The Gospel At Work: James 2:1-13

This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to preach the 4th message of a nine week series we are doing, preaching through the book of James. Our series is entitled "The Gospel At Work." I preached from James 2:1-13. Below are the key sermon notes. You can listen to the sermon online here.

What is partiality?
“to be biased”
“to accept/judge according to face” and refers to favoritism on the basis of status
“It means that you base your treatment of someone – or your attitude toward someone – on something that should not be the basis of how you treat him.” - Piper


I. Consider…“our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory”

1)No partiality in living His life

Hebrews 1:3 = He (Jesus) is the radiance of the glory of God

Romans 2:11 = For God shows no partiality.

Jesus lived in a cultural context that was known for division, prejudice, and partiality and yet His life was radically counter-cultural in how He embraced all people regardless of their background and/or social status. During his life and ministry Jesus honored, accepted, and loved those who were despised and looked down upon. Consider how Jesus treated children, lepers, tax collectors, women, and Samaritans. Jesus didn't allow class divisions, racism, and "the way things are" to effect how He interacted with people.

2)No partiality in giving His life

Revelation 5:9 = And they (the four living creatures and the 24 elders falling down before the Lamb in worship) sang a new song saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation”

There are 16,789 people groups! Jesus died for all of them!

Justification by faith alone puts all of us on a level ground of utter dependence.

Ephesians 2:8-9 = For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ leaves no room for pride or arrogance. It’s all His grace!


II. The Gospel frees us from partiality!

Ephesians 2:13-14 = But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility.

Galatians 3:26 = For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith…v. 28 = There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all ONE in Christ Jesus.

The Gospel demands a drastic new paradigm in how we approach relationships.

“Before we fell in love with Jesus, we were seated at the head of our own tables. For some, prior to Jesus, they may have lived naturally segregated lives, where the maxim ‘birds of a feather flock together’ was true of them. But now, having entered the marriage covenant with Christ, they are seated at the multi-ethnic, multi-socioecnomic dinner tables of the church, where Christ is the new head. Now they are told to do life with one another, to serve one another, and encourage one another. The covenant of salvation demands a radical re-patterning of relationships.” - Bryan Loritts

Why would a church show partiality to the rich?
Image
Status
It makes us look good!

Think Biblically:
God created the poor in His image
God sent His son to die for the poor
The poor who trust in Christ for their salvation are “heirs of the Kingdom”
In dishonoring the poor man…you are dishonoring God!

Level Ground of Utter Dependence: The Gospel makes the wealthy poor, because they can no longer depend on their wealth. The Gospel makes the poor rich because they become fellow heirs of the Kingdom (this should radically effect how we view one another!).

In the “World” this is what is happening…
Oppression, exploitation, social polarization, and an unjust legal/court system (this was the context of James)

Consider James 1:21-27
The Hope of Salvation (James 1:21)COMPELS us to practice "Pure Religion" = outward practice or service to God (James 1:27)
Pure Religion is marked by two things:
(1) “to visit orphans and widows in their affliction” – Justice/Compassion for the vulnerable
AND
(2) “keep oneself unstained from the world” - Holiness (to be distinct from the world)
1
By showing partiality to the rich, something that was happening in the world…they were violating the very 2 things, James said were the marks of true religion, or rather the marks of a truly transformed heart: compassion for those who are vulnerable and holiness from the ways of the world!

1)The Law can’t save you…you have to uphold ALL of it!

-Favortism and discrimination are violations of the kingdom law of love

2)The Gospel frees us to live under the law of liberty

Law of liberty – True freedom is freedom to obey God and do what pleases Him. That law of Christ provides freedom from sin through the Gospel.

Grace doesn’t produce lawlessness, it produces love!

3)In light of the Gospel, we are compelled to SPEAK and ACT as recipients, partakers, and givers of His Mercy!

Grace = when God gives us something that we don’t deserve
Mercy = when God withholds from us that which we do deserve

"Christian love means treating others the way God has treated me." Warren Wiersbe

The Gospel transforms us from "judges with evil thoughts" to loving givers of mercy!

Wedding Day Highlight Montage "WDHM"

This is a wedding video "highlight montage" put together by our videographer. His work is amazing! Thought we would share it with everyone! If you want to know "our story" read here.



I still can't believe it! God is so faithful and so gracious!

Prayerful Perspective In Swaziland

As some of you know, I am on the board of a ministry in southern Africa called Africa Revolution. Each year "AR" hosts teams of college age/young adult interns for a year long program of discipleship and service (called Vision Year). This past year a young brother in the Lord from Zimbabwe, named Clever, finished the year and really stood out as a servant leader. He is now going to stay on for an additional year as a team leader for the new team of interns coming to Swaziland in February.

