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Would you lie to win?  Would you stretch the truth if it served a bigger cause?  To put this in more contemporary terms, is it okay to accept an unproven statement as fact if it supports your larger aims?  Was it right for President Bush to accept the claims of weapons of mass destruction so we could attack Iran?
Would you betray a friend?  What if it were your neck versus his (or hers)?  Would disavow knowledge and shared history – much like the candidates on the election trail?
Would you ever cave in to pressure?  Would you do the wrong thing to get your wife off your back - or your boss?
Would you laugh at a helpless person?  Would you make fun of someone just because you could?  Or don’t you watch “American Idol?”
Would you take it?  Would you take unjust pain, punishment, and cruelty to serve a higher purpose?  Or would you say “I don’t deserve this” and come down from a cross?
Would you die for someone?  Put aside noble thoughts of dying for the one you love.  What about dying for people who don’t deserve it?
Would you quit?  Would you run away when things got too tough, too dangerous, too risky?  Or would you see something through to the end?
This Sunday, I begin a new series focused on last 24 hours of Jesus’ life.  The series is entitled “Would You?”  If you have a friend who needs to understand the difference between regular people and Jesus, this series is for them.
Would you invite someone to come?

I met with our Bible Community Group leaders last night.  Great meeting!  Great people!

I want to recap what I shared with them - why I think BCG is vital to ADBC:

1.  BCG is the only ministry at ADBC that reaches from top to bottom.  It helps families share a church experience together.

2.  BCG helps people find a place where they belong and a circle to include them.

3.  BCG encourages accountability.  The group leader can ask questions that re-enforce basic Christian behavior - and the whole church is made stronger!

4.  BCG  creates a care connection - where needs are noticed and met.

5.  BCG introduces core truths through Life Application Bible Study.

6.  BCG provides an environment for leader development.

7.  BCG provides a beneficial stickiness - people learn how to have relationship by being in a group.

Bottom line - BCG matters!

Genesis 39-48 - The Joseph saga in the longest story in Genesis.  Why?  Because God wants you to trust him over long periods of time, no matter if you are in a favored situation (favored child, favored servant, favored prisoner, or favored leader) or if you are dealt with unfairly (sold into slavery, falsely accused, forgotten by those you help). 

Plus, there will come a time when you will have a chance to get even with those who abused you and God wants you to think about the difference between revenge and testing to see if someone is now trustworthy.

Psalm 18:29  - one of my favorite verse and promises, also repeated in 2 Samuel 22:30 “with my God, I can scale a wall.!”

Psalm 20:4 - May God give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans suceed!

Matthew 8:23-27 - God keep me from little faith!

Acts 11:17 - Who am I to oppose God?  No body!

Acts 11 - 13 - pay attention to the church at Antioch.

1.  The Good News spilled over to Greeks

2.  God’s hand was with them!

3.  They had Barnabas as an encouraging leader and teacher.  He was full of the Holy Spirit and faith!

4.  He also knew he could not do it alone - he was willing to go and get Paul - who would be a greater and better teacher than he.

5.  The church at Antioch developed a great brand name “Christians”  - the ones belonging to Christ!

6.  The church was generous - they gave to others.

7.  The church was willing to listen to the Holy Spirit and give up their best leaders - Barnabas and Paul to go off on mission!

I want ADBC to be a church like Antioch!

We wrapped the FISH series - First Improve Spiritual Health.  I think this series was pivotal for our church.  To see true transformation, we must build Christian character.  We do that through the basic Christian disciplines of Bible Study, Prayer, serving, and giving.

What did you think about FISH?  Was it helpful?  Let me know by sharing a comment.

Genesis 37 - favoritism among children eventually will destroy a family.

Genesis 38 - Another one of those stories that we makes us ask - what is this doing in the Bible - Bottom line - before you stone someone for their sin, check and see if they are more righteous than you (v. 26).  You’d be surprised at the answer.

Psalm 17:7  - A great prayer to pray - show me the great wonder of your love!

Matthew 7:1-14 - We judge others to pull ourselves up.  Instead, ask God to supply your need and trust His love. 

Acts 10 :1-23- Get over your discomfort and do what God tells you to do!

