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By the end of the 2nd Century, the great apologist for the church and the faith, Tertullian (c. 160 – c. 225 AD), wrote about the character and nature of the early church.  In 197 AD we read this…

The Radical Nature of the Early Church

We are a body knit together as such by a common religious profession, by unity of discipline, and by the bond of a common hope. We meet together as an assembly and congregation, that, offering up prayer to God as with united force, we may wrestle with Him in our supplications. This strong exertion God delights in. We pray, too, for the emperors, for their ministers and for all in authority, for the welfare of the world, for the prevalence of peace, for the delay of the final consummation. We assemble to read our sacred writings . . . and with the sacred words we nourish our faith, we animate our hope, we make our confidence more steadfast; and no less by inculcations of God’s precepts we confirm good habits. In the same place also exhortations are made, rebukes and sacred censures are administered. For with a great gravity is the work of judging carried on among us, as befits those who feel assured that they are in the sight of God; and you have the most notable example of judgment to come when anyone has sinned so grievously as to require his severance from us in prayer, in the congregation and in all sacred intercourse. The tried men of our elders preside over us, obtaining that honour not by purchase but by established character. There is no buying and selling of any sort in the things of God. Though we have our treasure-chest, it is not made up of purchase-money, as of a religion that has its price. These gifts are . . . not spent on feasts, and drinking-bouts, and eating-houses, but to support and bury poor people, to supply the wants of boys and girls destitute of means and parents, and of old persons confined now to the house; such, too, as have suffered shipwreck; and if there happen to be any in the mines or banished to the islands or shut up in the prisons, for nothing but their fidelity to the cause of God’s Church, they become the nurslings of their confession. But it is mainly the deeds of a love so noble that lead many to put a brand upon us. See, they say, how they love one another, for they themselves are animated by mutual hatred. See, they say about us, how they are ready even to die for one another, for they themselves would sooner kill.

I have been focused on finding Grace.   If you remember, the way I have explained it to you in written and preaching moments is this: I want to explore the contours of Grace.

This began for me as a deeper awareness from my study of Ephesians.  I remember that I came back from Sabbatical and I began to teach the men at On Point from the first 10 verses of Chapter 2.  I could not get off the subject for week.  I wasn’t stuck…I was ‘camping out’ on those tremendously powerful passages week after week.  It was like I was relearning the Gospel all again.

I read that Jesus himself taught his disciples about his presence in the Old Testament law, prophets, and the psalms.  (Luke 24)  I added knowledge to the idea that the scripture were inspired by God…and that the main subject of the bible is God.  I began to realize that though God’s presence in the pages of the Old Testament was clear… I had never really discovered the clear presence of Jesus Christ.  He had to be there!  If the Holy Spirit has inspired the text…and the book was about God…the Jesus had to be there in character, in form, in foreshadowing, in example, in reference, and in contrast.  Like a shadow cast on a wall…there has to be something making the shadow.

And so I began to look and learn.  I began to read and study.  And I was rewarded every week with a sense of Christ’s presence or the truth of Christ in many Old Testament passages.  St. Augustine said it this way, 16 Centuries ago:  The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed; the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed.  Think about it…

Thus, last Sunday, when I preached on the terrible choice that the Israelites made to doubt God, to demand that their spies assess the Promise Land, and to let their fear overwhelm them, I mentioned that there was one man who had a different spirit.  Caleb was the scout who had gone into the Promised Land and come back to the people.  He told the truth: that God’s plan for them was to have the land.  Caleb came back and told them they should plan to cross over.  It was safe.  It was lush.  It was amazing.  Let’s go!

Caleb is the one who goes before to give people the faith that they will crossover.  Of course, you begin to see a small sketch of the ministry of Jesus.  Jesus is our Caleb.  He is the one who has goes before us and confirms all of God’s promises to us.  Remember John 14:  “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”  Isn’t there a hint of Caleb’s role here?

This is but only one example of the hundreds of clues we find about Christ hidden in the Old Testament, a hope promised in the Old Testament, that is realized in the life of Jesus in the New Testament.

Google the phrase “Christ in the Old Testament” and see for yourself.  Fair warning.  You can spend days researching this.

DHR

Dear David,

It was great to touch base with you last week briefly.  Your vision for A1000 has given vitality, hope, and extraordinary growth to our province.  Thank you for all that you, Daniel and others have given to the ongoing effort.

Also, I want to thank you for the opportunity given me preceding the A1000 Summit to present SAMS ministry to interested folks at Christ Church and in the area.  What a pleasure it was to give a snapshots of our missionaries sharing the Good News of Jesus across cultures globally.  Jeff, Cinde, Bob and Susan were wonderful hosts on behalf of all of Christ Church.

