Category: Status

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Metaphors and the Church by Dave Guiles

DaveGuiles-Headshot
Dave Guiles

Encompass World Partners director, Dave Guiles, has been doing some intriguing study and work on “Conceptual Metaphors” and how they play a significant part in developing concepts and behavior.

Dave’s research shows that real change takes place when we are successfully introduced to new metaphors. This is true because:

1) Metaphors organize the way we think,
2) Metaphors enable us to gain new insights,
3) Metaphors create identity, and,
4) Metaphors serve as a guide to future actions.

To help illustrate this important truth, Dave explored how the self-concept of the early church was formed through the introduction of three important conceptual metaphors:

THE CHURCH IS THE FAMILY OF GOD
THE CHURCH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST
THE CHURCH IS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“The success of the early Apostles in establishing churches in the diverse cultural soils of their world was directly related to their ability to lead new congregations into a clear understanding and acceptance of these metaphors. Because of their importance in revealing the true nature of the church, these can be referred to as ‘essence metaphors.”

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So that it how I worship Him, by submitting my life to Him in a real way – Erin Vidovich

On this day when we have a memorial for our beloved Erin Vidovich, I remember back to the end of August when she and Pete Anderson did an interview with me for our Los Altos Grace Church family on Sunday morning.  It was a powerful time of reality and truth.

Below is the write up from that time….and what a beautiful way Erin worships our Jesus now: So that it how I worship Him, by submitting my life to Him in a real way.

 

WORSHIP IN THE CRUCIBLE OF LIFE

Our theme of worship took on a new facet this week. We did an interview with two of our own beloved saints: Pete Anderson and Erin Vidovich.
Worship

In this interview format, our own Pete Anderson who lost a spouse to divorce and another to death (and is now happily married to Cheryl) and speaks about the difficulty of worship even through great loss.

Erin Vidovich is currently battling through cancer for the second time. She articulated succinctly about what it means for her to worship in this “crucible of life.”

For me worshiping has been as it is written in Romans 12:1, where we “offer up our body as a living and holy sacrifice to God.” It has meant surrendering, submitting, trusting God completely with my life–in a very real way.

Other problems that I’ve been through in my life, with jobs, or kids or other things, God would always say to me, “Let it go. Love me more than these. And trust Me to handle that.”  

And then when it came to my cancer, He said to me, “You have to love me more than your own life.” And I truly understood what that meant.

Everything I thought my life was to be about: getting old, sitting on the porch swing with my spouse or traveling the world or playing with my grand kids. Whatever it was, those were my plans, and I had to let go of those. Maybe that’s not what God’s plan was for me.

So that it how I worship Him, by submitting my life to Him in a real way.

One of the questions was to share some of the Scriptures which were most meaningful as they walked through their crucible experiences. To spur you on to love and good deeds, we thought we would list the ones they shared:
Erin: A lot of the Psalms, but particularly Psalm 57:1 and her favorite Psalm 34.

Pete: Proverbs 3:5-6, the book of Psalms, specifically Psalm 73:25-28, the story of Joseph (Genesis 37-50) and Romans 8:28 (and the whole chapter)

This interview was deep with meaning and powerful testimonies to God’s goodness and grace through the most difficult things in life.

We encourage you to check out the recording of this interview online here  and share it with others who might be encouraged by the truths found there.

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Seed of the Gospel and Indigenous Christianity

“The Gospel is like a seed and you have to sow it. When you sow the seed of the Gospel in Palestine, a plant that can be called Palestinian Christianity grows. When you sow it in Rome, a plant of Roman Christianity grows. You sow the Gospel in Great Britain and you get British Christianity. The seed of the Gospel is later brought to America, and a plant grows of American Christianity. Now, when missionaries came to our lands they brought not only the seed of the gospel, but their own plant of Christianity, flower not included! So, what we have to do is to break the flower pot, take out the seed of the gospel, sow it in our own cultural soil, and let our own version of Christianity grow.”
-D. T. Niles ( from Sri Lanka)

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A hero of the faith speaks about obstacles – James Gribble

This is taken directly from the journal of James Gribble:

“There is no place in all the world more needy, no place more dark than [central Africa]. It seems as if all earth and hell have united in saying ‘No’ to the carrying of the Gospel there.

