Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Several times in my sermons, I have cited a passage from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship about the importance of each Christian to pick up his or her cross and follow Jesus. This is a very important biblical understanding and is very appropriate as we are in the Lenten season and approaching Good Friday and Easter. Here is an excerpt from Bonhoeffer’s famous work:
“That is what we mean by cheap grace, the grace which amounts to the justification of sin without the justification of the repentant sinner who departs from sin and from whom sins departs. Cheap grace is not the kind of forgiveness of sin which frees us from the toils of sin. Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him. Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must the asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of His Son: “ye were bought at a price”, and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.”I hope this inspires you at this time. Selah.
In Christ,
Steve
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Newsletter Article January 30,2008
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In the last two weeks something wonderful happened here in Dallas. It snowed. This was wonderful to me because Faith and Luke had never really seen snow and they were excited. We built snowmen and had a snowball fight. These were things that they had only heard Daddy talk about and Faith had feared that she would never get to build a snowman. I got to enjoy this snow with my kids as much as I would if I were a child again. Isn’t it wonderful how God has made us to be able to get so excited about new experiences?
God has made us so that our lives are enjoyable because of the serendipitous experiences we have, like the moment when we first fall in love. Yet, in our most important relationship – between ourselves and the LORD – many of us have become closed to encountering Him in new and exciting ways. Although, the LORD does not change, none of us has experienced the totality of all that God has in store for us. The Bible tells us that God is always doing “new things” and that as we walk daily with Him our minds and hearts will be continually opened to new understandings of Him and new possibilities in our lives. I pray that in this new year, you will be open to new ways of being with the LORD and experiencing His love. Along with the Apostle Paul, “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19). Selah.
In Christ,
Steve
In the last two weeks something wonderful happened here in Dallas. It snowed. This was wonderful to me because Faith and Luke had never really seen snow and they were excited. We built snowmen and had a snowball fight. These were things that they had only heard Daddy talk about and Faith had feared that she would never get to build a snowman. I got to enjoy this snow with my kids as much as I would if I were a child again. Isn’t it wonderful how God has made us to be able to get so excited about new experiences?
God has made us so that our lives are enjoyable because of the serendipitous experiences we have, like the moment when we first fall in love. Yet, in our most important relationship – between ourselves and the LORD – many of us have become closed to encountering Him in new and exciting ways. Although, the LORD does not change, none of us has experienced the totality of all that God has in store for us. The Bible tells us that God is always doing “new things” and that as we walk daily with Him our minds and hearts will be continually opened to new understandings of Him and new possibilities in our lives. I pray that in this new year, you will be open to new ways of being with the LORD and experiencing His love. Along with the Apostle Paul, “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19). Selah.
In Christ,
Steve
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Newsletter Article September 26, 2007
Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
This week we are sending a team to Mexico (Michael Dunbar, Janis Woods, Rick Peggs, Sharon Vinson), and yesterday, the team that is going to Kenya met to prepare for our trip next month (Cindy Dudding, Melette Meloy, David Holt, Kenn Swehla, Steve Schofield). This may bring up the question in your minds: why do we do missions in foreign lands? The short answer is that Jesus commanded us to, but we will unpack that a little more fully. The PRIMARY reason we go on mission trips is to RESPOND TO CHRIST’S CALL - [Jesus declared,] “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8); Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20); He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15). These commands of Jesus are clear and explicit.
Another important reason is it reminds us our primary allegiance in life is in God, and when we commit our lives to Christ, we are made brothers and sisters with people from all over the world. Remember the Bible’s description of Heaven, “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9). The suffering people of Kenya and Mexico are my brothers and sisters, just as they are yours if you have committed your life to Jesus Christ. We know the obligation that we have to be our brother’s keeper, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if a man or woman claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him or her? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him or her, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his or her physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead”. (James 2:14-17). Knowing the extreme suffering that is going on in Kenya, with people dying daily from lack of food, how could I not go? What good am I as a Pastor of the gospel of Jesus Christ if I turned away? I want my children to know that when the cry of world’s suffering people is heard, those who have felt the saving grace of Jesus Christ respond with compassion and action because God loves them as much as He loves us. That is why we go. Selah.
