Are You a Poser? - Here on Purpose

God loves you.  Do you love him back?  If I could help change any one thing in the world, it would be this, for people who say they love Jesus to stop saying it and start showing it.  

LOVE is a verb!  

But don't get too far ahead of me.  I'm not talking about you loving others.  I'm talking about you first loving God.  How would your life change if you stopped telling God you loved him and instead, started showing God you love him.

How do we show God we love him?  Great question.  And there's good news, Jesus answered this for us in John 14:15 when he said, "If you love me, you will obey my commandments."  

I know...it's so much easier to just tell God we love him.  
And I will remind you...Whoever told you that following Jesus was easy flat out lied to you!

Jesus said, "the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it."  
Jesus said, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." 

So, how would you show God you love him? How are you looking for the "narrow" and "difficult" path?  Or, are you simply caught up in culture?  How about your life, is it going to be your life?  Or, will you give you to Jesus?  

These are very serious and important questions.  
I strongly believe the reason the church is so ineffective is NOT because God has lost his power.  But rather, because there are way too many posers saying one thing and living another!  THIS MUST CHANGE!  But first, YOU MUST CHANGE, I MUST CHANGE.

Hearing and obeying is a primary focus at New City Church.  Might we become a people who confess Jesus as Lord?  A people who read our Bible and then actually do what it says?  What would God be able to do if his people actually lived everyday John 15:1-8?  

I think making commitments are a good thing.  They keep you accountable.  But use wisdom, please don't make a commitment you are unable to keep.  Therefor, think before you commit.  

But do commit.  Don't make general statements like, "I'll pray more?"  What doe that even mean?  Make a very specific plan on what you are going to do and for how long you are going to do it. Then, share your plan with someone you trust and start it immediately.  

That's a good start for the week.  Hang with me.  Let's follow Jesus together and as we do, we will begin to look a lot more like him and a lot less like them.  

Forward,
Pastor Matt

 

 

 

 

Abide All Day - Here on Purpose

This may be a real challenge but I hope this is something you will begin to practice.

What would it look like for you to take a day off?  Not just from your job, but from all work?  The sabbath is a day of rest.  A day God provides for you.  But what should you do?

Great question...It's a simple answer, Abide All Day!  Today, weather you eat drink or whatever you do, do it to the glory of God.  How might you establish a weekly day that is devoted to a lifestyle of worship?  This is no easy task!  If you disagree, just try...don't do anything that is considered work.  What I think you will find is we are consumed with staying busy.  

I hope today will be your first step towards a lifestyle of sabbath.  Read more, pray longer, enjoy your family, enjoy the blessings of the Lord.  Abide all day!
(PS...I wrote this on Friday and had it scheduled to post this AM.  Doing my best to practice what I preach.  See you Sunday as we learn from Ephesians chapter 2.) 

Enjoy your day with the Lord,
Pastor Matt 

 

Reflect and Be Thankful - Here on Purpose

This coming Sunday our primary scriptures will be from Ephesians chapter 2.  Therefore, let us prepare our hearts and minds for what God has prepared for us.  To do this I want to change things up a bit and start with reading three verses from Ephesians chapter 2.  

Ephesians chapter 2:1-3

After reading, and maybe re-reading, these words I ask that you pause an reflect on your former life.  There was a time when you played by a different set of rules.  When you were not concerned with the things of God.  I DO NOT want you to dwell on these...that life is gone.  I DO want you to notice how God has rescued you.  In doing this practice it becomes very easy to...

Wow! - Brag on God.  Tell God how thankful you are for how he has set your life in a new direction.

Now... - Tell God what's going on in your life.  

How? - Stop talking and start listening to his voice as he speaks to you by his Holy Spirt and his Word.

Proverbs chapter 22

Ephesians chapter 2

1 John chapter 3

Utmost for His Highest

What is God saying to you?
What will you do about it?

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

Here on Purpose

Good Wednesday.  Let's begin with some prayer.

Wow! - Brag on God.  How might you honor his this morning by your words?

Now... - Tell God what's going on in your life.  What is creating stress or frustration.

How? - Time to stop talking and sit sill.  Set an amount of time (your choice) and "be still and know that he is God."  Afterwards, read today's reading to see what the Lord might say to you.

Proverbs chapter 21

Ephesians chapter 2

1 John chapter 2

Utmost for His Highest

What is God saying to you?
What will you do about it?

KaBoom!! - Experience God's power after your obedience

Have a great day,
Pastor Matt

 

Here on Purpose

Good Tuesday.  Today, we will start reading in Ephesians chapter two.  This second chapter will be the teaching context for the next two Sundays.  Let's start with prayer.

