In the Name of the Father, Son...and Holy Spirit

By Phil Shahbaz, Pastor of Community Life

As a child, I would watch my father preach. I always looked upon him with hopeful eyes as he preached God’s word to God’s people. His church was a real life snapshot of Middle America, placed right at the center of a sleepy town called Turlock, California. The church had been built in the early 1920s. There was a never-ending staircase that unfolded as you made your way toward its solid oak doors. There was no steeple, but there was a tower that seemed to slice the church in half, ascend into the sky, and proudly display a white cross for all to see. On the inside, its hardwood floors echoed as you walked. The round, stained glass window beyond the pulpit functioned as the centerpiece. It was a representation of Jesus Christ, praying in earnest in the Garden of Gethsemane. The glass sparkled brilliantly and illuminated the church when the sun touched it just right. Then sometimes my father would end his sermon with these words:

“In the name of the Father, in the name of the Son, in the name of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”

His words often prompted me to look at the stained glass. There was something about that glass that seemed holy and reverent. In my young mind, I saw in that glass all three parts of God: Jesus praying to His Father and the Holy Spirit illuminating them as we quietly worshiped.
As a child, it was that glass that made me wonder and question the role of the Holy Spirit. Not able to fully understand, I imagined the Holy Spirit as a force that God used to keep me safe. As an adult, I learned that the role of the Holy Spirit was much grander. The Holy Spirit was, and is, the living God. The Holy Spirit is always with me. The Holy Spirit is always shining down on me; no stained glass was required.

The Holy Spirit’s role within the church begins with the individual believer. Once a person has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, they are baptized by the Holy Spirit, and as a result, indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9). How the Holy Spirit moves through that person is then a result of the individual’s willingness to give themselves over to the Spirit’s influence.

The Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity of God that Christians believe in. We believe in a Triune God that is one in essence but eternally existing in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The LBF doctrinal statement states that “each part of God exists coequally in attributes, power, glory, and equally worthy of all obedience, worship, praise, and adoration” (Matthew 28:19; Deuteronomy 6:4; John 14:6,7; John 5:23; Acts 5:3-4).

In the Old Testament, God the Father chose to communicate directly with the prophets – guiding them, advising them, and communicating the law. For 33 years, God the Son communicated with us directly – teaching, healing, bringing a new message for both Jew and Gentile, and finally, dying on the cross and defeating sin through His resurrection. After Christ’s ascension, God the Holy Spirit now communicates with us directly. The Holy Spirit functions as the portion of God that intercedes on our behalf, communicates for us, and communicates through us as individual Christians and as the Body of Christ.

For each of us, the Holy Spirit’s work in our life is different. Some Christians place a high value on miraculous signs, the speaking of tongues, healing, and prophecy as evidence of the Spirit’s influence in our lives. These attributes are real and they are in fact the work of the Holy Spirit, to be used any time by the Spirit within the church. But make no mistake, the Holy Spirit’s presence in a person’s life is evidenced by the Christ-like character that they portray (Galatians 5: 22-25).

It has been years since I have seen that beautiful stained glass in my father’s church. Instead, I carry a vivid but meaningful memory with me. More importantly, the Holy Spirit that spoke to me as a child is still speaking to me as an adult, and always will.

This Weekend's Message: Can I Trust God?

Each week we will look at an Old Testament story and see some pretty important moves that God called his people to make. This week we look at Adam and Eve and their move out of the Garden of Eden. To get a head start be sure to read Genesis chapter 3 as we ask the question, “Can I Trust God with My Mess?” We want to look at our ability to trust God when we blow it and He tells us to move? Do I believe God is good in those kinds of times? Do I believe I’m forgiven and loved and redeemed?

Join us this week as we explore the topic of trusting God in a variety of situations and moves.

By the way, two things I want to encourage you in this week; first be sure to stop by the Harvest Party table after service on Sunday and sign up for a place to serve that evening and second be sure to vote on Tuesday, November 2.

God Bless,
Gary Keith

Reflections: October 24, 2010

This week’s “Reflection” by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor
The Journey Ends
Acts 27 and 28
This past Sunday was week 24 in our study of Acts. In the first part of the book we looked at how to “Be the Church.” Once Paul was on the scene, we then learned what it means to be on a “Road Trip.” This has been an adventure for us as we have learned how the Christian Church started and how it grew. Now that the 28 chapters are completed the “Road Trip” is not over. I think we are now living in chapter 29. The spreading of the church and the spreading of the gospel is still unfolding and will until Christ returns. Now we are part of continuing the work begun by many faithful servants of Jesus. God has now entrusted the good news of Jesus with us. It is our turn to carry it forward.
As you think back on the book of Acts, what is the one thing that stands out the most to you? What one thing impacted you more than anything? How will you be a different kind of Jesus-follower as a result of our Acts study? I’d love to hear from you! God Bless.

