The Blessed Life #6: A Band of Brothers

During World War II there was a Battalion called “Easy Company,” known later as “The Band of Brothers.” These men stepped up to help one another when tragedy struck their company. If these men had tried to go it alone, or do their own thing, every one of them would have lost their lives! These men needed to rely upon one another, helping each other by utilizing their own strengths yet orchestrated together; and when one was hurting or under fire, the rest of the company helped to carry that man’s load.

This would not be an easy task as they faced trial after trial after trial. Yet by each person giving their best while working as a team the work got done. And in the end, this Band of Brothers was triumphant as they stood united together.

Throughout life each one of us will encounter trials from time to time (although sometimes when it seems like the opposition continues to pound us in waves without giving us a chance to even catch our breath). When people try to go it on their own, sometimes they can be successful for a period of time. However, eventually, they will find themselves out numbered, encountering giants which are far superior to their abilities.

The Christian is not exempt from circumstances like these. In fact, often times the Christian will encounter more battles and of greater intensity than non-believers. However, that is where one of the most significant blessings of being a Christian surfaces! We are a part of a “Band of Brothers.”

As a “Band of Brothers” (and sisters), we are privileged to have others who can come alongside us when we are down. Our fellow Christians can help carry our burdens just as Scripture admonishes us (Gal. 6:2). Our fellow believers can encourage us and build us up when we are down (1 Thess. 5:11). Our fellow believers can offer us the comfort which our weary souls require (1 Thess. 4:18).

Often times what we need more than anything else is just someone to be our friend (1 John 1:7). Our fellow believers can help us overcome mistakes we have made (James 5:16). Meanwhile, our fellow believers can offer the acceptance and love we need (John 13:34).

Our fellow believers can tell us the truth so that we are not deceived by Satan (Eph. 4:25), the father of all lies (John 8:44). By knowing the truth we are able to be set free from the schemes of the evil one (John 8:32). Our fellow believers can offer us the wisdom which we need to make difficult decisions (Rom. 15:14). And they can help us to attain our God given purpose in life (Heb. 10:24).

We are not meant to live life all by ourselves. And thankfully, God has called all people to be a part of the “Band of Brothers” known as the church. Yes, none of us within the church are perfect. Yet within the church we are able to help one another and most importantly they can help us to begin a personal relationship with the One who is perfect, Jesus Christ. 

Therefore, I want to encourage you to come not only be a part of the church, but also, to join the True Band of Brothers, the individuals who are committed to partaking of blessings of being a sold-out believer in Jesus Christ. 

In His service,

            Matt 

Elder’s Corner: I Quit!

Back in March and April I started to see I was getting out of shape because I wasn't getting to go to the gym and play basketball anymore.  I decided I needed to start an exercise regimen.  I reluctantly climbed on the treadmill and began running.  I ran a mile and thought this will never end.  I began to increase the distance after a couple of weeks. 

Soon I was up to a couple of miles.  Then three miles and my time to complete the distance was taking less and less.  I was following up the treadmill with calisthenics.   I felt better and had more energy.  I was able to sleep better and was getting stronger.  I knew it was good for me even though I dreaded taking the time to complete the exercises. 

Then one day I skipped doing them. (I had too many important things to do!) I thought I'll continue tomorrow.  The next day I had another important project to complete.  The truth is I was looking for an excuse not to have to take time to exercise even though I knew it was good for me.  It reminded me of church. 

In my last fifty or so years at ECC these are some excuses I've heard for not attending:

·          My family is home. (Why not bring them?)

·          I've got to fix dinner.

·          I don't like the preacher.

·          I've got to go somewhere Sunday afternoon.

·          I didn't agree with the sermon.

·          The church is full of hypocrites. (What’s one more? :)

·          My car broke down.

·          The sermon lasted ten minute too long.

