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RE:VIEW - Pastor’s Journal

Published
by
Mark
on September 26, 2008
in Gospel Life
. 0 Comments

Today I begin what I hope will be a weekly pastor’s blog - much like a personal journal entry.  I plan to review each week that past and honestly share what I am going through.  This will serve a few purposes; 1. Give you an inside look into a pastor’s life and get to see that we are actually real people and not some super-heroes; 2. That through my ups and downs, victories and defeats, mistakes and progress you can relate and be encouraged to see Jesus in all aspects of your life, and 3. This is more personal - a medium that will allow me to off-load and give me a way to review my life and see what areas I need to change, better manage, confess, repent and grow from.  Having said that, what you might read in these weekly RE:VIEW entries might challenge your own pre-conceived ideas of what pastors go through and serve to give you a deeper look into who Jesus is making me to be.  I encourage you to also start your own “journal” or weekly review and see how healthy it can actually be.  Ok, so let’s start…

Entry 1 - FULLY SICK MATE!

Yep, this week has been fully sick.  Now, if you’re a young, hip Aussie you will read that and think, Cool, sounds like you’ve had an awesome week…a fully sick week! But for the rest of us who still understand “sick” to mean un-well, feeling under the weather and battling ill-health, would then give you a better understanding of my week.

For the past month it seems like I’ve just overcome one illness and then I soon catch the next and my body is feeling the effects.  Tonight I write this entry feeling like I’ve been hit by a bus, then flung in the air to then be smashed by a jet and then driven over by a Hummer…so you could say I feel like ……..?  Isn’t it funny that when we feel sick - fully sick and not the half-hearted sick - that we think that the world is going to end and everything is falling apart.  Or is that just a man thing?  I know you women can soldier on and go about your business unhindered, but us men, well, ok…we are sooks and need some lovin’.  But enough of me feeling sorry for myself.

Something that really devastated me this week which unfortunately has reoccurred on a couple of occasions over the past few weeks is the news that famous “Christian” singer Ray Boltz has come out and announced that he is gay.  Combine this with the news of Mike Guglielmucci’s cancer deception and Todd Bentley’s hypocritical charade and I am sickened by the way satan is licking his lips in sweet victory.  Public ministries that demand living that is above reproach have been revealed as fakes and no doubt will cause many unstable Christians to stumble and even lose heart.  Ray Boltz went into detail about how he has hidden his homosexual life and his divorce from wife Carol, after decades of marriage, now releases him to be real.  You can read more about this in this Christianity Today’s blog.

So what is happening?  Throughout the Bible God refines, purifies and cleanses the sins of man and reveals them for what they truly are.  I can see the refining of God occurring in our churches around the world.  The hidden things being revealed, repentance demanded and we are all forced to see that God is holy and all sin cannot go undercover for too long.  Of course some at this point would say, “How can you judge them?  They are simply real men, weak like the rest of us.  You don’t have a right to judge them!”  While ultimate judgement and justice belongs to Jesus, the people of God are still called to make moral judgements on others to expose sin and call the affected to repentance and restoration.  In the New Testament the Apostle Paul advices the churches he oversees to act this way so that the purity of God’s people will remain and all will see that sin is not to be tolerated.

Yes, I agree that men like Mike, Todd and Ray are weak, flawed and sin-stained men who desperately need the touch of their forgiving and grace-filled Saviour Jesus, but unless they go to Him with a sorrowful heart and are sickened by their sin, they will continue to live deceived and trapped.  Jesus desires that all the captives are set free, that sin loses it’s hold on His people and that we live in the power and might of His grace, but it must be taken personally and applied personally or else it simply becomes powerless in the sinner’s life.  What they did is wrong, sinful and deceptive and the only way they can be free is if they come to Jesus, agree with Him and seek His forgiveness.  This process of love is for them, for me and for you too.

But I can’t hide the fact that I am hurting because such public figures have brought so much shame and ridicule to the Christian community, giving the world more ammunition to use against God’s people.  It will of course not stop the progress of God’s mission and purposes, but it definitely doesn’t help.

