Making Decisions for the Glory of God

Last Sunday I spoke about making decisions for God's glory. Why? We must make decisions daily about the food we eat, the drinks we consume, the films we watch, the events we attend, the hobbies we pursue, the jobs we work, and the friends we have. 1 Corinthians 10 leads us to some helpful missional questions to inform our decision-making so that God is glorified, we are joyful, and non-Christians meet Jesus.

You can watch the sermon here:
You can download the notes here:
You can read a position on alcohol here:

Enjoy and God bless,
Ben

What if this Christmas was different?

The story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love.

So, what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists.

And when it's all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling of missed purpose. Is this what we really want out of Christmas?

What if Christmas became a world-changing event again?

Welcome to The Bridge Community Church's Advent Conspiracy.

This Christmas we are seeking to worship CHRIST fully, spend less, give more, and love all!

How?

Worship CHRIST fully -

Begin your Christmas season by visiting the tiny village of Bethlehem. Explore the busy marketplace in Bethlehem where you might create something, join in an activity, or taste an authentic Holy Land treat! Visit the stable and talk to Mary & Joseph…and don’t forget to visit the camels, donkeys and sheep!

Start off this Christmas season with A Night in Bethlehem on December 5th, from 4 - 8pm!

Then, join in our celebrations for a new sermon series entitled, A Global Christmas!

Dec. 5th – One life with a global gospel
Dec. 12th – A mission only the church could stop
Dec. 19th – What if this Christmas was different? (Christmas Sunday)

Next, sing loud at our "A Night of Worship" Christmas Celebration Concert on Dec. 12th @ 6:00 PM.

Finally, join us for a Christmas Eve Candlelight service Dec. 24th at 11:00 PM. We will sing, pray, take communion and learn from God’s word together. We’ll see you there.

Spend Less

America spends an average of $450 billion a year every Christmas. How often have you spent money on Christmas presents for no other reason than obligation? How many times have you received a gift out of that same obligation? Thanks, but no thanks, right? We’re asking people to consider buying ONE LESS GIFT this Christmas. Just one. Sounds insignificant, yet many who have taken this small sacrifice have experienced something nothing less than a miracle: They have been more available to celebrate Christ during the advent season.

Give More

Give the gift of time.
God’s gift to us was a relationship built on love. So it’s no wonder why we’re drawn to the idea that Christmas should be a time to love our friends and family in the most memorable ways possible. This year we are choosing to give time to our friends and family. Time to make a gift that turns into the next family heirloom. Time to write mom a letter. Time to take the kids sledding. Time to bake really good cookies and sing really bad Christmas carols. Time to make love visible through relational giving.

Give gifts that have eternal impact.
Most gifts that you normally give at Christmas time have a lifespan of a few months or maybe a year. The video games get old, the clothes go out of style or no longer fit, and the seasons change. Why not give a gift with rewards that will last into eternity?

This year we are partnering with Growing Hope For Haiti for our Advent Conspiracy offering. With the money that we save by spending less and giving gifts of relationship, this year we will use our savings to build permanent housing in Leogane, Haiti and to pay teacher's salaries at a Christian orphanage!

Advent Conspiracy Offering
For Growing Hope for Haiti
December 19th
9:00 AM & 10:45 AM

Looking to change lives around the globe by your Christmas purchasing?

Check out the Samaritan's Purse Gift Catalog!
Or take a peak at Trade as One!

Looking for ways to give gifts that don't cost a lot of money this year? Visit Re-Thinking-Christmas!

Do you drink a lot of coffee? What if you could transform a village with your morning cup? How about plant churches? Check out Land of a Thousand Hills to help those in Rwanda, or 29 Coffee that helps plant churches!

Love All

What does it really look like for us to follow Christ's commands this year? How can we slow down and focus in on loving God more passionately. What would it look like for us to love our neighbors as ourselves? How can our love grow for our brothers and sisters in Christ?

This year let's love all. Let us love God more fully [gospel]. Let us love our neighbors, even our enemies [culture]. And let us show radical love for our brothers and sisters in Christ [church].

Will you join us this Christmas as we seek to worship CHRIST fully, spend less, give more, and love all! Welcome to The Bridge Community Church's Advent Conspiracy!

The Bridge Community Church
301 Lore
Leadington, MO 63601

Check out http://www.aglobalchristmas.com

Current Reading List

It has been a while since I updated my reading list. Here is what is on the shelf these days.

