Prodigal Sons

Posted by Jennifer Baldwin

Friday, January 28, 2011

We all know the story…we know the story well. In fact, for many of us, it is OUR story…

Frustrated and exasperated by perceived restraints placed upon the lifestyle he so longed to experience, the second-born son of the respected community leader strategized his exit. To himself he reasons, “All I need is money and then I could be free. And what good is money when I am old? How do I even know if I will GET to be old?!? Besides, life and all its incredible opportunities are simply passing me by.” So in the mold of what would much later in history be labeled, “Hippie” (a dated illustration for sure), the young man grabs for early retirement. He would quit work and live it up BEFORE he was too old to enjoy it! Totally intoxicated with self, he basically declares to his father that he wishes he were dead, saying, “Father, give me the share of the estate that belongs to me!” With cold, hard cash in hand, the boy leaves the farm.

It is hard to recall the last time that the visible response of our gathered Body took me off sermon. But those of you who were able to 4-wheel navigate the streets on Sunday must have seen it. As we spoke of the qualification of shepherds, that they be sexually pure men totally faithful to their wife, and that they be wise fathers skillfully and gently parenting their children, we faced that challenging phrase, “…having children who believe (literally “are faithful”), not accused of dissipation or rebellion”. We noted that this description of God’s man addresses both that season when his children are under his roof and immediate oversight AND that next season when they have grown to an age where they are free to chose their independence. Paul has NOT told Titus to accuse of failure those fathers whose adult children are acting out rebelliously. What he WAS telling him is, “If that is the public reputation of a man’s family, do not saddle him with the responsibilities of shepherding the local church.” But the weight of that phrase fell on us last Sunday with unexpected solemnity. As you recall, there was an amazing “hush” in the room. So many are bearing the burden of wayward children stubbornly resisting the gracious call of the Savior. “Dissipation.” A snapshot in a long history. A season of sorrow endured with unwavering hope. A “prodigal” child…

Dad never exchanged hope for despair. In the depths of his soul, he KNEW that his beloved son knew…“I have a home…I have a home where I am loved…I have a home…I can go home.” And to the incredible joy of the broken-hearted father, one day his dissipating, rebelling son came home.

But the shocking conclusion to Jesus’ Prodigal Parable is this. The REAL prodigal son was NOT the son who had, in a fit of independence and callous irreverence, demanded what he felt was rightly his when his father would finally die. That was shameful, yes, reprehensible! But the greatest sorrow of the story was the shocking discovery that the father’s TRUE prodigal child was the son who had never LEFT the farm! “But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him…” Luke 15:28

We all know the story…we know the story well. In fact, for many of us, it is OUR story…

We have a Heavenly Father who knows the heart. And His Spirit unrelentingly cries, “You have a home…you are loved…you can come home!”

See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom

Character Always Counts

Posted by Jennifer Baldwin

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

So often, in today’s world, when we select someone for a job, we consider qualifications, experience, leadership capabilities, their resume, references, and understanding of the business at hand. The person’s character usually takes a back seat, if it’s considered at all.

Search the Web for information on leadership, for example, and more than 150 million responses hit your computer. A similar search for resume will pull up another 150 million listings. Look for strategic planning and you’ll find 20 million. We check references, education, experience in the market but seldom look into the character of the person being interviewed.

As Titus began his challenging task of finding people to guide the churches of Crete, his first thought was to seek people of character. For a moment, think about Paul’s guidance in his letter to Titus.

“...appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely if any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion, for the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward...”  Titus 1:5-7

Why was character the first qualification that Paul desired? Why didn’t he direct Titus to find men with leadership qualifications? Why wasn’t experience leading a group the first thing he listed? Why didn’t Paul suggest that Titus check the qualifications of possible leaders? Because Paul was being guided by The Lord, and His desire is to have people of strong character in the lead.

Examples of this focus on character come from the very beginning of the story of God’s people. Let’s look first at Moses and the guidance The Lord gave him through Jethro, his father-in-law.

“Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them, as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.”   Exodus 18:21

Moses learned from this wisdom of seeking men of character. As he provided guidance to the people of God as they camped on the banks of the Jordan, waiting for the right time to enter the promised land, consider what he said.

“Choose wise and discerning and experienced men from your tribes, and I will appoint them as your heads.”    Deuteronomy 1:13

Our study of Paul’s letter to Titus offers an excellent lesson on the importance of character in selecting leaders. When we gather next, we’ll consider a list of qualifications. Until then, reflect on these words.

“Lord, who may abide in Thy tent? Who may dwell on Thy holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a reprobate is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; he swears to his own hurt, and does not change; he does not put out his money at interest, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.”  Psalm 15:1-5

Character Always Counts.

Character ALWAYS counts!

Posted by Jennifer Baldwin

Friday, January 21, 2011

These are not “super-Christians”. They are not “different than us”. When you first read the text, you may find yourself responding…

• As when hearing Jesus speak out on the permanency of the marriage vow and its subsequent relationship, “If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry!” Matthew 19:10
• Or like the 12 when hearing that rich guys have a harder time entering the Kingdom than camels have difficulty getting through needle eyes, “…they were very astonished and said, ‘Then who CAN be saved?’” Matthew 19:25
• And the apostle Paul in describing the impact role a Jesus-follower has in his square mile of influence, “…who is adequate for THESE things?!?” 2 Corinthians 2:16

Men above reproach…Men who live with such integrity that no charge thrown at them will stick. Men who, in their personal lives, increasingly display the transforming graces of God’s spirit by the way they are loving their wife and shepherding the hearts and lives of their children. Men who in public are “lights in the darkness” simply because they relate in kindness and grace and generosity and selflessness toward those with whom they work, live near, and walk before. 

Read the list of leadership qualifiers again:

• Not always demanding his own way
• Not touchy, but easy to be around
• Not a slave of any controlling substance
• Not quick to start arguments
• Not bowing at the altar of wealth and riches
• Practicing generous living with all he has
• A champion for those things deemed to be “good”
• A man of sound judgment and reasonableness
• More concerned about what is right than about winning
• Authentically pious
• A man of controlled passions
• Radically committed to Biblical truth
• Strong in explaining and defending Scripture, but with gentleness and grace

Wow…you read that list and you think, “Who IS adequate for these things?  Must be the calling of a few ‘super-Christians’!”

But the reality is…these are just Christian men…average, normal Christian men who are being daily remade by the tenacious and relentless working of the Living Spirit who changes a man from the inside out. This is the kind of man God appoints to leadership.

So why this long list of identifiers? Because character counts.
Character ALWAYS counts!



See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom

Driving FBC Down the Lord’s Road

Posted by Jennifer Baldwin

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Governor Heineman delivered the State of Nebraska to the Legislature and the people last week. The State of the Union will be delivered by President Obama to Congress and the people next week. In the midst of our study of Paul’s letter to Titus, as he left him in Crete to help put the churches in order, Faith Bible Church paused to consider the State of FBC on Sunday.

Glancing in the rear view mirror at 2010, several events serve to remind us of the road we’ve traveled together.

1. Michael Krause was called to the FBC team as youth pastor. (This guy has not only poured his heart into our youth, but he’s very capable of pouring his soul and wisdom into the adults from the pulpit.)
2. We purchased land for a church and home for Jorge’ in Mexico. (The Lord’s hand in those efforts can now be seen as Jorge’ plans to marry and grow the church.)
3. The First German Congregational Church in the near South became part of our local body. (It was difficult to send Pastor Robb Rexilius as the teaching pastor and several of our families, but we are excited to see how things are developing)
4. Two services at FBC were combined into one. (What a pleasant surprise to enjoy being together as one body, but we’re already running out of space.)

Looking at the road ahead, several things are appearing on the horizon that give us confirmation that we’re on the right road.

