Titus II Lesson -- February 1st

How Shall We Then Live in a Post-Christian Culture
“Chosen by God”
1 Peter 1:1-2

Introduction
How would you like to live in a society in which Christians are in the minority? How would you like to live in a society that is opposed to your values, ethics, and morals? How would you like to live under the constant threat of discrimination, persecution, or even death? The people that the Apostle Peter addressed his first epistle to were living in such a situation. Socially they were ostracized, ridiculed, insulted, and abused. Politically they had no civil rights. It was a period of time when Christians were being persecuted simply because they were Christians. And Peter realized that the situation was only going to get worse.

Peter appears to have been motivated to write this epistle for at least two specific reasons.[1] First, Paul’s recent death prompted Peter to want to address some of the Pauline churches. That he would first write to these fringe churches — i.e., churches which had been evangelized by Paul’s associates rather than by Paul himself — addressed in verse one is only natural since (1) Paul’s primary churches already had a representative (e.g., Ephesus had Timothy) and (2) these fringe churches would be most susceptible to defection and attacks from within and without. Peter’s second motivation for writing this epistle was the immediate persecutions of Nero against Roman Christians and the seeming inevitable expansion of this persecution throughout the empire.

So, before the Roman Emperor Nero began his aggressive campaign of severe persecution – nailing Christians to crosses, sewing them up in the skins of wild beasts and giving them to the lions, using them as torches to illumine Nero’s parties, etc[2]. -- Peter penned a letter sometime in A.D. 63-64[3] to encourage and prepare the Christians (Jews and Gentiles)[4] scattered in Asia Minor.

While the epistle of 1 Peter touches on various doctrines and has much to say about Christian life and Christian responsibilities, 1 Peter centers around the problem of suffering — particularly suffering in the form of persecution for one’s faith. In fact, 1 Peter has been described as a manual or handbook showing Christians how they are to live as temporary residents and ambassadors of Christ in an alien and hostile world.[5] Peter wanted to emphasize hope in the midst of suffering, perseverance in spite of pain.

Relevance of This Study for This Class
Why did I choose this particular book to study? While the correlation between 1st century Palestine and 21st century America is not exact, there are many similarities. First, Christians are no longer in the majority. Second, we live in a society that is opposed to our values, ethics, and morals. Christians stand for something – for truth – and the “tolerant” are tolerant of everything except biblical Christianity. Third, there are no absolutes except you may not say that Jesus Christ is Lord. Fourth, we live under the increasing threat of ostracization, ridicule, insult, discrimination, and abuse (but not yet death). Fifth, politically, we have few civil rights. And, the situation is likely to only worsen. Simply put, we live in a post-Christian culture.

Course of Study[6]
First Peter can easily be divided into four sections: (1) the Salvation of Believers (1:1-12), (2) the Sanctification of Believers (1:13-2:12), (3) the Submission of Believers (2:13-3:12), and the Suffering of Believers (3:13-5:14).

I. The Salvation of Believers (1:1-12)
A. Chosen by God (1:1-2)
B. A Living Hope and an Indestructible Inheritance (1:3-5)
C. A Design for our Distresses (1:6-7)
D. A Faith that Saves (1:8-9)
E. A Much Admired Salvation (1:10-12)

II. The Sanctification of Believers (1:13-2:12)
A. The Call to Live in Hope (1:13)
B. The Call to Live in Holiness (1:14-16)
C. The Call to Live in Fear (1:17-21)
D. The Call to Love One Another Fervently (1:22-25)
E. The Call to Desire the Pure Milk of the Word (2:1-3)
F. The Call to Offer Up Spiritual Sacrifices (2:4-10)
G. The Call to Abstain From Fleshly Desires (2:11-12)

III. The Submission of Believers (2:13-3:12)
A. Submission to Government (2:13-17)
B. Submission in Business (2:18-25)
C. Submission in Marriage (3:1-8)
D. Submission in All Areas of Life (3:9-12)

IV. The Suffering of Believers (3:13-5:14)
A. Conduct Needed in Suffering (3:13-17)
B. Christ’s Example for Suffering (3:18-4:6)
C. Commands for Suffering (4:7-19)
D. Custodians (Shepherds) in Suffering (5:1-9)
E. Conclusion or Benediction (5:10-14)

Text/Context
Turn with me to the epistle of 1 Peter and let’s read the first two verses of Chapter 1 as we begin on a journey of “How Shall We Then Live in Post-Christian Culture”:

““1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” (NIV)

This passage falls in the first section of the epistle that we have entitled: “The Salvation of Believers” (1:1-12). In this section, Peter establishes theological truths about the salvation of believers. And the first aspect is the foundational importance of election to our salvation. More specifically, I want to consider three things Peter sets forth about election in this passage:

• The priority of election,
• The alienation of election, and
• The nature of election

The Priority of Election[7]
First, let us consider the priority of election. What is the very first word Peter uses for these Christians? The very first word Peter uses for these Christians is "elect" or "chosen." You can't see that in the NASB, KJV, or RSV. But you can in the NIV. The word order that Peter used when he wrote the Greek was: "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect" — the elect aliens in the world. Most English versions change the word order and put the word “chosen” at the end of the list of five Roman Provinces.

Why did the translators do this? It is because the translators want you to clearly see the connection between election and the three phrases in verse 2 that define its nature -- Christians are elect "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, " "by (or in) the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit," and in order "that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood." But in doing that, we lose as much as we gain. It doesn’t allow us to clearly see that the very first thing Peter says about the Christians is not just that they are aliens (exiles or strangers), but that they are “elect” aliens -- "Peter, an apostle of Christ Jesus, to the elect aliens. . ." I stress this because the first thing you say about someone when you write them is clearly important.

For example, when a professional team wins a world championship, they are introduced as: “The Super Bowl Champion Pittsburg Steelers.” When Fox News creates a headline for Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot that has become a hero for safely landing a jet in the Hudson River, it writes: “Miracle Landing Pilot Get’s Hero Welcome in California Hometown.” So, the first thing you say about someone is clearly important.

Does this have any practical application for us in this class? Yes. It is clear that Peter did not feel compelled to hide that we are “elect” aliens. That's important, because today we sometimes think the doctrine of election should be hidden. Many believe that election is too controversial or offensive. Others think that it is useless or even erroneous. This is not the case in the New Testament. Jesus didn't hide it. Matthew didn't hide it. Paul didn't hide it. John didn’t hide it. Peter didn't hide it. It is always spoken of in a natural, forthright way by Jesus and His apostles. As such, that's the way we should speak of it too.

The Alienation of Election[8]
We have seen the priority of election in this passage. Now let’s consider the alienation of election. Why does Peter mention election in direct connection with our alien status in the world? It is because the natural question of the alien/sufferer/exile is: “Why I am being rejected by men in this world? Why I am suffering at the hands of those in this world?” Peter answers this implied question clearly. The reason you are an alien, the reason that you have been rejected by men, the reason that you suffer is because God chose you out of this world. The explanation for your rejection, your refugee status, and the suffering you endure is because you were elected.

That is why Peter starts with this doctrine of election. He wants to give his readers a God-centered explanation of their alien status in this world. Your alien status is rooted in God's eternal election. Your suffering is rooted in God's eternal election. Your rejection by men is rooted in God's eternal election. All of these troubles of being a Christian alien are not due to God rejecting you. Rather, they are due to God electing you to be His child.

Rather than hiding this fact, Peter makes it the first thing that he says about the Christians. And he connects it with our existence as aliens and exiles in the world. In other words he wants us to hear a clear, up-front, forthright explanation that our lives get their distinctive Christian meaning from our being chosen by God. He wants us to have an identity not just as aliens but as “elect” aliens. He wants us to have an identity not just as sufferers but as “elect” sufferers. He wants us to have an identity not just as being rejected by the world but as being a rejected “elect”.

This speaks to us as believers this morning. God wants us to know today that none of the hardships we undergo as aliens and exiles in this world is a surprise to God. None of the suffering we will be called upon to endure is a surprise to God. The fact that we may be rejected by man is not a surprise to God. Rather, He has chosen us for this very purpose. Or stated a different way, our troubles as an alien in this world are not absurd, meaningless results of our own shortsighted, fallible choices. They are part of the loving plan and wisdom of God's all-seeing, infallible choice. The alienation we face in this world is rooted in the doctrine of election.

The Nature of Election
We have seen in this passage the priority of election and how that election alienates us from this world. Thirdly, Peter says three things about the nature of our election in verse 2. Let us break this verse down into its component parts.

1. We are told that election has its origin and basis in God's foreknowledge.

What is the basis of our election? Why did God choose me? Or, to put it very personally, what will be your bottom-line answer to God when He asks: “How is it that you came to believe on me and be saved while others did not?” Peter's answer is: "God foreknew me." That is, you were elected according to God's foreknowledge.

What does foreknowledge mean? Does it mean that I chose to accept Christ and because God knew that I would do that, He chose me on the basis of my self-election? Is that what God's “foreknowledge" is? I don't think so. Jesus said: "You did not choose me, but I chose you" (John 15:16). Our choosing God is based on God's choosing us, not vice versa.

Maybe phrased a different way, might election be conditional? That is, could God base His election of an individual on foresight, foreseeing whether or not a particular individual will have faith? No. There are several reasons why this is not true:

• First, it destroys the very meaning of the word because such an election is really not election at all. It actually means that men and women elect themselves, and God is reduced to a bystander who responds to their free choice. Logically and causally, even if not chronologically, God’s choice follows man’s choice.
• Second, it denies the doctrine of total or radical depravity. If election is based on what God foresees an individual might do, what could he possibly foresee in a spiritually dead sinner other than rejection of the gospel?
• Third, it violates the concept of sovereignty. Election cannot rest on foreknowledge of what might happen because in the sovereignty of God, the only things that can be foreknown are those that are predetermined, and this means that election must be prior to faith.

Least I be accused of setting forth only “logical” arguments, I offer the following scriptural arguments for your consideration.

