Alex Cosio
Hispanic Pastor
On Sunday May 11th we are celebrating mother’s day; it is a day where we want to recognize and pay tribute to our moms. This celebration began exactly 100 year ago in 1908 when Anna Jarvis requested her pastor to have a special service on Sunday to honor all of the mothers of the congregation. On may 10th, 1908 they had a special celebration and gave all mothers a carnation, which was Mrs. Jarvis’ mother’s favorite flower. Then a few years latter President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed the second Sunday in May as mother’s day.
So this day is a very special day for all mothers and I want to recognize you and thank the Lord for all of you.
It is true that one of the most demanding responsibilities for each woman is that of being a mother. Many of us have studied hard to be engineers, doctors, lawyers, teachers and so on, but there is not a major, to my knowledge, in motherhood or parenthood. Parents mostly learn by example, experience and trial and error. Where I am from there is this saying: “Learning comes by messing up.” But when it comes to our children; we need to avoid learning by messing up. As it is we’ve messed up many times.
God has given you the blessing of being a mom or a dad but along with his blessing he asked us “And fathers, don't stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4)
How can we train and bring up our children in the instruction of the Lord?
There is a family in the period of the Judges that raised a godly child who later became a judge, a prophet and a priest; Samuel. It was a time of corruption, rebellion and sin. “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes”
This phrase describes exactly the time and condition not only of our time but of every period in history, every society in the world that has not the God of the Bible as their King.
The first characteristic of this family was his devotion. Elkanah and his wife Hanna went from his town to Shilo every year to worship God. In one of those trips, Hanna poured her soul before God in prayer asking for a son (1 Sam. 1:3,15) Our example is the best teaching that we can give our children, if they see our devotion to God, they will learn by example.
When Samuel (which means God heard me) was born, Elkanah and Hanna knew that this child was the Lord’s and had only a few years to train him.
Here we see the second characteristic of this family which was dedication. This they did to train Samuel for the service of the Lord. This is true also with our children; the first years are the best years to teach a child. We only have a few good years to train them in the instruction of the Lord. Psychologists say that by the age of three, 80% of the child’s character is formed.
Finally we also see in them determination. For Hanna it should have been very difficult to gave up her son to stay in Shilo with Eli; however she was determined to follow up her promise to God. She left Samuel and visited him every year; she saw how her child grew up to be a judge, a prophet and a priest in Israel.
To all of you moms, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being such devoted, dedicated and determined mothers. The Lord has blessed you richly and my prayer is that He continue to give wisdom and strength to train you children in the instruction of the Lord, and that you may see them grow to glorify Him. Happy mother’s day!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
It Is Finished
Tim Shaw
Adult Education Pastor
For several weeks my son and I have been working on a rather large Lego building project. It was a building that had hundreds of steps in the instructions and even more pieces to put together. One night we completed the final step in the instructions and my son yelled with joy, "Dad, we finished it!" I think we were both happy to be done and proud of our accomplishment. During the recent Easter season I kept reflecting on three words that Jesus spoke while on earth. Perhaps they are the most significant words He uttered. “It is finished.” Here Jesus was not rejoicing simply because he had reached the end of his earthly journey. He loved life, and lived it with a glad heart. No, He proclaims that He had completed a task of supreme worth, much more than any earthly tasks of which we are familiar. He had not merely brought the task to an end; He finished it! His victory was not partial, but complete. Just as Jesus a few hours before had said to the Father, "I have finished the work which thou gavest Me to do," (John 17:4) even so now He was shouting the same triumphant words from the cross. He was rejoicing over finishing the greatest of all tasks.
What was the task the Lord finished? What had the Lord come to do? The Gospels give more than one answer. I want to address three.
1) The Son of Man came to seek and to save those who are lost. As the great physician, He had come to attend, not to those who are well, but to those who are sick. He came to save all the lost people of the entire world. The single Greek word "teleho" which translates "It is finished" has been found in the early papyri on tax receipts meaning "paid in full." Christ satisfied God’s justice by dying for all to pay for their sins. These sins can never be punished again since that would violate God’s justice. Our sins have been paid in full by our Substitute.
2) "I am come that you might have life, and that you might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) He came not merely to preserve but impart life. Yes, eternal life in Heaven, but also meaningful, purpose-filled life here on earth.