A couple of weeks ago, while driving the AR van, he was "car jacked," beaten, and nearly killed by a group of men in a township in South Africa. Thankfully, God kept Clever and another young man from death (as this was the intention of the thieves). You can read more about the incident here.

Allan recently emailed Clever and asked him how he was doing. I wanted to share some of Clever's response. It is a beautiful display of the power of the Gospel and how it can alter our perspective in the midst of pain and tragedy. Here is part of Clever's response...

“As far as I am concerned, I am doing great. I am now getting back in the gear of prayer since I arrived in Swaziland. It’s peaceful here and no one is after me. When I was still in South Africa, I was still traumatized thinking about the event every day. I lacked trust, toward every South African male. I kept thinking that they are all thugs. I am sorry for this, God will forgive me. My mind is just thinking about the bus as you know that it was my favorite. I was treating it like my son. The way it was taken from my hands! It ripped my heart; it was something which I was treasuring so much. I had just committed everything in God’s hand he knows why this happened and he is the one who has a better and a good reason for this. My question to God was what have I done so much to deserve this? We are serving you with this bus but you take it away? What does this mean? I felt the Lord saying this message to me, ‘you are a victim of my purpose.”
Again I asked God what this means. “We served Mamelodi and the whole community spreading your Word, investing into this community and the very same community today is stealing from us.”

I felt that God wants us to love this community more. The same thing happened to Jesus. He came to serve and save his own people and the very same people rejected him, accused him and even killed him.

What a mighty God we serve. He wants to use us in this town regardless of being abused or robbed. Thus are my feelings for now. And I am praying for those thugs that they may see God in their lives.”


Please continue to pray for Clever. I am excited to see what God is going to do in and through him in the year ahead. Also, AR is trying to raise money to replace the van that was stolen. It is crucial to the ongoing ministry in Swaziland! The need is $8,000. You can learn more here.

The Impact of Dr. King

(One of my favorite speeches of his. It gives me chills every time.)

As many of you know, Martin Luther King Jr is one of my heroes! His life, and what he gave his life for, has inspired me ever since I remember first learning about him and hearing his speeches in junior high. Whenever Martin Luther King Day rolls around each year, I go searching the internet for new articles, blogs, and videos about him.

This year, through someone I follow on Twitter (American Indian News), I learned something new about the impact he had on all Americans.
Levi Rickert stated on the "Native News Network" site that Dr. King's "leadership and dream transcended racial boundaries." He went on to add,
"The effects of his work impacted the lives of all Americans. For instance, the passage of the momentous Civil Rights Act of 1964 benefited American Indians and Latinos, as well as African Americans. We can now go places we could not go prior to 1964. We can now stay in motels we could not stay in prior to 1964. Prior to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, American Indians were not allowed in many establishments simply because we were Indians. Many establishments prominently displayed signs that read: 'No Indians or Dogs Allowed' in various parts of this country. One Ottawa elder recalls, when the Civil Rights Act of 1964 became a federal law, business proprietors, who owned restaurants, motels and shops, in the upper portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula held a meeting to discuss, 'What they were going to do now that they had to serve Indians.'"

Dr. King was a man who, compelled by the love of Christ, gave his life for others (1 John 3:16-18). His message is still relevant today as our nations is still plagued by racism and systemic injustice. His life should inspire us to contend for and sacrificially serve others. May we all have a holy discontent for the way things are, and dream and work for true Gospel driven unity and shalom.

Change The World For Christ: Remembering John Stott

Shortly after moving to Richmond at the end of August I saw a quote that resonated with what I believe God had/has been showing/challenging me with. It is a famous quote from John Stott. He used to say, "We must be global Christians with a global vision because our God is a global God." That spoke very powerfully to me. Not only does the quote impact me, but the more I read about John Stott, the more I wanted to learn about the man he was. He was a local pastor, with a passion for London (his local context) and the world. He was a bridge builder and a cultural learner. He had a big vision...to change the world for Christ!

A July 27th, 2011 article in the New York Times touched on the global impact he had. Professor Mark Noll stated, "Mr. Stott became a patron, mentor, friend and encourager of thousands of pastors, students and laypeople from the newer Christian parts of the world. He became a bridge between the West and the rising Christian world.” He was dedicated to helping the poor in developing countries, what he termed the Majority World. Using royalties from his books, he set up trusts to help gifted students from the developing world earn doctorates abroad and then return to their native countries to teach in theological seminaries. His ministry, John Stott Ministries, is still going strong. It is dedicated to "equipping pastors so that the Majority World church matures through the Word of God."