1. The Radical Reformission by Driscoll
   
2. Leaders that Last by Dave Kraft
3. Vintage Church by Driscoll and Breshears
4. ESV Study Bible and notes. I picked up a new study bible.

Becky and I are continuing to read "What did you expect?" by Paul Tripp and the Love Dare Devotional Guide for couples for a structured devotional time. Our children have completed The Jesus Story book Bible and are now reading from another children's bible. We are also considering taking the oldest through the "The Story of God" for kids. Becky is currently reading a Beth Moore devotional as well as "Death by Love."

A Curious Year

The year 2010 has been curious at best for me personally. This year I have seen the gospel take root and grow in many of my friends lives. I have grown closer to my wife. I have had many incredible experiences pointing to the vastness of the grace of God. But, I have also had several encounters that I'm not even sure how to explain.

I've decided to give you all a peak into my life for fun. I hope you enjoy.

Interesting 2010 tidbits from the life of a 27 year old church-planter:

• In Feb. I visited Honduras, Belize, and Mexico with my family on vacation. It barely peaked into the 70s a total of one day of the vacation while in Belize. I am thankful for the amazing opportunity. The rain and cold weather forced me to spend time with those I love.
  
• In early 2010 I found a mass. It wasn't cancerous, but it wasn't in a good place either. Not fun.
  
• While teaching at The Bridge one evening, someone broke into my car.
  
• Also while teaching, volunteers found people having sex in a van I own. Yep, on church property while I was preaching.
  
• On Good Friday I received a phone call about two kids needing a mommy and daddy for awhile. Becky and I took in a 3 day old and a two year old for two months. While this was an enjoyable experience, let's just say that I have tremendous respect now for foster parents.
  
• I decided to go to Haiti to build homes in July and contracted some strange rash. It went away without harm, but it is not fun to have to wear jeans everywhere you go in Missouri humidity like a Mennonite.
  
• While in Haiti I encountered my first voodoo priest and celebration. I have always believed in spiritual warfare, but now I have experienced it in a powerful way. I would share details but I do not want to sound like a charismaniac.
  
• Did I mention that our team tents flooded the first night in Haiti? :-)
  
• Also while in Haiti my wife got sick and was sent to the ER. I didn't find out until I got home. Becky ended up having surgery, is doing well, but we are not completely out in the clear.
  
• The week after arriving home I was awakened to someone pounding on my front door. This was the beginning of strange letters, emails, and sightings of people.
  
• After 57 years of marriage, I sat with my grandfather as he mourned the loss of his bride. A few days later I preached grandma's funeral.
  
• In August I helped my brother tear up and burn down the house of my youth (in years previous our parents home was smacked by a tornado).
  
• My oldest child began Kindergarten. My children are truly a blessing from the Lord.
  
  and finally....
  
• In 2010, I received my first and second death threat.

It has been a curious year, but the book is still out for 2010. How will it end?

God's grace has continuously and consistently been poured out through all of the ups and downs. This year I have seen our faith community grow as the gospel spreads. There are new opportunities that await us as we pursue spreading to Jefferson County and following God's call. Becky and I have finally settled into a consistent devotional and prayer life together. My girls have fallen in love with "The Jesus Storybook Bible."

So, how will it end?

My plan is to end it passionately, while living fully for the sake of the gospel!

1 Corinthians 9:19-27
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, [2] lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Fire. Certainty. Joy.

I stumbled across this while reading "Church Planter" by Darrin Patrick.

Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) was a French mathematician and theologian. At the age of thirty-one, he had an intense experience of God's presence. He never spoke of it to anyone, but he did write a short journal entry about it, which he then sewed into his coat so he would always be reminded of it.

Pascal's memoriam:

"In the year of grace 1654, Monday 23 November...
From about half-past ten in the evening till about half an hour after midnight.
FIRE.
God of Abraham. God of Isaac. God of Jacob.
Not of the philosophers and the learned.
Certainty. Joy. Certainty. Emotion. Sight. Joy.
Forgetfulness of the world and of all outside of God...
The world has not known thee, but I have known thee.
Joy! Joy! Joy! Tears of joy...
My God, will you leave me? Let me not ever be separated from you."

May this serve as an encouragement to seek God in this way.

The Gospel Story

How did it all begin?



The Gospel Story

Creation – In the beginning God created everything to be perfect.

The story began with God. God spoke and by His command all things exist. By God's design all of creation was in harmony and was exactly the way it was supposed to be. There was no pain, sickness, suffering, or death.