3) The all-inclusive reason for which Christ came was to reveal God. "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the father, he hath declared Him." It was to make God known! Therefore if we desire to know what God is like, we can find our answer in Jesus. Could we possibly imagine a more satisfying answer! When Paul sought to describe God as best as he could, he said that He was the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is, God is like Jesus. Jesus revealed God by what He did on the cross. Here on Calvary we see God's supreme revelation about Himself.
It is easy for us to sit back and look at this finished work in a trite fashion as it applies to us. We may look at Calvary, sit back and relax, and say, "Yes, Jesus paid it all." However, this contradicts Paul's teaching in Col. 1:24 when he says, "I… fill up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions." Paul does not mean that in any way the suffering of Christ on Calvary was incomplete or inadequate. He is however teaching that Christ, who gave Himself to the uttermost must have disciples that will give to the uttermost if they are to reach their highest usefulness. He was asserting with another apostle, "He laid down His life for us: we ought to lay down our life for our brethren." I wonder if you will reflect on this the way I did and ask yourself, “Can this be said of my commitment to Christ?”
Adult Education Pastor
"…He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His head, he gave up His spirit."
John 19:30.
John 19:30.
For several weeks my son and I have been working on a rather large Lego building project. It was a building that had hundreds of steps in the instructions and even more pieces to put together. One night we completed the final step in the instructions and my son yelled with joy, "Dad, we finished it!" I think we were both happy to be done and proud of our accomplishment. During the recent Easter season I kept reflecting on three words that Jesus spoke while on earth. Perhaps they are the most significant words He uttered. “It is finished.” Here Jesus was not rejoicing simply because he had reached the end of his earthly journey. He loved life, and lived it with a glad heart. No, He proclaims that He had completed a task of supreme worth, much more than any earthly tasks of which we are familiar. He had not merely brought the task to an end; He finished it! His victory was not partial, but complete. Just as Jesus a few hours before had said to the Father, "I have finished the work which thou gavest Me to do," (John 17:4) even so now He was shouting the same triumphant words from the cross. He was rejoicing over finishing the greatest of all tasks.
What was the task the Lord finished? What had the Lord come to do? The Gospels give more than one answer. I want to address three.
1) The Son of Man came to seek and to save those who are lost. As the great physician, He had come to attend, not to those who are well, but to those who are sick. He came to save all the lost people of the entire world. The single Greek word "teleho" which translates "It is finished" has been found in the early papyri on tax receipts meaning "paid in full." Christ satisfied God’s justice by dying for all to pay for their sins. These sins can never be punished again since that would violate God’s justice. Our sins have been paid in full by our Substitute.
2) "I am come that you might have life, and that you might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) He came not merely to preserve but impart life. Yes, eternal life in Heaven, but also meaningful, purpose-filled life here on earth.
3) The all-inclusive reason for which Christ came was to reveal God. "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the father, he hath declared Him." It was to make God known! Therefore if we desire to know what God is like, we can find our answer in Jesus. Could we possibly imagine a more satisfying answer! When Paul sought to describe God as best as he could, he said that He was the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is, God is like Jesus. Jesus revealed God by what He did on the cross. Here on Calvary we see God's supreme revelation about Himself.
It is easy for us to sit back and look at this finished work in a trite fashion as it applies to us. We may look at Calvary, sit back and relax, and say, "Yes, Jesus paid it all." However, this contradicts Paul's teaching in Col. 1:24 when he says, "I… fill up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions." Paul does not mean that in any way the suffering of Christ on Calvary was incomplete or inadequate. He is however teaching that Christ, who gave Himself to the uttermost must have disciples that will give to the uttermost if they are to reach their highest usefulness. He was asserting with another apostle, "He laid down His life for us: we ought to lay down our life for our brethren." I wonder if you will reflect on this the way I did and ask yourself, “Can this be said of my commitment to Christ?”
Love so amazing, Love so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Real Beauty
Hi, my name is Melody Merritt, and I am the Director of Women’s Ministry at ABC. You may be asking yourself why am I writing the blog this week and not one of the pastors or staff members? They have graciously asked me to write this week and to share about the Women’s Ministry and an upcoming event in April. I feel inadequate to do this, but I know God has called me to Women’s Ministry and given me a love for the women of this church and community. God loves each of you, men and women. So, men, keep reading even though this is really for the women, and encourage the ladies in your life to be godly women of grace. Women, listen up!
