Wilderness Call

Drink Deep

2011-08-03T19:17:00.001-04:00

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13 NIV84)

This past Sunday, I shared that I enjoy coffee shops. It's funny - I am not a coffee drinker, I prefer tea. I also shared that when I go home, my daughter, Jessica Allie, always knows when I've been in a coffee shop. The aroma of coffee saturates my clothes and skin. When I entered the shop, smelling like coffee wasn't my goal. My goal was to slow down and enjoy a good cup of green tea. The aroma was simply a by-product.

I think this is a great analogy of what happens when we spend time "being with" Christ. While our goal is to experience His love and to love Him, somehow we end up with His aroma (presence) saturating our whole being, so much so that others begin to notice.

Will

Proclaim the Gospel

2010-07-29T10:45:00.001-04:00

Philippians 1:27-30 (NASB95):

27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
28 in no way alarmed by your opponents-which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.
29 For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
30 experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

I love sharing the Gospel. I get excited when I know someone has come to know the Lord as Savior. But there are times when I become a little hesitant and look for an excuse not to witness. Usually, in those times, it has nothing to do with the other person. I'm sad to say that it's, in those times, about me. Will I be rejected? Will I be misunderstood? Could I anger someone and they want to harm me physically?

Paul wasn't overly concerned with his welfare. He was willing to go to jail, be rejected, and beaten so that the Gospel would be known. Why? I believe he cared enough for others to risk his life to share the Gospel with them. And he valued obedience to Christ more than comfort.

My prayer is that we, modern day believers, will love so deeply that we are willing to boldly share the Gospel even if it becomes dangerous.

Have a great week.

Will

Great Message

2010-02-17T18:19:00.001-05:00

Matthew 28:19-20 (NASB95)
19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

This past Sunday we heard from missionary and author, Don Richardson. I found his testimony and simple faith in God’s ability to lead him encouraging and challenging at the same time. Somehow, with his words, he carried us on a mission trip to China, India, and finally New Guinea. As I listened to him recount how God led him, his wife and infant son to the Sawi people of New Guinea, a warrior cannibalistic tribe, I longed to experience the same…well at least at that moment. But I was challenged to “go” - to make sure that I’m trusting God daily to lead me to share the Gospel with someone who doesn’t know Him. Three days later and I’m still carrying that message in my heart.

We may not be called to China, but we are called. We have a mission field – the office, PTA, recreation league, or home. We are called. So let’s follow Don’s example and pray that God will give us wisdom on how to present the Gospel.

Will Dungee

Shepherding Pastor

From Commandment to Intimacy

2009-10-21T19:13:00.001-04:00

Deuteronomy 5:6-10 (NASB95)
6 'I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
7 'You shall have no other gods before Me.
8 'You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.
9 'You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,
10 but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

When I was younger I use to get hung up on this passage. I got God's statement "You shall have no other gods before me." But I didn't get "for I, the Lord your God am a Jealous God".
It wasn't until I was married that I saw the intimacy of that statement. God was saying to Israel, "I love you and you are mine; there should be no other between us." They were set apart for Him.

In the New Testament followers of Jesus are called the Bride of Christ. We are intimately His and He is ours. This relationship is sacred and holy.

God opened the Ten Commandments with a reminder to Israel that they were in relationship with Him. His call for them to live differently than the other nations was not a list of do and don'ts, but a call to intimacy with Him.
Today God is still calling us to live in a sacred union with Him through Christ. And this love relationship compels us to live differently than the world around us.

Will Dungee

Wednesday Check-In: Devoted to Prayer

2009-09-02T17:11:00.001-04:00

“Focus…focus….focus!” Those are the words I heard a father telling his daughter the other day. I laughed when I heard it because I used to say that to my daughter. My daughter, Jessica Allie, is an artsy, creative, girly girl. She loves everything about the arts: lines, circles, paint, canvas, music, lights, and dance. She is also a girl who at age six actually notices every shoe other women are wearing (I know, pray for me). As you can imagine, the combination of artsy and girly girl screams easily distracted.

Recently, I realized that I am easily distracted when it comes to prayer. That is why the message on Sunday convicted me so.

Paul encouraged the Christ-followers at Colossae to devote themselves to prayer. In other words, be intentionally focused on prayer, to give yourself to it.

Colossians 4:2-4 (NASB95)
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;
4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

In order to be devoted to prayer, we must understand what distracts us. For some it will be a trouble-free season in their life. Yes, a trouble-free life can become a distraction. For others it could be that a life of hardship is distracting. You see, I think it is possible to be so focused on our woes that we forget to give them to God in prayer. On the other hand, we can have no worries and forget to pray. For me I am distracted by busyness. I think that is why Luke 5:16 really speaks to me, "But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray."

What distracts you from being intentionally devoted to prayer? Is it one of the examples I have given or is it something else?

As my daughter grows I am noticing amazing focus in everything she does, whether it is in school or creating one of her beautiful drawings. So let us yield to Christ and resist the things which distract us so that we can give ourselves to prayer.

Your brother in Christ,

Will Dungee

Sunday’s Comin

2009-08-28T16:24:00.001-04:00

Thank you

On September 1st, Bill and Joann will be back from sabbatical. I have truly missed their presence here as I'm sure you have also. This Sunday's sermon will be the last one I will give this summer. I hope that the Colossians series has encouraged and challenged you.

Thank you for the love and support you have given to me and my family. We are so appreciative of you. It has been a blessing to serve you through preaching, and in many ways I feel more connected to you; I hope you feel the same.

What's next?

I am looking forward to focusing on my area of ministry here at Grace. I have many projects on my "to do" list that I am looking forward to working on, such as: improving church communications, continuing to lead the staff team in a unified purpose, and leadership development through intentional discipleship.

This Sunday
This Sunday we will look at Colossians 4:2-9. The topic is praying for an open door to share Christ. Paul's desire to get out of jail wasn't just so he would experience common, everyday freedom. It was so he might preach the gospel. A lot of times when I pray, I am praying that I will be released from a circumstance and the prayer pretty much stops there. Do you see the difference? We are to look for opportunities to share the Gospel and if there's a closed door, PRAY! Pray that God might open the door and that you would have an opportunity to boldly share Christ.

