Ironbridge Church | Pastor’s Corner

We were waiting in line for one of the more popular attractions at Mickey’s World in Orlando. When we reached the turnstile, there was a teenager directing the traffic. Being the personable folks that we are, we engaged this young man in conversation. As we were chatting, he made a startling statement. “That’s 852 guests in the past hour—it’s our best effort this year, and way ahead of our monthly average of 778 an hour.” I was, quite frankly, amazed! This kid really cared that they had just set a new “line productivity” record!

What does this have to do with spiritual things? Imagine walking into your Sunday School class this weekend and a member of your class (not the teacher) says, “I’m so glad you’re here today. We now have 95% of our class enrollment here today to study God’s Word. This is our best month of attendance in the history of our class. God has great things in store for us today, thanks for your faithfulness!”

What I learned from a mouse in Florida is that the vision of the boardroom had percolated all the way down to the teenager at the turnstile! It was “his” vision now and the benchmark for his personal performance. The same holds true for us as a spiritual family. God has given us all an amazing vision, “to touch every home in Chesterfield County, and beyond, while reaching the world for Jesus Christ.” And that will beat counting noses for a mouse, anyday!

Today’s Scripture Promise: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23, 24—ESV)

Thirty years ago this year, pro-Palestinian terrorists hijacked an Israeli EL AL plane carrying more than 100 Jewish passengers. The terrorists diverted the plane to the Entebbe airport in Uganda.

Israel immediately launched a daring commando raid called “Operation Thunderbolt” to free the hostages. A movie was made about this bold rescue mission entitled, Raid on Entebbe. The mission was incredibly successful. All the hijackers were killed, all but three hostages were rescued and only one Israeli commando died during the rescue.

This amazing rescue mission is a powerful reminder of our grand task as Christians. Many of the people we love, go to school with, and work with are being held hostage by Satan himself. “…the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel…” (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Our mission as followers of Jesus is to trust our Savior to empower and bless our rescue missions—personal evangelism, missions and ministry—to the spiritually lost. Just as God so obviously blessed the Israeli commando raid on Entebbe, our Lord will bless our efforts to reach and rescue people held in the bondage of sin.

Ours is a “mission-possible” because it’s Jesus Himself who saves from sin. “…with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

See this new day and this new week as your opportunity to be one of God’s Special Forces in this life-long Operation Thunderbolt!

Today’s Scripture Promise: “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5—New American Standard)

Today ends the spectacular fortnight of Olympic competition at the 20th Winter Games in Torino, Italy. The organizing committee for the Torino games chose a very distinctive motto, “Passion lives here!” The motto showcases the unique Italian style–the great passion that Italians put into everything they do.

Win or lose, these athletes from around the world have shown a dedication to achievement that is truly mind-boggling.

If you look up the word “passion” in the dictionary, the first definition is, “a feeling of strong or constant regard for and dedication to someone.” The word is closely associated with the word “love.” The word is appropriate for followers of Jesus, because our lives should be characterized by a “strong feeling, a constant regard for and dedication to someone—that someone being Christ Himself.

The “Passion lives here” theme color is red. How appropriate. Red reminds us of the Passion of Jesus who endured the cross and split His blood for our redemption.

Closely associated with the Olympic theme is the “piazza”—a meeting place, a backdrop for passion, participation, and commitment. Even the thoroughly secular Olympic movement understands the importance of gathering together under a common theme.

Today is Sunday, the Lord’s Day. Our spiritual “piazza” is the church! Our passion is Jesus! Even though the athletes will soon be packing their bags and leaving Torino, for those of us who love Jesus, we could rightly hang a sign over the entrance of our church that reads, “Passion lives here!”

Do you have the passion?

Today’s Scripture Promise: “…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1b-2a—English Standard Version)

When God leads, we must follow. It has always been this way.

We cannot “go with God” and stay where we are. Our God is on the move and His people have always been a people on the move.