Yet we know that it shall be preached there, for the ‘Great Commission’ implies it. And we find that the church will be composed of representatives from every tongue, tribe and nation (Rev. 5:9).

“So even if the obstacles that confront us tower up to heaven, we know that we will, by the grace of God, overcome them.”
– James Gribble

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If you’d like to know more about James Gribble and his story, I’d recommend this video “A Grain of Wheat” by my friend Dave Guiles who masterfully tells the story.

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What the church should be about…

“I simply argue that the cross should be raised at the center of the marketplace as well as on the steeple of the church. I am recovering the claim that Jesus was not crucified in a cathedral between two candles, but on a cross between two thieves; on the town’s garbage heap; at a crossroad so cosmopolitan that they had to write His title in Hebrew and Latin and Greek … at the kind of place where cynics talk smut, and thieves curse, and soldiers gamble. Because that is where He died. And that is what He died for. And that is what He died about. That is where church-men ought to be and what church-men ought to be about.”

George Macleod, founder of the Iona Community in Scotland

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Be Fruitful & Multiply – An Important Scripture from the Inception of the Brethren Movement

I’ve been doing some research over the last few weeks on groups of 5-12 in the history of the Grace Brethren. The clear beginning of our movement happened when 8 men and women gathered together to be baptized as adults demonstrating their personal belief in Jesus as Savior and Lord.

“This is [Alexander] Mack Jr.’s description of the baptism, based on papers of his father and others, and reports of eyewitnesses:

Brethren Initial Baptism

After they were thus prepared, the said eight went out to the water called the Eder in the solitude of the morning. The brother upon whom the lot had fallen first baptized that brother [Mack] who wished to be baptized by the church of Christ. When the latter was baptized, he baptized him who had first baptized, and the other three brethren and three sisters. Thus all eight were baptized in an early morning hour. After they had all emerged from the water, and had dressed themselves again, they were all immediately clothed inwardly with great joyfulness. This significant word was then impressed upon them through grace: “Be fruitful and multiply!’*

The joy of doing what God wanted coursed through their veins! And the Scripture the Holy Spirit blew into the hearts of these founders of the Grace Brethren Movement – Be Fruitful and Multiply!

May we continue “through grace” to keep up the significant work of “Be fruitful and multiply!”

 

*Brethren Beginnings: The Origin of the Church of the Brethren in Early Eighteenth-Century Europe by Donald F. Durnbaugh (Brethren Encyclopedia: 1992) pg. 23 {ISBN 0936693231}

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Walk In Love

“As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.” – 2 John v.6

Jesus lived His life walking in love. He actually had to learn to walk—as all toddlers do.  He loved his parents and his mentors in the temple.  He walked into religious places and loved them. He loved the outcasts by enjoying dinners and drinks with them. He loved the children and brought them into the middle of His circle. He even walked on water.

He healed the chronically ill, the blind and loved Lazarus enough to raise him back to life. He loved those “Gentile dogs”—the non-Jews who He welcomed into His Kingdom. He stooped onto the ground with a basin of water, towel wrapped around his waist, and washed His disciples’ feet showing them the full extent of His love. He walked up a hill after a beating, with a crown of thorns and a cross. He escorted the man hanging next to Him on the cross—a mocker and thief—into paradise. He died, was buried and walked out of the tomb indicating His loving victory over sin and death. He walked through the walls into a locked room to be with His beloved disciples after His resurrection.

Jesus walked on this planet in love and as He departed, he lovingly shared with his disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation.”