Colossians 4:2-9 (New American Standard Bible):
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have alsobeen imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. As to all my affairs, Tychicus, ourbeloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he mayencourage your hearts; and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here.

2009-08-20T18:24:00.000-04:00

I appologize for the delay in sending Wednesday Check-in out. Our servers were down. I appreciate your patience.- Thank you

I'm having one of those days! You know the kind of day which is filled with long meetings, intense and sometimes emotional discussions, and tons of paper work. And it doesn't help that Wednesdays are usually my long day anyway. Some Wednesdays I start my first meeting at 6:30 AM and end work between 9 or 10 PM.

I know you know about these kinds of work days. We all have them some time or another. I haven't found a scripture that states we are immune to rough days; they will come from time to time.

We may not have control over our days, but we do have control over our reactions to hard day.
Sunday we were reminded that God is concerned about how we treat others in the work place. Sometimes we are tempted to allow stressful days to cause us to treat co-workers harshly. Resist the temptation! God calls us to extend love, and compassion to others at all times.

As employees we need to be very careful that a stressful work environment doesn't cause us to have an "I don't care" attitude. We care! We care because we are working as unto God and not man. Employers be careful also; never allow your frustrations to cause you to treat those who work for you unjustly, remembering that God is boss over you.

The work place is a great mission field, whether employee or employer, let the light of Christ shine through you.

Will Dungee

Sunday's Comin': Grace at Work

2009-08-14T16:23:00.001-04:00

God is not only concerned about how we are treated by others; He is also concerned about how we treat other people. The work place is a great mission field and how we work and respond to others is a powerful means of witnessing. So, in the work place, what kind of worker or boss are you?

In Colossians 3:22-4:1 Paul continues his teaching on relationships by calling our attention to the Boss - Worker relationship. These relationships have the ability to be filled with manipulation and deceit, but we have learned we are to live differently as believers. We live unto Christ, submitted to His principals.

So Paul challenges the Christian worker to give his best service and to do it as unto God and not the boss. And to the believer in authority, Paul reminds him to treat those under him with justice and fairness, remembering that God is in authority over him.

Join us this Sunday as we talk about Grace at Work.
Will Dungee

Wednesday Check-In

2009-08-12T14:46:00.001-04:00

Below is an excerpt from John Piper’s Sermon, Fathers Who Give Hope, preached June 15, 1986.

1. "Lest They Become Discouraged"

Let's go to the text and begin with the last phrase of Colossians 3:21, "Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged."

The goal of a good father is to rear children who are not discouraged. The word implies losing heart, being listless, spiritless, disinterested, moody, sullen, with a kind of blank resignation toward life. Don't be the kind of father who rears that kind of person. Instead develop a style of fatherhood that produces the opposite of discouragement.

The Opposite of Discouragement

Now what is that? I would sum it up in three characteristics.

The opposite of being discouraged is being hopeful.
The opposite of being discouraged is being happy.
The opposite of being discouraged is being confident and courageous.

So I would say that the negative form of verse 21 really implies a positive command as well. It says, "Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged." But it means not only avoid one kind of fatherhood; it also means pursue another kind, namely, the kind of fatherhood which gives hope instead of discouragement; and gives happiness instead of discouragement; and gives confidence and courage.

Distinctly Christian Teaching

If we stopped right here, we would not have said anything distinctly Christian. There is not one parent in ten thousand who thinks that the aim of parenthood should be to discourage children. But the apostle Paul would be distressed if all I did were to use his words here simply to express some everyday common sense, or some natural wisdom. He was not inspired by the Holy Spirit to confirm the insights of Dr. Spock. He was inspired to teach parents things that no natural eye has seen and no natural ear has heard (1 Corinthians 2:9–13).

Here is what I mean. Paul's teaching makes it clear that when he says we should be fathers who give hope instead of discouragement, he means hope in GOD, not hope in money or hope in popularity or hope in education or hope in a spouse or hope in professional success. If you had asked Paul, or Jesus, "What kind of freedom from discouragement do you want our children to have?" he would not have said, "I want your children to be freed from discouragement by being filled with hope that they will become wealthy . . . or well-known, or intellectual, or married, or successful." We know that is not what he means. He means, be the kind of fathers who do not discourage your children but rather fill them with hope in God.

Happiness That Kills and Happiness in God

And when we consider happiness as the opposite of discouragement, Paul would not be content if a father simply made his child feel good by giving him whatever he wanted. There is a happiness that kills. To some kinds of happiness the Scripture says, "Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to dejection" (James 4:9). There is a happiness that has nothing to do with God, and therefore has no value in the sight of God. It comes from the creation alone and not from the Creator. That isn't what Paul wants fathers to put in the place of discouragement.

But there is another joy that comes to expression, for example, in Psalm 4:7–8,

Thou hast put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for thou alone, O lord, makest me dwell in safety.

Fathers, don't discourage your children, but fill them with joy in God! Teach them early on—and show them earlier yet—that through many sufferings they must enter the kingdom (Acts 14:22), but that they can rejoice in sufferings, knowing that "suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope"—IN GOD (Romans 5:3–4). Don't discourage them. Make them happy in God by helping them to hope in God.

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org

Sunday's Comin': Family Matters part 2

2009-08-07T14:37:00.001-04:00

Colossians 3:18-21
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.
Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.

This is a passage of scripture which has caused much controversy and arguments among Christians. This and other passages like it have become war zones in the battle of the sexes.

I believe that much of the discord surrounding Colossians 3:18-21 is motivated by how we view Paul's statements. I am concerned that we are focusing and demanding our family members to respond to us based on these scriptures to the point that we become blinded to our own disobedience.

Examples:

1. A husband who feels that his wife won't submit might withhold love and become harsh and abrasive towards her.

2. A child who feels that her parents are unreasonably strict might decide to disobey them.

3. A wife who is fed up with her husbands reckless and hurtful speech might decide to withhold respect for him.

The problem with these responses is that they are not the responses that God calls us to give. God simply says wives submit, husbands love, fathers don't provoke, and children obey.

But it is difficult to do those things when we are spending our time demanding other family members to live that way first.