1. We’ve grown our Elder team with men who are dedicated to helping shepherd the congregation.
2. Our ministry teams have been organized so that each Elder is involved as an overseer and a champion.
3. Every member of FBC will have a shepherd. We encourage everyone to participate in a flock.
4. We want to be proactive about our future. Even as we sent a number of families to help grow First German (now known as First Street Bible Church) our “tin barn on the hill” is stretched to capacity. Here are some alternatives we’re considering...

• Divide 2 Grow - Restore the two service model
• Build 2 Unite - Build a new worship center to handle everyone
• Send 2 Multiply - Continue to plant churches in and around Lincoln
• Seed 2 Strengthen - Get involved and support like-minded fellowships
• Squeeze 2 Die - Buy more chairs and a giant shoehorn. While this is listed, we don’t consider it an option. 

      5. Our attention to missions across the city, the United States, and around the world will continue...

• Planting churches and strengthening like-minded churches.
• We’ll exhibit compassion to those in need whether they be seeking help at the City Mission or on the streets of Katmandu. 
• Those among us who feel called to go will do so with our prayers and financial support when and where possible.

As we continue our study in Paul’s letter to Titus, we feel we’re on the right road and we don’t expect Titus to show up anytime soon to put things in order at FBC. Thank you for your personal, prayerful and financial support.

A Shepherd for Every Sheep

Posted by Jennifer Baldwin

Friday, January 14, 2011

“Everything rises or falls with leadership. Whether you are talking about a small business, or about a school, or about a sports team, or about a ministry, or about a church…everything rises and falls with leadership. Leadership is ABSOLUTELY critical to success!” Pastor Wiersbe spoke these sage words to me last Sunday as we visited together following the worship service. (Now maybe you understand why I was “sweating” while preaching. It really WASN’T the thermostat, after all!)

Leadership…the very thought of it tempts one to a smug sort of pride. A “just a little better than…” attitude quietly surging in the heart. Leadership…position, power, influence, respect, prestige. The circle of friends closest to Jesus clamored for it. They fought with each other over it. A couple of them even went so far as to have Mom make an insider’s request for it. “Lord, when You come into Your kingdom, can Johnny sit on one side of Your throne and Jimmy on the other?” Schooled in the cultural image of leadership, the disciples eagerly lined up for the assignment.

But the leadership for which Jesus calls and equips rests at the other end of the perception spectrum. It is not Gentile lordship. It is not power, position and prestige, but rather, humility, lowliness, and slave-like service. It is costly and sacrificial. It is others-focused, not self-promoting. It is of the stature of the despicable vocation of the family of Joseph, who, when preparing his father and brothers for introduction to the Egyptian Ruler, instructed them in this way. “When Pharaoh calls you and says, “What is your occupation?” you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’…for every shepherd is loathsome to the Egyptians.”  Genesis 46:33-34

Loathsome. A long way removed from the image of “position, power, influence, respect, prestige”. Loathsome, maybe to those who have cultural values, but honorable and glorious to those who appreciate the narrative of Scripture and the modeling of Christ. 

• Moses was schooled for four decades in the pastures as preparation for the honor of leading the flock of God out of Egypt and through the wilderness.
• David was the overlooked youngest of eight boys who was assigned the task of caring for the family’s flocks. In fact, one of his brothers attempted to squelch his spirit in Goliath’s shadow with the put-down, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness?” 1 Samuel 17:28  
• God elevated the calling of “shepherd” to a position of honor when He wrote, “From the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him to shepherd Jacob His people and Israel His inheritance. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them with his skillful hands.” Psalm 78:71-72
• It was into the hands of a prepared shepherd that God was willing to entrust His own treasured possession, His people.
• And it was the “loathsome” role of shepherd by which God described His personal attention, protection and provision for His people when He inspired David to write, “The Lord is my shepherd…” Psalm 23
• When Jesus came to rescue His own, He came bearing the heart of a shepherd. “Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were ‘harassed’ and ‘thrown down’ like sheep without a shepherd.”  Matthew 9:6
• Then, so as to contrast His care with the self-serving abuse of the Ezekiel 34 shepherds, Jesus declared, “I am the Good Shepherd”, or better put, “I am the Shepherd, the Good one!” John 10:11

