by Pastor James Bell

The title of our new sermon series might seem a little arrogant. Actually, it’s a reference to the sad truth that we get it wrong about God sometimes. Would you believe lots of times? Our culture’s concept of God seems a bit skewed, to say the least. Maybe that’s why the Bible tells us to be transformed, not conformed, in the way we think.

It’s pretty obvious that people create their own gods today. How often have you heard, “The god I serve doesn’t do (this or that, fill in the blanks).” We take the liberty of defining God according to our own personal moral standards and beliefs. We assume God is on our side because, after all, we’re right about practically everything. Some are even deluded enough that they pray to, and think they hear from, the one true God, not knowing that it’s really their own self-created “god”. This is often an over-active conscience or an egocentric imagination that has led many sincere Christians from true charismatic giftedness to an overstated (but spiritually insignificant) charismatic folly. Bottom line: It never was really God to begin with.

What is even more common, and is the focus of our series, happens when people of faith incorrectly understand the nature and character of God. We think He is mad at us. We aren’t sure He is always walking with us. We are intimidated by His holiness and our (sometimes gross) humanity. We anticipate His wrath and at times we hope He isn’t looking at us right now, at this very moment. We need to re-think our view of God.

The Bible is a real good place to look when re-thinking God. It is, after all, the ultimate resource for a definitive view of God. Jesus came to give us an understanding of God from a human perspective, which is, incidentally, the only perspective we are much good at understanding.

Intimacy with God is a blessed experience, a taste of eternity. This happens through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. But even intimacy with God is defined, as well as encouraged, by biblical principles about the wonder and majesty of God.

Remember the character who said, “Sometimes I sit and think. Other times I just sit”? Well, let’s not just sit! Re-thinking your concept of God might open some new doors of spiritual growth in your life.

Let’s do it together!

Thoughtfully,

James

by Pastor James Bell

A few days ago I read an article where Christian leaders were predicting the direction of the church during the next decade. There seemed to be a consensus that some radical shifts are beginning to happen and will continue.

For example, Larry Stockstill believes that “results will no longer substitute for character, and gifts will no longer replace anointing”. Jack Hayford predicted the demise of “convenience oriented sermonizing that tickles ears preoccupied with personal fulfillment more than service to God and the church”.

When will we “get it” about church? How you feel about church reflects your actual relationship with God. Someone recently told me, “I loved the spontaneity of the services where my family and I attended previously, but I would have never invited my extended family or friends to come.” When I asked why, my friend said that the services were just too “out there” and would be hard to explain or difficult for non-believers to understand. I could relate.

Others have said they seldom, if ever, felt the presence of God in the churches they attended while growing up. They endured a formal church service, with teaching from the word of God, but no sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Been there, too.

While far from being a paragon of all things ecclesiastical, we welcome the Holy Spirit’s involvement in every service. He is invited to interrupt our agenda anytime, or lead us in a different direction while we are planning a service. We are also committed to spiritual and scriptural order, and will protect our congregation from false words and self-glorifying displays of emotion.

On Sunday mornings we are sensitive to the fact that non-believers often come with their Christian friends. We want them to feel comfortable and included in our worship. On Sunday nights the services are less structured and often result in a strong, prophetic move of the Holy Spirit. There is also more time for personal ministry.

Some Christians, in countries suffering religious persecution, meet several times each week. Some underground churches in North Korea, Vietnam and China, meet every night. Some new Christians at Hosanna wish we had more services, and try to find small groups to attend in addition to Sunday mornings and evenings. What these believers have in common is that they “get it” about the heart of the Lord for his church. They have fallen in love with Jesus.

A backsliding Christian will begin to see church as an inconvenience. Idols are not seen as idols, but rather entitlements, deserved and needed as they attempt to replace the Holy Spirit with “stuff” that brings momentary pleasure.

How do people “get it” about church? Usually it happens something like this:

They reconnect with Jesus through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
They realize and consider the importance of knowing Jesus.
They consider that, at the end of this life, only what we have done for God will have value to us.

They change their schedules to include church as a top priority.

When you develop a passion for God, everything else will come into focus and have meaning for you. And you’ll probably start to wonder why some people don’t “get it” about church.

Believing for the best for you,

James

by Pastor James Bell

Matthew, Mark and Luke all shared the phenomenal story of a demon-possessed man who lived among the tombs near the city of Gadara. No one could control this man. That is, until Jesus arrived on the scene. The spirits within the man cringed at the sight of Jesus and at his command they left the man free and sound of mind.

