Epistle for August 2, 2002
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Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation August 2, 2002
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In This Issue:
Messge from Curt Scarborough, Personal Disciplines for Spiritual Growth
Sermon: Isaiah 58:1-14 & I Chronicles: 4:1-43
Bible Study: I Thessalonians 1:1-10
Personal Growth of the Minister
Message From Dr. Curt Scarborough
Beginning this month, the FreeWay Foundation is offering a special series of conferences for pastors entitled "A Pastor's Devotional Life." Every other Thursday, we will meet to consider two of eight chosen "Personal Disciplines for Spiritual Growth," from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Christian Civic Foundation Building, 3426 Bridgeland Dr., Bridgeton, MO 63044.
This Thursday, August 1, 2002, I plan to introduce the series with a 30-minute theme interpretation on "Fasting and Prayer." (The outlines for my remarks follow.) Dr. Gary Taylor, pastor of First Baptist Church, O'Fallon, MO will bring the 1-hour study on his personal involvement in fasting and prayer. A 30-minute open discussion, with questions and answers will follow his presentation. All ministers and other interested persons are invited to attend this study. It is a FREE seminar, and no reservations are necessary.
On Thursday, August 15, we will meet to study "Singing and Praising." Rev. Dan Hite, pastor of Christian Family Fellowship, Wentzville, MO will be our guest presenter.
On Thursday, August 29, we will meet to study "Reading (God's Word) and Meditating." Dr. David Claybrook, pastor Christ Church of St. Louis, will be out guest presenter.
On Thursday, September 12, we will meet to study "Receiving and Journaling," and Rev. Jim Carter, pastor of First Baptist Church of Ferguson, will be the guest presenter.
Personal Disciplines for Spiritual Growth
by: Dr. Curt Scarborough
1. Fasting: at least one meal each week,
Matthew 6:16-18; Matthew 17:20-21; Isaiah 58:3-7
2. Praying: confession and intercession, "without ceasing" . . .
at least three times daily, using the Model Prayer.
Psalm 55:17; I Thessalonians 5:17; Matthew 6:9-13; I John 1:9
3. Singing: pslams, hymns, and spiritual songs . . .
making melody in your heart continually.
Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13
4. Praising: speaking words to magnify the Lord,
at least seven times daily.
Psalm 119:164; Psalm 150:1-6; Hebrews 13:15; Revelation 19:5
5. Reading: God's word daily . . . through the Bible annually.
II Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12
6. Meditating: daily on the spiritual truths and implications
in each chosen Scripture passage.
Psalm 19:14; Philippians 4:8
7. Receiving: the Holy Spirit's fullness, enlightenment,
revelation. renewal, refreshing, and power daily.
John 14:26; Ephesians 1:17-19; 5:18; James 1:5; I John 2:27
8. Journaling: daily writing personal reflections, revelations,
experiences, and spiritual applications.
Deuteronomy 17:18-20; Jeremiah 30:2; Habakuk 2:2
True Fasting Glorifies God, Helps People
(Isaiah 58:1-14)
1. Concentration: on basic background truths about fasting
1. Fasting is scriptural. The Bible makes it clear that fasting is a key to
spiritual power . . . breaking the bonds of evil and receiving God's counsel,
Mark 9:29; Acts 13:2-3.
2. Jesus taught fasting; By work and example, our Lord witnessed to the
benefits of fasting. If Christ needed to fast and profited from fasting, how
much more necessary is it to us? Matthew 4:2; 6:16; Mark 2:20.
3. What fasting is not:
(1) Fasting is not a hunger strike by which we twist God's arm to
make Him do what we want,
(2) Fasting is not an exercise to attract His attention; His eye is always
upon us,
(3) Fasting is not to earn His blessing by tipping the scales of His grace
and mercy in our favor by enduring pain, and
(4) Fasting is totally worthless if it is done to win man's praise, Matthew 6:16-18.
4. What fasting does:
(1) It establishes the priority of our spirit over our flesh,
(2) It demonstrates self-control and discipline.
(3) It develops from a deep concern about a particular situation or need, and
(4) It frees-up unspent meal money to be given to charity.
II. Meditation: on truths about genuine fasting in this chapter
Isaiah 58 reveals these benefits and realities of true fasting:
1. Continual guidance and protection of God, vv. 8, 11.
2. Satisfaction of all our needs, v. 11.
3. Healing and strengthening of our physical bodies, vv. 8, 11.
4. Radiance and enhanced reputation, vv. 8, 10, 12.
5. Assurance of God's presence, and answers to our prayers, v. 9.
6. Joy and abundant blessings without ceasing, vv. 11, 14.
7. Purpose in life; a sense of divine destiny, v. 12.
III. Revelation: on what "truly fasting" involves in a believer's life
1. Bringing freedom to the captives and the oppressed, vv. 6, 9.
2. Meeting the physical needs of persons who are hurting, vv. 7, 10.
3. Worshipping God His way (in spirit and in truth), v. 13.
4. Allowing one's good works and godly influence to glorify God, v. 12.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Fast (and pray) to receive all the blessings listed above.
