Category Archives: Encounter Christ Church

A Christmas Revelation

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It’s that time again! The beautiful Fall colors that lit up the countryside with brilliant yellow, and bright orange have all disappeared. The local department stores have announced their “one time only” sales. Our televisions are filled with commercials for the latest toys that thrill our children at the very thought of having that one thing they can’t live without. The Grinch, George Bailey, Eddie Griswold, and my favorite, Ralphie Parker (who desperately wants a Genuine Red Ryder 200 Shot Carbine Action Air Rifle for Christmas), all find their way into our homes as well as our hearts and bring the much need cure for that holiday nostalgia.

Countless hours are spent preparing food and even more are used to gorge ourselves with one last bite. It’s Christmas time of course! And if you haven’t already gotten your holiday shopping done, you may be in trouble. But, we must be careful that in all of our preparations we don’t forget the purpose for Christmas. It seems that in the rush of the season we tend to forget the real reason for the season. As we scurry to gather gifts for people we don’t even like, we forget about the greatest gift of all; Jesus.

“And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the son of the highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever: and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1:31

Two thousand years ago, God gave the gift of His Son and it’s important that we understand the significance of that gift. This holiday season we are not celebrating the fact that He was born in a manger but simply the fact that He was born. God came down through the womb of a virgin girl and the Creator lived among His creation. The Independent One became all dependant on one teenage girl. Thus He is named Emmanuel – “God with us” (Matt. 1:23). The word, “Incarnation” is used by theologians to describe the invisible God becoming visible in the form of Christ. The word “incarnation” literally means “en-fleshment”.  John chapter one says it this way, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever

 Christmas didn’t change Jesus. It only changed how we see Him. He was still the same Jesus before that auspicious night when there was no room in the Inn. He was still the same Jesus before Mary said, “Be it unto me according to thy Word”. He was still the same Jesus when Nebuchadnezzar looked with amazement into the fiery furnace and said, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God”(Daniel 3:25). And He was the same Jesus that God the Father looked at and said, “Let US make man in OUR image and after OUR likeness” (Genesis 1:26).

So, what is it that changed on Christmas day two thousand years ago? Humanity got a revelation of Jesus! We are not celebrating the fact that Jesus was born into existence but rather that He was born into our lives. A revelation is nothing new. In fact a revelation is only the revealing of what has been there all along. The incarnation was simply a fresh revelation of Jesus. Now God had a face!

This is what we are celebrating! The infinite became finite and the unknowable became known by many. We are celebrating the fact that the Christ of Christmas is no stranger to this planet and there is no reason that He should be a stranger to you. It’s not difficult for most to understand that God already knew them. He knows everything about you; including the things you try to hide from everyone else. But, He wanted so desperately for you to know Him that He stripped Himself of His imperial garments and put on the homespuns of humanity. This is the glory of Christmas; that you can know Him!

Who do you say that He is?

The disciples were exhausted after a long week of ministry. They had just witnessed their Master feed over four thousand people with only seven loaves and a few fishes. Yet, in the face of this miracle they still hadn’t received a revelation of Jesus. Out of frustration Jesus asks them, “Whom do men say that I am?” The disciples by this time had heard every rumor under the sun and they began to relate to Him all they had heard, “some say that thou art John the Baptist: some Elias; and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets.” Interrupting His illustrious twelve as they all shot off at the mouth, Jesus asked this all-telling question, “But who do YOU say that I am?”

I think that we would all agree that it really doesn’t matter what other people think about Jesus, but I want to take it a step further. It doesn’t even matter what you think about Jesus. Jesus didn’t ask them, “Who do you THINK I am?” He asked them, “Who do you SAY that I am?” What you believe is meaningless if it stays tucked away and hidden from the world. Romans 10:10 says, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the MOUTH CONFESSION is made unto salvation.”