• God did the choosing (Mark 13:20; 1 Thess. 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13)
• God’s choice was made before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rev. 13:8; Rev. 17:8)
• God chose particular individuals unto salvation – their names were written in the book of life before the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8; Rev. 17:8)
• God’s choice was not based upon any foreseen merit residing in those whom He chose, nor was it based on any foreseen good works performed by them (Rom. 9:11-13; Rom. 9:16; Rom. 10:20; 1 Cor. 1:27-29; 2 Tim. 1:9)
• Good works are the result, not the ground of election (Eph. 1:12; Eph. 2:10; John 15:16)
• God’s choice was not based upon foreseen faith. Faith is the result and therefore the evidence of God’s election, not the cause or ground of His choice (Acts 13:48; Acts 18:27; Phil. 1:29; Phil 2:12,13; 1 Thess. 1:4,5; 2 Thess. 2:13,14; James 2:5)
• It is by faith and good works that one confirms his calling and election (2 Pet. 1:5-11)

Simply put, before the foundation of the world, God chose particular individuals unto salvation. His selection was not based upon any foreseen response or act performed by those chosen. Faith and good works are the result, not the cause of God’s choice.

2. We are told election becomes real and actual in our lives by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

Peter tells us three things about the nature of election. We are told something about its origin and basis in God’s foreknowledge. We are also told something about the way it becomes real and actual in our lives by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. The Father chose those whom He would save in eternity past and it is the Holy Spirit who “sanctifies” the elect, drawing them to faith in Christ. Paul writes: “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13). When Nicodemus sought out the Lord Jesus, the Savior told him he must be “born again,” and that this was the unseen work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:1-8). Before our Lord’s crucifixion, He told the disciples it was necessary (and better) for Him to depart and for the Holy Spirit to come, for it was the Spirit who would convict men of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-11). The Holy Spirit sets the saints apart to God by drawing them to faith in Christ: “And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11; see also Titus 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:5). While the Holy Spirit is also involved in our sanctification, the emphasis here is clearly on the role of the Spirit in bringing men to Christ.[9]

3. We are told that the goal or purpose of election is that we might obey Jesus and go on benefiting from His cleansing blood.

Peter tells us three things about the nature of election. We are told something about its origin and basis in God’s foreknowledge. We are also told something about the way it becomes real and actual in our lives by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Finally, we are told something about the goal or purpose of election – that we might obey Jesus and go on benefiting from His cleansing blood. Peter moves from the choice of the Father and the sanctifying of the Holy Spirit to the contribution of Christ’s shed blood, by which we are cleansed and forgiven. Peter’s wording indicates the Holy Spirit’s sanctification has particular effects. The Spirit’s work brings about obedience which results in being sprinkled with Christ’s blood. The obedience in view here is not so much the obedience which follows salvation as an evidence that we have a living faith, but the obedience of faith (see Romans 1:5) which results in salvation.[10]

Without announcement, what has Peter brought into this discussion on the nature of election? He has brought into this discussion all three persons of the trinity. Derek Thomas writes: “If we understand Peter’s words correctly in verse 2, he is describing our salvation as the work of the Trinity, spelled out sequentially in the order actually achieved in time. It is though Peter is saying that the Father has been looking down the corridors of history and has set His love on these individuals, and He turns to the Holy Spirit, saying: "In My love I want this one to be Mine." And the Spirit comes into this one’s life, tapping him on the shoulder, saying: "The Father wants you." And the Spirit takes this one to Jesus and says, "This one loves You and he is asking You to be his Prophet, Priest and King." And Jesus says, "Come and meet My Father. You have come to meet Me and that is wonderful. But it was My Father’s idea!" No wonder Peter starts in verse 3 with the word, "Blessed"!”[11]

Practical Application
As stated earlier, this passage falls in the first section of the epistle that we have entitled: “The Salvation of Believers” (1:1-12). And the first thing that we need to understand is the foundational importance of election to our salvation. Having considered Peter’s argument on the priority of election, the alienation of election, and the nature of election -- I want to close by making a couple of comments about another dreaded word – doctrine.

1. Doctrine is Not Disposable[12]
First, doctrine is not disposable. America is a practical, make-it-happen country. And the evangelical church has that same atmosphere. Give us “how-to's,” not doctrine. Yet, the more I read the Bible the less I sympathize with this view. The apostles saw doctrine as tremendously important. When Peter begins his letter with the phrase "elect aliens," he means to give real help to aliens. And he believes it is pragmatically helpful to know that you are among the elect. So I urge you not to be like the pragmatists who belittle doctrines like election. Rather, be like the apostles who cherish the doctrine of election and put it at the very forefront of their concerns.

2. Doctrine is Practical[13]
Second, doctrine is practical. J.I. Packer begins his famous and splendid book “Knowing God” in this way: "Two kinds of interest in Christian things can be illustrated by picturing persons sitting on the high front balcony of a Spanish house watching travelers go by on the road below. The 'balconeers' can overhear the travelers' talk and chat with them. The ‘balconeers’ may comment critically on the way that the travelers walk; or they may discuss questions about the road, how it can exist at all or lead anywhere, what might be seen from different points along it, and so forth. But they are onlookers, and their problems are theoretical only. The travelers, by contrast, face problems which, though they have their theoretical angle, are essentially practical -- problems of the 'which-way-to-go' and 'how-to-make-it' type, problems which call not merely for comprehension but for decision and action too."

Using this illustration, we can state that the Bible -- by and large -- is a book for travelers, not for “balconeers.” It rarely interests itself in purely theoretical problems but is intensely interested in the practical problems faced by those who must navigate the waters of this world and come successfully safe ashore in heaven. It has little interest, for example, in the theoretical problem of evil -- how evil can exist in God's world -- but it is deeply interested in helping God's people think rightly and well about the evil they themselves face, the evil they suffer, and about their own response to evil as they encounter it. Those are much more practical problems and questions. One must first believe rightly and think rightly before one can live and choose rightly. So in First Peter, as elsewhere in the Bible, we find a mix of doctrine and practice and a definite relationship between the doctrine laid down as the foundation of the practice and the practice drawn out of the doctrine by applying it to the questions of daily life. And why not? Peter was himself a traveler. He was not a “balconeer.”

[1] Daniel B. Wallace, “First Peter: Introduction, Argument, and Outline”
[2] Immanuel Christian, “1 Peter: How Shall We then Live in the Pagan Culture?”
[3] J.Hampton Keathley, III, “The Non-Pauline Epistles”
[4] It is likely that the intended recipients included both Jews and Gentiles in an area that is currently located in modern-day northern Turkey. Jewish Christians would have found special significance in the term diasporas, translated “scattered,” used in the salutation (1:1) as well as in the many Old Testament references. Gentile readers would have noted Peter’s exhortation to holy living in light of their background of complete ignorance of God’s Word (1:14). They also would have been greatly encouraged by the fact that though they were in ignorance, they were now considered “the people of God” (2:10) -- J.Hampton Keathley, III, “The Non-Pauline Epistles”
[5] J.Hampton Keathley, III, “The Non-Pauline Epistles”
[6] Adapted from J.Hampton Keathley, III, “The Non-Pauline Epistles”
[7] Adapted from John Piper, “Divine Election: The Role of the Father and the Spirit”, By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: www.desiringGod.org. Email: mail@desiringGod.org. Toll Free: 1.888.346.4700.
[8] Adapted from John Piper, “Divine Election: The Role of the Father and the Spirit”, By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: www.desiringGod.org. Email: mail@desiringGod.org. Toll Free: 1.888.346.4700.
[9] Robert Deffinbaugh, “The Glory of Suffering: A Study of 1 Peter”.
[10] Robert Deffinbaugh, “The Glory of Suffering: A Study of 1 Peter”.
[11] Derek W. H. Thomas, “Help for the Painful Trial: Sermons on 1 Peter”
[12] John Piper, “Divine Election: The Role of the Father and the Spirit”, By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: www.desiringGod.org. Email: mail@desiringGod.org. Toll Free: 1.888.346.4700.
[13] Robert Rayburn, “First Peter”

Housing News

There is a lot of housing news in the Stone Family. As of last weekend, the Celina rental home (top) is up for sale. If you know anyone who needs a great, small home (1,800 sq. ft.) -- send them our way. And on February 8th, Jordan and Emily move into their first home (bottom) as a couple in McKinney, Texas.

Titus II Lesson -- January 25th

Town Hall Meeting 2009 Follow-Up

Introduction[1]
Sometimes I wonder if the frequency and seriousness of many problems that Christians face is not owing to the fact that most Christians in America do not experience relational, interpersonal, supernatural church life the way the New Testaments describes it. Psychological problems, marriage problems, parenting problems, self-identity problems, financial problems, career problems, loneliness, addictions, phobias, weaknesses, etc. within the body of Christ may merely be symptoms of an organic flaw in the way most Christians experience corporate church life.

For most Christians, corporate church life is a Sunday morning worship service and that's all. A smaller percentage add to that a class of some kind, perhaps on Sunday morning or Wednesday evening in which there is very little interpersonal ministry. Now don't misunderstand me, I believe in the tremendous value of corporate worship and I believe that solid teaching times are usually crucial for depth and strength. But you simply can't read the New Testament in search of what “church life” is supposed to be like and come away thinking that worship services and classes are the sum total of what church was supposed to be.

The inevitable effect of treating church as worship services and classes is to make the people of God passive and too dependent on ordained experts. And could it not be that this pervasive relational passivity and dependence of millions of Christians — I mean the failure to serve, the failure to be involved in interpersonal, spiritual ministry — rob us of some of Christ's precious remedies for the problems of our day? If God designed the church to function like a body -- with every member serving and ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit to other members, in regular interpersonal relationship -- then would it be surprising to find that the neglect of this regular interpersonal, spiritual service/ministry cripples the body in some of its functions and causes parts of the body to be weak and sick? Isn't that what you would expect?

