Old Style New Beginnings

This past Sunday, March 13th, we began the home church meeting in our house in Cochabamba.  We were fortunate about 10 months ago to find a home with a grand salon off of the back (used in the past by the owners for family parties and functions). This space has been wonderful for Bible study meetings and other functions for reaching our community (able to seat around 75 people).

Seth teaching youth on Friday night. 

Seth has studied God's word and church planting books for the past few years, and we felt like the best style of church plant for the area we live in would be a home church.  Many of the unchurched people we meet in Bolivia are uninterested and often put-off by the institutionalism they see in the religious climate here.  For many, they see leaders abusing authority, asking for money, or living lives contrary to what they teach. Creating Christ-centered relationships, focusing on discipleship, and the teaching of God's word, we feel we have found our niche for reaching our community here in Condebamba and the surrounding area. A relaxed, home-based environment where Christ is exalted and his Word held in utmost esteem. As we grow and as new believers mature, the goal is to create leaders to be pastors, elders, overseers, missionaries, etc. Our goal is to grow The Church in our community through the means and resources God has given us.

Our first Sunday night family service

We raised funds in the states for two months, speaking at several churches across the south and, with the funds raised, were able to hit the ground running when we got back to Cochabamba February 5th.  We've purchased a projector, 50 chairs, 10 tables, two room fans, a Mac mini, hardback Bibles, and even a sewing machine (this is Bolivia - you never know when you need to sew a curtain, hem a tablecloth, or sew up the hole in your church pants).  We were also able to get an old van about a week ago, affectionately named Big Bertha.  It can hold about 20 Bolivians (And maybe 8 of us Mississippians...ha, just kidding!), and its already been a huge help.

Ashley with some of her students on Sports Day

We have been SO busy!  Ashley's job at the school, Cristo Nacion, has taken a lot more time and mental energy this year.  She's teaching World History and Geography to 6 different groups from 7th-12th grade.  Students range from very beginning English to advanced, all in the same classes.  Its been very challenging and stressful at times, but her job at the school has also opened many doors to the gospel for us.  Seth has spoken the past two Monday's at the school giving a devotional to the 100 or so high school students.  Seth has also begun volunteering as the Bible teacher for 7th and 8th grade classes.  While there twice a week, Seth is building relationships with teens, many of whom are unchurched and have been turned off to christianity in the past.

Our youth night on Friday's is also growing.  After an initial slow start back since being gone 2 months, we are now getting a big group that is a variety of neighborhood teens and teens from the school.  This past week Seth began a series using Francis Chan's Basic resources.

Youth on Friday night 

Monday nights Seth is still having young adult Bible studies with our friends from the south zone of Cochabamba.  This is an amazing group of young adults who serve in their church and want to develop their faith in deeper understanding of God's word.  They are a tremendous blessing and encouragement to us as well.

The Monday night young adults group

A few other things we'd like to get started in the next few months:

-big brother volunteering at an orphanage: We'd like to take christian teens to volunteer and invest in kids that really need the love, attention, and example of an older Christian guy.

-children's ministry: This may be out of our home, or a kid's club that we do an the canchita (soccer court) near our home, but we want to teach a younger generation the gospel.

-A youth retreat: Seth will work with the leadership at Cristo Nación Bilingual School to help plan a retreat for the high schoolers.

We need your prayers!  Here's how you can pray for the work here:

1.  Pray for a few volunteers that are gifted in the area of leading worship for our youth nights and family Bible studies.

2.  Pray for wisdom and leadership as the Church grows in our area.

3. Pray for the resources we will need as growth occurs (additional seating, tables, literature, Bibles, materials for classes, food for meetings, hiring help for cleaning and upkeep, etc.)

4. Pray for our family, that Christ would be our focus and our goal.

5. Pray for the one-on-one discipleship Seth is doing with some select teens and young adults, that they would grow spiritually. Our goal is to disciple leaders.

6. Pray for the families and individuals we do ministry with, that they would see and know Christ, for their spiritual growth, and for their understanding of the cross to increase.

"The Cost of Everyday Ministry" - Sermon Transcript April 26, 2015

This week, I’ve been tired. Any of you ever just feel tired? I’ve been all over Cochabamba this week, from government offices, to the dentist several times, to meeting with boys I disciple to the tasks I have at home. And it seems like my weeks keep getting busier and busier. Sometimes, I just need a break. To slow down, to sit down, and rest. You ever have a week like that? 

We all have our obligations, we have our responsibilities. We also try to squeeze in time for a hobby occasionally. And it can be easy for us to get so wrapped up in what we have to do, that we forget to focus on the one who provides the strength we need in every season.

Today, this message will be a little different. It will be more of a testimony, really, than an instruction or application. However, my prayer is that God would use what I’m about to say to challenge, encourage, and spur you on towards love and good deeds. I hope that you will see the comfort of the Cross and the refuge of God’s grace.