The purpose of the Women’s Ministry is to encourage and equip women to gather, grow and go. This is pursued through Bible studies, mentoring, small groups, More for Moms, Apples of Gold, Treasurekeepers, Godly Gals of Grace, and special events. Women need other women in their lives to encourage them, to listen, and to share life. My heart’s desire is to see every female (from 1 to 100) that comes into the fellowship of ABC to feel welcome, encouraged, and equipped to grow in their relationship with God and the body of Christ.
On April 18th and 19th we will have “The Real Beauty Retreat” at Apex Baptist Church for women and teens. Shari Braendel, a speaker with Proverbs 31 Ministries, will be with us to give a Christian perspective on beauty, fashion, and modesty. This weekend will be a chance for women of all ages to come together and celebrate being women and find out what real beauty is.
Last summer when we began talking about a theme and a speaker for our Spring Fling, I had just heard Shari speak, and her message touched my heart. As I prayed, I felt God saying this was something the women and teens of Apex needed. Modesty has taken a back seat in fashion for years. As Christians, we too often look at the world and go along with what the world dictates. God does have a word for us. We don’t have to go along with the world. We are daughters of the King, and guess what? “The King is enthralled by your beauty.” ( Psalm 45:11). God loves each one of us, and we represent God to the world.
The weekend begins on Friday night with the Modest is Hottest Fashion Show and a What Not to Wear segment for girls and teens focused on the 5 B’s of Modesty. This will be very interactive with audience participation. Moms, you are encouraged to come join your daughters for this night of excitement and hear the heart message that Shari shares with our daughters on modesty. Please encourage your daughters to come and bring their friends.
Saturday morning will be for women from 18 to 100. Shari tells it like it is in a best friend way, sharing practical image and style advice. The day will be uplifting, engaging, and off the wall fun. Shari will talk about body types, clothing styles, color analysis, and give lots of fashion tips in the Girlfriends Guide to Glamour and If Clothes Could Talk workshop segments. She will also share her heart and God’s Word on Real Beauty.
Ladies, you do not want to miss any part of this weekend. Plan now to come and to bring your daughters and their friends on Friday night and your sisters and girlfriends on Saturday. Tickets are $15.00 each, but moms come free on Friday night. Friday night is from 7:00 until 10:00. The doors open at 6:00 and Shari will be doing color analysis at that time. Saturday starts with coffee and muffins at 9:00. Lunch will be served during the day and the workshop ends at 2:00. There will be something for everyone. Don’t be the one left out of the fun when you hear about it on Sunday the 20th and wish you had come. I hope to see each of you there!
The purpose of the Women’s Ministry is to encourage and equip women to gather, grow and go. This is pursued through Bible studies, mentoring, small groups, More for Moms, Apples of Gold, Treasurekeepers, Godly Gals of Grace, and special events. Women need other women in their lives to encourage them, to listen, and to share life. My heart’s desire is to see every female (from 1 to 100) that comes into the fellowship of ABC to feel welcome, encouraged, and equipped to grow in their relationship with God and the body of Christ.
On April 18th and 19th we will have “The Real Beauty Retreat” at Apex Baptist Church for women and teens. Shari Braendel, a speaker with Proverbs 31 Ministries, will be with us to give a Christian perspective on beauty, fashion, and modesty. This weekend will be a chance for women of all ages to come together and celebrate being women and find out what real beauty is.
Last summer when we began talking about a theme and a speaker for our Spring Fling, I had just heard Shari speak, and her message touched my heart. As I prayed, I felt God saying this was something the women and teens of Apex needed. Modesty has taken a back seat in fashion for years. As Christians, we too often look at the world and go along with what the world dictates. God does have a word for us. We don’t have to go along with the world. We are daughters of the King, and guess what? “The King is enthralled by your beauty.” ( Psalm 45:11). God loves each one of us, and we represent God to the world.
The weekend begins on Friday night with the Modest is Hottest Fashion Show and a What Not to Wear segment for girls and teens focused on the 5 B’s of Modesty. This will be very interactive with audience participation. Moms, you are encouraged to come join your daughters for this night of excitement and hear the heart message that Shari shares with our daughters on modesty. Please encourage your daughters to come and bring their friends.
Saturday morning will be for women from 18 to 100. Shari tells it like it is in a best friend way, sharing practical image and style advice. The day will be uplifting, engaging, and off the wall fun. Shari will talk about body types, clothing styles, color analysis, and give lots of fashion tips in the Girlfriends Guide to Glamour and If Clothes Could Talk workshop segments. She will also share her heart and God’s Word on Real Beauty.