The Bible never conceives of anyone coming to faith in Christ apart from becoming associated with a local church and then finding your place of service in the body of Christ. Are you serving the body, playing out your role, and thus contributing to the growth of the body and the glory of God? Are you involved with a group of believers in which you are able to actively exercise your spiritual gift? Are you involved with a group of believers in which you are able to actively “serve”? Are you in a position in which you are “vulnerable” or in which your spiritual walk is “transparent” to a group of believers? I fear that if you cannot answer “yes” to all (or at least most) of these questions, your spiritual walk and that of your local body will be stunted.

At Stonebriar Community Church, there are three venues in which believers can assemble:

• Sunday Morning Worship
• Adult Fellowships
• Community Groups

Each of these venues has inherent strengths and weaknesses – particularly in the context of a large suburban church. In light of several issues raised at the recent Town Hall Meeting (January 18, 2009), I want to take the time this morning to:
Explain why all three venues are biblically important and not interchangeable,
Consider strengths, limitations, and practical matters related to each venue, and
Guide you in how to reconcile their importance with the demands on your schedule, service, or family

I am indebted to David Hammock and his paper on “The Community of Believers.” Many of the comments on strengths and limitations were borrowed from his work. (Note: for purposes of this transcript, italicized text denotes material adapted from David’s paper.)

Sunday Morning Worship
The first venue for believers at Stonebriar to assemble is the Sunday morning worship[2] service. The Sunday morning worship service is a great opportunity to see some of the gifts of the Spirit manifested in ways that may not be experienced in other, smaller venues. For example:

• The senior pastor, who is most often the Sunday morning congregational speaker, is usually a man gifted in exegeting the Scriptures and communicating eternal truth to a large audience in clear, understandable terms. In addition to being gifted by God for such purposes, the pastor will normally have completed many years of formal and personal study and the congregants will receive the benefit of his diligence in applying himself to his vocational calling.
• Those who attend congregational worship will benefit from those who exercise their musical gifts with instruments, as well as those whose gifts are in planning and leading the other musicians and congregants in a time of corporate worship. This allows the believer to praise God in song.
• Those who attend church are often encouraged by the ministry of a choir, orchestra, or other musicians who employ their gifts in that setting to encourage us to worship through their music and singing.

While there are many benefits to Sunday morning worship service, there are some limitations as well. For example:

• While the sermon is a great time of learning and inspiration, it does not provide opportunity for questions and getting clarification of the Scripture on a “real time” basis.
• At Stonebriar, it is possible for attendees to remain virtually anonymous and unaccountable if they so choose. In other words, our pastors cannot develop an intimate relationship with all of the attendees so it is possible for attendees to “slip in and out” of our services and not to have a spiritual mentor or anyone to hold them spiritually accountable, or to exercise their spiritual gifts.

Coming out of the Town Hall Meeting last week, there were several “practical matters” related to the Sunday morning worship service that we need to address.

• For those families choosing to only attend either the 9:30am hour or the 11:15am hour, we are recommending that Titus II members migrate to the upper level on the left side of the auditorium. This will allow these members to have a time of valuable (albeit brief) fellowship with other members of the Adult Fellowship.
• How is the Word to be present and fill our worship? As the Bible shows, the Word is present in several forms. The most obvious is the reading of the Word. This Word should be a distinct and central part of worship. Paul wrote to Timothy, “devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching” (1 Tim. 4:13). The Word should also fill our prayers. The greatest prayers of the church are rich in the language of the Bible itself, offering God’s Word back to him in prayer. The Word should be the basis of our singing. At the very least the songs of the church should recount the truths of God’s saving work. Primary attention should be given to the content of songs, measuring lyrics by what is scriptural. The Word must be present in the sacraments of the church—baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Finally, the Word must be present in the preaching of the church. Preaching is the verbal communication of God’s Word, applying it to the lives of God’s people. Romans 10:14 actually says, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”[3]
• To meet with God we need to come to worship prepared. We need to come well-rested, expectant, thoughtfully ready to meet with God. We need to be aware that God will be present in the elements of worship that he has appointed. He will be present to speak through his Word and will be present to hear our praise and prayers. We come to worship in faith. Our faith must be real as we come to church, so that our reliance on Christ may deepen. We come to worship with repentance, acknowledging that we are sinners and seeking the grace of God so that we more and more turn from sin and pursue holiness. We come to worship with love for God and for his people. Such love will make us desire communion with the people of God and long to draw nearer to God.[4]

Adult Fellowships
The second venue for believers at Stonebriar to assemble is an adult fellowship. Stonebriar envisioned that these adult fellowships would provide a way for the larger church to be broken down into smaller, interpersonal groups. These adult fellowships have the following inherent strengths:

• They are normally led by believers who have received some type of formal theological training and/or have dedicated a great deal of time to personal study and understanding of the Word (Note: the scripture tells us that God gave us “pastors and teachers” -- Ephesians 4:11.) Those that attend these adult fellowship receive the benefit of someone who is using his gift to teach and who often serves in a pastoral role for the adult fellowship class.
• The smaller environment provides an opportunity for the teacher to know and mentor the class attendees and provide for some interpersonal relationship. That is, it is much more difficult to “get lost in the crowd” in an adult fellowship than it is in the Sunday morning worship service. T
• The smaller setting facilitates more intimacy, accountability, and body ministry (prayer, encouragement, meeting of practical needs, etc) among attendees.
• The adult fellowship provides virtually everyone with an opportunity to use his or her gift in some manner, whether that is in encouraging others, showing mercy, serving others, in administration, or other gifts.
• Finally, the time spent is usually dedicated to teaching of scripture but in a more interactive setting than church. Depending on the teaching style, there may be discussion before, during, or after any prepared lesson so attendees can obtain a more clear understanding of the Scriptures on a “real time” basis.

While there are many benefits to adult fellowships, there are some limitations as well. For example:

• Adult fellowships are often in a fixed time slot that allows for little or no flexibility. Given these time constraints, there is little, if any time for corporate worship, singing, or other congregational acts of worship that many find to be uplifting and encouraging. Even if there were more time, the confines of the room will usually not easily accommodate such an effort, nor would there necessarily be people in each class who are gifted to lead or otherwise minister in corporate worship.
• Some adult fellowships are blessed with teachers who are truly gifted communicators of the scripture and have spent many years in personal or formal study and are thus able to perform the teaching aspect of ministry in much the same way as a senior pastor. However, that is a high standard and probably more the exception than the rule, which is understandable in that most teachers have other vocations and teaching an adult fellowship is an avocation by necessity (although no less a calling).

Coming out of the Town Hall Meeting last week, there were several “practical matters” that need to be addressed. There were several questions related to the purpose, structure, and communication within Titus II. Titus II has:

1. A Vision Statement
Titus II’s vision statement is very simple. We desire to glorify God:
· upwardly through worship and prayer,
· inwardly through community and fellowship, and
· outwardly through service, missions, and outreach

2. A Diverse Set of Ministries
Titus II actively supports the following ministries:
· Community Groups
· Loving Spoonfuls
· Socials
· Missions/Service
· Greeters
· Prayer Partners
· Love & Respect
· Ladies Tea
· MILK
· Babysitting Co-Op
· Accountability Groups
· Men’s Breakfasts
· Men’s Nights



3. Mentors
Our name was chosen because it explains our unique membership. In the 2nd chapter of Titus, older men and older women are instructed to teach the younger men and women. Accordingly, Titus II has four (4) “older” couples who have committed to walking alongside class members and sharing life’s experiences together. In this manner, the class includes some intentionality for teachable moments as the older and younger members fellowship in church and in everyday settings.

4. An Intentional Structure
While the class is “officially” headed up by the Class Teacher/Pastor, this Teacher has subordinated himself to a group entitled the Servant Team. The primary function of the Servant Team is to serve as the Class by equipping the believers for their various God-appointed ministries, so that the whole body (in this case -- the Class) may be building itself up in love. The model followed by the Servant Team can be found in Ephesians 4:11-13.

“And He (Christ) gave some … as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”
The purpose for the gifted equipping the saints is to fix them to be servants. The word for “equipping” usually means fixing something that's broken (as when nets are torn, Matthew 4:21) or supplying something that is lacking. So the point of verses 11–12 is that Christ gives leaders to the church whose job is to repair what's broken and supply what's lacking in the believers.[5]

Think about this. Each of you is personally gifted by Christ with varied grace, and yet not so perfectly that you are not in need of fixing and supply by evangelists, pastors, and teachers. No one may say: "I am gifted and graced by Christ himself, I have no need of apostolic authority (which I believe comes through the New Testament), or prophetic encouragement, or evangelistic training, or pastoral nurture, or human teachers to apply the Bible to my life." This text makes plain that all of you are gifted with a measure of grace and all of you are in some measure lacking the improvement of grace.[6]

But the main point still hasn't been made. Verse 12 goes on to say that the leaders equip the saints for a specific purpose, namely, "for the work of service," or, "for the work of ministry." The fixing of what is broken and the supplying of what is lacking in the saints is not an end in itself. The leaders don't stop then and say, "O good, now we have fixed and supplied saints. The work is done." No, the fixing and supplying are meant to make the saints into servants, or ministers.[7] In short, Titus II exists and is structured to make you into servants or ministers.

5. A Robust Strategy of Communicating with Its Members
On a weekly basis, one of the Servant Team sends out an email. This email details all announcements, coming events, and prayer requests mentioned from the preceding Sunday. It details ministry opportunities and reports on ministry successes. In addition, it directs you to my blogsite (http://markastonetx.blogspot.com/) where you can read and comment on the lesson from the preceding Sunday. Simply put, Titus II has a robust strategy of communicating all relevant information with its members.

