04.16.08

"No Worries Mate!"

Posted in Uncategorized at 12:18 pm by ghuguley

You know who said that, don’t you? Crocodile Dundee (from the movie, circa 1986) said it and he said it often. I could say it often, but it’s very hard to mean it. I don’t consider myself a worrier (or a ”worrywart”–that’s just disgusting!), but when things bother me sometimes I can’t seem to stop thinking about them, pondering them, obsessing over them? Okay, so I worry about them and how they’ll turn out. Is that so bad? Turns out, it is. This week we talked about Jesus’ powerful (and convicting) teaching on worry. If you were here, you’ll remember (you weren’t sleeping, were you?); if not, Jesus’ teaching on worry was pretty simple. He said, “Don’t!” Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life . . . (Matthew 6:25).

I think I’m preaching to the choir here (actually, preaching to the preacher), but I’m worried about what my worrying says about my relationship with God. Does it say that I really don’t trust Him to take care of the things in my life? Honestly, I’d like to think that it doesn’t say that–and I’d surely feel better if it didn’t. But it does. And Jesus recongnized it: And if God cares so wonderfully for the flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t He more surely care for you? You have so little faith (Matthew 6:30). Direct hit. The presence of worry in my life indicates an absence of (sufficent) faith. So what am I to do? Jesus gives the obvious answer–Don’t Worry! Don’t worry about your life . . . about food, drink or clothing (just pass me that donut!) . . . about today or tomorrow. Easy for Him to say, after all, He is God. What does He have to worry about? That’s right, nothing. So He’s got time and He’s more than willing to take your worries–Give all your worries and cares to God for He cares about what happens to YOU (1 Peter 5:7).

But here’s the key. You’ve got to trust Him more than you trust you to meet your needs and take care of your problems. In order to do that, you’ve got to know Him well enough to trust Him. If I don’t know you and trust you, I’m not even going to tell you what’s going on in my life, much less trust you to help me with it. You won’t trust God with your worries if you don’t know Him–and know Him well. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). There’s no magic formula for “not worrying.” You’ll worry less as you know and trust God more. Don’t focus on your worries, focus on God. If you do this, you’ll beat back worry and take back the life Jesus came and died to give you. See you guys Sunday.

blessings,

pastor greg

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03.30.08

No Sightings Yet?

Posted in Uncategorized at 2:55 pm by ghuguley

It’s the rest of the story and it’s for those of us who have never seen Jesus walking around in our neighborhood (and for those who’ve seen Him in a tortilla or on a Pizza Hut billboard). After Thomas said to and about Jesus, My Lord and my God! Jesus replied, Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Those who believe without seeing are blessed (John 20:29). I say, “Hey, that’s me!” I haven’t seen Jesus in the flesh (nor in a tortilla–or Elvis, for that matter). Yet I believe that He’s alive and that He’s made me alive in Him. Should I feel like I’ve missed something? Do you?

We live in a day when people really want to see things. We’ve all taken Missouri’s state motto to heart, “show me!” Here’s a little trivia for you. Do you know how Missouri got that motto? One of her congressmen, Hillard Duncan Vandiver, speaking in Philadelphia in 1899 said this: Frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me!” I think it would be nice to have seen Jesus in the flesh, but perhaps His impact is greater because we didn’t see Him physically (Remember, Peter saw Jesus a lot–before he denied Him). I think that’s what Jesus suggests to Thomas–Those who believe without seeing are blessed.

Though we don’t have the same access to Him physically, we are able to know Him in a way that’s just as powerful and convincing–by Faith! The apostle Paul goes so far as to say we live by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). So we come to know the Risen and Living Jesus, not by seeing His flesh, but by faith, when the Good News is shared with us. Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). We can’t see Him physically, but we can know Him personally. Peter writes, You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9). You could miss Him; but not because you can’t see Him. You’ll only miss Him if you refuse to meet Him, by faith. I hope there’s a Jesus Sighting–by faith–in your future.

For by God’s grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift (Ephesians 2:8)

blessings,

pastor greg

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03.18.08

Going Down? Jesus’ Travels Beyond the Grave . . .