2. Make my actions match my words; practice what I preach, vv. 1-5.
3. Claim, with joy and thanksgiving, God's covenant promises to me.
4. Build my life to fulfill God's purpose and to benefit future generations.
Jabez: "He Will Cause Pain"
(I Chronicles 4:1-43)
I. Concentration: on the family of this man named Jabez
1. This chapter lists the genealogy of the tribes of Judah and Simeon; Jabez's
name appears unattached in the Judah list, vv. 9-10.
2. The names of his father, mother, and brothers are not mentioned.
3. His mother named him Jabez, meaning "He will cause pain" . . . perhaps
because his way was a very difficult, painful birth.
4. Because his lineage is kept secret, possibly the pain Jabez "caused" was
emotional: the shame and embarrassment of illegitimate birth.
II. Meditation: on the character of Jabez
1. His name indicates that his mother placed him under a curse when he was
born by giving him a prophetic name: "He will cause pain."
2. This cruelty exhibited by his mother may have damaged his self-esteem, yet
it also may have been a factor in his strong moral character.
3. According to v. 9, Jabez was "more honorable than his brothers."
4. This refers, not to his place in the family which was dishonorable, but to his
spiritual position . . . he "called on the God of Israel." v. 10.
III. Revelation: on the prayer of Jabez
1. He prayed for God to bless him indeed, including an enlarged territory as his
inheritance; as an illegitimate son, he likely would have received little or no
property from his father.
2. He prayed for God's presence and power to be with him.
3. He prayed that God would keep him from evil . . . asking for protection,
deliverance, and guidance, such as Jesus taught the disciples to request
in the Model Prayer, Matthew 6:13.
4. He prayed that he would not cause pain (not that he would not have or
experience pain) . . . asking that his life and influence would be a blessing
rather than a curse.
So God granted him what he requested
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Understand that God is no respecter of persons.
2. Know that God hears those who sincerely call upon Him.
3. Pray for the Lord's providential care and provision, His presence and power,
and His protection, deliverance, and guidance.
4. Be assured that God not only desires to bless His people; He also
desires for us to be a blessing to others, I Peter 3:9.
Although the prayer of Jabez has much to commend it, Christians should not use it as our model. When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, He did not point them to Jabez's prayer (although, of course, He was familiar with I Chronicles 4:9-10). Rather, He gave them Luke 11:1-4, which is a restatement of Matthew 6:9-13. Our prayers, for example, must always include asking God for forgiveness and offering it to others.
"Remembering Without Ceasing"
(I Thessalonians 1:1-10)
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Paul, accompanied by Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy, sent greetings to the
church of the Thessalonians, v. 1.
2. Paul assured them of his continuing prayers as he thanked God for the
memories of their faithfulness, vv. 2-4.
3. Paul wrote to remind them of the gospel, which he had preached, and which
they had received in much affliction and with joy, vv. 5-7.
4. Paul commended the Thessalonians because their witness for Christ had
permeated the entire region of Macedonia and Achaia, vv. 8-10.
II. Meditation: on Paul's prayer . . . "remembering without ceasing"
1. He remembered their work of faith, v. 3.
2. He remembered their labor of love, v. 3.
3. He remembered their patience of hope, v. 3.
4. He remembered their election by God, v. 4.
III. Observations: on the gospel Paul preached (v. 5)
1. It did not come by word only.
2. It came also with diving power to change lives.
3. It came in the manifested presence of the Holy Spirit.
4. It came producing great assurance of a right standing before God.
IV. Revelation: on how the Thessalonians received Paul's message
1. In much affliction (suffering and persecution), v. 6.
2. With the inner joy produced by the Holy Spirit, v. 6.
3. As good examples to other believers, v. 7.
4. As faithful proclaimers of the gospel to other nations, v. 8.
5. As committed people of faith, whose reputation needed no letter of
recommendation from Paul, v. 8.
6. As believers committed to serving the living and true God, v. 9.
7. As expectant people, looking for the return of Christ, v. 10.
V. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Labor for the Lord, motivated by the "big three" . . . faith, hope, and love,
v. 3, because God chose me ("election"), v. 4.
