OT Survivor: David and Goliath

Last Spring the folks at Grace Church selected their 6 favorite Old Testament Bible stories out of a list of 14 – the remaining 8 stories got “voted off the island” sort of speak. Beginning this Sunday we look at the first of these 6 stories in a series we are calling “Survivor: Old Testament.” Join us "in the round" here at Grace church in Lititz, PA this week at 8:30; 10:00; or 11:30 as we look at the story of David and Goliath. If you can't be here, then tune in at 10am (PA time) as we broadcast our service live on the internet using the link below:

http://gracechurchworship.org/gracelive.html

How Big Are Your Giants?

The Valley of Elah played host to the all-time most popular battle in the history of warfare. Though two armies were present, all battle dressed and ready for war, the actual fight only involved two individuals. The Valley is a large ravine, up to a mile wide. On either side of it are hills. On one hill was encamped King Saul and the Israelite army. On the other side stood their arch enemies of that day, the army of the Philistines.

Down the hillside from the Philistine encampment came a champion by the name of Goliath from the Philistine city of Gath. His name literally meant “great” and “great” he was. When he stood in the valley between the hills where these two armies were located, nobody could miss his presence. The Bible says that his height was 6 cubits and a span. Now how big is 6 cubits and a span? Well, think of it this way:

The average size of a man today is roughly 5 feet 6 inches.

The tallest player in the National Basketball Association is 7 feet 6 inches.

The tallest man in the world is roughly 8 feet 5 inches.

But Goliath had them all beat. Understanding the exact measurement of a cubit by our standards today is difficult but we can say this – Goliath stood at very minimum 9 feet 9 inches tall and could have been as tall as 10 feet 6 inches. Imagine how tall he would be when he raised his arms over his head? And he wasn’t just tall – he was strong. His armor alone weighed upwards of 200 pounds and the head of his spear came in at around 25 pounds. No wonder his name meant “great” and no person in the Israelite camp could miss his presence.

But he didn’t just stand in the valley, he yelled out to the Israelite army asking for a challenger to come out and fight him, one-on-one, winner take all. If the challenger won, all of the Philistines would become the servants of the Israelites. But if Goliath won, then the Israelites would be servants to the Philistines. This was a somewhat common form of warfare in that day. I guess you could call it “representative warfare.” But either way you look at it, no soldier in the army of Israel was up for the challenge. 1 Samuel 17 is clear that they were all filled with fear at the awesome presence of such a huge adversary.

Tell me, are you facing a giant in your life? Are you facing an obstacle, be it a problem or a person, that seems so huge that you have pretty much decided that it is insurmountable? Are you facing an obstacle, be it a problem or a person, that is causing you great insecurity, fear, anxiety, tears, and sleepless nights? Are you facing a giant of an obstacle in your life, be it a person or a problem, that is striking at your very sense of trust in God? Is a Goliath standing in the Valley of Elah of your life? If so, be sure to listen to my sermon this Sunday here at Grace Church in Lititz, PA and see 5 lessons we can learn from a boy named David that will help us face the giants that are in our lives.

New Roof Progressing Nicely

Grace Team to Haiti

Seven men from Lititz Grace will be going to Las Cahobas, Haiti. The purpose for making the trip is to help brothers and sister in the Lord recover from the earthquake that destroyed their village. The primary mission will be to rebuild their local church building which also serves as the local school and village communal center.

The team members from Lititz are Randy Bunnell, Jerry Williams, Matt Weaver, Brian Zook, Curt Knepper and Marlin Weaver. They will be ministering as well with five men from the Palmyra Grace Brethren Church. Please pray for a positive ministry to the people of this village, for opportunity to share the Gospel, in spite of language barriers, and safety in travel and work. The living conditions will not be easy and apparently there will be no opportunity to send e-mail.

Dr Chuck Davis, Grace Brethren coordinator for these projects, writes:

Our second priority will be to the local churches in our ministry area of Cap Haitien & Las Cahobas. Many of the refugees from Port Au Prince have moved to these areas so the strengthening & establishment of evangelical churches in these areas is even more important at this time.