Posted in Uncategorized at 3:53 pm by ghuguley

After last week’s message, someone asked me about a certain passage of scripture that is often interpreted as Jesus’ “trip to hell.” The passage, 1 Peter 3:18-20 says, For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited paitently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built . . . “ The Apostle’s Creed, the most popular creed used in worship by Western Christians (developed between the 2nd and 9th centuries), seems to agree that Jesus caught the down elevator from the tomb: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven . . .

By the way, that phrase “he descended into hell,” is the most controversial one in the entire Creed. Some denominations consider it optional and others leave it out all together. So what does it mean? It depends on who you ask. Historically, some believed it meant everything from Jesus taking our sins to hell (On Sunday I said they stayed buried in the tomb–you were listening, weren’t you?) to Him taking the Good News to Old Testament saints in the place of the dead (Old Testament, sheol).

If you ask me, I think a better option flows directly from the text (imagine that?). He went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed . . . I believe it refers to Jesus proclaiming his victory over death, the grave, Satan and hell. Peter doesn’t use his normal word for “preach the gospel,” euangelizein; instead he uses the more general word for making a proclamation, kerussein. Besides, nothing in scripture indicates that any person hears preaching after death (I know you’re saying “Thank God!”). So Jesus is not on an evangelistic tour down under–He’s proclaiming His victory to . . . spirits in prison. Nowhere in the New Testament are human beings ever called “spirits.” The closest reference is in Hebrews 12:23 where it talks about the spirits of righteous people made perfect–and this reference is qualified–they are spirits “of people.” So in 1 Peter 3:19, these are not the spirits of dead people or Old Testament people. They are simply spirits. When this term is used in an unqualified way in the New Testament it refers to demonic spirits (Matthew 8:16, Luke 10:20)–and qualified as “unclean” or “evil” spirits (Matthew 10:1; Mark 1:27; 3:11; 5:13; 6:7; Luke 4:36; 6:18; Acts 5:16; Matthew 12:45; Luke 7:21; 8:2; Acts 19:12-13).

So I believe this passage should be understood as describing Jesus’ proclamation of triumph over death to the demons imprisoned, most likely since the fall of Satan. These are perhaps referenced in the New Testament book of Jude, verse 6, And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home–these He has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. So with His descent, even the demons in “darkest hell” now know that Jesus has become the sacrifice for our sins and the savior of our lives. They learned that He was dead, and buried and that He was on the way up–to rise from the dead. Or as many preachers have proclaimed, It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming!

See you on Easter Sunday morning–7:30, 9:00 or 10:30. Come and worship; and invite someone to come hear the Good News!

blessings,

pastor greg

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02.27.08

Show Me the Money–Reprise!

Posted in Uncategorized at 11:44 am by ghuguley

Thanks for hanging in there (those of you who did) for all three weeks of our series on Money and possessions. And yes, last weekend’s services are the only ones where we’ll EVER trade one hundred dollar bills for tens (sorry). The connection between our walk with Jesus and our money and possessions, however, remains. As the old quote goes, “Show me your checkbook and I’ll show you what’s really important in your life.” My on-going experience tells me, often painfully, that the quote’s correct. I hope the messages at least got us all thinking about how money and possessions impact our lives and how to keep them in their proper place. I don’t think we can over-emphasize Jesus’ words on being a slave to only one master. You cannot be slaves of God and of money (Matthew 6:24). You can only choose one, but you will choose one. Choose wisely!

I did wonder if I talked enough about our responsibilty, as followers of Christ, to support the work of His kingdom–and yes, the work of His church. There are always those who feel that I should have emphasized tithing more. Personally, that would be easy for me to do because Rebecca and I have practiced giving that way for many years. I know, however, that many other Christians don’t view tithing as a “mandatory” practice taught in the New Testament. I can’t settle that argument here (though there are some New Testament verses where Jesus affirms the practice of tithing, specifically in a Jewish context though), but I will argue (all day long) that tithing is (at least) a good start in developing the spirit and habit of generous giving. And there is no question that the New Testament teaches “generous” giving. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his or her income (1 Corinthians 16:2). If I were giving advice, I’d say “start with a tithe, and then go from there as God leads you.” He really will do that, you know? Maybe you just need to ask Him.

Overall, the real truth about money and possessions confronts us every day–no matter how much or how little we have or want: You are not your own; you were bought at a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Everything I have belongs to God, including me! I really am the manger (Remember, Steward = House Manager), and not the owner. That’s easy to say, and pretty easy to preach, but I wonder–for all of us–do we really believe that? Can anyone tell? The quote goes something like this: All other giving is easy when one first learns to give themselves to God.