Over the past few months, my obligations that pertain to ministry and discipleship have been on a steady increase. I’ve been more stressed than I’d like and I haven’t invested in my family as I should. I haven’t invested in myself as I should. Now when I say invest in myself, I’m talking about spiritually, not that I've been skipping massages and manicures. I’ve let the burden of ministry and the burden of friendship stretch me in ways I’m really not capable of handling.

Let me ask you all a question, anyone else have trouble saying no? There are a lot of things I can say no to, but a friend in need is generally not one of them. I know with my head that I can’t meet every need, but sometimes, my heart just doesn’t listen. So, what happens is, I overextend myself. With dental visits, government offices, helping with homework, rides to school, market visits, etc etc etc.

Here’s another question, anyone have a burden for people? For people you love and are discipling? In this respect, I so often wrongfully assume the responsibility for their growth in Christ rather than trusting God. In 1 Corinthians 3:6, Paul in his letter makes this statement, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God brought the growth.” When it comes to ministry, and I’m talking about ministry because we are all called to be a part of it, we have the tendency to feel responsible for growth. One aspect of my stress lately, is I haven’t been giving time and room for God to bring growth in the hearts of those we get to minister to. I began to worry that if I missed an opportunity to talk to or spend time with these boys, their families, or others, that their seed would die and that they would return to the world. The Holy Spirit challenged me with this question: "Where is your faith in God’s sovereign work in salvation?"

Anyone struggle with a lack of patience for those closest to you? I'm sure there men here who take for granted that your family attends church and supposedly knows Christ. I know that I’ve struggled with this. Sometimes the question would be presented, “Why aren’t you investing as much time, energy and prayer into your family as you are these other people?” And my response was this religious (albeit a real conviction), “because my family knows Jesus and these people don’t. What about their souls? What about eternity?” Again the Holy Spirit challenged me, "Where is your faith in God's grace?"

My time has literally become enslaved to the needs around me rather than submitted to the word of God. My heart has been overcome by carnal thinking and by my own understanding in my attempts to meet all the needs I see, to the point that I wasn't relying on the Holy Spirit as I should. And, now I’m tired. I’m tired because I can’t pay the cost of everyday ministry. There is no way that I can afford what it cost to walk in obedience to God, to administrate my time in a way that honors him, to meet needs showing Christ’s love, to be a good husband who leads and washes his wife in the word, to be a good dad who disciples his children and brings them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. I can’t pay that price on my own. It's impossible.

My testimony is that this week, and over the past month, God has really begun to reveal to me the cost of ministry; and to show me our need for the Cross and our need for his Grace. Personally, I’m about to make some changes. I’m changing my schedule, I’m taking steps to be more disciplined with my time. But most importantly, I’m making a choice to honor God with my trust in his grace.

Here’s that part that I hope will challenge, encourage and spur you. Remember my confessions about needs around me, spiritual growth and evangelism in ministry, and honoring God with how I interact with my family? Let’s talk about those and look at God’s word.

I told you I have a hard time saying no. But the problem is that sometimes many of us also have a hard time saying yes. We have got to learn which needs deserve a yes and which needs can handle a no. For me, the difficulty is that the needs on the street are much easier for me to meet than the needs in my home. I could attempt to excuse this with my childhood without a father and the lack of an example, but that would be an offense to God's grace. For others of you that may be backwards. Maybe you are a great dad or mom or son or daughter, but you don’t serve anyone outside of your home. How can we determine when we should say yes and when we should say no to needs?

Obviously, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the word of God, and not through the guidance of our hearts (or minds). This comes down to scripture and what it instructs about our priorities. My first priority is my soul and it’s condition. Am I connected to the vine? In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

I want to focus on the last clause of that verse. “Apart from me you can do nothing.” If we are not connected to Christ through his word and through confirmation of his word by his Holy Spirit, we can do nothing. There are a lot of people in this world who do not know Christ and yet think they are doing something; but in reality they are doing nothing. Nothing of impact, nothing of value. But, what is even sadder, is that there are a lot of us, because of our carnal thinking and our pride, think we are doing something for God, and yet we are not operating from a point of connection to Christ. We can do nothing apart from Christ. So, the first thing we must do is make sure we are investing in our relationship with Jesus. We have to spend personal, independent time studying God’s word, praying and seeking Jesus, and “working out our salvation with fear and trembling.” Here’s something to think about, do you walk with a steady gaze on your need for the Cross and for Christ? Guys, this may seem elementary and basic, but it is so incredibly important.

The other ways we can evaluate the needs we should meet is a bit more practical. What does God’s word say are my responsibilities? Well, first is your spouse, then comes your children (Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands love your wives as Christ loves the church, in that he gave himself up for her that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her but he washing of water with the word.”). I don’t think you can get a much bigger priority than that. I mean, this commandment is compared to Christ's work on the cross! Wives, love your husbands, respect them, honor them. I say this to challenge myself too. How am I loving my wife with God’s word, washing her with the water of the word?

