Volume 14 Post/Email 5 – Be Humble Or You Will Stumble
by brian
In connection with Living For An Audience Of One is being humble. Humility helps us deal with the tension in our lives between where we are and where we could be. In fact, humility helps us get where we could and should!
On the contrary, a lack of humility hinders our path to further productivity! Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Furthermore, whenever I am prideful, I become the enemy of God! (James 4:6) Since God resists helping the proud, when I am proud (his enemy) I am going to stumble and fall! It is only a matter of time!
Positively thinking, humble people are teachable. Humble people don't rush to judge others. Humble people are honest about their own weaknesses, and are gentle towards others regarding their weak areas and even shortcomings. The humble are favored by God and lifted up by Him - "Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up." (James 4:10)
Finally, to clarify a common misconception: Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. We are not to put ourselves down, nor deny those spontaneous compliments from others. We are to magnify the Lord and seek His grace to lift us where we can be.
Be humble or you will stumble when seeking to reach your desired goals with the Lord's blessing.
Reflection: Is my ministry and journey toward my larger life vision and purpose about the Lord?
-Brian
Volume 14 Post/Email 4 – Live For An Audience Of One
by brian
Managing the pressures in our life becomes easier when we live for an audience of One!
The moment we choose to worry about what people think, our life and ministry become crippled. If someone's criticism is true, listen and learn from it. If someone's criticism is false, ignore it and forget it. Either way, concern yourself with what God thinks and seek to please Him.
Psalm 40:8 expresses this focus. "I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
When we try to do what others want and it is not already aligned with the will of God, this pressure is not deserved. Neither should we try to be someone we are not. We should simply be ourself! In living for an audience of One, we are able to be ourself. Our desire should aim to be all that God would have for us, and to accomplish all that he would wish - nothing more; nothing less; nothing else.
Reflection: Am I straining to please others?
-Brian
Volume 14 Post/Email 3 – Life Is A Marathon
by brian
To deal with the tension in our lives between the ideal and the real, between where we dream of being and where we currently are, it is helpful and accurate to see life as a marathon instead of a 50-yard dash.
Just because some of our goals in life have not yet been accomplished, does not mean they will remain unfulfilled. Both life and ministry are a marathon. Thus, sustainability counts more than speed. In First Corinthians 9:24-25 Paul compares life and ministry to a race, and highlights the value and necessity of being disciplined. In 2 Timothy 4:7 Paul emphatically states, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
When I was recently visiting the congregation of my childhood at Christmas, a lady I presume in her mid forties came to me with enthusiasm and said when I was preaching a revival at New Center Grove (10-11 years ago), that she was at an extremely low point in her life. She mentioned that I told her a message that changed her life. She quoted, "How you start does not matter as much as how you finish." She then said that when she came to Estill and discovered that my dad was a minister there that further encouraged her faith and determination. We embraced and I told her I was glad she shared and that God has been blessing her so.
Brothers and Sisters - whenever we struggle, are frustrated, down, discouraged, or feel defeated, it can help to have this broader and more accurate perspective of our life!
Perseverance is the hard work you do after you are tired from the hard work you have already done!
Reflection: How will you finish?
-Brian
Volume 14 Post/Email 2 – Tension
by brian
We live with tension in our lives. The tension exists between the ideal and the real; between our dreams and where we are. How do we live with this tension? What truth can help propel us forward with energy, focus and momentum in the new year?
Below are four truths we will emphasize in detail for the month of January to apply for 2012 as we aspire to higher living, to our ideal dreams and greater goals while facing the reality and pressure of where we are currently.
1. Life is a marathon.
(On January 9th we will place our lives in this broader perspective regarding unfulfilled dreams, disappointments and frustrations.)
2. Live for an audience of One.
(On January 16th we will emphasize living for God and not worrying about the thoughts, judgments and criticisms of others.)
3. Be humble or you will stumble.
(In connection with point #2, on January 23rd we will highlight the necessary foundational quality and attitude of humility to successful living, and, to healthy living that manages acute and episodic stress.)
4. Remember all growth is seasonal.
(Finally, on January 30th we will apply agrarian and fruit-bearing principles taught in Scripture to our personal growth and seasons of dormancy and the desire to accomplish more in 2012.)
Prayer: Lord, may we grasp, accept and apply these 4 truths this month and this year so that we may be better equipped by you to live with the tension in our lives.