Community Groups
The third venue for believers at Stonebriar to assemble is a community group. As Titus II grew beyond 50 families, it no longer could be called a “small group.” Rather, Titus II began to look and act more like a “church within a church.” To address the loss of intimacy and accountability, Titus II launched community groups. There are many strengths found in these community groups:

• Those who are shy or intimidated by larger groups are often more willing to use their own spiritual gifts in a smaller setting, as well as being more vulnerable and accountable to an intimate circle of believers.
• Community groups are often where “the rubber meets the road” in daily living out the authentic Christian life in word and deed.
• These groups provide great opportunities for evangelism. Friends or neighbors who may be unwilling to come to a church may be more open to coming to a home Bible study.
  People who consistently participate in these groups reap the many rewards of friendship, encouragement, practical help for everyday challenges, and an opportunity to minister to others.

While there are many benefits to these community groups, there are some limitations as well. For example:

• Since groups typically meet in homes, there are often logistical concerns that must be overcome as most homes don’t comfortably accommodate more than 10 adults.
• There are issues with accommodating children, both in terms of space and suitable activities, while the adults are ministering to one another and/or studying together.
• These groups do not meet weekly. Thus, there are inherent limitations related to frequency and continuity, especially when engaged in a particular course of study.
• While community groups may be blessed with gifted teachers, most teachers will not have the benefit of training or experience that a pastor or adult fellowship teacher is able to provide.
• Finally, unless a community group has a healthy connection to the church or adult fellowship, the relative infrequency of its meetings and small representation of the congregation can isolate it from the larger group and deprive it of ministry available to the body or opportunities to serve others in the body.

Coming out of the Town Hall Meeting last week, there were several “practical matters” that need to be addressed. There were several questions related to the purpose, structure, and nature of Titus II community groups.

1. What is the goal or purpose of Titus II community groups?
We need to see that “our current structure of doing church is woefully deficient.”[8] We have three regular forms of togetherness here at Stonebriar -- Sunday morning worship, Sunday morning adult fellowship, and Wednesday night bible studies. In all of these settings you “minister” to each other. But we are convinced that the New Testament calls for a kind of personal ministry among the saints that cannot be fulfilled in these larger forms of togetherness. Therefore, we need to issue a call for each of you to be involved in a smaller form of togetherness. Each of you needs to be actively involved in a community group. We believe that only in such a smaller group will believers really be free to exercise their spiritual gifts. Only in such a smaller group will believers be free to serve. Only in such a smaller group will believers be free to do most of the work of the ministry (e.g, exhorting one another every day – Hebrews 3:12-14; bearing one another’s burdens – Galatians 6:2).

2. How many community groups are there? When do they meet? Where do they meet?

Mammina / Tremaine
Every Other Friday
6:45pm – 10:00pm
Homes within the Community Group
Children are put to bed or supervised in another room
Meal, Fellowship, Prayer Time, Bible Study

Gustovich / Thacker
2nd and 4th Sundays
Stonebriar Community Church
Church Provided Childcare
Bible Study and Discussion

Buckley
2nd and 4th Sundays
4:45pm – 6:45pm
Stonebriar Community Church
Church Provided Childcare
Mixture of Bible Study and Prayer Time

Gonzalez / Leneveu
2nd and 4th Thursdays
7pm – 9pm
Homes within the Community Group
Children are put to bed or supervised in another room
Bible Study and Discussion

Cammarota / Shivers
Every Other Friday
6:45pm – 9:30pm
Homes within the Community Group
Children are put to bed or supervised in another room
Meal, Fellowship, Bible Study, Prayer Time

Hollman
2nd and 4th Thursdays
7pm – 9pm
Homes within the Community Group
Children are put to bed or supervised in another room
Dessert, Bible Study, Prayer (Social every 3rd Meeting)

Lewis / Thomas
1st and 3rd Thursday
Homes within the Community Group
No Childcare Provided
Light Snacks, Bible Study, Prayer Time

3. Are there any opportunities for forming a new group?
Yes. Whether you are interested in a different format, meeting on a different night, or meeting in a different area of town – we can work with you to form a new community group.

4. What type of training will be made available for community group leaders?
This year, we will be providing two types of training for the community group leaders. The first type of training will be the church-sponsored training for home group and adult fellowship leaders. This training is offered on a quarterly basis. The first training session will be at 1:00pm on Sunday, February 15th. The second type of training will be Titus II specific. I will be meeting with you three times this year to work through material that is relevant specifically to Titus II. We will provide you with the dates and locations in February.

5. Are there mentors in each community group?
At this time, the answer is no. I will be asking the community group leaders to poll their members to determine: a) whether each group wants a mentor couple, b) how often they would like a mentor couple to be present, and c) whether the group wants a mentor couple from within or from outside the class.

Conclusion
This follow-up discussion was not an exhaustive discourse on the characteristics, advantages, and limitations of the Sunday morning worship service, of adult fellowships, or of community groups. It was only meant to illustrate that each of these three venues for the gathering of believers has its unique strengths and limitations. As such, I hope that you do not choose to substitute one for the other. Or stated differently, I hope that you do not believe that they are interchangeable. Ideally, I hope that you will strive to participate in all three venues to reap the benefits that each has to offer and to ensure that the limitations of each are overcome by one of the other forms of assembling together. We must understand that we risk the loss of important ministry if we try to “pick one” (or two for that matter) over the other. All three venues are important to our spiritual growth, accountability, and service.

As such, I would challenge each of you to set as a goal to participate in all three. That will require making plans. You will have to:
· Get the children to bed early on Saturday night
· Possibly lay out your children’s clothing on Saturday night
· Set aside money to pay for babysitting for those Titus II events that do not provide childcare
· Etc.

Do it because it is good, important, and right. Do not do it because “you are supposed to do it.” The goal in making this plea is not to make you feel guilty. The goal is not to be legalistic. The goal is to educate you on the value of participating in all three venues. Do it if you can. But if you can’t -- if you won’t – you have the freedom in Christ to determine how to best worship and serve Him.

[1] John Piper, How Christ Enables the Church to Upbuild Itself in Love
[2] Dr. Robert Godfrey writes in “Pleasing God in Our Worship”: The Bible uses the word worship in at least three important ways. First, worship can refer to the whole life of the Christian. We are to live our lives for God and under God. We should seek to have all we do become loving service to him (Romans 12:1-2). Second, worship can refer to those personal times of prayer, praise, reflection, or Bible reading when we focus on God. David worshiped as he prayed and sang alone at night (Ps. 63:6-7). Third, worship can refer to times when Christians gather officially as a congregation to praise God. This form of worship is commended and commanded in the Scriptures (Heb. 10:25; Ps. 111:1). Clearly God wants his people to gather as congregations, expressing that they are the body of Christ as they worship him with one another.
[3] Dr. Robert Godfrey, “Pleasing God with Our Worship”
[4] Dr. Robert Godfrey, “Pleasing God with Our Worship”
[5] John Piper, Why the Saints Minister to the Body
[6] John Piper, Why the Saints Minister to the Body
[7] John Piper, Why the Saints Minister to the Body
[8] John Piper, Alone in a Big Church -- A Call to Small Togetherness

Titus II Lesson -- January 18th

A Biblical Response to 2008
“Financial”


Review
When I first began working on this presentation, my frame of reference was “backward.” That is, I was looking back at the challenges introduced by the large number of births in this class, a new church schedule, the election of a new Congress and President, and a softening economy. I wanted to share what biblical principles were applicable and/or relevant in 2008.

That all changed as the months of September and October gave birth to the months of November and December. No matter how much I tried, I could not “ignore” what was happening in front of my eyes. For the week of September 15th, according to the Boston Consulting Group, “marked the end of America’s Depression-era financial system.” The very financial services landscape changed irrevocably and virtually overnight. Even though the financial system was at the center of this turmoil, the ramifications will inevitably travel throughout the broader economy. Thus, I could not ignore modifying my frame of reference. It had to also include a “forward” look.

To assist you in this period of unprecedented change, I want to look “backward” and “forward.” I want to comment on what biblical truths were most applicable in 2008 and which biblical truths should be elements of our response to 2008. Last week we considered six spiritual elements of a biblical response to 2008 – sovereignty, stewardship, generosity, contentment, community, and service. This week I want to consider the “financial” realm. I want to consider how to financially respond in a biblical manner to 2008.

The Environment That Necessitates A Biblical Response -- Financial
Before we consider a biblical response to the financial uncertainty of 2009, let us take a closer look at the environment that will necessitate such a response. As tough as 2008 was, there are many reasons to believe that the overall U.S. economy will get much worse in 2009.

1. Tight Credit
At the heart of this recession is the problem of tight credit. This problem began with the banking debacle in 2008 and it has now spread to the small business person and the consumer. Credit for working lines of capital, construction loans, houses, and autos are drying up. Small business owners with solid credit are finding that lenders are raising asset-to-loan requirements – if they can find a lender to loan! Credit card companies are cutting credit limits and, in some cases, raising interest rates, partly because they fear more consumers will default as financial stress spreads. "We haven't hit bottom yet in terms of credit card companies trying to protect themselves," says Justin McHenry, president of IndexCreditCards.com. Even if the Federal Reserve continues to hold down interest rates, McHenry says credit card companies will continue to raise rates and cut credit limits through much of 2009.[1] This “drying up” of consumer credit is based on the real concern of whether the consumer can manage his current debt load. That load is so large that it rules out much future spending (signaling sharp declines for most retail businesses). In other words, easy credit to fuel consumer spending has all but disappeared.

