DanSardinas.net

How to do a "Gas Buy Down". An effective and practical outreach event for your church.

 

Gospel Transformation: Kingdom Building vs. Castle Building

If we are to truly transform our cities with the Gospel then we have to change our entire strategy.  How many churches are trying to get "bigger and bigger" at the expense of true city wide transformation?  Most churches measure success by butts in the pews...and money in the plate.  Doesn't that sound a tad like a movie theater?  

How many people are watching the show and how many are buying tickets?Is that what God has called us to do?  Is it any wonder that our churces are filled with "spectators" and not doers? Too many churches are into what I call...Castle Building. Churches who are trying to build castles (i'm not talking about a building) are only worried about how big their church grows.  They may even compete with the other churches in town.  They may have clever slogans about how their church is "better" than any other church. Or maybe that church is selling itself as more "relevant", "hipper" or "cooler" than the next.  I remember in one town that I pastored I was scolded by another pastor about how I was in his "territory". Wow... It's no wonder our cities are so lost.  

Jesus has not called us to build castles.  He has called us to be engaged in His ever expanding Kingdom.  Once churches in a city realize that it's not about them...the city will be better.  That city will be better reached with the Gospel.  The Kingdom of God is the rule of God over all creation.  God is up to something huge.  He is up to something that you and I can never compete with or ever dream to outdue.  Jesus was all about this kingdom.  

Wouldn't it be phenomenal if churches joined each other for the sake of the Gospel?  Wouldn't it be great to join other churches in the Missio Dei than the pettiness of doctrinal divide?  Folks...it's time to realize we are all on the same team if we have been redeemed.  Isn't that what he prayed for us in John 17 before he was arrested in the garden?  

Jesus said to seek first His Kingdom.  Why are you building your castle?

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. - Matthew 6:33 

 (for other posts about the Kingdom of God on dansardinas.net click here.

 

 

Gospel Transformation: Don't Tell Me Show Me

What are you willing to sacrifice so that the Gospel will transform your city?   To really reach our cities with the Gospel it's going to take sacrifice.  It's going to be at times uncomfortable and awkward.  The Gospel cost Jesus and it will cost you & I to share it as well.  That's just the plain truth.  

Very few Chistians share their faith with the world.  The ones that do share their faith, know what to say...but don't know how to express it in their life.  Most know how to tell the ABC's of salavation....but don't know how to translate this "good news" into actions. As the old saying goes....actions speak louder than words.  When is the last time you showed the world Good News?  

My kids are still very young (11, 9 & 6).  They are good kids but they are kids.  When they do get in trouble they always tell me that they will never do it again. They say that they are very sorry...and they plead for forgiveness.  I always forgive them.  But, I always tell them the same thing. "Don't tell me....show me".  I want them to know now that talk is cheap.  You can tell me you are sorry everyday...but if you never show me than I don't believe it.  

You can tell the world that Jesus saves.  You can tell the world everyday that there is Good News in the world...but if you don't show it...does it matter?  The world has heard enough sermons.  They need to start seeing some.  What are some ways we can show "good news" through actions in our city?  After all...how can we talk of the life transforming message of the Gospel if it hasn't changed us?  Do share...what are you doing in your city.  What are ways we can show love and demonstrate "good news".

 

Google+ Evangelism - What can we learn?

Already in just a little over 2 weeks Google+ has nearly amassed 10 million users.  Google+ is the companies newest venture into social networking.  The previous attempt (Google Buzz) is still considered a failure.  However Google+ appears to be a winner because some say it merges the best of FaceBook & Twitter in one platform.  So far I agree.

A lot of the buzz (no pun intended) from Google+ was the only way to get in was for somebody to invite you.  This was, of course, in typical Google fashion.  They normally resort to the invite only approach when releasing a new product.  For days...my Twitter & FaceBook news feeds were littered with people trying to get invites to the new social network.  

One invite opens the door for many, many others to hear about Google+.   Last Friday, while walking around Downtown Disney & waiting for my wife...I noticed that one of my friends on Twitter had some invites.  I quickly replied and was instantly invited to sign up.  In the 4 days since I joined I have invited 7 people to join me on the Google+ journey.  And now those people have also invited many others...who will invite many others.  You know where I'm going with this, right?

This got me thinking....what can we learn from Google+ Evangelism?  Evangelism is simply the "proclamation of Good News".  Google+ is growing by leaps and bounds by the multiplication of invites.  I know we've heard this before but it sounds a lot like the Great Commission is suppose to work, no?  

I tell and invite you about the Good News.  You tell others...who then share it with others...who then share it with others! Here are some of my observations.

1.  People are searching & looking to be invited on a new journey.  I asked a few times and then wound up with an invite.  I've seen several people hungry enough to ask numerous times until they got in.  Some people are tired of FaceBook.  No doubt, there are many who are searching for something better in this world.  God has called many to salvation.  Who are you looking for?  Who are you going after?

