ACTS 20

Due to the fact that 1,500 to 1,800 men leave the ministry every month, it’s essential to have the right understanding of what a Christian leader, Elder, Pastor is.

In short, we NEED godly and biblical perspective on what a pastor is, so that we embrace what God intended in the pastoral role and calling and benefit from it as well!

Last Wednesday we studied Paul’s message to the leaders in Ephesus which gave us a unique window into what a Christian leader is, what a pastor is.

Below I have copied the seven main points that we have covered so far in Acts 20, with more to come.

In addition, some of you have requested “the letter” I read Wednesday night, that I had written to a friend of my father who asked me about how I view my “career” and “work”. I thought I’d include that too, as it will give you a window into what makes your pastor “tick”:)

NOTES

#1 Vs. 17-19; 31 A pastor is committed to the point of PAIN and thru pain

#2 Vs. 20-21 A pastor is Committed to the whole TRUTH

#3 Vs. 22-25 A pastor is Committed to the CAUSE above personal interest

#4 Vs. 26-27 A pastor is Committed to clear CONSCIENCE and to FINISH!

#5 Vs. 28 A pastor is a WATCHMAN over their own life

#6 Vs. 28 A pastor is a WATCHMAN over the stewardship of the church

#7 Vs. 27-31 A pastor is a WATCHMAN over the church and the dangers that threaten the church from the inside out.

LETTER

Dear Mr. Silberman,

Over the years I have tried to avoid deriving the value of who I am and the value of my work based upon leading a larger and more affluent congregation than the one I presently pastor. In other words, I have tried not to base my own value or the value of our ministry on numbers. However, at the same time, I do believe that it is essential to cast vision and work toward the influence of as many people as possible. I believe that the sacred responsibility of each generation of Christians is to know Christ and to make Him known in their generation. Ultimately, I believe that the core of “church growth” is that “healthy sheep beget healthy sheep!” I believe it’s essential to focus on the individual and God will build his church.

While at times I have had questions with the issue of new beginnings in my life and ministry, at the same time I have worked very hard not to allow it to derail me from my present responsibilities as an overseer, a teacher, and a leader in the ageless and eternal priorities of scripture. I have tried to live the adage, “Wherever you are be fully there!” I have tried to avoid the idea that our ministry in Auburn would be a stepping stone to something else.

The core of my thinking is the idea that I am a steward which means that I oversee what is not mine and I want to be as responsible and fruitful as possible with the resources and opportunities that are before me. I have tried to live with the thinking that if the Lord wants me to “play” outfield, or be the water boy, it is His call and His pleasure. I see my responsibilities as a sacred task, the value of which, and the measure of which, is ultimately weighed by God.

I believe my life is a part of something bigger than myself and that it is essential to leave a godly legacy for the next generation that hopefully will be something that they can build upon to God’s glory.

I believe there is a difference between excellence and success. Success is more often measured by culture and is based on finances, name recognition, or a broader and more influential platform. At the core of excellence is that which is measured by God and is based on doing your best and faithfulness to God. I have tried to focus on excellence, rather than success. I hope to be able to say like the Apostle Paul who at the end of his life wrote from prison, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith!” (2 Tim 4:7)

God bless you,

Greg Denham

(October 2009)

Does it strike you as a bit odd that Jesus asked a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years, “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:1-12)

It may seem like a rhetorical question, but it is not.

The Lord wants to bring “Break-Thru” into our lives. He’s building His Kingdom from the inside out. But it’s important to realize that there is God’s part and there is our part.

The reality is that not everyone wants God’s best for their life. So, to ask, “Do you want to be made well?” is a legitimate question.

Maybe one of the reasons Jesus asked this question was because in some places in the Middle East a man who was healed would lose a good living. Was such the case with this man? Was he comfortable in his condition? Did he ever look through the porticos of the pool realizing that if he was healed his life would face larger responsibilities?

The question of whether we want God’s best is a legitimate question.

The reason the “WANT factor” is so important is because the GROWTH and RENEWAL that the Lord wants to bring in your life requires some PERMISSION on your part.

What’s your “WANT” factor look like on a scale of 1-10? Do you want change? Do you want to be delivered? Do you want a new beginning? Do you want transformation? The man Jesus was speaking with suffered from a physical handicap. But there are other types of PARALYSES! There is the crippling of BITTERNESS! There is the crippling of LUST! There is the crippling of just being COMFORTABLE with where you’re at undermining potential growth!

As strange as it may seem there are people who do not want help! They like the lifestyle they have chosen. They are comfortable to be in darkness. And, other’s will “play the victim”. They want others to feel sorry for them. They crave the attention that it brings them!

Ultimately, our WANT factor is revealed by how we believe and act upon the Word of God.

For this man, Jesus said, “Rise, take up your bed and walk!” And, he did. The paralyzed man received the authoritative command of Jesus, believed it, and acted upon it, and was healed!

What about you?

What has brought paralyses to your life?

What has held you over the years?

Jesus came to bring “Break-Thru!” Today, “Rise, take up your _____ and walk!” Walk with Jesus in victory because in Christ you have the victory!

A few more snapshots as we prepare for home. Looking forward to seeing everyone Wednesday night! Shalom, Shalom from Jerusalem …

                                                                                                        David and Liz Kiener at the southwest corner of the Western Wall  the Temple Mt. standing among stones of the destruction of Temple in 70ad foretold by Jesus.

First century steps leading to high priest’s home. Very strong likelyhood that Jesus walked up these steps after being arrested in the Gesthamene,  taken south down the Kidron Valley, and up these stairs.