-Brian
Volume 14 Post/Email 1 – A Prayer For 2012
by brian
Lord, bless us greatly in the new year! Likewise, may we be faithful stewards of all of Your blessings! Lord, use us everyday of the new year fulfilling your will. Fill us with Your Spirit. Use us daily in some way to bless others and advance your kingdom. Open doors for us as individuals and as a united church to reach more souls who are lost. May we live this year with purpose and peace. In Jesus' Name.
Volume 13 Post/Email 5 – What Child Is This? (#4)
by brian
Today we conclude this series on the names for baby Jesus in Isaiah 9:6.
Name #4: PRINCE OF PEACE
The phrase literally means “the prince whose coming brings peace.” This speaks of the effect of his coming. This final title is the climax of all that has gone before. The word “prince” means something like “General of the Army.” It speaks of his high position. The word “peace” speak of his basic nature.
All over the globe there are ethnic conflicts and tribal wars. Closer to home not a day goes by without word that someone else has been murdered in the U.S. We see so much killing that it no longer surprises us—or even bothers us. We’ve been immune to violence because we live in a violent world.
Isaiah 9:6 tells us that God’s plan for world peace is focused on one person—a baby asleep in a manger in Bethlehem. He is the ultimate man of peace. In the past, his coming made peace with God. In the present, those who come to him find peace in their heart when Christ comes in. In the future, his second coming will usher in a kingdom of peace.
There is no peace today. So much strife and bloodshed. He is not a failure. We are.
Peace is a wonderful thing, but hard to find in this world. It’s worth working for and waiting. God’s ultimate plan for peace rests not in treaties or lessons or progress, nor material prosperity. God’s plan for Peace is the Maker of Peace, Jesus Christ.
To know Him is to know blessing and happiness. To live without Him is to be, finally, restless and miserable.
He is no warrior, no greedy conqueror, no empire builder. He came to bring peace. He did. He does. He will.
In this tiny baby we see the peace of God welcomed by angels and shepherds. What child is this? He is the Prince of Peace. In this one verse you have the four names of Jesus. This is what they mean to us today:
When we are confused…He is the Wonderful Counselor.
When we are weak…..He is the Mighty God.
When we are afraid……He is the Everlasting Father.
When we are disturbed….He is the Prince of Peace.
What child is this? He is the … Wonderful Counselor … Mighty God … Everlasting Father … Prince of Peace.
Reflection: Will I leave this Christmas season miserable or peaceful?
Volume 13 Post/Email 4 – “For To Us”
by brian
“For to us”
Perhaps the most important part of our verse (Isaiah 9:6) is the first three words……."For to us.” The gift of Christ is a personal gift from God to us. God has a Christmas gift for you……..not wrapped in bright paper and fancy ribbon, but in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger…….It is the gift of His Son. It is for you. The gift is still there. It must be personally received.
You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look in the Father’s face and tell him you have received his Christmas gift. Have you done that?
In his carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” Phillips Brooks has a stanza that is a delight at this point:
"How silently, How silently
the wondrous gift was giv'n
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming
but in this world of sin
Where meek souls will receive him still
The Dear Christ enters in."
So He does! May this be your experience this Christmas!
May Christ be in our very hearts.
-Brian
Volume 13 Post/Email 3 – What Child Is This? (#3)
by brian
Today and for this week we will consider the third name in Isaiah 9:6 for Jesus.
Name #3: EVERLASTING FATHER
In the Hebrew the phrase is literally “the Father of Eternity.” This speaks of the purpose of his coming.
He is before, above, and beyond time. He is the possessor of eternity. He is eternally like a father to his people. This is not a statement about the Trinity, but about the character of our Lord. All that a good father is, Jesus is to his people.
Because he is like a father, he cares for his people. Because he owns eternity, he can give us eternal life. That’s so important for those of us who live on this sin-cursed planet. No one lives forever. Sooner or later we will also find our own place in the graveyard. We are not immortal, but transitory. We’re here today, gone tomorrow. A dead Christ will do us no good. Dying men need an undying Christ.
Here’s a key phrase: He is a father forever! All human fathers must pass on. But Jesus is a father forever! In this tiny baby we see the love of God sleeping in a stable. What child is this? He is the everlasting Father.
