Come Alive – Day 18
January 26, 2012 by admin
Welcome to Come Alive: 21 Days. These entries are coinciding with our 3 week vision series that we are currently in and we pray they both challenge and encourage you. This post was written by Will Pavone, the Frontline Tysons Campus Pastor.
Over the last fifty years, the center of Christianity has shifted from the western world to the global south. While the west is steadily fading into secularism, the Church in Africa, South America, and parts of Asia is growing exponentially.
This past November, I got to experience how God is at work in western Africa.
I was part of a small team from Frontline who went to the tiny, war-torn country of Burundi to minister to pastors and to the staff of an organization called World Relief. The people of this incredibly beautiful country have suffered from decades of civil war and unrest. While the country has experienced several years of stability, the spiritual climate is still fragile. Our goal as a team was to encourage the pastors and staff through Christ-centered teaching and leadership training. By God’s grace I believe our efforts were fruitful, but in honesty, I think I learned a lot more than I taught.
I learned that God is a global God and that His gospel is bearing fruit around the world, even in places devastated by war and unrest. I learned that worship is trans-cultural, a universal language that unifies the body of Christ. Lastly, I was reminded that God calls us to have a global awareness concerning His redemptive purposes and that we should pray for the gospel to come alive in the hearts of all peoples!
- Will Pavone
To listen to the sermons from this series, please click here.
Come Alive – Day 17
Welcome to Come Alive: 21 Days. These entries are coinciding with our 3 week vision series that we are currently in and we pray they both challenge and encourage you. This post was written by Allan McCullough, the Director of the Gathering.
Take a minute to read Luke 4:16-30.
One day, when Jesus is in His hometown, Nazareth, He heads over to the Synagogue and is asked to publicly read from Isaiah. So, He grabs the scroll and reads Isaiah 61:1-2, which is a messianic prophecy. What’s interesting here is when Jesus is done reading, everyone can’t stop starring at Him. For some reason, nobody had ever heard anybody read the Scriptures as Jesus just did. Sensing this, Jesus says to the crowds something to the extent of, “Your right, I’m saying that’s me.” (my paraphrase)
Most people in the Synagogue had already heard of Jesus either because of some of the miracles He had performed when He was over in Capernaum but mostly because He was Joseph’s son. So, many of them were perplexed but also mesmerized and maybe even beginning to believe that He could be the Messiah. Then Jesus says something weird. He says, “…no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.”
Huh? What do you mean, Jesus?
Well, it was a preemptive comment. Because what Jesus was about to say would cause the crowd to riot. Jesus says two things:
- During the time of Elijah, there was a great famine in Israel and there were many widows in need. However, Elijah was sent to help none of them except the GENTILE widow Zarephath.
- During the time of Elisha, there were many lepers in Israel but Elisa was sent to help none of them. Instead, he was only sent to the GENTILE Naaman.
Then, those in the Synagogue went crazy and tried to murder Jesus.
Think about it. What cord did Jesus strike to get such a rise out of this crowd?
It seems to me that by declaring Himself to be fulfilling Isaiah 61:1-2 and then reminding the crowd of these two points of Israel’s history, Jesus was announcing that the Kingdom that He was bringing was not an ETHNOCENTRIC kingdom. The Kingdom He was bringing was a Kingdom that was for all nations, not just for Israel.
The cord that Jesus struck was a deep ethnocentrism that existed in Israel who expected a Messiah that would make Israel great. They did not expect a Messiah who would include Israel simply amongst all nations in His blessing. The message of the Bible is that God’s plan of redemption is and has always been for all nations and all peoples. (Gen 12:3, Ps 67, Is 66:18, Matt 24:14, Gal 3:8, etc…)
As we think about our world this week, we need to take some time to reflect on how ethnocentrism and racism deeply grieves the heart of God. Despite political progress, this is an issue that is very much alive today within the Church, within our city, and within the world. Not only is it just ethnocentrism, but there is also prejudice when it comes to socio-economic status, level of education, appearance, and disabilities amongst other things.