Wow! - Brag on God.

Now… - Tell God what’s going on in my life.

How? - Stop talking and start listening to God through his Spirit and his Word.

Ephesians chapter 2

Proverbs chapter 20

What is God saying to you?
What will you do about it?

Utmost for His Highest

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Matt

Will This Week Be Different? - Here on Purpose

Will this week be any different from last week?  This question will be our theme as we pray, read, and listen today. (ALSO...Don't forget about the Ephesians Bible Study tonight at both New City locations (shawnee and edgerton).  6:45-8:30pm.  For more information you can email me at matt@newcitychurch.com).

Wow! - Brag on God.

Now... - Today talk to God about what you think needs to be different in your life.  What do you need to stop?  What do you need to start?  Don't keep anything from him...don't press it down deeper within, give it up to God.

How? - You're done talking.  Let God speak to yo through his Word and Spirit.

Suggested Reading:

Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith."

What might God be asking you to "get rid of?"  
There is a responsibility to following Jesus.  There is a commitment to following Jesus.  What do you need to get rid of so that your can follow more faithfully?  

Ephesians 5:5, "For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God."

How do you define these three things?  
Are any of these present in your own life?
Does this create any concern in your life?  If yes, What is God asking you to do?  

2 Peter 3:9, "is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."

Will you be obedient towards the Lord?  I'm reminded of an Utmost for His Highest from last week..."If we obey God it will mean that other people’s plans are upset."

It's a question of love.  What do you love more?  It's a fair question and your life (not your words) will give a very honest response.

KaPow!! - Expertise God's power when you are obedient to God's voice.

Have a  blessed day, 
Pastor Matt

Is Jesus There? - Here on Purpose

Did you know Jesus wrote 7 letters?  Do you know where to find them?

Today we will look at the 7 letters Jesus wrote to 7 churches.  These 7 letters are found in the book of Revelation.

Before we get there let us first start with some prayer.

Wow! - Brag on God.  Tell Him why you think he is great.

Now... - Tell God what is going on in life.  Where are you needing some help?

How? - Quite talking and start listening.  We can hear God by his Word and by his Spirit.

Revelation chapters 2 & 3.
What words or phrases did you not understand?  Will you do the research to figure out what Jesus was saying?

Since we are studying, on Sundays at New City Church, Paul's letter to the Ephesians, what do you think Jesus meant when he wrote, "You have departed from your first love"?  What scripture or thoughts support your thinking?

Notice Rev 3:14-22
Does this letter apply to your life?  Are you hot or cold?
Is there a positive way to read "I am going to vomit you out of my mouth!"?  If no, what implication could this have on a "lukewarm" life?

Finally, if "lukewarm" Jesus say you don't have to stay that way.  What does Jesus ask you to listen for?  Then, what opportunity does he offer you?

Utmost for His Highest

Have a blessed weekend.  I'll be back posting on Monday morning.
Pastor Matt

What is Love? - Here on Purpose

Good morning.  Today we are going to think, pray, and read about love.  Let's start by asking some questions.

How do you define love?
Most times love is associated with a feeling or a emotion.  But, is how we define love and how God defines love (in his Scriptures) the same?  Today we are going to look for this word in our readings and see if we can discover a Biblical definition.  Then, by knowing how God defines this word, we will have the opportunity to apply this new definition into our lives.  This would lead us to spiritual wisdom (applying the spiritual knowledge that God revels to us).

Let's begin in prayer.

Wow! - Brag on God. 
Lord I want to thank you for your Word.  I thank you for how it speaks to my life.  I thank you for how it provides direction.  I thank you for how it confirms.  

Now… - Tell God what’s going on in life

How? - Stop talking and start listening to God by his Spirit and his Word.

1 John 
Look at 1 John 2:7-10, What do you notice about love?
Look closely at 1 John 2:15-17, What is John's warning here concerning love?  

I want to share some thoughts I have concerning 1 John 2:15-17 in relationship to generosity.  Most people want to be generous.  However, the reason they can't be is because they love the world.  Unless you are very wealthy, it is almost impossible to be a generous person and ALSO drive a new car(s), always be in the latest style, have the home of your dreams, the boat and camper, and I could go on and on.  

I want to sneak in here my definition of love.  Love = Commitment.  John tells us not to be committed to the things of this world.  Instead, be committed, or love, the things of God.  

I want to pull back the curtain on my families view on generosity.  5 years ago, a mentor of mine said that he and his wife increased their giving by 1% each year.  That statement has stuck to my brain.  I have been a tither (give 10% of your income) ever since I became a Jesus follower.  I learned early that I could trust God with my money...In 20 years he has yet to let me down!  5 years ago Jenn and I put my mentor's advice into practice.  What this means for the Millers is that each time we receive money (payday, gift, EVEN tax return, sale something, or make extra money from an outside source) we give 15% back to God.  