2. Unemployment
As small businesses are blocked from borrowing and as consumer spending declines, the unemployment rate will spike up sharply. Recent announcements by Motorola, Neiman-Marcus, and Citigroup are just the first wave of announcements. It is going to get even nastier out there. Not so nasty that your great-grandparents will quit telling those Great Depression stories, but nasty nonetheless. For a while, economists thought we might luck out and get away with a downturn no worse than the 1990-91 recession. That one lasted eight months, with back-to-back quarters of negative GDP growth of 2.9 percent and 2 percent. Unemployment rose from 5.2 percent to 7.8 percent. But now it looks as if the 1981-82 downturn is the better comparison. That downturn lasted 16 months, had several quarters where the economy shrank 3 percent or more, and saw unemployment rise as high as 10.8 percent.[2]

3. Worker Pay[3]
If unemployment were not bad enough, another stage of this downturn will likely revolve around the worst slump in worker pay since — you knew this was coming — the Great Depression. This slump in worker pay won’t be anywhere near as bad as the one during the Depression, but it also won’t be like anything the country has experienced in a long time. Income for the median household — the one in the dead middle of the income distribution scale — will probably be lower in 2010 than it was, amazingly enough, a full decade earlier. That hasn’t happened since the 1930’s. Already, median pay today is slightly lower than it was in 2000, and by 2010, could end up more than 5 percent lower than its old peak. According to Nariman Behravesh, the chief economist of Global Insight (a research and forecasting firm): “The biggest hit will be in 2009 and it probably won’t be until 2011 until we see any kind of pay gains.”

Why is this so fact so important for many of you in this audience? Many of you are counting on your pay increasing this year as your expenses increase related to children. Rather, each of you needs to be prepared to see your income either remain flat or possibly decrease. Many companies will eliminate pay raises in 2009 as a means of keeping a larger number of people employed. Some will even approach the staff (like Fedex) and ask for pay decreases. This expectation of lower income in 2009 will be particularly true if you lose your job. You can almost be assured that the pay for your next job will be less than your current job.

4. Loan Defaults
The next domino to fall (in this rather simplistic view of the economy) will be in the area of loan defaults. Increasing unemployment, tight credit, and falling worker pay makes it likely that there will be an even further acceleration of defaults on mortgages, credit cards, auto loans, and second mortgages. These defaults will place even greater downward pressure on employment and business profitability.

5. Asset Values
Increasing unemployment, tight credit, and increasing mortgage loan defaults will inevitably result in a decline in housing values. The value of homes, after going up sharply for almost two decades, is in the midst of a correction that could take down prices by as much as 40% before the resetting is done. For example: home prices in 20 major U.S. cities dropped 2.2% in October from the prior month, and have fallen a record 18% from the previous year, according to the Case-Shiller home price index published by Standard & Poor's. Prices have fallen in all 20 cities compared with last month and a year ago, and 14 of the 20 metro areas showed record rates of annual declines. For the original 10-city index, prices fell a record 19.1% in the previous 12 months.

The value of corporate assets will also move down with equal rapidity. Write-downs of assets and write-offs of goodwill could hit levels not seen in years. Corporations in the airline, retail, auto, and newspaper industries will have to revalue property which has been undermined by eroding fundamentals.

6. Government Revenues
The declining asset values will greatly diminish government revenues. City, county, and state governments (particularly in Texas) which depend on property taxes, will be forced to raise taxes or cut back on government services. Either solution will have a tendency to further exacerbate the recession.

7. Weakening Big Picture
In summary, all of these factors are contributing to a weakening “big picture.” There have been two quarters so far during the recession where the economy has gotten smaller, each time by less than 1 percent. Those days are over. Jason Trennert of Strategas Research says: "We are currently forecasting a 4 percent decline in real GDP in the fourth quarter, placing it among the worst quarters for economic growth in the postwar period. The first three months of next year could be just as bad. And even once the economy begins to grow again, the overhang from the credit crisis will probably crimp significant growth until 2010 (at the earliest).”[4]

The Elements of a Biblical Response -- Financial
Some of you are thinking: “I come to church to worship and be uplifted. That recap of the current financial picture is depressing.” While that may be true, as believers, we must be prepared to serve our Lord even in the midst of such a financial crisis. If this picture is true (or even directionally true), how does one respond biblically to such a financial environment? While magic bullets are difficult to come by, a biblical response to this financial crisis is rather straight-forward.

1. Get Debt-Free
The first financial element of a biblical response is to renew your resolve to get out of debt. Debt is a condition that exists when 1) there is insufficient collateral pledged to secure a loan or when 2) the equity and/or sales price of the asset is less than the amount owed on the asset. The two most common examples of debt are co-signing a loan (standing as surety) when you have insufficient collateral to pay off the loan and owing more money for an asset than it is worth (e.g., a mortgage that is greater than the underlying asset). Many of you in this room are in debt because you have college loans with no pledged collateral and/or home and auto loans that you could not pay if you had to “fire sale” the underlying asset.

What does Scripture say about debt? While the New Testament is largely silent about debt, the Old Testament has a lot to say about debt. As we look at some of these passages, just keep in mind that we need to be careful to distinguish between precepts (absolute rules) and principles (guiding wisdom).
· Under Deuteronomic Law, Israel was to never be a debtor nation. In Deuteronomy 28 we learn that Israel was obedient if they did not borrow from other nations. In the section on cursings, one of the curses was that Israel would be a borrower or a “tail” of alien nations. That is, one of the curses was that Israel would be a debtor. What does this teach us? It teaches us that being in debt to an outsider was evidenced of being cursed (negative).
· Proverbs 22:7 likens being in debt to being a slave. The term “slave” should not be taken literally. According to OT Law, a man could sell himself or his children into slavery (Ex. 21:2-7; Neh. 5:5). Thus, slavery was more a temporary state than an actual birthright. Yet, God has appointed one to rule and one to submit. And in this verse, the Scriptures liken a borrower or a debtor to a slave. That is because a borrower ends up in the same state as a slave. He is controlled by another.
· Proverbs 6:1-5 (as well as Proverbs 11:15/20:16/27:13) make a plea to avoid standing as surety for one outside the family. In fact, in verse 3, going to “grovel” and being willing to “lose face” is nothing in comparison to the danger of standing as surety. Nothing should stop us from doing everything we can, as quickly as we can, to deliver ourselves from being in a position of surety (for one outside the family).

What does this review of biblical passages mean for us today?
· Debt is not a sin. Nevertheless, it should be avoided.
· Borrowing is discouraged and, in fact, every biblical reference to borrowing is negative.
· When you borrow, you promise to pay. In fact, you have an absolute obligation to re-pay (Ecclesiastes 4:5-6).
· Finally, no one who is financially bound can be spiritually free. It is impossible to up and move, sell your home, downsize your home, change careers if you are in financial bondage. If you want to be free to serve God as He calls you, you must be free financially. This is because financial bondage inevitably leads to spiritual bondage.

Least you are not yet convinced of the danger of debt, Crown Financial Ministries (www.crown.org) lists eight (8) additional biblical reasons why debt needs to be treated with extreme caution:

· Debt presumes on the future
When people commit themselves to payments over a period of time, they are presuming that there will be no pay reductions, no loss of job, and no unexpected expenses. That is an improbable assumption since Prov. 27:1 states: “Do not boast about tomorrow,For you do not know what a day may bring forth.” How prophetic is this passage in light of what might be happening in 2009?
· Debt lowers future standards of living
Money that is borrowed today must be repaid over time along with interest, which means that those things purchased with credit will cost more “tomorrow” than they did today.
· Debt focuses on façade decisions rather than real life decisions
Debt encourages people to make decisions based on whether they can afford a monthly payment, rather than whether they can afford the total cost (purchase price, operational expenses, and finance charges) of the item.
· Debt leaves people at the mercy of the power of compound interest
If consumers pay the minimum monthly payment on a $1,000 debt at 19.8 percent rate of interest and never charge anything else on that account, it will take eight (8) years to pay back the $1,000 and they will pay $2,023 for the privilege of charging $1,000.
· Debt could delay God’s plan
Debt provides instant gratification, at the expense of financial freedom, rather than waiting on God’s provision.
· Debt clouds the line that separates wants, desires, needs
Debt allows desires to become wants and wants to become needs.
· Debt encourages impulse buying and overspending
Unrestricted debt assumption and credit cards have provided the means to immediately buy beyond the means to repay, without sacrificing needs and necessities.
· Debt stifles resourcefulness
In a society that lives by the premise of “I want, what I want, when I want it,” the need to be resourceful – mending clothing, resoling shoes, and changing oil – in order to save money is no longer relevant.

2. Save for Future Needs
The second financial element of a biblical response to 2008 – after getting out of debt -- is to save for future needs. The Bible encourages the believer to save. In Proverbs (6:6-8; 20:4; 21:20), we learn that the wise and diligent save while the sluggard and foolish do not. The first (and best) goal is to build an emergency savings fund. Most financial experts will tell you to build a 6 month emergency savings fund. That is, you need to have liquid funds equal to 6 months of living expenses easily accessible. Having built up an emergency fund, the believer should next invest their surplus and diversify for safety. (Note: Though the Bible is clear about saving, it is somewhat silent on the subject of investing. One passage that appears to speak about the concept of investing is Ecclesiastes 11:2: “Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.”)

3. Live on a Budget
The third financial element of a biblical response to 2008 is to live on a budget. We learn in Proverbs 27:23-27 that the wise owner knows the condition of his flock/herd. That is, the wise know the status of their “assets” and the source of their “income.” They use their assets/income to meet anticipated needs and expenses. Implicit in this Proverb is the encouragement to plan/budget. It is not possible to provide for future needs unless one plans and budgets. We also learn in Luke 14:28-30 that the wise/prudent count the cost and compare it to their available funds prior to building. They match available funds to anticipated expenses. In short, the wise budget. The un-wise do not.

How does one live on a budget? First and foremost, you must understand all sources of income and expense (fixed and variable). Second, you must build a budget that ensures lower expenses to income received. I suggest living at 75% of your current income. Third, you must have a means for measuring your adherence to the budget. Finally, you must be disciplines enough to live on a budget.

