Your Thorn in the Flesh

After speaking of some incredible privileges granted to him by God, the Apostle Paul speaks of his thorn in the flesh. 2 Corinthians 12:7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. The thorn Paul was speaking of was something beyond his control. He is not speaking of some sinful proclivity or besetting sin. Of course, one could presume that the thorn tormenting him could have very easily provided a pathway to sin. Today, as we deal with people in difficult places, we may need to expand the discussion beyond the emotional, spiritual, and ethical dimensions. A thorn in the flesh may be a genetic predisposition toward sinful behavior. The Bible defines the sinful behavior. The predisposition toward a particularly destructive behavior may be in the genes rather than the psyche. So what are we to do? I say we reach out in love rather than judgment. You ask, "What is the loving thing to do?" Extend a cup of cold water in Jesus name. Be willing to walk with people as you model and share God's gracious standard as found in Jesus Christ. Don't jump to conclusions, give people the benefit of the doubt.

From Titus to Joshua

The Question has been asked, "Why did we go from the book of Titus to the book of Joshua in our Sunday morning worship hour?" As we embarked on this New Year, we walked through the book of Titus and received a clear word concerning "Being the Body in the 21st Century." The church at Crete was brand new. Paul left Titus on the island to assist with the good work of strengthening the new church. Titus covers the basics. As the members and friends of Martin Bluff contemplate moving from the structure in which we have worshipped for the past 44 years into a brand new facility it is an appropriate time for us to cover the basics. The physical building is not the church, yet our moving into a much larger and different facility will in many ways make us a new church.

What does a church that strives to be true to the New Testament look like in the 21st Century? For starters, the the well-being of the church in the 21st century is rooted in her leadership. Strong, Spirit-filled leadership in the church was critical two millennia ago and it is critical today. Jesus Christ is the Senior Pastor; he is the head of the church. Ephesians 4:15-16 (NLT) We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. With Jesus as the head of the church, the New Testament pattern was for the church to be elder ruled:

Jerusalem: Acts 15:22, "Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church to choose men and to send them to Antioch."

Ephesus: Acts 20:17, "And from Miletus [Paul] sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church."

All the churches James wrote to when he said, "To the twelve tribes of the dispersion": James 5:14, "Is any among you sick? Let him call the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord" (assuming that there are elders in every church).

All the churches in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia that Peter wrote to: 1 Peter 5:1, "So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed."

Finally, all the churches Paul founded on the first missionary journey (and presumably the other journeys as well): Acts 14:23, "And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed."

We should be elder ruled today just as the church was at her inception. Much tradition and teaching contrary to the biblical model has infiltrated the 21st Century Church. We at Martin Bluff have some work to accomplish in this area. Currently our Deacon Team serves in a dual capacity as both elders and deacons. This is not the New Testament pattern. The Deacons were appointed to serve in the practical matters of care and benevolence (Acts 6:1-6) and the elders were appointed to govern or rule, 1 Timothy 5:17 "Let the elders who rule well (or govern or oversee or manage well) be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching."

The message of Titus begins with instruction concerning church leadership and moves into the responsibility of individual members of the church. Every one is included in this teaching; the older men, the younger men, the older women and the younger women. Every believer is to live his or her life in a way that is honoring and pleasing to God and others.

After covering the practical matters of elder rule and individual responsibility, the letter to Titus turns to the central message of the New Testament church and the means by which that message is lived. The message: “The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all humankind.” The means: “The grace of God . . . teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age.” The church then and now is to be permeated with the teaching and the modeling of the marvelous grace of God! The grace of God saves and instructs us!

So through Titus we looked at the basics of being the church today. Through the book of Joshua we’re looking at the fact that the Israelites were God’s chosen people of promise then and we as Christ followers are God’s chosen people of promise today. Under Joshua’s leadership the people of Israel were taking possession of what God had long before promised to Abraham and His descendants. Today, through Christ we are to take possession of what God has promised. Back then, God’s people were taking possession of real estate. Today, we, the people of God are his ambassadors representing him and taking possession of those who are his. We do this as we obediently make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). We also take possession of His incredible promises us as His sons and daughters. Our inheritance in Christ is inexhaustible and never ending!

As we move in to a new worship facility, we must be faithful to His call to proclaim His message. The message with which we have been entrusted is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The message we have been given is foolishness to those who are perishing and the power of God to those who are being saved. We are to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to ends of the earth. We are to take possession of what he has promised in Martin Bluff, Gautier, Mississippi and the world!

Join us on the journey of taking possession of what we have been promised!

Who Can Sing in the Praise Choir?

At Martin Bluff, we continue to have the humbling privilege of seeing God work through us. Recently, as I was walking through our new worship center with a young man who recently came to Christ, I thought I heard him ask, "So, how many people do you think will be seated in here?" My reply was, "About 500." He said, "I asked how many people do you think will be saved in here?" Wow, what a great question!As we anticipate more room we'll have more ministry potential. I recently received an inquiry about the criteria for participating in the Praise Choir. Yes, we will have room on the rostrum for a Praise Choir, our Praise Team and a Praise Band in the new worship center. God is good! Amy Longmire is in the beginning stages of assembling a Praise Choir. The question posed by the inquirer: "Is membership a a requirement for participating in the Praise Choir?" As a guiding principle we desire a participant in the Praise Choir to be a member of Martin Bluff.

This year, 2007, we are rolling out CLASS 101, 201, and 301. What are these classes?
CLASS 101 is an introduction to membership at Martin Bluff. In 101 we cover four broad categories:
1) SALVATION - How does someone become a Christian? What is the significance of the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper and the Ordinance of Baptism?
2) STATEMENTS - What do we believe? What is the MBBC Statement of Faith?
3) STRATEGY - what is the purpose of MBBC? What is the mission of MBBC ("Turning seekers of God into servants of Jesus Christ.") ? What steps do the members of MBBC take to achieve her purpose and mission? and
4) STRUCTURE - What are our affiliations? Our relationship to the Jackson County Baptist Association, the Mississippi Baptist Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention? How is ministry accomplished? How is the church organized?

CLASS 201 outlines disciplines a Christian must engage in to mature in Christ. In the 201 seminar four essential disciplines are studied:
1) Bible Study,
2) Prayer,
3) Tithing, and
4) Fellowship.

CLASS 301 is a seminar through which a member of MBBC understands how he or she is SHAPED to serve God. Every believer has a unique ministry SHAPE. SHAPE is an acrostic for:
Spiritual Gifts
Heart
Abilities
Personality and
Experiences.

In order to lead in a ministry at MBBC a member should complete 301.What about those who were at MBBC before 101, 201, and 301? They are grandfathered in. So, must one be a member to participate? Yes and no. Is the desired standard membership? Yes. Will there be exceptions? Yes.

Thank you for your service to Christ and His church,
Eric