Antioch Church

10/19/2023

Send Me, Lord
October 19, 2023

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” – Isaiah 6:8

I truly believe that the best life, the greatest life, and the only life to live is the cross-shaped life. That is a life where we worship, we are discipled, we serve, and then we are sent.

Now, please understand that this is not an idea I made up. It actually comes from a vision that a prophet named Isaiah had 2800 years ago. Isaiah had a front-row seat to see who God really is and it changed his life forever. From that moment on, he became a “sent” person. The reasons he was sent are the same reasons that we should want to be sent as well.

Over the next couple of days, we’re going to look at these reasons together. We’ll look at the first today and then we’ll look at two more tomorrow.

The first reason we are sent is because of the holiness of God. I believe that the single most important picture of God you will find in all the Old Testament is in Isaiah chapter 6 because by reading Isaiah’s words, we learn what really makes God “God” and who God really is. He is the “Holy” God.

If you went through all the lexicons, dictionaries, and every thesaurus of this world to choose one word that would characterize God, it would have to be “holy.” God is a holy God. Every twelve references to the name of God in the Old Testament refers to God as “holy.” That adjective is used for God more often than all the other adjectives in the Old Testament put together. In other words, the chief attribute of God is not mercy, grace, love, compassion, power, or knowledge. The chief attribute of God is holiness. And it is because of this holiness that we should want to be sent so that we can proclaim His holiness to all the world.

Dear Lord, thank you for the example Isaiah set all of those years ago. Thank you for his willingness to be sent by you. Lord, I’m asking that you send me too, so that more people may come to know you personally, and that their lives will be forever changed because of you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Topics: Witnessing

Bible Reference
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
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10/18/2023

Uncovered
October 18, 2023

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” - Psalm 139:23-24

The focus of a Christian’s life should not be self. Our preoccupation should always be with Christ and His glory. Our energy should be spent on knowing Him and accomplishing His mission. It is, however, sometimes necessary to set aside time devoted to self-examination. Remember that there is an unseen war raging for our heart’s affection. The enemy prowls around like a lion, watching for the most opportune time to catch us off guard. Despite our best efforts and intentions, none of us are perfect…and we all likely have sin, strongholds, or idols in our lives that we may not even know exist.

Thankfully, there is One who knows us better than we know ourselves. He sees what we cannot – that which is buried deep under layers and maybe even years of tiny compromises, moments of weakness, and lies of the enemy that we believed. I refuse to give Satan more credit than he deserves, and I am not one of those people who blames everything wrong in my life on him. However, he is real, he is crafty, and he is busy. It would be foolish to think that any of us are immune to his tactics. We should not fear him, but we should be aware of him.

There are some things to beware of with self-contemplation, though. First, make sure that the Holy Spirit is leading you. The psalmist asks the Lord to search his heart and test his motives and thoughts. His desire is to be led by God, not the ideas or counsel of man – and definitely not by his own feelings. God is the only One who can judge a heart. He is the only One who can see what we cannot, as well as what we try to cover up. Anything God reveals will always align with His Word.

We must also be careful not to become “stuck” in our feelings. While I do believe it is important to acknowledge our feelings to God, we need not stay there. Feelings should not lead us. They should not determine how we act. Ignoring feelings can lead to a whole host of problems like bitterness, fear, and unforgiveness. But giving feelings too much attention can result in self-pity, deep depression, and shame. It takes wisdom and discernment that only God can give to walk the fine line between these two extremes.

The bottom line is this: God wants to be our closest friend. He desires honesty from the deepest parts of the soul. When we trust Him enough to lay ourselves bare before Him, we will always find grace and forgiveness.

