A Dysfunctional Church

Paul encountered a unique situation in the Corinthians church. There was a sin that not even the Gentiles (aka non-Christians) promoted. A guy was sleeping with his Father's wife.

Now this is an odd way of putting it. What does Paul mean by "Father's wife"?

1. Best case scenario: he is sleeping with his step mom.
2. Worst case scenario: he is sleeping with his mom.

Either way, I bet it made the family Thanksgiving dinner a little awkward!

To make matters worse, the Corinthian church was "proud" of this sin and boasted about it some fashion. Yeah, a guy was sleeping with his step mom (or mom) and others in the church were patting him on the back. And you thought your church was dysfunctional!

You may say, "Well, this was between him, whoever is his 'father's wife' and potentially his family. How does this apply to the entire church?"

Paul also gives the remedy to overcoming this type of sin…and any other sin.

How does this apply to "each other" and what is the remedy?

My goal is to get all of us engaged more with God's Word. So head to the Bible to find the answers, and let us know what you read. 

The answers are found in 1 Corinthians 5. I am excited to see what you find.

Picking Sides

One day the disciples came up to Jesus, probably a little proud of what they had just done. "He's going to think this is great," they probably thought. "Hey Jesus," one of the disciples started, "we saw this guy over there driving out demons in your name. You'll be happy to know that we stopped him because he doesn't follow us."

Fast forward a few decades and a church was picking sides. Everyone had the guy they followed and no one else mattered. Some chose Paul. Some a guy named Apollos. Some Peter. Some proved how spiritual they were by sticking their nose up in the air and saying, "We just follow Jesus." (Yes that is bad when you use it to make yourself look more spiritual than another person.) They were like the disciples. No body else could minister or have authority except their posse.

Paul calls this "being inflated with pride" when we "favor one person over another." When we think that we can only learn from one person or one particular theology, we are prideful. When we think our church or our group is the only one that has ministry figured out, we are prideful. This tears down what God is trying to do. What is he trying to do? Build his church on one foundation: Christ.

It is easy to fall into this trap. We love our pastor; so if someone is different, it is hard to follow them. We like to make categories, and if someone falls outside our category, we quickly dismiss them. We want to make sure that we are listening to the right voices, but Paul tells us how to know we are listening to the right voices.

Paul gives us a very basic litmus test for a legit teacher/leader in the Kingdom. He wanted the Corinthians to "learn from them [Paul, Timothy, Silas] the saying: 'Nothing beyond what is written.'" His point is that as long as a teacher teaches what is written, then learn from them. Whether that is Paul, Apollos, Peter or another guy that they don't know about, they can learn from them. When we listen to anyone who teaches what is written, then God is using that to build into us.

Jesus quickly, but gently burst the disciples bubble by telling them to "not stop them because whoever is not against you is for you." The call is to put others before self by putting aside our personal styles, philosophies, theologies and boundaries and learning from anyone who simply teaches "what is written" because they are not against us…they are with us.

You can find this story in 1 Corinthians 1-4. The goal of this to get your appetite for reading more of God's Word. Go see how Paul addressed this issue for yourself.

Why LTG’s?

Last post talked about Life Transformation Groups. Really two verses stick out as why we want to use these groups to be the real vehicle of transformation…

• Galatians 6:2. "Carry one another’s burdens (Paul means "sin" in the full context); in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Paul tells the church to carry each others sin. Sin is heavy. It is hard to carry. When we are stuck in the same pattern and we cannot get out, it seems even heavier. Other people are to come alongside and help us carry the burden. This lightens the load and allows us to get out.
• Hebrews 3:13. "Encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception." We are commanded here to encourage each other daily so we are not hardened by sin's deception. Sin creeps up on us. It tricks and deceives. When we have other people around us, they help us recognize and move away from temptation and sin. But it requires this intense interaction between people.

Really, this is pretty simple. Help each other. Don't give up on each other. Encourage each other. Defeat sin together, not alone. But it takes being vulnerable. People are going to have to see parts of us that no one has ever seen before. When we do, we will never be the same.

Life Transformation Groups

This past Sunday, Life Transformation Groups were introduced. These are groups of 2-4 people who share life together. They…

• Read and discuss Scripture together. Why? Because the Bible is the media by which God spoke how we are transformed through the forgiveness of Christ. The Bible says of itself that it is a double-edged sword and will pierce to the heart. It is truth. In a world of uncertainty, it can always be trusted to make your life solid.
• Challenge and encourage each other. Life is chaotic. Sometimes it is chaotic because of our choices. Sometimes it is because of someone else’s choices. Or it is chaotic just because life happens! These groups are designed to dig deep into each others lives and bring us closer to the image of Christ.
• Seek the lost. People are hungering for truth all around. They want transformation, but don’t know where to find it. These groups will point people to the Bible and ultimately God through his Word.

Making disciples is what disciples are supposed to do, but unfortunately most disciples don’t know how. They know that they were taught how to pray a prayer, but anything beyond that is new territory. Life transformation Groups are designed to be a very simple approach to making disciples. All that is needed is the Bible, a place to put 4 people, a desire to see God work in your life and a devotion to spending time with God and with each other.

Life transformation goes deeper inside community where we can challenge, encourage and seek the lost. We want you to find victory over the parts of your life that you can’t even touch. To see desires disappear that you never thought would go away. Then to come alongside someone else to help them through the same struggle.

If you are interested in being a part of a group like this, Email Shane

Upcoming @ The Bridge

 Art N Soul, July 31 from 7 to 9 PM @ Shamballa Cafe. A night to serve Baldwinsville by bringing together local artists and musicians. Join us for some great coffee, new and old friends and local art.

We are also gearing up for our next Celebration on August 15. Every Sunday, we will have something different that will be strategic and step us closer to being able to launch on 10.10.10. You can be a part of a movement. A movement that bridges many people to God. A God that brings hope in all situations!

A Blasphemer, Murder and an Arrogant Man

A blasphemer, murderer and an arrogant man.

The words of Paul when he looked back on his life before God transformed him. Paul became one of the most influential Christians of all time. He wrote over half of the New Testament. He spread the Gospel to places no one ever did. But he didn’t start as a saint. He started as a blasphemer, murderer and an arrogant man. Jesus met him where he was, but didn’t leave him the same.

If God will accept Paul, chances are he will accept you. If God will accept me, chances are he will accept you. No one is too far from his reach.

The church is a group of transformed people seeking the transformation of others. No one started off perfect. That is what makes our transformation even more incredible. God did it despite ourselves. He can do it with you too.

Savannah’s Story of Transformation

A great Story of Transformation about how another person made a difference in Savannah's life…

Art N Soul

Art&Soul is a unique event that will bring together local musicians, painters, photographers, and their fans to celebrate art in away that impacts our community for the better. 

The cover charge for the event is an old coat that will be donated to Rescue Mission in downtown Syracuse. 

Join us on July 31st from 7-9 PM; have some coffee; listen to some music; show local artists your appreciation for what they do; help keep someone warm this winter!

 Join our Facebook Event for updates and to RSVP.

Location: Shamballa Cafe

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Cookout!

God Lets Anyone In

Anyone can be a part of the church.

Our Story of Transformation from the Bible this Sunday will prove it. 

A man who was a murder of Christians became the most influencial voice for God…ever.

Join us for this Story this Sunday @ 4 PM @ The Red Mill Inn

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