This week we are sending a team to Mexico (Michael Dunbar, Janis Woods, Rick Peggs, Sharon Vinson), and yesterday, the team that is going to Kenya met to prepare for our trip next month (Cindy Dudding, Melette Meloy, David Holt, Kenn Swehla, Steve Schofield). This may bring up the question in your minds: why do we do missions in foreign lands? The short answer is that Jesus commanded us to, but we will unpack that a little more fully. The PRIMARY reason we go on mission trips is to RESPOND TO CHRIST’S CALL - [Jesus declared,] “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8); Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20); He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15). These commands of Jesus are clear and explicit.
Another important reason is it reminds us our primary allegiance in life is in God, and when we commit our lives to Christ, we are made brothers and sisters with people from all over the world. Remember the Bible’s description of Heaven, “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9). The suffering people of Kenya and Mexico are my brothers and sisters, just as they are yours if you have committed your life to Jesus Christ. We know the obligation that we have to be our brother’s keeper, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if a man or woman claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him or her? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him or her, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his or her physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead”. (James 2:14-17). Knowing the extreme suffering that is going on in Kenya, with people dying daily from lack of food, how could I not go? What good am I as a Pastor of the gospel of Jesus Christ if I turned away? I want my children to know that when the cry of world’s suffering people is heard, those who have felt the saving grace of Jesus Christ respond with compassion and action because God loves them as much as He loves us. That is why we go. Selah.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Newsletter Article August 22, 2007
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Along with “love” and “faith,” Jesus used the characteristic of “service” as the best evidence of being a true disciple. He continuously reminded His disciples, and us today, that He came not to be served but to serve. We are to do likewise. After exhibiting this truth powerfully by washing His disciples’ feet, Jesus says, "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the One who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:13-17). Our lives do not belong solely to us but to the One who made us, loves us, redeems us, and gives us life. He explicitly tells us that His purpose for our lives is to love and serve others. The Bible is clear, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus . . ” (Philippians 2:1-5). This Sunday, each of you will have a great opportunity to see where you can be of service to the LORD and to other people through the ministries in our Church – the “Simply Serve” celebration. We are having an event set up in the Family Life Center after each worship service that will allow you to know what ministry opportunities exist for you in the Church and give you an opportunity to join with others in service to the LORD and others. The promise of the LORD is that you will be blessed if you serve, and I can testify to the truth of that promise in my life. Have the same attitude as Christ Jesus. Selah.
In Christ,
Steve
Along with “love” and “faith,” Jesus used the characteristic of “service” as the best evidence of being a true disciple. He continuously reminded His disciples, and us today, that He came not to be served but to serve. We are to do likewise. After exhibiting this truth powerfully by washing His disciples’ feet, Jesus says, "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the One who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:13-17). Our lives do not belong solely to us but to the One who made us, loves us, redeems us, and gives us life. He explicitly tells us that His purpose for our lives is to love and serve others. The Bible is clear, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus . . ” (Philippians 2:1-5). This Sunday, each of you will have a great opportunity to see where you can be of service to the LORD and to other people through the ministries in our Church – the “Simply Serve” celebration. We are having an event set up in the Family Life Center after each worship service that will allow you to know what ministry opportunities exist for you in the Church and give you an opportunity to join with others in service to the LORD and others. The promise of the LORD is that you will be blessed if you serve, and I can testify to the truth of that promise in my life. Have the same attitude as Christ Jesus. Selah.
