Jeff Jackson Live

No matter where your marriage is or was we have all been challenged in our marriage.  Some of you reading this today are ready to call it quits in your marriage.  On November 14th at Journey Church, we are starting a new series called “Can I Have a New Marriage.”  This series will take a look at what the Bible has to say about marriage.  We will find that most marriages that are struggling have a JESUS problem and not a MARRIAGE problem.  Join us on November 4th that will change your life and give you the best marriage on the face of this planet.

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I will have been married for 7 years this January so for some people I may not have enough “real life” experience to blog about marriage.  They are probably right…if I were just giving you my opinion.  The Bible gives us some core essentials that every marriage should have.  Here is part 1:

1. Unconditional Love – Ephesians 5:25 tells husbands to love their wife as Christ loves the church.  I know lots of men who will take a bullet for their wife but complain about spending time together watching a chick flick…does this make since?  Jesus Christ DIED for the Church.  He gave ALL so that we may have LIFE.  He DIED knowing people would REJECT Him.  He PROVIDED when we didn’t even know we had a NEED.  Are you seeing the sacrificial side of Jesus and how unconditional love should be in our marriages?  Unconditional loves says, “I will love you not matter what you do!”  Men, it starts with you and your wife will follow.
2. Respect – I have seen lots of husbands and wives that don’t even respect each other.  You can tell by the way they talk to one another and treat each other in public.  Philippians 2:3 says it all…view others more significant than yourself.  If we could do this then we would respect our spouses and we would see affinity in our marriages.  I believe that if we understood what respect is and how we use respect in marriage we would dramatically change the amount of divorce in America.

Work on these cornerstones in your marriage and we will discuss part 2 soon.

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God is making some amazing moves in our church.  He is going to use us for His greatness and glory.  However, as we continue to grow we will experience growing pains.  Here are 3 thoughts that will kill our growth:

1. “My old church never did that!” – If you are saying this because there is something that you don’t like then this is a thought that can kill growth.  Think about it this way, 3500-4000 are closing their doors permanently this year so if we did everything like we use to then we will close our doors!  Our methods might be different but our theology will not change.
2. “There are too many people here, I just don’t know anyone anymore!” – There will be a day when you don’t know everyone at church…(you might already be that person) we should be excited about this.  We should also still go out of our way to make people feel welcome and attempt to get to know them.  This is why small groups are so important at journey.  Small groups is the glue that holds it all together and a great place to experience biblical community.
3. “The worship is too loud and I don’t know the songs!” – Did you know that the music we play on Sundays is not for YOU?  I know, probably not what you wanted to hear.  If we think that the music is for us and to make us feel all good and gooey inside then we are destined to kill growth.  Our worship is for God and God alone and we should be praying that God ACTUALLY hears our worship.

Church,  God is at work and we need to make sure we don’t allow our human nature to mess it all up.  I am excited for what is to come because I do believe we still have the best to experience.  Lets just make sure we stay on track and in tune with God.

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1.  Heart – Church planting is shaping up to be the most difficult thing I have ever done.  There are things in life that aren’t for the average person and church planting is one of them.  A church planter has to be able to lead when others can’t see the path, paint a picture that has never been painted, inspire believers to do the ministry and not just be satisfied as spectators.  Heart as been the only thing that has brought be through when I felt like quitting.  Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:24

2.  Incredible Wife – Church Planter…if you don’t have a wife that is on board with your vision…DON’T PLANT!!!  I can’t stress this enough…your wife will make or break your ministry.  Thank God, I have a wife that will put up with my crazy ideas and emotional roller coaster.  I love you, babe!

3.  Sacrificial lead team – Your lead team, elders, etc are a vital part to the success of your plant.  Be slow to recruit and don’t be afraid to expect COMPLETE buy in from your team.  Your team members, if recruited right, want the reins and opportunity to lead.  Hold loosely what God has given you.  I have been blessed with a team you loves God and our people.  I never ask for a favor because we are equals in the equations.  FYI if you’re a micro-manger, your not a church planter.