I discovered the following (roughly 20 minute) sermon preached in his honor by Tim Keller at his United States memorial service (he also had one in England and Canada). I was both challenged and inspired by what he shared.



In light of John Stott's life of faith (Hebrews 13:7), we ought to be...

1)Convicted by his Kingdom vision
-He had zeal for the Kingdom!
-"His entire life was dedicated to banish apathy"
-He wanted to do something world, historical for Jesus. He wanted to change the world for Christ!

2)Cautioned by his cultural learning curve
-He went into the developing world (Asia, Africa, & South America) and listened.
-He got out and allowed Christians in other parts of the world to teach him about the Bible and culture.
-His travels gave him a growing concern for poverty and injustice.

3)Chastened by his leadership controversies
-He was a diplomat and a bridge builder, and yet he could not avoid controversy and conflict.
-If you want do do something for Christ, there will be conflict and controversy.

(4)Instructed by his great innovations
a)Expository preaching - he had electrifying clarity
b)He invented the modern city center church where he was committed to evangelism and ministry to the poor/social justice.
c)He used organizations to strengthen local churches and leaders.
d)He forced Evangelicals to think about social ethics and social justice.

(5)Created Evangelicalism
-Orthodox in doctrine, but intellectually, culturally, and socially engaged.
-Commitment to the authority of Scripture, to scholarship, and to engagement.

I am thankful for the example of John Stott's life. He has given me new mentor (through his books) and a life worth emulating. He was a man who followed Christ and spent himself on behalf of others (Isaiah 58).


Have any of you read any books by John Stott that you would recommend? Any good biographies on him?

Fruit of the Spirit: Love

On Saturday morning we (Living Hope Neighborhood Church) began a 9 week series on the "Fruit of the Spirit." I kicked it off, with the first message on love. Below are my sermon notes (condensed version). I wish I had audio, but we aren't recording our Saturday messages just yet (coming soon).

The Fruit of the Spirit: Love
Galatians 5:22-23 = But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.


1)Christ’s Love For Us

The essence of God’s love is sacrifice. It is a sacrificial love

Galatians 2:20 = …who loved me and gave Himself for me.

1 John 3:16 = By this we know the love of God, because He laid down His life for us

Romans 5:8 = But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 2:4 = But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us…

Gospel Pause:
Have you truly received His love by putting your faith and trust in Him as your Lord and Savior? He’s not waiting for you to get your life together in this new year. He’s not waiting for you to clean yourself up. He loves you and He died for you in spite of your filth, in spite of your mess. He loves you. He gave Himself for you. He wants a relationship with you. Do you truly know His love this morning?

For those of us in this room who do know Him, when you repented of your sins and believed on Him, He came in. The Bible tells us that those of us who by grace believed in Him for our salvation, we now have the Holy Spirit living inside of us. God, in the person of the Holy Spirit lives inside of us.

Romans 5:5 = …God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.


2)The Holy Spirit In Us

a)Indwelling
He dwells or resides within us (He is resident).

John 14:16-17 = …You know Him, for He (the Holy Spirit) dwells with you and will be in you.

2 Timothy 1:14 = By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us…

Think about that…the God of the Universe lives inside of you. The God of the Universe dwells within You. And He will never leave!

So if you are a believer and follower of Christ, the question is not whether the Holy Spirit is resident, but rather is He president? He is dwelling inside of you, but the question is, is He directing you? Is He in control of your life?

b)Filling
We need daily walk in dependence upon Him (He is president).

Ephesians 5:18 = And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Be continually CONTROLLED by the Holy Spirit

A drunk person is controlled by the alcohol he has consumed. Therefore, he thinks and acts in ways that are not normal or natural for him. The man who is spirit-filled is controlled, and he too acts in ways that are unnatural for him. He can now act in supernatural ways that contrast with his old life.

Galatians 5:16 = But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Walking is a succession of dependent acts. With each step you are dependent on your foot and leg to hold your weight. Each step is a step of faith, a step of dependence. To daily walk by the Spirit, is to daily depend on Him.

If you have the Holy Spirit living inside of You, and if He is in control of your life, then your life will produce fruit. Your character will be transformed. Your life will be marked by these 9 traits of Christlikeness.