I am not suggesting that we are not to hold others accountable. I am saying that regardless of how others live (even in the family), we are to submit to Christ's way.

Join us Sunday as we take the spot light off our family members and place it on ourselves...ouch and praise God :)

Will

Wednesday Check-in

2009-08-05T16:19:00.001-04:00

On Sunday, I’d just finished preaching and was in the hall greeting people when a dear friend stopped me, looked me in the eyes, and said, “Will, I hate you.” I knew he that he was joking and that the message had convicted him. I simply smiled and said, “I hate me too”. After all, it had convicted me also.

So where do we go from here? How do we move from a self-centered purpose in the home to a Christ-centered one? Purposefully meditating… thinking about the word of God helps us to change our self-focus to one that looks to and exalts Christ.

I want to challenge you this week to read and purposefully think about Colossians 3:12-17 throughout each day. The word of God is powerful in bringing about transformation in our lives.

Colossians 3:12-17 (NASB95)
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Have a great week,

Will

Sunday’s Comin’: Family Matters

2009-07-31T12:19:00.002-04:00

Colossians 3:18-21 (NASB95)
18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.
20 Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.

If you turn on the TV and start surfing channels, it won’t be long before you come across a reality show: Big Brother, Survival, the Real World, Flavor of Love (every time I think of that one I want to throw up), The Bachelor and the list goes on. I think most of these reveal to us just how godless and relationally bankrupted we are as a society.

Yet, I can’t help but wonder what you would see if cameras were set up in my household. I’m not talking about during the first few weeks. No, I’m talking a month or two out when I have forgotten that the cameras are running. Would you see sarcasm? Selfishness? Disconnectedness? Or would you see a man who is striving to live a Christ-centered life in front of his wife and children?

The next two Sundays should be interesting. We will continue our study, Grace in Community, by looking at the family. Paul sets guidelines for each member of the family: wives be subject; husbands/ fathers love and don’t be bitter or provoke; children obey. It is easy to look at Colossians 3:18-21 and believe that we can center on these things only and have a great family. I believe it is impossible to achieve without the foundation Paul established in the previous verses.

He tells us that “We have put on the new self” which means we are submitted to God and His ways. Therefore, we have put on:

A. A heart of compassion

B. Kindness

C. Humility

D. Gentleness

E. Patience (long suffering)

F. We are forgiving

G. We are loving

These virtues should not only be displayed in activities outside the home, such as small groups, on Sunday mornings, in the grocery store, at sporting events, etc, but they are to be seen in the home also. We have put on the new self and we don’t have the privilege of taking it off when we go home.

Join us Sunday as we talk about Grace in Community: Family Matters

Will Dungee

Sunday’s Comin’

2009-07-24T13:52:00.001-04:00

As you know, this summer I've been preaching three Sundays a month and taking the fourth one off. This has given several of the other pastors on staff here the opportunity to preach. We are blessed to have a staff with so many capable and gifted speakers! This Sunday, Ansel Talbert, who heads up our middle school program, will be preaching. I'm looking forward to hearing him and seeing all of you as well.
Have a great weekend,

Will Dungee

Read below for a little preview of what Ansel is going to share with us:
For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn-fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.
For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it-though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. 2 Corinthians 7: 5-11

I was talking with my brother yesterday when we ventured into “bright” ideas we had while growing up together. There were things we did that really have no explanation, and honestly were downright shameful. Some of those moments of shame really caused a feeling of weight or heaviness that, when we were younger, we couldn't seem to explain or shake.

Let me give you an example. When I was 6 and my brother was 4, I told him that if I dropped a log on his barefooted big toe that it would blow up like it does in Looney Tunes cartoons. He, being the younger impressionable one that wants to be just like big brother Ansel because big brother Ansel wouldn't drop a log on his toe if he hadn't already been through this hazing process, obliged to my request. To make a short story shorter, his toe did swell up and bleed and he cried and bigger footsteps started heading my way. But there was something that happened in me that I realized for the first time...the moment I let loose the log torpedo and it made a direct hit, I had this intense feeling of Why did I just do that!? That's my brother! Whom I love! Why!?! I couldn't shake that feeling of absolute grief and regret. I didn't know what to do with this new feeling. I just cried, which made it harder to lie when dad came around the corner.

So, let me ask you, “What do you do with this feeling of grief, or regret?” Because it still happens to everyone today. I'm 28 and there are still times where I ask myself, “Why did I just do that? Why?”

This Sunday we'll talk about grieving. How real, hard, makes-you-cry-sometimes grieving can be done well when we hold tightly to the grace of God in Christ.
See you on Sunday,

Ansel Talbert

Wednesday Check-In

2009-07-22T17:11:00.001-04:00

Today's Wednesday Check- In is more of a word of encouragement than anything else. I have been blessed by people's desire to live in community through Christ-centered relationships. Communities which challenge them to grow in their dependence on Christ, marked by a life of obedience to scripture.

One of the ways to achieve this is to intentionally let the words of Christ dwell richly in our midst, teaching and admonishing one another. God's word is powerful and when we hold one another accountable to it, growth in Christ happens.

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Will Dungee

Fruit will come, hang in there!

2009-07-20T16:32:00.001-04:00

Colossians 3:17 states that whatever we do or say, it is to be done in Jesus' name. In other words, it is all about Christ. We choose to live in godly community because of Christ. We live compassionately and lovingly because of Christ.

Below is a post from Marshall Benbow, Outreach Director here at Grace. He reminds us to rest in Christ. If you'd like to read more from Marshall, visit his blog at Joy in the Margins

Six weeks ago I preached on John 15, the parable of the vine and the branches (click here to listen/download). For my sermon I used a live tomato plant and an artificial Christmas tree, and I urged us to abide in Christ, in His life, and that if we did, fruit would come.

And then I took my tomato plant home and I waited and watched... and waited.... and watched.... as it bore flower after flower, but no fruit. I watered it. It was planted in good soil. But no fruit. Finally, in desperation, I went ahead and hung it upside down from our front porch, because I had planted it in a bucket for that very reason. More weeks went by, and still no fruit – flowers yes, but no tomatoes.