4. Seek Neither Poverty or Wealth
The fourth financial element of a biblical response to 2008 is to seek neither poverty nor wealth.
At first glance, the Bible seems to teach that wealth is wrong for Christians. But a comprehensive look at the relevant biblical passages quickly reveals that a biblical viewe of wealth is more complex. First, wealth itself is not condemned (Gen. 13:2; 42:10) and it is seen as evidence of God's blessing (Deut. 8; 28; Prov. 22:2; Ecc. 5:19). Second, when wealthy people in the Bible were condemned, they were condemned for th emeans by which their riches were obtained, not for the riches themselves (Amos 4;11; 5:11; Micah 6:1). third, the Scriptures teach that christians should be concerned about the effect wealth can have on our lives. We read in Proverbs 30:8-9 and Hosea 13:6 that wealth often tempts us to forget about God. For example, wealthy believers may no longer look to God for their provision because they can meet their basic needs. Moreover, Proverbs 28:11 and Jeremiah 9:23 warn that wealth often leads to pride and arrogance. So the bible does not condemn those who are wealthy. But it does warn us that if God blesses us with wealth, we must keep our priorities straight and guard against the seductive effects of wealth.

It is also commonly believed that the Bible praises those who are poor. But a clsoer look at the Scriptures would lead one to a slightly different conclusion. While the Scriptures would oppose those who cause poverty through oppression and fraud (e.g., Prov. 14:31; 22:7; 28:15), poverty is also caused by:

• misfortune, persecution, or judgment (Job 1:12-19; Ps. 109:16; Isa. 47:9; Lam. 5:3)
• laziness, neglect, or gluttony (Proverbs 10;4; 13:4; 19:15; 20:13; 23:21)
• a culture of poverty -- Proverbs 10:15 says: "The ruin of the poor is their poverty."

So the Bible does not praise those who are poor. In fact, it often condemns the behavior that leads to poverty. But it does warn us if God blesses us with wealth, we are not to oppress or defraud the poor.

How does this apply to us? In 2008, many in this class found themselves to be wealthy (I would argue that we are all wealthy in relative terms). As such, you were obligated (according to Proverbs) to be generous. While you might know that there is a blessing which will reward kindness or generosity to the poor, you need to remember that this blessing in Proverbs is combined with a warning (Prov. 28:27; 22:9; 28:8; 19:17; 14:21; 14:31) to those who ignore or are unconcerned with the plight of the poor.

There were others in this class who “sought” to be wealthy in 2008. How many of you were successful? Where did that goal get you? Are any of you in debt up to your eyeballs because of that goal? I expect that most of those who sought to be wealthy last year were largely disappointed the results.

In 2009, we must seek to be neither wealthy nor poor. We are to seek what Proverbs 30:7-9 advises: “Two things I asked of You, Do not refuse me before I die: Keep deception and lies far from me,Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the LORD? Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.” Seeking neither wealth nor poverty is the fourth financial element of a biblical response to 2008.

5. Balance[5]
The fifth financial element of a biblical response to 2008 is balance. The amount of time you have to work is largely a function of whether your vocation is a variable-time or a fixed-time job.
· In a variable-time job you do not punch a time clock. In a fixed-time job you typically punch a time clock.
· In a variable-time job you have fluctuating work hours. In a fixed-time job you typically work an 8-to-5 schedule.
· In a variable-time job there is always more to do than can be done in a reasonable day, so the pressure to spend more time at the job always exists. The salesperson, accountant, manager, teacher, and programmer are examples of those having variable-time vocations. On the other hand, a fixed-time job neither requires nor expects much involvement beyond the time spent in the office or shop. The factory worker, secretary, nurse, and grocery clerk are examples of those having fixed-time vocations.
· The variable-time professions typically generate the most income. These individuals have a challenge, however, that fixed-time workers do not have. They have to constantly guard against overworking. The salesman can always make one more sale, the doctor can always see one more patient, and the accountant can always reconcile one more statement. On the other hand, fixed-time professions provide those individuals with plenty of time but they face financial pressures because of lower income. The point is that the vocations that tend to generate the greater incomes also tend to exert the greatest pressure on the person’s time. The vocations that put the least stress on the person’s time tend to produce less income and put more stress on the financial side.

For years, in the employer/employee wars, the employee has had the upper hand. An individual with institutional knowledge, solid skills, and seniority could demand higher wages, flexible work hours, or improved benefits. An individual who desired to balance work/life stood a good chance of achieving his/her goal. In 2008, this goal became more elusive. Why? The downturn in the economy is transferring the upper hand back to the employer.

In 2009, the goal of balancing work/life will be severely challenged. Requests for higher wages and better benefits will be replaced with employer requests for longer hours, more responsibility, smaller (if any) raises, and working several jobs at the same time. In 2009 we need:

· Find a vocation that we enjoy and are equipped for then live within the income it provides. It is your responsibility to work hard and well at what God has called and equipped you to do (see Col. 3:23), realizing that the income you generate is no surprise to Him. Remember the biblical principle of sovereignty. He sovereignly ordains your income level through your employer or through the clients and sales He allows you to have in your business if you are self-employed.
· Be aware of the different time demands of your family’s different stages. If you are in one vocation and are considering switching to another, be careful to evaluate the impact of the change on your time. If the children are young, you may be better off waiting a few more years until they are teenagers to make the switch. Or if they are teenagers, you may want to wait until they graduate. I know this concept of slowly climbing or getting off the ladder is a difficult one, especially given the ego of man. My encouragement, however, is that you be mindful of what really counts for eternity.
· Only change vocations to better fulfill your purpose and maximize your time flexibility, not to make more money. This is not to say that you should not change vocations, only to caution you to weigh the cost. It may be that you would be better off waiting and earning less income at the old job until your children are at an age where a job change wouldn’t be so disruptive to them in taking you away from them.
· If you are in a variable-time job, set your time parameters and do what you can do, then trust God to do what you cannot do. If you are a salesperson, specify a reasonable number of hours you are going to devote to your work. Set an amount that will allow you to provide for your family’s needs, and work hard during those hours; but when those hours are up, stop working and spend time with your family.
· If you are in a fixed-time job be particularly careful to live on a budget. Your ability to make additional income is more limited. You want to avoid having to take a second job to “make ends meet.”

Balancing work and life (however difficult) is the seventh element of a biblical response to 2008.

6. Take Advantage of Bad Times[6]
The sixth (and final) financial element to a biblical response to 2008 is to take advantage (exploit) of the opportunities these bad times will create. There comes a time when you stop “surviving” and shift to “thriving.” It's an ill wind that doesn't blow some good, and you need to make the most of the opportunities that are out there.

· Energize your career. Don't just worry about keeping your job—make it better. Lean times present an opportunity for niche employees to put other skills to work and rebuild their reputations as go-to multitaskers. Employees should actively try to pick up the work of their departed peers. Also, volunteering to take on new responsibilities can pave the way for a negotiation in six to eight months, when an employee can prove that the job has evolved and is now worth more on the market. A new outlook and approach like this will help you hold on to your current job or pave the way to your new career.
· Refinance your home. Recent Federal Reserve announcements intended to ease the financial crisis have sharply reduced 30-year fixed mortgage rates, to 5.5 percent at the start of the week vs. 6.2 percent just two weeks earlier, according to HSH Associates. "Recession equals lower Treasury rates, which equals lower mortgage rates, which equals a great opportunity to refinance," says Mike Larson, a real estate analyst at Weiss Research.
· Look for the next great stock investments. Not only can you pretty much count on this year being one of lousy economic growth, you can for sure count on Barack Obama being president. And there are a few stocks out there that could get a boost from an Obama administration, including Chesapeake Energy (natural gas) and AeroVironment (aerial vehicles for Afghanistan). Also, keep an eye out for "growthy" (high earnings growth) small stocks, especially techs, which often are the first ones to rise when a new economic expansion nears. Hey, the recession can't last forever, right?
· Forget about keeping up with the Joneses. Since almost everyone's budgets are strained right now, cutting back is en vogue. Pollster John Zogby has found that a growing segment of the population has become more focused on spiritual fulfillment than on material success. Similarly, futurist Faith Popcorn's research shows that the concept of "frugality" has taken hold among families, with parents increasingly teaching their children to reconsider how much they consume and whether they could do with less. The "new frugality" movement, as she calls it, will usher in a new set of values for the next generation, she says.
· Negotiate almost everything. From credit cards to clothes, companies are open to making deals as they struggle to keep customers. "If you're a good customer, [credit card companies] may be more apt to negotiate your rate because they don't want to lose you," says McHenry of IndexCreditCards.com. At farmers markets and clothing boutiques, simply asking, "Can I get a discount?" can lead to a lower price. Paying with cash increases the chances of making a deal because it allows retailers to avoid credit card transaction fees.

Practical Application
In closing, I want to address five questions that are likely swirling about in some of your heads this morning:

1. How do you reconcile two different approaches to spending money?
The question can only be answered if the “big three” have been met. That is, if you have not: 1) eliminated all debt, 2) built up an emergency fund, and 3) implemented a disciplined investment strategy – any discussions about discretionary spending is off base. Having discussions about what furniture to buy, what to spend on a birthday party, or purchasing a new van should only be considered after these three priorities are addressed.

2. If I prioritize debt elimination, creation of an emergency fund, and a disciplined investment plan – there will be insufficient funds for ______ (e.g., private school, ballet classes, a new car, a trip to Hawaii, etc.). What do I do?
God in His sovereignty has answered your question with – “not now.” If you believe that these three objectives have priority, you must choose to go without until which time He provides the desired income necessary to support these “wants.”

3. Should I keep my stock in the stock market or pull it out and put it in CD’s?
I am not licensed to give financial advice. With that said, most financial advisors would direct you to stay invested in the stock market if your investment horizon is five years or greater.

4. We have insufficient income to achieve all three of these objectives (debt elimination, creation of an emergency fund, an investment plan), what do I do?
You must either increase your income (a 2nd job, a job change, etc.), eliminate some of you discretionary expenses, downsize your housing needs (sell home), or allow your vehicles to age (drive older vehicles longer).

