El Legado - The Recap

Legacy was very good this year. Perhaps the most tangible and measureable results and fruit that we have ever had at a Legacy camp. We received many reports from Mexican pastors regarding decisions to follow Christ and re-dedications. Oscar Chavez did a great job as the speaker - he presented the gospel clearly in the context of living a life for eternity - not just for the present. Norm did a wonderful job translating and helping in a lot of areas.

The worship team did a phenomenal job with the bi-lingual music - especially since they did not have the opporutnity to practice much. A big thanks to Billy, Russell, Cherise, Bethany, Rachel, Rachel, and George. You guys were awesome!

Roger, Collin and Edward did a great job with the sound, video, and general Tech stuff. I really appreciate all that you guys did.

Steve kept a tight lid on security. Dan and Dan both helped with numerous "fires" and challenges - thanks to both of you.

And many other people contributed in a variety of ways. But we all have to go out of our way to thank Selah for all that she did. Selah was the Queen. She did everything. Feeding 300+ people three different meals is no easy task. But I never had to worry about it. She was always in control - she had a plan and made it work amazingly well. Her great attitude - even when exhausted - was so appreciated. I hope everyone realizes that Legacy this year could not have happened without Selah. Those people who heard the gospel and responded for the first time would never have had the opportunity if not for Selah. We all owe Selah a huge Thank You!

Legacy Notes

Packing: We Are Packing the Trailers on Monday - Come to the Church any time after 4:00 PM to help
Tuesday Night: Pantomime Practice at 6:00 PM
Early Group: Meet at Church at 6:00 PM on Thursday
Friday Group: Meet at the Church at 3:00 PM on Friday

Still Need:

Ice Chests
Tents

Bring Flash Lights!

The Rock

So, what constitutes a “Bible Teaching Church”? Simply one that “teaches the Bible”? Well, lots of religions “teach the Bible”. However, accurately teaching the Bible is key.

Jesus said to Simon Peter, “On this rock, I will build my church.” What rock was that? Jesus made that statement in response to Peter saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus was saying: On the foundation of this statement – on the accurate recognition of who I am – on that rock, I will build my church. Therefore, the key to a solid, biblically based church, a church that Jesus is building, is the accurate representation of who Christ is – it is on that bedrock that Jesus builds His church.

In II Corinthians 11:4, Paul critiques the Corinthian church by noting “if one comes and preaches another Jesus”, that the Corinthian church was tolerating this teaching. Paul compares the Corinthians falling for this teaching to Eve being deceived by the serpent in the Garden.

And in Galatians 1:8-9, Paul tells the Galatian church:

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!
As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

At the heart of the gospel that Paul was preaching was the identity of Jesus – and that salvation could not be earned, but only received through the sacrifice of Jesus. Paul is essentially saying to the Corinthians and to the Galatians – if anyone preaches another Jesus – a Jesus with a different identity – our response should be to run from that doctrine.

So, a Bible Teaching Church – a church built by Jesus – must accurately recognize the identity of Jesus Christ. It is on this recognition that Jesus says He will build His church – and any variance from this recognition should be completely avoided, refuted, and condemned.

Next Time: So, what does the Bible say about the identity of Jesus?

That ringing in your ears....

Yes - there was no doubt - Cherise was back at Youth Group last night. The overall decibels were much higher than normal last night - thanks to our "visitor" from Georgia. But I don't think anyone was complaining - it's great to have Cherise around for several weeks.

But what happened to all the girls during the game? Ultimate Frisbee turned into a "guys only" event as all the girls abandoned ship to...... I dunno.....paint their toe nails or something. Anyway, I got to blindside Ben at the end of the game since the game turned "full-contact" - and that freed up Alex to find Joseph in the end zone for the winning score. That's the way it should be - my team gets to win. Sorry Ben....

She's Beautiful - Part 3

Those that are only concerned with the church as a whole - the universal body of believers that make up the Body of Christ - are missing a significant part of the New Testament. New Testament writers strongly emphasize the local church - the importance of a local assembly of believers who come together on a regular basis for fellowship, learning, edification, encouragement and worship.