Your family. Ephesians 6:4, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Not going to lie, I struggle with this. It is honestly easier sometimes to exasperate (provoke to wrath) my kids than it is to take the time, energy and patience to teach them. When all they receive from me is provision and discipline, but not love, I steal their hope, that leave them scrounging and searching for a sense of love and instruction. That is what it means when it says exasperate. Parents, love and teach your children. And pray for me to do a better job myself.

The thing is, we cannot do this (honor spouse, teach kids) if we aren’t doing the first. “Apart from me you can do nothing.” You know why I’ve felt so tired and stressed lately? Because I was working apart from Christ. I was looking really good, really devoted, seeing changes that made me really happy, but I was not walking in step with his Spirit. I was not leaning on my connection to the vine to bear fruit; I was trying to make the fruit happen myself. In our own strength, we will indeed get exhausted.

But, when we hope in the Lord, we have this amazing promise from Isaiah 40:31, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” This is a great promise, but it can also be a great gage. In the moments when I feel weary, like I’m going to faint, that is a sign that my hope is not in the Lord, but in my own strength. I’m tired because I’ve trusted too much in myself and not enough in the Lord.

If you are like me, sometimes you have a hard time hoping in the Lord because you have an easy time forgetting the power of his grace. When it comes to ministry that we do, I often times, wrongly attempt to carry the burden of making disciples grow. But like I quoted earlier from Paul, I can plant and I can water, but I have to trust God for the growth. Our growth is a product of his grace. My hope rest in Christ, because I know that at the cross, grace was administered and his grace is always sufficient. If I can’t spend hours in discipleship with a new convert, God’s grace is sufficient. If I can’t provide for every need I encounter, his grace is sufficient. If those around me stumble or fall, his grace is sufficient. If I stumble and fall, his grace is sufficient.

"Christ the Vine"

In Deuteronomy, we have a promise that God will never leave us nor forsake us. In Romans, we see that nothing can separate us from God’s love. In John, we see that nothing can pluck us from his hand. John also quotes Isaiah saying, “they will be taught by God.” I have to remember that my job is to be obedient. God’s job is to bring growth. How am I obedient? By staying connected to Christ, honoring my wife, instructing my kids, and meeting the needs that I can meet without forfeiting those first priorities. How else can I be obedient? Trust God to do what he says he will. To place my hope in him, so that I can endure all things in Christ who gives me strength.

Do you lack strength? Do you lack joy in your service? Put your trust in him. Place your hope in him. Evaluate your life and your spiritual state. Where do you need to say no? But, don’t forget to look to where you need to say yes. Seek his word. 

Sermon Outline, "The Cost of Everyday Ministry" 

Cochabamba International Church, April 26, 2015

A Special Letter from the Powells

Dear Friends and Family,

Thanks for your continued support. Your partnership is vital to the ministry we do here. We have been amazed at the outpouring of blessing in the work that we do here, from consistent giving from ministry partners to the lives we see changing here. As you know, one major component of our ministry is discipleship. And, that the steps we are taking now are to expand this ministry to plant a church in the area where many of the boys that we disciple live. This expansion will lead to a Christ centered and family focused church that will work to spread the gospel, create disciples of Christ and strengthen families so they can be a testimony and representative of Christ's love.

A crisis we see so often here is the brokenness of families and the hopelessness that finds it's way in the hearts of their homes. We want to share the hope of Christ and help them reconcile, build up, and become strong families that honor God. We hope to accomplish this through discipleship and teaching the word. Through meeting needs and sharing love with the least.

Also, as many of you know and have seen, a vast majority of the ministry that we do takes place in our home. In fact, the idea is for the church plant to begin in our home, and that our move would provide a place for the many ministries this will produce. From Bible studies to hosting events and dinners to simple one on one discipleship, our home sees a great deal of traffic. From our 15-20 person Monday night bible study, to the families we have over as we make strategic relationships for sharing the gospel, to 10-15 boys who are becoming regulars, to the one on one time I spend with them in discipleship and mentorship, we can begin to feel a little cramped. This paired with, "where will everyone sit for a church?"

We have prayed for months about how God would have us move forward, where he would lead us for housing, and how our steps would fall into our goals for ministry and His purposes for us in Bolivia. We also are praying that we would be focused on Christ and learn to more deeply trust Him rather than our own understanding. These plans and our steps will require us to step out, yet again, in great measures of faith.

Recently, we unexpectedly found a home that is in the exact location where we have been praying about doing ministry. This home has everything we've asked God for. The space is perfect for hosting families, events, and Bible studies. The layout is perfect for providing family space and ministry space. It even has a large meeting hall that would be great for the church plant. There is an apartment in the back that would be great for interns, visitors, or other ministry activities we do (such as the youth retreat we hosted for a church in another area of town). We are amazed that God has led us to something so perfect for our needs.