Ladies, you do not want to miss any part of this weekend. Plan now to come and to bring your daughters and their friends on Friday night and your sisters and girlfriends on Saturday. Tickets are $15.00 each, but moms come free on Friday night. Friday night is from 7:00 until 10:00. The doors open at 6:00 and Shari will be doing color analysis at that time. Saturday starts with coffee and muffins at 9:00. Lunch will be served during the day and the workshop ends at 2:00. There will be something for everyone. Don’t be the one left out of the fun when you hear about it on Sunday the 20th and wish you had come. I hope to see each of you there!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Gastrointestinal Gymnastics, Loving God & Anthem
Rick Gutierrez
College/Singles Pastor
As I type this blog I am without the ability to speak. I can’t talk. I have completely lost function in my vocal chords. Pardon the graphic picture, but my current dilemma is due to having stayed up all last night enjoying the thrill and ecstasy of vomiting. Basically, last night’s gastrointestinal gymnastics have rendered my ability to vocally communicate obsolete.
Not being able to talk has made something very clear to me—I have a lot of stuff to say! All day I have wanted to speak but I have been frustrated by the fact that I cannot communicate. Throughout the day, I have been in need to share information, share something funny, ask questions, etc. Truly it has been irritating to not be able to communicate whatever has been on my mind or on my heart.
Here’s the real sad thing…I cannot audibly tell my wife that I love her. I’m sitting on the couch feeling awful and Jamie is taking care of me. The, she looked at me and told me she loved me; and when I tried to respond all that came out was something that sounded like 99 year old chronic smoker trying to catch their breath after a long walk to the mail box.
Love is incomplete unless it is communicated. In order for love to find completion it must be expressed. While I admit that there are many ways to communicate love apart from actually saying it, the fact remains that something is lacking unless it is spoken. Love must be announced. Love must be heard. Whether you are 12 years old with a crush on a girl in class or you are 65 and have been married for 40 years, there is a desire to express the love we have for the other person.
To a large degree this is what is involved in worship. Worship is lavishly expressing to God the affection we have for Him. Worship is telling God we love Him. As a Christian there must be a desire to communicate our heart to God. Psalm 147:1 says, “Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant and praise is becoming.” Is this your confession? Would you agree with the psalmist that it is good to sing praises of adoration to our God? Do you consider it to be pleasant to tell God you love him? Have you ever considered the fact that it is becoming of a Christian to express their affections to God?
There are many ways to verbally express our love to God, but one of the best and most ancient is through corporate song. This is the most important thing that is to take place when we gather on Sunday mornings. We are to lavishly communicate our affection to God when we gather with one another. The bride (the church) must tell the Groom (Christ) that she loves Him. This is good, pleasant and becoming.
An anthem is a symbolic song of praise, devotion and loyalty. It is a piece of sacred music commemorating a grand event. It memorializes something or someone great. As Christians, when we gather we are to worship by singing anthems to God—songs that express who God is to us and that thank Him for all that He has done for us. We have to sing anthems. This is part of what it means to be Christian. We have to verbally communicate our love to God by antheming His name.
Please come to ANTHEM this Sunday (March 16, 2008) at 7:00 PM in the fellowship hall for a time of praise and worship in which we will lovingly lavish our affection and adoration to God. Come to ANTHEM and communicate your love for God.
College/Singles Pastor
As I type this blog I am without the ability to speak. I can’t talk. I have completely lost function in my vocal chords. Pardon the graphic picture, but my current dilemma is due to having stayed up all last night enjoying the thrill and ecstasy of vomiting. Basically, last night’s gastrointestinal gymnastics have rendered my ability to vocally communicate obsolete.
Not being able to talk has made something very clear to me—I have a lot of stuff to say! All day I have wanted to speak but I have been frustrated by the fact that I cannot communicate. Throughout the day, I have been in need to share information, share something funny, ask questions, etc. Truly it has been irritating to not be able to communicate whatever has been on my mind or on my heart.
Here’s the real sad thing…I cannot audibly tell my wife that I love her. I’m sitting on the couch feeling awful and Jamie is taking care of me. The, she looked at me and told me she loved me; and when I tried to respond all that came out was something that sounded like 99 year old chronic smoker trying to catch their breath after a long walk to the mail box.
Love is incomplete unless it is communicated. In order for love to find completion it must be expressed. While I admit that there are many ways to communicate love apart from actually saying it, the fact remains that something is lacking unless it is spoken. Love must be announced. Love must be heard. Whether you are 12 years old with a crush on a girl in class or you are 65 and have been married for 40 years, there is a desire to express the love we have for the other person.