Most of Paul's letters are either addressed to a specific local church or are instruction for a local church. The writer of Hebrews admonishes that we are not to "forsake the assembly" of believers - we are to be a part of an "assembly". The book of Acts depicts to the giving of the "right hand of fellowship" - the idea of cultivating a commitment to a particular group where there is accountability, fellowship and responsibility. The writer of Hebrews instructs a Pastor of a church that he will be responsible to give an account for those under his care in his church. Paul writes to Timothy and outlines roles within a local church - and how deacons and elders should qualify and function - in a local church. Through the first part of Revelation churches are praises or condemned because of how they function as a body of believers. Paul gives specific instruction to the Corinthian churches regarding how they are to function - and corrects them where they have gone astray.

Throughout the New Testament there is example after example of passages regarding the local church. The idea that a Christian would live, function and flourish outside of a local body of believers, outside of the oversight of Pastors and Elders, outside of the fellowship, accountability, structure, and function of a local church - this idea is completely foreign to the New Testament.

Christians are called to be a part of the Body - for their own edification, encouragement and accountability - but also to contribute to the Body - to fulfill their roles as a part of such body - to fulfill their responsibility within a specific body, according to the intention and structure designed by God and expressed in the New Testament.

We, as believers, are called to associate and serve with other believers within the realm of a local church - a church committed to teaching the word of God clearly and accurately.

Next Time: What constitutes a "Bible Teaching Church"?

Find Out What They Want....and Give Them the Opposite

From Dr. James R. White:

Paul knew he was going against popular intuition. He wrote, "For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (vv. 22-24). Please do not miss his self-confession. "I preach Christ crucified" he says. "I preach a message I know will offend both main groups in my audience. It will offend the Jews because they seek for signs, they have a particular view of what the Messiah is supposed to be, so, I know that to preach Him crucified is to put a stumbling block in their path. And the Gentiles seek after wisdom, and the idea that the Jewish Messiah's death is God's means of reconciliation is ridiculous in their eyes." How completely unlike the attitude that prevails today! Can you imagine if Paul were to present this preaching strategy in many college and seminary courses today? "I know what my audience will find attractive. So I intend to give them just the opposite." He would never graduate! Today we are taught to take surveys of our areas, learn what is attractive to our "target audience," how long the service should be, what tempo the music should have, what colors most attract and have the best emotional appeal, how the pastor should dress (you don't want to intimidate!) whether you should even have a pulpit (it should be warm and attractive and friendly-though a bar stool is enough for most), and how long the preacher should go in telling his heart-tugging, sentimental stories before closing with affirming the essential goodness of the audience and assuring them of God's love for them. The Apostle would not have the slightest idea what has possessed us, it would seem. He knew what would automatically attract, and he purposefully, willfully, said, "No, I will not do that."

Tuesday Night Re-Cap

Well, the freshman have been introduced to the high school group. We met at the Martin's - and many of the freshman found themselves thrown into the pool. But they got their revenge as several of the upperclassman also ended up all wet.

Billy caved in with the song selections and bowed to the wishes of the masses - we sang both "Rejoice" and "You are Holy".

And Rachel Gnewuch made a guest appearance - back from school and from Europe. And it was her birthday! Happy Birthday Rachel!

Tuesday Night Announcement - June 6

This Tuesday, we will be meeting at the Martin's house in Orange. We'll start at 6:00 - you can swim if you want - so come prepared for that. We'll also BBQ some hot dogs - come hungry. If you need to get picked up, please tell your parents to pick you up at 8:45.

She's Beautiful - Part 2

If the church as a whole is the Body of Christ and if our roles in the Body of Christ are fulfilled in the local church, shouldn't then our lives revolve around the local church? Shouldn't we, therefore, be committed to a local church? Shouldn't we place our service in that church and our fulfillment of our gifts through that church to be our highest priority in life? Is there a higher calling in life than to fulfill your role as a part of the Body of Christ through the local church?

It just seems that many people view their role in their church to be something that is added to their life. It's another of many of life's activities. But should it be that way? Shouldn't service in a local church be the central part of our lives? Shouldn't everything else in life be added to that - instead of the other way around?

I guess it comes down to how we view the local church - if we truly see it as the means by which we fulfill our part of the Body, then how can we view our commitment and involvement in this church as anything but the highest priority?

Next time: What does the Bible say about the local church?