But, now we must walk in faith. This home is about $250 above our housing budget. However, given that it will also act as a church, ministry center, and more, the investment is worth it for the great resource it will be to our ministry. We know God is good and that he "watches over his word to perform it" and that "his word does not return void." As we walk in obedience to Him, we know that he will provide according to his will for his ministry in Bolivia. We are simply stewards and vessels. Our prayer is that we will honor Him in all things. Will you pray with us about this endeavor, for our faith, for his financial provision for this and other resources we need, for the hearts that will be touched, for the families that we'll come in contact with, for our family to walk in joy and strength in the midst of more transition?

With great gratitude,

The Powell Family
(Seth, Ashley, Cruz, Carmen, and Lola)

How you can help...

We need funds to cover the costs of moving, resources (such as speakers, chairs, etc), food (for dinners and events), transportation, and more. Consider becoming a partner if you are not already and/or recruiting other partners who have a heart of the mission of Christ to seek and save the lost. 

Front View

Meeting Hall for Church Services, Events, Etc.

Great Room for Bible Studies, Hosting Families, Etc.

One Bedroom Apartment for Interns and More

Kitchen

Office

Library/Resource Room

In the Age of Cliff Notes and Movie Trailers

      In the last year or so, I've gotten an increase in requests from friends, family, and supporters for book recommendations, teaching series suggestions, and the like. Truth be told, I'd search for something I really liked and hand out the link like a free sample at the grocery store. When I come across a topic that interests me or a verse that sparks a question in my heart, my natural tendency is to go to the web and look for an article, a 5 minute youtube video, or some kind of wiki-dictionary. I lean on people who have studied more than I, for longer than I have, to fill in the blanks, answer the questions and teach me in 5 minutes what took them years to understand or learn.

     Most would say this was smart or efficient. Which, if I were writing a paper for a university class, this would be a very effective way to cram a great bit of information in a small amount of time. The problem is that this information is only useful for the project I'm currently completing or for gathering a simple understanding of something I'm curious about. But, doing this does not give me ownership of what I'm learning. Without ownership, I don't respect it and it's likely that I won't remember what I'm studying for very long.

     A boy I disciple here in Bolivia has read the first 4 books of the Bible in the past 2-3 weeks. He told me he doesn't like to move around because you're supposed to read books from the front to the back. I admire his ambition and am frankly very surprised that he's done this. He's yet to make a profession of faith, but his interests and Christ's fruit are truly showing. I love this boy and his impact in my life. He teaches me more than he knows. "I like reading it all the way through, but I skip over the boring parts." Now, don't get me wrong, he can't have skipped over too much because I quizzed him and he remembers so much - I'm very impressed. But this comment resounded with me.

     How often have we "skipped the boring parts?" Now, in case of this boy, he was talking about ceremonial law, how to do sacrifices, and lengthy genealogy. Considering he was introduced to Christian faith just a few months ago and is, on his own accord, reading the Bible with such commitment, I think I'll give him a pass....for now. But, for those of us who claim to be "mature believers" or who have known Christ for years, why do we see it as so acceptable to "skip the boring parts?"

     We would rather have someone else study the boring parts, fit them with the interesting parts, and spout them out in an easy-to-read, not-too-long format. Are we producing the fruit of true believers, rooted in Christ? What about the fruit of obedience? The fruit of self-control? Patience?

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15, KJV

     I'm not typically a KJV person, but I love this version of this verse. In the Greek, the word used as study, is a word with a lot of meaning packed into it. It means, "to hasten, to make speed of, to do diligently with, to endeavor and labour, to be prompt and earnest." That is a lot of meaning with a  very tough challenge for us. We are to "study, hasten, be speedy about, do diligently, endeavor, be prompt and earnest about" showing ourselves approved unto God. In the Greek again, "shew thyself approved" means to "stand beside, exhibit, present, prove." We must "work diligently" to "prove" ourselves unto God. This is not a "work-salvation" post. We cannot earn our salvation. "Proving" is not "earning." Proving is simply demonstrating the evidence of something. God requires - and so brings forth fruit in our lives - for us to "prove" that we are in him. Don't misunderstand. You cannot earn your salvation. But your salvation better be evident in your fruit (Matthew 7:16). 

     We are called "workmen" or laborers. Are we known for our laboring in the kingdom? We are to diligently work (or study) to prove ourselves unto God, that we are in Christ, so that we will be workers who do not need to be ashamed, or in the Greek, "a disgrace or disfigurement." Claiming Christ, yet failing to bear his fruit, is a disgrace and is seen as a disfigurement of the proclaimed church (all those who claim Christ's name). 

     The last part of this verse is one of my favorites, "rightly dividing the word of truth." First of all,

this is not a command to divide or to dissect scripture to our liking. This is an example of the use of a 17th century expression that we no longer use. Ever heard someone say (maybe your math teacher) that "the shortest distance between two points is a straight line?" In the era of Garmins and GPS, we don't think of this too often. But if you are mapping directions somewhere, the best assumption for making the journey in the shortest amount of time is to "go in a straight line," or as they would say in the early 1600s, "divide the route." Rightly dividing the word is not "dividing" the word at all. It is using it effectively and efficiently in the way it was intended to accomplish what it was intended for. Do we study God's word sufficiently so that we are obediently using it as effectively as we should?