Father, It is so easy to pretend that I have it all together; but I know that I never fool You. Please help me to come to You openly and honestly. Show me the sin hiding in my heart and lead me today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Topics: Fear

Bible Reference
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
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10/17/2023

Purpose In Pain
October 17, 2023
“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.” - 2 Corinthians 12:7

Sometimes it is difficult to remember that God has a purpose in our suffering. Even when we do remember this truth, it doesn’t make us hurt any less. Keeping an eternal perspective, however, does lead to contentment in all circumstances. A heart fixed on Jesus will result in unexplainable joy, gratitude, and peace wherever life takes us.

We do have examples in the Bible of men and women who managed to focus their eyes and hearts heavenward in the midst of terrible suffering. One of the ways I believe they were able to shift their gaze from the temporary to the eternal was by choosing to see God’s ministry in their suffering. God is not obligated to answer all of our questions. However, often if we earnestly seek Him, He will reveal a deeper purpose for suffering.

You don’t have to read the New Testament long before you see God’s incredible favor and blessing on the Apostle Paul. His writings contain some of the most incredible revelations about Jesus Christ that have ever or will ever exist. But God knew that it would be easy for Paul to become arrogant and prideful in his ministry, so He allowed and refused to remove a tormenting “thorn” in Paul’s life. Paul wrote that he asked God to remove his suffering three times. But God had a greater plan and left it there.

King Hezekiah is another example of someone who came to understand God’s ministry in suffering. In Isaiah 38, he became very sick. In this case, God answered Hezekiah’s prayers for healing and added 15 more years to his life. Hezekiah said that it was for his benefit that he suffered as he did, and that as a result of the anguish of his soul, he would walk humbly for the rest of his life.

Both of these men were greatly esteemed by God…and it seems their suffering is connected to their ministry. Scripture teaches that God exalts the humble, and that pride comes before destruction. The suffering in both of their lives led to greater humility and dependency on God. Temporary suffering in exchange for eternal glory – that is God’s ministry to you during suffering. But you must choose to see His greater plan.

Father, I am thankful that Your work in me is not limited to this life. Even when things don’t seem to make sense now, I can trust that Your plan is greater than my mind can conceive. Help me to remember this when I suffer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Topics: God's Will

Bible Reference
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
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10/16/2023

Energized
October 16, 2023
“To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me.” - Colossians 1:29

Do you ever feel tired, worn down, or weary? I don’t just mean physical exhaustion, but also emotional or spiritual fatigue. We all have times when it feels like we cannot take one more step, answer one more call, teach one more lesson, or wipe one more nose. As long as we are giving ourselves away like God has called us to, there will be a danger of “burning out.” There is, however, a safeguard against this all-too-common frazzled and worn-out Christian life.

Perhaps no one worked harder to accomplish his earthly mission than the Apostle Paul. In his letter to the believers at Colossae, he told them of his great labors to further Christ’s gospel. He also shared, however, that he did so not according to his own strength, but with “all His energy, which so powerfully works in me.” When we see through Scripture all that Paul accomplished, he seems like a super-Christian, some rare breed of missionary that God specially equipped in some mysterious way. But Paul shared the secret to his super-human ability to keep going – it was the energy of God that propelled and sustained him.

Picture a wind-up toy. If you wind it up, it will go for a little while – but then you must wind it up again to keep it going. It cannot continually wind itself up; nor can it run forever on an initial wind-up. The toy requires constant intervention to continue. The same is true, in a much deeper way, of us. The energy to “go” comes from a source other than us. We cannot continue without His power, which works in us through the Holy Spirit. If we are not continually connecting with our power source, we will eventually become ineffective, tired, and quit.

Paul must have understood this truth because look at how he prayed for his brothers and sisters:

“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience…” Colossians 1:10-11.

Are you striving to please God in your own power, or, like Paul, are you struggling with God’s energy? The life God has planned for you is designed to require constant dependence on Him. You cannot do it alone; and if you try, you will find yourself weary and defeated.