This Weekend's Message: Seeing God in the Midst of Trouble

Journey’s End
Acts 27 and 28
This week we finish up our 24-week study in the book of Acts. It would be hard to put in a sentence or two all that I have learned and grown in as we have studied this together. And this week we will once again provide an opportunity for learning as we live with Paul through yet another life-threatening adventure. This time Paul found himself once again in the middle of trouble, but this trouble was weather-related and then he was bitten by a venomous snake. I mean what more can happen to this guy, really?!
How about us? When we are in the middle of trouble it can be hard to see the hand of God, right? This is when we tend to say, “What are you doing God?” or “Where are you God?” or “Why God?” As we walk with Paul through his storm, we will have the opportunity to learn some things about how to live in the storms we find ourselves in.
Hope to see you Sunday! By the way, if you haven’t signed up to serve at the Harvest Party, this is the week – there will be a form in the bulletin. Also thanks so much for all the candy that has been given so far. We can still use more! This party is shaping up to make a huge difference in our community. I can’t wait!
Gary Keith

Reflections: October 17, 2010

This week's Reflection by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor
Crazy Christian
Acts 25-26
Have you ever been called crazy for being a Christian? I know there are people out there who think Christian’s are crazy, but many times it’s for the wrong reasons. I know that I’m embarrassed by the behaviors of some people who call themselves Christians who receive national media attention for the politically charged things they say or do, or for the way they attack others. What really gets me is that it makes it harder to help people understand that our faith is not about those things they see on TV. Like Paul, if people are going to call us crazy, may it be about the belief we have in the resurrection and how much we love others. What do you think? 

This Weekend's Message: Are You a Crazy Christian?

Crazy Christian
Acts 25-26
Has anyone ever called you crazy for being a Christian? This week we will see that Paul was called crazy by governor Festus. But why? Why was he called crazy for being a Christian? Was it because of his outlandish behavior? Was it because of his beliefs? Would Jesus be pleased with the reasons Paul was called crazy?
There is a big difference between the reasons Paul was called crazy by Festus and why some Christians are called crazy today. There are some good reasons to be called crazy for Jesus, but there are some embarrassing reasons as well – reasons that do not please Jesus at all. Come this week and learn about the difference!
Gary Keith

Reflections: October 10, 2010

This week’s “Reflection” by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Worship
To live above reproach...to live with integrity...to live with a clear conscience....THAT is freedom. So many people believe that they are getting more out of life by bending the rules, sneaking around, and living for themselves with no regard for others. But the reality for a person that lives this way is a life full of looking over their shoulder, feeling picked on because of consequences for the things that they do, regret, and dishonor of themselves, their families, and God.

As I continue to reflect on the passage this weekend in Acts 24, there are so many nuggets to pull out, but the one that continues to stick out to me is verse 16 where Paul says, "I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people." Trying takes work. And it is the kind of work that we cannot do on our own. It is the work of the Holy Spirit that produces this kind of fruit.

This week I want to encourage you to join me in prayer, asking God to reveal the actions, attitudes, and activities that cause those who observe us to question what we really live for and accuse us of reproachable activity. How are our good intentions to be "Christian" sabotaged by selfish attitudes, succumbing to temptation, and justifying behavior? I pray that God would show each of us how we can change our lives to live in a way that would cause those who would accuse us to look foolish. 

This Weekend's Message: Have You Ever Suffered for Doing the Right Thing?

Have you ever had your integrity called into question? Have you ever been falsely accused of something? Have you ever suffered for doing the right thing?

We have all probably faced at least one, if not all of these scenarios, and if we are honest, it probably drove us to a place of asking "why me?" This week we are going to look at Paul on trial (Acts 24), and how his life and testimony in the face of suffering honored God and continued his ministry to those who needed to hear the good news of the gospel.

See ya Sunday, 
Jeff  

Reflections: October 3, 2010

This week’s “Reflection” by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor
Living Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Acts 22:24-23:35
Not once, not twice but twenty-three times in the New Testament Paul publicly says that he has a clear conscience before God. I don’t know about you but I find that statement pretty challenging. I find that challenging because when we are in those rock and hard place moments in our desire to free ourselves we are tempted to say things or do things that are morally wrong. But not Paul, He is a wonderful example of staying true to his faith even when the pressure is on.
What do you believe are the other factors at work here that would help us stay true to our faith when we are between a rock and a hard place? What has helped you maintain a clear conscience before God when you are between a rock and a hard place?