Are You Worshipping Jesus? - Dave Bogue

Christians and Social Justice - Tony Hall

How Are You Worshiping? - Dave Bogue

"The Turning Point" by: Jared Keiffer

     
        Life changes. Sometimes it’s dramatic and newsworthy. Other times, it passes under everyone’s radar but yours. Regardless, we all experience turning points in our lives. Likewise, we see great turning points outside of our lives as well. For the American nation, a true turning point would be the Revolutionary War. We became an independent country. For the younger generations, perhaps September 11, 2001 is the main turning point in our sphere of our reference. Something dramatic happens and things are never the same.

        No matter our nation, age or ethnicity, there is one turning point that we all share and it is indisputable and undeniable. “The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said’” (Mt. 28). It’s hard to get a good grasp of the cross, the empty tomb and what it all means. As the bible clearly states, the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing (1 Cor 1:18)…and so is the empty grave. But to those who are being saved it is the power of God. And through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ we have the greatest turning point in human history.

        From the beginning we were doomed for destruction. The lives of man marred by the sin inherited from Adam (Rom 5) and perpetuated in our daily lives. We were destined for an eternity of damnation. Much like our American forefathers, we were under the control and influence of a foreign power. However, as Jesus took on human flesh, became a servant and entered our world, our hope began to change. A turning point had been initiated. Jesus lived the perfect life and then went to the cross to absorb and quench the entirety of God’s wrath. Where our sin had earned us punishment and death, Jesus took that punishment and death.

        As Tim Hughes so beautifully puts it:
               The greatest day in history,
               Death is beaten, You have rescued me.
               Sing it out, Jesus is alive!
               The empty cross, the empty grave,
               Life eternal, You have won the day,
               Shout it out, Jesus is alive!

        No matter the turning point in U.S. history or in our own lives, it all fades in comparison to the riches of the grace Jesus lavished on us as he became the pivotal turning point in the history of God’s creation. Many could claim to die for their followers, and some even have. But there is only one perfect lamb that not only died but was raised to new life. It truly was the greatest day in history.

        Are you grateful? Have you realized what Jesus has done for you? Have you believed in him as the turning point for the world and for your life?

Who is Finish Line Ministries and what do they do? This video will fill you in and we pray encourage you to partner with us in reaching the lost with the gospel.

FLMI from FINISH LINE MINISTRIES on Vimeo.

Introducing the 2010-2011 Pastor's Bible School students

Today marks the first day of school for our upcoming pastors.  Please pray for these men as they spend the next year preparing for the pastorate.  We have seen God use our students to continue to advance the gospel in the farthest reaches of Southeast Africa.  For more info on the Pastor's Bible School, click HERE

"Confession or Repentance?" by: Jared Keiffer

Should I confess or repent of my sin?

Sin is such a serious issue, literally life or death, that it is certainly essential to understand how to handle it in relationship with the Savior.
The central message of Christ’s message on earth was “Repent, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 4:17) This is seemingly the summary of all that he preached and taught during His earthly ministry.

Repentance, in terms of man, is a call for him to return to his creaturely dependence on God. It’s not just feeling sorry, or changing one’s mind, but it’s a turning round, a complete alteration of the basic motivation and direction of one’s life. This helps us to understand why John the Baptist was bringing a baptism of repentance to the Jews in the same way as he brought it to the ‘sinners’. They needed an alteration of their base religious motivations.

Before tossing aside confession, let’s look at the usage. We are absolutely instructed to confess our sins to one another and bear with one another (James 5:16). But are we to confess our sins to Christ? I John 1:9 would indicate that we absolutely should. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. The word itself (confess) is from a Greek verb meaning “to say the same thing”. Essentially, confessing is simply agreeing with God with what He has said about your sin. It’s gross, it’s terrible, and it’s an abomination to His holiness.

It seems essential, then, that we take our confession and agreement with God about our sin, and repent of it. We can confess and tell God what he already knows, which is absolutely vital. But then we must take the next step in the process to repent of that sin, turn from that sin.