Among the graveyards of mainline Christianity toward the end of the last century, there emerged, not a maniac, but rather a charismaniac of sorts. It was known for it’s displays of power, it’s struggling against chains of restraint, and it’s habit of tearing itself (dividing) when frustrated in it’s purpose.

What is a charismaniac? I would call it “charisma-gone-bad”. It’s the perversion of something God-breathed. Charisma means “giftedness”, which is a blessed and good thing. But when gifts are not administered with scriptural authority and spiritual order, the word “mania” gets added to the equation.

So in the midst of a spiritual graveyard, charismania erupted. The roar of overzealous, out of order giftedness became unsettling and disturbing to many people who didn’t “get it” about the latest strain of hyped up, pseudo-prophetic power trips. From Baker to Bentley, from Hinn to Haggard, the idolatrous images of one-man shows crumbled to the ground. The faithful who followed now found themselves wandering through a graveyard, bound by the past, repeating words of proclamation that now seemed to fall powerless to the ground. Would this signal the end of an era?

Not at all. You see, there is no such thing as a counterfeit three dollar bill. There was once a spiritual reality and a scriptural authenticity in spiritual giftedness. That never died. It was just that ignorance screamed more loudly and was better financed than reason. But truth always triumphs in the end. We are at the end of charismania, but only growing stronger in genuine spiritual giftedness.

Okay, how does that play out in church services? Well, there is a list of things we probably will see a lot less of, and that list includes rhetorical, self-serving prophesies that are too vague to evaluate or are clearly and spectacularly wrong. The church has had it’s fill of both. Many of you could add to that list, but let’s not. Let’s talk instead about what we will see more of, or what’s being anticipated in the Spirit by many believers today.

The key phrase is “multiplicity of ministry”. We are finally excited about becoming Ephesians 4 churches. Spiritual gifts manifest in a way that glorifies God, not the gifted ones. Equipping happens on Sunday nights as we share spiritual insights with the passionate core of the church. Words are shared in our three Sunday daytime services as fresh, anointed direction from the Father, without appearing to be the second coming of Moses or Elijah. Healings happen during worship, even without the old healing- evangelist-type of prayer lines. We have exchanged production for presence. Sinners and saints alike now get the message that Jesus is Lord!

When the leaders and townspeople of Gadara visited the graveyard to see what happened, they found the “maniac” dressed nicely, smiling and sitting with Jesus. He now had the charisma, but that maniac phase was over.

Feeling the need for spiritual giftedness? Welcome to the new definition of “gifted”! The power has been there for a long time. It’s just that we’re learning how to glorify God in it’s use.

So more power to you! Use those gifts God has given you….for His glory!

by Pastor James Bell

It’s that time of year when everything is changing. New life is springing up everywhere! How about you? Can you spare some change?

“Moses, you have had an exciting life. Hidden as an infant, raised by the Pharaoh, exiled to another country, and now raising sheep. Ever think of writing a book?”

“Hey, I’m only eighty. I sense a major change coming in my life. In fact, I heard God speak from a flaming bush in the desert yesterday. The book might have to wait.”

Five books, in fact. We call them the Pentateuch. Starting at age eighty, Moses radically changed his lifestyle by following God’s leading. Feeling absolutely unqualified, he led God’s people from slavery to freedom.

There is never a convenient season for change. It often comes as an uninvited guest, forcing us out of our comfort zones. Preferably, It comes as the result of an intentional act, rooted in a passion for things to be different. But, one way or another, change will come. It will leave you breathless and full of faith, or it will see you disappointed, and clinging to the safety of a compromised life.

“Saul, you have always been an over-achiever. Gamaliel found you to be a brilliant student. The Pharisees recognize you as a scholar. Will you gather young men around you and share your wealth of knowledge?”

“My life is a pile of crap. That is, compared to what I have just discovered. I am completely changing my perspective on the scripture. I am being filled with the Spirit. I am set on disappearing as Saul, and letting Jesus be huge in my life. Might even change my name…”

The world would never be the same. Some said of this Saul of Tarsus, who changed to become the Apostle Paul, that he and his associates “turned the world upside down!”

It is both exciting and frustrating to know that we have people like Moses, Paul, Ruth, Gideon, Esther, and Peter sitting in our congregation. We see insecurity, pride, fear, misguided ambition, and low expectations. God sees powerful ministry impacting lives. The difference is change.

Good change is a result of revelation. It comes to us when we “get it” about life. Our role in personal change is simply to come to Jesus with a wide-open heart. He takes over from there. Positive change always begins at the cross. We leave everything. Then we receive God’s best.

