Dear Radicals

Dear Radicals,

When referring to the current condition of the small town Church and the resulting small town Christian it is impossible to avoid words like; lifeless, impotent, ineffective, useless, unproductive, and vain. Our problem is not that our fortifications have been torn down or that we are surrounded and out numbered by the enemy; because neither are true. Our demise is not due to battle worn and weary saints who are hard pressed on the right and yielding at the center of the battle line. Our failure is found in the fact that no one seems to be able to find the battle field any more.

In Stanly County, where I live, we have managed to deceive ourselves into believing that we have somehow created a truce with the forces of darkness and everyday we hope and pray that they keep their end of the bargain. We are distressed with anyone who may suggest that the battle is still on and that God is still looking for soldiers who are willing to lay down their lives for the cause of Christ. After all, talk like that might make waves and bring discomfort to our already laissez-faire lives.

The truth of the matter is that the enemy is not at the gate but he is already within our borders, populating our schools, sitting in seats of power, attending our churches and even sleeping in our own beds. The most degrading and demoralizing fact of all this is that those who claim to be Christians don’t seem to know or care. We would rather hang on to our tedious traditions than to turn over the tables. As a result hundreds needlessly die as church goes on as usual. In times like these, church attendance skyrockets while spirituality declines to a record-breaking low.

Every generation and every community has a demonic yoke that oppresses, captivates, and binds. However, where sin abounds graces does much more abound and for every yoke, there is anointing! There is an empowerment being provided by heaven without regard to gender, race, age, or education and it’s available to all who will. It’s time to give the radicals something radical to do!

If you’re ready to become a Radical Disciple sign up today and receive more information about how your spiritual life can be drastically changed and how you can be on the bloody edge of what God is doing in the earth today.

The World’s First Flying Church!

The Russian military have pioneered a new way to bring Church to the battlefield. They’ve designed a church structure that can be parachuted into any battlefield and produce instant worship services for their military personal and you don’t even have to add water!

It’s being called, “The World’s FirstFlyingChurch” which is pretty awesome considering that it comes complete with paratrooping priests! According to Russia Today (RT), these churches consist of an army tent, mini-theater, diesel power source, air conditioner and a refrigerator. The airborne church is reportedly needed because there are special sacraments in the Orthodox Church that demand a substantial number of utensils.

“I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:18,19

Being a Pastor and a Church Planter I know what it means to have “Church In A Box” but this is taking it to a whole nutha level! We all know from Matthew 16 that the gates of Hell have no effective defense against the “Church” that has been established on the revelation of “Christ” and commissioned to bind and destroy.  Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could drop this hell razing institution right in the middle of an Al-Qaida’s Training Camp,Tehran’s Azadi Square, or better yet in the middle of your work week or your next family reunion?

Thankfully the triumphant Church has no need for utensils or sacraments! All this devil-stomping Church requires is, “two or three”.

“Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:18,19

I don’t know what you may be facing today but I do know that we can parachute the Church right into the middle of your situation with the power of agreement. Send me your prayer request today and let’s stand in agreement for your total victory in Christ Jesus.

CLICK HERE to Submit Your Prayer Request

Join Our Team at ECC

Our mission at ECC is to know Him and to make Him known by teaching families to walk in faith and we’d love to join forces with you and your family. We believe that God has a place for you in the body of Christ and that sound Biblical teaching will not only help you find your place of purpose but will also empower you to be effective in every area of your life.

Someone recently asked, “What’s your vision for ECC?” They were referring to the facilities, location, and attendance. Pastor Alan’s response was a little surprising when he said,

“My vision is that you and your family will have a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit, know how to pray and get results, and that you’ll be strong in your faith. If we can accomplish that, everything else will fall into place.”

Does that sound like a Church you’d like to be apart of? We thought so! We want you to be on the ground floor with us as we build a dynamic house of worship and a hospital of faith. Whether you’ve never been in church before, whether you’ve been hurt in the past, or are just looking for something new; we’d love to meet you.