Saturday morning we attended a Sabbath service in Jerusalem with believers in Jeshua(Jesus)! Mitch Glaser, President of Chosen People Ministries(who has spoken at our church a few times), taught on Isaiah 53.

What an incredible Messianic prophecy Isaiah chapter 53 is!

It was written seven hundred years before Jesus gave His life on the cross and the details are undeniable.

While traveling to Israel I spent time pondering and praying about various expository preaching and teaching series that I’d like to bring to our congregation. Listening to Mitch this morning added Isaiah 53 to that list! In fact, Mitch is in final editing stages on a book on Isaiah 53 purposed to reach Jews for the Lord Jesus.

It has been “off-the-charts” today in Jerusalem!

For years I’ve hoped to visit the location where the “Messianic Seal” was etched in the wall of a first century meeting place on Mt. Zion.

Today, we found it! I couldn’t believe it. This treasure location is practically abandoned!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the symbol I am referring to, it is made up of three parts: a Menorah, Star Of David and a Fish.

It is the earliest symbol associated with the “church” in Jerusalem. Some argue that over a period of time that the Menorah was removed, then the Star of David, leaving only the Fish, which we’re all more familiar with in association with Christianity, but reflecting erosion of consciousness of the roots of the faith.

Aside from the garden tomb, Calvary and the Kidron Valley — this site is my favorite!

Tears welled up pondering the possibility that this was a site the early church met, and that the Apostles perhaps even played a role in the shape of the “Messianic Seal” itself  and that one of them maybe even etched it on the wall!?

Well, I hope you enjoy the picture and a few of these comments.

I want to thank all of you who are reading our updates and leaving comments. It’s a total blessing!

We send our love from Jerusalem and we are praying for you!

It’s been an incredible day!

In fact, we traveled more miles today in Israel than I ever traveled in one day.   

We began in Jerusalem and drove to Caesarea and Megiddo and Nazareth – and then spent time in Capernaum which is on the shore of the “Sea of Galilee”, all before 2:00 p.m.! After that we had a wonderful time at a baptismal sight in the Jordan River and then drove down the Jordan Valley to Jericho and then up to Jerusalem.

The first site that we visited was Caesarea, the capital of the Roman province of Judea. This meant that the Roman authority positioned itself in Caesarea. In fact ruins were found identifying that Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea and resided in Caesarea. It’s a port city with the presence of the Mediterranean Sea awakening your senses!

The city was named by “Herod the Great” after Caesar Augustus.

Today, it’s one of my favorite spots in Israel. Not only is it extraordinarily beautiful(see above Lily walking on beach  between the Governor’s palace at Caesarea and in the back-ground the port of Caesarea) but what first comes to mind is that the Apostle Peter visited a gentile man named Cornelius who made a commitment to follow Jesus!

The story is recorded in Acts 10 and what a story it is!

In short, it was a major turning point in Cornelius’ life as he came to faith in Christ, but it was also a turning point in Peter’s life as well. Jew’s just did not eat with non-Jews, not even would they enter a Gentile’s home. But the Lord was showing Peter otherwise and it proved to be a major turning point in church history and in Peter’s life some 10 years after the resurrection.

I like Kent Hughes’ remarks on this. He wrote, “Do we see those around us as potential heirs of grace? Do we view those who are different from us and who do things we do not approve as candidates for the kingdom? Our attitude makes all the difference. If we are anti-Semitic, we will never lead a Jew to Christ. If we have written off a relative, he or she may be written off for eternity. If we are elitists, most of the rest of the world will never experience grace through us. I like C.S. Lewis’ statement: “Next to the blessed sacrament, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses!”

God bless all of you! We are thinking and praying for you 🙂

We send our love from Jerusalem!

Lily and I atop Mt of Olives:)

We made it!

I want to THANK ALL OF YOU for your prayers, we have felt them 🙂

Today we began atop the Mt of Olives overlooking Jerusalem. It was incredible! Just to be able to look down upon the city that Jesus gave His life and rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, is beyond words.

Jerusalem may seem like a foreign city to many of us, but the reality is that there is no other city in the world that has impacted our lives, and IS impacting our lives and WILL impact our lives, then the city of Jerusalem! It truly is the spiritual center of the world and the spiritual nerve center of the world and the prophetic epicenter of the world.

Today it’s the hottest piece of real-estate in the world. The U.N. has spent 1/3 of its time deliberating and denouncing Israel over the city of Jerusale.m

As Christian’s it is our HERITAGE and FUTURE! What we believe about Jerusalem is a type of spiritual litmus test of the most important kind.

Jerusalem IS the capitol of the Jews; BUT the CITY OF THE KING! (Heb 12:22)

It is the place where Jesus will rule! (Ps. 2:6)

The joy of the entire earth! (Ps. 48:2)

It has been uniquely chosen by the Lord from eternity! (PS. 132:13)

The place God will reside because God desires it! (Ps. 132:14)

It is the City that Jesus will reign for a 1,000 years! (Micah 4:7; Rev 20:6)

And, the reality is, that in serving the Lord and making Him known in our generation, it has to do with Jerusalem, because everything is moving toward the COMING KING who is coming back to Jerusalem!

Well, those are a few thoughts that I hope you have enjoyed!

Tomorrow we head to Caesaria, and then to the Galilee, down the Jordan Valley to Jericho and back to Jerusalem. I’ll keep you posted!

God BLess all of you and the entire Calvary Auburn family. I am praying for all of you.

We send our love from the City of the King!!

Blessings,

Greg