Almighty God, Help me to rely on Your power today as I live for You. I confess my need for You and my dependence on You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Topics: Attributes of God

Bible Reference
For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
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10/13/2023

Serving To Glorify God
October 13, 2023
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 4:10-11

Yesterday, we began talking about why serving isn’t just something we feel like we have to do, but it’s something we should want to do. We discussed that the first reason for this is because we are gifted to serve. I’d highly encourage you to go back and read yesterday’s devotion if you missed it. But for now, we’re going to continue this discussion with two more reasons why we should want to serve.

The second reason we should want to serve is that others are gratified by service. I was reading the other day about the rhinoceros; a two-horned terror of unbelievable speed, size, and agility and feared by all the other creatures in the jungle. However, there is one creature that has no fear of the rhinoceros, and it is called the “Buffalo bird.” These birds perch on the back of the rhino and some even peck into the rhino’s back just like a woodpecker pecks on wood. Some fly around the head, and others perch on the ears. But the rhino doesn’t attack and doesn’t get angry, because he knows what that Buffalo bird is doing.

You see, rhinos have poor eyesight, and their bodies are covered with parasites that they can’t control. Buffalo birds love to eat parasites. And then when danger is in the area, the birds will let out a shrill call warning the rhinos of what they can’t see. That little Buffalo bird does a great service to that rhino and in return, the Buffalo bird doesn’t fear any predator, because it is on the back of the most dangerous animal in the jungle.

Now, if God can use a little Buffalo bird to serve a mighty rhino, don’t you doubt for a moment that God cannot use you and the gifts He has given you to be a great benefit and to gratify other people.

Finally, the third reason we should want to serve is that God is glorified by service. When you serve God, you get a “two-for-one.” Not only are others gratified by your service, but most importantly God is glorified by your service. You were put here on this earth to glorify God. If you are a believer, you will spend eternity glorifying God. That is why the scripture plainly says, “Whatever you do, you do all to the glory of God.”

There is one simple way you can evaluate anything you are thinking about doing in your life, or with your life, at any given moment, and that is to ask this question: “Is what I am doing or about to do would be glorifying to God?”

I am convinced that so much of what we do in life really doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter today, and it won’t matter tomorrow. But the things that will always matter are the things that will gratify others and glorify God. So let us be diligent in making sure that what we do, what we say, and how we spend our time and talents bring glory to the Father.

Dear Lord, thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve others. I want to be obedient in taking advantage of these opportunities and serving in a way that gratifies others and glorifies you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Topics: Serve

Bible Reference
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
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10/12/2023

You Are Gifted For Service
October 12, 2023

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 4:10-11

If you are a follower of Christ, you have been called to be a minister for Christ, to serve others with the gifts and talents you’ve been given. What’s more, you will maximize your fulfillment in life, your enjoyment of life, and your impact in life when you find the sweet spot of serving other people.

A disciple named Peter wrote a book called I Peter in which there are several reasons why we should not look at serving as something we have to do, but as something we should want to do. We’re going to look at those two reasons for the next couple of days. We’ll start with the first reason today and then we’ll look at two more reasons tomorrow. Let’s dive in.

The first reason serving is something we should want to do is that we are gifted for service. Serving is not just what you do; a servant is what you are. Serving is not just an action; it is an attitude. We all ought to have a servant’s heart and when we do, we will have serving hands. We all have various abilities, passions, gifts, and interests that God has given us, and we are to leverage those for the service of other people.

God never asks us to do anything without giving us both the power to do it and the equipment to do it. We hear that we have all received at least one gift, and just as a gift is to be unwrapped and used, so is your spiritual gift. God made you the way you are and gave you the gifts He did so you can accomplish what He wants you to do for His kingdom by serving others. So let’s each choose to use those gifts starting today in order to honor God and love on others.