     I say all this to say that God has really been challenging me lately in my personal study of his word. Relying on his word, and the testimony of His spirit living in me, to grow in my walk with Him. Reading a great book or article and listening to that illuminating message are great tools for helping us grow, but they cannot substitute personal prayer and study of God's word. We are to each "work out our salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12), and that requires a great deal of personal diligence. Are you counting the cost and putting forth the effort to "show yourself approved?" Are you known as a "laborer who needs not to be ashamed?" Are you rightly "dividing the word of truth?" 

Grace to you friends, 

Seth 

Bonus: 

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

(1 Peter 1:3-9 ESV)

Abundance of the Heart - Sermon Outline 2-1-2014

Key Text: 

“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by it’s own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” 

- Luke 6:43-45

Several times in scripture, we see that Christ makes a statement about Christians being known by their fruit. As much as we try to avoid it, the Bible talks a lot about how and what we do. We have a hard time skirting the limits on simple behavior modification versus promoting genuine longing for Christ. We are often challenged with how to uphold goals of sanctity while not promoting a works-based doctrine on salvation.

Salvation - By Grace, Through Faith, In Christ

Salvation is a “free gift of God, not received from works, so that none should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). We have to first remember that salvation is by grace, through faith, in Christ. Grace is received through the cross in that Christ paid our penalty. We were given mercy we didn’t deserve. Faith is the channel that is used to receive that grace. And Christ is the substance of our faith, the cornerstone of the aqueduct that channels grace into our lives.

We have two analogies here; one is the image of a grace coming from heaven through the channel of our faith, built up in Christ, and connecting to our hearts. We also see Christ as the vine and ourselves as the branches, remaining connected to Christ so that we can bear fruit. The fruit comes from the vine, not the branch. In our lives as Christians, we are to bear fruit. But, we have to understand that the branch cannot bear fruit without being connected to the vine.

What do these two concepts have in common? Connectedness to Christ. I receive saving grace only because of my faith in Christ. I must be connected to that grace by the channel of faith in Jesus. I can only bear fruit if I am connected to Christ. I do not have salvation, and I cannot bear fruit, if I am not connected to Jesus Christ.

When we understand this truth, we are faced with a logical conclusion that should challenge us in our thinking, our behavior, and our outlook. If salvation only comes through connectedness to Christ, then salvation cannot be present without fruits. If I say I’m saved, I say I’m connected to Christ. If I say I’m connected to Christ, I must bear fruit. I cannot claim Christ, and yet lack his fruit.

Sanctification - “Predestined to conformity” “he who began a good work”

“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Romans 8:29

“being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

“the one who calls you is faithful, and he will surely do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24
One of the greatest things about connected to Christ, is that Christ will work in us to conform us to himself through the Holy Spirit. Paul told the Philippians that “it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13). The Christian life is one that has been called to holiness. But that charge, that duty, doesn’t rest solely on our shoulders. When God said, “be holy for I am holy” in Leviticus, he said this knowing that he was sending his Son to us to make us holy. When we read that we are a chosen people, set apart, we can trust that Christ in us sets us apart by lives marked with holiness. Lives that bear good fruit.

What is the connection between sanctification and bearing fruit? Look at Galatians 5:19-26. You see there a list of the Fruits of the Spirit that we are to bear. And don’t forget that this list is not all-inclusive. There are other good fruits mentioned throughout the Bible. But what I find interesting, and worth looking at, is that the fruits are listed as an alternative to works in our flesh. We are told the works of the flesh first. We are presented with the sinful attitudes of our flesh, before being given the alternative to bear good fruit. Bearing good fruit is another way of walking in holiness because those fruits oppose the flesh, and the flesh represents our sin-nature. We cannot be holy without good fruit. Likewise, we cannot bear good fruit and not walk in holiness.

Obligation vs Joyful Duty

Where does our duty come from? If Christ does it, if connectedness to him causes me to walk in holiness and to bear good fruit, what is my responsibility? Where is my obligation?

These questions are good. That can operate as a sort of test or evaluation for our spiritual state.

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test?” 2 Corinthians 13:5

Self-Test - “Examine yourself to see that you are in the faith”

Personally, a great test for me, a great gage is, “how do I view what I’m doing?” Do I see it as an obligation or a joyful duty?

If I see bearing fruits, being obedient to scripture, studying God’s word, treating others well, discipling those around me, honor God in big and small things as an obligation, then I am operating under a work-salvation mentality. I am trying to earn my salvation and I am not recognizing or appreciated the truth of God’s word or the beauty of Christ’s work.

But, if I see doing those things as a joyful duty, something I GET to be a part of, I am honoring God and walking in obedience to his word and treasuring and savoring Christ. I need to get in the habit of thinking about my thinking to determine if my motivation is to please God or avoid hell. Paul Washer, in a sermon on salvation, once said, “Everybody wants to go to heaven. They just don’t want God to be there when they get there. The question is not do you want to go to heaven. The question is this. Do you want God? Have you stopped being a hater of God? Has Christ become precious to you? Do you desire him?” What is the motivation of your heart?