Why was the vocation of shepherding so loathsome in Egypt? Simply because there was little value placed on the sheep. And why was shepherding elevated to such a glorious calling by the Lord? Simply because He places such GREAT value on each individual lamb. “And the Good Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep.” John 10:11

As Pastor Wiersbe declared, “Everything rises or falls with leadership.” And the leadership that causes the Church of Jesus Christ to rise is the skillful, sacrificial leadership of its shepherds.

“Shepherd the Church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:28

See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom

Restoring Order

Posted by Jennifer Baldwin

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

In science, the first law of thermodynamics expresses that energy can be transformed but it cannot be created or destroyed. Then, there’s the second law of thermodynamics that states that over time, differences in temperature, pressure, and chemical potential equilibrate if they’re in an isolated system. The chaos theory is a study in applied mathematics, physics, economics, biology, and philosophy that considers the behavior of dynamical systems that are highly sensitive to initial conditions. The future behavior of systems is determined by their initial conditions.

All of these scientific theories and laws are man’s observation of what happens to something if it is isolated and left alone. Its energy is transformed, things equilibrate (settle into a common state of being) and just the slightest event can create chaos over a period of time. Think about a butterfly beating its wings in Brazil and that disturbance eventually contributing to a hurricane off the coast of North Carolina.

But, we don’t really need science or economics or philosophy to learn these lessons. All we need to do is consider things on the Island of Crete after Paul first visited. He invested a great deal of energy to help plant churches across the island. That energy helped transform the lives of the new Christians in the new churches Paul founded. However, over time, these churches and the Christians who were part of the churches had a tendency to equilibrate. What once made them different eventually became indiscernible. Today, we might say that they melted into the surroundings and eventually it was difficult to tell the Christians from the rest of the Cretans. Over the thirty years after Paul first planted the churches, they became chaotic.

"For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you." Titus 1:5

So, just how did Titus go about “setting things in order?” His response was strong leadership. If the law of nature is that order moves naturally to disorder, as illustrated above, the orderly churches of Crete established by Paul eventually became disorderly, chaotic, equilibrated, luke warm.

This was not a new concept for God’s people. In Genesis 3 we learn of the original sin which brought disorder to the garden. In Exodus 18 we’re told of the disputes among God’s chosen people and the problems this caused for Moses. Throughout the Old Testament and into the New Testament we read of the chaos that eventually consumes even God’s chosen people and His church. Acts 14, for example, outlines problems in the early church and the appointment of Elders to guide the new churches.

Paul’s response to the lack of order in Crete was to send Titus and instruct him to select Elders in each church, and challenge them with the responsibility to return the church to its original state. To bring order and heat them up again.

"If any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion . . . hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word . . . able to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict . . ." Titus 1:6-9

Restoring order happens through God’s leaders in His church. Restoring order also happens through God’s leaders in your life. As you read through the daily Scripture readings this week, pray that you will be open to His leading and guidance in your life. Then consider how you can make a difference in the life of someone you know by exhibiting leadership.

Right Leadership Restores Order

Posted by Jennifer Baldwin

Friday, January 7, 2011

Leaving Titus to address the issues, Paul instructs him, “Set in order what remains.”

Things left unattended will, by nature, move from order to chaos.

A neglected lawn is soon overtaken by weeds.
A seasonally closed cabin opens to dust and mildew in the spring.
A pantry unattended soon houses decaying foods.
A child ignored soon becomes a Super-Target embarrassment.
A desk unmanaged is soon a pile of clutter.
Things left unattended will, by nature, move from order to chaos.