Many times while driving all around this country I get on the wrong road. I think I’m on the right road, but I’m not. And what I’ve noticed is that it doesn’t matter how long I stay on that road, hoping it’s the right road, it is always still the wrong road. It doesn’t magically turn into the road I wanted it to be. I must realize that it’s the wrong road, confess it (to my wife who told me this 15 miles ago), and turn from the course. I have to alter my direction.

When it comes to sin, confess it! But don’t stop there. Change your motivation and your course, and pursue the path of obedience to the Word of God. Christ died on the cross for this exact purpose, so that he could cleanse you from unrighteousness and deliver you from disobedience.

If you’re surfing for pornography, trapped in deceit or lies, or are damaging others that you are in relationship with, you know where you are headed. Confess your sins to a brother or sister, walk in accountability with them, and change your course. That’s what repentance is. And it’s what Jesus is continuing to call us into.

Link to Author's website (click here)

"HOW IT ALL STARTED" by: Dave Bogue

It was already getting late one spring night in 1991, as a friend and I started to make our way home from Winona Lake, IN. As we traveled, we discussed an idea I had to begin a revival ministry based out of Columbus, OH. As we talked about how and when we would start this new ministry, I shared with him what God had already been doing over the last few months.

• I believed God was calling me away from my current youth pastorate into this new adventure of ministry.
• I had discussed this idea with the Elders of our church, and they affirmed this effort as from God.
• A Christian attorney and friend was researching the specifics on how to incorporate a non-for profit organization.
• Godly men were responding positively to my invitations to serve as board members of this new ministry.
• People had already begun to donate money to help us get started.

It was all so wonderful and exciting. God was really demonstrating this blessing on all of our hopes.

The four hour drive home was going quickly. Our conversation was good for my heart and stimulating to my mind. What would we call this new ministry? Deciding on a name that would fully describe our ministry was both exciting and challenging. I had a passion for revival in our churches, and to be part of God’s special working in my lifetime among church people. It thrilled me to imagine a great awakening in the church, here in the U.S.A. and around the world.

That’s it! Not just for me, but to encourage others along the way to finish well too. Finish Line, Finish Line Ministries. I yelled, “Bob, open the glove compartment - and get that napkin and pen, and write down ‘Finish Line Ministries’.” My friend scribbled the name down and held our new name safely in his hand, until we reached Columbus.

Once home and several months later, I began to meet with the Finish Line board. This group of nine were all godly men of faith. Throughout our meetings, we had many thought provoking and prayerful discussions. One of the most challenging early decisions was to not charge fees for the preaching of the Word of God. A love offering based ministry simply was not typical to most Christian organizations. Still, these men based their decision on the Word of God (I Cor. 9:17-18), and God provided, and still continues to provide.

Oh yes, there have been times when our funds were depleted, and we did not have any money in our account. I remember once, early on (when I was the only employee) it happened. Our board met to discuss and pray for God’s direction. One board member made the move to cover my pay check through his own personal bank account – I declined. We discussed that the men of the board were not the ministries’ lone provider. Let’s go to God and ask Him for help and provision. We all knelt around the table and prayed for a long time. Through that prayer, we recommitted ourselves to the Lord, and acknowledged that He was the one who had raised up Finish Line. After praying, we made practical housing arrangements for me (if things did not get better). The next day, God provided the funds, abundantly and outside the circle of the board. I have witnessed this kind of miracle by God several times in the last fourteen years.

What a wonderful work God has done. He has been faithful to call us to many churches and organizations. What a miracle it is that pastors are willing to share their pulpit and people with us. Their friendship to this ministry has been God’s affirmation of our existence and of the hope that Christian leaders are still passionate for revival.

Link to Author's Website (click here)

"THE PLACE FOR PARA-CHURCH MINISTRY" by: Dave Bogue

The word “para” means to “be along side.” Para-church organizations and ministries exist in every form and facet in our country today. It is difficult to imagine life in the United States without para-church ministries like Focus on the Family, Billy Graham, or Youth for Christ. However, some church leaders bristle at the very thought of the presence of para-church organizations in our Christian community.