Genesis 1&2

What went wrong?

The Fall – man rebelled against a loving God and believed Satan’s lie. Sin entered the world and into every human heart. Everything is now distorted and broken. Everyone is guilty before God.

Genesis 3

Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. – Romans 3:19

Is there any Hope?

Redemption – Jesus, who is God, came to rescue people by His death and resurrection. By faith alone in Him, all who are separated from God can have their sins forgiven and enjoy eternal life with him.

The whole Bible ultimately points to this one person, Jesus, as the focal point of all human history. Jesus defeated sin by dying on the cross, and He defeated death by rising from the dead.

Truth: Jesus loves us in spite of ourselves, but he does not leave us to fix ourselves, nor does he mislead us into believing we have our own answers. He is the answer.

Luke 19:10

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit. – 1 Peter 3:18

Who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. - Galatians 1:4

Restoration- God will restore everything to the way that it was supposed to be, and those who trust in Jesus will get to enjoy eternity with God in the new heaven and new earth.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” – Revelations 21:1-4

For all of those that trust in Jesus alone, God has promised that He will make all things new. No more earthquakes, mudslides, tornadoes or tsunamis. No more pain, broken hearts, sickness or death. A new heaven and a new earth - friendship with God, others, and all creation.

C.S. Lewis compared the first step into this new world as,

"Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before."

The Gospel Story is God's good news.

Reading List

My current reading list.

1) Church Planter by Darrin Patrick
2) What Did You Expect?: Redeeming the Realities of Marriage by Paul Tripp
3) The Forgotten Ways by Alan Hirsch
4) Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
5) Spiritual Depression: It's causes and cure by Martin Lloyd Jones

Divorce and Remarriage

I spoke last Sunday morning on divorce, remarriage, and children of divorce. You can watch the celebration below with notes following.

Tough Love 5 "Divorce and Remarriage" 09-26-10 from Roger Durbin on Vimeo.

Divorce and Remarriage Notes
The Ordained Elders at The Bridge

To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. – 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 (ESV)

The Church at Corinth was confused over issues pertaining to divorce and remarriage and asked their pastor Paul a number of questions. His answers are recorded in 1 Corinthians 7:10-24, 39-40. The issue of divorce and remarriage is significant in our culture and is hotly debated among Christians. It seems prudent to answer the questions asked by the Corinthians in addition to many of the questions that are commonly asked around The Bridge Community Church. The following position paper seeks to do so.

What do we know for certain about marriage?
1. God created marriage between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:22-25)
2. God designed marriage to be a permanent union of “oneness” that is not to be broken (Genesis 2:23-24; Matthew 19:4-6).
3. Marriage is a covenant not a contract (Malachi 2:14; Proverbs 2:17, Ecclesiastes 5:4). God and human witness ratify and officially record the event. Anniversaries revisit the covenant.
4. A marriage partnership is one in which the husband commits to ensuring his wife’s and his children’s well-being. (Exodus 21:10; Ephesians 5:28-29; 1Timothy 5:8).
5. A husband is accountable for his family’s well-being and conduct. (Genesis 3:9; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Peter 3:1-7).
6. God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16).
7. The death of a spouse terminates the marriage covenant (Romans 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 7:39).

Does The Bridge Community Church honor cohabitation relationships as marriage?
No. A marriage is both a spiritual and legal matter (Romans 13:1-3).

What constitutes a legitimate ending of a marriage?
1. The death of a spouse (1 Corinthians 7:39; Romans 7:2-4). We recommend that you take time to truly grieve first and seek gospel-centered counseling.
2. Non-Christian divorce. A Christian should not initiate divorce with a non-Christian but should live graciously with their spouse. 1 Corinthians 7:14 tells us that this action may even lead the unbelieving spouse toward justification. If the non-Christian divorces them, however, they are free to-remarry (1 Corinthians 7:10-24). Our recommendation is that you make sure you truly grieve first and don’t be afraid to seek Biblical counseling.
3. An unrepentant spouse under church discipline. If your spouse betrays your marriage covenant (adultery, abuse, chronic sin, etc…) you are not free to divorce him or her, but you are free, and encouraged, to confront him or her with his or her sin and seek restoration. If you confront your spouse who is in sin and he or she is not repentant, then you should bring the matter to the elders and the elders may begin formal church discipline (Matthew 18:15-17). If in the course of discipline the sinning spouse does not repent, he or she will be viewed as a non-believer and asked to leave the church (1 Corinthians 5). If the spouse who is under church discipline, seeks a divorce, then 1 Corinthians 7:15 applies and the believing spouse is free from the marriage.

