Pastor Scott’s Blog

What Is Our Business?

2012-01-24T21:58:01Z

Business management expert, the late Peter Drucker was once asked, “What is the key to the success of the church in the 21st century?” He responded by saying, “The church of the 21st century needs to answer two questions. First, what is the business of the church? And secondly, “How’s business?” In other words, the church needs to understand what it’s purpose is and then be committed to doing it. To forget our purpose would be tragic.

I want you to read a large portion of a blog from James White that relates to this subject and the church. “Eastman Kodak, a historic blue-chip American company, filed for bankruptcy because it didn’t adapt to the digital age. The irony is that it was Kodak who developed digital photography. How can that be? It’s simple. They didn’t know what business they were in.

DOES THE CHURCH MATTER?

2011-12-05T20:21:00Z

“He pressed them, ‘And how about you? Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter said, ‘You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus came back, ‘God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.” Matthew 16: 16-19 (Mess)

Jesus lets Peter know that upon this profession of faith in Him, He will build His church. That He wants to build a family from every nation who will love Him and love others. That His agenda in the world is to create a family of faith and as His followers you must take this message to the world. (Matthew 28, 18-28, Mark 16: 15, John 20: 21, Acts 1: 8). This church is to be so expansive with energy and power, so favored by God that not even the gates of hell will keep it out. Wow!! This is Jesus church. It is to be vibrant, alive and on mission. The truth is that there is nothing more important to the heart of God than His church and He showed it because Jesus literally laid down His life for His church. The church is the bride of Christ.

What Did He Say?

2011-10-29T03:33:01Z

In the Washington Times, Joel Osteen who is the pastor one of the largest Christian churches in the country was asked about Mitt Romney and if he thought as a Mormon, Romney was a Christian. Osteen basically said that he thought Romney was because of what he heard him say he believed about Jesus and then made two amazing statements. One saying that Mormonism is Christian even though it is not the “purest form” of Christianity like he grew up with and then implied that the disagreement with Mormonism is like the differences between Catholics, Baptists, Pentecostals, Methodists… etc.

For the life of me I cannot understand as a Christian pastor where he is coming from theologically. With all the theological confusion in our culture what he says muddies the water even more and in my view creates some very dangerous confusion.

First of all is Mitt Romney a Christian? I don’t know. I mean according to the Bible a Christian is someone who has admitted and repented of his sin and placed his faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. This is the heart of what is taught in Scripture. (John 3: 16, John 1: 12, Acts 4: 12, John 14: 6, Ephesians 2: 8-9) The truth that Jesus, who is God, is flesh, the second person of the trinity, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, then died on the cross for the sins of the world, was raised from the dead, ascended to be with the father, and one day is coming to judge the word as King of Kings and Lord of Lords is the heart of the Christian faith. Salvation is for those who repent and place their faith in Jesus alone. The truth is God alone knows the heart. So while we can see the fruits of salvation ultimately only God knows the truth about anyone’s salvation.

AWAKENING

2011-10-25T03:01:01Z

In his book, The Kings Cross: The Story of the World in the Life of Jesus author Timothy Keller tells about an interview with Andrew Walls a distinguished historian of world Christianity. Walls noted that where other world religions began, that is still there center today. Islam started in Arabia, at Mecca, and the Middle East is still the center of Islam today. Buddhism started in the Far East and it is still the center of Buddhism. The same with Hinduism—it began in India and it is still predominately an Indian religion.

He goes on to say that Christianity is the exception. It’s center is always moving, always on a pilgrimage. The original center of Christianity was Jerusalem, but when the Hellenistic gentiles embraced the faith it moved to the Hellenistic Mediterranean world- to Alexandria, North Africa and Rome and stayed there for a number of centuries. But then the northern Europeans—Franks and Anglo-Saxons and Celts took hold of the Christian faith and soon the center of Christianity moved to northern Europe. There (and in North America through colonization and immigration) the center has rested for a thousand years, but recently it is shifting again.

Walls points out, “In the twentieth century, Christianity receded in Europe, and North America it just barely kept up with the population growth. Meanwhile in Latin America, Asia and Africa, it has been growing at up to ten times the population growth rate. In the past decade a major corner was turned: More than 50% of Christians in the world now live in the southern hemisphere.”

Cohabitation & Divorce

2011-10-14T00:35:00Z

I came across this article from Focus on the Family and I wanted to share it with you….

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (BP) -- How many computers or cars do you think Toshiba and Toyota would sell if they didn't let you test them out first? Who in their right mind would make a big commitment of purchase without trying it out first?

But don't we do the same with marriage? We ask young people to make one of the biggest commitments of their lives -- rivaled only by their decision to become parents -- without any prior experience of what marriage is actually like.