But this week ….. fruit! Small, barely able to be called tomatoes, but still, fruit! And I think that there is more to come.

Some of you may be struggling to see Spirit fruit in your life. You’ve been doing your best to rest in Christ, to trust Him as your life, but there’s nothing to show for it. Hang in there. Remain in Christ, and fruit will come.

You may feel like you have been doing everything in your power to remain, but life is just getting more and more away from you, that your world has been turned upside down. Hang in there, and remember - it took turning upside down for my tomato plant to bear fruit, too.

Remain in Christ, and you will bear fruit.

Marshall Benbow

Sunday’s Comin’

2009-07-17T16:26:00.001-04:00

Last night was my small group's meeting night and my wife planned for us to meet at Center Park downtown. I was exhausted from a hard day…actually a hard week and really wasn't longing to hang out. Don't tell the people in my small group, but my introvert nature was crying out for me to just go home and sit. But I couldn't - we have a commitment. So somewhere close to 6:15 pm I headed toward downtown.

Have you ever had a day when you felt like you just couldn't do community, maybe a week…month…or year? When I look at Colossians 3, I notice that Paul is instructing the Colossians on how to live in community through godly relationships. The assumption which he seems to be making is that we are to be in community. So, he lays out these guidelines to help us:

1. Be compassionate
2. Be kind
3. Be a person of humility
4. Be gentle
5. Be a person who forgives
6. Be loving

The truth is that unless you become a hermit who lives in a cave high on a mountain, you will be in community in some way or another. There isn't anything wrong with having some alone time, but we are not to live there. We need each other; God set it up that way.

So, I drug myself to meet my small group, but something happened when I got around them. I became joyful and the weights I was carrying seemed to fall off. There is something about being in a loving God-centered community. Paul encouraged the Colossians to let the words of Christ dwell in them richly (Colossians 3:16). What happened last night is that I was a part of a community where God's word is exalted and dwells richly in the midst.

When we choose not to pursue godly community, we miss out. God delights in believers teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in our hearts to God.

If I had just gone home I would have missed out on a blessing. So, pursue godly community where God and His word are exalted. You will be blessed.

This Sunday we will continue to talk about Grace in Community, focusing on Colossians 3:16, 17.

Will Dungee

Living in Community

2009-07-16T16:03:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone, I hope you are doing well. Today I’ve linked a blog post entitled, Cavities and Community, from Josh Patterson from the Village Church.

As you read it keep in mind Colossians 3:1-17.

Colossians 3:1-17 (NIV)
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Will Dungee

Wednesday Check-In

2009-07-15T18:03:00.001-04:00

Colossians 3:11-17 (NIV)
11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

How have you been doing this week with putting on the new self? We are called to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love. We are also to let peace rule in our hearts and allow the word of Christ to dwell richly in our midst. But why do we do this? What is our motivation? Do we do it because we want people to see how Christ-like we are? Or do we do these things in hope that it will change a friend or family member? If we are not careful, we can do godly things for the wrong reasons.

Our motivation is Christ. Whatever we say or do, it is done in His name. Another way of saying this is on His behalf. Colossians 3:11-17 is summed up in a way that covers every aspect of life. Every activity is to be done in obedience to the Lord Jesus and is to be accompanied by the giving of thanks to God the Father through him.^{^[1]} All that we say and do should be associated with the name of Jesus Christ. By our words and our works, we should glorify His name. If we permit anything into our lives that cannot be associated with the name of Jesus, then we are sinning. We must do and say everything on the authority of His name and for the honor of His name.^{^[2]}

We live having put on the new self so that Christ may be exalted.

Will Dungee

^{^[1]}Carson, D. A. (1994). New Bible commentary : 21st century edition. Rev. ed. of: The new Bible commentary. 3rd ed. / edited by D. Guthrie, J.A. Motyer. 1970. (4th ed.) (Col 3:12). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill., USA: Inter-Varsity Press.

^{^[2]}Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt. (Col 3:17). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.

Live Intentionally Covered With The New Self.

2009-07-13T14:20:00.001-04:00

Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Today’s devotion is just a reminder to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love.

This is a continual process…We don’t live this way over night. Understand that it takes intentionality and the transforming work of God’s Spirit.

Will Dungee

Sunday’s Coming: Grace in Community

2009-07-10T13:33:00.001-04:00

This Sunday, I will begin a new series, Grace in Community, which will carry us through the rest of the summer in the book of Colossians.

I've tried to think of some clever message for you today to excite you about the idea of being a church that lives in community, but the truth of the matter is, relationships are messy and hard. Yet God calls us the body of Christ. He expects us to not only be nice to one another, but to be one in Him. His will for us is that we are intentionally compassionate and kind to each other. We are to give others the gifts of humility, gentleness, and patience. While keeping in mind that He has forgiven us, we then gladly extend forgiveness to others.

As I write this I keep thinking about the TV show, Dirty Jobs. I always wonder why anyone would sign up for some of those jobs. I keep thinking one day I will hear someone confess, “ I didn't sign up for this dirty job, it was a court order. This is my sentence.” The world could ask us the same question, why do we live the way we do? Even though there is great gain in submitting to God's plan by living this way, that isn't why we do it. That isn't our focus. We live in this way simple because it is God's desire.

So join us this Sunday as we take a real look at living in community, God's way.

Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Dressed for Success

2009-07-09T16:15:00.001-04:00

Colossians 3:11-14 (NIV)
11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Last weekend, my family and I were invited to a friend’s house for a fourth of July celebration. We had a great time and had the opportunity to meet other families who were also invited.

During dinner, one of the mothers began to share a recent challenge she had with her oldest daughter concerning clothes. I hear that this is a touchy topic in many household where there is a 13 year old teenage girl. As you probably guessed, the teen wanted to wear an outfit that the mom didn’t agree with her wearing. The teen changed clothes and went to school only to change into the other outfit when she was out of her mom’s sight. She would have gotten away with it, but she forgot to change back before she got home.

I loved hearing how this mother addressed her daughter’s disobedience. As she shared, I was struck by something she said, “Clothes are so important to young girls”. I can’t help but think about the above passage.