You’re invited to join us THIS Sunday at 6PM!

Our Church is located in Red Cross, NC on HWY 24\27 right across from West Stanly High School, beside Dollar General, in the white L shaped building.

Don’t miss out on what could be one of the funnest experiences of your life!

Standing In Faith With You,

Encounter Christ Church

12 Simple Steps to Spiritual Growth In 2012

At the dawn of each new year faithful believers around the country make resolutions to get closer to God and to commit themselves to more serious spiritual growth. Regrettably, much like our weight loss goals, these resolutions quickly evaporate as we get back in the swing of things and the pressure of our daily routine kicks in. I heard someone say, “May all your troubles last as long as your New Year resolutions.” It’s funny because it’s true! Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be that way.

Proverbs tells us that the key to a successful spiritual life, is keeping the Word of God in front of us at all times. That’s because God’s Word is our ONLY means of spiritual Growth!

“My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” Proverbs 4:20-22

There are some simple things each and every one of us can do to grow spiritually this year.

12 Keys to Spiritual Growth in 2012

  1. Place Bible verses on your refrigerator and your bathroom mirror. Don’t open your fridge or pass by that mirror without reading them out loud.
  2. Tie a string around your finger to remind you to pray that day (you’d be amazed at how effective this is and it’s a good conversation starter).
  3. Read at least one chapter in your Bible everyday.
  4. Call your Christian friends just to discuss Bible passages.
  5. Keep Bible verses in your wallet or your purse.
  6. Listen to preaching and teaching while you’re getting ready in the morning or driving in your car.
  7. Choose a friend to keep you accountable to the study of God’s Word.
  8. Memorize a Bible verse.
  9. Make it a goal to find a way to pray and speak God’s Word in every place you travel or visit (Pray in every room of your house).
  10. Commit to attending every service at your Church.
  11. Each week determine to become the answer to someone else’s prayer.
  12. Take time to Worship God for who He is, each and everyday.

Start the New Year off right with our devotional called, “The Pinhead’s Guide to Prayer“. Each day this week read one article in this series and within 7 days you’ll see a drastic turn around in your spiritual life!

Happy New Year!

Satan, The Lord of the Rings, and Plastic Cups

We live in a time where fear reigns while faith seems to be smothered under the maniacal power of what “could be”. Can you remember as a child when you were utterly paralyzed by the slightest sound outside your bedroom window or the echo of strange noises coming from a dark hallway.

As children we’re often frightened by a simple sound or noise we can’t identify. Upon further inspection we see that it was just the wind or the settling of the house yet we were so sure it was some evil monster hungry for little toes (better not let my arms or legs hang over the bed… just in case)!

Is it really that different now that we’re adults? We may not be frightened by things that go bump in the night but should a doctor mention the word, “Cancer” fear grips our hearts. We have many fears that plague our minds and steal our faith. I think that if we allowed a little further inspection, we’d find that there’s really no reason to fear.

Fear Is Just A Noise

Fear is just a noise that sparks the darker side of our imaginations and imprisons our minds in the shadows of hopelessness and doubt. It can seem so real but we must remember… it’s only a noise!

Where else can we see this best illustrated than in Hollywood? These masters of manipulation can take the most benign scene and turn it into something terrifying with a simple score. By just adding music or a sound effect they can artfully turn any knee slapper into a screamer.

Let’s take Lord of the Rings for example. Rarely will you find any creatures more hideous than the Balrog and the Ringwraiths. The bellowing sound of the Balrog’s roar and the Ringwraith’s scream are enough to make anyone’s blood curdle. See for yourself…

The Balrog

Did you hear that otherworldly roar?! When sitting in a darkened theater surrounded by the sound of this beast, your seat trembles just a little bit and so does your heart but what’s the real origin of the Balrog’s roar? Did someone manage to drill far enough into the earth to pick up the sounds of Hell itself? Upon further inspection you may be surprised at what you’re actually hearing. It’s not the demented yell of a diabolical demon, the sound is actually made by an ingenious sound effects crew dragging a cinderblock across the floor! The noise isn’t as intimidating when we see it for what it really is.