Reflection: For what temporary matter do I need to cease worrying this Christmas season?
-Brian
Volume 13 Post/Email 2 – What Child Is This? (#2)
by brian
We are continuing our series of thoughts on names for Jesus in Isaiah 9:6. Last week was "Wonderful Counselor."
Name #2: MIGHTY GOD
This speaks of the “Power of Accomplishment.” It is first of all a statement of deity. The baby born in the manger is not just the Son of God, he is also God the Son. All the fullness of God dwells in the Lord Jesus Christ. As the ancient creeds declare, he is “very God of very God.” That can never be said of any mere human baby.
There is something else important in this title. The word translated “mighty” is the word gibor, which means “strong one” or “the powerful, valiant warrior.” Thus the term "mighty God" is actually a military title. He is the God who fights for his people!
At the Incarnation, God took the form of human flesh. That’s why one of his names is Immanuel–God with us.
Now take the first two titles together and what do you have?
As the Wonderful Counselor — He makes the Plans.
As the Mighty God —He makes the plans Work.
All of his wonderful plans will be carried out with all of God’s infinite might. There is in this little baby all the strength of Deity. The power of God is in those tiny fists. He has strength which is divine. The omnipotence of God is at his commands. Whatever he desires, he is able to achieve.
If Jesus is but a man, then all we do at Christmas is in vain. At this point it is important that we not give in to the sentimental nonsense that makes Christmas a kind of feel-good, ecumenical holiday. Christmas is the great dividing line of the human race. No wonder some people want all mention of Christmas expunged from our public schools and from our public life. They understand that Christmas is based on the belief that at Bethlehem the God Incarnate was born. If that is not true, then we are not only wasting our time each Sunday morning, we are actually deluded and deceived. We are of all men most to be pitied.
But if He is the Mighty God, then when we rely on Him we are relying on God Himself! He is the Mighty God because we need divine aid to help us in our battle. Satan and sin would every day defeat us…..but He is the Mighty God and He has defeated them. In this tiny baby we see the power of God sleeping on Mary’s lap. What Child is this? He is the Mighty God.
Reflection: For what personal weakness this Christmas season do I need to trust in the might of God to perform and accomplish?
-Brian
Volume 13 Post/Email 1 – What Child Is This? (#1)
by brian
The title of my "Christmas Sermon" this year on Dec. 18th is Christmas Is A Good Time. I am going to focus us on 3-4 reasons why this is so. For these elguy messages, I have chosen a different focus, which is to share 4 messages in December on Jesus from Isaiah 9:6.
One of the decisions new parents have is what to name their baby. Jamie and I began discussions this past summer about what to name our child. The numerous first and middle name "combos" I mentioned were all vetoed. 
Once we learned the gender after the week 20 ultrasound, this became easier and more real as we discovered she is carrying our son. We know he will be carrying the "Tipps" name!
Names are important because once you pick out a name the child will be stuck with it for a long, long time! Babies have no voice in the selection of their names. They have to live with them — to live them down or live them up. Names are important because you tend to become what your name represents. Every so often you’ll run across a person with multiple names, such as Charles Phillip Arthur George Windsor. That sounds odd until you discover it’s the royal Prince Charles.
So it is with Jesus. Even before his birth, he was a child with many names. The prophet Isaiah, writing 700 years before He was born, prophesied that Messiah would have four names: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
This verse reveals four names for Jesus. They teach who he is and how he can help us today. The first way is through his wisdom.
Name # 1: WONDERFUL COUNSELOR
Literally this title means “a wonder of a counselor.” It speaks of his wisdom. The word “wonderful” means “astonishing” or “extraordinary.” The writers of the Old Testament used it for acts of God which man cannot understand. The word “counselor” means “advisor” or “ideal ruler.”
For one, this means his counsel is reliable. Those who come to him will never be led astray. The Lord goes to no one for advice. And when anyone comes to him, he gives them the guidance they need. He is the perfect teacher and the ultimate counselor. His plans are not our plans, his ways not our ways. A violent death would not be man’s way to victory but it was God’s plan and our Lord carried it out perfectly. In this tiny baby we see all the wisdom of God wrapped in swaddling clothes. What Child is This? He is the Wonderful Counselor.
Reflection: For what in this current Christmas season do I specifically need to seek the counsel of Jesus?
-Brian