5. How does my tithe (or charitable giving) figure into this discussion?
It is assumed that your “tithe” or planned giving is taken off the top. That is, the budget process looks something like this:
· Income – giving = Subtotal1
· Subtotal1 – debt elimination – emergency fund – investments = Subtotal2
· Subtotal2 – living expenses = Surplus

[1] Kimberly Palmer, James Pethokoukis, Luke Mullins, Your 2009 Recession Survival Guide: Here's how to weather the downturn and take advantage of the tough times in 2009
[2] Kimberly Palmer, James Pethokoukis, Luke Mullins, Your 2009 Recession Survival Guide: Here's how to weather the downturn and take advantage of the tough times in 2009
[3] David Leonhardt, Next Victim of Turmoil May Be Your Salary

[4] Kimberly Palmer, James Pethokoukis, Luke Mullins, Your 2009 Recession Survival Guide: Here's how to weather the downturn and take advantage of the tough times in 2009
[5] Russ Crosson, A Life Well Spent. The actual text is borrowed from an excerpt of Chapter Six, “A New Understanding of Work”, published in the March, 2004 edition of Sound Mind Investing.

[6] Kimberly Palmer, James Pethokoukis, Luke Mullins, Your 2009 Recession Survival Guide: Here's how to weather the downturn and take advantage of the tough times in 2009

Titus II Lesson -- January 11th

A Biblical Response to 2008
“Spiritual”

Introduction
When I first began working on this presentation, my frame of reference was “backward.” That is, I was looking back at the challenges introduced by the large number of births in this class, a new church schedule, the election of a new Congress and President, and a softening economy. I wanted to share what biblical principles were applicable and/or relevant in 2008.

That all changed as the months of September and October gave birth to the months of November and December. No matter how much I tried, I could not “ignore” what was happening in front of my eyes. For the week of September 15th, according to the Boston Consulting Group, “marked the end of America’s Depression-era financial system.” The very financial services landscape changed irrevocably and virtually overnight. Even though the financial system was at the center of this turmoil, the ramifications have been inevitably traveling throughout the broader economy. Thus, I could not ignore modifying my frame of reference. It had to also include a “forward” look.

One might ask: “Why would you resist looking to the future as part of this discussion?” The answer is simple – I don’t want to look like an idiot. I don’t want to hold myself out as a prophet. I don’t want the stock brokers and financial advisors in the class to think that they have another “dude” with which to compete!

To assist you in this period of unprecedented change, I want to look “backward” and “forward.” I want to comment on what biblical truths were most applicable and precious in 2008. I also want to comment on what biblical truths will be applicable and precious in 2009. While the final list of truths may be debated, I have chosen only twelve. I will organize these twelve elements of a biblical response to 2008 under the headings of “spiritual” and “financial.” We will consider the “spiritual” elements this week and consider the “financial” elements next week.

The Environment That Necessitates A Biblical Response
Before we consider the “spiritual elements”, let me briefly review what happened in 2008 – and what a year 2008 was! It was filled with unpredictable twists and turns in the lives of members of this class and in the structure of this church. For example:

• 9 families had their first child.
• 9 families added children to the number they began 2008 with.
• Several families lost parents and/or siblings.
• Several of you lost jobs or were forced to seek alternative employment.
• Several of you became very ill and/or faced health crises (e.g., cancer).
• The church reduced the number of worship services from three to two making it necessary to juggle class attendance with worship and service.
• The church changed the schedule in such a manner that the only available services now cross both lunch and morning nap times (ensuring unhappy children).
• The community groups “aged.” That is, community groups failed to adapt to changes in leadership, attendance, and/or childcare needs.

The Elements of a Biblical Response -- Spiritual
At times it seemed as though everything was spinning out of control. Yet, here we are this morning – alive, largely healthy, and better off than probably 90% of all the people in the world. As such, we need to re-commit to seeking out and living out God’s purpose for our lives in 2009. Paul writes: “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

All of us have limited time and limited financial resources. By gaining a clear view of our God-ordained life purpose, we can begin to use both time and money more effectively. Because life doesn’t have a rewind button, we must use our fleeting days to focus on things that really matter. We must use to each day in this coming year to know the Lord more fully, pray more deeply, and devote our energy and resources to a cause greater than ourselves.[1]

To assist us in living out God’s purpose for our lives in 2009, we need to understand what biblical truths were most applicable or helpful in 2008. What did we learn in 2008 that can be utilized in 2009? In other words, what are the elements of a biblical response to 2008? Let me reflect on six (6) “spiritual” elements of a biblical response to 2008.

1. Sovereignty
In Daniel we read that: “All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, ‘What have you done?’” (Dan. 4:35). In Psalm 115 we read: “But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases” (Ps. 115:3). The first element of a biblical response to 2008 is to understand and embrace that “God is sovereign.” When we say that God is sovereign, we affirm His right to govern the universe, which He created for His own glory, just as He pleases.

In 2008, we were clearly reminded that we were not in charge. Whether it was the election of the most liberal President in U.S. history, a financial meltdown unparalleled in our lifetime, the death of parents and siblings, the advent of cancer, the loss of a job, or a miscarriage – God reminded each of us that He (not us) was in control. Those who embraced this biblical truth, found comfort in knowing that He had a plan, a purpose for these events. Those who didn’t embrace this biblical truth, found the year to be frustrating, depressing, or bitter.

Personally I was reminded that I was not in charge in several different ways. A new CEO arrived that resulted in a change in my role, my influence, and my career path. A new Board required me to lay off (and meet in person upon their exit) 20% of my staff. The level of commitment by members of this class dropped dramatically. None of these facts were enjoyable or satisfying. Yet in the midst of these “disappointments”, there were many reminders that He can give gifts that we had no right to ask of Him. Two examples came in the form of a godly daughter-in-law (Emily) and in the form of a precious, new daughter (Oksana). Almost daily, we stand in awe of how fortunate we are to have these two beautiful, happy, loving girls – and we had nothing to do with who they are and where they came from.

In 2009 we must understand and embrace God’s sovereignty. We must bow in obedience to the life He has called us to. This includes any burdens we must carry or limitations we must face. We must recognize that “all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28). That is, “all things work together” to grow us in Christlikeness (Romans 8:30). If we understand and embrace this biblical truth, we will better be able to navigate the troubled waters ahead. Understanding and embracing God’s sovereignty is the first element of a biblical response to 2008.

2. Stewardship
The second element of a biblical response to 2008 is understanding and embracing the concept of stewardship. Job writes: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21)

Everything is owned by God. Stewardship teaches us that we are not owners of what we possess – we are managers. We are but stewards of all that He has entrusted to us. Everything we have – time, gifts, jobs, talents, children etc. -- is but a loan from Him.

In the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30), we see two “different” ways to use the talents given to us: “The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.”

In 2008, some of us were like the “diligent.” We obeyed our master knowing that one day we would have to give an account. We chose to put those talents to work. Unfortunately, others were like the “un-diligent.” They chose to not put those talents to work in advancing the kingdom but acted with unjustified suspicion and laziness.

How, you might ask, was this biblical truth so applicable in 2008? I will answer this rhetorical question with a set of rhetorical questions.
· How many of you have more money in your retirement account at the end of the year than you did at the beginning of the year?
· How many of you are more secure in your job?
· How many of you have a house that increased in value or would sell more readily today?

What is my point? Those who diligently used their talents to advance Christ’s kingdom lost nothing. Rather, they continued to accumulate rewards set aside for the diligent in the next life (Matt. 25:19-24). Those who were un-diligent gained nothing in the next world (in fact, they lose whatever they have – Matt. 25:28-30) and they lost much in this world.

In 2009, we must understand and embrace stewardship. We must recognize that every financial decision is in reality a spiritual decision. Waste is not a squandering of our resources. It is a poor use of His resources. We must diligently use the talents given to us to advance Christ’s kingdom. Understanding and embracing biblical stewardship is the second element of a biblical response to 2008.

3. Generosity[2]
The third element of a biblical response to 2008 is honoring God with our generosity. The Lord has blessed you with what you have for a reason: so that you can be generous on every occasion, and your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God (2 Cor. 9:11). The Bible teaches us that we need to be storing up treasures in heaven, rather than on earth. It teaches us that we need to give sacrificially, giving up some of our desires so that we can meet the needs of others.

In 2008, many of you in this class honored God with your generosity. You reached out and:
· Provided vitamins for 100 Indian orphans for a year and a half
· Provided 75% of the Stonebriar’s annual support of the Hutchersons
· Provided enough clothing (with Moms2Moms and the Women’s Bible Study) to fill two (2) SUV’s and a truck for poor Dallas children
· Provided $4,000 in critically needed funds for a group of Indian believers who lost loved ones in a tragic bus accident. This included providing three months of medical care for over 50 individuals.

Those that gave, gave cheerfully (2 Cor. 8:1-5; 9:7), willingly (2 Cor. 8:1-5; 9:7), quietly (Matthew 6:1-4; 1 Cor. 13:3), immediately (Acts 11:27-29; 2 Cor. 8:1-5), and generously (2 Cor. 8:1-5). Those who did not give – gained no joy in honoring God. Those who did not give must answer the following question: “Do you have anything to show for with your lack of generosity?”

In 2009, we must continue to honor God with our generosity. Giving is an affair of the heart. Ask the Lord to expand the capacity of your heart toward Him so you can give with cheerfulness and to prosper you so that you can raise your giving to even higher levels. Why? Because the needs in 2009 will be even greater than in 2008. The lengthy recession will decrease the number of donors and the amount of donations at the same time that individuals, families, and ministries will be asking for assistance. Honoring god with our generosity is the third element of a biblical response to 2008.

4. Contentment
The fourth element of a biblical response to 2008 is contentment. We read in Hebrews 13:5: “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘ I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU.’" Paul writes in Philippians: “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.”
(See also 1 Timothy 6:6-10.)

In 2008, many in this class were or became discontent. You did not like your job. You did not like the change in the church schedule. You did not like the demands of being first-time parents. You did not like the hassle of dealing with childcare. You did not like seeing your financial situation deteriorate. You did not like facing health issues. You did not like people telling you what you need to be doing. Etc.

Those who chose to be discontent will likely find 2009 to be an even more fertile opportunity for discontentment. In 2009, we need to be content with our jobs, our income, our houses, our cars, our freedom to worship, the food we eat, etc. Simply put, we need to be content in all circumstances. For being content is the fourth element of a biblical response to 2008.