There are leaders, who first of all feel, that para-church ministries are unbiblical; that they somehow are attempting to thwart the role of the local church. Others claim that para-church ministries are stealing our local church’s resources of people and money, by recruiting church folks and fund-raising for their organization. Of course, theological differences and lack of personal and ministry accountability to local church governance are also major concerns to pastors and church leaders. All of these concerns, protests, and even lack of acceptance have not prevented church members in every congregation from participating in the activities of para-church organizations. In fact, I think, by not placing these ministries on the church’s mission budget or allowing their representatives to share from our local church pulpits, church leaders have actually promoted a lack of accountability, control, and participation in what God’s people are supporting.

In this instance, I fear that we have diminished the doctrine of the Body of Christ. Church leaders have created a dangerous wall of ignorance between the programs and leadership of two different, but Biblical, systems of ministry. And ignorance has fanned into flame a lack of accountability in areas that accountability is most needed, such as theological and financial integrity. We must, as a local church, find a place of fellowship and partnership with the so-called para-church systems of ministry. How? I think that we need to ask and answer a few fundamental questions.

Are para-church ministries biblical?

Yes, I think that they are. I believe that they represent God’s device to minister to the whole global family of God, and provide that family with a means to assist the local church to take the Gospel into the entire world (Matthew 28). I have always believed that the question of the existence of the para-church ministry is a lack of an understanding or acknowledgment by local church leaders to a two-prong approach to ministry.

Why do para-church ministries exist?

(1) With the collapse of traditional denominations, para-church ministries have really become a “link” in connecting local churches together. They can participate in events and activities together as like-minded and theologically compatible congregations - events such as evangelism, education, and social interaction that a single congregation may not have the finances or expertise to accomplish alone; and yet they still need to experience.

(2) They also are a means to pool resources and share personnel to promote global evangelism. Almost from the beginning of the history of the church, there has been sharing and traveling outside of the local church, by persons or a team helping in the work of the Gospel. Money and persons were taken from different congregations to minister to God’s people in churches apart from their own. These teams or visiting preachers were sometimes sent from other churches through the Jerusalem Council. Paul often acknowledges this system and thanks people for giving financially and welcoming different people to the local church – even asking congregations to do more in providing funds and hospitality.

(3) They also exist, unfortunately, due to the lack of obedience by the local church to participate in the Great Commission of Matthew 28: 18-20.

As a local church pastor and a founder of a para-church ministry, I do believe in the sanctity of the local church. I believe in its leadership and mandate to protect the Word and flock of God. However, to not support or acknowledge the larger body of Christ and its global ministry, I think, is unbiblical, and robs many congregations of the help and opportunity that they could access to grow and reach the world for Christ.

Link to Author's Website (Click Here)

"PEOPLE ASK ME ALL THE TIME" by: Sean Patrick

Because my role at Finish Line Ministries International is diverse, I get asked about it all the time.  Most often the questions are about my public speaking and about our work in southeast Africa.  I thought I might take a few moments today and answer some of these most often asked questions related to our work in Africa. 

Describe your first moments in Africa.

The date was May 7, 2000.  Dave Bogue (FLMI Founder & President), Bill Price (FLMI Board Member), and I had just landed in Malawi.  I had never been to southeast Africa, and to say that I was unsure of what to expect would be an understatement.  It was dark and rainy.  Our 4x4 was fighting to make it up the steep mountainside.  As the truck bounced along the rutted dirt and mud path, I tried putting on a brave face.  After coming to a stopping point, we were told that we had arrived at the conference site.  As we exited the vehicle, we were instructed to make our way down a narrow path.  I remember not being able to see my hand in front of my face.  Anxiety was quickly turning to fear.  With the help of a cloud covered moon, we made our way down the rain soaked path.  Just when I thought I couldn’t take another step, I heard a familiar sound.  The words were unrecognizable, but I knew the tune.  God’s people were singing a song in anticipation of our arrival.  As if on cue, the clouds parted and the moon lit up the sky.  For the first time I could see the terrain, I could see the buildings, and I could see the people.  Little did I know I was standing on a mountainside that would soon become he headquarters for a great movement of God.  

Why did FLM International launch FLM Africa?