Jesus’ love moved Him on mission to our world–from a baby through the ascension.  As we walk in His love, it will move us to mission as well. Won’t you consider how you can “Walk in Love”?!?!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” – John 3:16

 

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Enjoy 12.12.12…and Make Disciples

It’s a special day because of the number 12.  It numbers our day, month and year! I thought I’d add a little more spice to this 12 thing and send this out at 12:12pm (Pacific) as well! I truly hope you enjoy this day and these thoughts below..

In this season many think of the 12 Days of Christmas, but I wanted to turn your attention to another 12… The Twelve who followed Jesus and were called by Him.
121212

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Luke  6:12-16  NIV

Jesus and the 11This Twelve with the training and commissioning of our King Jesus and the abiding Holy Spirit turned the world upside-down.

(Well Judas sealed his own doom, but was replaced by Matthias as outlined in the book of Acts. The Painting shows only the 11.)

These Twelve Apostles loved, lived, and demonstrated the power and presence of Jesus. They weren’t the most educated or the most powerful, but were rather ordinary.  We know that God the Father revealed these to Jesus to be appointed for the special work of laying a foundation for the Church through our age. They were identified as “unlikely” by the religious leaders in Jerusalem, but still powerful because of one thing.

Listen to this accusation:

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13 NIV

On this day of 12.12.12, I’m thankful for those Twelve who in a special commissioning of our Lord were appointed as Apostles who would communicate and catalyze the Gospel movements that have swept our world. As these 12 were ordinary and unschooled, but transformed into fully trained and extraordinary by being with Jesus, may we do the same! Be with Jesus and help others follow Him too!

Two millenia after the selection of the first twelve, still more disciples need to be made…around the world and across the street. Today, let us be about that work.

Press on!

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Session 6 – The Trinity: Part 2

The Trinity – The Triune Godhead – Part 2

Topic:      We talked about it last week, but let’s take another look at one of the most perplexing things – our God is one and yet He is three—the Triune Godhead.

Verses to Consider:     Genesis 1:1 &1:26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:5

Articles:  
  Part 1 – Basic Overview with Key verses. http://www.gotquestions.org/Trinity-Bible.html

  Part 2 – There’s not a ‘Trinity verse’ — and that’s a good thing  http://magazine.biola.edu/article/11-winter/think-bigger/    

              – The Study of God  http://ichthys.com/1Theo.htm                
              – The Trinity (Triunity) of God  http://bible.org/article/trinity-triunity-god

Key Questions:

  • Theologians often describe God as one essence and three persons.  Can you explain that?  

  • Is this “trinity concept” a logical contradiction and therefore is not believable?

  • This is from the Los Altos Grace Brethren Church in Statement of Faith:
    We believe:  THE ONE TRUE GOD:  existing eternally as three persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:22; Matthew 29:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

Do you agree? Why or why not?

  • Who do you pray to: the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit?

Application:

Divine Truth:
            What are some old beliefs that I need to lay aside and new beliefs I need to adopt:

            What are some old behaviors I need to lay aside and new behaviors I need to adopt:
Nurturing Relationships:
    How does this truth affect relationships…
                        …with my spouse (if appropriate):
                        …with my child/parent:
                        …with my employer/employee:
                        …with my friends:
                        …with my brother/sister:
                        …with those in authority:

Apostolic Mission:   
     How does this truth help me in overcoming the enemy’s schemes?

     How does this truth help me in pursuing the mission I have in God’s kingdom?

What’s One Thing I will Do this Week because of What I’ve Learned?

1. 

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Session 5 – The Trinity

The Trinity – The Triune Godhead

Topic: ​One of the most perplexing things is that our God is one and yet He is three—the Triune Godhead.

Verses to Consider:     ​Genesis 1:1 &1:26; 
Deuteronomy 6:4; 
Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19-20; 
2 Corinthians 13:14;
Galatians 3:20; 
1 Timothy 2:5

Article: ​http://www.gotquestions.org/Trinity-Bible.html 
<http://www.gotquestions.org/Trinity-Bible.html>

Key Questions:

• Who are the three persons of the Godhead and how do they relate to one another?