Paul was telling the Colossian church that the character you wear is important. He challenged them to take off the old self, but put on the new self. He was challenging them to clothe themselves differently.

What Not to Wear

We are to take off all evil practices: anger, wrath, malice, slander, perverted and abusive speech, lying, sexual immorality, lust, and greed. Colossians 3:5-9. We are not to practice these things. We are to discard them like old dirty, worn clothing.

What to Wear

We are to now dress in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, forgiveness. This beautiful garment is held together by love. Colossians 3:12-14. This is our uniform. This isn’t something that we put on when we think others are watching. We wear the clothes of godly character at all times.

Will Dungee

Wednesday Check-In:

2009-07-08T16:43:00.002-04:00

Image via Wikipedia

I have enjoyed talking to some of you about last Sunday's sermon. I've been really blessed by people's realness, sharing that it has been hard to stop sinful ways. They want to stop, but lack the knowledge on how to stop.
It is good to know that Paul struggled with the same thing Look at his words to the Roman Christians, “So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can't. I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don't want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life-that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God's law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.” (Romans 7:14-25, NLT)
Paul struggled like us. He even cried out, Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? I've seen people who love God, but are miserable because of the sin in their life and rightly so. Yet they can't seem to break the sinful cycle.
God's word is God's word…He means what he commands. We are to lay aside our old ways. There is no one without excuse. No one can say, he doesn't mean me.
So, is there an answer? Yes! Paul goes on to say, “Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” He knew that he could place his life, his whole life, into Jesus' care. Jesus is able to change our ways. Let's look to Him.

Will Dungee

Last Sunday, I talked about the clip, “Stop It”, from Mad TV. It stars Bob Newhart and Mo Collins. It is great for a laugh. Enjoy.

Put on the New Self: Making a Change

2009-07-07T16:02:00.002-04:00

Colossians 3:5-10 (NIV)
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Today, a large portion of the world is watching the memorial service for Michael Jackson, the king of pop. Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, blogs and other social networking sites are alive with short messages, detailing the wide range of ever-changing emotions. Truly, Michael’s death has impacted the world. Michael Jackson, a man of great talent and ambition who never seemed to really be comfortable in his own skin, has the world saying good bye.

As I mentioned, Michael didn’t seem at peace with who he was when the music stopped. He seemed to desire to be something different…someone different. How many times have we looked at our lives and said, “I don’t like what I have done, or become”? I believe that is why so many can identify with his song, Man in the Mirror.

I'm starting with the man in the mirror,

I'm asking him to change his ways…

I'm gonna make a change;

For once in my life, it's gonna feel real good,

Gonna make a difference,

Gonna make it right.

The challenge is that a change doesn’t start by looking at me…It begins with beholding God; seeing His righteousness, mercy, truth, compassion and love. As we look at Christ, we, then and only then, realize that we need to change and that we cannot bring it to pass. Through Christ’s redemptive work, we can put off the old self and put on the new self. So let’s not start with the man in the mirror, let’s start with the Creator of the man and the mirror.

Will Dungee

Sunday’s Comin’: Independence through Dependence

2009-07-02T18:00:00.000-04:00

Normally I would post this on Friday, but due to the holiday I decided to post it a day early.

Colossians 3:5-10 (NIV)
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

This weekend, we will celebrate our independence from Great Britain with cookouts, parties, and fireworks. We will laugh, watch kids play, eat hot dogs, and enjoy the company of family and friends.

Independence is a great thing. To be free from whatever of whoever bound us is cause for celebration.

We, as Christians, should also celebrate our independence; not yearly, but daily. Because of Christ, we experience a wonderful freedom. We are free from the bondage of sin, But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:17-18, NASB95).

Paul was sharing with the Colossian church that they are free from lying, idolatry, rage, perverted language and so on.

But how do we live this truth out in our lives? We must remember that our independence from sin comes from our dependence on Christ.

This weekend, as you celebrate our national independence, take time to also celebrate your spiritual dependence on Christ and His work.

Will Dungee

Wednesday Check-In: Eyes Fixed on Christ

2009-07-01T12:03:00.001-04:00

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

On Sunday, Davy preached a powerful sermon from Hebrews 12:1-3. He did a wonderful job of using illustrations and word pictures to help us understand the truth in these passages.

The thing that stuck with me was the reminder that we are to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. By fixing our eyes on Christ we are able to throw off everything that hinders and avoid the sin that entangles us.

Paul likened our Christian walk to a race; there are things that can slow us down and ensnare us. But just as a runner fixes her eyes on the finish line we are to fix our eyes on Christ. By doing so, we are able to avoid obstacles which would cause us to stumble and fall.

Let's Look Upward: living our lives with our eyes fixed on Christ.

Will Dungee

This Week

2009-06-30T08:23:00.001-04:00

I wanted to let you know that I will not be posting a daily devotional this week. I will, however, resume next Monday.

I will post the Wednesday Check-In and Sunday’s Comin’ updates, though, so look for those on their regularly scheduled days of Wednesday and Friday.

Visit our website www.gracecommunitychurch.org to hear the sermon preached by Davy Parsons our Youth Pastor. He preached on Running the Race, Hebrew 12:1-3.

Will Dungee

Sunday’s Comin’

2009-06-26T13:18:00.001-04:00

This Sunday, Davy Parsons, who heads up our youth ministry, will be presenting the word. Here's a little glimpse into what Davy will be sharing with us:

Have you ever found yourself in a rut with God, feeling like your tank is empty and you have lost the energy to keep going? Has the passion faded and your feet stopped moving in the direction God has called you? Have doubts crept in where the promises of God previously resided? Well, Sunday is coming!!

Join us this Sunday for a time of refreshing and a call to finish the race to which God has called you. There is more for you - God is not finished with you yet, so stand up and run the great race in Christ.
Hope to see you Sunday,
Davy

Look Upward: Let Go Part 2 (Quick Fixes and Easy Answers…Not)

2009-06-25T11:25:00.001-04:00

Colossians 3:1-2 (NASB95)
1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

Romans 12:1-2 (NASB95)
1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

I am aware that we live in a society that resists anything connected to a process. We believe that we can fix our lives and that it will be quick. We also believe that we have the answers and that they are easy.