More than 60 percent of marriages today are preceded by some form of cohabitation. And 75 percent of current cohabitors enter these relationships with some plans toward marriage, even seeing this live-in relationship as a smart move toward marriage. But does the experience of cohabiting teach couples things that help make them better spouses once they do marry? Does cohabitation contribute to stronger, happier marriages?

Unfortunately, it does not. Not even close!

ABSOLUTELY WRONG!!!!

2011-09-27T13:12:00Z

Pat Robertson, founder and chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network, who speaks on "The 700 Club." On Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2011. told viewers of “The 700 Club” on CBN that divorce would be OK in a situation that involves something as terrible as Alzheimer’s. In answering a question of a viewer whose wife suffered with Alzheimer’s said, "I know it sounds cruel but if he's going to do something he should divorce her and start all over again," he said, "[and] make sure she has custodial care and somebody looking after her." The famous evangelist was challenged by his Co-host Terry Meeuwsen, who asked "Isn't that the vow we take when we marry someone, that's for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer?" But Robertson responded, "You said 'till death do us part;' this (suffering from Alzheimer's) is a kind of death.

GETTING READY FOR COLLEGE

2011-08-10T19:37:01Z

As the kids go off to college, I hope parents and college students will read this blog by James White…

According to recent studies, almost half of all American college students will abandon their Christian faith during their undergraduate years.

Half.

The reason why?

It would seem to be far more than simple rebellion against an upbringing, or honest intellectual exploration.

It would seem the school environment itself is the culprit.

WOW!!

2011-08-07T17:12:00Z

First of all let me say that I feel so blessed to be the pastor of Olivet. You are an incredible group of people. I was gone 12 days and our pastors, staff and church family did an amazing job of being on mission for Christ. We saw many people come to Christ and follow in baptism and join our church family. I may need to be gone more often. I am thankful for our church in allowing me to be a part of this great opportunity in Brazil. I don’t know of any place that I would rather be than serving Jesus Christ with you.

Brazil 2011 was an incredible experience. We had a team of about 24 four people from six different churches (five from Olivet) in Oklahoma. We traveled to Porte Alegre and worked in the community of Gravatai. The plan was to divide up our team into groups with several tasks. We all worked together to build a building for the Baptist church in Gravatai, then we worked in groups that were involved in personal evangelism, working in a clinic that provided eye glasses, Vacation Bible School and a soccer clinic through the week. We were also able to preach and share our testimony in several Baptist churches and share in two youth detention centers in the Porte Alegre area.

Religion & Sex Quiz

2011-05-27T14:12:00Z

Religion and Sex Quiz

I wanted to share with you a recent blog written by James Emory White…..

Nicholas Kristof recently wrote an article for the New York Times titled, “Religion and Sex Quiz.” Based on a new book by Jennifer Wright Knust from Boston University, the point was to demonstrate how “murky and inconsistent and prone to being hijacked by ideologues” the Bible can be. Kristof acknowledges “cherry-picking” the questions from a wider quiz, but he wanted to demonstrate that “ambiguity is everywhere.”

Really? Let’s take the quiz, look at the answers given by Knust/Kristof, and then see what the Bible actually says.

Parenting Pitfalls: Friends

2011-05-26T14:10:00Z

PARENTING PITFALLS: FRIENDS

While there are no guarantees when it comes to raising children, I offer these parenting suggestions in an effort to help parents be the best that they can be. The last area of passivity when our children get older is all about friends. It is falling asleep at the wheel when it comes to who our kids hang out with. The bible says “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” (I Corinthians 15:33) That is true for all ages and so is the opposite—that good company strengthens and reinforces good character. As a parent, think of it this way: When your child spends time with another child, it is like letting them go to a movie or watch a video. They are going to hear certain things, be exposed to certain things, be ushered into certain experiences and attitudes, values and circumstances. That is where the analogy breaks down because the impact of their friends is ten-fold the impact of a video or movie.

The truth is kids are incredibly influenced by their peers. As children grow older, particularly into middle school and high school, peers become everything. Now, let me say as a side note, parents of teens don’t give up here and think you have lost your influence because you haven’t. Virtually every study I know of still says you have the greatest influence over you child’s life even if you don’t think so at the time, so stay involved.

PARENTING PITFALLS: PRIVACY

2011-05-19T19:58:00Z

As we continue to look at this subject of parenting, I want to make a disclaimer. I am blessed to be a parent of two awesome kids but I am still definitely a learner when it comes to being the parent of the teens that God has given me. My goal as a parent is to take God’s Word seriously with the goal of my children to not only come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior but to live out His purpose for their lives. So when I share these ideas it comes from things that I have tried as a parent or need to work on as a parent. It also comes from trusted Christian authors I have read over the years. People like James Dobson, Gary Smalley, Charles Swindoll, Josh McDowell, James Emory White and others. So none of these ideas are original with me but I share these articles to help parents along the journey.

