Jesus Alone Is Mighty to Save

Jesus Alone is Mighty to Save

Tom White, Director of The Voice of the Martyrs, writes about watching an interview of four religious leaders — a Catholic, two Protestants, and a Muslim — speaking in Chicago. They were discussing youth violence after a Chicago student was beaten to death at his high school. The Muslim leader, referring to the outreach of his own mosque, said we could fight youth violence with “the gospel … the church … the word of God.” White says, “He pirated these Christian terms for his own Islamic use. Throughout the entire program, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, was never mentioned, unless it was edited out.”

White goes on to say, “Is it easy for me to substitute my own witness for Jesus with politically correct terms like “moral code” or “family values”? The public does not resist these terms because these are not life changing words. These words have no power to save or transform. These generic words, when purposefully divorced from Jesus, become meaningless.”

This is exactly the message we have been considering this winter as I have preached from the miracles of Jesus. The miracles not only tell us that Jesus is Mighty to Save, but that he is the only One who is Mighty to Save.

Jesus broke into people’s lives when he lived on the earth to heal lepers, the paralyzed, the blind, the deaf, to drive out demons, to calm the storms, and to raise the dead in order to show us that he can deal with all the issues of life that we face. Then ultimately he rose from the dead to demonstrate his power over the greatest enemy we have. He alone can solve the violence in our schools and every other problem our culture faces. We need to point people to Jesus.

In the same column, Tom White told about the founder of Voice of the Martyrs, Richard Wurmbrand, who took many dangerous trips into communist countries to tell people about Jesus “the sin killer, the transformer.”

The newsletter went on to tell about a North Korean who escaped to China in search of churches that were rumored to be giving away food. He was given a Bible to take home with him, read it, believed it, and gave his life to Christ. He would later risk his life to return to China to take more Bibles back to North Korea. In China, he met a North Korean army commander who had also given his life to Christ, but continued to serve in the army. They risk their lives everyday if they are even caught with a Bible because they believe, as we do, that Jesus is Mighty to Save.

Jesus is powerful beyond imagination and can work even in the most anti-Christian nation in the world. If he can work there, he can work within us.

Westwood Message – 2/18/2010

Invite a Friend to Westwood

You can always invite a friend or family member to come to Westwood with you, but in the next few weeks we will have two events to which I would like to encourage you to invited others.

First, we will hold an outreach event on March 26 at 7:00 pm when we host a presentation from Jews For Jesus titled Christ In the Passover. Jean Hanson, a volunteer with Jews For Jesus will make the presentation, and we will follow it with a feedback/question and answer time. While the presentation focuses on the Jewish Passover, it is relevant for everyone seeking to know Christ as it shows how God used the Passover to prepare people for the coming of his Son into the world.

Second, we will celebrate the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday, April 4. On that day, I will conclude my current sermon series with a message on the resurrection by looking at Jesus’ raising of Lazarus from the dead using the theme, “Discovering the One Who Defeats Death.” Our worship planning team is discussing ideas for an uplifting worship service that Sunday. It will provide you with another great opportunity to invite a friend or family member to attend with you.

By early March, we will have flyers ready for you to use to invite people to these events. You can begin now to pray about who you can invite.

See a Special Exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum

The Milwaukee Public Museum is currently exhibiting, in a limited engagement, “Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible: Ancient Artifacts, Timeless Treasures.”

We are planning a group trip to see the exhibit and will be announcing a date soon. Keith Schoville, our “resident biblical archaeologist” has agreed to see the exhibit. He will be able to answer some of the questions people in our group might have.

The exhibit brings together archaeological objects and manuscripts to tell a story 2,000 years in the making. You will witness actual Dead Sea Scrolls and other early biblical artifacts to learn how transmission of these early writings has shaped the beliefs of Judaism and Christianity and influenced aspects of Islam. This is the largest temporary exhibit ever produced by the Milwaukee Public Museum.

Free Showing of ”Sophie’s Choice”

Care Net Pregnancy Center is hosting a special screening of the newly acclaimed film, "Sarah's Choice" starring Rebecca St. James. This inspirational movie is about a young woman who experiences an unplanned pregnancy and is torn about what to do. With financial pressures mounting and her career at stake, she must make a choice. This free viewing of the film can be seen on February 28 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at High Point Church. You can sign up for free tickets at Care Net’s web site.

