsel, and he took care to see every iota and tittle of it exactly answered, Acts 2:23. He had said, when he entered upon his sufferings, Father, thy will be done; and now he saith with pleasure, It is done. It was his meat and drink to finish his work (ch. 4:34), and the meat and drink refreshed him, when they gave him gall and vinegar.It is finished, that is, all the types and prophecies of the Old Testament, which pointed at the sufferings of the Messiah, were accomplished and answered. He speaks as if, now that they had given him the vinegar, he could not bethink himself of any word in the Old Testament that was to be fulfilled between him and his death but it had its accomplishment; such as, his being sold for thirty pieces of silver, his hands and feet being pierced, his garments divided, etc.; and now that this is done. It is finished.It is finished, that is, the ceremonial law is abolished, and a period put to the obligation of it. The substance is now come, and all the shadows are done away. Just now the veil is rent, the wall of partition is taken down, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances, Eph. 2:14, 15. The Mosaic economy is dissolved, to make way for a better hope. It is finished, that is, sin is finished, and an end made of transgression, by the bringing in of an everlasting righteousness. It seems to refer to Dan. 9:24. The Lamb of God was sacrificed to take away the sin of the world, and it is done, Heb. 9:26.It is finished, that is, his sufferings were now finished, both those of his soul and those of his body. The storm is over, the worst is past; all his pains and agonies are at an end, and he is just going to paradise, entering upon the joy set before him. Let all that suffer for Christ, and with Christ, comfort themselves with this, that yet a little while and they also shall say, It is finished.It is finished, that is, his life was now finished, he was just ready to breathe his last, and now he is no more in this world, ch. 17:11. This is like that of blessed Paul (2 Tim. 4:7), I have finished my course, my race is run, my glass is out, mene, mene-numbered and finished. This we must all come to shortly.It is finished, that is, the work of man's redemption and salvation is now completed, at least the hardest part of the undertaking is over; a full satisfaction is made to the justice of God, a fatal blow given to the power of Satan, a fountain of grace opened that shall ever flow, a foundation of peace and happiness laid that shall never fail. Christ had now gone through with his work, and finished it, ch. 17:4. For, as for God, his work is perfect; when I begin, saith he, I will also make an end. And, as in the purchase, so in the application of the redemption, he that has begun a good work will perform it; the mystery of God shall be finished. 1
Usage of Tetelestai
While doing some research for this article, I learned there were several ways the word tetelestai was used in Greco-Roman culture—all of them illustrative of Jesus’ finished work on the cross.
An artist might have said Tetelestai! when he finished a painting in order to announce, "the picture is perfect." Jesus, the Master Artisan, declared from the cross that the picture of salvation He had drawn from eternity past was always perfect, but now complete. It is finished!
A servant might have confidently said Tetelestai! when asked by his master if the work he had been assigned to do was complete. The servant would say, “Yes, master. I have finished the work.” Jesus, the Suffering Servant, completed the work His Father had given Him. It is finished!
A judge might have said Tetelestai! when he conferred a sentence or when issuing a ruling that a sentence had been completed. The judge would say, "Justice has been served." There is only one Lawgiver and Judge--only One who is able to save and destroy. And as the Father turned His back on His Son, the Father was well pleased. It pleased the Father to crush His Son. It is finished!
A priest might have said Tetelestai! when he recognized an unblemished and acceptable sacrifice for God. The priest would announce to the person offering the sacrifice that the offering was acceptable according to the law of God. And, "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16). Yes, our Great High Priest, Jesus the Lord, not only mediates for His people as a priest but He Himself was and is the perfect sacrifice. It is finished!
A merchant might have said Tetelestai! after stamping a bill "the debt has been paid." The Christian's debt has been paid in full by the propitiation of Jesus Christ. By Jesus paying the Christian's sin debt in full, "God [has] made [us] alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him" (Colossians 2:13-15). It is finished!
A soldier might have said Tetelestai! as a battle cry toward a vanquished foe. The soldier would yell, "You are finished!" Jesus' cry on the cross was not a cry of despair or defeat. Oh, no. When Jesus cried with a loud voice, He was declaring victory of the enemy--Satan, sin, and death. It is finished!
The Artist had the last word as to the meaning of the painting—not the art critic. The Servant knew if the work in the house had been completed and approved by the Master—not the stranger who entered the house. The Judge determined the sentence, it’s execution, and it’s satisfaction—not the convicted criminal. The Priest determined if one’s sacrifice was acceptable to God—not the penitent. The Merchant determined if a debt was paid—not the debtor. The Victorious Warrior determined the future of his combatant—not the defeated enemy.
Jesus Christ is the Artisan, the Servant, the Judge, the Priest, the Merchant, and the Victor—you are not. Your religion is not. Your intellect is not. Therefore, repent of any false ideologies that add works to Christ’s finished work. Repent of any arrogant notions, through manmade philosophies of ministry, which would presume to finish the work that Christ has already finished.