SAMS is honored to partner with you all in the sending of missionaries like Kym McDaniel and Allen and Rachel Hill.  You and the servants God has raised up at Christ Church are producing wonderful fruit in the Lord.  What a blessing it was to witness this first-hand in the lives and ministry of Kym, Allen and Rachel in Peru during February.  May the Lord continue to bless all your efforts!

Finally, I would be amiss if I did not share with you how blessed SAMS is to have Jeff in his valuable role as a trustee on our board.  Thanks for your support of him serving in this capacity.  Through the years Jeff and Cinde’s contributions have furthered our mutual mission with you of proclaiming the Good News into all the world.

May the Lord grant you and your parish His power and grace in the days to come as you continue to faithfully proclaim the Gospel near and far.

In the love of Jesus,

Stewart

Stewart Wicker

President and Mission Director

SAMS-USA

Box 399

Ambridge, PA 15003  USA

724-266-0669 ext. 16

skype:  mission.director.sams-usa

gro.ASU-SMASnull@rekciwtrawets

www.SAMS-USA.org

      •  Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed across cultures

      •  Serving in the global Anglican Church

      •  Supporting Episcopalians and Anglicans in mission

*Incorporated as South American Missionary Society (USA)

Young Anglicans are Growing

Here is an article on the rise of gospel-centered Anglicanism in the Church of England.  The C of E always prefer things when done ‘decently and in order’.   So they are a bit ‘flummoxed’ it seems about the rise of the larger church.  I say, Praise God for their ‘fluxommness’. (not a word)

The article leads with a truth that is so true, it is actually a truism.  Read it and weep.

EVER since the 18th century, England’s established church has harboured a suspicion of religious enthusiasm. Anglicanism’s cosy ubiquity as a reassuring, if vestigial, presence in every English suburb and village is regarded as a defence against the sort of fanaticism that leads to social or ethnic conflict.

(This last line is unnecessarily obtuse.  The writer is saying this:  Anglican is everywhere and that alone was enough to reassure us all that it wouldn’t go crazy.”  Oh well.  As I always say, “Eschew Obfuscation”.  But I digress.)

If the article is right, and evangelicals are exercising more influence and leadership on the country as a whole, we should all rejoice.  Here are some great stats about their future.

“Another bright point, they point out, is the steady number of people being ordained, around 500 each year. Of the 515 people accepted as candidates for ordination in 2010, fully 108 were under 30, up from 74 the previous year.”

This would be a great stat to have for the American Anglican Church.  Perhaps someone could do a bit of research…

Pray against the Bondage of Porn

Brothers and Sisters,

Make no mistake.  This is a problem that we have to talk about.  Our brothers are being pummeled by this every time they turn on their Mac, PC, Phone, or Tablet.  It is ubiquitous.  The women in our church need to take this seriously and pray for their men.  Some are all but powerless…and some are powerless.  And our men need to come clean with one another, find an accountability partner, and help each other stay away from it.

I can count three couple right now that are dealing with this in counseling.  A few more are dealing with lawyers.  It is sad.

Here is a prayer for those in its grip.

An excerpt:

Lord of resurrection and redemption, bring your mercy and might to bear in stunning fashion. Things impossible for us are more than possible for you. You have come to set captives free and to heal the brokenhearted. Pornography is creating an overabundance of both. We look to you for wisdom, courage, compassion and hope.

Is there something that can be done?  Yes, of course.  Start with knowing the truth about porn.  It is sick.  Then try to prevent it from coming into your life.  Try to prevent it from coming to your kids too.  I have heard that OpenDNS is a great program that works with the wireless router.  Men, stay connected to our ministry at Christ Church and tell another man.  Get some brother/brother sharing time.  Get some prayer for it.  Come see one of our clergy.

If you are an attender at On Point, you know we talk about this from time to time.  Join us…Tuesdays at 6:30am.  All are welcome.

DHR

Yesterday, I loved being able to present the overview of this Summit.  What a great turnout…and a great response to the call to plant 1000 churches.  Take note of the Job Description for the Church Planter that I presented.  It really is Rocket Science.

Worship Leader, CLO, Singer, Preacher, Teacher, Evangelist, Missionary, Volunteer Coordinator, Disciple-Maker, Bible Teacher, Priest, Curriculum Writer, Outreach Leader, Pastoral Visitor, Vestry Leader, CEO, Prayer Warrior, Writer, Speaker, Thinker, Family Therapist, Facebook Poster, Theologian, Student, Parent, CTO, Soccer Coach, Real Estate Agent, Tweeter, Copier, Administrator, Budget Director, COO, Manager, Tenant, Spiritual Director, Architect, Counselor, Therapist, Community Organizer, Janitor, Sound Technician, Set Designer, Fund Raiser, Leader, Scholar, Pastor, Cook, Plumber, IT Specialist, Graphic Designer, Spouse, and Faithful Servant of the Most High God.

Here is the slideshow.

A1K Presentation Posted