I am by no means perfected and I still struggle with the temptations and sting of sin.  Even after years of following Jesus the pressure does not ease and even at times seems to increase.  The only difference is that I have learnt that the saints are just the sinners who fall down and then get up.  Sin cannot hold the Christian down, it cannot keep us bound, it cannot control us anymore.  Jesus broke that curse and we are now called by Him to claim that victory and rise above it.  It does not guarantee a sinless life, but it does give hope and assurance in that fact that Jesus keeps us close and pure and restoration is just a prayer away.

Jesus walks with me, holding me up when I am weak and “fully sick”.  He comforts me when I feel alone and overwhelmed by life.  He forgives me when sin has tripped me.  He restores me when my heart is aligned to His.  He assures me when I doubt I can go on.  He accepts me even when I am not doing ministry.  He has mercy on me when I have messed up.  His grace saturates me when I feel so unworthy.  But the greatest part in all of this is that He knows me, loves me and lives with me so that I live to see another day.

My call to you, the reader, is this…please do not settle for sin and its effects.  Don’t adapt to it as being normal and something for you to manage.  Hate it.  Despise it.  Reject it.  Why?  Because it separates, destroys and divides and life is too short to live under its curse.  Jesus is ENOUGH!

My prayer:  “Jesus my Lord, my Saviour, my God and my King, I adore you and live for you.  Thank you so much for setting me free from sins and its effects and giving me victory even before I step out into the battle.  Thank you for the grace and mercy that you give in abundance and for not counting my sins against me.  I need you right now to close this day embraced and secure in your arms.  Bring healing to my weary body and release from the weakness I feel.  Give me good rest tonight and renewed energy tomorrow.  I pray for the reader to feel the power of your presence and to revolutionize their world as you have mine.  In your name I pray, Amen.”

ESV Study Bible - COMING SOON!

Published
by
Mark
on September 24, 2008
in Gospel Life and Teaching
. 0 Comments

Like a kid leading up to Christmas I can’t wait until I get my hands on the new ESV Study Bible.  Schedule for release in early October, this is a highly anticipated Bible and one that will set a new standard for all Study Bibles.  

The ESV (English Standard Version) translation has really captured my heart since I switched to it at the end of last year.  Having heard some great reviews, my mind was made up when I got my first copy and began to appreciate the literary faithfulness to the original text and the commitment to provide an accurate “word-for-word” translation and yet not lose the beauty of the text.  The team of translators have given the Church a Bible version that will last generations and open up a whole new group of people to the faithfulness and richness of God’s Word.

But now the ESV bulks-up and is about to give lovers of God’s Word deeper insight, greater understanding and a new passion to dig out the divine truths found in this endless source of inspiration.  The ESV Study Bible combines the amazing knowledge and insight by some of today’s most respected scholars and theologians, revolutionary illustrations, charts and maps and a collection of articles/teachings that will add to the wisdom of it’s reader.  After countless hours of researching, editing, writing, collecting and collaborating we are about to enjoy a Study Bible that will satisfy the hunger of the novice and skilled theologion alike.

Take a few minutes to watch this greater introductory video of the features of this Bible.

I look forward to seeing how this valuable resource will help God’s people delve deeper into His Word and get a new appreciation of the life-changing truths in it.  While there are many good translations available to us today like the NIV, NKJV, NLT etc. I encourage you to try the ESV and allow the faithfulness to the text and heart behind it capture you too.

For more info or to even order your copy be sure to visit the ESV Study Bible website.

God Bless you in your pursuit for more of Jesus.