The reality is that since the Gospel is for all peoples, the Bible does not assume but emphatically declares that all people have equal need for the Gospel. (Rom 3:9, 23)
John MacArthur says, “…people by nature are hostile to God, utterly unable to obey God out of pure motives or from a pure heart, and therefore unable to do anything that truly pleases God (Rom. 8:7-8).”
If this is the description of all people, than the idea that certain people are superior to others based on any condition is nonsensical. We all need the saving work of Jesus Christ. God has called us to be people who are humble that have a love for our neighbor fueled by gratitude for the underserving grace we have received. The Kingdom of God knows nothing of any prejudice and will include people of all colors, tongues, cultures, and personalities.
Pray that God would reveal where any prejudice or belief of superiority could be present in your heart and then ask yourself the following questions. If you find yourself answering ‘yes’ to any of these, repent. Confess this to the Lord and to someone you confide in. Ask the Lord to change your heart and give you greater view of His Kingdom. Ask the Lord to show you how underserving you are of His grace so that prejudice can be crushed by gratitude.
- Do I subconsciously limit my close relationships to those who are of the same color or ethnicity as myself?
- Do I more easily share my faith with those who share the same color or ethnicity as myself?
- Do I have a problem with interracial marriage?
- Do I look down upon those who are poor? Do I believe that I deserve the material blessings I have and those who are poor do not?
- Do I form opinions of other people based on the car they drive? This could go either way. Maybe you drive a nice car and judge the one who drives the clunker. Or you drive the clunker and you judge the person who drives the nice car.
- Would I be uncomfortable if a homeless person attended my Frontline campus?
- Would I be uncomfortable if a homeless person joined my Regional Community or Small Group?
- Am I uncomfortable around those who have mental or physical disabilities?
- Do I subconsciously limit my close relationships to those who have similar personalities and interests as myself?
- Do I form opinions about people and limit relationships with those who seem “socially awkward.”
There are many more questions we can ask. All of us have prejudice somewhere inside because every one of us are sinners. We look forward to the Day where Christ will return, remove sin, and destroy all prejudice. The Day where all nations, tribes, and tongues will worship Him forever. (Rev 7:9) Let’s anticipate that Day by rallying around the grace of God and as a church wage war against the prejudice that is present within us. To “Come Alive” in our world, is to align our hearts with God’s heart for the entire world and for all peoples.
- Allan McCullough
To listen to the sermons from this series, please click here.
Tysons Campus Upcoming Events (1.24.12)
January 24, 2012 by mspainhour
Haiti and Tanzania Interest Meeting (January 29)
Come and hear from the team leaders from our first Haiti and Tanzania teams for 2012 after Frontline Tysons in Room 1102. If you have been praying about going on a Global Impact trip or even leading a trip then you don’t want to miss this Interest Meeting! For more information, email dan.iten@mcleanbible.org or visit www.frontlinetysons.com/global.
Global Impact Trip Leaders Needed
We are excited about where God is taking Global Impact in 2012 and to accomplish this work, we need men and women to apply to lead the 2012 trips today. Apply at www.frontlinedc.com/apply. For more information, email dan.iten@mcleanbible.org.
Looking for a Super Bowl Party?
Check out your Regional Community for information on local gatherings! Go to www.frontlinetysons.com/regionalcommunities and email the leader closest to you. These are also great places to invite your non-Christian friends, neighbors, and coworkers!
Baptisms (February 12)
Baptism is an act of obedience to God. It is an outward symbol of a person’s inner faith and decision to be a committed Christ-follower. If you have not been baptized as a believer, you will have the opportunity on Sunday, Feb 12, during the Frontline Tysons service. Visit www.frontlinetysons.com/baptisms for more information and to sign-up.