JESUS CAN CALM THE STORMS IN YOUR CHURCH

On November 10, 1975, the Edmund Fitzgerald, one of the largest carriers on the Great Lakes, found herself in the worst storm to hit Lake Superior in more than thirty years. She had sailed the lakes for seventeen years when the storm with wind speeds of 80 miles per hour and gusts of 96 miles per hour and with waves running thirty feet high struck the mighty ship. Shortly after 7:00 pm in the looming darkness the Edmund Fitzgerald's long hull bent, then bent further, then snapped like a broken bone. Her two great pieces foundered momentarily and began their tragic descent some 500 feet, settling 170 feet apart on Lake Superior's bottom. Some say that the breakup happened in ten seconds. One instant she was plowing through waves as high as a three-story building, the next she was gone.

During his ministry, Jesus encountered a sudden storm one evening while crossing the Sea of Galilee with his disciples. Given the much smaller size of their boat and of the Sea of Galilee compared to the Edmund Fitzgerald and Lake Superior, the storm was just as dangerous for Jesus and his disciples. Storms can strike fast and hard on the Sea of Galilee. This one was of such proportions that the disciples were afraid for their lives – even the veteran fisherman in the group who had no doubt navigated many harsh storms on the Sea of Galilee.

Matthew says this terrific storm blasted them “without warning.” Luke calls it a “squall,” which literally means “a hurricane wind” that came down on the lake and swamped the boat. Matthew uses the word “earthquake” to describe the storm. It was as though the lake was being shaken.

I have seen storms come up like that in people’s lives and in the church. One day everything is going fine when without warning a storm hits. Sometimes the storms are personal, but they strike at the heart and soul of a congregation because of the nature of the storm and who it strikes. I have seen this happen when a leader in the church or a member of a leader’s family falls into sin and the entire church is affected. Other storms can be congregational in nature when a major disagreement erupts in the church or a physical calamity strikes. Whether it is personal or congregational, the storm can make it feel like the entire congregation has been shaken.

When the storm struck the Sea of Galilee that night as Jesus and his disciples crossed, Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat – but he had not left them. When they awakened him, Jesus instantly calmed the wind and the water. Just as suddenly as the storm appeared, it disappeared. Here is a compelling thought: the storm did not disturb Jesus, but the unbelief of the disciples did. He said to them, “Where is your faith?”

The disciples should have known Jesus could calm the storm. At this point in his ministry they had already see him perform several miracles. He had touched an “untouchable” leper and healed him, healed a centurion’s servant without even going to his home, and raised a widow’s son from the dead.

If we have followed Jesus for any length of time, we have seen him do some amazing things. Yet in the midst of the storms that disrupt our personal and congregational lives, we do not always believe that Jesus is there in the midst of us. We think he is asleep, not in the boat, but at the switch. Our faith falters, and we wonder if he will wake up. Then he stands in the midst of us and calms our worried souls. He can and does act to bring stability to our lives and the church.

When he calmed the storm that night, the disciples were once again amazed at what he did. People were constantly amazed at what Jesus did. Just read the Gospels again, and notice how often the word is used. The disciples said, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

Who is he, indeed! He is the Master of the universe and the one who loves us deeply. When a storm hits your church, he is the one you need to turn to. He is the one who can calm people’s lives and empower the church to carry on her mission no matter how terrific and threatening the storm is. The next time a storm threatens your church, allow him to work. Then watch in amazement and say, “Who is this? He calms the worst of our storms.”

Invite a Friend to Westwood

When Jesus called his first disciples, Peter and Andrew, Matthew’s Gospel tells us he saw these two fishermen brothers casting a net into the Sea of Galilee. He said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Shortly afterward he saw two other brothers, James and John and called them. All four immediately left their nets and followed him.

Jesus calls all of his followers to be fishers of men. One way to encourage your friends and family to follow Jesus is to invite them to events and services at Westwood.

We have been working to turn Westwood into a “fishing” church. Toward that end, we have two opportunities coming up in late March and early April that will give you an opportunity to invite someone that you know to come learn about Jesus.

