God's Shepherd!

"The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly,[a] not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away." (1 Peter 5:1-4)
As a pastor, I take very seriously the word "shepherd." Webster's New World Dictionary simply defines the word; "as one who herds sheep." I prefer the word "care." As "sheep" apply to the church, I look at myself as God's caretaker of His sheep, in my located area. It is a task that is not to be done by compulsion, but willingly. One who is in this area of service, must have a love for people. There are those who are in the ministry, because they want the praise and applause of men. They like to hear the sound of their own voice in the pulpit. And there are those who Peter warns in our text, that are like dictators over the flock, that has been entrusted to them. We as shepherds must be an example to the flock, of how one must live, and serve Jesus Christ. To demonstrate this, one must be among the sheep, to show the principles and priorities of the Christian life. And then Peter tells us as shepherds that one day, when Jesus the Chief Shepherd appears, He will reward us for our work in taking care of His flock. "The crown of glory, that will not fade away." will be ours.(v.4) In God's flock, every member is important, and needs attention. They need encouragement and care. In a family there must be parents to care for the children. I look at my role, as a spiritual parent over the children in the family of God. An awesome responsibility, but one that gives great rewards, and satisfaction. GP

A Father's Love, A Son's Response!

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21) It is the story of a loving father who bestows all of his grace upon a foolish son, only to have it thrown in his face. The ingratitude is great, and the heart of the father is crushed. If we were the father, how would we feel? Words can not describe the hurt that stabs the heart, time after time, an attempt is made to share ongoing grace. The character of God is clear. We have a faithful loving God, who offered His Son, who knew no sin. to step into the sin of man-kind, and be the sacrifice for that sin. Someone had to pay the sin debt for us foolish people, who time after time rebel against God's will. Yes, place, Pleasure, power, and possessions, are our constant pursuits; and it doesn't matter who we hurt to obtain them. But the path of these, are of self destruction, and an eternal hell. The prodigal son, squandered it all, and dropped to a level of hopelessness. (Luke 15:11-32) But hope is ours when we receive the gift God has for us through His Son. We have the opportunity to become the righteousness of God in Him. When the son realized how ungrateful he had been. How he had taken for granted what His father offered, compared to the world; he came running back, and embraced a life of peace, security, and hope. Let's not be foolish any longer. Let's embrace the gift God has for us, and really live. Such love as this should really motivate us to place ourselves in the Kingdom of God, and strive to be there for all eternity. And such love should motivate us to share this message of hope with the world. Without it, where would we be? GP

The Christian Journeyman Weekly Report!

I hope that the posts I have been putting on The Christian Journeyman, have been an encouragement to you. I want to remind you that the two-fold purpose for The Christian Journeyman is to help us as Christians, to do as 2 Timothy 2:15 says, to: "be diligent to present yourself (ourselves) approved unto God, a worker (workers) who does (do) not need to be ashamed, rightfully dividing the word of truth." In essence, we as Christians are to know, live, and share the truth of God's Word confidently. We cannot help those who are living outside God's truth, if we don't know it ourselves. Along with the posts that I publish each day, The Christian Journeyman has resource links that are helpful for Bible Study, and preparation for Bible lessons, sermons, devotions, etc.You will find them on the right hand side of the page. We hope that you will take advantage of the information that is available for these purposes. All of the material is available for you to use for personal encouragement and teaching. There is no cost to the material at all. We do ask that you consider being a monthly financial sponsor for the work of The Christian Journeyman. Down below on our page is a PAYPAL ® button you can use to support the work of The Christian Journeyman, on a monthly basis, or whenever it would work out for you. We hope that this will be a full time work, and that we can accomplish additional things in sharing God's truth with the fellowship of believers. We need your financial support to help this become a reality. Thank you so much! Pastor, Gary Patterson.

The Inner Stuggle

Brian Handwerk introduces his article for National Geographic News entitled "What Does "Jihad" Really Mean To Muslims?"(Updated October 24, 2003) "Jihad" is a loaded term-and a concept that illustrates a deep gulf of miscommunication between Islam and the west. There are those in each community who see Jihad as a clash of civilizations-and act on those beliefs. But Jihad literally means "exerted effort" to most Islamic scholars and Muslims, and represents a range of activities."
I am not going to spend this time, in this writing, talking about this misunderstood concept in the Islamic religion. But if it is to mean "an inner struggle within", we as Christians understand this struggle too well. In Ephesians 3:16 the Apostle Paul prayed that God would "strengthen us through His Spirit in the inner man..." This is the place where God dwells in our heart, our soul. The place where God works to help us to be strengthened. *"The Greek word Paul uses for Christ dwelling in our hearts is the Greek Katoikein which is the word used for permanent, as opposed to temporary" We must allow God to control us, and allow His Holy Spirit to dwell in us permanently, in order for Him to strengthen us. To live The Christian life in this world, with all its temptations, and worldly enticements, is of great difficulty. We need the Holy Spirit to help us to know God's will for our lives. The Holy Spirit works primarily through the Word of God; and When we make ourselves available to it, it produces great spiritual growth. But apart from it, it leaves us vulnerable to all the devices Satan has, to ruin us for eternity. Yes, we know the inner struggle. But victory is ours, when we know, and apply the mighty power of the Word of God, for our lives. GP
(*The Daily Bible Study Series, William Barclay - The Letters To Galatians And Ephesians)