RE:GENERATION

Published
by
Mark
on September 15, 2008
in Teaching
. 0 Comments

I can’t shake the fact that Jesus is reforming His church.  There seems to be a regeneration occurring as He is positioning His church for greater impact.  It is a momentum that is not generated from man’s strategies or formulated techniques but rather shows the sovereign plan of God that will be achieved whether or not we join Him in it.  I love that!  I love it because it takes the focus off ourselves and brings us into a state of awe as we witness His mighty acts and get invited to join Him.  Can you appreciate how special this relationship is?  That Almighty God, Creator, King and Lord of all loves us so much that not only did He send Jesus to redeem and set us free but He calls us to a way of life full of surprises, joy, freedom, hope, peace, satisfaction, and the list goes on…

Regeneration is a word that describes a type of rebirth, a revival and renewal.  It defines the mission of God in so many ways as His love, grace and mercy is poured out to mankind.  Titus 3:5 (ESV) speaks of this when it says, “…Jesus saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit…”  What an amazing gift.  Nothing we’ve done can make this regeneration happen but the Holy Spirit’s work alone.  Again, it takes the focus off ourselves and attributes the regenerated heart soley to the magnificent work of God.  

One big distinction between Reformed Theology and the Arminian stream is where the emphasis goes to the moment of regeneration.  Reformed Theology emphasizes God rather than being man centred.  God chose us rather than we chose God.  The choice is His, not ours.  He alone can revive a spiritually dead person.  Ephesians 2:1-9 (ESV) teaches us this, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience - among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved…And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  We were DEAD in our sins and unless God decided to breathe new life into us we would still be dead.  Therefore the regeneration of the Holy Spirit is not conditional on us, not dependant upon our works or our own awareness of our need for a Saviour.

We owe it all to the grace of God through His Son Jesus Christ.  God took the necessary steps to save sinners like you and me and I am so, so, so grateful that He did.  Living out of the regenerated heart opens one up to God’s destiny for your life.  As the church gathers and respects this divine act of regeneration we are always brought to a thankful heart of worship.  When God’s people live out of this regenerated heart the church then lives up to it’s intended design and retrieves its core DNA, an identity that is born out of the heart and will of God.

I am thrilled to see more and more evidences of this great work of God.  People drawn to Him beyond any methods we apply or smart strategies we employ, but prove to us that our Senior Pastor Jesus Christ is doing exactly what He said He would do…BUILD HIS CHURCH!  (Matt. 16:18).

Identity in Jesus - Baptism Day

Published
by
Mark
on September 3, 2008
in Gospel Life
. 1 Comment

This past Sunday at CityWest Church I had the honour of baptising three amazing women.  It never ceases to capture me how Jesus works in a person’s life as each one of them had their own unique story to tell.  I looked at them and I could not help but praise Jesus for breathing new life into them and adopting them into God’s Family.

It was a day that started early and ended late but the tiredness and exhaustion I felt as I hit my pillow at about 11pm cannot be compared to anything else in this world.  The atmosphere was thick with excitement and anticipation that God was doing something beautiful.  For me it was a highly memorable moment as it felt like the visible evidence of us coming through a difficult and trying season.  As a church it reminded us once again as to why we are here and brought focus onto our all-important mission.  The mission/cause of Jesus Christ fuels us like nothing else and seeing Linda, Leah and Ruth get baptised highlighted the fruitfulness God longs to see in His churches around the world.  Sure we have not got it right many times and often it seemed like we were riding an out of control car without the capacity to steer, but through it all Jesus has remained faithful.

As I preached about Jesus and had a brag-fest about how magnificent He is, my heart was stirred about the identity we all must deal with.  For some their identity is found in what they do.  For example, “I am a factory worker”, or “I am a property investor”.  For others their identity is shaped by circumstances.  For example, “I am a divorcee”, or “I am disabled”, or “I am unemployed”.  These words might seem insignificant but when spoken from the heart reveal an identity that is challenging to reform.  But here’s the good news…with Jesus our identity is corrected and brought into alignment to reflect who HE is rather than who we think we are.  This is the idea I conveyed to the three women who were baptised and to the church as a whole.  We now have our identity founded and secured IN Jesus so that when God the Father looks at us He sees His Son.  WOW!!  What grace!