The kids call it “the attic”, but in reality, it is a 3-foot-tall crawl space under the sunroom accessed only on your belly and requires wiggling your way through what used to be a basement window opening. Crudely constructed and definitely not on the “must see” list of house tours, this “secret” place has become a favorite playroom for my grandkids. So just before Christmas, I wiggled through the former window, flopped over on my back, and installed three strands of Christmas lights under the floor joists. But that was only the beginning.

Things left unattended will, by nature, move from order to chaos. The “attic” is Exhibit A validating this truth. Over time, the number of items placed into our crawl space has steadily increased. “Let’s not throw it away or give it away just yet. We may find out later that we actually need that. Let’s just put it under the house.” So the storage bins accumulate. And then we did the mother-in-law addition, which meant electricians and plumbers with drills and bits and woodchips and shoving bins from this side over to that side and then back again. Disorder! Chaos!

As we return this Sunday to our studies in Titus, we find that Paul and Titus have passed through the numerous communities of the Isle of Crete. Three decades earlier, residents from this Island heard the gospel proclaimed on the day of Pentecost. It appears that some, perhaps many, heard, believed and embraced the message of the saving grace of God through faith alone in His very own Son, Jesus the Christ. And they did not keep this incredible discovery to themselves, but spread the good news around when they returned home. In the power of the Spirit, others heard, believed and embraced the gospel. Thirty years later, those who had believed had formed into fellowship communities, local churches. However, true to the principle that “things left unattended will, by nature, move from order to chaos”, Paul found matters in serious need of attention. “Set in order what remains…”, Paul’s instructions to Titus.

Not only did I flop on my back to install a “custom lighting” system for greater play-time enjoyment, I also opened, consolidated, rearranged, stacked and put back into order what had, because it had been unattended, become Exhibit A of chaos.

Now before you are too hard on me for my lack of neatness, don’t you have to admit that when you went to the dresser to place that newly received gift sweater into the drawer, that what you discovered upon opening the drawer was a bit less than “orderly”? When you went to the garage to grab that tool for assembling that special toy, were you not a bit dismayed by the chaos you discovered? Things left unattended will, by nature, move from order to chaos.

Leaving Titus to address the issues, Paul instructs him, “Set in order what remains.”

See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom

The Word of the Lord

Posted by Jennifer Baldwin

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Resolution (res•o•lu•tion) “a firm decision to do something… firmness of mind or purpose”

So defines the dictionary of a word we often hear (and use ourselves) as we enter a new year… resolution. We often begin the year with great intentions and expectations, but by February we can’t even remember what our New Year’s Resolution was let alone still be doing it!

So what is the motivation to really change one’s behavior for the good? Why do we so often set out with great intentions but fail miserably soon after?

"For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate." Romans 7:15

So relying on self is pretty ineffectual… Let’s instead rely upon God… Let’s spend time listening to God through His word…

Michael Krause challenged the Faith Family to spend regular time in God’s word realizing that…

· doing so will NOT fix your problems
· doing so will NOT be easy
· doing so WILL cost you something… your time

In this time and place, God has chosen to speak to us primarily through His word. View spending time reading God’s word as spending time listening to God, as His Spirit brings to our mind things of which we need to be “re-minded”.

Faith Bible Church’s website now provides a reading plan (adapted from a plan developed by Robert Murray M'Cheyne in 1842) with the desire and encouragement that the Faith Family be in the scriptures together.

This plan is NOT a checklist, and no one will be checking up on you! This is NOT a ‘New Year’s Resolution. Rather, it is a 2011 call to what King Josiah declared in 2Kings 23:3. “And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant.”

So during January 2011, read the chapter of Matthew that corresponds to the date (Matthew 4 on Jan 4, Matthew 5 on Jan 5, and so forth). You can also see the reading plan with links to ESV scriptures at the Faith Bible website.

No one knows what lies ahead for 2011… So listen to God, rely upon Him, and trust Him.

I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year, 
with thee, O Father, as my harbor, 
thee, O Son, at my helm, 
thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
(from Valley of Vision)