How how about those evil Ringwraiths?

The Ringwraith

These Ringwraiths are shrill enough to give Hillary Clinton chills! However, if we look behind the scenes, we discover that what we’re actually hearing are plastic cups scraping together! Of course these sounds are enhanced in a sound studio but at their core it’s just a couple of plastic cups and a microphone.

What I want you to see is that whenever fear attempts to gain access into your heart, it’s just a noise! Whether fear comes through a bad diagnosis, rejection, or the tormenting doubts that Satan incessantly introduces into your mind, upon further inspection you may just discover that it’s not as bad as you think and that “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.”

The Bible says in Isaiah 14 that one day Satan will be cast down to the abyss and…

People will stare and muse: “Can this be the one Who terrorized earth and its kingdoms, turned earth to a moonscape, Wasted its cities, shut up his prisoners to a living death?”

The Bible says that there will come a day when we will “muse” at the author of fear himself! Another translation says that we will look “narrowly” at him in disbelief saying, “Really? … REALLY?” On that day we’ll discover that Lucifer himself wasn’t all he was cracked up the be. He was just a noise; nothing more than the passing of a light breeze.

You don’t have to wait until that glorious day to have this revelation. As you study God’s holy Word, you wont be so intimidated because you’ll discover the truth behind the noise. You’ll also learn who God is on the inside of you and no cinderblock, plastic cup, or bad report will be able to rob you of your faith!

Militant Worship (Video Blog)

If God’s will is to be done on earth as it is in heaven, then there is one ingredient missing that we as believers must acquire. This one missing ingredient is what makes Heaven, Heaven; the presence of God.

If the presence of God is our priority then worship must be as well. Real victory takes place when you remain in His presence. Once you get in the Glory, the Lord fights on your behalf. We must realize that the real battle is not against flesh and blood and it’s not to overcome some wicked force, but the real struggle is to stay in the Glory.

We see this kind of mentality when Jacob wrestled with God at Bethel. He prevailed and God gave him a new name. His new name, Israel meant “one who strives with God” (Genesis 32). In Matthew chapter eleven and verse twelve it says, “the kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force”. Friends you and I are called to be “the God strivers”!

In this message you’ll learn what it means to strive or fight for the Glory of God with what I call, “Militant Worship”. Grab your Bible, pen and paper, and enjoy this teaching.

11.20.11 “Militant Worship” Pastor Alan DiDio from Gleaning Mission on Vimeo.

Sermon Notes

Militant Worship isn’t like regular worship that passively and peaceably seeks God. When you enter into militant worship you are zealously, forcefully, vigorously, combatively and disturbingly seeking God! The reason for this is because there are external forces and internal conflicts that aspire to keep you out of God’s presence.

What Is Militant Worship?

  • Militant Worship refuses to regard circumstances or be moved by emotions.
  • Militant Worship seeks to encounter Christ amid the assailing attacks from without and the encroaching turmoil within.
  • Militant Worship is born of and works by unadulterated faith.
  • Militant Worship unconditionally rejects the suggestion that it can’t have the fullness of God right now.
  • Militant Worship requires the unified efforts of your spirit, soul, and body being in concord with the Holy Spirit.
  • Militant Worship will ultimately rout the enemy and loot the kingdom of darkness.
  • Militant Worshipers will wrestle with anything that gets between them and the promise of God even if it is God Himself.

God is instigating a large-scale invasion of this planet and His warriors are worshippers.

Sometimes worship is a sacrifice but always remember that worship is its own reward. True Worship is all that we are, rightly responding to all that He is.

A Christmas Revelation

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.

Still More

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

“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

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!