There are leaders in men’s ministry, intercessory prayer warriors, teachers of children, missionaries and pastors in our midst. Gifted musicians and singers are all around us. Gifts of prophecy, healing and discerning of spirits are waiting to be unwrapped and used. Gender and generational bias is giving way to the will of God, as religiosity is exposed and dealt with. Spiritual sensitivity is fueling a change. Do you feel it coming?

Hearts are hungry for truth. Lives are in a state of confusion. The world is waiting for some answers, looking frantically, one last time, at the church.

Can you spare some change?

by Pastor James Bell

Authentic Christianity is, more than anything else, a reflection of Jesus. This Easter we we were caught up in joyful, exuberant worship. The welcoming of many visitors and the fellowship of our church family was highlighted by a new peak in attendance. We had 701 in our combined (9:00, 10:45 and 2:00) services! I am so thankful for two people who came. It doesn’t matter which two. 701 just sounds better than 699, doesn’t it? What a great weekend it was!

I think many of those who attended Friday evening were surprised at what a powerful move of God we experienced. The videos, the communion service, and the connection of the worship songs to relevant truths about the cross were all a part of a strong presence of the Holy Spirit.

Saturday brought us face to face with more visitors than you might have imagined. So many thank you letters were sent out to families who were experiencing Hosanna for the first time. Many of those families returned to one of our services on Sunday.

“Exuberant” would be one word to describe Sunday’s worship. It seemed like waves of the Holy Spirit were moving across the congregation. Expressions of joyous praise echoed heavenward as everyone was blessed and refreshed.

On behalf of the Elders, Deacons, and staff, I want to say thanks to you. Thanks for coming, thanks for helping, and thanks for bringing your friends to church with you. It was one of the most memorable weekends we have ever had. Glorious worship on Friday night, wide-eyed kids finding multi-colored eggs and having a blast on Saturday morning, and then wonderful Easter services on Sunday.

Oh, and there is one more thing I want to share with you. Why not keep this going? As we begin our new series “The Church and the Kingdom of God”, let’s bring the same anticipation and enthusiasm to every service! The tomb is still empty, Jesus is still alive! All we have to do is bring the same heart for worship. The same Lord will show up with the same power in our services. Are you ready for a continual outpouring of the Spirit? Me too!

He is risen indeed,

Pastor James

Question 1: Was there a time in your life when you ‘wandered”, when you did not fully understand what it meant to be set apart?

Question 2: Can you describe the moment of realization? That time when you suddenly saw things from God’s perspective instead of your own?

Question 3: How did you respond? How did this response change you as an individual?

by Pastor James Bell

Superstitious spirituality… okay, it’s an oxymoron. That is, if you are talking about the Holy Spirit.

John wrote to the church,

1 John 4:1 “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” –

Spiritually superstitious nomads wander across the spiritual landscape of Christianity. They are looking for that miracle…that perfect prophetic word…that definitive outpouring…that will change America. And yet they have a hard time committing to much of anything their local church is doing.

With a far-off look in their weary eyes, they point to this self-proclaimed prophet, or that so-called outpouring. They feel that they are aware of a higher dimension of spirituality than the rest of us, not seeing that they are tragically deceived by a perception that is more superstitious than spiritual. Their spiritual vulnerability makes the mouths of the wolves waiting in the darkness water with anticipation.

I’m talking about good people. They are misguided in their search for more of God. They are frustrated by their failure to “fix” the people they love and care about. They feel overwhelmed by the culture around them that marginalizes Christianity and ridicules the miraculous. They look for an anointed hero who will appear on the horizon and straighten everyone out, with undeniable miracles to back him up. But what they want is their solution, not God’s. They are chasing Saul around while Samuel is quietly anointing David right under their noses, often in their own churches.

The first generation of Christians understood that the church is to work together as a family, as parts of a body. Unfortunately, today’s pseudo-prophetic superstars emerged from the dark side of the charismatic movement, not from the Book of Acts. Even an elementary investigation of New Testament teaching makes it so evident that a Christian is to be an active member of a local church. In fact, most of the New Testament letters open with, “to the church at….” Discipleship is to happen corporately, as we grow together, if it is to be scriptural. Paul wrote,

“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually members one of another.” 1 Cor 12:12

Spiritual growth happens to us individually only as we grow together in the body, the church. To circumvent this and try to accelerate spiritual growth with para-church “events” or sporadic “moves” always leads, sooner or later, to spiritual starvation. Spiritual growth is replaced by superstitious sensationalism. “Words” become all-important, signs are seen in everything, the devil is hiding behind every bush, and the written word of God, as well as common sense, is abandoned. Eventually, lives are wrecked.