So on to the second area of parental passivity which tends to take place when children get a little bit older. It is the issue of privacy. Today it seems that many parents think that privacy is a right of children—a right that they as parents have to grant. Not just privacy itself, but the ability to pursue certain things in private. Such as unsupervised use of computers, TV’s and cell phones. If you as a parent believe that these items should be pursued without parental involvement and supervision, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!

Parenting Pitfalls: Discipline

2011-05-14T19:14:00Z

We looked at the biblical picture of Jacob as a passive parent. Over the next few weeks, I want us to look at some areas where passive parenting tends to reign. The first area is discipline. We tend to be passive with discipline. Particularly, in the early years, where discipline is actually most needed. I understand that there are differences of opinion on how to discipline a child—some think it is fine to spank a child, others think it is best to use things like time-out. I read about a guy who is the father of four teenagers and his vote was for nun chucks (just joking). The question isn’t how you discipline as much as that you consistently discipline.

Last year I read about a mother who went to a family therapist over her 13 year old son who was rebelling in every way imaginable. Out till 2 in the morning, in trouble at school, her son was on a one way course to self-destruction. The therapist asked if she could remember when it all started and she could. It went back to when her son was less than three years old. She carried him into his room one night and put him in his crib, and he spit in her face. She told him not to do that, but he did it again. So she wiped her face off and tried to explain again, but then he spit on her face a third time. She didn’t know what to do, so she just left him there and ran out of the room. He spat on the back of the door as she left. She said that she never had the upper hand with her child after that night. No wonder.

PARENTING PITFALLS

2011-05-06T20:08:00Z

This month we are in a series called “Can you relate?” about relationships. One of the most important relationships that we have in life is the role and relationship of being a parent to our children. I want to take some time this month and look at some parenting pitfalls.

Before we jump in with our first topic, I want to make some observations. Remember, there is nothing that you can do to ensure that your children turn out perfect. Where they will always do the right thing. Where they never make a mistake. Whey they always honor God in every action. Because… they have a free will. They can make choices. So they will give in to temptation. They will fall. A part of your role as a parent is to give them every chance not to. You can attempt to avoid the pitfalls on your end that will lead them to pitfalls on their end. That is what we are going to think about this month. Parenting pitfalls—the mistakes WE make.

IS GOD GLAD THAT BIN LADEN IS DEAD?

2011-05-04T20:05:01Z

This is the question that is on many Christian’s minds, so I though I would share with you a blog written by John Piper. See what you think.

“God's emotions are complex—like yours, only a million times more. Right now, your emotions about bin Laden are not simple, i.e. not single. There are several, and they intermingle. That is a good thing. You are God-like.

In response to Osama bin Laden’s death, quite a few tweets and blogs have cited the biblical truth that “God does not delight in the death of the wicked.” That is true.

It is also true that God does delight in the death of the wicked. There are things about every death that God approves in themselves and things about every death that God disapproves in themselves.

Is God Double-Minded?

This is not double talk. All thoughtful people make such distinctions. For example, if my daughter asks me if I like a movie, I might say yes or no to the same movie. Why? Because a movie can be assessed for its 1) acting, 2) plot, 3) cinematography, 4) nudity, 5) profanity, 6) suspense, 7) complexity, 8) faithfulness to the source, 9) reverence for God, 10) accurate picture of human nature, etc., etc., etc.

So my answer is almost always “yes, in some ways, and no in other ways.” But sometimes I will simply say yes, and sometimes no, because of extenuating circumstances.

A DISCERNING DISCIPLE

2011-04-27T23:12:01Z

In our master-life group there has been a lot of discussion about discipleship and specifically what it means to be a disciple. I just read a blog from a pastor in another state who wrote about how important it is to be a disciple that is able to discern the truth in the culture we live in. This blog by James White is so true I wanted to share it with you:

“The word “disciple” is an interesting one. It is used in four primary ways:

First, it is a generic term referring to a pupil or follower of any teacher or school or religion.

Second, as a name for those who followed Jesus during His life and ministry, and specifically the twelve He handpicked to pour into for leadership.

Third, it is also the term for anyone who chooses to follow Christ. In this sense, all Christ followers are “disciples.”

Finally, it is used as a verb, such as someone being “discipled.” This refers to someone being mentored into the life of discipleship.

But what does this word mean?