Out of the silence we hear Peter that big two-fisted fisherman with steadiness in his voice and stability in his gaze, he declared, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” With relief Jesus exclaimed,

Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee but my father in heaven. And I say unto you, that thou art Peter and on this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

What just happened? Peter got a revelation of Jesus! The “rock” that Jesus was referring to, against which the gates of hell could not prevail, is the “revelation” of Him. It was Christmas all over again! But what would Christmas be without presents? Jesus said, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven…” This is the real reason for the season. You have an opportunity to get to know Him up close and personal. And when you get to know Him the Bible says, “the Truth that you know will make you free.”

This holiday season when you’re with your loved ones and friends, you will find that some may ignore Him and others may even mock Him. Regardless of your situation, all that matters is who you say that He is. As we commemorate this most holy day, be sure to tell everyone who Jesus is to you and who He can be to them if they get the Christmas revelation.

“Buzz Off!” Lessons from a Downtown Christmas

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It was a great time for family and friends at our annual Downtown Christmas. In recent years our church has tried to do what we can to take advantage of this wonderful event. One year we sold baked goods, fudge, assorted chocolates and many other delectable dishes to satisfy your sweet tooth in an effort to raise money for poverty-stricken families in Appalachia. It was a great success and we were able to raise hundreds of much-needed dollars to help many families have a “happy” holiday. On another occasion we decided to simply share the gospel of love with as many people as possible.

The night was a great success with many warm smiling faces and no negative responses until the night came to a close. We were wrapping things up and I had a few more tracts left. I noticed two gentlemen standing on the sidewalk chatting and having a good time, so I decided to approach them. I introduced myself, as I always do, and shook their hands. Not wanting to take up much of their time I proceeded to give them a tract and said, “Merry Christmas! There is no better time to seek God.” My intention was to move on quickly. Immediately the older gentleman refused to take the tract. The young man, who was still in High School at South Stanly wanted to follow in the older gentleman’s footsteps. Thankfully he had not yet accumulated enough vinegar in his young age, but I’m sure he’s well on his way!

They were both volunteers and strong advocates for a certain political party here in Albemarle. The older gentleman began to preach to me about an issue he felt strongly about; recycling. Between each of their comments about recycling I managed to find out that they both considered themselves to be Christians. Glad to be speaking with fellow believers, I said, “You know what’s really important to me?” And I began to share my heart concerning evangelism; that it is essential for all of us do more in regards to sharing Jesus with people one on one.

What followed took me by surprise. They began to tell me that all Christians don’t have to share their faith and I was apparently intolerant and bigoted for implying otherwise. I was then promptly told to, “Buzz Off!” (Which is kind of outdated and lame but rude nonetheless). I was flabbergasted and extremely hurt. Not by them or their comments! Oh No! I’ve had my life threatened for the sake of the Gospel, and been insulted by professionals, so these amateurs werent about to make a dent. Jesus said, if they hated Him (referring to the religious people of his day) they would hate us also.

The New Testament talks so much about being persecuted for preaching the gospel that it seems persecution is a litmus test for good evangelism. In other words, if everyone likes you… you must not be doing it right! John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church said that if he went a week without being cursed, spat upon, or pelted with rotten eggs, he got on his face before God and repented because obviously, he had been preaching wrong.

As I was speaking to them I must have seemed distant because I began to imagine hundreds of so-called Christians in the “Bible Belt” making the same excuses and I was grieved for the thousands who will die and spend eternity separated from God because some churchgoer thought it was his or her right to be silent. We all agree that we must display moral character and let our light shine through good works on a daily basis but, is that enough?

The High School student asked me, “Do you believe that if I don’t testify about Jesus I will go to hell?” “Absolutely not” I said. Salvation can’t be earned by any good work. It only comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. However, if you have really given your life to Christ, you can’t help but tell everyone about it! If you’re willing to talk so passionately about sports, politics, the latest gossip, or recycling how much more should you be willing to talk about the One who delivered us from hell and gave us citizenship in Heaven? Now that is something that deserves to be heralded from every roof top… That is, if you really believe it. That’s what it all boils down to; during this Holiday season, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, do you really believe?

