Romans 104: Romans 2 - God's Enemy at Work in Barah Ministries

Welcome To

BARAH MINISTRIES

a Christian Church

Rory Clark

Pastor-Teacher

Welcome to Barah Ministries…a Christian Church…my name is Pastor Rory Clark. Welcome to a celebration of our relationship with our God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians, Chapter 3, Verses 13 to 21…

EPH 3:13

…I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.

EPH 3:14

For this reason I (Paul) bow my knees before (God) the Father…

EPH 3:15

…from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name…

EPH 3:16

…that (God the Father) would grant you, according to His glorious riches, to be strengthened with power through His (Holy) Spirit in the inner man…

EPH 3:17

…so that (the Lord Jesus) Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in (unconditional) love...

EPH 3:18

…may be able to comprehend with all the saints (all believers in Christ) what is the breadth (how wide) and length (how long) and height (how high) and depth (how deep the Lord’s unconditional love is)…

EPH 3:19

…and to know the (unconditional) love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

EPH 3:20

Now to (God the Father) who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us…

EPH 3:21

…to Him be the glory in the church and in (union with) Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

MUSIC AND REFLECTION

Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ

Enjoy the Singing of His Praises

Amazing Grace My Chains are Gone

As God prepares our souls for the celebration of worshipping Him, let’s adore our Lord in song. The opening song is AMAZING GRACEMY CHAINS ARE GONE.

OPENING PRAYER

Let us pray...

We’re grateful Heavenly Father for the privilege of studying the absolute

truth...the Word of God…

Unify us…

We ask this through the power of God the Holy Spirit...in Christ’s name... Amen.

TODAY’S STUDY

Romans 2–God’s Enemy at Work in Barah Ministries

First, a few announcements…

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mark Your Calendars!

NO FACE-TO FACE TEACHING

NO LESSONS ON LINE

Next Week

June 1, 2014

Mark Your Calendars!

The next Lord’s Supper Celebration is June 8, 2014

We’re in Our New Location!

1220 S. Alma School Road

(Alma School and Southern)

Suite 201

Mesa, AZ

Happy BIRTH-day

William Goodall

May 18

Deacon Denny and Emilie Goodall’s son William is here…the newest member of our congregation has finally arrived…prayers for his parents and for him as they adjust to the challenges of parenting and as he adjusts to the challenge of being alive…

Visit the Vets

June 22

1:45PM

See Susan Embree for details

Now let’s take the offering.

Let’s remember to give with the motivation suggested in Scripture

2CO 9:7

Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful (grace oriented) giver.

Let’s welcome up Deacon Denny Goodall.

TODAY’S OFFERING

Deacon Denny Goodall

Barah Ministries Financial Policy

Even though we are sanctioned by God to charge for the things we provide so you can worship God, we choose not to exercise our right. Therefore no price appears on any material from Barah Ministries so that anyone who desires biblical teaching may have it free of charge.

Barah Ministries Financial Policy

Even though the materials we provide are free of charge, they are not free of cost. We appreciate it when the Word of God motivates you to give financial support so as to provide biblical teaching, both for yourself and for others.

OFFERING VERSE

ROM 8:17

…and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

OFFERING

You are My King

TODAY’S STUDY

Romans 2 – God’s Enemy at Work in Barah Ministries

In the last lesson, we introduced the idea that God has an enemy. He is always seeking the opportunity for a vicious, spiritual attack. And even though he is predictable, he always finds the perfect patsy to use for his attacks, the one who when they are used would do the most damage to the person or entity being attacked.

We would be naïve to think that Satan is not interested in attacking Barah Ministries, its Pastor, its Deacons, their wives, and its congregation members. He is interested. He is doing it. I have seen it for seven years, and he always picks the perfect time to do it…just when we are beginning to get a little traction at Barah Ministries.

There are factions in Barah Ministries. It should not surprise us. The bible predicts it. In First Corinthians, Chapter 11, Verses 18 and 19…Paul calls it out in the Corinthians Church…

1CO 11:18

For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it.

1CO 11:19

For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.