What can concerned Christians do to help the spiritually superstitious? First, we need a huge dose of unconditional love. Second, we must pray for authentic revival, a genuine work of the Spirit, that will demonstrate the difference in a real move of God and a farce. Third, let’s stay humble before God and pursue His agenda instead of our own.

Hopefully expectant,

James

by Pastor James Bell

Somewhere in the peaceful meadowlands, between spiritual flights of fantasy and hardcore religious fundamentalism, there lies a treasure. It is the true purpose of God for His church. It has been significantly absent from many church growth seminars, prophetic conferences, and Christian ecumenical movements and events. But it is already being discovered and embraced by many. Could 2010 be the year of spiritual sensibility?

Christianity has always been perceived in a negative light by those who love darkness, and often marginalized by the media, but the last decade has been a tipping point for many Christians. They are sick and tired of being embarrassed by the inane antics of false prophets. They are weary of one moral failure after another by self-proclaimed spiritual leaders. They are fed up with the three-ring circus approach to defining a “move of God”.

On the other hand, faith-filled believers are not ready to capitulate to an alternative that denies the power of the Holy Spirit at work and in the church. They long for the stability of biblical truth, but feel emasculated by an anemic, mostly academic approach to Christianity that many hold responsible for emptying mainline churches across America in the last century.

As we begin 2010, there is a fresh wind of the Spirit blowing across this land! It is erasing cultural prejudice, tearing down denominational fences, and setting free both those in religious bondage and those deceived by charismatic extremism. The big question mark is where, among the religious landscape of the next decade, will these ones who are being set free from either wild-eyed fundamentalism or cold, faithless liberalism put down roots? The miracle to make this year especially significant might be the place where the minds of both groups ultimately meet. Here is a visionary glance at what this place might look like:

• The Bible being simply and clearly taught, replacing both enthusiastic-but-erroneous sermons and trendy, self-esteem raising messages.
• The ordinances of communion and baptism restored as a vital part of worship, presenting these ordinances not as symbolic rites, but as relevant experiences in God’s presence.
• Allowing Jesus to set our agendas and the Holy Spirit to mess up our plans (very popular in the church described in Acts).
• Realizing that spontaneous miracles of healing (physical and inner) happen during worship songs of all genres.
• Plainly spoken (as opposed to vague and rhetorical) prophetic words shared as a part of our worship services in either evangelical or liturgical settings.
• Prayer ministry by Christians to others at work, in our schools, and in relationships in our neighborhoods.
• Seeing Jesus in the faces of the poor, and doing something about it.
• Being effective conduits through which the love of God will flow out from the churches and into the communities, based on the needs of those communities.

More than those emotionally charged “outpourings”, so often concluded by strife or immoral and/or unethical behavior….or “hip and cool” trendy services, where we try (with a spectacular lack of success) to emulate the world and imitate Christ…a real move of God is needed in our land. What if something authentic, powerful, and transformational started right here at Hosanna?

One person’s top five might not be the same as someone else’s.  But practically every Christian you know can relate to hearing these five in some form of communication. Here goes:

Lie#1: The church is full of hypocrites.

Truth: Christians are being saved from the power of sin.
They are not perfect, but they are being perfected. What is hypocritical is your thinking that you’re not in the same boat! (Romans 7:21-25; 1 John 3:2)

Lie #2: Christianity is a good thing, but not to be the top of your priority list.

Truth: Putting Jesus first puts everything else in the proper order.
Is it worth it to have money and be lost for eternity? Is a great family life worth it all if one, or even some of you, end up in hell? (Matthew 10:37-39)

Lie #3: Be your own person. Don’t let people in authority have any say over you.

Truth: This leads to a life of rejection and bitterness.
This is the same lawlessness that got the devil and his angels cast out of heaven and God’s presence (Titus 1:10-11; Titus 1:16).

Lie #4: Be balanced. Not too radical for God, and not too far away from Him either.

Truth: God hates lukewarmness.
It makes Him want to vomit (Revelation 3:16). DO be radical for God. It is the most important cause on earth…with eternal consequences (Philippians 3:8).

Lie #5: Enjoy yourself while you can. Almost everyone has had a “season of sin”.

Truth: Even when the wounds of sin are healed, they leave scars.
Sin is progressive. You can open doors that never again shut. Wounds turn into scars, but the scars often remain in hearts and minds for many years (Romans 6).

What do you do when confronted with these “classic” lies from the father of all liars? Armed with God’s Word and the Spirit of truth that dwells in all believers, we can learn to say “no” to the devil and his attempts to steer is away from the will of God.

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:7, NKJV)

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8, NKJV)