Paul said, “Examine yourselves to see whether or not you be in the faith”. I simply wish to encourage all Christians to re-examine themselves. What do you believe? Why do you believe it? Is it worth sharing?

Begin to study your Bible and discover all of the wonderful truths concerning your part in the work of redemption. Start with the verses listed below and get ready to experience a new level of peace, joy, and blessing as you embrace God’s vision to win the lost.

Isaiah 58; Ezekiel 33:7-9; Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 24:44-47; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:14-15; 2 Timothy 4:2-4

Merry Christmas!

My Thoughts On Greatness

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The study of greatness (great people with great achievements) naturally produces aspirations for great things. Yet the knowledge gleaned from study and the visions of grandeur that follow aren’t enough to produce greatness in our own lives. Even though we may be impassioned by the study of great men and women to the point of worldly sacrifice, it seems that making our “mark” on the world still remains a distant dream.

Serving great leaders (which is invaluable) or moving across the country to chase your dreams brings no more substance to them, because you’ll always find lying at the door of your greatest dream, the watch-dog of your greatest weakness. I should also say that it seems to me that it is, “time” that builds a porch for this guardian to sit on; time spent in luxury. Don’t get me wrong… there’s nothing wrong with luxury but an excess of waisted time in ultimately frivolous activities is one of the greatest enemies to our God-given purposes and callings.

The swell of our “good intentions” can easily come crashing down on the rocks of our own personal leisure time, if we’re not careful. Could it be that history will judge our lives based on what we did on our days off? If you think about it, periodic spasms of greatness don’t define who you are. Only the free-flowing motion of a mind which feels alone and secure in its privacy can tell us who we really are. After all, we are only as strong as our most secret weakness.

Sin is a cancer to greatness and it finds its strength in secrecy. Luckily this soul affliction doesn’t have to be terminal. It can be cured with the sacrificial blood of He that was truly great when administered with a healthy dose of transparency and occupancy. Sin reacts to transparency like Dracula does to sunlight or Lady GaGa does to soap and water and occupancy removes any further opportunity for it to recover and move back in. We should really pay attention to how we occupy our time, especially those times when no one is looking. Jesus said, “Occupy till I come”. If we wish to truly accomplish great things we should occupy our time with things that are pleasing to Him.

The greatest of the greats, warned that we would be judged by, “every idle word” that comes out of our mouths. It’s not what we say before the masses that counts but what we utter in private that will determine what our real mark on history will be.

… just a few things to think about.

Still More

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Recently, as we have launched a new church, we’ve talked a great deal about “trust”. I’ve heard it said that, FAITH speaks to the storm but TRUST sleeps through it. The challenge to truly trust God is not an easy one but it’s a challenge we all must welcome, for without trust the storms of life will overtake and consume us.

Years ago I met a man who understood the courageous and heroic nature of ruthless trust and he wrote this poem. I hope it will be a blessing to you.

Still More by Ken Graves

We really thought we knew Him.

We answered His call and we followed.

A mis-matched band of men we were

Sailing off into tomorrow.

I never knew a man to work so hard

And spend himself like Him.

And at last I saw Him finally lay down

While His old light was growing dim.

And darkness came as did the wind.

That lake became a beast

That howled and roared and reached for us

Thirteen mortals for its feast.

All I believed now seemed a lie

And nothing made any sense.

Waves of terror washed over my soul.

Each one even more intense.

I felt my way to the back of the boat

To where I’d seen Him lay.

So human was He, that in His fatigue,

Despite those pounding waves,

He slept.

Like a man unaware that there was any reason for fear.

Like one who knew just where he was going,

And what He was doing here.

Then one angry thought broke through my fear

As my panic reached its peak.

It erupted out of the hostile question

I could not help but speak.