I'm not telling you to give 15%.  I'm wanting you to trust God with these 2 truths:
1) It's impossible to be generous when you love the things of this world.  
2) It is impossible to out give God.  

I wish I could sit across from you and share how God was faithful to the Millers in 2014.  If you're praying for break through in your finances you have to play by God's rules...NOT the rules of this broken jacked-up world.  It's your choice.  Which will you be committed to?  
If you want to hear more of my generosity story I would be glad to tell it to you.  Just email me, matt@newcitychurch.com and we can set up a time to talk.

Ephesians chapter 1 
Notice in Eph 1:4, Paul uses the phrase "in love."  
What do you think this means?
Why do you think this?

Utmost for His Highest

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

Here on Purpose

Good Thursday.  Let's begin with some prayer.

Wow! - Brag on God.

Now... - Tell God what's going on in your life.

How? - Stop talking and start listening to God by his Spirit and his Word.

Ephesians chapter 1
How many times does Paul write, "In Christ"?  
Why do you think he writes this so much?
Do you think there are many ways to God?  If yes, what scriptures support your view.  
If you want to know what I think you can read:
John 14:6
John 3:16
and re-read Ephesians chapter 1 :)

1 John 

Utmost for His Highest

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

 

Why Do You Believe That? - Here on Purpose

What do you believe about baptism?  What do you believe about healing?  What is your understanding of the "end times?"  In my experience, the answers to these types of Biblical questions typically start with "I think" or "I feel that." 

Because of this, I've been convicted to mature in my understanding of spiritual things.  I want to grow in what I know and why I believe it.  I want to be able to say, "I believe ______ because I read in the Bible in the book of  ______ that ______."  

People's understanding of spiritual topics is most always based on four common areas: 1) Thinking, 2) Experience 3) Church History and 4) Scripture.  Be honest with yourself...What area do you rely on the most when you are forming your theology?  Let's take it further...What order would you place these in when it comes to developing your theology?

I would like to recommend a potentially new order to the development of your theology.  
1) Scripture - what does the Bible say first.  May we build our theology on what God's Word says rather than trying to make God's Word fit our theology.
2) Church History - What did the early church fathers believe?  What did the saints before me believe?  
3 & 4) Reason and Experience - These two should always be last.  Don't misunderstand me.  These two are important, they just are the most important.  

Therefore, let's open our Bible and read with fresh eyes.  May God's Word have priority in our lives as we read today.  In great expectation of this happening, we will read only 1 book of the Bible.

1 John 
What were the major themes in this book?
What did God say to you by His Word?
What will you do about it?

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

What Do You Make Time For? - Here on Purpose

Good Tuesday.  Today I want to remind you that you are Here on Purpose!  Of all the things you could be doing you are choosing to sit with Jesus.

Read John chapter 15:1-8.  This is the very reason we meet with Jesus.  
What does this scripture say?
What will you do about it?

Wow! - Brag on God.

Now... - Tell God about what's going on in your life.

How? - Stop talking and start listening to his Word and his Spirit.

Galatians chapter 5

Mark chapter 16

Ephesians chapter 1

Proverbs chapter 3

Utmost for His Highest

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Matt

Start Your Week Off Right - Here on Purpose

Good Monday morning.  I want to encourage you to give at least 45 minutes, for the next 7 days, to set in a quite place to pray, read, and listen (yes in that order).  If this is your first visit let me introduce you to our abiding frame.

Wow! - start by bragging on God.  Identify the blessing(s) in your life and praise God for them.
Now... - tell God what's going on in your life.  This would include the good, the bad, and the ugly.
How? - stop talking and start listening.  Hear God speak by listening to his Word and his Spirit.
KaPow!! - experience God's power by being obedient to his Word.

That's our abiding process.  Let's begin.
Wow! - Brag on God.
Today I thank God that he allows me to be a part of his story.  The conversations, the opportunities to represent him, and the  times of prayer. 

Now... - Tell God what's going on in your life.

How? - Stop talking and start listening.

Mark chapter 15

Ephesians chapter 2

Galatians chapter 4

Utmost for His Highest

Almost done...
What is God saying to you?
What will you do about it?

Blessings,
Pastor Matt
 

Jesus Didn't Quit - Here on Purpose

This weekend we will celebrate New City's 3rd birthday as we launch our second campus in Edgerton, KS.  I'm honored that God would allow us at New City Church the benefit of starting a new work.  I ask that you join me in prayer for our newest church plant.  