One more quote from him, “Do Christians struggle with sin? Yes. Can a Christian fall into sin? Absolutely. Can a Christian live in a continuous state of carnality all the days of his life not bearing fruit and truly be Christian? Absolutely not or every promise in the Old Testament regarding the New Testament covenant has failed and everything God said about discipline in Hebrews is a lie. A tree is known by it’s fruit.”

Evaluate the Body - “spur one another” “if you see your brother in sin”

How often do we evaluate not only our lives but our church body as a whole. How often are we attentive to one another’s spiritual state? Not as a mean for judging others or feeling better about ourselves, but of loving our brothers and sisters enough to see them walk in truth instead of in their flesh. Loving them the way Christ has commanded. Are we attentive to the fruits we bear individually and collectively?

Scripture tells us to “spur one another on towards love and good works.” It also says that if we see our brother in sin, we are to restore him gently, so as to save his soul from hell. We walk this road with each other with two motivations in our hearts. For our own lives, to seek and savor Christ - to live a life pleasing to our father. For our brothers and sisters in the faith, to see them avoid hell because we love them. How are we helping each other bear fruit by helping each other remain connected to the vine, to Christ?

Abundance of the Heart - “with your words you will be justified…”

How do you evaluate your fruit? How do you assess the state of the tree? That brings us to our principle text. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Our words (and responses and actions, all the ways we communicate) are evidence of what is in our hearts. Are they filled with love? Jesus said something in Matthew that I think should cause us to think more deeply than we probably do. “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” We are told that we will have to give account to God for every word we speak. Why? Because the things that come out of us show us what is in us.

I can’t pour lemonade from a pitcher of milk. What I put in the pitcher is what will come out. What goes into my heart will be what comes out. We spoke earlier that Christ works in us to conform us to himself. We already said that God works in us to will and to do. But what about those questions we asked earlier, about obligation and duty? Not only are we called to assess and evaluate our motivations, but we are also responsible for the things we allow to enter our hearts. If I’m called to live not by bread alone but by every word of God, so that his word in me produces the fruit of a good tree, why am I going to go and put all the things that are contrary to that word in my heart too?

What I put in, will come out. If I have too much drama in my life, poor relationships, easily angered, jealous, etc etc etc, does that mean I’m filling my heart with Christ’s word or am I filling it with the things of this world and walking in my flesh? Let’s examine ourselves.

Growing up, I remember pastors, teachers, preachers using this passage as evidence in a case. You slip and say something, and someone says, “out of the abundance of the heart.” It was always an after-the-fact statement. But what if that’s not the primary purpose for this statement? What if instead of only using it as tool for evaluation, we used it as a strategy for the future?

How do you refill? - Guard your heart… Stewarding the gate of your heart

In a church I grew up in, I remember a sermon series our pastor did called “gatekeepers.” It was on stewarding the gate of your heart, your family, your home, etc. I especially liked the idea of guarding the gates of our hearts.

How are you guarding your heart? How are you attentively stewarding the doors to your heart and mind to ensure that it is filled with things that honor God? How often do we use this verse, not simply to assess our heart’s condition, but to prepare our hearts to honor God.

Are we spending time reading and meditating on God’s word? Are we careful with our movies, our shows, our music, our friends, our hobbies. Are the things you fill your heart with things that honor God and make you more like Christ?

Psalm 19:14 - words and meditation (be pleasing in your sight), Psalm 119:11 (hide in my heart, not sin against you)

I love what Psalm 19 and 119 says about our hearts and what our desire should be.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” - Psalm 19:14

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11

You will notice the connection between heart and words with pleasing God and abstaining from sin. Our hearts are the roots of who we are. What we fill it with will determine what type of tree we are, and whether we are living a life in pursuit of the Name that we claim.

“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by it’s own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” 

- Luke 6:43-45

Grace in the Midst of the Culture

Can I be overly honest for a second? First, I love living in Bolivia. I love the people, the hospitable culture, the andean foods, and the beautiful scenery. I love working with teens and discipling them and seeing God bring growth and fruit in their lives. But, there are some things that I do not love. In fact, I sit on the border of hate and loathing. There is an aspect of the culture that I'd like to attack with extreme prejudice.

Now, before I go there, let me issue a disclaimer. In my own culture, there is plenty to loathe: materialism, individualism, arrogant mentalities, moral relativism, etc etc etc. This isn't me typing an ethnocentric blog about my culture being better than this one; in fact, I may prefer this culture to my own. Please don't disown me for saying that - in the words of Selena Gomez, "the heart wants what it wants." ;)

So what is this cultural norm that I despise so deeply? Lies and Sex. I don't know, maybe I'm blinded by my southern Bible-belt culture and small town up-bringing. But, I don't remember sex being so out-in-the-open. Nor do I remember people being so passive about not being able to trust those closest to them. It's as if these things are dust on the banister instead of shattered glass on the entry floor. And they continue to cut themselves over the blindness that has established itself here.