But the truth is, we don’t have the answers…we don’t even know the question. And our quick fixes are like placing a band aid on cancer.

As I’ve stated in other posts, we are to surrender to God. I’ve had some people tell me this isn’t a simple thing. They are right. It is a struggle to let go of our ways and surrender to God’s, but it is possible.

The key to this transformation is to set our gaze on God, “keep seeking those things that are above”. This is a process. No microwave transformations here. Think of the process as a home-cooked dinner. It takes time to select the ingredients, preheat the oven, and blend all the ingredients into a savory dish. The process is slow, but how good it is.

Wednesday Check-In

2009-06-24T15:39:00.001-04:00

Romans 12:1-2 (NASB95)
1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

In 1974, Burger King came out with the slogan, Have It Your Way. As many of you know, it was a very successful campaign, not because it spoke to our need for a burger done just the way we want it. This was much deeper. It spoke to our belief that life should be about me. After all, I deserve it.

So, should life be about us, our desires, our agenda, etc? Scripture tells us that as believers, our lives are committed to God. So, instead of having our way, we surrender to God's way, which means we are to renew our minds by taking God's thoughts and plans - His ways. So be encouraged. When you study the Word of God to live, you are seeking those things that are above.

Look Upward: Letting Go Part 1

2009-06-23T11:46:00.002-04:00

Image by G a r r y via Flickr

Luke 5:1-11 (NASB95)
1 Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret;
2 and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets.
3 And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat.
4 When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.”
6 When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break;
7 so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink.
8 But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!”
9 For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken;
10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.”
11 When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.

Simon Peter, James, and John were fishermen. They knew the ends and outs of their trade. They knew when and where to cast their nets for a harvest of fish. But we see in verse 5 that Peter said to Jesus “we worked hard all night and caught nothing”.

Simon Peter’s statement was a response to Jesus’ request, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch”. Simon could have taken that time to tell Jesus why his suggestion wouldn’t work, but instead, this accomplished commercial fisherman simply said, “But I will do as You say…”

That is a great picture of surrendering what we think we know for what He does know. Being Christ-centered is to simple say to Him, “I will do as you say.”

Look Upward

2009-06-22T12:24:00.001-04:00

Image by ViaMoi via Flickr

Paul, in this passage, challenges the Colossians, “If you have been raised”, seek to live differently. He goes on to say, “Set your mind on the things above”. We are to set our desires and thoughts on Christ. As I said on Sunday, we are to be Christ-centered. We are not to continue to seek our own agenda, but we are to submit to God’s plans.

So, let’s remember today to set our mind on things above.

Matt Chandler - Irreverent, Silly Myths

2009-06-20T11:57:00.002-04:00

2009 Full message @: http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1620_shepherds_and_unregenerate_sheep/

Matt Chandler video clip

2009-06-20T05:50:00.000-04:00

Sunday’s Comin’

2009-06-19T05:50:00.000-04:00

Colossians 3:1-2 (NASB95)
1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

I’m sure you have heard the term, “so heavenly mind; no earthly good.” Is that possible? Is it possible to be so engrossed in the things of God that it renders you useless in ordinary daily activities?

Paul instructed the Colossians to set their minds on things above and not on things on the earth. What did he mean? How can we do that?

Join us this Sunday as we take a deep look at the answers to these questions.

Will

Free From Legalism

2009-06-18T06:17:00.002-04:00

Colossians 2:20-23 (NASB95)
20 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as,
21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”
22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men?
23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

Colossians 2:20-23 states that in Christ we are free from legalistic practices. I describe legalism as commands that are not God-ordained, but man-generated in an attempt to achieve a spiritual goal. In other words, they are practices that are outside of scripture, but lifted up as “a must” in one’s spiritual walk.

An example would be a group of people who believe that if you are to worship God, you must do so in a suit or dress. On the other side are those who believe that, in order to be real and authentic with God, you must dress down. The truth of the matter is that neither are things outlined in scripture as a means for spiritual growth.

Paul reminded the Colossian believers that if they were in Christ, they were free from legalism.

The Word of God is clear on how we as believers are to live, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NASB95) We live our lives following scriptures. We are held accountable and hold our brothers and sisters accountable to the Word of God. We are never to require people to live by man-made decrees as a path to holiness.

Enjoy a life of freedom based on the Word of God.

Wednesday Check-In

2009-06-17T05:53:00.001-04:00

Colossians 2:15 (NASB95)
15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

Below is an excerpt from John Piper’s 1997 sermon, “Buried and Raised in Baptism Through Faith”

The second enemy defeated was the host of evil spiritual beings : the devil and his forces. Verse 15: "When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him." It's true that we must still "wrestle with principalities and powers" (Ephesians 6:12), but if we wrestle in the power of Christ and his shed blood, they are as good as defeated, because the blow he struck was lethal. Revelation 12:11 says that believers "overcame [the devil] because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death." We must fight. But the battle belongs to the Lord and the decisive blow has been struck at Calvary. Satan cannot destroy us.

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org

Alive In Christ Part 2

2009-06-16T16:40:00.001-04:00

Colossians 2:13-15 (NASB95)
13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,
14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

Dead In Sin

We were once dead. I think this is a hard concept for the modern day world to grasp. They look at their fleshly accomplishments and pursuits and ask, "How can I be dead? This is nonsense. I feel, I desire, I get." they might say. But in actuality, because of sin, they are dead to God. "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest." (Ephesians 2:1-3, NASB95)

Made Alive

Christ destroyed sin’s claim on us through his death and resurrection. To be alive in Christ is to be set free from the debt and the power of sin. Christ has made us alive in Him; we have died to sin and have become alive to God. "For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin." (Romans 6:5-7, NASB95)

Live in Freedom

Satan has lost his authority over us…"When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him." (Colossians 2:15, NASB95) Christ has defeated him. So live, knowing that we were dead in our sins, but have been made alive to God in Christ.

Alive In Christ Part 1

2009-06-15T13:21:00.001-04:00

Colossians 2:13 (NASB95):
13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,

“I feel so alive.” I am sure you’ve heard someone say that phase. Maybe you’ve said it before. We usually use it when we are experiencing something we enjoy… a relationship, vacation, career, etc. The phase has more to do with feelings than anything else. We don’t mean that we were actually dead and a relationship or vacation made us alive. It is just a figure of speech.

