Ironbridge Church | Pastor’s Corner

77 Days of Prayer and Fasting ends today!  Welcome to Day #77!  Over the past eleven weeks, it has been our desire to “Hear God’s Voice,” to “Trust God’s Way,” and to “Obey God’s Call” in our individual lives and in our family of faith known as Ironbridge.  It is my prayer that this season of spiritual seeking has made a deep impression on your life and your walk with the Lord.  I pray that you’ve fallen back in love with God’s Word.  I pray that you’ve developed a stronger prayer life.  I pray that your hunger for lost souls to be saved has increased dramatically.  I pray that your desire to minister in the name of Jesus has also grown stronger.

As a church family, the mandate is clear.  It’s time to build!  In just a few weeks, we’ll be celebrating the fifth (5th) anniversary of “closing” on the 19 additional acres of land that have affectionately been known as our spiritual “Canaan.”  It is our promised land, a promise of greater harvest, ministry, and outreach than any of us could ever imagine.  We purchased this land under the leadership of the Lord to win more souls to faith in Christ.  The time is now.  Five long years have come and gone and we have not moved one brick to accommodate the tremendous numbers of people who are coming and will continue to come to IBC to find Christ as their Savior. 

Let’s be clear about one thing.  This 800-seat Worship Center is the physical embodiment of our faith in the Lord and our commitment to the Great Commission.  Each day that we delay the construction and completion of this facility is a day of defeat, discouragement, and disobedience to the clear mandate of God to reach as many people as we possibly can with the gospel.  If we continue to delay the construction of this ministry facility indefinitely, the detrimental effects to the life, health, vitality, and spiritual effectiveness of Ironbridge will be irreparable.  We all have personal convictions and preferences.  We should never allow any idea, concept, or operating procedure to subordinate the Great Commission in the life and work of our beloved church.  There is simply no Biblically-defensible reason to delay any longer.  Nothing should trump the Great Commission—ever!  The time is now to move forward and start the construction of this strategic ministry facility.

After 77 days of Hearing God’s Voice, Trusting God’s Way, and Obeying God’s Call, there’s no doubt about it. 

It’s time…to build!           

Today’s Scripture Promise:  “Enlarge the place of your tent; stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; lengthen your cords and strengthen your pegs.”  (Isaiah 54:2)

Jesus was and is the master story teller of all time! Nobody can tell a story like the Lord. In just three short verses recorded in Matthew, chapter 21, Jesus drives home an incredibly important truth. The story is thus, ‘What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.” (Matthew 21:28-30) Our Lord then asks a question of his listeners. “Which of the two did the will of his father?…” (verse 31) The answer is obvious; the first son did the will of his father, even though he initially had declined to be obedient.

Jesus told this story to illustrate the fact that there are many who think they’re going to make it to heaven, but in reality will not. And there are those who we’d never think would make it to heaven that indeed will be there. What makes the difference? Obedience.

I Samuel 15:22 reveals the heart of God toward us, “…Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.” Did you catch that phrase in this verse? To obey is better than sacrifice.

As you live your life for Jesus today, are you willing to obey God as He directs your life? James challenges us to be “…doers of the word, and not hearers only…” (James 1:22)

God delights in our obedience. Our obedience is the outward manifestation that we truly do trust the Lord. Faith results in a life of obedience—it’s an undeniable evidence of the work of God in our lives.

It’s time to obey God!

Today’s Scripture Promise: “But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’” (Acts 5:29)

It breaks God’s heart when we’re unwilling to put our trust in Him. God wants to be believed. This is why the Scriptures remind us, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

On many occasions, Jesus expressed His disappointment in the lack of faith among those around him. As the risen Jesus walked with the two travelers on their way to Emmaus, our Lord was saddened by their obvious lack of faith. Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.” (Luke 24:25)

Throughout these 77 Days of Prayer and Fasting, we’ve been listening to the voice of God. God has been clearly speaking to us both individually and as a spiritual family. God’s Word is boldly telling us to “keep the main thing, the main thing.” What’s this mysterious “main thing?” It’s no mystery at all. Quite simply, the main thing is the “end-time” harvest of souls. Jesus said, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) At this unprecedented moment in world evangelization, our outreach and evangelism “…to touch every home in Chesterfield County and beyond, while reaching the world for Jesus Christ” (the IBC Vision) is not keeping pace with the population growth of our region and the unprecedented opportunities to reach people with the gospel of Christ.

Today, and everyday, are you willing to trust God for more precious souls coming into God’s Kingdom family?

It’s time to move forward. It’s time to truly trust God!

Today’s Scripture Promise: “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

When you’re a baby, crawling will do just fine. As a toddler, standing up is an achievement, and walking is the “next step.” As adults, walking is the usual fare for most of our mature activities and involvements. However, there comes a time when walking is just not enough. In times of danger and excitement, when passions are running high, the only appropriate response is to run like the wind.

