Tag : Jesus

New Thru 30 - Day 2

Posted by Jeff Jackson at 11:20 am

Matthew 13:1 - 23:39
It didn’t take long for God to drive home a point from the scriptures so let do the same and get right to it.  In the first part of Matthew 14 we ready about John the Baptist beginning beheaded due to a dancer none the less.  In 14:12 the disciples took John’s body and buried him and then went to tell Jesus.  This is the point God revealed something awesome about our Savior.  When Jesus heard about John’s death he withdrew to a private place most likely to mourn but when he landed on the shore He had compassion on the people and began to heal them (vs. 13-14).  Wow, I would have thought Jesus would not have engaged in ministry so soon.  Why?  John the Baptist was a pillar for the faith.  John had faith before Jesus came.  He prophesied about Jesus’ coming, faithfully.  HE BAPTIZED JESUS!  Jesus could have stopped the work of the ministry because he felt sad for himself but He didn’t…and neither should we.  Press on through trials, live the Christ, much to gain and nothing to lose.

Romans 5:3-5
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

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New Testament Challenge

Posted by Jeff Jackson at 12:06 pm

Steven Furtick, from Elevation Church, has set a challenge to read the New Testament in 30 Days.  This is a bold challenge and one that will take some effort.  I want to pass this challenge on to you.  Who is with me?  You can download the reading schedule HERE.  Let me know if you will be reading the New Testament in 30 days.

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What I’ve Learned About Church Growth

Posted by admin at 10:37 pm

First, I would like to express that I do not consider myself to be a church growth expert, although I would like to become one!! I wanted to share some insights that I have discovered from some of the churches that I follow. I love to follow churches that are experiencing growth that can only be explained as a work of God. Most of these church plants have been in existence for less that five years with the exception of a few churches by they are still thinking like a church plant and not a church (there is a big difference). I started seeing some trends between these churches and here is what I learned.

1. Document Everything - Nothing is worse that to have a great outreach event or baptism and not have the media to document the event.  If you need a great video camera and your on a tight budget I recommend The Flip
2. Celebrate the Wins - This creates great moments for casting vision and reinforcing what your church is all about.  You should celebrate big wins and the small wins even if they seem too small to celebrate.
3. Never Compromise the Truth - There is a generation out there that want authenticity and they appreciate truth event if it is not PC.  God will bless your ministry if you stick to this step.  The truth can hurt but you will reap a harvest that will be worth documenting and celebrating.

So that is what I have learned about church growth.  Here is a short list of some of the churches that I follow.  If you are thinking about planting a church here is some questions you might want to ask CLICK HERE.   If are interested in planting a church in Indiana hit me up HERE.

New Spring Church
Elevation Church
Aviator Church
Coming Soon Covenant Church

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Go For Broke!

Posted by admin at 10:04 am

Let me just vent for just a minute…if you would be so kind and let me!  I am sick and tired of pathetic, week and disgusting so called Christians who have no passion for the Gospel.  I’m not perfect but when did become OK not to stand up for our our savior  who took the cross so that we could have eternal life and purpose?  I meet Christians all the time that would rather skirt the issues of the Gospel rather than telling people that their beliefs are wrong in fear of not being tolerant.  We need a new brand of Christians not fearing man but fearing God!  Gone are the days of lackluster faith and wimpy Christians.  Now is the time to rise up and live according to the Word not man.  Life with purpose and understanding that when we go with the Gospel, we go with the power of God.  Who will stand with me?  Who will go for broke?

Here are some practical ways to share your faith:

1. Pray for daily opportunities and that God uses you to reach the lost. -  Treat every day as though it were your last opportunity to share Christ.
2. Be ready to answer questions about Jesus show them the hope that is within you. - “The mind of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning and persuasiveness to his lips.” -Proverbs 16:23 (AMP)
3. Find the “hot spots” and go there regularly. Don’t wait for sinners to approach you; go to them. - “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” -Mark 16:15 (NASB)
4. Use any anxiety as a catalyst to drive you to prayer and trust in God. One of the biggest fears of man is the unknown.  Don’t let Satan trick you into a lifestyle of fear rather harness the fear into motivation for the Gospel. - “in no way alarmed by your opponents–which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.” -Philippians 1:28 (NASB)
5. Encourage others into the task of evangelism. - don’t wait for the hired guns at your church to lead the charge.  Make difference now.

Do you know Jesus?  Learn More

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God, Religion and Porn!

Posted by admin at 10:27 am

There has been this ongoing debate about the XXX Church who is now based in Las Vegas. This Church founded by Craig Gross, ministers to the women who have been forced into the porn world so they could provide a means of income. It is not unusual to find XXX Church at the major porn conventions passing out Bibles and shirts that say, “Jesus Loves Porn Stars.” The “Church” has many stories of lives that have been changed because of their ministry. I mentioned before that XXX Church made a recent move to Las Vegas and have started another church called Strip Church (before for you get your panties in a bunch, the church is located on the Vegas strip).