A man named Pastor L.S. Kaphesi (a Malawian national) planted 38 churches during the 1980’s and 1990’s.  Over time, doctrinal error had made its way into the life of his churches.  This cut at the heart of all he was trying to accomplish for the Kingdom.  He asked us to come alongside him and begin the process of correcting error and training pastors in accurate Bible doctrine.  The task sounded like something we could do, so we offered our help.  Within a few months, Finish Line Ministries Africa was born.  

Briefly explain the growth of FLM Africa.

In September 2000 FLM Africa was comprised of Pastor Kaphesi’s 38 churches.  10,000 people attended these churches in Malawi and Mozambique.  Today there are 565 churches and more than 80,000 people in three countries (add Zimbabwe).  The Pastors’ Bible School was built in 2004 for the purpose of training young men for the pastorate.  To date 20 of the 28 graduates are serving as pastors in FLMI churches.  Lastly, our Orphanage & Day School which opened its doors in 2001 currently cares for and educates 250 children in Nkolokoti Village, Malawi. 

How do yo explain the growth?

When we partnered with Pastor Kaphesi in 2000, we had nothing to offer him or his churches but Bible teaching and training.  So we gave them what we had.  God did the rest.  As a result, our FLM Africa pastors gained a better understanding of the Bible.  They passed this understanding on to their congregations.  People got saved.  The FLM Africa churches began to grow.  New churches were planted.   Pastors from other churches took notice and expressed their passion for Bible training.  They joined our ranks.  I like to think God honored the purity of Pastor Kaphesi’s request.  He could have asked us for anything.  But he chose to ask us to help him lead his people to a greater understanding of the Bible.  God chose to multiply His Word thousands of times.   

What do you do to oversee FLM Africa?

Every August the FLM Africa Board of Directors meet to cast vision for our ministries in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.  Those ministries include:  The Pastors’ Conference, Orphanage & Day School, Pastors’ Bible School, and Church Planting & Outreach.  In addition they set goals for the FLM Africa’s churches.  I have the privilege of sitting in on this meeting and providing budgetary solutions, as well as signing off on each initiative.   

From there, I work along side our African board to set strategies that will help accomplish their goals.  Often this takes the form of prioritizing projects and assessing progress.  At other times it means helping in a very practical way.  Below are a few of the many “hands on” tasks I work on throughout the year: 

· Select curriculum for the Orphanage & Day School

· Raise financial support for specific projects

· Purchase beans, corn, rice, blankets, Bibles, and bicycles from suppliers in Malawi

· Transfer designated funds from the USA to Malawi

· Outline the agenda and determine training materials for the annual Pastors’ Conference

· Prepare and lead our American ministry team to Malawi

We serve a great God and I am so thankful for the opportunity I have to serve Him here and abroad! 

Link To Author's Website (Click Here) 

"INTEGRITY OF HEART AND LIFE" by: Dr. Ronald Manahan

“Blessed are the Pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
Serious readers of the Bible know that God is interested in all that we are and have, not just a part of us. God’s goal in our redemption is to transform us in our entirety. He does not want those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior to live a compartmentalized life, a life that erects barriers against the all-encompassing work of God.  In a few words Matthew 5:8 captures powerfully this holistic intent of God. 

Meaning of the Words in the Beatitudes

“Blessed”
This term implies much more than contentment.  Rather, it refers to a joy and elation that is to be envied. God, not things, is the source of this happiness. This joy rests upon a “reversal of all human values;” happiness is no longer attached to possessions, power, and reputation, but to God Himself. He alone is enough. Those whose happiness is grounded upon God alone are to be both congratulated and envied.

“The pure in heart”
The term for “pure” (katharos) in the Greek world was used in a range of ways: “clean” as in clean clothes, “purged” as in an army purged of discontents, or “sifted” as in sifted or winnowed grain that has had the chaff removed. Some think the word “pure” refers to ritual purity, purity in terms of one’s external practice of religion as a means of pleasing God. Old Testament ritual purity is the supposed background for explaining Matthew 5:8 in this way.