2.  People are inviting others to Google+ because they believed it to be powerful.  I believe that many times we cease to evangelize beacause we doubt the goodness and power of the Gospel.  We know the Gospel.  But how often do we practice it?  I've seen many rave about the awesomeness of Google+.  How many Christians are really proclaiming the POWER of the Gospel as Paul says in Romans 1?  Isn't the gospel a much more rewarding journey than a social network? 

What if anything can we learn from Google+ Evangelism?

World Water Day - Give Life Today! @wateroflife

One of my favorite organization's needs your help to bless a village struggling with clean water.  Water of Life, in honor of World Water Day, is needing 222 people to give $22 by March 22nd.  This money will help build a well for a village in Liberia.  Without clean water these poor people will continue to be exposed to diseases and die.  If you can....please help.  Thank you!

  

Ready to Cry? - Kimyal People receive the NT

I dare you to watch this video without shedding a tear of joy! This is so amazing. I am so convicted in my spirit after watching the passion these people have for the Word of God in their language. Un. Be. lievable. Where is our passion? Would you celebrate and cry like these people? Throw a parade? I am so moved by this today..... God, may we hunger for your word like these dear brothers and sisters. Wow.

 

The necessity of Water - www.givefreshwater.org

You & I take if for granted everyday.  You drink, bathe, cook & clean with it.  You can't imagine life without it...because you haven't had to.  It's always been there.  Without it you can't live.  Without it...there is no LIFE.  Earth is the only planet in the known universe that has life and it's because of it.  This 'it'...is water.  Not just water.....but clean water. Fresh water.  

 

Water is necessary.  And there is an organization that is doing something about it. Greensville, South Carolina based Water Of Life has a mission to bring clean water to the 1.1 BILLION people around the world, who don't have access to it..  Not only clean water...but also the Gospel of Jesus.  Their mission statement is "Providing the water of life, both physically and spiritually, one village at a time. There's life in the water". It is a organization that gets me pumped.  They get it.  We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus.  There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus would be involved with this too; if He was walking the earth right now.   

There is no doubt, that God's heart is bent towards the poor & oppressed in scripture.  Here are just a few verses.  

"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land." Deuteronomy 15:11

" Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise, says the LORD, I will protect them from those who malign them. " Psalm 12:5

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." Psalm 82:3-4

"I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy." Psalm 140:12

"He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses." Proverbs 28:27

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18

If God's heart is bent towards the oppressed, poor, needy....shouldn't our heart also be consumed with this effort?

I beg you to get involved.  1.1 billion people...think about it.  Billion.  1/6 of the worlds population.  That should not be so!  There are several ways you can get involved.

1.  Give to "Water of Life". $10 a month helps bring clean water to an entire village!  That's right.  Can you give up $10?  Buy 2-3 less coffees a month.  My giving up of 2-3 coffees a month can give an entire village water for a MONTH!  Our family is going to start giving $10 a month.  Will you join me?   Click here for to donate.

 

2.  Go on a trip to bring fresh/clean water to a village. Click here to learn more about trips.

3.  Connect with Water of Life online & social networking.  

     a.  Visit their website.  www.givefreshwater.org

     b.  Connect on Facebook.  

     c.  Follow then on Twitter.

4.  Tell others about what they are doing....tell your church, pastor, friends, family.  Spread the word about the 1.1 billion in the world who do not have access to clean water.  That is not right!!!!!

 

 

 

Help get clean water in Haiti.... Unshaken - Charity: Water

Unshaken - charity: water's campaign for Haiti from charity: water on Vimeo.

1 Billion People

 

Did you have a glass of water today?  Brush your teeth?  Take a nice, clean refreshing shower?  Chances are if you are reading this post that you did just that.  As a matter of fact the average American uses 150 gallons of water per day!  However 1 Billion people in the world aren't as fortunate as you and I.  That's right....1 Billion people do not have access to clean, safe drinking water.  Their water is dirty, diseased and discolored and would probably make most of us throw up.   I believe that is not right.  As the church...it is our responsibility to bring help & healing in Jesus' name.   Thankfully there is an organization that is doing something about it.  Charity Water is a group that raises money to take on these issues.  This comes straight from their website.

"One billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean drinking water. That’s one in six of us. charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. 100% of public donations directly fund water projects."

Giving $20 can give 1 person clean water for 20 years!!!  Crazy....and one thing I love about this organization is that 100% of the donations actually go to help people.  They raise their administrative costs separately so that every cent that someone gives goes for the ultimate good.  

This week I had a chance to attend Rob Bell's "Drops Like Stars" tour in Tampa..where he spoke about this organization.  I took a snapshot with my iPhone which you can see below of him speaking about this.  

What gripped me most about this picture is the baby bottle behind Rob.  As a father with 3 kids, it tears me up to think that other children are facing injustices such as a lack of clean water.  To me this just isn't right and we can't sit around and let this happen here in our world.  When Jesus was here...he cared deeply about people's physical state.  Jesus loved people, period.  He fed, healed, raised, rebuked and deeply cared for every individual.  Jesus came to free us from the separation that our sin had caused.  Jesus came to renew us to the Father...  Jesus came to bring hope in the midst of injustice and suffering.

