Posted by Bryan | 4 Comments

So, what do I believe about Holy Spirit? (long post alert)

After the last two days, you may wonder what I believe about Holy Spirit? So, let me try to clear up any confusion. Warning: rambling thoughts ahead.

• I believe Holy Spirit was sent by God at Jesus’ request to equip us for the work of the ministry. (John 16)
• I believe in the baptism of Holy Spirit and the gift of speaking in tongues. (Acts 2:3-4)
• I believe that the outward sign of speaking in tongues is not THE only definitive sign of Holy Spirit directing your life. (1 Corinthians 13)
• I believe that if you can speak in tongues but find yourself acting as God’s judge for others, you might need to re-evaluate. Paul said that was just noise.
• I believe that God still speaks prophetically today. But, I’m pretty sure He doesn’t speak in King James English. (I don’t have a scripture for that one… maybe 1 Sarcasms 3:16)
• I believe that if God speaks prophetically to you or your church, it should be life changing. How many “prophecies” do you actually remember? I can remember quite a few, but not all. I desire to hear God speak to us in a way that changes our lives.
• I believe more needs to be done to help people know how to hear His voice.
• I believe that God still heals people today. If I’m sick, I want someone to believe with me for healing. Why? Because Holy Spirit reminds me that Jesus took stripes on His back so I could be healed.

Is there more about what I believe? Absolutely, I could blog for days about it. But let me just tell you on a personal level what my relationship with Holy Spirit is like.

Every day, I pray in my private prayer language that I received when I was baptized in Holy Spirit. There are times when I just do not know what to pray. It’s in those times that I desperately need Holy Spirit to pray through me to the Father. I have seen God miraculously heal members of my family. I’ve also seen family and friends struggle with unresolved health issues. I’ll ask God about that when I get to Heaven. For now, I keep remembering that He healed Noah earlier this year. There were others present who witnessed it happen. Even though I have had many people falsely prophesy to/about me, I cannot discount that there have been numerous times I could not explain away how accurately God used someone to direct my life prophetically. But, I learned from my dad to pray this prayer,

“God, please do not send the prophet as the first line to tell me what You can speak directly to me. Send the prophet to confirm what I hear You saying. As You speak, I will listen. I will not harden my heart. I am listening.”

I leave you with this thought. Paul did not write 1 Corinthians in chapter form. It was one letter. When you read it that way, the scripture below takes on a whole new meaning… a more accurate meaning.

And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts.

And now I will show you the most excellent way.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1st Corinthians 12:28-20; 13:1-13

What does your relationship with Holy Spirit look like?

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Posted by Bryan | 2 Comments

Please allow me to rephrase

I have some amazing people in my life who are full of wisdom. I value their input. They know they can question my tactics because they know my heart. If you don’t have someone like that in your life, you are setting yourself up for failure.

Today, one of those people showed me how this post could needlessly confuse and offend. My father taught me a very valuable lesson as a young minister.

If truth offends, so be it. If the way I present truth needlessly offends, I need to change my delivery method.

In my post earlier today, my terminology was wreckless, unnecessary and did not adequately express what I wanted to convey. Please allow me to explain.

The simple act of asking me, “Are they Spirit filled?” does NOT irk me. My wife will vouch for the fact that very little actually irritates me. What does bother me is when the question is asked in an elitist, spiritually superior tone. If your decision to listen to a speaker, attend a conference, read a book or celebrate another church is determined solely by whether they welcome speaking in tongues or prophecy, well…

There have been many people who have asked me the Spirit filled question when referencing another church. If you read my earlier post, you probably think, “Man, I must’ve ticked him off.” I don’t blame you for that thought. If you asked me with the holier-than-thou tone, it probably was irritating. But, I got over it quickly because… well, I don’t like being irritated.

ROCK Church is distinct from every other church in town. That does not make us superior. We are just one part of the larger church in our city. What I should have said is that the different character of our churches should be celebrated not judged. If you are asking the question to clarify, perfect. If you are asking to show how much better you are…

Ultimately, I do not want to be known as the harsh, biting, condemning, irritated pastor who lashes out randomly. God’s purpose for our lives is too great for that. I want to be known as the guy who loves God with every part of his being and loved others unconditionally. If my words confused and offended, please forgive me.

After having said all of that, tomorrow morning I’ll post how to be a part of a church like the one in Acts. But, first I’m going to re-review it.

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Posted by Bryan | Comments Off

What’s up?

This several days have been crazy fast and very productive. Let me try and recap for you.

• I have been asked by my good friend, Paige, to help with her American Express Member’s Project. You should go vote now. It’s free and could save the lives of thousands of children. Stay tuned for my little addition to the cause in a day or two.
• Adam’s team dominated on Saturday winning 30-0. Adam ran a 50+ yard touchdown to end the game. Wow!
• Noah’s team did not dominate on Saturday. They played hard but just did not come up with a win. Noah did play much better this week though. I’m proud of him.
• Sunday attendance was down because of Riverfest. I’ve said it a bazillion times that we are not in competition with other churches in Wilmington. We are on the same team. We are up against the world.
• Even with a lower attendance, people experienced God. People raised their hands acknowledging their need to give their lives to Christ.
• We are one week closer to having our sermon videos online.
• Yesterday was a hard message for me. I talked about who Holy Spirit is. I feel the need to help people understand who Holy Spirit is without watering down His power. I feel like it was a success because I delivered what Holy Spirit gave me.
• Next week, I am praying for an encounter with Holy Spirit like ROCK Church has never seen before. It’s going to be incredible. If you have been wondering where we are headed as a church, you want to be here. It will either answer your questions or give you more fodder for your cannon. Either way, you don’t want to miss it! I can’t wait!
• After church, we headed over to the Wilmington Life Chain event. We partnered with a ton of churches in a silent prayer vigil on behalf of the unborn. I love taking our boys and teaching them about this. We had 44 people from ROCK Church show up. Thank you all. I am proud of you!
• Later we had the whole family over for Don’s birthday and grilled burgers. It was a blast.
• About the time I finally relaxed last night, Jeff twittered that he wanted to catch the Steeler’s game. So, I jumped in the car to head across town and hang out. I am glad I did. It was good to hang out with a fellow senior pastor and talk shop and watch the game. Plus, the Steelers won!
• Now, I am wrapping everything up in the office to head out to Atlanta tomorrow for the Catalyst Conference. It’s going to be a great time and I can’t wait.

That’s it for now. Gotta jet. So, what was your weekend like?

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