Well it reminded me of my lame excuses for not exercising.  When we make excuses to not attend church (even though we know it is good for us), we were probably looking for a reason to not attend anyway.  And just like my quitting my exercise regimen, it will leave you weak!  “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of His coming back again is drawing near.” (Heb. 10:25 NLT)    

--Alan

God Revealed #8: United We Stand

This month we celebrate the birth of our nation. Before its birthday on July 4, 1776, the pilgrims and the founding fathers of our nation incubated their plans until they became a reality. It was a united yet diversified plan; each person had a part to fulfill. This is very similar to 3 members of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son—Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit.

In creation, all 3 members of the Trinity had a united yet separate part to fulfill. God the Father is sovereign (Rom. 11:36). He developed and was primarily responsible for initiating the plan of creation. Meanwhile, the Son physically carried it out the Father’s plan (Col. 1:16).  “Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:3; see also 1 Cor. 8:6; Heb. 1:2). And the Holy Spirit helps to sustain it (Gen. 1:2). “You send Your Spirit, and new life is born to replenish all the living of the earth” (Psa. 104:30 TLB). The Holy Spirit “is generally pictured as completing, filling, and giving life to God’s creation” (Grudem, Systematic Theology, p. 266).

For hundreds of years people were united with the thoughts of a free nation which they could call home. Therefore, when the opportunity was given to many living under the oppression of England to leave for the possibility of freedom, they seized it. Freedom did not come easy for them either. When they arrived here, they faced harsh living conditions, added to this were some unfriendly present inhabitants, and a war with England to break their oppression. Freedom was very costly, but well worth it.

This is very similar to a united yet diverse role which each of the three Persons of the Trinity agreed to play in the plan of salvation. J.C. Ryle said, "It was the whole Trinity, which at the beginning of creation said, 'Let Us make man' (Gen. 1:26). It was the whole Trinity again, which at the beginning of the Gospel seemed to say, 'Let Us save man' (Matt. 3:16-17)."

The Father devised the plan (Eph. 1:3-6). This plan was more than just extending mercy. It involved graciously allowing all who would receive His Son to become children of God and have spiritual blessings lavished upon them. Second, the Son made salvation possible by physically paying the price which our sins deserve on the cross (Eph. 1:7-12). Thus, forgiveness is possible by simply receiving what Jesus did for us as Scripture teaches (see http://eugenechristianchurch.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-understand-bible-101-lesson-4b.html). Thus, we can be blessed as a result of Jesus’ performance. And third, the Holy Spirit perfects our salvation (Eph. 1:13-14). He does this by dwelling within us as Christians ensuring our salvation. Thus, we can be blessed by the Spirit’s presence.

When the 56 signers together wrote the Declaration of Independence, they wrote a document that was united with one accord for the liberties of all people. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The Bible records the declaration of independence from the chains of sin and death to life everlasting, written by a united yet diverse group of the 3 Persons of the Trinity. The Father inspired its writing (2 Tim. 3:16). Meanwhile, Jesus is called “The Word of God” (Rev. 19:13). It was Jesus’ role to communicate the character of God to mankind (John 1:18); “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). And the Holy Spirit enabled the earthly authors to record it accurately (John 14:26).

Once freedom was assured for our founding fathers and the pilgrims who settled here, it was time to take care of matters on the home front. Now people could focus their attention on their family. Many of the settlers had large unified families, yet each person of the family had a role to play.

This is very similar to the family which the Trinity established, the family of God. “See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are” (1 John 3:1a NLT). Children of God are those received what Jesus has done from them thus they love God, and they love others (Mark 12:30-31; John 13:35).

As a part of the family of God, each person has an equal yet unique role to play. God “gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and became mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:11-13).

Therefore, every believer has a very special yet unique role to play. Maybe you are one whom God has called to fulfill one of the 5 offices listed above. Or maybe you are one whom God has gifted for an administration role, or compassion ministries, or acts of service. Every person has a God-given ability to be used as a part of the united yet diverse family of God

Therefore, it is my prayer that we learn the lessons of the Trinity. May we recognize the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for who they are, the One True God. And may we recognize the value of being united yet diverse, for united we stand.

Because of God’s love,

     Matt