To a large degree this is what is involved in worship. Worship is lavishly expressing to God the affection we have for Him. Worship is telling God we love Him. As a Christian there must be a desire to communicate our heart to God. Psalm 147:1 says, “Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant and praise is becoming.” Is this your confession? Would you agree with the psalmist that it is good to sing praises of adoration to our God? Do you consider it to be pleasant to tell God you love him? Have you ever considered the fact that it is becoming of a Christian to express their affections to God?
There are many ways to verbally express our love to God, but one of the best and most ancient is through corporate song. This is the most important thing that is to take place when we gather on Sunday mornings. We are to lavishly communicate our affection to God when we gather with one another. The bride (the church) must tell the Groom (Christ) that she loves Him. This is good, pleasant and becoming.
An anthem is a symbolic song of praise, devotion and loyalty. It is a piece of sacred music commemorating a grand event. It memorializes something or someone great. As Christians, when we gather we are to worship by singing anthems to God—songs that express who God is to us and that thank Him for all that He has done for us. We have to sing anthems. This is part of what it means to be Christian. We have to verbally communicate our love to God by antheming His name.
Please come to ANTHEM this Sunday (March 16, 2008) at 7:00 PM in the fellowship hall for a time of praise and worship in which we will lovingly lavish our affection and adoration to God. Come to ANTHEM and communicate your love for God.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The Amberly Prayer Project
Matt Rice
Church Plant Pastor
“I know exactly what to do Dad.”
This past weekend was a great day with my kids. We are moving to NW Cary and my wife – God Bless her – is working a little more so we can live there and plant a church. This affords me the honor of being the Lone Ranger Dad every 4th weekend. This past weekend was the first in this new arrangement.
After some cartoon watching, I turned the TV off and gathered the 3 oldest ones together to assemble a 24 piece floor puzzle. The puzzle was a circus puzzle and quite complicated. Andrew and Mollie did a great job of helping and Luke the 2 year old did a great job of distracting while Jake slept. Overall, things were going great. We had 23 pieces in place. But there was a problem…the puzzle had 24 pieces. We looked for the missing piece and could not find it anywhere. Just then Andrew jumped up and announced in typical Rice loudness, “I know exactly what to do Dad” as he headed into the bathroom. I thought to myself, “When you gotta go, you gotta go.”
He came back and asked, “Guess what I did Dad?” I hesitantly asked, “What?” He said, “I prayed and asked Jesus to help us find the puzzle piece.” I was caught off guard and praised his action. We left the puzzle on the floor and went outside to play hoping the piece would show up. Later that night, just before bed, I was looking for something and found PIECE NUMBER 24!
God taught me a huge lesson and Andrew was equally stoked. God is concerned about all the details of our lives…..all of them. He wants us to come to him with all of our requests – the big ones and the “puzzle pieces.” We are a church in the process of replanting ourselves to be a church planting church in order to build the Kingdom of God. I serve as the pastor of the first church plant out of this new vision. We have been meeting for 4 weeks while ABC is finishing up casting her new vision. You might be asking, “So, what can we do next?”
To quote a wise 5 year old, “I know exactly what to do.” We must PRAY!
On March 8, 2008 we will join forces – the church plant and ABC - to prayer walk NW Cary. I invite you to GATHER in the ABC Fellowship Hall at 8:15 am; to GROW together with a challenge and some Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (Did I say the hot sign was on?), and GO prayer walk Amberly calling on God to open the hearts of these people as we reach them with the Gospel.
Can you walk? Can you pray? See you on March 8th at 8:15 am…Did I say the HOT SIGN was on?
Click here to read a biblical definition and explanation of prayer walking.
Church Plant Pastor
“I know exactly what to do Dad.”
This past weekend was a great day with my kids. We are moving to NW Cary and my wife – God Bless her – is working a little more so we can live there and plant a church. This affords me the honor of being the Lone Ranger Dad every 4th weekend. This past weekend was the first in this new arrangement.
After some cartoon watching, I turned the TV off and gathered the 3 oldest ones together to assemble a 24 piece floor puzzle. The puzzle was a circus puzzle and quite complicated. Andrew and Mollie did a great job of helping and Luke the 2 year old did a great job of distracting while Jake slept. Overall, things were going great. We had 23 pieces in place. But there was a problem…the puzzle had 24 pieces. We looked for the missing piece and could not find it anywhere. Just then Andrew jumped up and announced in typical Rice loudness, “I know exactly what to do Dad” as he headed into the bathroom. I thought to myself, “When you gotta go, you gotta go.”