What will the elders do if my Christian spouse insists on divorcing me?
If a Christian initiates divorce, the elders will begin an investigation with the intent of bringing about repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. If biblical grounds are not found and there is no repentance, then church discipline will begin (Mark 10:11-12; Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, 27).

Does this mean that women must endure abusive relationships?
No. Abuse (physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, etc.) intolerably and sinfully violates the frequent command to love like Jesus. It also violates the spirit of 1 Peter 3:7. Those being harmed must be removed from the environment that endangers them and the laws of our state must be followed.

You may need to seek immediate separation until the offending party repents and returns to covenant. You should never place yourself, or your children, in harm’s way for the sake of the relationship or to prevent the other person from leaving. You should also immediately contact the elders of the church to assist you in confronting the abuse.

Am I required to take back my spouse after they have committed adultery?
Whenever possible, reconciliation is the primary motivation behind our actions toward those who have done great harm to us (1 Corinthians 7:11) because Jesus says we should love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-45). The Bible also commands sinners to repent. If, however, there is no true repentance, then there is no requirement to remain married.

This is how God relates to us in covenant. He confronts our sin and offers us forgiveness when we turn toward Him. The offending spouse must be willing to accept the confrontation and forgiveness and be completely repentant. We recognize the wounding that takes place when a spouse commits adultery and we know much healing will need to take place, but if the offending spouse is authentic in his or her repentance, then every effort should be made to keep the covenant of marriage. If the offending spouse is not repentant then he or she may be placed under church discipline.

Can I remarry if my spouse dies?
Yes. The marriage covenant ends with the death of one’s spouse (Romans 7:2, 1 Corinthians 7:39). We recommend that you have time to truly grieve and give consideration to 1 Corinthians 7:40.

Can I remarry after divorcing an adulterer?
This is the most disputed issue on the topic of divorce and remarriage. On the face of it, Jesus and the apostle Paul made no allowance for remarriage (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:9; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11).

These following points set the parameters for remarriage.
• The offended party of a divorce due to adultery may remarry but the guilty party may not remarry (Matthew 19:9; Mark 10:10-12; Luke 16:18).
• A believer who remarries after a non-Christian spouse divorces a believing spouse constitutes a legitimate marriage (1 Corinthians 7:15).
• If divorce occurs before a person has surrendered his or her life to Christ, and an appropriate effort to restore the marriage has been undertaken without favorable results, remarriage is appropriate, so long as the believer marries a Christian.

Does this mean the innocent party should remain single indefinitely?
It means that they should remain single until every effort to reconcile has been exhausted, with counsel from the local church elders to help guard against impulsiveness. (Proverbs 15:22; Hebrews 13:7).

If the offending spouse remarries, is there any obligation for the offended spouse to remain single?
This is a matter of conscience as no further option is Biblically available to restore the marriage (Deuteronomy 24:3-4). In this case, The Bridge Community Church feels that the innocent party would be free to remarry.

Can I remarry if I divorced my spouse just because we were incompatible?
No. A Christian’s strongest desire should be to work toward reconciliation, which means discovering what made you incompatible, and change. Remember, marriage is not for our happiness; it is for our holiness.

Can I divorce and remarry if my spouse is placed under church discipline by the elders?
If your spouse is placed under church discipline by the elders and does not respond in repentance, he or she will be viewed as a non-Christian. Even in the case of adultery and sexual immorality, you (the regenerated offended party) should not initiate divorce from your spouse without considerable council from church leadership and you should remain faithful to the covenant of marriage if at all possible. Depending on your spouse’s sin and refusal to repent, you may need to separate from your spouse. However, if your spouse chooses to divorce you, or if the spouse abandons you, then you are not bound to him or her in marriage and you are free to remarry.

What if I divorced while a non-Christian?
You had no power to submit to the commands of Christ as a non-Christian. While marriage is given for all humanity, non-Christians cannot be expected to obey God’s commands and Jesus died to forgive repentant sinners. Therefore, that person would be eligible to remarry as a new Christian, but only after every effort is made to restore the previous marriage through a reconciliation process.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS:
True repentance and reconciliation is always the best option. Even if divorce is possible in some circumstances, patiently working through the process of reconciliation in the context of a community of believers is always preferable.

If one is currently considering divorce (or if his or her spouse in considering divorce) for any reason whatsoever, or if one is currently divorced and is considering remarriage, he or she should seek counsel from the elders of The Bridge.