We talk at ADBC a lot about taking your next step.  Recently the question was posed to me:  “How does a person know what their next step is?”  With that in mind, here is a simple quiz to help you get started:
1.       Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior?  Yes, go to 2.  No – then ask God to forgive you, and invite Him into your life, and surrender control to Him.
2.       Have you been baptized after you accepted Jesus?  Yes, go to 3.  No – then contact the church office and ask for information about being baptized.
3.       Have you joined a church family?  Yes, go to 4.  No – then find a church that feeds you and where you can serve, and join.  If that is ADBC, attend the next Starting Point, February 17^th.
4.       Have you joined a group?  Yes, go to 5.  No – then look at the group guide on the website (http://www.adbc.org/survey.php), or call the office and ask for suggestions.  Then try groups until you find the one that’s right for you.
5.       Are practicing basic spiritual disciplines?  Yes, go to 6.  No – start by reading the Bible.  Pray.  Give something if you have been giving nothing. 
6.       Are you behaving as a Christian?  Yes, go to 7.  No – start.  Identify something you can change today and for the next thirty days, pray about making the change every day.
7.       Are you serving?  Yes, go to 8.  No – Call the church office and ask “where are volunteers needed?”  Try something.  If that doesn’t work, try something else.
8.       Are you sharing your story?  Yes, go to 9.  No – Invite a friend to come to church with you.  Talk about your faith.  Volunteer to go to Africa.
9.       Are you done?  No  - if you have completed all these steps, then ask God to make your relationship with Him closer, your relationships with others deeper, your character stronger, and your purpose clearer. 
We all have a next step.  Find yours?

What does Martin Luther King Day mean to God’s people?

First, it is a reminder that God can use one imperfect man to make a difference, to drive a movement, to right a wrong, to speak as a prophet for justice.

Second, MLK day reminds us to think about racial legacies that still taint this country, this state, and this church.  We have made much progress.  I remember segregated schools, whites only bathrooms and water fountains, and shivering images on a small black and white television of blacks marching and whites protesting.  We have come a long way.  Some of you bear witness that this church once declared itself to be for whites only - but we repented and reversed course and declared that this church would open to all.

But we have much further to go.  As Christians, it should grate on our spiritual nerves whenever someone refers to “them.”  There is no “them,” only “us.”   What matters is a person’s need of Jesus and their acceptance of His grace.

This leads me to the last piece of MLK day - remember to pray for reconciliation - between races, yes, but also between broken human beings and God. 

Genesis 34 - one of the most fascinating stories in the Bible, rarely taught or preacher on.  It starts with a detestable act - rape.  The woman, Dinah, is treated as an object to bargained for - very far from the ideals of Genesis 2 - one flesh.  Greed enters the picture in verse 23 - let’s get circumcised so we can join with them and get their flocks and possessions through inter-marriage.  Then Dinah’s brothers attack while the men are still sore (Which may be why we don’t teach this passage that often - hard to explain in a non- explict way).  Tension arises between Jacob and his sons - Father:  Why did you do this?  You put us at risk!  Sons - Shouldn’t we defend our sister’s honor.

What’s a passage like this doing in the Bible?  I think it raises the very issues we deal with every day - do you act wisely and avoid battles or do you stand on honor and principle, even if it puts everything at risk.  Please notice this story does not offer a quick resolution.  It simply tells us that their are two ways to respond - but make your choice carefully - there are risks each way.

Genesis 35 - God changes the name of Jacob to recognize the change in his life.  He has moved from swindler to the one who is engaged and struggling with God - that’s a great shift.  Don’t forget that people who wrestle with God are at least engaged!

Psalm 15- the value of doing right - you are never shaken.

Psalm 16 - pay attention to verse 6 - are God’s boundaries pleasant to you?  If not, work on submission

Matthew 6:16-34 - we focus on these verses yesterday in the message.  Life is about more than possessions and worry.  Put God first, and things fall into place.

Acts 9 - Paul/Saul has to re-examine everything he has ever believed.  Ask God to help you know the truth about Him, not just what you have always heard about Him.

As I mentioned in the Sunday Download post, I am proud of what our students are doing.  I just walked over to the student building and saw 20 students and adults finishing the demolishing of the student building.  They’ve been ripping up carpet, taking down old “temporary” walls, and getting the builing ready for an upfit. 

This is a school holiday, and they could easily have been sleeping in, or playing videos, or goofing off.  So kids, here’s a salute to you!  Well done!

Despite the chilly weather, a good crowd today, especially when you factor in the long weekend (MLK Weekend).

Great to see two baptisms at 11!

A 79 year old woman accepted Christ at first service today!

A touching scene:  standing at the back at the 11 service, I saw a couple come in, search for a seat, and find empty chairs.  Then I saw a man leave his place, go over to the couple, slap the guy on the back, and exchange greetings.  Obviously knew each other from somewhere.  Love the initiative.

This is not strictly about Sunday, but our student have been doing a great job with the demolition of the student building to prepare the inside for renovation.  You should be proud of them!  Well done Nathan and team!