Baptism and communion this weekend–don’t miss the celebration! Oh, and don’t forget your offering . . .

blessings,

pastor greg

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01.29.08

Preview of Coming Attractions . . .

Posted in Uncategorized at 4:29 pm by ghuguley

“God said to me, ‘I’m going to evangelize China, and if you’ll walk with Me, I will do it through you.’” –Hudson Taylor

I hope you enjoyed our Walking Into a New Year series. Can you believe the first month of 2008 is (almost) over? God already has some great things planned for this year–and if you’ll walk with Him this year, those plans will be manifested through you!! Don’t miss what God is doing, and don’t expect too little. Expect more! “Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think–according to the power that works in you–to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

We’ll be visiting our good friend Mickey Mouse this weekend, but I’m excited and you’ll be blessed by Chuck DeRolf preaching in our celebrations. Chuck is a member of First B. and a retired missionary who ministered in Japan for 30 years. He’ll be speaking about communion and Jason Poland, our Pastor of Ministry Development, will lead us in Holy Communion during our worship.

On February 10, when I return from Mickey’s, we’ll begin a new series entitled Frozen by Your Assets: Cold, Hard Facts, about You and Your Money. I know what it sounds like, but I promise (scout’s honor), it won’t be a guilt trip about how you should give more money to the church! It will be three weeks (think three weeks of , “encouragment,” “blessing,” “free stuff”–kidding!) where we think together about money and possessions–our attitudes toward them, our attraction to them, and the ability they have, to be a blessing or a curse. We’ll try to see all our money and our stuff in light of Jesus’ famous words that where your treasure is, there you heart is also (Matthew 6:21).

I hope you’ll check it out. Have a blessed week . . .

pastor greg

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01.22.08

Looking Out . . .

Posted in Uncategorized at 2:08 pm by ghuguley

A couple of quick things caught my attention as I reflected on this week’s message. It is absolutely amazing that Jesus, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Creator of all things, would focus His life on you and me. Quite frankly, most “really important” people don’t seem to have time for me–and actually I can’t blame them, why should they? As Mike and Sallie sang Sunday morning, “Who am I . . .?” Aren’t you glad Jesus is radically different than the “really important” people (whoever they are)? For Him, it really is all about you. He said He came to seek you, to serve you and to save you (apologies for the sermonesque alliteration). God said He loved you so much that He’d rather die than live without you (John 3:16). He’s definitely looking out for you; who are you looking out for?

When Jesus was asked by an expert in the Old Testament Law (one of those “really important” people), which commandment was the greatest, He immediately told them where their focus should be: He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and most important commandment (Matthew 22:37) Our primary focus is to be on our God–to love Him with everything we are and everything we have (More on that starting Feb. 10th). I hope that message really came through in my thoughts on walking into a new outward focus. The heart of our focus has to be on Jesus Himself. He really is the “Center of the Universe.” We have to look up and then reach out–as Jesus says, . . . The second (commandment) is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).

I went to our Primetimers’ Hymn sing Sunday afternoon (I love our Primetimer’s events–they make me feel young), and it reminded me what a challenge an outward focused life can be. In many (if not most?) churches, the biggest on-going discussion (sometimes argument) is about what kind and style of music to have in worship services. Do we sing mostly (or exclusively) praise and worship songs? Or do we sing hymns? Or do we sing hymns with an occasional chorus at the end? Or do we sing choruses with an occasional hymn in the middle? And some lone soul always wants a polka band, don’t they?

We all profess to know that ultimately we sing for an audience of One–but then again, God doesn’t seem to have a preferance of music; He’s more concerned about whether the song comes from your heart, and whether your heart belongs to Him. Nevertheless, we have a lot of musical preferences and we often find it difficult to follow the Bible’s outward focused advice: . . . in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the intersts of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:3-5). It’s an on-going challenge for all of us. But I believe we are up to it, and more . . .

blessings,

pastor greg

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01.06.08

One Year, But who’s Counting?

Posted in Uncategorized at 6:45 pm by ghuguley

Happy New Year–and here’s my resolution, my only resolution: I’m going to keep the blog up to date; and here’s a suggestion of a possible resolution for you: read the blog, if I keep it up to date. So, here I go, keeping my resolution . . .