Remarriage will be considered an option if a divorce has occurred on the basis of: unrepentant sexual immorality, desertion by an unbeliever, or if the divorce occurred prior to the regenerating power of Jesus Christ in a person’s life.

Good Sex, Bad Sex: The Sermon

I blogged a few days ago about resources to go along with the sermon "Good Sex, Bad Sex." The sermon is now available on vimeo and embedded below.

[benjamindurbin.com]

Tough Love 3 "Good Sex, Bad Sex" 09-12-10 from Roger Durbin on Vimeo.

Good Sex, Bad Sex: Recommended Resources

We studied 1 Corinthians 6:12-7:7 in a sermon titled "Good Sex, Bad Sex" at The Bridge on 9/12/2010. This post suggests recommended resources as a follow-up from the sermon. Many of these resources come recommended from the free resource we gave out to men, Sexual Detox by Tim Challies.

Sex
Undefiled - Harry Schaumburg writes about finding redemption from sexual sin and seeks to help couples find restoration for breaking or broken relationships.
False Intimacy - Also by Harry Schaumburg, this book looks to the struggle of sexual addiction, including homosexuality, cybersex and so on.
Sex and the Supremacy of Christ - This book, edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor, is the product of a Desiring God conference so is a compendium of conference talks and other useful essays or articles. It is a bit of a grab bag but there is lots of good stuff.
Intended for Pleasure - This is a nuts and bolts kind of book that is often given to newlyweds to help them get “oriented” in the bedroom. Most couples who aren’t given one before they get married end up trying to track one down during their honeymoon.
Sexual Redemption Bundle - Monergism Books has bundled a whole lot of resources into one “sexual redemption bundle” based around Harry Schaumburg’s Undefiled.

Marriage
This Momentary Marriage - John Piper puts a lot of effort into writing about the link between the union of husband and wife and the union of Christ to his church.
When Sinners Say ‘I Do’ - Dave Harvey’s book is a really good one for the newly married as it deals honestly with the inevitability of sin.
The Intimate Marriage - R.C. Sproul focuses on communication as key to a great marriage. His chapter on Communication and Sex deals with unusual topics like frigidity, impotence and what is permissible within marriage.
Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis has only a couple of chapters dealing with sex and marriage but they are top-notch. You’ve probably got the book somewhere, so pull it out and read those chapters.
A Biblical Guide to Love, Sex and Marriage - Derek and Rosemary Thomas wrote this book on sex and marriage based on Song of Solomon.
Love that Lasts - Gary and Betsy Ricucci cover a wide range of marriage-related topics in this book.

Men
Sex Is Not the Problem, Lust Is - This book, by Josh Harris, is great reading for any man, married or single.
Sex, Romance and the Glory of God - C.J. Mahaney does a good job of challenging men to be godly husbands. The enduring wisdom here is never to touch your wife’s body until you’ve touched her heart and her mind.
Porn Again Christian - Mark Driscoll offers a frank discussion on porn and masturbation. MA-17

Women
Feminine Appeal - Carolyn Mahaney writes a book for women in which she challenges them on a host of issues related to love, sex and marriage.
Becoming the Woman of His Dreams -This one by Sharon Jaynes comes highly recommended.

Web Sites
CCEF - Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation offers counseling and excellent resources on any number of issues (including the New Growth Press).
Boundless - Targeted at Christian singles and young adults, Boundless features all kinds of great resources in their blog and webzine.
Stone Gate Resources - At Stone Gate Resources offers Brief Intensive Counseling for couples who are in need of intensive and immediate help. If your marriage is on the rocks due to sex-related issues, this is a good place to seek help.

Sermons
How to deal with the guilt of sexual failure for the glory of Christ and His global cause - John Piper
Purity series by Joshua Harris
- God's good plan for sex
- Resisting Lust
- Husband and Wife **must listen
Using Sex as a Weapon by Darrin Patrick

Date Night Tips
Date night tips for Married couples by Mark Driscoll

Marriage Conference
What Did You Expect? - A marriage conference with Paul Trip Oct. 1 & 2 on redeeming the realities of marriage. It won't take long for you to realize that your marriage hasn't escaped the reality of sin or the brokenness of the world. It's what you do next that will make all the difference in the world in the character and quality of your marriage.
Weekend to Remember - Becky and I attended one of these early on in our marriage. It was pretty good.