Connect Dinner Sunday (January 29)
Are you new to Frontline or don’t feel connected yet? On Sunday, Jan 29, following the FL service, there will be a New People Connect Dinner at Super Chicken in Tysons Corner. This is a great way to get to know other Frontliners as well as learn more about the different Frontline ministries. Stop by ‘Connection Point’ in the newcomer room for directions. We hope to see you there!
How2 Share Your Faith Workshop (February 11)
Most of us would agree that sharing our faith in Christ with family, friends, coworkers or even strangers can be challenging. How do we take a regular conversation and turn it in to a spiritual conversation? On Saturday, Feb 11, we will address the challenges of sharing our faith and give practical tips to use in everyday life. The $20 registration fee covers all of the materials, as well as breakfast, lunch, and snacks! Go to www.frontlinetysons.com/how2 to register.
Men’s Huddle (February 11)
All men are invited to join us on Saturday, Feb 11, for breakfast at 8:15am in the Café at MBC Tysons. The main session starts at 9am with Jerry Leachman, former Chaplain of the Washington Redskins. For more information and to register, visit www.mbctysons.org/menshuddle or email menshuddle@gmail.com.
Frontline Tysons Winter Weekend Away (February 24-26)
It is here… you’ve been asking for it… a Frontline Winter Weekend Away! We will be heading to Canaan Valley, WV for a fun weekend with just our Tysons Community. There will be skiing and non-skiing activities as well as a little teaching from our campus pastor. For registration and more information, visit www.frontlinetysons.com/winterweekendaway.
Women’s Conference (March 2 – 4)
We invite all the ladies to consider attending this year’s women’s conference on March 2–4 at the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, MD. Register by Tuesday, Jan. 31, to lock in the early bird rate. You won’t want to miss this exciting opportunity to meet, bond and grow with other women. For more information and to register, visit www.mcleanbible.org/womensconference or email michelle.buckner@mcleanbible.org.
Watch Lon’s Final Rock Announcement
January 24, 2012 by admin
If you missed Lon’s announcement regarding The Final Rock that was played at the Frontline Campuses, you can watch it below:
Come Alive – Day 16
January 23, 2012 by admin
Welcome to Come Alive: 21 Days. These entries are coinciding with our 3 week vision series that we are currently in and we pray they both challenge and encourage you. This post was written by Trisha Hicks, the Director of Women’s Small Groups at Frontline Tysons.
Whether I am eating comfort foods or wearing cozy pajamas, I really like to be comfortable. I like to take on tasks where I am comfortable with my ability to do whatever lies in front of me. The major problem with this is the “I.” When I think I am capable, I rely on myself and not the Lord. Thankfully, God has been merciful in my life and always places me in circumstances that are outside of my comfort zone so that I rely on the power of His Holy Spirit. In April 2011 my husband Cory and I lead a team to Brazil to work with an organization called Open Arms primarily to help put on a soccer camp. God had me reliant on Him in many aspects of this trip. The two most obvious being I was comfortable speaking Spanish, not Portuguese, and the soccer part (my teammates can vouch for my two left feet). But this was right where He wanted me so that His power could be displayed in my weaknesses as Paul states in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10. Just like God used my weaknesses, the transforming power of the Gospel is at work all over the world. Being able to see God at work in a different country shows the power of our God who transcends all cultural and language barriers. Stephanie Tileston, co-leader of the December 2011 Brazil trip shared with me an experience she had when they went to visit a prison. She heard a young, imprisoned Brazilian teen sing a self-written song of God’s redemption and grace to his fellow 70+ inmates. Despite comprehending only portions of his Portuguese message, the meaning was clear- his life had been transformed. Though he regrets his past, he trusts Christ will do something wonderful with his future. So whether it is something insignificant like my soccer abilities or something life-altering like these men in prison, God uses all circumstances for His glory. Sometimes it takes getting outside of our comfort zone to see that.
- Trisha Hicks
To listen to the sermons from this series, please click here.