However, the use of the word “pure” calls to mind Psalm 24:3-6. This psalm is an entrance psalm, essentially one in which the worshiper faces the question, “What does God require of me in order for me to stand in His presence?” The answer (Psalm 24:4) to the question makes one thing clear. The real concern is about purity of life, not simply about ritual purity. At issue is whether there is integrity and wholeness between one’s outward acts (“clean hands”) and one’s inner being (“a pure heart”). There is to be no dichotomy. Matthew 5:8 calls attention to this same matter of integrity. The concern of the verse is not simply a matter of ritual purity, an outward type of conformity. For this reason the words “in heart” are added to the word “pure.”   Therefore, the expression “the pure in heart” does not focus just on what is internal to the exclusion of the external. Our beatitude emphasizes that the King (Jesus) of the kingdom wants a single-mindedness, a lack of duplicity in His followers. Our Lord desires integrity, a oneness, between the internal and the external.  “Shame, deceit, and moral filth cannot coexist with sincere devotion to Christ.” Matthew’s gospel goes on to say a good deal about these very points.

“For they will see God (hoti autoi ton theon opsontai).” Assuming an Old Testament background as already noted, we know that when Jesus spoke these words, He was not referring to “seeing” (i.e., “going before”) God in the temple. The Old Testament temple was past.

Rather, our Lord says that “seeing” God in the future awaits those whose life is characterized by single-minded integrity. Seeing our Lord is the basis of the “blessed” with which Matthew 5:8 opens. Revelation 22:4 refers to the great event of seeing our Lord. That is our hope. But those who have this hope purify themselves (I John 3:2-3). An increasingly greater level of purity leads to an increasingly clearer vision of who God is even now. As purity is pursued, one is able to see God more and more clearly. But full sight awaits the future.

Applications to My Life
If I am to follow Jesus’ teaching in our beatitude, there are applications I must make. God is concerned about all of my life. God wants wholeness in my life. Compartmentalization breeds hypocrisy and shame and living a lie. Looking good on the outside is not enough. God is looking for an integrity that surges through all of my being.

If I am going to pursue purity in my life, I must take deliberate, aggressive steps to challenge evil in my life. The kind of purity Jesus teaches is so opposite my human nature. He does not want me living like a hypocrite. Yet, as the Bible makes clear, my sinful nature, left alone, bends my whole life toward corruption. Galatians 6:19-21 is sobering:

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissension, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

God wants me to challenge the forces of darkness in my life.

Link To Aurthor's Website (Click Here) 

"GNATS AND CAMELS" by: Jared Keiffer

Matthew 23 captures Jesus laying into the scribes and Pharisees in what is commonly referred to as the "Seven Woes".

Matthew 23: 23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

Jesus called them out for minding some minute parts of the law while neglecting the weightier matters of the law. They would measure out their tithe to ensure a perfectly accurate 10%. He paints the picture of a Betty Crocker homemaker leveling off her measuring cup to make sure she has exactly 3/4 cup of flour and no more.

He says that while they strain out the gnats, they swallow a camel!

When these guys would go for a nice Cabernet after dinner, they would strain the wine to get out even the smallest of insects and imperfections. But while paying such attention to the small matter, they completely neglected the giant camel swimming in their vino (Jesus uses this hyperbole). I got a good laugh out of reading this but it really struck me how much I fit the bill when it comes to this woe.

I keep a detailed spreadsheet to capture my exact income, a nice formula to calculate a 10% monthly tithe, and then capture my actual giving to give me my plus/minus tithe for each month. This keeps me checking off "tithe" on my spiritual accomplishments checklist.

But while tracking my tithe so neatly, how many times will I cross the street to avoid the beggar on the corner? "He'll just buy booze anyway" I can easily rationalize to myself. But Jesus says, in

Matthew 25: 44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

Is not this man the least of these? When did I overtake the judgment seat of God to determine if this man was worth a meal and a message of hope?

I think more often than not, I overtake the seat of the Pharisee and fall prey to the same mistakes as they did 2,000 years ago. My prayer and aim is to take the woe and turn my course. Will you stop overlooking the camels as you strain out the gnats in your life as well?


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FLMI Impact Africa 2010