2. Do more than merely talk about the Lord; I also need to manifest His life-changing
presence and power in my life . . . living day by day with "Blessed Assurance."
3. Faithfully serve the true and living God, with joy in spite of affliction, as a good
example for other believers to follow.
4. Always be alert, watching, and prepared for the return of Christ.
Personal Growth of the Minister
by: Dr. David Claybrook, Pastor, Christ Church, St. Louis
Dear J.D. (Jesus' Disciple),
This morning I read I Chronicles 13. David has always been one of my main Biblical heroes. Despite his flaws, he was obviously a great leader who attracted the down and out and turned them into the up and in. He knew how to inspire confidence and loyalty. I believe the main reason is that he sought God first, then he sought confirmation from his leaders. In Chapter 13, though it is not stated, I believe David received an inspiration, and idea for a plan of action. Before acting on it he conferred with each of his officers. David proposed to send for the rest of the brothers of Israel, including the priests and Levites, and go together to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. He prefaced this plan by saying: "If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the Lord our God."
J.D., let's stop and put ourselves in the place of a couple of these officers. How long would it take for us to decide whether this is God's will and whether it seems good to us? The Ark represents the presence, glory, power and provision of God. We call that "revival" and we sure want that, don't we? No brainer! Right!!! So we are ready to go after God's glory. But what about getting all the others together to do this? After all there has been some pretty major disagreements and disappointments among the brethern in the past. Do we really want to put all of our differences aside and agree to go after God's glory together? Could that be God's will too????
There was no question for them. Verse four says, "The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people." As a result, though they had to learn that to receive the manifest presence of God meant treating as holy the holy things of God, they ultimately brought the Ark into Jerusalem with much joy and celebration, and much resulting blessing.
J.D., our cities need a restoration of the glory of God's presence. Do you suppose God may be placing on his leaders' hearts that it is time to get together for this purpose? I believe God is revealing to his church that he is much bigger than all of our denominational and doctrinal walls. As we look to him for guidance, he is saying, "Don't lay down your traditions and distinctions, just keep your eyes on me, take my hand and together we can step over them and join hands with others who love Jesus." (Satan, of course, is counterfeiting this move of God by having religious peoples of all stripes, but who have no Biblical convictions, come together in an quasi Christian ecumenism. This is not God and we shouldn't be set back by it.)
An article in the Charisma & CHRISTIAN LIFE one time was about a Southern Baptist pastor in Houston who God called to begin to link with other pastors to pray over their city. As a result about half of the city of Houston was covered with Christians from many denominations praying. The article said, "Churches in Houston also are uniting in an unprecedented way. Many pastors have stoped their turf wars and linked arms against their common enemy." Another Baptist pastor was praying for revival and he states God asked him a question, "Is it OK if I send revival to the Methodist?" His reply was, "Of course, Lord." Then God asked, "And is it OK if I send revival to the charismatics too?" That pastor then linked with fifteen others in his area to pray for God to bring revival to the city.
Some time ago God impressed me to write to all of the pastors in my area and ask if they were part of a pastor's prayer group I could join. I shared this with my church and they agreed I should do it. I got a list of all the pastors in the area and mailed my first group of letters. I got no response but began to prepare my next mailing. Someone said, "If very many of them respond, it sure will change your schedule." I agreed, but then it is time I changed my schedule to include more prayer. How about you?
Disciple Maker (D.M.)
Certified Biblical Counseling Courses To Be Offered
FreeWay Foundation, in cooperation with American Association of Christian Counselors, is offering a complete 5-unit, 30-lesson training program designed to educate and equip pastors and counselors within the church. All sessions will be held at the Christian Civic Foundation Building in Bridgeton. Two options are available for this five day seminar: five consecutive days beginning Monday, September 9, or five consecutive Thursdays beginning September 19. Sessions will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The seminar features 30 engaging videotaped lectures by some of the best Christian counseling leaders and Bible teachers in the world. The workshop comes complete with course lectures, outlines, study notes, and exams . . . all designed to increase a minister's knowledge and people skills.
The 50,000 member American Association of Christian Counselors endorses this training course. Recognized as the world's largest organization of Christian counselors, AACC works to provide clinically excellent and distinctively Christian resources, services, and training to counselors everywhere.
The cost for this five-day seminar (earning 3.0 CEU's) is $225.00, which includes all AACC materials and lunches daily. In addition to receiving AACC certification of completion, persons who enroll in this seminar will receive a one-year free membership in AACC (an $89 value). Students also may earn credit hours at Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity for an additional tuition fee.
Please let us know by August 15 if you plan to attend. This will give us enough time to order and receive the supplies needed for the classes.