When we hear of factions in the Corinthians church we believe it. Any church that needed two letters written to it obviously has problems. We see the same thing in the Galatian church…in Galatians, Chapter 3, Verse 1 Paul asks…

GAL 3:1

You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you?

You would think our little church would be beyond such pettiness. It is not. There are factions in Barah Ministries, and it’s time for me to speak up about it.

I’ve been ignoring it. Early in the history of Barah Ministries, when someone would start being negative and chirping about it, I would go to them, and tell them to shut up. If they didn’t shut up, I’d ask them to leave. That didn’t work.

Ignoring it didn’t work either. When new people would come to Barah Ministries, they would get wind of the negativity and they would leave. They would make comments like this…“I just didn’t feel welcome in your church.”

It has been called to my attention, by people I have respected and trusted, that Barah Ministries is not growing because of me. My lessons are no good…they’re dull…my leadership is no good…the music is dull…the church is not lively…and it’s all my fault. I accept the criticism. It is my fault. I am at the point, and this is my watch, and therefore I am to blame. I accept that. I signed up for that abuse. I’m okay with it. By the way, it is…criticism. It is not feedback. It is criticism. It’s destructive. How do I know? Because there is nothing wrong with dissatisfaction. But when the chirping is only talk, not followed by actions to change things, then you know it’s destructive.

I’m not sure who the chirpers think is going to change things here. It’s not going to be me. I have a list of things I want done. I don’t see too many people rushing to the front of the line to do them. But when everything I want done is done, there will still be factions.

Larry Collins came in and changed everything. A lot of people have wanted us to move into a new location of our own, including me…a lot of people have participated in the groundwork. But Larry was the glue who helped the people gel to get it done. He has worked tirelessly to make it happen. Now the negativity is affecting him.

If Barah Ministries is waiting for me to do everything, it will never get done. I can’t organize a new location, lead the Deacons…hand holding them on every project, get the donuts, take on a task list, run the website, do the audio, do the video, head up the evangelism effort, lead us in prayer, be a spiritual advisor, solicit volunteers for the nursery, teach the teens, do conferences, perform weddings, and do the lessons. I have been doing a lot of those things. But as I see it, this is not my church. It’s our church. It’s a WE. It’s a body of Christ. And all parts of the body are necessary for a body to grow. Chirping does not cause growth. It causes division. It needs to stop.

Stop pointing at me and build the church. There is always a time when the leader’s voice is not valued. If I could be Phil Jackson for a moment, I’d do what he did. I’d walk away for a year until you came to your senses and I’d come back. But I can’t. You don’t have to listen to me. Don’t value my voice or contributions. I’m okay with it. But ask Larry. Ask someone who is new to the ministry what he sees. If he is honest with you, he’ll tell you the blind spots of Barah Ministries. Then you can decide what you want to do about it.

To me, a church is not like a business. In a business, if you don’t perform, you’re out. A church is a place of freedom. A church is a place of grace. No. You don’t move as fast as I would like. No. You don’t have the attitude I want in you. No. You don’t do what I ask. No. I’m not interested in coercing your free will. Does it anger me? Hell yes! But what can I do about it? I’ll stand back and watch the deliverance of the Lord.

In fifteen years, He has made this a ministry that has communicated with people all over the world. I’m proud of His accomplishments. If you don’t think I’m doing the job you want done as a Pastor, bring in a new one. I can find a lot of ways to express my spiritual gift. If you don’t want a new Pastor, then get in the arena with the one you have, roll up your sleeves and get dirty with your mouth shut. Then sit back and admire the handiwork that God is able to accomplish through you.

I admire Larry’s work. He’s never once been bothered that I wanted to have input into a decision. My input has never stopped a project from progressing. It has been valued and included. If I’m not moving fast enough for Larry, he doesn’t sit on the sidelines and pout about it. He keeps nudging. If Larry disagrees, he is up front about it…we work through the disagreement, and we resolve it in a way that works for both of us and for all concerned. He doesn’t pout and sulk and chirp about it.

There are many who are similar in their support. Deacon Denny, Susie, Mike…I appreciate your support. To the non-resident congregation, thank you for your unwavering support, especially financially. You make possible so much of what we do, and we thank our God for you.