He came back and asked, “Guess what I did Dad?” I hesitantly asked, “What?” He said, “I prayed and asked Jesus to help us find the puzzle piece.” I was caught off guard and praised his action. We left the puzzle on the floor and went outside to play hoping the piece would show up. Later that night, just before bed, I was looking for something and found PIECE NUMBER 24!
God taught me a huge lesson and Andrew was equally stoked. God is concerned about all the details of our lives…..all of them. He wants us to come to him with all of our requests – the big ones and the “puzzle pieces.” We are a church in the process of replanting ourselves to be a church planting church in order to build the Kingdom of God. I serve as the pastor of the first church plant out of this new vision. We have been meeting for 4 weeks while ABC is finishing up casting her new vision. You might be asking, “So, what can we do next?”
To quote a wise 5 year old, “I know exactly what to do.” We must PRAY!
On March 8, 2008 we will join forces – the church plant and ABC - to prayer walk NW Cary. I invite you to GATHER in the ABC Fellowship Hall at 8:15 am; to GROW together with a challenge and some Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (Did I say the hot sign was on?), and GO prayer walk Amberly calling on God to open the hearts of these people as we reach them with the Gospel.
Can you walk? Can you pray? See you on March 8th at 8:15 am…Did I say the HOT SIGN was on?
Click here to read a biblical definition and explanation of prayer walking.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Some Tough Work
Peter Dubbelman
Family Life/Admin. Pastor
Being a parent can be tough work. Perhaps the perspective of Joseph Hall will help. Joseph, not noted for his wealth but definitely for his wisdom, said the following:
“A wealthy and influential man came into my house. Seeing all my children standing in the order of their age, he said, ‘These are they that make rich men poor’ to which I replied, ‘No, these are they that make poor men rich, for I would not part with any of my children for all your wealth.’”
Viewing the training up of a child as a privilege, rather than a responsibility, can make our load seem that much lighter.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Sirviendo Juntos en el Evangelio
Por Alex Cosio
Pastor Ministerio Hispano
Escuché la historia de un misionero en un área remota el cual estaba escribiendo algunas cartas. Un niño de la aldea estaba intrigado por aquellos símbolos que se estaban grabando en un papel. El niño preguntó al misionero que era lo que estaba haciendo. El misionero pensando que el niño no entendería el concepto de “cartas” dijo: “Estoy poniendo mis pensamientos en este pedazo de papel.” El niño contestó dijo: “a ya sé, esta poniendo sus pensamientos en una prisión.” El misionero dijo: “No, al contrario, estoy liberando mis pensamientos.”
El apóstol Pablo estaba en la prisión a causa del Evangelio. Esas cadenas (probablemente lo ataban a un soldado romano), esas paredes y todas las dificultades por las que estaba pasando no podían detener la expansión del mensaje del evangelio. Las autoridades religiosas y civiles de su época consideraban a Pablo una amenaza para sus sistemas establecidos; ellos pensaban que habían eliminado a Pablo. El mismo Satanás debió haber estado brincando de gusto, como un niño con juguete nuevo. “¡Pablo esta eliminado!” era las nuevas en el mundo espiritual. Sin embargo, Pablo no estaba eliminado, al contrario; el Señor utilizo este tiempo en prisión para que Pablo escribiera varias cartas, las cuales han trascendido las fronteras, las culturas y las épocas. Hoy podemos leer lo que Pablo, inspirado por el Espíritu Santo, escribió a la iglesia, es decir a usted y a mi.
¿Qué fue lo que hizo que este hombre fuera tan eficaz en el ministerio? Saulo (posteriormente Pablo) era un judío sumamente religioso y estaba en contra de Jesucristo y del cristianismo, inclusive persiguió a la iglesia y consintió en la muerte de Esteban (Hechos 7:59-8:1; 9:1). La religiosidad puede ser un estorbo para la obra de Dios. Saulo aprendió que solo hay una forma correcta de hacer la voluntad de Dios; o Saulo hacía las cosas a su manera o a la manera de Dios. ¿Se puede identificar con Pablo? Yo si; estaba en contra del cristianismo y me burlaba de los cristianos. Sabe, fui criado en la religión establecida de Latinoamérica y me enseñaron a no confiar en los “cristianos.” Gracias a Dios que tuvo misericordia de mi y transformó mi corazón como lo hizo con Saulo. (Hechos 9:1-22)
El primer atributo que hizo que Pablo fuera eficaz en el ministerio fue su encuentro personal con Jesucristo resucitado. En Su famosa experiencia en el camino a Damasco, Pablo entregó completamente su vida a su Dios y Salvador Jesucristo. Para Pablo las palabras de aquel gran himno “Todo a Cristo yo me Rindo” eran realidad en su vida. No se rindió el diez por ciento o el cincuenta por ciento, ni siquiera el noventa y cinco por ciento. El ser rindió todo al señorío de Cristo. Querido hermano y hermana en Cristo, esto solo me hacer preguntarme a mi mismo cuánto me he rendido a Cristo. ¿Están mis intereses puestos antes que las intenciones de Dios?