In Christ,
Steve
Newsletter Article August 8, 2007
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I am very excited about the big worship event this Thursday at 7 p.m. in our Family Life Center. We are having a District Transformation Conference at our church; we were selected because of our excellence in Contemporary Worship at our 9:39 service. Our District Superintendent, Rev. Jackie Rose-Tucker, selected us and invited many in the Rome-Carrollton District to come and worship at Dallas First on Thursday evening. The worship will be led by our own 9:39 Praise Team and the sermon will be given by Dr. George Morris on the topic of evangelism. The Foundation for Evangelism describes the ministry of Dr. Morris thusly, “Dr. George Morris is a native of Virginia, and was selected as the 2005 Distinguished Evangelist of the United Methodist Church by The Foundation for Evangelism. He is currently the Dan and Lil Hankey Senior Professor of World Evangelism of the World Methodist Council and is considered one of the most respected scholars on evangelism in the world. Morris received his B.A. Degree at Asbury College and M.Div. and D.Div. Degrees at Vanderbilt University. He was ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church in 1964 and has ministered in the United States and in sixty-seven countries around the world. He has served rural circuit-churches, small town churches, suburban churches and two large inner-city churches. His last pastoral appointment was the First United Methodist Church of Peoria, Illinois, where he served as directing pastor for five years. In addition, he served on the General Board of Evangelism and the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church, as well as the executive committee of the World Methodist Council. For sixteen years, Morris was the Arthur J. Moore Professor of Evangelism at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. While there, he became the founding director of the World Methodist Evangelism Institute, a cooperative ministry of the World Methodist Council and Emory University. Currently, he is a member of the Academy for Evangelism in Theological Education, the International Association for Mission Studies, the Advisory Committee of the World Methodist Evangelism Institute and the World Methodist Evangelism Foundation board of trustees.” I invite you to come and worship the LORD together with us this Thursday at 7 p.m. Selah.
In Christ,
Steve
I am very excited about the big worship event this Thursday at 7 p.m. in our Family Life Center. We are having a District Transformation Conference at our church; we were selected because of our excellence in Contemporary Worship at our 9:39 service. Our District Superintendent, Rev. Jackie Rose-Tucker, selected us and invited many in the Rome-Carrollton District to come and worship at Dallas First on Thursday evening. The worship will be led by our own 9:39 Praise Team and the sermon will be given by Dr. George Morris on the topic of evangelism. The Foundation for Evangelism describes the ministry of Dr. Morris thusly, “Dr. George Morris is a native of Virginia, and was selected as the 2005 Distinguished Evangelist of the United Methodist Church by The Foundation for Evangelism. He is currently the Dan and Lil Hankey Senior Professor of World Evangelism of the World Methodist Council and is considered one of the most respected scholars on evangelism in the world. Morris received his B.A. Degree at Asbury College and M.Div. and D.Div. Degrees at Vanderbilt University. He was ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church in 1964 and has ministered in the United States and in sixty-seven countries around the world. He has served rural circuit-churches, small town churches, suburban churches and two large inner-city churches. His last pastoral appointment was the First United Methodist Church of Peoria, Illinois, where he served as directing pastor for five years. In addition, he served on the General Board of Evangelism and the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church, as well as the executive committee of the World Methodist Council. For sixteen years, Morris was the Arthur J. Moore Professor of Evangelism at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. While there, he became the founding director of the World Methodist Evangelism Institute, a cooperative ministry of the World Methodist Council and Emory University. Currently, he is a member of the Academy for Evangelism in Theological Education, the International Association for Mission Studies, the Advisory Committee of the World Methodist Evangelism Institute and the World Methodist Evangelism Foundation board of trustees.” I invite you to come and worship the LORD together with us this Thursday at 7 p.m. Selah.
In Christ,
Steve
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
At the close of many of his letters, the Apostle Paul would thank and greet many of the saints that were providing the ministry that was allowing God to work through the individual churches. In this way, he illustrated that the work of the Kingdom of God requires many persons working in tandem to accomplish great things for the LORD. In just the same way, I wish to thank all of you who worked so diligently and graciously during our River of Life ministry. The Holy Spirit moved very powerfully during that week and those who attended the service on Sunday are well aware how many lives were touched in the name and by the power of Jesus Christ. That Sunday service was the culmination of many months of planning and praying. Our theme was “Amazing Grace” and it was beautiful to see the grace of God on display in all its myriad forms throughout River of Life. Some examples that moved me:
- working on the roof of a horse ranch that helps disabled children to heal . . .