3)Christ’s Love Through Us

Galatians 5:22 = But the fruit of the Spirit is love…

John 13:34 = …just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another

“Only God can generate within us the kind of self-sacrificing love which is the proof that we are His children.” - Ryrie

“If we are to love as God loves, that love – that Agape – can only come from its true source.”

Practical Examples of Love:
Love my wife (Eph 5:25) – who loved her and gave Himself up for her

Love our neighbors (Galatians 5:14; Matthew 22:37)

Love our enemies (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6)

1 John 4:11-12 = Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us.

Our love (for one another) puts Christ on display to a watching world!

January Praise and Prayer

As we head into the new year, we have much to both praise God for in the last month, and to pray for in the month and year ahead.

Praises (We praise God...)
1)For a great time at home (Chicago & Paw Paw) visiting with friends and family! We only wish we would have had more time to connect with more people. We are sorry if we missed you.
2)For a great wedding open house at Lawton EMC! We are humbled by the love and support we were shown.
3)For Josie being approved by the state of California to practice physical therapy here!
4)For the funding needed to purchase property here in Richmond for transitional/discipleship housing for men and/or women!
5)For partnerships being established with the Boys & Girls Club and Richmond High School!
6)For our faithful and generous supporters who make is possible for us to be doing ministry here!

Prayer Requests (Please pray with us...)
1)That we would grow in our intimacy with Christ and our love for Him.
2)For wisdom as we learn each other and what it means to love and serve each other well as husband and wife.
3)That God would direct us (the church) to the right housing to be used for transitional/discipleship housing.
4)For me this Sunday morning as I present the ministry of Safe Families to our congregation. Pray that our church would serve our neighborhood and city well with this needed ministry.
5)For us as we begin two new series: the Fruits of the Spirit (on Saturday mornings) and the book of James (on Sunday mornings). I will be preaching this Saturday on Love (Galatians 5:22).
6)We own a condo in Branson, Missouri (where Josie lived before we got married). Please pray with us that we would find a renter soon!

*Let me know how we can be praying for you! Email me at pastordave@lhnchurch.org. Also, don't forget about our podcast on I-tunes under "Living Hope Neighborhood Church"!

Sunshine In The Big Sky

This past summer a film student from Loyola Maramount University, Abbey Nelson, came to Chicago/Sunshine for a month to film a documentary about our annual trip to Bozeman, MT each summer. Abbey grew up in Montana. Her parents, Joe and Carolyn Nelson, have served as a "host family" the last 3 summers. This past summer was our 10th trip to Montana, so this documentary's aim was to tell the story of what makes this trip and the relationship between Sunshine and Springhill Presbyterian Church so special.

Sunshine in the Big Sky from Abbey Nelson on Vimeo.

Although, I am now serving at a different ministry, I hope to make the trip to Bozeman (along with my wife) once again this summer to have a great reunion with my Sunshine and Springhill family!

In 2012...

These were initially shared on Floyd McClung's blog (he is a missionary who currently serves in Cape Town, South Africa). I have shared them on my blog the last two years, and I think they are great questions to pray through and think about as we head into another year.

In 2012...

1. What’s one way, you could utilize time, to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What’s the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

5. Who are three people you can disciple more intentionally?

6. What is the most helpful way you can build community with a few other followers of Jesus this year?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. Who is the person you most want to encourage this year?

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What single thing can you plan to do this year that will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

Thoughts? Other Questions?

2011 In Books

This past year I read some great books. I thought I would share the books that impacted me this past year:

1) You See Bones I See An Army by Floyd McClung
2) Generous Justice by Tim Keller
3) The Complete Book of Discipleship by Bill Hull
4) Radical Together by David Platt
5) What Is The Gospel by Greg Gilbert
6) Things I Wish I Knew Before I Got Married by Gary Chapman
7) The Marriage Builder by Larry Crabb

What book(s) did you read this past year that really impacted you?


In the coming year I have my sights on...
Biographies: Deitrick Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas and Frederick Douglass Autobiographies by Frederick Douglass and Henry Louis Gates
Race/Culture: Yellow by Frank Wu, Being Latino In Christ by Orlando Crespo, Living In Color by Randy Woodley
Church & Mission: Let The Nations Be Glad by John Piper, Oneness Embraced by Tony Evans, Bloodlines by John Piper, Operation World by Jason Mandryk, and The Trellis & The Vine by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne
Bible Study/Theology: How To Read The Bible For All It's Worth by Gordon Fee

Who We "See"

