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PASTUREized - Entries from November 2009

MonMondayNovNovember30th2009

A Communion to Remember

Posted Monday, November 30 2009 @ 11 AM byBryan Payne Tagged Communion Gospel 3 comments Add comment

During last weekend’s church service, I experienced something for the first time – communion with my 18 month old son Nathanael. He was sick and unable to go to the nursery so I took him into worship with me. As I held Nathanael in my lap, I prayed and meditated on the person and work of Jesus Christ. I was thanking the Father for crucifying His Son on my behalf when it HIT me, "Who would I be willing to kill Nathanael for!?" My mind began to race, I thought and I thought. But there was no one that I would kill Nathanael to save. As I hugged my son in my arms, my heart grieved at the thought of killing him. I pictured Nathanael beaten, bloodied, and gasping for breath. And then it hit me like a freight train running head-on into a bicycle. The Father didn’t look around the world to find people with enough value for Christ to die for. Rather, the Father sent His Son to the cross for those who were His ENEMIES…

My heart was crushed! I sat in my chair dumbfounded. I couldn’t think of a single person that I would give my son’s life for. But the thought of killing him for someone who hated me—repulsive! Yet that is exactly what the Father did. He gave His one and only Son’s life for you and me—the very people that hated Him.

I will never forget that communion. God used my deep love for Nathanael to illustrate the deepest love imaginable – His love for me. I don’t ever want to forget that lesson. Thank you, God, for your love. Thank you for crucifying Jesus Christ on my behalf, an unworthy sinner.

Do you have any communions that stand out to you? What truth did the Lord drive home in your heart?

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:8)"

MonMondayNovNovember23rd2009

HBC Davenport 5th Anniversary

Posted Monday, November 23 2009 @ 10 PM byBryan Payne Tagged Church Plant Harvest 0 comments Add comment

We had the opportunity to visit Harvest Bible Chapel of Davenport this weekend. It was such an encouragement to see what the Lord is doing through a church that is committed to preaching the Word of God, growing disciples, and reaching the lost.

Last Sunday HBC Davenport celebrated 5 years of ministry. Since their launch many people have been transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Watch this video. I hope it will grow the excitement you have about your involvement is HBC Austin!

TueTuesdayNovNovember10th2009

My Job or HIS Job?

Posted Tuesday, November 10 2009 @ 10 PM byBryan Payne Tagged No tags 3 comments Add comment

How does the work of the ministry go forward? Do people do all the work, or does God make sure ministry happens — meaning we do nothing but trust Him?

As I begin the work of planting a church in Austin, it would be easy to rely on my own strength. After all, I’m the one reading books, soaking in wonderful training at Harvest Bible Fellowship, interviewing other church planters in order to have the right programs, and making contacts in Austin to establish a core group.

While that kind of self-dependence is not what Scripture commands, neither is the opposite approach — abandoning my ministry responsibilities and assuming God will do the work of the ministry without me. Trusting in God's sovereignty and power to build His church is important, but “trusting God” can be a mask for laziness. This is the "let go and let God" mentality.

So what is the answer for us at HBC Austin? How should we approach working for Christ? How should we go about planting a church? Do we do the work or does God? My answer is..."YES"! I believe Scripture teaches both.

In Proverbs 21:31, King Solomon describes what this tension looked like in his day. "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD." I’ve often found myself meditating on that verse — applying Solomon’s wisdom to the foundation we’re building in Austin. We are called to prepare for our work in Austin while knowing the any success in ministry is FULLY the LORD's. Paul had this tension in mind when he wrote, "For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me” (Col. 1:29). Even as Paul worked to the point of exhaustion, he understood it was only God's power that accomplished everything!

What are your thoughts? How do you find yourself battling this in your life?

Harvest Bible Chapel

1507 Wilshire Blvd
Austin, TX 78722
512.697.9110

5:00 PM Sunday Worhsip

Location