A grieving father sat on his front porch as the evening sun was dipping below the horizon. Night after night, he kept waiting to see a familiar face on the winding road leading up to the house. His son, a defiant prodigal, had decided to live his life on his own terms. He left in a huff, with his share of the inheritance, to “eat, drink, and be merry.” His father waited patiently, hoping against hope that his wayward son would one day return.

And then it happened. The Scriptures record the moment, “…but when he came to his senses…he got up and came to his father…” (Luke 15:17, 20) As the repentant son was approaching his home, the father did something that was absolutely extraordinary. He didn’t walk—he ran! In the Jewish culture of this era, it was highly inappropriate and socially unacceptable for a grown man to humiliate himself by “running.” But ran he did—unashamedly, enthusiastically, joyously…he ran. The story continues, “…while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)

To quote a dear brother pastor, “God is accelerating the redemption of all the lost peoples of the world. We are in the midst of the greatest mission opportunity in history.” We are living in extraordinary days. This is no time to crawl. It’s not the time to walk. We are living in a high season of evangelism, church growth, and world missions.

It’s time…to run!

Today’s Scripture Promise: “…Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run.” (Habakkuk 2:2)

Generosity is one of the distinctive marks of discipleship. When Jesus is actively at work in our lives, our desire to share our blessings grows stronger and stronger. Stinginess is the antithesis of a Christ-like life.

Jesus was watching people pass by the offering box. Some rich folks came by and put in their offering. I’m sure they must have put in a large quantity of money. Then a poor widow came by the offering box and put in two small copper coins. Jesus then made an amazing statement, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:3-4) Jesus’ teaching illustrates an important truth about our giving. It’s not the amount of your gift; it’s the proportion of your gift. As it has been said, “it’s not the amount you give, it’s the amount you’ve got left that reflects the size of your gift.”

As we attempt great things for God in our community, we must never forget an important principle of giving, “Not Equal Gifts, Equal Sacrifice.” Just as the Lord has blessed each of us to a different degree, our gifts will vary in size but hopefully the amount of our “sacrifice” will be consistent.

When it comes to our giving to the Lord’s work, I like the way author Randy Alcorn describes what he calls The Treasure Principle—You can’t take it with you but you can sent it on ahead.

The hour is late, the opportunities are many, and the lost need to hear, so it’s time to give like never before!

Today’s Scripture Promise: “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10)

Two weary travelers were making their way back home on a Sunday afternoon.  They were discouraged and disillusioned.  Their hopes and dreams had been dashed by the cruel events that had unfolded during the past several days.  As they made their way along the dusty path homeward, a stranger came alongside of them and joined them on their journey.

The travelers shared their hopes and heartaches with this mysterious stranger.  They didn’t know it at the time, but their traveling companion was the risen Christ Himself.

Even though they had not yet recognized Jesus, the travelers were encouraged and their spirits were lifted by the words that Jesus spoke to them.  Their confusion was transformed into crystal clarity!  Their disillusionments began to melt away.

By the time they reached their destination, the sun was sinking below the horizon.  They invited their new friend to stay for an evening meal.  As Jesus broke bread with them, the Scriptures record that, “…their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him.  And He vanished from their sight.” (Luke 24:31)  They suddenly realized that they had been in the very presence of the risen Savior!

Their personal encounter with the risen Jesus dramatically changed their lives.  The reality of the resurrection propelled them out the door, and they returned to Jerusalem immediately.  They risked the dangers of the darkness to bring the glad tidings that “Jesus is truly alive” to the other disciples.

As followers of Christ, the reality of Jesus’ resurrection should compel us, rather—propel us out into the darkness of the world to tell others the good news that Jesus Christ is the risen Lord!

There is a lost and hurting world that desperately needs to know the good news.  We have been commissioned by our risen King to “go with the gospel.”

Because Jesus is alive…it’s time to get up and “Go!”      

Today’s Scripture Promise:  “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”  (Mark 16:15)

Jesus is Alive! This is more than just a theological statement, a religious affirmation, or a spiritual dogma–it is the greatest truth that anyone can ever know. For 2,000 years, the empty tomb has borne witness to the triumph of God’s grace over the dreadfulness of man’s sin.

Because Jesus has defeated death, Hell, and the grave, you and I no longer need be afraid of all the traumas that life sends our way. Eventhough we’re living in a post-Holocaust, post-9/11, post-Columbine, post-tsunami, post-Katrina world, there is cause for exuberant rejoicing! Even the cycle of the seasons from winter’s death to the resurrection of springtime echoes the Creation’s oft-whispered reassurance, “All Things Are Become New!” The One who has created all that is seen is alive and well and very much at work in our world.

