February 19, 2017

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

     With hundreds of churches and many denominations around, which one should I be a part of and is it important that I “join” the church by becoming a member?  To answer the first question, I need to examine what I believe and practice.  Do I study the Word of God and let it shape my life?  Have I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and am I letting Him become my Lord?  How committed am I to seeing His Word, the gospel, taken to my world?  It is important to align ourselves with those of like precious faith.  

     Attending such a church body is important, but even more important is becoming a member with them.  From the birth of the early church to the present, the church has been under attack by those who would compromise the principles and the truths of God’s Word.  As a member of the church, you have a voice.  You help the local church maintain its identity and fulfill its vision.  You have become one with the other members to proclaim the glory of God in your community by your commitment to the body of believers in Jesus Christ.  Membership in Chapel of the Plains is accepting the privilege of serving alongside fellow believers in this vast rural community and also of accepting the responsibility to work to build the Kingdom of God both here and around the world.                                                                     

                                                                                                                                     Pastor Orville    

February 12, 2017

MEMBERSHIP ~ PART 1

In Ephesians 4:24 -32, the Word of God speaks of our interacting with one another and how this interaction can affect the Holy Spirit.  First, in Christ we are “new creatures” and as such we are to “put on the new man which was created according to God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24, NKJV).  We are instructed as to what to put off and what to put on.  Not only are we believers in the heart, but we must put on that which identifies us as believers on the outside.  One statement in this passage reads, “for we are members of one another” (Ephesians 4:25b, NKJV).  

I am joined to every person who is a believer.  We are members together in the body of Christ, the church.  This membership was designed by God and by believing in Jesus Christ we joined this fellowship of believers.  It has no denominational distinction; it carries no earthly name except Christian.  Jesus stated a parable in Matthew 13:24 – 30 about wheat and tares.  After the good seed was planted, the enemy came by night and sowed tares (weeds) in the same field.  Both came up and grew side by side and at the time of harvest they were separated.  The weeds were burned and the wheat was preserved.  Today in Christianity we see both true believers and others who say they are Christian, but have never accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

What truly makes one a member with Christ, is the born-again experience.  When one confesses with his mouth in the Lord Jesus and believes in his heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, he is saved.  With the heart one believes to righteousness and with the mouth one confesses salvation, (see Romans 10:9 – 10).  Such confession leads to repentance of sin and to a turning to righteous living.  We then become members one of another in Christ Jesus.                                                                                                   

 ~  Pastor Orville

February 5, 2017

The Official Board

     In the “Constitution and By-Laws of the Chapel of the Plains, Stoneham, Colorado,” you will find the terms of governance that was adopted for this church.  This document spells out the rights and responsibilities of those who are members of this congregation.  One of those rights is to serve and be served in a responsible way that reflects the values of this congregation and honors the values of the organization, the Assemblies of God. 

     Under “Article VII Officers, Section 1,” six things are addressed:

(a) Biblical qualifications found in I Timothy 3:8-13 and Acts 6:3;

(b) terms of service is (3) three years;

(c) term limits is one term and then at least a year off before eligible again;

(d) number of deacons, no more than (3) three;

(e) these deacons constitute the official Board of Trustees and they chose the Secretary and Treasurer for the church; (f) “Deacons are to be active members in good standing with the Assembly.”

     In Article VII Officers, Section 2 it states “as trustees of the church” they “shall be custodians of all the church property.”  This is an important position and is to be filled in the Annual Meeting on February 26th.  As a recognized incorporated nonprofit with the State of Colorado this position must be filled.  I encourage you to diligently pray and serve if you are qualified and called upon to do so.                                                                

     The Lord’s promise to those who “serve well” is found in I Timothy 3:13: “For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus” (NKJV).  God blesses those who willing serve well in His kingdom.                                                                                                        ~ Pastor Orville

January 29, 2017

ANTICIPATION

I am excited!  I believe the best days for the Chapel of the Plains are ahead and not behind us.  God is working to bring the best pastor to fit this congregation and community.  One that will not only sustain this congregation, but one that will help all of us in our walk with the Lord.  This is what I anticipate.

For me to anticipate this way, I must become as a little child.  When asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  Jesus answered, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:1, 3 – 4, NKJV).  Children anticipate the very best from their parents.  We, as parents, provide the very best for our children.  Our Father in heaven provides the very best for us, for we are His children.  

The hard part for us in anticipation is humbling ourselves as a little child.  “Humble”, as used in the text, means putting aside our pride and willing submitting to God’s will.  This will require prayer.  As adults, we judge by what we see and hear.  God looks at the heart and God know best.  Therefore, take the time to submit yourselves to God and then only be excited about the one candidate that God is excited about bringing here to serve at the Chapel on the Plains.            

~ Pastor Orville

January 22, 2017

Diversity

     Last week I wrote about unity and how we are to endeavor “to keep…in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3 NKJV) We are such a diverse people, each with individual ideas and thoughts, attempting to come together to accomplish a great cause.  Actually, it is the greatest cause in the world, bringing the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ to all peoples.  Each of us is called to different fields of labor and yet, we come together to worship, encourage, inspire, and carry forth from our gatherings, strength and renewal of both the cause and ourselves.  

     How do we do that with such diversity?  Yes, we are diverse and different from each other. We are brought together by Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  He infuses us with the Holy Spirit when we are born again; He brings us into His body at salvation.  Jesus encourages us to be baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5) bringing us to the surrender to the Holy Spirit’s direction.  The Holy Spirit is given the responsibility to “guide you into all truth” (John 16:13, NKJV). To the Holy Spirit was also given the responsibility to lead the diversity.  His leadership is not to divide, but to unite.  The Holy Spirit distributes “diversities of gifts,” “differences of ministries,” and “diversities of activities” (I Corinthians 12:4 – 6, NKJV), to build the body of Christ.  Under His leadership “there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another” (I Corinthians 12:25, NKJV).  Under the direction of the Holy Spirit, one should see great diversity in the church and also great unity.

~ Pastor Orville