Abraham’s life is a beautiful example of what it means to follow God. “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Heb. 11:8)

Moses, also, taught the people of God to follow wherever the Lord led them. “And with a pillar of cloud You led them by day, and with a pillar of fire by night to light for them the way in which they were to go.” (Nehemiah 9:12)

When Jesus began His public ministry, he called his disciples with two simple words–Follow Me (see John 1:43). Throughout the three years of His public ministry, time and again, Jesus extended this clear imperative—Follow Me. Near the conclusion of His time on earth, Jesus issued the same, clear, succinct instructions—Follow me! While Peter was overly concerned about what would happen in another disciple’s life and ministry, Jesus helped Peter to see that it was not Peter’s job to “figure out” the will of God for someone else’s life. “Jesus said to him [Peter], ‘If it is my will that he [John] remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!’” (John 21:22—ESV)

Make it the sole purpose and focus of this new day to follow Christ!

Today’s Scripture Promise: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27—NASB)

Money is a great mischief maker, even among believers.

As we serve Christ together, the need for financial resources is ever present. Billy Graham once said, “The gospel is free, but the bucket you carry it in costs money.” Never were truer words spoken.

A little incident took place in Matthew 17 that can clear things up for us—at least a bit. Jewish leaders wanted to know if Jesus and his followers paid the half-shekel tax that was required by the Old Testament law. (see Exodus 30:13,14) This tax was the equivalent of two days’ wages that was collected each year from every Jewish male over age twenty for the upkeep of the temple.

Jesus gave Peter a very unusual assignment. “…Go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.” (Matt. 17:27—New King James Version)

The Lord Jesus had a need, He gave a clear command, Peter obeyed, and God provided—in a miraculous and unexpected way!

Missionary Judson Taylor said, “God’s work, done God’s way, will not lack God’s supply.” What has Jesus commanded us to do? “…Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matt. 4:19) So if you’re concerned about the cash flow for the Kingdom, there’s one simple solution. It’s time to go fishing! If we are obedient, He will provide! It’s an unshakable principle of the Kingdom economy. The coin is in the fish’s mouth. Go Fish!

Today’s Scripture Promise: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19—English Standard Version)

Thank the Lord for dedicated school teachers!

Day in and day out, teachers are the unsung heroes used by God to mold the next generation. Teachers encourage when encouragement is needed, and more importantly, teachers speak the truth when it needs to be heard.

The teacher leaned over the bashful yet bright young student. Words of encouragement brightened the heart of this shy child. “You are doing so well with your work. You are so smart,” the teacher said. The child beamed. She continued, “You’re an excellent reader.”

The precocious little princess sitting in the next seat didn’t want to miss a chance to soak up some of these superlatives for herself. With the panache of a Scarlett O’Hara, this outgoing little doll asked quizzically, “What about me, teacher?”

Without missing a beat, the teacher put her hands on her hips and sweetly told young Scarlett, “Not everything’s about you, Doll, Baby!” I’m sure these are not the words that this outgoing little cutie wanted to hear, but very true, none the less.

How tempting it is to go through life always asking, “What about me, Lord?” It’s difficult to shed the vestiges of our culture that always asks, “What’s in it for me?” If we’re not careful, this infectious, arrogant self-centeredness can infiltrate our lives and the church. James 4:6 tells us, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

So the next time you’re tempted to think the world revolves around you, just remember the playful words of a wise teacher.

“It’s not always about you, Doll, Baby!”

Today’s Scripture Promise: “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3—English Standard Version)

There are plenty of reasons NOT to get involved in International Missions. It’s too expensive, too difficult, and too far away. Let’s just focus on our own needs here at home. And then a cell phone rings.

The paved road doesn’t make it to a tiny village in the “bush” of Zambia in central Africa. The church building is little more than a mud-walled structure, with a thatch roof. The floor is dirt, and the seats are mud-blocks. The pastor gets up to preach when something amazing happens…his cell phone rings.

It appears that cell phone companies are racing across central Africa to see who can build cell phone towers the fastest. Who knew that Africans in the “bush” of Zambia needed cell phones? Obviously, the cell phone companies did.