I think that’s why it’s so easy to be blasé when the Bible says that we are made alive in Christ; we look at it as just a figure of speech, but it is so much more.

Tomorrow we will look at what scripture says about being alive in Christ. I challenge you to take time to meditate on Colossians 2:13 and journal about what it means to be alive in Christ.

Sunday’s Comin’

2009-06-12T14:58:00.001-04:00

This Sunday, we will be covering Colossians 2:8-23. As you study these passages for Sunday, pay close attention to verses 13-15 and think about the incredible freedom Christ has given us. We are alive with Him; all our transgressions (sins) are forgiven. And in verse 14, The Message reads, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ's cross. (Colossians 2:14, The Message)
Spend time meditating on this great freedom that we have:

Colossians 2:13-15 (NASB95)
13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

Your response to my first week of doing a daily devotional was very encouraging. I plan to continue doing these Monday through Friday of each week. If you are interested in receiving this email, please contact my assistant, Lisa Kody (lkody@gracecommunitychurch.org)

Thanks,

Will Dungee

We'll also continue Wednesday Check-In and Sunday's Comin' to the whole body via email.

Devotional June 11, 2009

2009-06-11T10:20:00.001-04:00

Colossians 2:2 (NASB95)

2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself,^{^[1]}

Today I decided to insert an excerpt from John Piper’s Sermon, Guard Your Heart With Gratitude, November 24, 1985. In this section he speaks about our hearts being knitted together - how, why, and the results. My prayer is that this will encourage us to continue to be about the messy, but rewarding work of having our hearts knitted together in love.

Knitting Hearts Together

How does this work? He says that it works through a "knitting together"—"that their hearts may be encouraged as they are knit together in love." I think he means, "as their hearts are knit together with his heart and with each other's." In other words, by telling them of his suffering and struggles for them, he hopes that they will feel themselves drawn to him (and to each other) with cords of love. So Paul is trying to create a beautiful quilt by sewing the hearts of individuals together with the threads of love, especially his own love as he suffers there in prison.

Stronger Affection and Stronger Understanding

But there is something very unusual about this quilt. When love knits hearts together into a beautiful quilt of unity, the result is not merely stronger affection, but also stronger understanding. This is one of the great and strange facts of Christianity: a deep and confident understanding of Christ comes not merely from thinking, but also from loving. Notice how verse 2 proceeds: Paul hopes that their hearts will be knit together in love, why?—"to have all the riches of assured understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, of Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

In other words the way to get assured understanding about the mystery of God, namely, Jesus Christ the treasure chest of wisdom, is to have your heart knit together in love with other believers. The deepest and most certain insights into the character of God and the wisdom of God come into heads that are attached to loving hearts.

There is a good illustration of this in one of the courses that Tom Steller teaches periodically called Leadership Training Through Theological Reflection. These courses always deal with the heaviest doctrinal issues there are. But Tom told us on the staff several months ago that he is convinced that the best way to teach these things is in the context of a small group of 10–12 people who not only discuss ideas but share their lives as well. He is absolutely right because (as Paul says here in verse 2) the riches of assured understanding and knowledge of God's mystery, and the treasures of Christ's wisdom come into the heads of those whose hearts are knit together in love. By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org

If you would like to read the sermon in its entirety (It is well worth your time) click on the link.

Guard Yourself With Gratitude :: Desiring God Christian Resource Library

The website gave permission.

[1] New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Wednesday Check-In

2009-06-10T16:21:00.000-04:00

Colossians 2:6, 7 (NASB95):
6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

So Walk in Him
God expects us to live a certain way as believers. It is a lifestyle that is contrary to the way the rest of the world lives. We are not to live unto ourselves, but for Christ. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Galatians 2:20, NASB95).

Every day we are given the privilege to walk in Him. Did you catch that? We are given the privilege! But what does that mean? It means we are to live a life that is surrendered to God's ways; to live in a way that would be pleasing to Him. How can we know His ways? He speaks through the scriptures. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; (2 Timothy 3:16, NASB95).

God wants us to understand how to walk in Christ and the best place to start is with scripture.

2009-06-09T11:22:00.000-04:00

Devotional June 09, 2009

Colossians 2:1-4
1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face,
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself,
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.

In this passage, Paul was warning the Colossian church not to buy in to the Gnostic ways of thinking, who believed that the way to heaven was by obtaining knowledge and mysterious wisdom. Because they were persuasive in their reasoning, some of the Colossians began to buy in to this line of thought.

The problem with the Gnostic’s thinking is that they were omitting the true mystery of God…Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. The Colossians were subtly being moved away from faith in Christ.

A good example of this is a program I watched on PBS a few nights ago that promoted the idea that we as humans can change ourselves through the power of our thoughts. “If you are bad…think good.” The problem with that thinking is that it is not complete; therefore it is not true. A change of behavior doesn’t change the heart. Only Christ can change the heart.

As believers today, we need to be careful that we are not being moved away from the knowledge that salvation is in and from Christ. So be careful not to be deluded with persuasive arguments.

2009-06-08T09:28:00.000-04:00

Colossians 2:1-7

1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face,

2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, [1]

I remember years ago going to the Coliseum to see my first (and last) live wrestling match. Nature Boy Ric Flair, Wahoo McDaniel and others were in the ring. I remember being in awe of Rick Flair's tenacity. He was bleeding from his forehead and clearly tired, yet he kept wrestling. He was committed to the struggle. But struggling for what? A belt…title…money? Those things are temporal. They are not lasting.

Paul was also in a struggle. Unlike wrestlers in a ring, his struggle wasn't for himself. It didn't have a monetary prize, power, or prestige connected to it. He struggled on behalf of the Christians in Colossae, Laodicea, and others whom he had never seen.

His goal was to see their hearts knitted together in love, “so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.” Colossians 2:2. [2] Namely Christ.