Jesus said, “It is finished!” And He meant it.
IT...IS...FINISHED! It is finished, indeed. Thank You, Lord Jesus. Thank You.
1. Matthew Henry's Unabridged Commentary on John 19:30
Discipleship Qualities - What to Look For in Men
Found this article while going through a Pastor's packet from last year's conference.
A number of years ago Pastor Mitchell presented a list of things he looked for in disciples in a breakfast meeting. The following seven qualities were the result:
Faithfulness
The ability to continue on with a project, vision, or ministry.
Relationships
The ability to support and encourage a wife, maintain a marriage and have control over children. The ability to make and keep friends, resolve conflicts and remain flexible
Fruitfulness
A person who possesses skills in follow-up, group ministry such as bible studies and bands and who communicates clearly. This person also has momentum in personal spiritual growth.
Finances
Someone who is capable of managing the finances of a marriage and meets their financial obligations in a timely and adequate manner
Self-Motivation
The self-motivated can initiate and follow through on projects. They do not need a full game plan or hands-on guidance to finish the task.
Discipline
The disciplines of a spiritual life include prayer, bible study, evangelism and worship. There is also discipline in details, timeliness and availability form ministry that must be cultivated.
Teachable
Leaders and disciples must be receptive to discipline, correction and instruction from headship. This must be maintained when others are promoted, in times of laboring in obscurity and among one’s peers.
Leave a comment below to add qualities that you want to see cultivated in yourself and in your DISCIPLES!
The Good Shepherd
Last night, I preached a message that has been on my mind and my heart as we approach another new year. King David the Psalmist framed his relationship with God in this way, "The Lord is my shepherd", and in doing so, continues to give us revelation about our lives in the Kingdom of God.
1. The Righteous are God's Sheep - This is not exactly a compliment if you know anything about sheep. You'll never find a "Mighty Sheep" as a high school mascot, sheep have no natural defense mechanisms, poor eyesight, etc.. It seems like they are destined to be the bottom of the food chain. We people also have many weaknesses, if only we are willing to admit them. One of the most empowering things you could ever do is to realize your limitations, embrace them and put yourself under the authority of a good shepherd. Because, after all, a sheep under the care of a shepherd finds himself enjoying great freedom and blessing.
He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. [Ps 23:2,3]
2. We are all called to "Shepherdhood" - A pastor is a shepherd to the church. An elder or deacon is a shepherd within the body. A husband is a shepherd to his wife. Parents are shepherds to their children. A teacher is a shepherd to his students. An employer is a shepherd his employees. An older child is a shepherd to his younger bothers and sisters. Anyone who leads in anyway is a shepherd who is responsible for the care of another. How are you leading the sheep that God has given under your care?
With these things in mind, I want to take these last few weeks of the year to renew the sacred shepherd/sheep relationship with the flock that God has entrusted to me. I will be making time betweeen now and the end of the year to hold pastoral meetings with anyone who wishes to do so. These meetings have been extemely helpful to me and to those who have taken advantage of them in the past.
If you're reading this, then you are heartily invited to respond to set up a time that we can meet. I'd like to have individual meetings with everyone, and also meetings with married couples. Please contact me to setup the date/time of your meeting. Looking forward to it!
Don't Go It Alone!
This post comes from the very helpful Renewed Heart blog:
When Neo is set free from the Matrix, he joins the crew of the Nebuchadnezzar—the little hovercraft that is the headquarters and ship of the small fellowship called to set the captives free. There are nine of them in all, each a character in his own way, but nonetheless a company of the heart, a “band of brothers,” a family bound together in a single fate. Together, they train for battle. Together, they plan their path. When they go back into the Matrix to set others free, each one has a role, a gifting, a glory. They function as a team. And they watch each other’s back. Neo is fast, really fast, but he still would have been taken out if it hadn’t been for Trinity. Morpheus is more gifted than them all, but it took the others to rescue him.
You see this sort of thing at the center of every great story. Dorothy takes her journey with the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Lion, and of course, Toto. Maximus rallies his little band and triumphs over the greatest empire on earth. When Captain John Miller is sent deep behind enemy lines to save Private Ryan, he goes in with a squad of eight rangers. And, of course, Jesus had the Twelve. This is written so deeply on our hearts: You must not go alone. The Scriptures are full of such warnings, but until we see our desperate situation, we hear it as an optional religious assembly for an hour on Sunday mornings.
Think again of Frodo or Neo or Caspian or Jesus. Imagine you are surrounded by a small company of friends who know you well (characters, to be sure, but they love you, and you have come to love them). They understand that we all are at war, know that the purposes of God are to bring a man or a woman fully alive, and are living by sheer necessity and joy in the Four Streams. They fight for you, and you for them. Imagine you could have a little fellowship of the heart. Would you want it if it were available?
Let's renew our commitment to sharing our struggles by linking hearts together.