Someone reminded me this morning (honestly I didn’t think about it) that today was our one year anniversary at First B. They told me, “Hey, happy anniversary . . .” And I resonded (with a lump in my throat), “It’s not my anniversary, is it?” “Dead man walking” comes to mind! Thankfully it’’s not my wedding anniversary that I forgot, so I can live to forget another day. But today does mark one year for me as your pastor. Let me say that it has been a privilege and I look forward to many more anniversaries with you. I truly believe that God has called us on a great journey together, and I feel like I’ve only taken a few steps. I know every great journey begins with only one step, but I have a feeling that this will be a year of many steps–forward I hope, but uphill perhaps.

Speaking of steps, I’m excited about our New Year’s series entitled: Walking Into a New Year. As I thought about the opportunities God gives each of us over the course of our lives, I was reminded of the fact that you never know which one will be the last one. I’ve got 1882 marbles in my jar (representing all the weeks until I turn 80–and tell you to get off my lawn ), but i don’t have any guarantee of taking another one out. The opportunities of today (whatever they are) could be the last ones. Try not to miss them.

I was reminded of that on the way home from lunch today. Samuel (who was not in the service) said, “Hey Daddy, can we wrestle tonight?” I said, “No Buddy, Daddy will be at church tonight.” (as the dynamic Josh Lee teaches the Word of God at our Sunday Night Youth Services) Rebecca overheard me and said, “Honey, after what you preached today, you have to wrestle with him.” So we went home and wrestled this afternoon (Sam pinned me, is still the champ, and nothing is broken). Sometimes when opportunity knocks, you answer quickly. Sometimes we ignore it. I hope I’m at least learning to pay attention to the “knocks”–and I hope you are too.

Next Sunday we’ll talk about Walking Into a New Outlook, re-examining Numbers 13-14, a scripture that we talked about last year at this time. We’ll see a couple of different outlooks and find out which one dominates your field of vision. Do you mostly see big problems? Or do you see opportunities because you serve a big God? You can see either one, or maybe both. It’s all in how you look at it. Let’s look at it together next Sunday.

blessings,

pastor greg

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12.06.07

Getting There Before It’s Over . . .

Posted in Uncategorized at 3:39 pm by ghuguley

The Christmas season is upon us (some might say, “running over us”) and, if we are not careful, it will pass us by. Christmas really is my favorite time of the year and I’m personally in favor of extending the season–more Christmas, I say! Or we could just start early. I might be the only one, but it warms my heart when the retail stores start putting out the Christmas stuff in September or late August. Okay, maybe that’s going a bit too far, but I just want to have time to enjoy the Christmas season. Don’t you?

It’s the beginning of December, and dare I say, the rush to Christmas is on! The Christmas holiday will come and go this year (like every year), but we have a chance to respond to Christmas in a way that will last–forever. We are coming up on the second week of our Christmas series entitled Guess Who’s Coming for Christmas? We could just as easily have called these messages R.S.V.P., because the focus and the real question is how we respond to Christmas–the real Christmas, the birth of the Savior who loves us and died for us.

Last week we talked about “The Crowd,” and I believe a crowd has come to characterize Christmas as much as anything. At Christmas, there are always crowds–everywhere you go! And in a way I like the crowds at Christmas (unless I’m at the end of a long line at the mall), because they do seem a little nicer, a little more compassionate than crowds the rest of the year. It’s as if people can feel that there’s something special in the celebration of this holdiay. Maybe they don’t realize exactly what it is; and maybe they misplace the sentiment of peace on earth, good will toward men because they don’t recall Who would be bringing that peace and good will. Hey, maybe we should tell them!

We have a responsibility to the crowd (beyond fighting them), and Christmas might be one of our best opportunities (remember, the crowds are nicer!). Like some shepherds and wise guys (men, actually) that we’ll talk about in a couple of weeks, we’ve stepped out of the crowd and gotten to the Christ of Christmas. This year, why don’t we step back in the crowd and bring someone else out–and not just out of the crowd, but out of the darkness and into the light of Jesus.

Christmas is upon us, but it’s not over. Help someone get out of the crowd and to the Savior. Don’t let it pass them (or you) by. See you Sunday.

blessings,

pastor greg

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11.19.07

The Rest of the Sermon . . .