Author and lecturer, Elie Wiesel, a survivor of the Nazi concentration camps, wrote a poignant and painful autobiographical novel of this “hell-on-earth” nightmare. The title was simply, “Night.” He wrote it in the mid-1950’s but a popular book club has brought it back to the national spotlight. As followers of Jesus, we understand the reality of “Night.” We know that there is spiritual darkness all around. But we also know that morning has broken. It is no longer “Night.” The Bright and Morning Star is shining brightly this morning. The Psalmist wrote, “…weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning…” (Psalm 30:5)

It is time to rejoice because Jesus has conquered the “Night.” Eventhough the Accuser of the Brethren, Satan of old, is still at large and on the loose, the words of the angel on Easter morning still ring true to this very day, “Fear Not Ye…” (Matthew 28:5–KJV)

Today, on this Resurrection Day, let the words of a beloved gospel song be your heart cry today and everyday, “Because He Lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, All Fear is gone, because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives…”

It’s time to rejoice because Jesus is Alive! The long “Night” is over. Go and live as a child of the “Day.” Jesus is alive! It’s time to rejoice!

Today’s Scripture Promise: “And the angel answered and said unto the women, ‘Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen…” (Matthew 28:5–KJV)

Today could be called the “Silent Saturday” of Passion Week.  On Friday, Jesus had died a cruel death on a Roman cross.  In keeping with Jewish traditions, His body had been taken down and quickly buried in a borrowed tomb before sundown.  His cold, dead, lifeless body is now lying in the bowels of the earth.  A huge stone covers the entrance.  Satan is snickering.  For a few fleeting moments, the devil actually thinks that he’s finally won! 

Today is the “in-between time” of the spiritual life.  There are those times in our lives when the promise has been given but the fulfillment has yet to be realized.  You pray for something.  God gives you a promise from His Holy Word.  And yet, your prayer hasn’t been answered yet.  It’s the time of waiting and watching.  It’s the “Silent Saturday” of your walk with Jesus.  It’s the “in-between” time of your journey of faith.  It’s the time for hope!

The Psalmist wrote, “My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him.” (Psalm 62:5)

To the unbeliever, “hope” is a fairly useless commodity.  Hope to the unregenerate mind is just a glorified “wishful thinking.”  They hope for things just like a child would like to think that a silly wish will come true.  There is no factual basis to believe that the desired outcome will actually happen.

For the followers of Jesus, hope is far more substantial.  Hope is the rock solid assurance that what God has promised, He is fully able to accomplish and will bring it about!  Glory to God!  “And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5)

It’s the Silent Saturday of Passion Week.  It is the time of darkness before the dawn.  It is the time of mournful silence just before the jubilant crescendo of God’s redemptive symphony!

It’s time to hope! 

Today’s Scripture Promise:  “And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.”  (Psalm 39:7)

Today is “Good Friday,” the day of Passion Week in which the sinless Lamb of God, our Savior Jesus Christ, was crucified on a Roman cross on a hill called Calvary.

Jesus was not executed.  Jesus was not murdered.  Jesus willingly gave up His life for our eternal benefit.  Jesus rightly said that He could appeal to His Heavenly Father who could dispatch more than twelve legions of angels to affect Jesus’ rescue.  At the time of Christ, a Roman Legion was made up of 6,000 troops.  That’s 72,000 angels peering over the balcony of heaven ready to rescue King Jesus!  But the trumpet never sounded the call to arms!  The angels stayed at their posts.  Jesus willingly laid His life down so that you and I might live to eternal life!  Hallelujah!  What a Savior!

So why should we weep?  Isn’t it time to rejoice?  Not yet.  Resurrection Sunday is not here–yet.  It’s Friday—the day our Savior died in our place.  It’s the day to weep over our sin that nailed Jesus to the cross.  It’s a day to weep over our unrighteous ways, and the insanity of our own disobediences to a Holy God.  Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”  (Matthew 5:4)

And it is a day to weep over the spiritual lost-ness of the people all around us.  The spiritual health and vitality of a New Testament, Bible-believing, Christ-honoring Church is better gauged by the tears of the people than by the shouting, clapping, or laughter of the Sunday morning crowds.

It’s Friday, it’s time to weep!

Today’s Scripture Promise:  “…Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children…”  (Luke 23:28)

Today is the day of Passion Week when Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples for the last time before His crucifixion.  He transformed this ancient Jewish tradition into what we now come to know as “The Lord’s Supper.”  Immediately after the supper, Jesus led His disciples to a place called Gethsemane.

It was here in Gethsemane where Jesus agonized in prayer as He contemplated the spiritual and physical pain of the Cross.  In Matthew 26:38, Jesus said to His disciples, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”

Jesus exemplified perfection submission to the will of God.  Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39) 

Sadly, in these critical hours before His arrest, His trial, His torture, and His crucifixion, the disciples were sleeping.  On several occasions, Jesus tried to wake them from their physical and spiritual slumber.  When He found Peter sleeping, Jesus said, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?”  (Matthew 26:40)

I believe that Jesus is asking the same question of us today.  “So, could you not watch with me one hour?”  Prayer is one of the most demanding of all the spiritual disciplines, but also one of the most spiritually satisfying and rewarding.  Unfortunately, our busy, hectic, crowded lives leave little room for the sweet communion that we enjoy with our Savior when we go to Him in prayer.

Take a few moments today and spend some time with Jesus in prayer.  It will be your best spiritual investment of the day.  It’s time to pray!   

Today’s Scripture Promise:  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”  (Philippians 4:6)