Our Focus On Love!

(1 John 4:7-21)
Love is not something we just focus on during the month of February. It is to be the main focus of our lives, as we live moment by moment. We are not thankful just on Thanksgiving Day, but again, moment by moment. John writes in our text, that Love begins with God, and is to manifest itself in us, and through us. It is evidence that we are born of God. If you want to see God, look at His children, because they have His love. "If you say, that you love God, and hate your brother, you lie, and the truth is not in you." (v.20) Loving God, and loving others, go hand and hand. They are the two main commandments, which are the fulfillment of the law. (v.21) Satan, tries his best to keep us from loving others. Especially in our relationship with those who hurt us, and want nothing more to do with us. The main focus he wants us to have, in these situations is on ourselves. But just as love beat Satan at the cross, when Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins; love will find victory for us. When we forgive those who have hurt us, it releases us from the bondage of bitterness and despair.
It is God's intent that we always contribute to the well being of our enemies. God wants us to always have their best interest at heart, even when there is conflict. If love does not bring about reconciliation, at least it frees us from a terrible destructive bondage in our hearts. Showing love, demonstrates to the world, that we are born of God, and that we have fellowship with Him. We won't have to worry on the day of judgment, because our relationship with God is sincere and sure. Loving others will show what the power of love can do. The Apostle Paul said "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. "(1 Corinthians 13:13) The most powerful virtue, and threat to selfishness, and spiritual destruction, is LOVE! GP

What Do You Want To Wear Today?

We have heard the words that "Clothes make the man, or the woman." In the life of a Christian this is very true. But it is not the physical clothes that make the big difference, but the spiritual clothes that make up God's character displayed to the world. Spiritual clothes such as "tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering, bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do."(Colossians 3:12-13) And then to tie it all together, we are to wear the belt of love. Love completes our character, and is the perfecting virtue in our attitudes and actions towards, life, people, and God. The world would be such a different place, if everyone were "in Christ" and were wearing these spiritual clothes. When you talk about the ugly clothes such as constant anger, hatred, jealousy, pride, resentment, you are describing the clothes of the world. And the belt that ties everything together is selfishness. But these negative spiritual clothes, are clothes that do not show the beauty, and glory of God. In a short time, they appear as ragged and ugly rags, displaying disappointment, sorrow, and destruction. So the Question is, what clothes would you rather wear? I would think that we would want to wear the clothes that sustains our souls. Clothes that restores, and maintains good relationships. clothes that display positive attitudes and actions that minister to people around us.
Since we as Christians have put on Christ, let make sure we put on the clothes that He provides, so we can have the best life we can have, and really look good for Him. GP

The First Christian Church Of Lego

Lego pieces are like the members of the body of Christ. "They may seem ordinary, small and insignificant by themselves, but together they can create amazing things, which are only limited by one's imagination" (copied) We as the members of the body of Christ, are by no means insignificant. We are special to God, and to each other. Let's look at the the Lego pieces and apply some spiritual truth to our lives concerning the body of Christ, the church. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
The Lego's Strength Is Its Diversity.
"If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole body were hearing, where would be the smelling? (v.17)  We all have different abilities that God has placed in the body, in order that the needs of the body will be met. We all have a function, and contribute to the church's well-being. We need to encourage one another in our various gifts, and areas of service.
The Lego Is Designed To Connect.
"For by one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.(v.13)
It is through the Holy Spirit that we are connected. We are one In Christ, through the work of the Holy Spirit.
It Takes A Third Party To Put The Lego Pieces Together.
"But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleases."(v.18)
As Christians, God has a place for us in His family, not only to exist, but to serve, and contribute to the edification of the family of God.
When you set down with your children, to play with the Lego pieces, take advantage of a teaching moment, to share how we, like the Lego pieces, can be used to be building blocks for God in His kingdom. To do amazing things for His glory! GP
Sermon Outline copied from the Internet.