• What are the roles or tasks of the three persons of the Godhead—how are they different in what each does?

• What are key passages to talk about the unity/oneness of God?  What are key passages to explain the three persons of the Godhead?

• Is there a helpful diagram or illustration to explain the triune Godhead?

• If you studied only the Old Testament, could you come to know that God is triune? What about from General Revelation alone (meaning no Scriptures)?

Application:

Divine Truth:
​What are some old beliefs that I need to lay aside and new beliefs I need to adopt:

​What are some old behaviors I need to lay aside and new behaviors I need to adopt:

Nurturing Relationships:
  How does this truth affect relationships…
​…with my spouse (if appropriate):
​…with my child/parent:
​…with my employer/employee:
​…with my friends:
​…with my brother/sister:
​…with those in authority:

Apostolic Mission: ​
   How does this truth help me in overcoming the enemy’s schemes?

   How does this truth help me in pursuing the mission I have in God’s kingdom?

—
One Thing I Will Do This Week:

Take Home:
1) God is one
2) The Godhead has three persons
3) The differences between the three

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The Authority of the Bible

Our Topic…what is the actual authority of the Bible.
Verses to Consider:     John 10:35; Revelation 22:18-19; Matthew 5:17-18; 1 Corinthians 14:37
Key Questions:
  • How high in the pecking order is the Scripture?
  • I’m responsible to know the Scriptures (interpret it myself), so does it still have authority over me?
  • How does church history/tradition relate to the Scripture?
  • Is the Bible sufficient for what God wants us to know?
  • How does the Bible relate to science
Application:
Divine Truth:
            What are some old beliefs that I need to lay aside and new beliefs I need to adopt:
            What are some old behaviors I need to lay aside and new behaviors I need to adopt:
Nurturing Relationships:
    How does this truth affect relationships…
                        …with my spouse (if appropriate):
                        …with my child/parent:
                        …with my employer/employee:
                        …with my friends:
                        …with my brother/sister:
                        …with those in authority:
Apostolic Mission:    
     How does this truth help me in overcoming the enemy’s schemes?
     How does this truth help me in pursuing the mission I have in God’s kingdom?
Take Home:
    The Scripture is superior to me
            The Scripture has a claim on my life
            Its authority leads us to a right relationship with God
            Have a learning, submitting, growing, awe-filled approach to the Scriptures
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How We Got Our Bible: The Canon of Scripture – Session 3

How We Got Our Bible: The Canon of Scripture
Topic:
     The Old Testament was in put together by the Jewish religious leaders years before Jesus came to earth.  The early church accepted the books of the New Testament after passing certain criteria.  The accepted collection was called the “canon” of Scripture.  The word “canon” means “measuring stick.”  There were three main criteria:
1)            Did an Apostle or someone with Jesus write it?
2)            Was the book consistent with known Scriptures?
3)            Did the early church universally accept the book as Scripture?
Check out the following article for more introduction:   http://bible.org/seriespage/bible-holy-canon-scripture
Key Questions:
  • Why these books?
  • How did it get to this list of books?
  • Can more books/letters be added to this list?
Application:
Divine Truth:
            What are some old beliefs that I need to lay aside and new beliefs I need to adopt:
            What are some old behaviors I need to lay aside and new behaviors I need to adopt:

Nurturing Relationships:
    How does this truth affect relationships…
                        …with my spouse (if appropriate):
                        …with my child/parent:
                        …with my employer/employee:
                        …with my friends:
                        …with my brother/sister:
                        …with those in authority:
Apostolic Mission:    
     How does this truth help me in overcoming the enemy’s schemes?
     How does this truth help me in pursuing the mission I have in God’s kingdom?


One Thing I Will Do This Week:
Take Home:
1. General outline of how we got the Bible
2. Confident of the 66 books in our Bible
3. Awe of God using humans to accomplish His purpose over time, space, cultures