Posted in Uncategorized at 4:33 pm by ghuguley

Thanks to everyone who attended our Thanksgiving Dinner Sunday night! It was awsome! And a large special “Thank You” to our volunteers and workers who set it up, cleaned it up and took it down. Your ministry does not go un-noticed–especially by the Lord. It was great to have the music and ministry of Myrrh as our program too. What a great testimony to God’s healing power! And musically, in addition to powerful instrumental versions of classic hymns, I thought they had some songs that sounded like Celine Dion and others likeThe Dixie Chicks (Hey, I like the Dixie Chicks, as long as they don’t talk about politics!) If you missed it, you should check them out (Myrrh, that is) when they are performing in the area again.

And now, the rest of the sermon (with apologies to Paul Harvey). I grew up hearing the phrase, “count the cost,” and Jesus exhorted His followers to do just that. Jesus illustrated “counting the cost” in two parables He told in Luke 14:28-32. We didn’t talk about these on Sunday, but they do have much to say. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whethere he has enough to finish it (vs. 28). Certainly Jesus does not want us to be “half-finished towers.” Do you know people who ran one lap of the Christian life and then quit? Or maybe they fought one round and quit? Or they played one quarter and they quit? If you haven’t counted the cost, it’s easy to quit when the price gets too high.

In His second parable Jesus said, Or what king, going to war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? (vs. 31)

If you are this king, and you count the cost, and still proceed–you are a brave man! Did you notice the odds? Two to one against you. And it feels just like that many times, doesn’t it? The odds seem against us–and maybe it’s even three to one. We fight agains the world, the devil and our own sinful desires, but don’t let that discourage you. Remember, God plus one is a majority. We must be people of courage, who will make the sacrifice to face any fear and fight any foe, knowing that with Jesus we cannot lose. As the Bible says, . . . the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4)

Have a great and blessed Thanksgiving. I’ll see you Sunday!

Blessings,

greg

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11.04.07

Hungering and Thinking about what He said . . .

Posted in Uncategorized at 4:12 pm by ghuguley

As we were worshiping through communion this week, I found myself thinking . . . Honestly, the first thought came to me as I was looking at the bread–I thought, “I wonder how many people touched this bread already” Thank you to all our communion preparers (you did wash your hands, didn’t you?), your ministry is a blessing to all of us! My second thought, though perhaps no more profound, was certainly more spiritual.

I recalled Jesus’ words we studied three weeks ago: I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you (John 6:53); Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life . . . (John 6:54); For My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me and I in him (John 6:55-56). I am the bread of life. No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry again. Those who beleive in Me will never thirst (John 6:35).

As I’m writing this, I just came back from Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que, where my physical hunger was filled (okay, maybe “stuffed” is more accurate) and my thirst quenched (God bless them, they have sweet iced tea!). But what about my spiritual hunger and thirst–did I get it filled and quenched today? Did you?

After eating lunch today, I was already thinking about what I am going to eat for dinner tonight. I’ll be hungry again soon–and I know it. How about you, are you hungry? Are you thirsty? I mean spiritually . . . In worship this morning I was thinking about my spiritual hunger and thirst and how Jesus said He fills my hunger and quenches my thirst. And I realized that I think a lot more about my physical hunger and thirst than about the spiritual. Am I alone? Yet Jesus pointed out which was really more significant. My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink (John 6:55). We need the spiritual nourishment that only Jesus provides, and we need it as much, if not more, than the physical nourishment that we crave.

As we took communion together today, this was my prayer: Jesus, You are the Bread of Life and You are Living Water. Nourish me so that I might grow strong and healthy. And help me to hunger and thirst for you that I might be filled. I challenge you, make it your prayer. And remember, there’s no counting calories with the Bread of Life. Eat as much as you like.

Bon appetit

pastor greg

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What I Meant to Say . . .

04.16.08

"No Worries Mate!"

03.30.08

No Sightings Yet?

03.18.08

Going Down? Jesus’ Travels Beyond the Grave . . .

02.27.08

Show Me the Money–Reprise!

01.29.08

Preview of Coming Attractions . . .

01.22.08

Looking Out . . .

01.06.08

One Year, But who’s Counting?

12.06.07

Getting There Before It’s Over . . .

11.19.07

The Rest of the Sermon . . .

11.04.07

Hungering and Thinking about what He said . . .

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