Ask the Pastor

As promised, I’m going to answer the questions that we didn’t feel appropriate for the current sermon series starting today (and each Friday in August as well, so stay tuned). Should be fun…here goes:

Q: Can I smoke & sing in the choir?

A: Well, sure – but why would you want to?  For some reason, this question struck my funny-bone, wondering if the question was a request, or an attempt to report someone?  Ok, ok, all humor aside, I still have 2 answers: (a) honestly, as a pastor, I would not be surprised if we have choir members who smoke, or drink to excess, or engage in illicit sex, or any other numbers of questionable behaviors, even though we have leaders sign a commitment to Christ-like behavior, because CLC is made up of imperfect people (the only kind there are) and pastors have no control over what people do outside of church; but (b) if you’re asking whether we approve of smoking, then the answer is no, I would prefer that we have a no-smoking choir (and all other areas of leadership or service as well).  I view smoking as an undesirable habit (see 1Cor. 6:12) that is also hazardous to your health.  Finally, someone asked Rick Warren once if he could smoke & still go to heaven and Rick’s answer was classic: “Sure, you’ll probably even get there faster!” (Oops, there went my gift of sarcasm again).  Dead-serious now: if you are fighting an addiction to nicotine, we’re here for you and Cleansing Streams would be my first recommendation.  You can sign up this Sunday!

Q: If God created man because He was lonely, where were the angels & heavenly beings?

A: I already addressed this in a previous post – click here to read.

Q: How can you reconcile the Scriptures that say ‘to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord’ and the teaching that when Christ returns, the dead will arise from the grave?

A: I addressed this one previously also, at least twice – click here to read or here to read an earlier answer.

Q: We had several questions dealing with marriage & divorce and whether remarriage after divorce is an act of adultery – so many that I think we will do a teaching on this subject in our next marriage series at CLC (this fall).  However, I did address several aspects of that issue over a year ago, and I invite you to click here to read that post.

That’s all we have time for this week, but don’t dare miss this Sunday when we’ll address another “Got Questions?” that is a major concern for people in our nation, and even within the church.  And then tune in next Friday for more answers to your questions.

Fellowship

Fellowship….now there’s a word that you don’t hear used a lot anymore, even in some church circles.  But it is a good Bible word, as in Acts 2:42.  Interestingly enough, the Greek word for fellowship there is koinonia, which implies much more than just “grabbing a bite to eat together”. The Greek meaning speaks of a real partnership, a ‘sharing in common’ that binds all of us as believers together.

Of course, the verse also includes the “eating together” as well….all of which leads me to conclude that as Christians, we not only worship together on Sundays, but we do life together, since we share a common experience in what Jesus has done for us.  Our faith grows as we spend time with other believers, even in social settings.  Sharing a meal is one way to open your heart to someone else and benefit from your interaction together.

That’s WHY I’m inviting every CLCer from all our campuses to join us on Saturday, August 15 for a good ole PICNIC.  This will be the first time we’ve ever brought all of CLC together like this, and it should be a blast, with something for everyone – kids, teens and adults.  I mean, there will be volleyball, baseball, basketball, frisbee golf, tug of war, watermelon-eating contest, face painting, balloon toss, 3-legged race, and even some special contests that will include barbeque, baking (nobody’s asked, but I’m volunteering to judge!), AND our very own, “CLC’s Got Talent!” Besides, it’ll be a great opportunity to get to know the other members of your family.

The fun begins at 11am that Saturday at Camp Manitoqua in Frankfort, IL (about a 10 minute drive from our Tinley campus).  Cost is only $5/person – BUT YOU DO NEED TO PURCHASE A TICKET IN ADVANCE (this helps us to plan for food, etc). Don’t delay – get your ticket at your campus this Sunday.

I’ll see you there.

passing it along….

I suppose I could have done a post here myself, ‘borrowing’ his thoughts, and probably no one would have known the difference except me.  But I’d rather give credit to Pastor Mark Beeson from Granger Community Church.  His post yesterday really struck a nerve with me, and I think you’ll benefit, too.  Click here and enjoy!