I was recently at Home Depot to buy paint for our house. While we were standing in line for our paint, another customer approached the paint counter with a Home Depot sales associate right behind him, trying to keep pace. This customer was noticeably irritated by the sales person, and was evidently coming to the paint counter for "outside assistance." It became evident that this man, and the man who was trying to help him were having some communication struggles. The sales person was of Asian descent and his English was not the best as he spoke. However, the man who was shopping (and irritated) acted as if he didn't even see the salesmen. He dismissed what he said, got the answer he needed, and quickly walked past him to get back to what he needed. Now let me say, that I understand that sometimes communication can be difficult when someone's English isn't that strong. It can be frustrating when you feel like you keep "missing" each other in communication. However, the thing that really made me upset as I observed this interaction was how the salesperson became seemingly invisible to the customer. He chose to not see him and to not acknowledge his efforts to help him. The sales associate became worthless to him once he no longer saw him.

That same weekend, a man came to our Saturday service and breakfast with a large "Jesus" tattoo in the middle of his forehead. This man and his tattoo got my attention, and so I made it a point to get to know him and hear his story. I learned that he was staying at the rescue mission here in Richmond, but that he was originally from Seattle. Without going into great detail, he was recently divorced, relocated, and out of work. I began to ask him about life at the mission (homeless shelter). He stated that he greatly appreciated both having a place to stay, and a consistent meal. However, he said he was greatly disappointed and disturbed by the way the staff treated the men who came there. He shared that many of the staff "talked down at them." He further added that they seemed to lump everyone into the same category - drug addict, lazy, mentally challenged, etc. - rather then seeing the uniqueness of each person and each person's story. In other words, the issue with the staff at the mission is that they don't "see" the individual residents. It is because they don't truly see them that they feel compelled to talk down at them.

Whether or not we "see" people is critical. How we view someone, greatly affects how we treat them. When we lump people together (stereotype), seek to avoid certain people, or look down on people, we won't truly see them, and we will be unable to converse or connect with them in any type of meaningful way.

My good friend Aaron often says, "we cannot minister to someone who we think less of." Therefore, lack of sight and condescension go hand in hand. I love reading the Gospels and observing the way Jesus interacted with people. He interacted with all types of people. No one was above or below his compassionate reach. He saw people: tax collectors, women, Samaritans, lepers, politicians, etc. His sight always stirred compassion rather than condescension. Matthew 9:36 (and others) states, "When He saw the crowds, he had compassion for them..."

It was this "compassionate sight" that led him to the cross. Romans 5 says that "while we were still weak (helpless)" and "while we were still sinners" Christ died for us. That's the beauty of the Cross, and the beauty of the Gospel. It is the Gospel that then transforms how we "see" others and compels us to love everyone. Peter lost sight of this new "Gospel vision" in Galatians 2, and his brother Paul had to lovingly get in his face to remind him of his new eyes.

While we're at work, at school, in our neighborhoods, out shopping, etc. let's be mindful of the people who cross our path each day. May we be a people who "see" everyone with our Gospel eyes. Amen.

Our Great High Priest

This past Saturday & Sunday I preached a message entitled "Consider Jesus: Our Great High Priest." It was a challenging study for me. I read through the book of Hebrews, some chapters several times. There is so much in that book! I still don't know if I fully understand all the priesthood entailed, but I was definitely encouraged in the study as I thought about all that Jesus is! Here is my outline. You can also listen to the message here.

Consider Jesus: Our Great High Priest

The office of priesthood was instituted by God in order to maintain fellowship between the holy God and the sinful nation. Priests were...
1)Chosen from among men and ordained/appointed to minister on behalf of his fellow man before God.

2)Offered gifts and sacrifices for sins.
-In offering sacrifices, they showed that sin was very real and deserving of death!
-The priests went before God as the people's advocate and intercessor.
-A blood sacrifice had to be made (usually bulls or goats).
-Sacrifices had to be made over and over, each year.

3)Supposed to be compassionate with sinners, because they themselves were subject to weakness.

4)Offered sacrifices for themselves as well as those of the people, for they too needed atonement.

Hebrews 4:14-16
Since then we have a great hight priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

I. A Greater Priest

a)His Selection & Term
-Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7:16; Hebrews 7:23-24

b)His Intimacy with the Father
-Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 10:12

c)His Sinlessness
-Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 7:26; Hebrews 7:27-28; 2 Corinthians 5:21

II. A Greater Sacrifice
He gave Himself...once and for all...he sat down!
-Hebrews 7:27; Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 9:25-26; Hebrews 10:10-14

III. A Gracious Savior & Sustainer
"Jesus can both sympathize with and deliver us!" - Mark Driscoll

Sympathize mans to feel or suffer with.
-Hebrews 4:15-16; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 2:18

"It is Jesus our priest who knows every hair on our head, day of our life, longing of our heart, and thought on our mind. At this very moment, Jesus is brining our hurts, suffering, needs and sins to the Father in a prayerful and loving was as our priest." - Driscoll

Christmas Giving Opportunities

Christmas is a reminder of the greatest gift that this world has ever received, God's Son, Jesus Christ. The Gospel Of Jesus Christ compels us to be a people marked by generosity. During this Christmas season, here are two good options for gospel motivated generosity...