4.  Melatonin – This isn’t a joke.  I have not been sleeping through the night for a few years now and it started to directly affect my family and ministry.  My mom introduced me to this dietary supplement and I feel like a new person.  If you don’t have problems sleeping through the night you still need rest.  Rest is essential for battle – Psalm 3:5, 6

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This is a mandate to all Journey Church members…let’s do something big for God’s Kingdom this week.  What can we do?  This is only Tuesday and we have the rest of the week to do something big for God’s Kingdom.  I am thinking of something radical, something different, something that will point people to Jesus.  I have been recently reading the book Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick and the book’s premise is challenging the readers to make audacious moves for the Kingdom.  He uses the story in the Bible about Joshua and how God made the sun stand still because Joshua prayed and believed that God would deliver.  I want the Faith that prayed that prayer.  The Faith the heals the blind, restores marriages and raised Jesus from the dead.

The same God of the Bible and the God that made the sun stand still is the same God that will do anything we ask him to do if its according to His will.  So what do you want God to do?  Lets take our place in the middle of God’s movement.  Will you join me?

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Now…before you start all the comments and emails let me just set the record straight.  I LOVE JESUS! But I Hate religion.  Let me explain.  I hear people all the time say, “I am religious” or “I go to church.” But that’s not enough.  Read what Jesus said to some “religious people.”

On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’  – Matthew 7:22-23

There will be lots of “religious” people in Hell.  Sounds politically incorrect, right?  IT IS! The fact is religion won’t get you to Heaven, only a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ.  What religious acts do you see in today’s church?  If you would like to know more about Jesus, you have to read this.

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Tomorrow, Pete (our family pastor) , Cole (our get it done in every ministry guy) and myself leave for the Newspring Leadership Conference.  Where we will hear from some great leaders encouraging and equipping us in our leadership roles.  I hope to learn lots of great things.  Since I have lots of down time while I travel, specifically in the car, I always try to do lots of downtime and spend quality time with the Lord.  Here is what I would like to accomplish this week while on the road:

• Plan out our next sermon series after Mark
• Brainstorm some outreach we can do in the spring
• Finalize something big we are doing this Fall (I am busting at the seams to tell you…soon!) FYI lots of people will give their life to the Lord through this outlet.
• Work on our Vision Tour for the Spring (we are bringing pastors to our area to let them know about Journey and other church planting opportunities)

Please pray for our team as we head out tomorrow.  Pray that God will teach us  techniques to apply at Journey.  Pray that God will reveal the next big thing for us!

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Today, we celebrated our Grand Opening at Journey Church and I am just blown away.  God was so good to us and I am so proud of our church.  I don’t think I saw one visitor not greeted and welcomed to our Church.  Worship was awesome…Jesus was preached…what else could you ask for?  Today at least 5 people that we know of surrendered their life to the Lord!!! God is good.  I am so honored to be your pastor and once again couldn’t imagine ministering with any other people.  I love my Jesus and I love my church!

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Darrin Patrick from the Acts 29 networks gives us some great inspiration. If you are a church planter or want to plant this video is a must watch. If you are interested in planting we have tons of opportunities in the State of Indiana. Hit me up if you want more information. Also here are some great questions to ask if you are praying about planting a church.

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Apart from the obvious, my relationship with Jesus, incredible wife and daughter (and the one on the way), I wanted to tell you why I am so excited that our Grand Opening is just days away.  Here they are in no particular order:

• We moved back to this area just for this day.
• I have been waiting for this day for three years.
• I personally believe God is going to move in such a huge way on September 12 that the only explanation is Him and that is AWESOME!
• I get floored every time I see people from journey sharing Jesus with people and ministering to their needs and on September 12th that will happen.
• September 12th we go public and our community will see Jesus through our church…WOW!
• Jesus promises that if we elevate Him, He will draw all men to himself!!
• September 12th will be the clearest Gospel presentation I have ever preached and people are going to place their faith in Him that day.
• I couldn’t imagine fighting this battle with different people…journey you ROCK!!
• God is awesome, has the power to save and willing to do so!!!!
• September 12th will not only be significant for journey church but also will mark spiritual transformation for those who place their faith in Him

I could go on and on but you get the picture.  Now let me know what floats your boat?  Why are you excited about our Grand Opening?

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