By the way, in our sermon planning meeting yesterday, we ‘tweaked’ the plan for our current series, because of the questions you’re submitting, and I’m even MORE pumped – you won’t want to miss a single Sunday in August, because the next 5 messages are definitely scratching where we itch!

more ‘Sunday’ reflections

A couple more reports from this past Sunday at CLC:

• the impact from the video testimonies of those two brave ladies is ongoing….I’m still getting reports of people being impacted, PLUS we’ve had folks stepping up with a desire to help others, and I really believe we’ll be able to offer a recovery group this Fall to help those who are struggling with secret sins…..WOW, what a difference one service made!
• Also, as we’ve announced, we now have a ‘distant-campus’ in Davao City, Philippines – and Pastor Herley Montes reports they also had a wonderful move of the Spirit there, with 
  9 people receiving Jesus into their hearts in the morning service and 11 more in the evening service when his son Joel preached, besides the 13 who had received the Lord after their Youth Ministry service last Friday night – a total of 33 salvation decisions in one week!  Herley also reports that the challenge he issued the congregation after our recent visit to give a special offering in order to have their building air-conditioned is over 80% complete, and he’s believing they will be able to complete that project soon – this is a huge step of faith & financial sacrifice for their congregation in the Philippines, and I rejoice with him!
• Speaking of other campuses, we’re also in discussions with possibilities for #4, #5 and #6 (or 5, 6, & 7 if you include Davao) – God is up to something at CLC, and I’m excited!

I know it’s not Sunday, but I thought you’d enjoy more good reports!

The abortion stories

Some have asked, and we aim to please, so here is the video that we used yesterday in all CLC services at all 3 campuses.  I’m still getting reports of people being helped & healed, so may it go viral!

More on Abortion…

Still getting reports on people who were helped by yesterday’s service…..so thankful for the LOVE of God that filled each of our campuses after the video presentation from two courageous ladies! 

Just thought I’d pass along what I had prepared for you yesterday but didn’t use:

You’ve enjoyed his music (maybe without knowing who wrote the songs) and he was a great blessing last week at the Christian Musicians Boot Camp that CLC hosted for our own Alan Franklin and Muzicnet…..but do you know Israel Houghton’s story?  Read it here and praise the Lord with me for God’s grace that Israel was not another abortion statistic!

And he’s certainly not alone….James Robison was the product of rape, and his 41-year old mother did seek an abortion, but the doctor refused.  Today he ministers to millions of people through his TV broadcast! 

Maybe you’ve heard of Christine Caine, whose ministry was launched from Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia – but who could so easily have been another abortion statistic.

Finally, perhaps the most amazing story I ran across in my research – enjoy this testimony of Gianna Jessen who survived an abortion attempt and now lives to the glory of God!

Oh yes….Sharon had asked if I could share this if there was time – the words of an Andre Crouch song that are now her testimony

I can’t wait for the next installment of our “Got Questions?” series – lots more folks are going to be helped!

Sunday reflections

I used to get so depressed every summer, with the drop in attendance, lack of momentum, etc. – but NOT this year!  Today was another great day at CLC:

• attendance near 1,500 again today….can’t wait until vacations are over and we move to another level!
• Pastors Doug & Shanna reported a sad tragedy at our South Bend campus, with the death of Rob Melton in an auto accident, so the service there was understandably heavy, but the congregation rallied around the family with love and prayers.
• Pastors Dan & Pat and our Shorewood campus had an incredible day, strong attendance, energetic worship and their campus picnic with volunteers stepping up for a great afternoon of fun & fellowship
• How do I describe what happened in Tinley Park today?  The opening message of our “Got Questions?” series tackled the issue of abortion, and those two very brave CLCers, Sharon & Christine, put it all out there by sharing the painful story of their multiple abortions.  There was such brokenness & healing afterwards, and I know many people were helped.
• I just gotta say it: I’m so glad to be part of a church that’s willing to truly help people deal with their stuff, instead of pretending we’re all perfect!  So much better to light a candle than curse the darkness!

Last week I gave him props for his preaching, but today I’m bragging on our incredible Media Director, Eduardo Marroquin, who is responsible for the incredible video of their stories today….he took about an hour-and-a-half of video footage from their interview and condensed it into a 19-minute video that moved everyone in the house at all three campuses.  Thanks, Ed, for enabling their story to be told in a way that many received hope & help, as the undeniable LOVE of God filled each auditorium!

Just one more thing: the pastors of our soon-to-be-announced 4th campus (or 5th, if you include Davao City, Philippines), Eric & Kristen Stone, report a wonderful day with new guests, a move of the Spirit that resulted in folks lingering in prayer for 25 minutes after service closed!  Mark your calendar for August 30 when we’ll ‘go public’ with plans for that new campus in the Lisle area.