1)Sunshine Gospel Ministries' Annual Christmas Store
Each year Sunshine collects donated gifts (store bought gifts) for kids ages 0 through 18. They then set up an actual store, where parents can shop for their kids. Everything is marked down 75%. This gives parents in the neighborhood of Woodlawn a more affordable way to do Christmas shopping. Each year the store is a blessing to 50-80 families. You can buy gifts online at Target for the Sunshine store here. If you want to read more about the philosophy/theology of the store, check out this blog entry.

2)Africa Revolution's "Compassion Needs Wheels" Campaign
Africa Revolution is doing an amazing work alongside local churches in Swaziland: making disciples, caring for orphans, and doing medical missions. They have an urgent need for a new van for transportation for ministry outreaches. Their executive director Allan says, "We have come to realize that a reliable, sturdy vehicle is our primary tool to facilitate all our ministry. It enables us to to get the job done! Whether our team is doing rural medical missions or community outreach, we are totally dependent on our vehicle." To donate towards a new van click here.

December Praise & Prayer

It is safe to say that November flew by, with the wedding, honeymoon, and Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for! Here is our December Praise & Prayer...

Praises
(1)For an amazing honeymoon in Hawaii, and for the financial gifts that made it possible!
(2)For the provision of our home (which is next door to the church)!
(3)For a great start to our Wednesday night Praise & Prayer service at church!
(4)For a successful surgery for my brother-in-law Ray. He had a tumor removed from his ear canal!
(5)For community and mentors here in Richmond!
(6)For working out the final details I needed to begin volunteering at Richmond HS!

Prayer Requests
Please pray with us...
(1)That our love for God and for our neighbors would grow.
(2)That God might direct us to and provide housing that we (the church) could use for transitional and discipleship housing for men and women.
(3)That the Lord would direct us as we consider becoming a satellite location for World Impact's "TUMI" (The Urban Ministry Institute www.tumi.org). This would give us the opportunity to offer seminary level coursework/training to men and women in Richmond and the East Bay at an affordable rate.
(4)For direction as we prayerfully consider (and move towards) partnerships with local school(s), the Boys & Girls Club, and other non-profit/social service agencies here in Richmond.
(5)That our church would leverage the ministries of Safe Families and Youshare in a way that would bless our city and the Bay area, and would mobilize churches.
(6)We own a condo in Branson, Missouri (where Josie lived before we got married). Please pray with us that we would find a renter soon!

*Let me know how we can be praying for you! Email me at pastordave@lhnchurch.org
**Also, don't forget about our podcast on I-tunes under "Living Hope Neighborhood Church"!

Thankful

It is Thanksgiving Eve and Josie and I just had coffee and cereal together and are now cleaning our house (all of that still seems crazy to write and say!). I was struck with all that I have to be thankful for!

I am thankful for my relationship with God through Jesus! His grace in my life is humbling! As a kid growing up the Lord began planting Gospel seeds in my life through my parents, key Sunday school teachers and AWANA leaders, and other Christians who we did life with. Then my freshman year of college, during the fall of 1996, the Lord brought me to a place of full surrender to Him. He then surrounded me with men to disciple me, Christian peers to walk it out with, and numerous godly examples. God then began to show me, over time, how the way He had wired me was according to His purpose, and that He had work for me to do. Ephesians chapter two, verses eight through 10, says it best! I am amazed at the LORD's faithfulness, His steadfast love, and His never ending grace and mercy (Lamentations 3:22-23).

I am thankful for my wife! Proverbs 18:22 says, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD." That is exactly what has happened. God graciously directed me to my "good thing." He did it. If you want to read our story/testimony of how He brought us together, you can read it here. We have now been married for 18 days, and I still can't believe what the LORD has done.