- building wheelchair ramps to help free people to have better access out of their homes . .
- comforting a family who had recently lost a child . . .
- working on the home of a woman who has given much of her life to helping the less fortunate
- reaching out to Jennifer McRaney whose husband David is serving our country in Iraq . .
- helping one of our clients commit her life to Jesus Christ . . .
- worshipping the LORD together with passion . . .
. . . and there were so many more. So thank you all and may God bless you.
In Christ,
Steve
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a mighty shout, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-10)
This has always been one of my favorite passages in the Bible, because it is the description of John’s glimpse into Heaven. It reminds me that not only is Heaven a place of celebration and worship, but it is grander, wider, and more diverse than I can imagine. Sometimes I can become too focused on the Church here in America, and I forget that we are but a small part of a vast worldwide Body of Christ. This passage of scripture reminds me that God is at work around the world in ways that I cannot fathom and that knowledge inspires me.
This Sunday we have the opportunity to be inspired by a fellow brother and sister in Christ from Africa and Europe – our special guests will be Bishop Muruiki from the Methodist Church in Kenya and Rev. Susan Johnson from England. They are participating in the 8th International Evangelism Seminar being sponsored by the World Methodist Evangelism Institute at the Simpsonwood Conference and Retreat Center in Atlanta, Georgia, from June 19-27, 2007. The theme of this seminar is: "THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW JESUS CHRIST: DEVELOPING MISSIONARY CONGREGATIONS." There will be several hundred Evangelists coming to Atlanta from over 70 countries for the conference, and they will be preaching in churches in the Atlanta area this Sunday. We are excited that God has sent the Bishop and Rev. Johnson to share with us what God is doing in their respective countries. The Evangelism Institute is a ministry of World Evangelism, the World Methodist Council, and Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The World Methodist Evangelism Institute is unique in world Christianity because no other world communion has an educational institution connected to a major university that is solely committed to the vision and task of world evangelization. I hope that you will come and celebrate with us this Sunday. Selah.
In Christ,
Steve
After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a mighty shout, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-10)
This has always been one of my favorite passages in the Bible, because it is the description of John’s glimpse into Heaven. It reminds me that not only is Heaven a place of celebration and worship, but it is grander, wider, and more diverse than I can imagine. Sometimes I can become too focused on the Church here in America, and I forget that we are but a small part of a vast worldwide Body of Christ. This passage of scripture reminds me that God is at work around the world in ways that I cannot fathom and that knowledge inspires me.
This Sunday we have the opportunity to be inspired by a fellow brother and sister in Christ from Africa and Europe – our special guests will be Bishop Muruiki from the Methodist Church in Kenya and Rev. Susan Johnson from England. They are participating in the 8th International Evangelism Seminar being sponsored by the World Methodist Evangelism Institute at the Simpsonwood Conference and Retreat Center in Atlanta, Georgia, from June 19-27, 2007. The theme of this seminar is: "THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW JESUS CHRIST: DEVELOPING MISSIONARY CONGREGATIONS." There will be several hundred Evangelists coming to Atlanta from over 70 countries for the conference, and they will be preaching in churches in the Atlanta area this Sunday. We are excited that God has sent the Bishop and Rev. Johnson to share with us what God is doing in their respective countries. The Evangelism Institute is a ministry of World Evangelism, the World Methodist Council, and Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The World Methodist Evangelism Institute is unique in world Christianity because no other world communion has an educational institution connected to a major university that is solely committed to the vision and task of world evangelization. I hope that you will come and celebrate with us this Sunday. Selah.
In Christ,
Steve
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