I’m gonna sleep good tonight…such a good day for all of CLC….but before I close, let me hear from you – what were your thoughts about today’s services?

questions AND answers

Can a message in church make a difference in someone’s life?

Can a sermon series get our attention and help us focus on important issues?

Can the hurts of the past be forgiven in a moment of time?

Can the road to healing and recovery begin with one song or one message or one service?

I believe the answer to each of those questions is YES!  (If I didn’t believe that, I’d quit the ministry & find a job)

And I believe that this Sunday will be ‘one of those days’ at all 3 CLC campuses – when people who have carried guilt or pain or shame or rejection for a long time are going to find hope and help and healing.

It’s not too late for YOU to invite a friend.  Come expecting!

Ask the Pastor

I apologize in advance for a marathon post, but since we plan to answer your “Got Questions?” submissions that are not used in the sermon series (which begins this Sunday at each CLC campus), I’ve got to clear the deck of some backlogged questions submitted prior to the announcement of the new series…here goes:

1.  Does our sin separate us from God?

Uh, that would be undeniably, absolutely YES.  (see Isaiah 59:1-2)  Sin always brings death.  Just as Adam’s sin caused him to feel ashamed and to hide from God’s presence, even today our sin breaks our fellowship with God until we turn from it through repentance.

2. A faithful altar minister asks, “I hear people talk about ‘pleading the blood of Jesus’, but what does that mean?  It sounds to me like a prayer of desperation instead of faith.  Can you explain it?”

Umm, not sure; I’ll try.  I also have heard that term used, actually from my youth, and often times from highly-respected “prayer warriors”.  While I do not doubt their sincerety, I must say that I do not find that term or that practice in Scripture, at least not in the sense of repeating those words.

What I do find in the Bible is the power and effectiveness of the precious blood of Christ, our sacrificial Lamb.  I certainly believe that in spiritual warfare or deliverance, we have every right to use the established fact and legal authority given to us because of the blood of Christ….so if that’s what’s meant by “pleading the blood”, I’m all for it – but not a ‘vain repetition’ of just repeating those words like a mantra.  Hope that helps!

3.  Who will be here on earth during the Millennium?

Lots of folks!  Ok, seriously, as I understand Scripture, the Millennial Reign of Christ, (millennial = 1,000), and during which time Satan is bound, follows the return of Christ with His saints.  During that 1,000 year period, Jesus will rule (literally) from Jerusalem, and those of us who were part of His bride, the Church, will reign with Him, as ‘officials of His government’, if you will.  The purpose is to demonstrate to the world the kind of utopian paradise we could have if God’s will is done and sin is eliminated.

As to who is alive on the earth for us to rule, it would certainly include those who survived the Great Tribulation prior to the Millennium, as well as any children born during the 1,000 year period.  I’m guessing it includes people from many nations, as there will definitely be those alive who will be deceived at the end of the period when Satan is loosed again. Hope that helps!

4. A faithful CLCer writes, “Recently I read Matthew 12:36-37, and it made me wonder: after we are saved, are we assured of heaven?”

Very interesting question.  I think my best answer is that, in my humble opinion, being born-again does not assure us of heaven if we later choose to walk in disobedience to the Lord.  (I know; I know – many of you do believe in ‘unconditional’ eternal security or what’s called ‘once saved, always saved’ – but I don’t personally interpret Scripture that way, as I explained many times in the past, including this post.) However, I also know that Scripture teaches true believers do NOT appear at the Great White Throne for judgment as to heaven or hell as our final destination; we are judged at the ‘bema’ or Judgment Seat of Christ, which is for the administration of rewards, just like the Olympic platform for the medal winners.

So it’s important that we walk faithfully with the Lord in speech and conduct, but I don’t believe we ‘lose’ our salvation easily or for a slip of the tongue as the question implies.  This is such a weighty subject, I hope I’ve helped and not hindered by such a brief response.

For the next several weeks, I’ll be answering questions submitted on the CLC website for our current sermon series.

Israel Houghton & New Breed in concert

I’m sure you’ve heard of him…or at least heard his songs, even if you didn’t know who wrote them.

His story really fits the opening message of our “Got Questions?” series which kicks-off this Sunday at all 3 CLC Campuses.

But I mainly wanted to tell you that it’s NOT TOO LATE to get your ticket for Thursday night’s concert – 7pm at All Nations Community Church, 18620 S. Kedzie Ave. in Homewood.

For more info, or to purchase your ticket, click here.  See you there!

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