En segundo lugar, no solo Pablo su encuentro personal con Jesucristo, sino también su obediencia al llamado de Dios. La Biblia dice que inmediatamente comenzó a encontrarse con la gente en los lugares donde se congregaban para adorar a Dios y les predicaba a Jesús demostrando que era el Cristo. Le doy gracias al Señor por renovar la visión que El ha dado a la Iglesia Bautista de Apex/ Queremos ser esos creyentes que comparten la buenas noticias de salvación.
Tercero, y muchas veces ignorado, es que Pablo fue eficaz por sus colaboradores en el ministerio. Pablo nunca fue un hombre que actuó independiente y/o autoritativamente. En todas sus cartas, menos las cartas personales (1ª y 2ª Timoteo y Tito), menciona personas que colaboraron con él en el servicio del evangelio. En Romanos – Lucio, Jasón y Sosipater. En 1ª Corintios - Sóstenes juntamente con Priscila y Aquila, Estéfanas, Fortunato y Acaico. En 2ª Corintios. – Timoteo. En Gálatas – menciona a “todos los hermanos que están conmigo.” En Efesios – Tíquico; en Filipenses - Timoteo En Colosenses – Timoteo, Aristarco, Marcos, Justo, Epafras, Lucas y Demas (en 2ª Timoteo 4:10 lo abandonó amando al mundo) En 1ª y 2ª Tesalonicenses a Silvano (Silas) y Timoteo; y en Flemón - Timoteo. En el libro de los Hechos encontramos a otras personas colaborando con Pablo en el establecimiento de iglesias en Asia Menor y Europa. Bernabé, Marcos, Silas, Lucas, Sópater, Aristarco y Segundo, Gayo, Tíquico y Trófimo
Todos estos hombres y mujeres – y muchos otros cuyos nombre, aunque no registrados en la Escritura, están registrados en el libro de memorias del Señor (Malaquías 3:16) ¡Que privilegio tenemos usted y yo de servir y ser colaboradores en el ministerio para que la obra y el pueblo de Dios continúen creciendo. Quiero animarle a unirse en la adoración a Dios y en la obra del ministerio. Congreguémonos, crezcamos y compartamos para hacer que la gloria de Dios sea grandiosa entre nosotros. Recuerde los tres atributos que hacen efectivo el ministerio. Primero; necesita una encuentro personal con Jesucristo (su relación personal con El). Segundo; necesita ser obediente al llamado de Dios para usted. Tercero, únase y sea un colaborador en el ministerio.
Pastor Ministerio Hispano
Escuché la historia de un misionero en un área remota el cual estaba escribiendo algunas cartas. Un niño de la aldea estaba intrigado por aquellos símbolos que se estaban grabando en un papel. El niño preguntó al misionero que era lo que estaba haciendo. El misionero pensando que el niño no entendería el concepto de “cartas” dijo: “Estoy poniendo mis pensamientos en este pedazo de papel.” El niño contestó dijo: “a ya sé, esta poniendo sus pensamientos en una prisión.” El misionero dijo: “No, al contrario, estoy liberando mis pensamientos.”
El apóstol Pablo estaba en la prisión a causa del Evangelio. Esas cadenas (probablemente lo ataban a un soldado romano), esas paredes y todas las dificultades por las que estaba pasando no podían detener la expansión del mensaje del evangelio. Las autoridades religiosas y civiles de su época consideraban a Pablo una amenaza para sus sistemas establecidos; ellos pensaban que habían eliminado a Pablo. El mismo Satanás debió haber estado brincando de gusto, como un niño con juguete nuevo. “¡Pablo esta eliminado!” era las nuevas en el mundo espiritual. Sin embargo, Pablo no estaba eliminado, al contrario; el Señor utilizo este tiempo en prisión para que Pablo escribiera varias cartas, las cuales han trascendido las fronteras, las culturas y las épocas. Hoy podemos leer lo que Pablo, inspirado por el Espíritu Santo, escribió a la iglesia, es decir a usted y a mi.