REBUILDING LAS CAHOBAS GRACE BRETHREN CHURCH

The earthquake of January 12 destroyed the church building but the body of Christ lives on in Las Cahobas. Pastor Daniel Cardichon's plane from the US was just landing at the airport in Port Au Prince when the quake struck. He landed safely but in an instant his life changed dramatically. His home in Port Au Prince was destroyed and he found himself living on the street with others in that city. The Presidential Palace, where he worked as a member of the Haitian National Police Palace Guard, was destroyed. And the church he Pastors in Las Cahobas in the mountains two and one half hours from Port Au Prince was also destroyed.

Pastor Cardichon is a valued member of our church planting team in Haiti. He not only shepherds the church at Las Cahobas but he also has been instrumental in starting other mission points further up the mountain. And he does all this on weekends & time off from his National Police position.

We are depending on God to supply Caribbean Vision Ministries the resources and this summer we will build a new building for the congregation at Las Cahobas. The people who attend Las Cahobas GBC are among some of the poorest in Haiti but their zeal for Jesus and their desire to reach their mountain community for Jesus deserves our help. The church also provides a school for 100 needy children, most of whom come to school physically hungry each day.

Solomon - The Need For SELFLESSNESS In Prayer

This Sunday here at Grace Church in Lititz we continue our mid-year prayer tune-up with a 4-week message series that we are calling Heroes of Prayer. In this series we are looking at four different individuals from the Old Testament and learning one specific lesson from each of them that can strengthen our own prayer lives today. This Sunday we will look at Solomon and see our need for SELFLESSNESS in our prayer lives. Join us at 8:30; 10:00; or 11:30. If you can't be here, then tune in at 10am (PA time) as we broadcast our service live on the internet using the link below:

http://gracechurchworship.org/gracelive.html

Samuel - The Need For LISTENING In Prayer

This Sunday here at Grace Church in Lititz we continue our mid-year prayer tune-up with a 4-week message series that we are calling Heroes of Prayer. In this series we are looking at four different individuals from the Old Testament and learning one specific lesson from each of them that can strengthen our own prayer lives today. This Sunday we will look at Samuel and see our need for LISTENING in our prayer lives. Join us at 8:30; 10:00; or 11:30. If you can't be here, then tune in at 10am (PA time) as we broadcast our service live on the internet using the link below:

http://gracechurchworship.org/gracelive.html

Roof Repair Began Today

A few weeks ago, the congregation here at Grace Church approved $60,000 for a needed roof repair on the office wing of our facility. This work began today. Here is what Craig Peters, our Facility Manager, had to say about this initial work:

Looking at the above photos you can see one of the several structural “interfaces” being “set” today. You can see that the workers needed to cut through all the roofing material to be able to expose the existing structural steel so that the new roof’s load sets directly on the supporting steel. While all these interfaces will be under the new sloping roof, these openings are being sealed shut as a matter of precaution, should there be rain coming between now and when the new roof is completely finished. Similar interfaces are being placed atop the outer walls of the office area to carry the load as well."

Sad News From our Orphan Schools in the CAR

As you know, Grace Church and Lititz Christian School partners with Grace Brethren Churches in the Central African Republic to provide four Christian Schools for orphans. One of these schools is in CATTIN. We received the sad news this week that the pastor (pictured above) of the CATTIN church passed away. The e-mail came from Grace Brethren missionary, Ginger Hock, to Mike McCracken, who is the leader of our mission team here at Grace Church:

“Hello Mike, This is Ginger Hock from Bangui. I wanted to inform you and the church at Lititz that Pastor LAIDA Alphonse from the CATTIN Church in Bangui passed away last week. He has been ill for a few weeks and we believe it was kidney failure. Please pray for his wife and family and also for the Cattin Church. He was the founder of that church and had been there for many years. He was dedicated to helping the orphans at Cattin and did a wonderful job organizing and helping with the Hand in Hand school. He will be greatly missed, especially by the Hand in Hand kids.”