Dear Lord, thank you for the gifts and talents you have blessed me with. Please grant me opportunities to use these gifts for your glory so that I might serve others well and point them to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Topics: Serve

Bible Reference
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
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10/11/2023

So Sorry

10/11/2023

Willing To Risk
October 11, 2023

“Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die.” - John 11:25

When God removes the eternal risk of punishment for our sins, He calls us to a life of temporary risk now. As Christ followers, the final risk of hell and separation from God has been taken away forever. Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ (Romans 8:39). When the threat of death is no longer a horrific ending but a whole new beginning, the final barrier to full surrender is torn down. There is no greater hope than this, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

With His promises of everlasting joy, Jesus unleashed an army of risk-takers…disciples who are willing to pray for their persecutors, love their enemies, and serve the least. He initiated a movement of grace that is so powerful it will never be stopped. In fact, the Church has proven to flourish when persecuted. Christ calls us to make disciples of all nations. This includes dictatorships and war zones, hostile and dangerous countries. His call involves risk. It was risky for His followers 2,000 years ago, and it is risky today.

This calling is contradictory to how most of us try to live. We tend to work to maximize comfort and security now, with little thought of heaven – except that we will get in. We follow, however, a long line of biblical risk-takers – men and women who were willing to risk it all for the cause of Christ. Esther broke the law to save her people. Daniel prayed despite the threat of punishment. Paul continued to preach the Gospel in prison. The list goes on and on. This is our legacy, our example to follow. Were these people perfect? No, but they were willing.

In A History of Christian Missions, Stephen Neil said about early believers, “Every Christian knew that sooner or later he might have to testify to his faith at the cost of his life.” Risk was normal. It was expected. And yet, thousands did it. Why? Because they believed that if they lost their life for Christ’s sake, they would truly find it (Matthew 16:25).

Do you believe that to die is gain? Do you believe that losing your life means really finding it? Are you storing up treasures in heaven or on earth? In the United States and around the world, the cost of following Christ will continue to rise. Are you ready to risk it all?

Dear Father, give me the boldness and confidence to risk everything for Your kingdom and Your purposes. Help me to remember that for me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Topics: Salvation

Bible Reference
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
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10/10/2023

Worry-Free
October 10, 2023
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
- Isaiah 41:10

It is natural to crave a problem-free life. Therefore most people spend much effort and time striving to create a life that feels safe and predictable. In essence, humans are control freaks. If we trace sin back to its origin, we will find a man and woman who wanted to be in control. Was God holding out on them? Was there something better than what He promised them? “If we eat from that tree we can be like God,” they reasoned. “We can be in control.” And with one bite, everything changed. The perfect creation was marred. And the hearts of men and women would forever be bent towards disobedience and self-reliance.

Sin brought with it a natural inclination to question and doubt God’s goodness and sufficiency. Isn’t this what the Serpent tempted Eve to do…doubt God’s goodness? True faith in God is always coupled with a firm conviction of His goodness. If our faith is based on what we can see – our circumstances – it will always wobble and fall. Circumstances oftentimes do not make sense in the here and now. But we must believe that we serve a God Who is much bigger than circumstances. His wisdom spans beyond the here and now to a future that cannot be fathomed. His glory is indescribable and His plan is eternal.

In order to deeply know and enjoy such a God, we must be willing to give up control. We must choose to believe that He is always good and worthy of praise, despite what we might be going through. We must desperately cling to the truth that His presence is felt most closely in the darkest pits…and that even there He securely holds His children.

The phrase, “Do not be dismayed,” in Isaiah 41:10 literally means, “to look around anxiously.” God is reminding us to fix our eyes on His face and to trust in His constant presence and goodness. He is with you. He has a firm grasp on you with His strong and righteous right hand. You are precious in His sight; and He has a plan – even in your suffering. Remember that you exist not for security in this life but for eternal security in the problem-free life that is to come. You must only believe.

Father, please help me to live in the truth today that You have me firmly in Your grasp and will never let me go. Focus my heart and mind on Your face and not on my circumstances, which are ever-changing. I praise You because You are steadfast in love and power. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Topics: Freedom in Christ

Bible Reference
fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
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10/09/2023

How many can you name?

10/09/2023

10/09/2023