¿Qué fue lo que hizo que este hombre fuera tan eficaz en el ministerio? Saulo (posteriormente Pablo) era un judío sumamente religioso y estaba en contra de Jesucristo y del cristianismo, inclusive persiguió a la iglesia y consintió en la muerte de Esteban (Hechos 7:59-8:1; 9:1). La religiosidad puede ser un estorbo para la obra de Dios. Saulo aprendió que solo hay una forma correcta de hacer la voluntad de Dios; o Saulo hacía las cosas a su manera o a la manera de Dios. ¿Se puede identificar con Pablo? Yo si; estaba en contra del cristianismo y me burlaba de los cristianos. Sabe, fui criado en la religión establecida de Latinoamérica y me enseñaron a no confiar en los “cristianos.” Gracias a Dios que tuvo misericordia de mi y transformó mi corazón como lo hizo con Saulo. (Hechos 9:1-22)
El primer atributo que hizo que Pablo fuera eficaz en el ministerio fue su encuentro personal con Jesucristo resucitado. En Su famosa experiencia en el camino a Damasco, Pablo entregó completamente su vida a su Dios y Salvador Jesucristo. Para Pablo las palabras de aquel gran himno “Todo a Cristo yo me Rindo” eran realidad en su vida. No se rindió el diez por ciento o el cincuenta por ciento, ni siquiera el noventa y cinco por ciento. El ser rindió todo al señorío de Cristo. Querido hermano y hermana en Cristo, esto solo me hacer preguntarme a mi mismo cuánto me he rendido a Cristo. ¿Están mis intereses puestos antes que las intenciones de Dios?
En segundo lugar, no solo Pablo su encuentro personal con Jesucristo, sino también su obediencia al llamado de Dios. La Biblia dice que inmediatamente comenzó a encontrarse con la gente en los lugares donde se congregaban para adorar a Dios y les predicaba a Jesús demostrando que era el Cristo. Le doy gracias al Señor por renovar la visión que El ha dado a la Iglesia Bautista de Apex/ Queremos ser esos creyentes que comparten la buenas noticias de salvación.
Tercero, y muchas veces ignorado, es que Pablo fue eficaz por sus colaboradores en el ministerio. Pablo nunca fue un hombre que actuó independiente y/o autoritativamente. En todas sus cartas, menos las cartas personales (1ª y 2ª Timoteo y Tito), menciona personas que colaboraron con él en el servicio del evangelio. En Romanos – Lucio, Jasón y Sosipater. En 1ª Corintios - Sóstenes juntamente con Priscila y Aquila, Estéfanas, Fortunato y Acaico. En 2ª Corintios. – Timoteo. En Gálatas – menciona a “todos los hermanos que están conmigo.” En Efesios – Tíquico; en Filipenses - Timoteo En Colosenses – Timoteo, Aristarco, Marcos, Justo, Epafras, Lucas y Demas (en 2ª Timoteo 4:10 lo abandonó amando al mundo) En 1ª y 2ª Tesalonicenses a Silvano (Silas) y Timoteo; y en Flemón - Timoteo. En el libro de los Hechos encontramos a otras personas colaborando con Pablo en el establecimiento de iglesias en Asia Menor y Europa. Bernabé, Marcos, Silas, Lucas, Sópater, Aristarco y Segundo, Gayo, Tíquico y Trófimo
Todos estos hombres y mujeres – y muchos otros cuyos nombre, aunque no registrados en la Escritura, están registrados en el libro de memorias del Señor (Malaquías 3:16) ¡Que privilegio tenemos usted y yo de servir y ser colaboradores en el ministerio para que la obra y el pueblo de Dios continúen creciendo. Quiero animarle a unirse en la adoración a Dios y en la obra del ministerio. Congreguémonos, crezcamos y compartamos para hacer que la gloria de Dios sea grandiosa entre nosotros. Recuerde los tres atributos que hacen efectivo el ministerio. Primero; necesita una encuentro personal con Jesucristo (su relación personal con El). Segundo; necesita ser obediente al llamado de Dios para usted. Tercero, únase y sea un colaborador en el ministerio.
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