We’re going to Die! I cried out loud

To the one who would lead us there.

You said, “Let’s go over”

but we’re going under.

How is it that you don’t care?

At first He said nothing

But seemed to be struggling

With a mind not fully awakened.

Straight from His dream into our nightmare,

Yet He wasn’t the least bit shaken.

He stood up suddenly and steadied himself.

With one hand he held to the ropes.

Like holding the reins of a stallion he rode

That rising and falling boat.

One hand on the ropes, one hand in the air,

As we cowered along the sides.

He confronted that beast that caused us to cower

So frightened and terrified.

The words that He spoke were not a request;

they were not a victim’s plea.

His words were not louder than the howl of the wind

Or the roar of the Galilee.

But his words carried power,

Undeniable power!

Even the force of the wind had to flee.

Mightier than the thunder of great waters,

Mightier than breakers of the sea.

He spoke to that wind like it was a dog.

His command muzzled its jaw and it fled

With its tail tucked between its legs.

We huddled in silence and awe.

Everything was quiet upon hearing those words

The water, the earth, and the sky;

Nothing more silent and speechless than we

Who just witnessed this with our eyes.

This man who took lordship over nature,

For whom nature immediately complied,

Now turned His gaze upon us little men

Just beginning to slowly arise.

Why were you afraid? He asked us.

How is it that you have no faith?

We had no answer to give him then.

Looking back we could only say

That we were afraid of what was against us,

Because we did not realize

What manner of man He was that we followed

and trusted with our very lives.

We had no answer for His question to us,

But we had many questions of our own.

Someone finally spoke those words

That still echo in my soul.

What manner of man, indeed, is He? Still more than I can know.

Parables

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“Another parable put He forth unto them…” Matthew 13:24 – 30

What we have here in Matthew 13 is a common form of sermon delivery which Jesus used often during His earthly ministry. In fact the subject of these parables is one of the most important subjects in the Bible.

It’s sad that the average Christian believes that parables are not relevant today and even if they were they think they are impossible to understand. This is simply not the case. A parable is not some mythological story that could only be understood by the disciples in that ancient time. A parable is very simply an illustration.

The word “Parable” itself means; to throw by the side of for sake of comparison. A parable is a natural illustration which conveys eternal truth. A parable is not some deep spiritual story that is meant to hide truth from you. A parable is designed to hide truth for you.

Jesus said in John 15:15 “… I call you friends because everything that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you.” Through parables Jesus is trying to teach us what He has learned from His Father.

You may ask, like the disciples in Matthew 13, “Why doesn’t He just come out and say it?” It’s because He is trying to conceal truth from uninterested hearers and reveal it to the interested ones. Are you interested?

“It’s the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.” Proverbs 25:2

 It is our honor and it is our privilege to search out the truths in these parables. Open up your Bible today and allow Jesus to reveal some hidden truth to you through these wonderful illustrations.

New Holiday Gets People Talking

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There’s a new holiday that’s turning heads in the Christian community. National Back To Church Sunday is a positive, cross-denominational celebration that encourages everyone to revisit congregational life. How many have said at one time or another this year, “I really need to get back into church”? Well, this year on September 18th they have as good an opportunity as any! (See Video Below)

Lending his voice to this year’s event is Texas Rangers all-star Josh Hamilton, the 2010 American League Championship Series MVP who credits his comeback from drug addiction and suspension from the game to his faith and church.

“God’s word tells us to spur one another on toward love and good deeds, and not give up meeting together,” Hamilton said. “We are to walk through life with other believers. My family and I have found that church is a wonderful way to do this, so I encourage you to join thousands of Americans as they go back to church on National Back To Church Sunday.”

National Back To Church Sunday has become the single largest community outreach in the nation with 10,000 churches expected to participate in 2011. This event reignites the power of personal invitation to empower church members to bring the community back to church. This simple notion seems to be renewing a passion for the Great Commission in our local churches.