WOW! - Brag on God.

Now… - Tell God about your day.     

How? - I ask that you speak to me by your Word and Spirit.

Mark chapter 14 
Don't rust through this.  Jesus' love is too great to understand.  Thank you Lord for finishing what you started.   

Galatians chapter 3

Ephesians chapter 1

Utmost for His Highest

KaPow!! - Experience God’s power as you are obedient to His Word.  

Enjoy your Saturday.  I'll be taking the next day off from the blog as I Sabbath.  I'll rejoin you in our reading on Monday, Jan 12th.  

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

The Hope of Your Calling - Here on Purpose

WOW! - Brag on God. 
Today I thanked God for my son Luke.  I also spent some time praying for my boy and for the future God has for him.

Now… - Tell God what’s on your mind

How?  Quit talking and start listening to his Spirit and his Word.

Mark chapter 13
In this chapter Jesus talks about two things: he answers the disciples question about the destruction of the temple and he talk about his return.  Study to discover when he moves from temple destruction to his great return.

Ephesians 1:17-19 (This is the primary text for Sunday’s teaching)
What do you think Paul means when he says, **“so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the incomparable greatness of his power toward us who believe, as displayed int the exercise of his immense strength.”**

Galatians chapters 1 & 2
Notice 1:15 in relationship to Ephesians 1:17.  What was the hope of Paul’s calling?

Notice 2:16, what does the word "Justified" mean?
Notice what provides our justification.  Not our faithfulness but Jesus' faithfulness.
What a great time to pause and thank the Lord for saving your life...While we still sinners Jesus died for us!

Utmost for His Highest

Have a blessed Friday,
Pastor Matt

Something in the Way - Here on Purpose

Popquiz: Do you think it is easy to follow God?  

If you answered yes you probably just accepted Jesus as your Lord and savior.  Welcome to the family.  For those who have been walking with God for more than one day has discovered that following God is far from easy.  Today's Utmost for His Highest speaks to this.  Look what Chambers wrote, “We seem to think that God wants us to give up things! God purified Abraham from this error, and the same process is at work in our lives. God never tells us to give up things just for the sake of giving them up, but He tells us to give them up for the sake of the only thing worth having, namely, life with Himself.”

What is God asking you to give up that is keeping you from Him?  A habit?  A friendship?  A tv show?  A specific behavior?  

In thinking through this, ask yourself this question, “Am I as close to God as I could be?”  If you answered, “No, I could be closer.” Then answer a follow up question, “What’s in the way of God?”  The “thing” that comes to mind, might very well be what God is asking you to give up.  

Oh…you should be aware of this…giving up your “thing” will not be easy.  The reason being is this “thing” meets a need in your life.  You rely on it to: calm you down, bring you joy, provide you pleasure, cover a hurt, pick you up, or get you though the day.  The reason God wants that “thing” gone is because he wants and expects, you to depend upon him for those very things.  

I know…this is hard.  But who ever told you following God was easy?  This is why you must abide daily.  On your own you can’t do it.  


I Can’t, Jesus Can, Join Jesus.

Wow! - Brag on God.
Today I thanked God for the job he has blessed me with.  Even all the stuff that comes with this job that I wish I didn't have to do.

 

Now… - Tell God about what's going on in life.

How? - Quit talking and start listening.

Mark chapter 12
12:13-17, I love this line, Jesus said, “‘Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they were utterly amazed at him.’”

God expects us to obey both the laws of our government (even if you deem them unfair) and the laws He has established.  
In what ways are you breaking both "Caesar's" and God's laws?
What will you do about it?

12:28-31, Jesus said the greatest commandment is, “Listen Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no other commandments greater than these.”

2 Thessalonians chapter 3
3:6 & 14-15, Paul said to “keep away from any brother (fellow christian) who lives an undisciplined life and not according to the tradition they received from us…But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note of him and do not associate closely with him, so that he may be ashamed.  Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish (to reprove or scold, especially in a mild and good-willed manner) him as a brother.”

Do this scripture apply to any relationship in your life?
What will you do about it?

Ephesians chapter 1
1:17-19, Paul says, “I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you spiritual wisdom and revelation in your growing knowledge of him…so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealthy of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the incomparable greatness of his power toward us who believe, as displayed in the exercise of his immense strength.  This power he exercised in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.” 

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Matt

Here on Purpose

Let's start with prayer.

Wow! - Brag on God.  
Today I thanked God for my wife.  

Now... - Tell God about what's going on in your life.

How? - Stop talking and start listening.
Today I sat in silence for 15 minutes...set a timer on your phone and give it a go.  