Another beautiful moment was having the children of the church (and there are heaps!) to also witness the evidence of new birth in Jesus.  At one point I was about to baptise Ruth when her little boy Jackson yelled out, “My mummy doesn’t like water”.  Well this of course sent the crowd into a laughing fit and it reflected the joy of the day.  Just on a side note, Ruth’s daughter Dayna went to school the next day and announced to her class, “Yesterday my mum had a bath on the stage at church with all her clothes on.”  Um, how do you explain that one?  I guess they have some explaining to do.

What an awesome day!  Celebrations like this just serve to remind me about my heart to see people’s identity crisis’ be transformed under the love, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.  I get such overwhelming joy when I see someone once lost be found by Jesus that it ruins me.  I get wrecked, ruined and messed-up when I see a person fall at the feet of Jesus and rise up a brand new creation (2 Cor. 5:17).  It ruins me because every other thrill seems to fade into nothing and the work of Jesus consumes me.  May we all live for that cause and be obedient as The Sent Ones.  Reach them for Jesus!

Mark Driscoll Burns Your Plastic Jesus in Sydney

Published
by
Mark
on August 29, 2008
in Gospel Life
. 0 Comments

My good buddy Simon (a.k.a. Lay Guy) and I just spent 9 hours in the car, each way, to spend an amazing evening at the Sydney Entertainment Centre with Pastor Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill Church in Seattle, USA.  I have been blessed by his ministry over the past 2 years in a way that has literally changed the way I see Jesus, His Church and my calling to serve Jesus in ministry as pastor of CityWest Church.

It was very encouraging to see massive crowds of young and old people unite together as the stadium was filled to a capacity of 10,000 people.  The whole night was centred around the theme “Burn Your Plastic Jesus” as Driscoll in his unique way preached a message that broke down the stereo-typical mindsets of who Jesus is.  We heard him correct the false pictures of the Religious Jesus, the Bling-Bling Jesus, the Moral Jesus, the Aussie Jesus, the Country Jesus, and a few more.

What really impressed me was the way he read the Australian culture and applied these findings into his sermon to give us a very relevant message.  The statistics, the perspectives, our way of life was confronted and we were all challenged to see Jesus in His true light and live sold out to Him and His mission.  What also moved me was Driscoll’s commitment to reach the young men for Jesus.  He spent some focussed time calling them to a higher way of life and to even consider their part in church planting for the spread of the gospel.  Love that stuff!

After the event was done we exited our section and saw Driscoll right in front of us in the foyer meeting and praying with people.  We were able to thank him personally for all that he has done for us and had a photo taken with him (see above).  What was amazing is how after preaching for over 1 hour he still gave of himself to speak to hundreds of people and pray for those that needed it.

After staying for awhile he was still there meeting with people and who knows how long this went for?  It has been a long, long time since I have been empowered like this and having been to many conferences this one stands out as one of the best.  My faith was strengthened, my call was confirmed, my devotion was challenged and my focus renewed.  While I never want to attribute celebrity status to a man or elevate him as an idol, I do greatly appreciate all that Jesus is doing through Mark Driscoll and I look forward to many more teachings that empower the Church of Jesus to rise up and serve God on mission.

Mark was also saying that in 18-24 months he intends to return with the intention of conducting an Acts 29 boot camp to train and equip church planters in Australia and hopefully we can connect with him then.  It is encouraging to see the church in Australia move towards a more missional mindset and go back to a more Reformed view on theology.   To see so many young people attach themselves to this gives me great joy and hope for what is ahead.

So, we move foward with the gospel of Jesus to tell the world about the real Jesus and not the plastic version that is so unattractive and comical to this world.  I encourage you to review the way you see Jesus and make sure your perspective lines up with the way the Bible describes Him.  For a great picture be sure to read Revelation 19 and have your views revived to see the power of King Jesus!