I am thankful for my church where I serve as an under shepherd! Every time someone refers to me as "Pastor Dave" I am reminded of God's grace and am humbled that He is using me. God is doing some amazing things at our church! Yesterday's marriage was just one example, of how God is redeeming people and restoring lives and families. Our church is a beautiful picture of Christ's diverse bride. We come from different ethnic backgrounds and different socio-economic backgrounds to find family together underneath the banner of Christ. I am so thankful for how God used my neighborhood and community in Chicago to shape me, and is now doing the same thing here in Richmond.

I am thankful for all of the family and friends and supporters that Josie and I have. It was an amazing thing at our wedding to walk out and see such amazing support and love! We have "family" (some biological) all over the country, and in other parts of the world! This loving community is just another evidence of God's grace.

I am thankful for the legacy of faith in Christ that has been passed down from our parents - James & Gwendetta Albright and Dave & Coleen Clark. I am thankful for their faithful support, love, encouragement, and wisdom.

Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

3 Blog Entries Worth Reading

Although, I have a few different blogs "in the hopper" that I plan to write soon, today I want to direct your attention to other blog entries that I think are definitely worth checking out.

(1) Today we had the opportunity to witness the marriage ceremony of a couple from our church. The three of us pastors took them to the county clerk to get legally married, with plans to have a church ceremony in the near future. God is doing an amazing work in the lives of Kevin and Karen Saechao. My good friend and co-laborer Curtis Zackery blogs about it here.

(2) As many of you know I serve on the board of a ministry in southern Africa called Africa Revolution. My good friend, Allan Greig, is the founder and executive director of this ministry. He and his wife recently spent 3 months in Swaziland serving the local church there, and pouring their lives into a team of vision year interns. As Allan prepares to return to the states, he had these challenging and thought provoking thoughts to share on his blog entry entitled "Plugging Back Into The Matrix."

(3) I recently began listening to the podcast of Pastor Bryan Loritts, and then shortly thereafter began following him on twitter. He pastors a multi-ethnic church in Memphis, TN. He recently shared his "Top 10 Books On Multi-Ethnic Ministry." I have read a handful of these, but was definitely encouraged to check out some of the others. You can see his list here.

November Praises & Prayer

It is safe to say that the month of October flew by! It was a busy month of ministry, and of preparing for our wedding! This last week or so especially has been a whirlwind. I have woken up the last few mornings just in awe of God's faithfulness and goodness and grace. I have been struck afresh with the amazing truth that God is my Father, and loves me as His son! I am so humbled as I reflect on all of the ways the LORD has answered prayers in this unique season of my life, and our lives (I'm married now!!). Here are our praises and prayer requests, as we head into the month of November...

Praises

1)This past Saturday we got married in Chicago!!!!! I still cannot believe it! (Our web site, www.davidandjosie.com tells our story. God's grace is so evident in everything!)

2)For all of the friends and family who have shown us so much love and encouragement as we celebrated our marriage, and as we move into this next season of life together!

3)We both prayed that Christ would be lifted high in our wedding ceremony, and we feel that He honored our prayers on our wedding day!

4)For God's continued provision for our financial support needs! We have such faithful and generous supporters!

5)We have begun two small groups for married couples at our church, and are studying "Sacred Marriage" by Gary Thomas! We are so blessed to be able to be in community with these other couples!

6)For the opportunity to disciple my brother Nick here in Richmond!

7)For key relationships and opportunities to serve at Richmond High School!


Prayer Requests

1)That Jesus would be our first love, and the foundation of our marriage!

2)For safe travels and and a great time on our honeymoon in Hawaii! We will be gone November 11th through November 18th. (We are also so thankful for the financial assistance that made this trip possible!!!)

3)Every Wednesday we fast and pray as a pastoral team for the needs of our church and our city. Would you pray with us and for us on Wednesdays?

4)This month we will be starting a Wednesday night Praise & Prayer service from 6-7:30pm! Pray that God would give us a passion to seek Him on behalf of our church, our city, and the nations! Pray that God would teach us how to pray as a church! We are excited to see how He will answer prayer!

5)Pray that the Lord would direct us as we consider becoming a satellite location for World Impact's "TUMI" (The Urban Ministry Institute). This would give us the opportunity to offer seminary level coursework/training to men and women in Richmond and the East Bay at an affordable rate.

6)That we would be a church centered on and passionate about the Gospel and making disciples of all nations!