Since the initiative began in 2009, National Back To Church Sunday has seen increased success with  church members inviting more than 1.4 million family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers to special services last year. Some 3,800 churches participated in 2010!

National Back To Church Sunday was launched in response to a 2008 study by LifeWay Research and the North American Mission Board of 15,000 adults that found that 67 percent of Americans say a personal invitation from a family member would be effective in getting them to visit a church. Sixty-three percent say an invitation from a friend or neighbor would likely get them to respond.

“We found that the effectiveness of the invitation was often tied to its form: the more personal, the more effective,” said Philip Nation, ministry development director of LifeWay Research.

“We were encouraged by the response and feedback from churches that participated in National Back to Church Sunday last year,” said Eric Abel, vice president of marketing for Outreach, Inc. “Creating ways to empower church members to reach out to their friends and neighbors is exciting. And we are looking forward to this event continuing to gain momentum.”

Church is essential to the life of the believer and this year at Encounter Christ Church on September 18th at 6PM we will be joining with nearly 10,000 churches for National Back to Church Sunday! We’ll have special musical guests and amazing activities for your children, so get your family together, INVITE and friend and come celebrate with us!

White Noise

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It is clear that, perfect faith cannot exist where the will of God is not know. It is, after all, the knowledge of His will that gives us the confidence we have in regard to our salvation. It is the knowledge of His will for our lives that gives us peace in troubled times, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jer 29:11).

Jesus made it clear through His life and ministry that He only did those things, which he knew to be His Father’s will. He emphatically taught on the importance of hearing God’s voice in Mark chapter 4 and once quoted Deuteronomy in Luke 4:4 saying, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word that preceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

As a Pastor, one of the most common questions I’m asked is, “How can I hear God’s voice?” It’s a good question! The ability to “hear” in the Christian’s spiritual life is just as important as the ability to hear our natural lives. One cannot even hope to possess adequate faith without the ability to “hear” (perceive, consider, and understand the voice of God) for the Bible says, “Faith comes by hearing…” (Rom 10:17).

Have you ever known someone with a hearing disability? Helen Keller had many disabilities but she stated that deafness was a “greater affliction”. I’m sure you’ve noticed that those with hearing disabilities often have difficulty speaking. Hearing is so integral to our lives that it even affects our ability to speak. This shows us great insight into why the Christian community has so much trouble praying; without the ability to “hear” God’s voice we are bankrupt in the place of prayer.

WHAT should we pray?

WHEN should we pray?

HOW should we pray?

All of these questions would be answered in a moment if our ears were tuned to the voice of He who calls us to prayer.

“He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear…”

Prayer Works

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 A small town had been historically “dry” (without alcohol) when a local businessman decided to build a tavern. A group of Christians from a local church were concerned and planned an all night prayer meeting to ask God to intervene. It just so happened that shortly there after, lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground. The owner of the bar sued the church, claiming that the prayers of the church were responsible, but the church hired a lawyer to argue in court that they were not responsible. The presiding judge, after his initial review of the case, stated that “no matter how this case comes out, one thing is clear. The tavern owner believes in prayer and the Christians do not!”

My dear friend, I want you to know today that Prayer Works! The Bible declares in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call unto me and I will answer thee…” The God of the Bible is a prayer answering God. Moses prayed and quenched the fire of Gods wrath against Israel. Joshua prayed and made the very rotation of the earth stop. Hannah prayed and God gave her a son named Samuel. Elijah prayed and God sent fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice. Nehemiah prayed and God allowed him to rebuild the broken down walls of the city of Jerusalem. The bible says God turned again the captivity of Job and gave him double when he prayed for his friends. Daniel prayed and God shut the mouths of lions. Jesus prayed. The disciples prayed.

You and I cannot remain prayerless in this most crucial hour. Send me your prayer request today and allow me to stand in agreement with you for your most urgent needs.

Standing in Faith for Your Miracle,

Pastor Alan