Mike Guglielmucci Uncovered

Published
by
Mark
on August 22, 2008
in Christian News
. 4 Comments

The news that Michael Guglielmucci’s so-called battle with terminal cancer was a fraud has hit the Christian community really hard.  When I read about it my heart sank, my mind struggled to come to terms with it and my alarm of what this would do brought me great grief.  Here is a news report about the situation from nine msn’s website.

No doubt many will be hurt and disturbed by this and I can’t even begin to imagine what his family and churches connected to him must be going through.  Below are some statements given to explain this tragedy.

This is a general letter sent to all Hillsong Church members as Michael featured as a guest artist on their latest CD recording:

“Dear Church,

In the past 24 hours it has been brought to our attention that Michael Guglielmucci’s illness is not what we have been led to believe.

Michael has confirmed that he is not suffering with a terminal illness and is seeking professional help in Adelaide with the support of his family.

This news has come as a great shock to everyone including, it seems, his own wife and family.

We are asking our church to pray for the Guglielmucci family during this difficult time.

God bless,

George Aghajanian

General Manager”

God help them to pick up the pieces.

This was all uncovered at a recent meeting of the Representatives of the National Executive of the ACC (Australian Christian Churches) as they met with Michael Guglielmucci. At this meeting Michael read a statement indicating that his claim to have cancer was untrue. His credentials with the ACC was immediately suspended.

In their official statement it reads, “The National Executive is taking this matter very seriously and is awaiting the results of medical tests before determining the full extent of the discipline that will be imposed upon him.

We are very concerned for the many people who have been or will be, hurt by Michael’s actions and we encourage all of our churches to pray for all those affected.”

Very devastating to all involved and yet another example of human frailty and how close moral failure is. So how do we respond to this?  Coming across a great blog by Pastor Mark Conner of CityLife Church here in Victoria, I was inspired to post it here for you to consider…

“Like myself, most people who talk to me are in disbelief and bewilderment. Lots of questions are flying around … “How did this happen? What are we supposed to think and feel about this? Where do we go from here?”

Mark Conner continues…”There are a variety of responses to any situation such as this, all of them appropriate:

ANGER. It is totally normal to feel very angry about this. People have been lied to, betrayed, deceived, and they feel ripped off. Leadership is a gift from God, as is influence, and when anyone uses that platform for personal gain it is an abuse. When you have prayed for someone, supported someone, and even given financially to help them in their time of need, it’s natural to feel very upset when you find out that they have been a fraud. Yes, we are to look to God rather than leaders but church leaders are representatives of God and when they fail to do so in an honourable way, even God himself is angry. Lying is a serious sin (read Acts 5 if you don’t believe me).

COMPASSION. You can’t help but feel some pity for Mike and his situation. You feel sympathy for what must be going on in his inner world and the unmet needs that have driven him to this life of deception. He has shattered his personal reputation, endangered his future, and embarrassed not only himself, but his family and friends. The guilt and shame must be incredible.

FEAR OF GOD. Moments such as this remind us all that personal integrity is one of the most important qualities to develop. Integrity means that there is an integration between what people see on the outside (when everyone is looking) and who you really are on the inside (when no one is looking). When we fail to live in integrity, God usually gives us some space or time to repent (see Revelation 2:20-22). If we abuse God’s grace during this time, there will be an inevitable exposure of our duplicity (see Proverbs 28:13). What we build with our charisma (the gifts and talents God has given us) we can destroy in an instant through lack of character. The sobering thing is that we are all vulnerable to deception and have the potential for great evil inside of us. How desperately we need to live in the fear of the Lord, which is the awareness that he is always with us, and which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). We reap what we sow - not immediately but eventually.

DISAPPOINTMENT. We live in a generation that longs for heroes and that needs models - people who walk the talk and who live lives worth following. Mike was a role model - a voice to this generation, an incredible talent. What potential and what a platform of influence he had. His fall is a loss for everyone. Yes, we all have feet of clay but, even so, it’s very disappointing.