First, we will hold an outreach event on March 26 at 7:00 pm similar to the events we have held in each of the past two years. This year, we will host a presentation from Jews For Jesus titled Christ In the Passover. Jean Hanson, a volunteer with Jews For Jesus will make the presentation, and we will follow it with a feedback/question and answer time. While the presentation focuses on the Jewish Passover, it is relevant for everyone seeking to know Christ as it shows how God used the Passover to prepare people for the coming of his Son into the world.

Second, we will celebrate the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday, April 4. On that day, I will conclude my current sermon series with a message on the resurrection by looking at Jesus’ raising of Lazarus from the dead using the theme, “Discovering the One Who Defeats Death.” Our worship planning team has already begun discussing ideas for our worship service that Sunday. It will provide you with another great opportunity to invite a friend or family member to attend with you.

By early March, we will have flyers ready for you to use to invite people to these events. Begin now to pray about who you can invite. Determine to be a fisher of men.

Church in Managua, Nicaragua, Has Extraordinary Ministry

Several years ago, Billy and Bette Loft, missionary friends of Christine and I, started a church in Managua, Nicaragua, that has an extraordinary ministry. I just received an email update from them and here are some of the highlights:

· Late last year, they sent a team on a missions trip to Paraguay. During the trip there were 30 decisions for Christ and 10 baptisms. On the weekend of January 17, they reported to the church in Managua about the trip and they had the largest attendance in two years, with an even larger attendance the next weekend.

· Last Monday in a leaders’ meeting, Billy reported to a group of leaders that a couple the church sent to Paraguay to work in the church there was $250 short in monthly support. The leaders committed to making up that support after they are already committed to support above their ability, but now by faith hope to do more.

· The Managua church has another couple ministering in Spain who live on less than half the support of other missionaries in Spain. They went to Spain originally for one year, but have remained for 13 or 14 years. They are developing leaders and growing the church with ministries to the Muslims, Latin immigrants and the Spaniards.

There are stories like that taking place all over the world. We have our own story here in Madison, and missionaries we support around the world have their own stories. God is doing wonderful work wherever you look. I was encouraged to faithfully work hard at ministry by reading the example of the church in Managua. I hope you are encouraged too. If they can minister effectively and faithfully for our Lord, so can we. Indeed, we must if people in Madison are going to know the Lord.

Elders’ and Church Leaders’ Conference on February 20

Lincoln Christian University in Lincoln, IL, is hosting its annual Elders’ and Church Leaders’ Conference on February 20 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. We are putting together a group of people to attend, and the elders have agreed to pay the $30 person registration fee from the Elders’ Fund in our budget.

The theme for the day is “Leading the Simple Church.” Lincoln’s information about the conference says, “If you are looking for ways to move your congregation away from time-wasting activities and refocus on simple processes for moving people from visitors to mature believers, plan to attend LCU’s “Leading the Simple Church.’” Best-selling author of Simple Church, Dr. Thom Rainer will present a three-part seminar covering the reasons for, the process of becoming, and the results of the simple church. In addition to the seminars, a variety of smaller forums will be offered. Click here for complete information and schedule.

If you are interested and have questions, contact me. If you know, you would like to attend with our group, let Chardel know.

Join the Million Pound Challenge – Help our Food Pantry

I hope you have seen our information in announcements about the Million Pound Challenge and are considering participating in it. You can help out our Food Pantry by doing so.

For each pound of weight you lose, or every hour you work out in January through May, 10 pounds of food will be donated to Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin by the Princeton Club and other corporate sponsors, up to one million pounds! You can also make a financial contribution; 10 pounds of food will be donated for every dollar you contribute. You can even choose which food pantry the donation will go to (suggestion: Westwood’s!) Work out wherever you want and someone donates food on your behalf, how’s that for motivation?

Membership to the Princeton Club is not required for participation, but you must register and log your progress on their website. To register, go to www.princetonclub.net/mpc. When you register, join ‘Team Westwood – Will Work Out for Food.’ and choose Westwood Christian Church as your designated food pantry!

If you have any questions, please contact Rachelle Purington at 608-345-3172 or rashelly18@yahoo.com, or Chardel at Westwood’s office, 274-0266 or cjohnston@westwoodchristian.com.