The next day Mike received another e-mail from Ginger updating us on our Hand-in-Hand orphan schools in the Central African Republic:

Hello Mike and friends at Lititz, Yesterday was sad news but today I’m sending end of year reports on your schools. Emmanuel (Hand in Hand Coordinator) did his end of year visits and came back with glowing reports on our schools. The 2009-10 school year had few problems and we really thank God for the way He blessed this past year. Here are a few facts about your partner schools:

Bossangoa Sembegan – The school is doing well and all 3 teachers are doing a great job. We are actually promoting Jean (Level 3 teacher) to the position of Assistant Coordinator for the Bossangoa area. He will work under Emmanuel visiting and assisting and trouble shooting. This fall we will have 43 teachers and it will be more than Emmanuel can handle alone. Pray for Jean in this new role. One of the notes that Emmanuel wrote about Sembegan is that the teachers are showing the students how to cut grass, till ground for a garden and just everyday living skills. They cleaned up and cut all the grass around the church area.

LaDoumie – The school is doing well and both teachers are great. Emmanuel tested many of the kids and was happy with how well they were reading. The church has a gozo garden for the orphans and they will harvest that after the rainy season.

Cattin – The church finished up (thanks to Lititz) the new school building this last year. It is really a nice school. Both teachers are doing a good job and most of the kids from each level will advance to the next. This has been a real setback with the death of Pastor Laida. Keep praying about who and how we will handle the program this year. His wife is a responsible woman who knows how the program has been running and handles the food so I think we will entrust her with overseeing the school until they get another pastor.

Thanks for all your prayers and support. You are making a huge difference in the lives of many orphan children.

Enoch - The Need For INTIMACY In Prayer

This Sunday here at Grace Church in Lititz we continue our mid-year prayer tune-up with a 4-week message series that we are calling Heroes of Prayer. In this series we are looking at four different individuals from the Old Testament and learning one specific lesson from each of them that can strengthen our own prayer lives today. This Sunday we will look at Enoch and see our need for INTIMACY in our prayer lives. Join us at 8:30; 10:00; or 11:30. If you can't be here, then tune in at 10am (PA time) as we broadcast our service live on the internet using the link below:

http://gracechurchworship.org/gracelive.html

Thanks from France

Below is a final e-mail I received from Marlin Weaver who led our 9-member team from Grace on their recent trip to France. Below that is a wonderful note from Dave Hobert who is a Grace Brethren Missioanry in France:

"Hi Scott, Just a quick note to let you know that the Chateau France mission team got back to Lititz on Friday evening. We had a long trip home and arrived to no baggage, but we're glad to be safely here. We had an excellent time of ministry and the team worked well together. Thanks for the opportunity to represent Lititz Grace in France. I've included a note that Dave Hobert asked me to forward to you and the church. In Him, Marlin"

Dear Pastor Scott, Missions Commission, and Lititz Church family,

On behalf of the Chateau of Saint Albain team and the GBIM missionary team, I would like to thank you for your great gift of sending Marlin and the super team from your church to the Chateau! They were all such hard workers and got so much accomplished: painting, stone work, tiling to mention a few. Susie and I were happy to be able to meet them for an evening barbecue and hear how motivated they were to serve. All the work looks so good and we appreciate your partnership in mission for so many years through Marlin and Sue, Jay and Debbie, and the teams you send! May God continue to bless your church and its world-wide mission.

In Christ,

Dave Hobert for the Chateau and GBIM missionary team in France

Praying With Courage

There is no question that Daniel was a great example of courage in prayer as seen in Daniel chapter 6. He had come to Babylon as a teenager and now was about to be promoted by King Darius to one of the highest offices in the land. This didn’t sit well with Daniel’s enemies and they plotted to destroy him. But plotting against Daniel was extremely difficult. He was faithful in all of his duties and he was faultless in his character. But his being so fervent in his faith opened a door for his enemies to use against him.

They stroked the King’s ego and convinced him to pass a decree that for 30 days no one could pray to anyone except to Darius himself. They further recommended that the penalty for breaking this law be death by being fed to the lions. The King ultimately signed the decree according to the Law of the Medes and Persians meaning it could not be overturned for any reason. And as a result, Daniel is doomed because his commitment to prayer would not be hindered by the King’s Decree or the threat of the lion’s den. In Daniel 6:10-11 we see that Daniel prayed anyway – but the description of his prayer gives to us some wonderful aspects to apply to our prayer lives as well. I see 8 aspects worth considering.

Daniel’s prayer life was a PASSION - He prayed even knowing that the new law had been signed. He prayed knowing the penalty would be capital punishment.