PRAYER. I hope your heart cries out like mine does. We need to turn afresh to God and pray … for ourselves (that we will walk in the light, living in authenticity and truth), for Mike (that he will experience genuine repentance, deep heart change, and restoration), for his family (for healing grace and consolation), for church leaders world wide (they we will avoid the pursuit of superstar status, an intoxicating state, that we will walk in truth, and that we will build the appropriate accountability processes around us that we all need), and the watching world (that they will see God in our humble repentance and broken hearts).

Maybe you identify with one or more of these responses. As I said, all of them are appropriate. I pray that you will be able to process your thoughts and feelings with some safe friends. It’s not time for gossip but it is a good time to debrief this situation so that we all can learn from it.

How will this incident affect the Christian church? Only time will tell. Thankfully, we have the testimony of the church in the first century who battled through challenges such as false doctrine, fraudulent leaders, and intense persecution. With God’s grace and wisdom, we can do the same.”

Great wisdom in those words.  God bless and keep you and please keep your eyes focussed on Jesus because He never fails!

Sing A New Song

Published
by
Mark
on August 18, 2008
in Gospel Life
. 2 Comments

Ministry can be brutal!  I have had some moments in the life of my ministry that I thought if I took one more step I would literally crumble and cease to function.  But for some reason my story is not an isolated case.  Hearing from many pastors, well those who are honest enough to share about it, I have realised that ministry can kill and as Mark Driscoll once taught, we can suffer DEATH BY MINISTRY!

I remember a recent season of ministry where everything I did seemed to bring me more trouble.  It seemed that once one issue was dealt with there was another test lining up ready to pounce.  Each trial came with greater intensity as they all seemed to build upon each other.  It got so overwhelming that I was dazed and confused and wondering what on earth was going on!  But even in the midst of this dark season the fire of devotion to Jesus and commitment to His mission could not be snuffed out.  Without Jesus I would have collapsed and burned out.

As I began seeking God for answers I had to endure those painful moments of heaven’s silence.  You might know what I’m talking about.  You’re crying out to God and almost pleading for breakthrough, but the silence you get from heaven is deafening.  But I persisted and kept on going to Jesus knowing that He would give me freedom when He decided the timing was right.

But then one Monday night back in May (2008) God gave me a dream.  Now please understand, God has never spoken to me in a dream before and rarely do I even remember dreams because I am so dead tired that a crying baby and a cuddly wife has got no hope of rousing this dead lump, but this time was different.  In this dream I was being led through a large church campus and it was so beautiful.  I soon found myself in a large auditorium filled with thousands of people worshipping Jesus.  My attention focused on the large screens beside the platform and all I could see was a Bible verse in big white letters…PSALM 40:3.  This verse was shown to me on three occasions during this dream.

As soon as I awoke I went to my home office and opened up to Psalm 40.  Here is what it says from verses 1 to 5…

Psalm 40:1-5 (ESV)

1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!
5 You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.

God expanded on this and it felt as if He was saying to me, Mark, no more singing a song of misery, confusion and doubt, it is time to start singing a new song…a song that I will give to you…a song that will cause many to put their trust in Me. So I did and I still am.

Something changed that day and Jesus has led me out of that long, dark valley and now I am dancing and singing a song of joy as I see Jesus working.  Since then a lot has happened and breakthrough has occured in many areas and it is just the beginning.

One major lesson in this that I will carry with me for all of my days - Sometimes I have to wait patiently for God, but when the time is right He will always breakthrough in a way that defies imagination.  God is so good and I am extremely thankful for what He has done and the wonderful deeds He is yet to do.  I am more hopeful now as I’ve ever been.  More secure in my calling as I’ve ever been.  More focused and clear on the mission as I’ve ever been.  What lies ahead is bigger and better than I could ever dream of.

So if you’re reading this and you too are in that dark, gloomy season, then wait because your salvation is approaching and Jesus will reveal His glory and power.  He never fails, never forgets, never abandons, never late, never early, never wrong and never distant.  Use this time to draw nearer to Him and wait expectantly for your miracle.