*As always, please let us know how we can be praying for you! Email me at pastordave@lhnchurch.org

Podcast
We, now have a podcast! You can subscribe on I-Tunes, and listen to our messages each week. You can search "Living Hope Neighborhood Church on I-Tunes.
If you don't do the I-Tunes thing, you can also listen to the messages on our web site, www.lhnchurch.org

1 John 3:1 = See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God...

The Priority & Power of Prayer: Part 2

Four Prerequisites For Powerful Prayer
(Taken from a message given by Jackson Senyonga and found in “The Power Of A City At Prayer” by Mac Pier & Katie Sweeting)

Living In Harmony

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to preach at LHNC. We have been working our way through the book of 1 Peter. You can listen to my message here. I would also encourage you to listen to the first two messages in the series preached by Pastor Aaron & Pastor Curtis. (We also have a podcast on I-Tunes, if you look up Living Hope Neighborhood Church.)

Here are some of the points of emphasis from this Sunday's message...

1 Peter 1:22-2:10
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of the grass. The grass withers and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation - if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame." So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," and a "stone of stumbling and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

“We have a living hope in Jesus Christ that that compels us to live in holiness and harmony so that we might demonstrate and declare His excellencies.”

This supernatural rebirth has made it possible for us to obey the truth, to purify ourselves, and to love our brothers and sisters (v. 22-23)

The Cornerstone determines the design and orientation of a building is the most significant stone in the structure. The Cornerstone is the visible support on which the rest of the building relies for strength and stability. We are the building & Jesus Christ is Our CORNERSTONE!

Our unity affects our outreach
Our oneness affects our witness

John 17:21 = That they (believers, disciples) may all be one, just as You Father are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

The Priority & Power of Prayer: Part One

One of the themes that the Lord is pressing into my life since moving to Richmond is the importance of fasting and prayer. These are disciplines that all of us as Christ followers would say are crucial, and yet we often struggle to consistently and persistently seek God. One of our first decisions as a pastoral team (and probably are most important decision) was to devote Wednesdays to fasting and prayer - to pray for our church and pray for our city. Wednesday has honestly become my favorite day of the week here. I feel like I am learning to pray afresh, and I am seeing God answer prayers and reveal Himself through our times of prayer.

We have also met some brothers who have unknowingly impacted us with their intentionality and devotion to prayer.

First, we met a pastor who began volunteering at Richmond HS when his son was a student there (I believe 6 to 8 years ago). He started volunteering with the basketball team as an assistant coach. The Lord gave him a real burden for the students of Richmond HS. So he began to look for other opportunities to volunteer and to have a presence in the school. In addition to helping with the basketball team, he began substitute teaching, and then volunteering as the school health officer. He eventually was hired as the school health officer. This position probably pays next to nothing. However, that is not his aim. He is doing it so that he can maintain a presence within the high school. He takes prayer walks and prays for the school in the morning before the day begins. Sometimes during the day he walks the halls and prays for the students. He invited us to come and pray with him anytime. He is praying that God would move upon the hearts of students, faculty, and the administration. He believes in the power of prayer.

Second, we met a man who is the executive director of an inner city para church ministry in San Francisco. His ministry is located in the Tenderloin District, which we were told is probably the poorest area in San Francisco. He started this ministry 29 years ago. When he first began, he left his corporate job because he felt God calling him to respond to the needs of this particular neighborhood. He was able to initially rent a storefront, but he knew the ministry would need more space - if they were to provide housing, and be able to do wholistic ministry there. So he rented an office space in a very spacious four story building that was owned by a company. He chose this building because He had begun to pray that God would give the ministry the building. By renting an office space inside this building, he was given keys to the building. He would wait until all of the employees went home for the night, and then he would walk the halls and pray and ask God to give them the building. The building eventually went up for sale, and near that same time he received a call from a man who lived in Chinatown. The man asked him to come and meet with him. When he went to the man's house, the man told him the Lord had told him to give towards the ministry. Interestingly, the man gave him a large amount of gold coins. The gold coins were enough to put a down payment on the building, and the rehab project began. Today they have a homeless shelter, food pantry, thrift store, weekly worship service, offices, and Christian school within the building! More recently, a wealthy businessman bought the building next store to the ministry building and turned it into a strip club. The director of the ministry recognized the danger of this. Yet he knew that he needed the city to take legal action if the strip club was to be shut down. So he decided to fast and pray for 40 days. Not only that, but he decided to sit in front of city hall in a chair while he fasted and prayed these forty days. He invited others to pray with him that the city would move to shut the strip club down. On the 36th day, they invited him into city hall, and after speaking with him decided to answer his requests. The strip club was ordered to close its doors! His son also told us that once a year he walks around the perimeter of the city and prays for revival in San Francisco. He believes in the power of prayer.

I am thankful for what the Lord is challenging me with in the "school of prayer." Lord I believe, but help me in my unbelief.