Daniel’s prayer life was in PRIVATE - He “entered his house” to pray. His prayer life wasn’t just a show in public

Daniel’s prayer life had a PURPOSE - He "opened his windows" facing Jerusalem. Jerusalem was over 1,000 miles away from Persia but it was still the center of worship of the God of Israel. Daniel’s prayers were focused on the people and the purpose of the God of Israel

Daniel’s prayer life was a PATTERN - He “continued” to pray. He did not pray simply in revolt of the new law.

Daniel’s prayer life showed his POSITION - He prayed “kneeling on his knees.” He recognized his total dependence on God

Daniel’s prayer life was a PRIORITY - He prayed “three times a day.” Praying 3 times a day every day shows priority

Daniel’s prayer life was full of PRAISE - He prayed and “gave thanks.” Even in exile – even with enemies – he was thankful

Daniel’s prayer life was PERSONAL - He prayed “before his God.” His prayer life was about a relationship with God. That is really the essence of prayer. In fact, one of the best definitions I have ever heard for prayer is that prayer is “the act of being with God.”

An Appeal To Your Courage

Sunday morning we talked about the need for COURAGE in our prayer lives as part of our Heroes of Prayer message series. Daniel was so committed to praying three times a day that he wouldn't even allow the decree of a king and the very real probability of being fed to the lions for dinner stop him! So what does it take to keep you from praying? Let's show some courage! Here is the challenge I gave us all this past Sunday!

Will you courageously commit starting this Monday morning to pray three times a day (at least 10 minutes each time) every day for 7 full days and not let anything stop you?

But be warned. Just as Daniel's courage in prayer landed him in the Lion's Den, so your courage is also likely to stir up a different lion. 1 Peter 5:8 says that Satan is like a "roaring lion, prowling around seeking someone to devour." But take courage - God rescued Daniel from the mouths of his lions an He can rescue you as well!

Daniel - The Need for COURAGE in Prayer

This Sunday here at Grace Church in Lititz we start a new message series. 2010 is our Year of Prayer here at Grace and as a mid-year prayer tune-up we will be using the month of July for a 4-week message series that we are calling Heroes of Prayer. In this series we will look at four different individuals from the Old Testament and learn one specific lesson from each of them that can strengthen our own prayer lives today. This Sunday we start with Daniel and see our need for COURAGE in our prayer lives. Join us at 8:30; 10:00; or 11:30. If you can't be here, then tune in at 10am (PA time) as we broadcast our service live on the internet using the link below:

http://gracechurchworship.org/gracelive.html

The Phantom

Years ago, Laura and I had the thrill of seeing "Phantom of the Opera" in Toronto. It was spectacular. Last night we took our kids, Joy and Jonathan, to see it down at the Fulton. Nothing like dinner at the Prince Street Cafe and a show at the Fulton with the family for a great night in downtown Lancaster!

One Wish For Grace Church

In 2 Peter 3:18, Peter gives his very last written words before his death. Notice the action involved. The word “grow” means to “advance” or to “increase.” I also want you to note that it is written in the present tense making it a continual action. Peter isn’t just saying “grow once and you’re done!” Peter is saying, “Keep on growing” or “Never stop growing!”

And therein lies the root of the problem, at least in the Americanized church, and it is more apparent with those who have been believers for a long time than it is for new Christians. In the church in America we associate spiritual maturity with length of years as a Christian. We call those who have been believers for decades, “seasoned” believers. But the truth of the matter is that often, the believers who have quit growing – quit advancing – quit making progress in the faith, are those who have been believers for decades. I’ve been a believer in Jesus for 40 years. Let’s be honest, sometimes the longer we are Christians the more we tend to develop an “I’ve got it down” type of mind-set. Peter says – “Never stop advancing!”

And in what areas are we to be advancing in at all times? Peter mentions two specifically. We are to keep on growing, keep on advancing in the grace of Jesus and in the knowledge of Jesus. The grace of Jesus speaks of how He lived. The knowledge of Jesus speaks of who He is. It speaks of it in two areas. We are to grow in the knowledge of our “Lord and Savior,” Jesus Christ. “Lord” speaks on His person. “Savior” speaks of His work. Folks, listen, no one – no matter how long you have been a believer – lives exactly like Jesus 24 hours a day, seven days a week without ever wavering. None of us know everything there is to know about Jesus. None of us have arrived. All of us need to keep growing – keep advancing.