There are definitely opposing Christians to this movement. The organization has posted, in the past, hate mail from conservatives and liberals a like. So, you be the judge and tell me what you think. Is this real ministry or is it just a publicity stunt?

If you are stuggling with porn you can see a post I wrote with some resources click here.

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Top Five Articles!

Posted by admin at 9:43 am

Just for fun…I wanted to show you what everyone has been doing on my site.  Happy reading and don’t forget to give your two cents!

Top Five Articles for this month:

1. Is Being Gay Wrong? (this one has brought on lots of emails and controversy)
2. Don’t Go to Church! (lots of fundamentalist mad at this one)
3. 21 Questions to Ask Before Planting (for all you church planters out there)
4. 25 Random Things About Me. (Warning…you might be bored to tears)
5. Spiritual Checklist (this is a must read)

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Don’t go to church!

Posted by Jeff Jackson at 10:00 pm

That is right, I am asking everyone not to go to church but instead to be the church.  How about we raise up a generation that is passion about Kingdom work and not afraid to stand up for Jesus.  It is not enough to just stand on the side lines it is time to get in the game.  So how can we be the church?

1.  Make church and your relationship with God a priority.

2.  Don’t sit back and let the hired guns (your pastors) do all the ministry.  Ministry is meant for the people!

3.  Go for broke! (this is my current life saying…take no prisoners…charge hell with a water pistol…you get it!)

4.  Live your life through the eyes of Jesus.

5.  As Perry Noble says, “Kick Satan in the cookies.”

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Interview with Dave Ferguson

Posted by Jeff Jackson at 2:18 pm

I just want you to know how much I respect Dave Ferguson the pastor of Community Christian Church in Naperville, IL.  I’m an aspiring church planter and I am doing as much research as I can to prepare for the future.  I thought it would be smart to talk to the guys who are planting and learn from their experience (thanks @kevinrapp for pushing me over the edge).  I hit Dave up on Twitter asking him if he would discuss church planting with him and he immediately responded.  I sent him some questions and here are his responses:

1.  If you had to plant all over again what would you do different?

First, if your vision is to be a reproducing church (and I hope that is the case!) than the one thing I would do over was have 2-3 apprentice church planters/campus pastors on my team.  I would have them raise their own money to do a leadership residency with the plan that within 12-24 months we would either reproduce a new church or site.

Second, we should have raised more money.  It was very tight for us from the beginning.  I think God used that – but it was tight.

(I’m answering this question with the assumption that a reproducing infrastructure of small groups is essential to becoming a reproducing church)  I think one of the great challenges is getting second generation reproduction from your small groups.  If your staff team all starts small groups it is a challenge to get the small groups to believe that they will do great under the new leadership of a lay person.  Once you break threw that second generation of small group reproduction you will see real momentum.

Both.  I believe that with a close proximity that multi-site will give you a bigger return but requires greater leadership.  If you can’t do both – do church planting.

Make sure you hear from God everyday. If you hear from God everyday and obey him and teach your people to hear from God everyday and obey him – you will plant a church that will give birth to a missional movement.

Once again, thanks Dave!  I hope this interview helps you as much has it will help me.  I am going to continue to interview guys that are swinging away in the field.  If you have any questions you would like me to ask or people I should interview hit me up here.

If you are interested in planting you should read this post.

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Don’t focus on the crumbs

Posted by admin at 12:14 pm

The other day I took my daughter to my favorite fine dinning restaurant, McDonald’s, for our weekly daddy/daughter date.  We were eating our meal when I noticed that my daughter was trying to pick up some small pieces of french fries.  Bound and determined she was not going to stop until she devoured the  small pieces of french fries.  The amusing thing was she had a whole happy meal full of  french fries and she was focused on the crumbs.  I realized at that moment that is exactly how I am.  God has so much for us if we would just take hold of what he is offering.  Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God wants us to prosper and have an incredible future.  The passage also goes on and instructs us that we need to seek Him with all of our heart, that is when we will find him.  We are too focused on our raise at work, our day on the boat, time away on vacation…when God is saying I have so much more for you unfortunately we choose to focus on the crumbs.  Focus on the bigger picture, I promise God will not let you down.

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Lake Waubesa Bible Camp

Posted by admin at 2:37 pm

I will be out this next week speaking at a youth camp in Wisconsin.  Please be pray that God will use me in a big way not to bring attention to me but to the one who changes lives, Jesus.  Also pray for the students that will be attending the camp.  I believe if we do not want to become a post Christian nation we must experience an awakening in our youth.  Thanks in advance for your prayers.

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