I do discipleship with teen boys. I love these boys. I love them like sons. I know that God has given me this great love for them so that I can steward these relationships sincerely and obediently. There is great love for them so that I can walk in grace with them where the culture holds them so tightly. When they lie, I can love them anyway. But it hurts. When I see my teenage spiritual sons being inundated by a sexualized culture everywhere they turn, I have grace for them and love them though they fall. And oh does it hurt. We don't like seeing those we love fall into the traps of this world, especially when those we love hold such special places in our hearts. But, God still brings growth. These boys still produce fruit that can only come from the Vine.

Lately, our discussions have been about our heavenly citizenship. We are talking about how our culture should not determine how we act if we are sons of God. If the seed of God dwells within us, we are no longer a part of our birth culture. We are citizens of heaven and should participate in the culture of Christ. The question becomes, not what my culture accepts, but what Christ's word expects.

What does the Bible say about lying? Other than not to, that those who lie are imitating their father, Satan. The sons of the devil, walk in deception. But the sons of God, walk in truth (John 8:44). Scripture also says that a good tree can't bear bad fruit and a bad tree can't bear good fruit. In the same paragraph, under the same sub-heading, we see that the main indicator of our fruit is what we say. "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Luke 6:43-45). I talk to our boys about how this verse tells us how to manage what we say. Not with self-control, but with what we choose to fill our hearts with. The things we fill our minds with throughout the day will determine what we say. If I am seeking Christ in his word on a daily basis, meditating on Him, my words will reflect that. My words are determined with what I fill my heart with. Lies are not the product of meditation on God's word.

In other news, the other day, we went as a family to a small "tienda" to buy some chips. We had a few of our boys with us. As I was looking for the things we needed, my kids were looking at a shelf of movies. As I made my way over to them, I was shocked and infuriated to see a completely nude women in an extremely sensual position on the cover of a movie on the shelf that was eye-level to my youngest daughter. I immediately grabbed it, took it to the store clerk and expressed my outrage at the lack of respect for families that come in and lack of responsibility for children that would see such a thing. The clerk, a young man, simply smirked and stared at me as if I were crazy. My boys looked confused. And I was left standing there in my rage that my children had seen something that they should not have. We already have to deal with thongs, pin-ups, and dirty music videos everywhere; I simply didn't want to have to deal with pornography too.

I left the store explaining to the boys that my job as a dad is to protect and raise my kids in a way that pleases God. I told them that scripture says we are to be "wise about what is good and innocent to evil" (Romans 16:19). I helped them understand that the store's actions had indadvertedly taken away some of my ability to teach that to my kids. Luckily, my kids haven't mentioned this since and my prayer is that they will just forget the things they don't understand. I explained to these boys that this behavior isn't right, regardless of it's acceptance in the culture. I talked to them about being men of honor who will respect their wives and consider the world they may be raising daughters in. We talked about objectification of women and how to live as a man with integrity who values purity. We talked about how we are to flee from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18) and should be "set apart" from our culture in ways that honor God (1 Peter 2:9).

The point is this, we are to walk in grace with each other as we grow together in faith and mature in our relationships with God; yet we cannot simply accept the norms of our culture that are contrary to the life God has called us to. This is the prayer I make for the boys we disciple. That they would seek to honor Christ above the limitations of their culture. It is also my prayer for us and for you, that we would walk in the culture of heaven and be a peculiar people for Him who called us out of darkness and into marvelous light.

How Selfishness Brought Us to Bolivia

Today, I've not done much. By most accounts today, I've been lazy. I sat in my living room for a few hours with a 17 year boy talking girls. I went downtown and paid the internet bill and rent. And, I've spent the rest of the afternoon in bed, while our maid cleaned and Ashley homeschooled the kids. Oh the life. No job to go clock into. No phone calls from a boss wondering when I'm coming in. In fact, as I type this, I'm eating a twizzler and drinking a glass of water, occasionally glancing out the window at the banana tree and rose bushes admiring the beautiful day. Man, I am a selfish lazy impostor. I really am. But, I did leave out some other information, I'm ashamed to say. I wasn't going to tell you, but maybe I should.

The boy I sat and chatted with came to talk to me about his fears of being a 17 year old dad. You see, he just found out that his 23 year old teacher is likely pregnant with his baby. This boy has 2 years of high school left and comes from an extremely poor family with 7 siblings in his home (18 total). He doesn't know how to be a dad, but doesn't want to repeat the cycle that he was raised in. His dad is a drunk and his mom has emotionally retreated so far, that she has no relationship with her kids. So, while there is a mother and father in the home, they do not know what it's like to have loving parents setting limits and giving advice and loving them. Where did he go when he found out his world may be about to turn up-side-down? The gringo he met 2 weeks ago and has only talked to twice. As we talked and he began to realize just how difficult life could be about to get, I asked him, "Who will you go to when you need advice? Who will be your support? Who will you cry with and who will show you love when you're doing everything you can to show love to this child and his mother?" The tearful reply was, "I have no one." I asked again, "Not a single person?" He turned and looked at me and with a solemn finger he pointed at me. "I wish I could live here and that you were my dad." I proceeded to share with him the gospel and how much we need Christ. I talked to him about how Christ doesn't make our lives easier, but he makes them bearable, he satisfies us when we are in great need and give us joy when we endure the trials of this life, he brings us peace when we are in the storm and he supplies us strength to overcome the obstacles we face.