I got thinking - What if God said to me, “Scott, I am going to give you one wish for your church. Whatever your wish is I will be sure that it happens to every person at Grace Church.” If that happened, what would my wish be? I came up with several possibilities. I’m from Jerry Falwell’s school so right away I thought, “I could wish for every person in my church to tithe 10% of their income!” I thought of other possibilities too. I could wish that every person who attends Grace Church would pray daily. I could wish that every person who attends Grace Church would live holy lives. I could wish that every person who attends Grace Church would share their faith. I could wish that every person who attends Grace Church would serve in our ministry. But as good as all of that would be, none of those would be my one wish.

If I could have just one wish that would come true of every person who attends Grace, it would be this – that every person who attends Grace Church would read their Bible every day. And do you know why I would wish this? Because if you read your Bible you’d tithe. If you read your Bible you’d pray. If you read your Bible you’d live a holy life. If you read your Bible you’d serve in the church. You see, the Word of God is living, powerful, and sharper than a sword. It never returns empty but always accomplishes its purpose. So if I had one wish for Grace Church, in light of the teaching of 2 Peter, it would be this – read your Bible every day.

Can You Understand Your Bible?

I meet Christians all the time who say, “I don’t really read the bible because I don’t have the training needed to really understand it.” I thought about this as last Sunday we finished our study called LIAR through 2 Peter here at Grace Church. In 2 Peter 3:15-16, Peter speaks of the reliability of the writings of Paul giving three characteristics. First, Peter confirms the authority of Paul’s writings. In the end of verse 16 he speaks of them as being as “the rest of Scripture.” So Peter is making it clear that Paul’s writings are part of the Word of God. Back in verse 15, Peter confirms the sources of Paul’s writings by saying that he wrote, “according to the wisdom given to him.” Where did that wisdom come from? Peter said back in 1:20-21 that Scripture did not come by human interpretation or as an act of human will, but that the Bible was written as men, moved by the Holy Spirit, spoke for God.

But in verse 16, Peter also addresses the challenge of Paul’s writings. He says, “in which are some things hard to understand.” I have to be honest. When I read that, I sat back in my chair in my office, took a deep breath, smiled, and said “AMEN!” I don’t know about you, but I have found some of Paul’s writings to be difficult to understand. Have you? But let me follow that thought for a moment. Notice the word “some.” Peter says that “some” of Paul’s writings are hard to understand. He didn’t say “all” of Paul’s writings were hard to understand. Nor did he say that “most” of Paul’s writings were hard to understand. He said “some.” Now if “some” of Paul’s writings are hard to understand, what then must also be true of “most” of Paul’s writings? “Most” of Paul’s writings must be not so hard to understand. Are you following me?

I had this discussion with a couple of Elders a couple weeks ago. In the Americanized church we have communicated indirectly, and in some cases directly, that to really understand the Bible you have to have a seminary degree and you have know the Biblical languages of Greek and Hebrew. Now there is no question that these things are very helpful. I have a seminary degree and I find it very helpful in my study of the Bible. I was a Greek minor in college and I have found that also to be very helpful in my study of Scripture. But by our elevating these things, is it possible that we have communicated to the average church member that they can’t really understand the Bible on their own? Though there are parts of the Bible that are difficult to understand, any believer, as the Holy Spirit indwells, them, teaches them and leads them can understand the plain truth of Scripture.

Let me also point out this. Peter said that some of Paul’s writings are “hard” to understand. He didn’t say they were “impossible” to understand. Yes, some parts of Scripture take a lot more study and effort to understand than others, but by the Spirit of God I can understand it because everything I need to know to do everything God has called me to do is right here in the Bible. In other words, we can’t get lazy. That, according to verse 16, is exactly what the false teachers of Peter’s day did. As a result they “distorted” Scripture. The word “distort” means they “tortured” it. And they didn’t stop with the hard to understand passages, they went on to distort and torture the rest of Scripture as well. More tomorrow.