Paul’s struggle was that Christ would be central in their lives. He said it this way to the Galatians, “Do you know how I feel right now, and will feel until Christ’s life becomes visible in your lives? Like a mother in the pain of childbirth.” [3] Galatians 4:19

Sometimes I feel that my life is modeled more after Ric Flair’s life than Paul’s. At times I catch myself struggling for that which will pass away.

The Bible is clear on what we are to wrestle for. Let’s wrestle for Christ being central in our lives and the lives of others.

[1] New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[2] The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

[3] Peterson, E. H. (2002). The Message : The Bible in contemporary language. Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress.

2009-06-08T08:10:00.000-04:00

Devotional will be posted today by 9:30 AM.

Sunday's Comin'

2009-06-05T16:09:00.000-04:00

Behind our church, we have a beautiful large oak tree. I often wonder its age as many believe it to be at least 80 years old. It is obvious that it has been around for a long time. How can it stand for so many years, not moved by drought, rain, ice or snow? It is able to remain strong and endure because of its roots. We can't see them, but they run deep.

I love a beautiful deep green lawn, so I did some research to find out how to have a better lawn. Most articles said to train the roots to go deep. Strong deep roots produce healthy strong plants. Paul encouraged the Colossian church to be rooted in Christ, to be established in Him. If we are to grow, our roots must be firmly established in Christ, nothing else. Join us on Sunday as we talk about Being Rooted and Built Up in Christ (Colossians 2:1-7).

NEW! This coming week, I will be doing a daily devotional on Colossians 2:1-7. You can find it on my blog, beginning on Monday, June 8th. If you would prefer to receive the daily devotional by email, please contact Lisa Kody: lkody@gracecommunitychurch.org

See you on Sunday,

Wednesday Check-In

2009-06-04T12:09:00.000-04:00

Hi my Grace Community Church friends,
As you know, I was out of town last Sunday due to the death of a family member. Thanks to all of you who've been praying for me during this time. Marshall Benbow was already scheduled to speak on Sunday and shared a great word on Abiding in Christ.

Here are some further thoughts from Marshall: For those of you who would like further encouragement about remaining in Christ, I would recommend Isaiah 30:15-26, which urges us to not trust in our own efforts but to trust God. I would also recommend the hymn Be Still My Soul, which we sang on Sunday. There is a nice version by an artist named Kalai available for download on iTunes. Lastly, you could check out the book, Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray, 31 meditations on John 15.

Have a great time studying this week. Look for my Sunday's Coming email on Friday, which will help you prepare for Sunday's message.

Will

2009-05-27T15:32:00.000-04:00

Wednesday Check-In

I found out after the second service on Sunday, that the scripture passages (NIV) on the screen were from a different version than I was reading from (NASB); I apologize for any confusion.
This week I've linked a blog post, Shepherding to Truth 01, from The Village Church’s Blog, Matt Chandler, Senior Pastor.

Our goal is to see people mature in Christ; we do this by proclaiming Christ, admonishing everyone, and teaching every person with all wisdom. I like this blog post because it reminds us to do these things in love, humility, gentleness, and patience.

http://hv.thevillagechurch.net/blog/hvpastor/?p=246

Will Dungee

2009-05-22T15:39:00.000-04:00

For This Coming Sunday

My son is at that age, 10 years old, when the number one question asked of him is, ”What do you want to do when you grow up?” His answer is always the same, an NBA player. People usually respond with encouraging words and tips on how to obtain this goal… practice, make good grades, exercise and so on.
It is strange to me that people don’t ask him WHO he wants to be when he grows up. What kind of person does he desire to become. Maturity (growing up) isn’t about what we do as a career; it’s about who we become as a person.
And the same is true about our growth in Christ. It isn’t about title or position. It is about a transformed life that produces Godly character.
Join us this Sunday as we talk about becoming mature in Christ.

2009-05-20T16:42:00.001-04:00

Staying Connected to the Word

This past Sunday, we finished the lesson on bearing fruit, with the main point being that the word of God produces fruit. How, in our busy lives, can we make time for the word of God? The best way is to be committed to daily reading and studying of the scriptures.
Below I have listed other tips/ideas:
1. Listen to the word on your ipod, Zune, CD, cassette, or 8 track.
2. Read a passage of scripture and pray; then journal about it.
3. Tape verses to your bathroom mirror, refrigerator, beside your computer, or any place you will notice it. (A word of caution: the forehead of your spouse might seem like a good idea to you, but it isn’t.)
4. Get in or form a small group that studies the books of the Bible.
5. Talk about the scriptures while you are hanging out with other believers.
I am sure you can think of other ways to “stay” in the word, so please post your ideas.

What Matters Most

2009-04-17T06:28:00.000-04:00

Ok I have a lot to share today, but not a lot of time, So, I've decided that I will break this topic into more then one post.
Enjoy!

This morning I was walking down memory lane, reviewing pictures I have taken doing different mission trips.

Many of these pictures have been a grounding for me. They have helped me to remember life isn't all about me and what I can get out of it. If we are not careful we can spend valuable energy trying to get that next great "thing" or becoming the next leading __________(you fill in the blank).

I think that is why I enjoy visiting third world countries the most. They remind me to slow down and focus on what matters most. In many places I've visited; transportation, TV, theaters, central air conditioning, Starbucks, and other standard American luxuries are limited or don't exist. However, I find that many of these "needs" of mine can be lived without.

What matters most?

A quick answer would be, "Different things matter most to different people. It depends on the person you ask." I think that is a correct answer if I was asking, "What wants matter most?".

Our wants maybe broad and diverse, unique to each person, but or needs are specific and basic; not varying from person to person.

Community Matters

I will share more on this later.

The Call

2009-04-12T18:47:00.001-04:00

Hello friends and world, I have finally done it. Yep! This isn't a mistake, you are reading my blog.
Many of you have encouraged me to branch out and write down my thoughts. I must say that I am a little fearful to do this; not because I am afraid to give you my thoughts, as you know I have never had a problem with that. I am more concerned that you will find that I am a thinker not a writer.

So if you are a Lynne Truss fan you might become little upset at a missplaced comma or two...three...four; so, you might not want to visit this blog often. Just so you know I am reading Truss' book, Eats Shoots & Leaves. I will get better.

I will update this blog at least once a week on Fridays. So come back tomorrow.