5. Community
The fifth element of a biblical response to 2008 is to embrace “community.” A Spirit-filled community is a loving, caring, sharing community. A Spirit-filled community is a worshipping community. A Spirit-filled community is an evangelistically-minded community.[3]

In 2008, the concept of this type of community began to wane in Titus II. As many of you had your first child, as others had their 2nd (or 3rd) child, and as the church schedule changed – your commitment to community changed. Many no longer made it a commitment to attend Titus II each week. Many found it unimportant to attend community groups regularly. Others found it difficult to even make it to church for one hour! Those who remained committed to “community” ministered and were ministered to. They taught others and were taught. They have a group that is dependant upon them and a group that they can depend upon when they have needs. Those who chose to not be a part of this type of community received none of these benefits.

In 2009, each of us must embrace the importance of community. We must notice three characteristics of community in Acts 2:41-47 and apply them to Titus II. We must:

· Have an identity.
The church in Jerusalem, though it was newly born, had a distinct identity. Those who were in and of the church knew it, and those who were without recognized the difference between the Christians and the rest of the population of the city. Robert Deffinbaugh states: “Today, it is very difficult to tell the saints from the heathen. There are some saints (or so they claim) who refuse to identify themselves with the church. And there are all too many unsaved who have entered the formal ranks of the church. The church has become almost indistinguishable from the world, and the world has greatly infiltrated and infected the church. There is not the clear identity of a Christian today as there was then.”[4] We must desire to identify with a church, and even better, with a specific group within the church.

· Demonstrate commitment and consistency.
One of the most striking characteristics of the newly-born church in Jerusalem was their commitment. They were committed to Jesus. They were committed to one another. They were committed to meeting the needs of others. They were committed to gathering together. One key expression in Acts 2 is “continually devoting themselves” (2:42). The other key term or expression is “daily” or “day by day.” Day after day these saints pressed on, committed to the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. Day after day they went to the temple and ate from house to house. How different the church is today. People show up at church – when it is convenient. And when it is not convenient, they stay at home. When the weather is poor, they don’t venture out. When the weather is good, they go out to the lake. I am not opposed to good times, but I am saying that we are not marked by the consistency and diligence of the early church. We need little or no excuse for “forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” (Hebrews 10:25). We need little prompting to do things which are more immediately gratifying.[5] As such, we need to demonstrate commitment and consistency to the “community” to which we belong.

· Practice hospitality.
This first Christian community practiced hospitality. Today, most Christians are reluctant to act as hosts. Having guests frightens some prospective hosts. Others feel their home furnishings are too modest or inadequate. Most say that they are too busy, the expense of showing hospitality is too great, and the tension from getting the house cleaned and the food prepared too much for them. Alexander Strauch writes: “I realize that some people can easily invite guests over on the spur of the moment, but most people need to plan ahead and invite people to their table. Set a regular time each week or month to invite people to your home. Unless you plan this into your schedule, you may never get past the good-intention level to the implementation level. You’ll say, ‘This is important. The Bible instructs us to do this, and it will help our church; it will make our congregation a closer, more loving place.’ But unless you plan ahead, you’ll be busy next week, and the next week, and the week after that. You may rarely get around to opening your home to people in your church or your non-Christian friends and neighbors. As you experience the joy and blessing of opening your home, however, you will want to do it more often."[6]
Embracing the importance of community and striving to apply these three characteristics of the early church to Titus II is the fifth element of a biblical response to 2008.

6. Service
The sixth (and final) element of a biblical response to 2008 is service. Service is both inward (discipleship) and outward (mission). Service is both joyful and burdensome. Service is both personal (intimate) and impersonal (group-oriented).

In 2008, many in Titus II identified and exercised their spiritual gifts. Many saw that the emphasis in Ephesians 4 was not on knowing their gift but on finding their place of service. Many saw that the focus was not on the individual but on the contribution the individual makes. Many came to church to minister rather than to be ministered to. Many left not asking whether they were blessed but was Christ exalted and others edified. Many built up the body of Christ. Unfortunately, others chose the opposite. They chose to be participants, to sit on the sidelines. Those who did stunted both their and the body’s growth.

In 2009, we need to see that our current structure of “doing” church is deficient.[7] We have three regular forms of togetherness here at Stonebriar -- Sunday morning worship, Sunday morning Adult Fellowship, and Wednesday night bible studies. In all of these settings you “minister” to each other. But I am convinced that the New Testament calls for a kind of personal ministry among the saints that cannot be fulfilled in these larger forms of togetherness. Therefore, we need to issue a call for each of you to be regularly involved in a smaller form of togetherness. Only in such a smaller group will you be free to do the work of the ministry. What do I mean? Let me give you but two examples:

· Exhorting One Another Every Day
First, consider the exhortation to “exhort one another every day” in Hebrews 3:12-14. It does not say: "Take care, pastors, to exhort your people daily." It says: "Take care, brothers… exhort one another every day." Christ gives pastors to the church, pastors equip the saints for ministry, and you, the saints, minister to each other. That is, you exhort one another every day and thus become God's instruments for the preservation of each other's faith. You are responsible (and this is a weighty statement) for the perseverance of your brothers and sisters. Now how is that ministry going to happen for you in Titus II? The kind of pointed exhortation, encouragement, and warning can't be given or received on the run. It can’t be given or received if you attend only the worship service. It can’t be given or received if you attend Titus II only once a month. We need people who know us and feel our particular need, so that their word of exhortation is intimate and shaped to our special crisis of faith. And you can't know people significantly if you only see them in church a couple of hours a month. Therefore, I believe it is essential that all of us seek the kind of regular smaller togetherness where the ministry of the saints is free to happen. We need to seek the kind of regular smaller togetherness where you can serve. That is, we need to actively and faithfully participate in Titus II and small groups such as our Titus II community groups.

· Bearing One Another's Burdens
Second, when the saints do the work of the ministry, the goal is not only to encourage strong, persevering faith, but also to stir each other up to love and good works. But there are innumerable obstacles to love and threats to faith. We sink down, or fall down, or get knocked down again and again, and it is not God's revealed pattern for us to have to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps in isolation. On the contrary, God's command, and gracious provision, is: "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). It is an expectation that no one, married or single, male or female, young or old, in the church carry a crushing burden alone. Yet it is happening because we are a big church without sufficient forms of small togetherness. In order to obey the law of Christ, we have to build close, trusting relationships. Otherwise, you don't even know what the burdens are, let alone have occasion to share their weight. And we believe that to build those relationships we must gather in small, regular gatherings of believers.

Actively serving the body of Christ is the sixth and final element of a biblical response to 2008.

Closing
In closing, I want to share part of an email that was sent to me this week by my daughter Marin. I believe that the author, Dr. Hal Brunson (the Headmaster at Providence Christian Academy in Dallas, TX) and his wife Judy, understand and embrace many of these biblical truths that we have just discussed – sovereignty, stewardship, contentment, and community. These biblical truths were precious to them in 2008 and will be clearly applicable to them in 2009.

Dear Church and Friends:

I will try to be as thorough and as brief as possible, but this update requires some detail.Basically, Judy is facing respiratory failure due primarily to ovarian cancer metastasized to the lungs, probably complicated by pneumonia and possibly a hospital-acquired bacteria. To combat those two bacterial infections, she is receiving massive doses of the strongest antibiotics, which thus far show little or no promise of improvement for her. Even if some measurable improvement occurred during the next twenty-four hours, that improvement would most probably be both minimal and temporary because (1) her immune system is so compromised and (2) the cancer in her lungs is advancing. She also requires large amounts of oxygen with no medical expectation of improved lung capacity. Without some unexpected benefit from the antibiotics, without significant improvement of her lung function, and, truly, without a miracle, Judy’s condition will worsen, though no one can predict how swiftly.The doctors, Judy, our sons, and I have frankly discussed all these matters. The choice that lies before our family now is best how to care for her, medically speaking. The answer to that question is palliative care. Judy remains in the hospital, but I hope to bring her home soon. We will definitely need home health-care and, either eventually or immediately, hospice care, especially in light of the consistent oxygen, breathing treatments, and palliative medications she will require.I remember one of the first, if not the very first e-mail I sent out about Judy’s ovarian cancer over nine years ago, in which I said, "Judy belongs to God." Nothing gives me more comfort than that glorious fact. Thirty-one years ago, Judy and I had the privilege of telling my sweet Granny Brunson, almost Judy’s identical in stature and demeanor, that Judy was pregnant with our first child. Both of us vividly remember her words, "Remember, they’re not yours; God just loans them to you for a little while." Her statement now poignantly applies to my precious wife: no earthly bank could have funded the heavenly loan by which I have been enriched for over thirty-four years. Of course, if I could, I would without hesitation give my life in exchange for hers this very moment, as I am sure both my sons would; but what greater comfort in knowing that Someone other than, Someone greater than ourselves, has already made that glorious exchange. What solace there is in the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.Judy is at peace, and in grace, and grace and peace are in her. She is not in pain. She is not distraught. She is not worried. She is not complaining. All her needs are met at every level: physically, emotionally, and spiritually.Please pray for our family, and the friends who surround us, that we will be God’s arms around the most kind, the most composed, the most gracious, the most pleasant, the most gentle, the most trusting, the most peaceful, and the most gracious soul I have ever known.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, it is time to understand and embrace these six biblical truths and apply them in 2009 as our response to 2008.

[1] Mark Biller and Joseph Slife, Sound Mind Investing (December 2008)
[2] Mark Biller and Joseph Slife, Sound Mind Investing (December 2008)
[3] John Stott, 87.
[4] Robert Deffinbaugh, Acts 2:41-47
[5] Robert Deffinbaugh, Acts 2:41-47
[6] Robert Deffinbaugh, Acts 2:41-47
[7] John Piper, Alone in a Big Church -- A Call to Small Togetherness