The chirpers need to shut up. Your destructiveness has reached epidemic proportions and it makes this a not so fun place to be. It can’t be fun for you. I’m tired of being silent about it. Right now, I’m not going to name names. If the chirping continues, I will name names and give specifics. This has to stop. Take a five-minute break.

BREAK

Be Glorified

When I Think About Home

Here is what the apostle Paul said to the chirpers in the Corinthian church...

First Corinthians, Chapter 3, Verses 1 to 3…

1CO 3:1

And I (Paul), brethren (believers in Christ), could not speak to you as (I would speak to) to spiritual men (the mature), but (I must speak to you) as (if I were speaking) to men of flesh, as (if I am speaking) to infants in Christ (new believers).

1CO 3:2

I gave you milk to drink (as if you are babies), not solid food (as if you are mature); for you were not yet able to receive (solid food). Indeed, even now you are not yet able (to receive solid food)…

1CO 3:3

…for you are still fleshly (acting like new believers). For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men (imitating the lifestyle of unbelievers)?

As Christians, we read these words...we study these words...we know what this means...and we do it anyway. It needs to stop. We need to act like we have maturity in Christ, as if we are people who actually are studying the bible regularly. But alas, we always seek to self-destruct...we always look to profane our sanctuary.

Your sanctuary includes God...His Word...your Pastor...and your church. Chirping profanes your sanctuary.

I am constantly blamed for the people who leave Barah Ministries. Believe me, I play my part in it. And I am asked, “Do you know why people leave Barah Ministries?” It is not really a question. It is a statement. I am the reason people leave Barah Ministries. Okay. I get it. And if I were not in this Pastor slot, whoever assumes this slot would be the reason people leave. Even if the chirpers were in this slot, people would leave.

I am here for the people who stay.

If you need a Pastor without flaws, I am not the guy. When you get him, I want to meet him.

If you want to blame me for everything, feel free. I will take the blame. Then what? Does that fix the problem?

If you want to contribute to Barah Ministries, you might have to take

feedback from me about your idea. If you do not like feedback that is a

problem.

If you want different music, talk to June.

If you want reparations for past errors, I can not fix that which is over. Let us move on. Turn the page. I think it is called forgiveness. I think it is called grace. I think it is called unconditional love.

If you want to complain about the content of lessons or the pace of instruction, talk to God the Holy Spirit. He seems pretty satisfied with His pace.

If you hear anger in my voice, maybe it is me...I am prone to bouts of anger. Maybe it is the person who powers my voice when I am in the pulpit...God the Holy Spirit. It would be pretty terrible if you realized that He was expressing some righteous indignation toward you would it not?

We have a week off next week. It would be a pretty good time for all of us to look in the mirror at how we are serving God with this ministry. I think we could be doing much more than this if we were willing to start looking to God for the answers and if we were to start serving others rather than being obsessed with self.

Most of all, we need to remember that God has an enemy and he loves creating division...we must not forget that we are in a spiritual battle.

EPH 6:12

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

EPH 6:13

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

EPH 6:14

Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS...

EPH 6:15

...and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE...

EPH 6:16

...in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

EPH 6:17

And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

God has given us what we asked for. Can we now enjoy it? Or do we have to continue to listen to the incessant chirping of cowards in the background who destroy the spirit of unity in a church. I contend that this is the reason people hate coming to church. People. It is a sad commentary. Am tired of being silent about it.

The Promises of the Lord Jesus Christ

1TH 5:16-18

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you (who are) in (union with) Christ Jesus.

1PE 5:6-7

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

EXO 14:13

“Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today…”

ISA 40:29

He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.

CLOSING SONG

You Own Me

CLOSING PRAYER

Let us pray...

THANKS

INTERCESSION

PETITION

And we pray that You continue to shape the messages from this pulpit that are an accurate reflection of Your unconditional love, Your person, Your thinking, Your work, and Your essence...we ask this through the power of God the Holy Spirit, in Christ’s name, Amen.

Thanks for coming!

Thanks for watching!

Thanks for listening!

www.barahministries.com