I'd love to tell you he fell apart and accepted Christ right then. I'd love to say that he made a commitment or "said the sinner's prayer." But the response I got was a tearful nod, a contemplative expression and a deep, strong hug. I don't know what life has in store for this boy. I don't know where his heart stands or what his choices will be in the future, but I do know that he will be a part of my every prayer and I will stand with him. I will love him, when all others chose not to. I will carry him, when others have rejected him. I will share the hope of Christ, when others have judged him. Had we not come to Bolivia, God surely could have provided someone else to comfort this boy. But, I'm selfish. I see Christ in the least, and in my love for Christ, I want to be the first on scene. I want to be the one to see him come to hope and renewal in Christ. Selfish me.

He decided to run errands with me, so as we paid some bills (take a number, wait in line, pay, wait for receipt, occasionally have your id copied - two bills=two hours), I talked to him about the responsibilities of being an adult, paying bills, providing for a family, spending time with your kids, things many of the boys here are not taught because of a culture that perpetuates drunkenness and hopelessness. I have internet and live in a nice house. I'm living the high life. So selfish. Almost too selfish to enjoy using this blessing to teach this boy something about the practical things of life.

After he left, I spoke with our maid about life and general, with tears in her eyes she told how it was such blessing to her to see us invest in these boys. She, having come from an abusive home, living on the streets as a teen, and now being a single mother, knows the importance of someone investing in your life. She cried as she told me that life without Christ was too hard. Not that he made life easier, but that he gave her the strength she needs to endure a life that is hard. She conveyed how she doesn't have much, but loves to give and how God always supplies her needs. How she is thankful for the opportunity to work with us and how the steady income helps her take care of her son. You may still see me as selfish, but I see the few dollars a day as an investment in a life and can potentially reach thousands more here in Bolivia. You see, she isn't a mature believer, but only fairly recently came to know Christ. She still needs people to invest in her, challenge her, and love her.

After our conversation, I've been laying in bed resting. Be jealous. We'll just forget the fact that I'm resting because my little outing wore me out and I'm battling a parasite or ameba. I've spent the large majority of the weekend in the bathroom, or in a fetal position from the pain in my abdomen that comes and go without warning. Something all of the missionaries here deal with. Parasites and illness come with the territory. We live in a poor country, we serve poor people. We hug them, love them, and dine with them. Sickness is a part of that. But, "this light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory."

When Ashley and I made the decision to follow the Lord's leading to move to Bolivia, we were met with great resistance. Some people questioned whether God had really called us. Some family asked us why we were being selfish and taking our kids away from them. We faced the choice where we decided, "it is better to follow God rather than man." We prayed and followed the leading of the Holy Spirit, regardless of how difficult it made our relationships, and inspite of the strain it placed on our family. "Obedience is better than sacrifice."

Last week, while celebrating Thanksgiving, we spent time with many of the missionaries here. When the topics of conversation turned to family or friends back home, an occasional theme is the label of "selfish" that is applied to missionaries, from people who don't understand the culture or our methods. We don't have a maid because we can't clean our own house. We have one, because if we didn't the culture would say we were stingy. Stingy missionaries don't make good missionaries. We also decided that we could make a difference in her life (and the life of her son). It's not a luxury for us. It's an investment (in line with Bolivian culture), with spiritual returns. We didn't come to Bolivia, give up holidays with family, forfeit seeing nieces and nephews grow up, sacrifice hot showers and good healthcare, or do without the things you take for granted (like cream of chicken and affordable cheddar cheese) because we are selfish. We came to Bolivia to be obedient to Christ, to share the hope of our savior with a hopeless people, to minister to the helpless, and to take part in Christ's mission to "seek and save the lost."

With that said, I have a request and a challenge. Your request is to love your missionaries. Support them. Pray for them. Give them grace when you don't understand their methods or their choices. Realize that though there are bad missionaries, there are also bad Christians (and yes, selfishness is a common culprit). We all need grace and we need each other. Find out how you can minister to the missionaries you support through prayer, finances, encouragement, etc. Now, here's your challenge: How are you taking part in Christ's mission to "seek and save the lost" where you live? We are all missionaries, no matter if it's where we grew up or the weird country we moved off to. We have an obligation under the grace we've been given in Christ to love him with our obedience to his mission. Your challenge is to look for ways to affect your community for Christ.

Grace and peace,
Seth