Mark chapter 11

Ephesians chapter 1

2 Thessalonians chapter 2

Utmost for His Highest

What is God saying to you by his Word?
What does obedience look like for you?

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

Jesus on Divorce - Here on Purpose

Today we will spend some time on the topic of divorce.  I can remember, when I was just a boy, when a family member got divorced.  He was the first person I knew who had ever been divorced.  It was big deal.  

Today, divorce isn't a big deal.  Not in the sense of shocking news anyways.  Of course divorce affects a lot of people, mostly when children are involved.  But nevertheless, regardless of the pain, people seem to keep divorce as a viable option when marriage problems arise.  That's our culture.  But we are to be in the world not of it.  As a part of our reading we will discover what Jesus says about this topic.  Let's begin.

Wow! - Brag on God.
Today I thanked God for his salvation.  I thanked him for choosing me and for showing me such kindness.  

Now… - Tell God about what’s going on in your life

How? - Stop talking and start listening.

Mark chapter 10
10:2-12, Here Jesus speaks about divorce and it’s implications on the people involved.  
Jesus provides the proper reason for divorce in Matthew 5:32.
He repeats this in Matthew 19:9-12.  Also, in Matthew 19:9-12 Jesus speaks to the fact that some are “given” or called to the single life.  
Paul speaks to his single life and a lot of other marriage topics in 1 Corinthians chapter 7.  

What does this mean for your life?  Have you divorced someone for reasons other than adultery?  Have you been divorced because of your unfaithfulness?  

What should you do?  As I read the Bible, there is only one sin that is unforgivable, Matthew 12:31-32, and that unforgivable sin is NOT divorce or adultery.   All sins, except for rejecting the Holy Spirit,  can be forgiven.  So what might you do?  As with all sin, I think these two steps are essential.  
1. Confess.  Will you agree with Jesus?  Will you agree with Jesus that you broke a vow?  
2. Repent.  Repent is a great gift from God.  It is our way of starting again (not starting over for that thing which we are repenting of still happened).  Repent is agreeing with God that a choice was wrong (confess) and then starting again in the direction of God and His Word.  Read John 8:1-12, and notice Jesus final words, “I do not condemn you either.  Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”  

What is God saying to you?
What will you do about it?

KaPow!! -  Experience God's power after your obedience.  

Ephesians chapter 1
This chapter will be our context for Sunday's teaching.  

2 Thessalonians chapter 1

Utmost for His Highest

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Matt

Start Your Week Off Right! - Here on Purpose

Good Monday morning.  What a great way to start your week.  As my old Sunday school teacher used to say, "7 prayerless days makes one weak."  Not so for us!  We are strong in the Lord!

Wow! - Brag on God.
Today I thanked God for the trustworthy men and women He has placed in my life. 

Now… - Tell God what's on your mind.
“I will live because He will live in my place.” Far Away Place, Alison Krauss and Union Station.

How? - Quit talking and start listening.

Mark chapter 9
9:4, “Then Elijah appeared before them along with Moses, and hey were talking with Jesus.”  What were they talking about?  How cool it would have been to be in on that conversation.

9:35, Jesus says about the greatest, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of and a servant of all.”  
What is God saying to you by this scripture?
What might you do about it?

1 Thessalonians chapter 5
5:14, “And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish (to caution, advise, or counsel against something) the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all.”  
How are you doing this in your daily Christian walk?

Utmost for His Highest

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Matt

How Would You Answer? - Here on Purpose

Jesus asked, "But who do you say that I am?"

Good Sunday.  I hope you have not neglected gathering with other like minded people to celebrate all that God has and is doing thru us.  Don't go to church...Be the church, God's called out people!

Wow! - Today I thanked God for the financial blessing that He has provided my family.  We are far from rich, by American standards, yet we are truly blessed.  

Now... - Tell God all that's going on in your life.

How? - Quit talking and start listening.

Mark chapter 8
Mark 8:29, Jesus asks the most important question you will ever answer, "But who do you say that I am?"  
So answer it, who is Jesus.  Don't tell me...Tell Him :)  What a great time to pray and confess what you believe about Him.  Amen!

1 Thessalonians chapter 4 (this is a fun chapter for those interested in end times)
4:13, what does Paul mean by the word "asleep"?  Why does he use this word?  What do you believe happen to you when you die?  What is your belief based on?  

4:14-18, This is difficult passage for those who believe in a secret rapture, where Christians disappear and only the lost are left behind.  Again, it's good to ask, "What do I believe?"  And, "Why do I believe that?"  

Ephesians chapter 1

Utmost for His Highest

Have a blessed Sunday,
Pastor Matt