The Church can't keep quiet any longer!  It's time to stop worrying about our programs, budgets, classes and services and truly meet people where they are.  We speak much of doing that which will last for an eternity but yet we are caught up with our own methods of relevant ministry.  

I think that is makes God sick when we are more passionate about defending doctrine than defending the helpless & oppressed.  I think it makes God sick when we try to build our own empires instead of expanding his Kingdom through His Gospel.  The Gospel is the beautiful Good News that God hasn't given up on the world.  The Gospel is a proclamation of a new way to live through Jesus than our old system.   What will you do?  I pray that God will touch of all our hearts that we may grow burdened over the pain and brokenness of the world.  What will you do?  If you want to make an immediate donation you can by texting "water" to 20222.  By texting this from your mobile phone you will donate $10 to charity:water.  This charge will show up on your next mobile phone bill.   1 billion people hurting by this crisis....and you can make the difference.

 

Matthew 25:34-35

 

³⁴"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.³⁵For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

 ³⁷"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

 ⁴⁰"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

 ⁴¹"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴²For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

 ⁴⁴"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

 ⁴⁵"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

Agents of Grace & Truth

 

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only [Son], who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John chapter 1 gives us a very descriptive telling of who Jesus is and what he did and does.  We see Him as the WORD who is God.  We see him as the creator and the light.  If there was any doubt who John was referring to it was clearly cleared up in verse 14.  John says that this "Word" (the full expression of God) became flesh (Jesus).  Not only did Jesus come but very specifically he came in Grace & Truth.  If the Kingdom of God is the central focus of Jesus life and teachings...then "Grace & Truth" is the way it it presented to the world.  

Grace is used in various ways throughout the New Testament.  The most obvious and often spoken of way is referring to God's unmerited favor towards us.  The world needs grace.  Jesus came to a world full of veangeance and evil.  He came to a world that was the complete opposite of Grace.  In fact Jesus was the opposite way in almost every way possible.  

The Romans way of expanding their kingdom was through the sword and coersion.  Jesus ways of expanding his kingdom was through the ways of Grace & Truth.   Complete opposites.  The Roman way brought more separation, hurt and war.  The ways of Jesus brought salvation, unity, healing and peace.  

Jesus died and rose again.  He's left the earth to return to his Father in heaven.  If Jesus isn't here then how does Grace and Truth continue?  My friends that's what the church is all about.  The church is the "body of Christ".  It is the way that God intends to bring healing and restoration to the world.  It is through the church that Grace & Truth are lived out.  

So here is my question for you....what does it mean to be the agents of Grace & Truth in the world?  Please leave a comment and spur the discussion.  I'll share my thoughts in my next posting.

Redefining Mission

We have all been there before....a church service where the leaders are begging for volunteers. You have probably even read it in the Sunday morning church bulletin. An all hands on deck approach to ministry is very common in modern church life. If you asked most pastors today they would argue that the problem is in the peoples motivation for Christ and his work. I have been there and did that many times. I now wish I would've known then what I now know. The church is a living organism, made up of those who follow Jesus, who through the power of the Spirit live out the ways of the Kingdom of God. And they do this together. Why is it that we are so focused on making the ministry within the church more important than our ministry in the world? Could the very reason most Christians don't share their faith be because we have conditioned them to be so busy with "church work"? The danger is that we have made something to be institutional that was meant to be organic. We have taken the beautiful mystery of community and sold it out for the latest fad. One of my most memorable days at VWC is when we didn't have a service. In August of 07 we cancelled the formal service and met together to serve our community. We repainted a local park and picked up trash off of Oil City streets. It was a great day. However the turnout was not what I expected. I was hoping to have about 50 or so helping that day. We only had about 22 altogether. I was greatly discouraged as this was pumped up for weeks as a huge thing that we were doing. I played the normal "pastor card" and just said that people had issues with God. From that day forward my outlook began to change on ministry. Release your people from the guilt of serving. The more pastors beg...the more guilt sinks in. Some people will cave and serve in a place out of duty alone. And then the inevitable will happen....they will burn out and their absence will create a larger void. It's time to redefine ministry and release people for mission. I am not saying that people shouldn't serve in ministries in the church. But when we are taking people away from being a light in the world that is where I have a problem. If you don't have enough people to do a program then you cancel the program. Lastly are we keeping people busy building our empires? Or are we releasing them to multiply the Kingdom of God? Redefine your ministry into your mission. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Bono on Justice

Bill Hybels recently interviewed Bono on social justice issues.  I was wowed by this interview.  I knew Bono was leading an awesome front against poverty but the things he says is phenomenal!!!!   Probably one of the best video's on this blog!!

 

I pray to God more Christians start realizing what Bono is saying.