When it comes to being bold & visionary, many times the captains of commerce put the followers of Jesus to shame. Jesus said, “…For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation that the sons of light.” (Luke 16:8b—ESV)

The cell phone companies are not intimidated by the difficulty, the danger, or the distance of providing service for the backside of nowhere. They understand that if they build enough cell towers and provide enough coverage, the people of Zambia will buy and use cell phones. Their business philosophy is simply this–“build them and they will call.”

As ambassadors for Christ, let us show an even greater zeal in getting the good news of the gospel to the people who have never heard.

If we go, they will know.

Today’s Scripture Promise: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15—New American Standard)

If you want to assess the strength and spiritual vitality of any church, there’s one place you should go—the Nursery!

Ancient Israel was strongly commanded to teach the statutes and ordinances of God to their children. In the book of Deuteronomy, we read these words, “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds…Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deut. 11:18, 19–NIV) You’ll notice that the teaching was not confined to a classroom setting. Rather, we incorporate God’s Word into every facet of our lives. There is much truth in the cliché that the faith is, “more caught, than taught.” How do our children “catch” the fire of our faith? They learn it by watching us live out our faith on a daily basis. They learn it by hearing the stories we tell. Not just the “parables and the dark sayings of old” (Ps. 78:2) but also the testimonies of what God is doing in our lives—daily!

The nursery worker softly singing “Jesus Loves Me” to the babe in arms is doing far more than providing babysitting services—they’re getting a head-start on discipling the next generation to be great for God!

Is there a young heart in your family that you could be pointing Godward today? Tell them your story because they are listening…and watching.

Today’s Scripture Promise: “We will not hide these truths from our children but will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD. We will tell of his power and the mighty miracles he did.” (Psalm 78:4—New Living Translation)

Two weeks ago today (Feb. 6th, 2006) something amazing happened at the little Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky. The Lord walked in. The student body of this little Christian school had gathered for Monday morning chapel at 10:00 a.m. when God began to move mightily. Students, faculty, and staff began to stream to the altar. The prayer, confession, praise and worship continued unabated for the rest of the day and throughout the night. One student said, “When God moves, you have to respond. There’s nothing else you can do when you meet your Creator face to face like we did yesterday.”

Interestingly enough, this same little college experienced a similar revival thirty-six years ago in 1970. The President of Asbury College at the time was Dennis Kinlaw. When asked by a reporter what was going on, Kinlaw said, “…the only way I know how to account for this is that last Tuesday morning, about 20 [minutes] of 11 [a.m.], the Lord Jesus walked into Hughes Auditorium, and He’s been there ever since, and you’ve got the whole community paying tribute to His presence.”

What would it be like if Jesus walked into the sanctuary of Ironbridge Baptist Church? Rumor has it that committed students at Asbury had been praying passionate and persistent prayers (with fasting) for weeks for this kind of spiritual breakthrough.

How do you explain all this? It’s really simple. People were yearning for God and the Lord walked in.

Today’s Scripture Promise: “And My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14—NASB)

Joseph had every reason to “get even” with his ten older brothers who had sold him into slavery. Even though his brothers meant it for evil, God meant it for good. (Gen. 50:20) Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and sent them home to get Jacob so that God’s people would be saved from the ravages of the coming worldwide famine.

As his brothers were getting ready to head back home to get Jacob, Joseph gave them an interesting, if not humorous instruction, “…He said to them, ‘Do not quarrel on the journey.’” (Gen. 45:24—NASB) I like the way the New Century Version says it, “Don’t quarrel on the way home.”

Joseph knew his brothers were a rowdy, raucous bunch who often fought with each other. Sometimes brothers and sisters in Christ behave the same way…quarrelling over the most trivial matters. As believers, this world is not our home–heaven is! Our entire lives as Christians can rightly be understood as a journey on the way to our eternal home in heaven. The next time you’re tempted to quarrel with other believers, remember the great advice of Joseph. Don’t quarrel on the way home.

Today is the day when the “scattered community” (the church) becomes the “gathered community” as we join together in the Lord’s House, in the Lord’s Name, for the Lord’s Glory! As different as we all are, let’s strive to treat one another with a Christ-like spirit of love and patience.

No quarreling on the way home.

Today’s Scripture Promise: “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32—NASB)