Good Sex, Bad Sex

God created sex to be a beautiful and essential ingredient in marriage, but sexual sin---sex outside the marriage relationship--always hurts someone. It hurts God because it shows that we prefer following our own desires instead of the leading of the Holy Spirit. It hurts others because it violates the commitment necessary to a relationship. Sexual temptations are difficult to withstand because they appeal to the normal and natural desires that God has given us. Marriage provides God's way to satisfy these natural sexual desires and to strengthen the partners against temptation.

Satan’s plan is that people would have as much sex outside of the marriage relationship and as little within the marriage relationship as is possible. His plan is to mask, to hide, the true purpose of sex behind the pleasure it brings simply as a physical act. It is a clever plan that has proven effective time and time again. But, there’s more to sex than mere skin on skin. Sex is as much spiritual mystery as physical fact. As written in Scripture, ‘The two become one.’ Since we want to become spiritually one with the Master, we must not pursue the kind of sex that avoids commitment and intimacy, leaving us more lonely than ever—the kind of sex that can never ‘become one.’

Join us this week for the riskiest sermon I may ever preach. I'll see you at 9:00 or 10:45 for "Good Sex, Bad Sex." Read ahead in 1 Corinthians 6:12-7:7.

We are giving out two resources for married and single men this weekend. If you are a dude, don't miss.

Parents - view this warning from Roger Durbin on Vimeo.

Current Reading List

My current reading list has slowed down since coming back from Haiti. Here is what I have been reading.

• Radical by David Platt
  
• The First Epistle to the Corinthians by Gordon Fee
  
• Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
  
• 1 Corinthians (over and over again as we teach it at The Bridge)
  
• I use http://www.esvonline.org now for my daily bible reading plans.
  
• My grandfather gave me Zondervan's Handbook to the Bible and I have been reading overviews of the books periodically.
  
• We use The Jesus Storybook Bible for family devotions
  
• Becky and I just began using The Love Dare Day by Day: A Year of Devotions for Couples as well.

In two weeks my missional cell family starts the Radical study.

Vivian Janice Durbin - Eulogy

Vivian “Janice” Rogers Durbin was born on July 15, 1933, in Mine La Motte, MO to Lloyd Glenwood and Blanche Elizabeth (Scott) Rogers. Janice was the oldest of three children. Janice accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized at the age of 7 in the little creek in Mine La Motte. Janice graduated from school in 1951 and was the valedictorian of her class. Janice grew up with a love for singing, and joined the Rogers Quartet at the age of 13. She met her husband, Elmer “Lloyd” Durbin when he joined the Rogers Quartet. Janice and Lloyd were united in marriage on December 4, 1952 and were blessed with fifty-seven years of marriage. Janice and Lloyd had two children. Roger Dale was born in 1956 and Mary Elizabeth “Beth” was born in 1964.

Janice held a few jobs such as bookkeeper, secretary, and store clerk, but made taking care of her family and fulfilling the role of “minister’s wife” her career. Lloyd referred to her as his “spiritual director”. Janice also made time to squeeze in the roles of “singer” and “piano teacher”. Beginning in 1961, Janice served as the “minister’s wife” to many church congregations: Mill Creek Free Will Baptist Church for 21 years (two different times), O’Fallon Free Will Baptist Church for 1 year, Mine La Motte Free Will Baptist Church for 15 years (two different times), and most recently, First Free Will Baptist Church of Fredericktown for 5 years. Janice traveled across Missouri and the surrounding states for over 50 years singing the gospel first with the Rogers Quartet and later with The Durbin Family. Throughout her lifetime, Janice taught dozens of men and women to play the piano and served the Lord faithfully through many other positions such as Sunday School teacher, church pianist, church camp counselor, church camp teacher, and Vacation Bible School teacher. Janice was a member of First Free Will Baptist Church of Fredericktown.

Janice passed away on July 23, 2010, at the age of 77 years at St. Clare Hospital in Fenton, MO. She is preceded in death by her parents, and one daughter, Mary Elizabeth Durbin Standley. Janice is survived by her husband, Lloyd, one son, Roger (Tamera) Durbin of Farmington, five grandchildren, Andrea (Rick) Pirtle of DeSoto, Rachel (Micah) Inman of Ironton, Benjamin (Becky) Durbin of Farmington, Seth (Amanda) Durbin of Park Hills, and Isaac Standley of Fredericktown. Janice is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Trevor and Taylor Pirtle, Nolan and Evan Inman, Brylee and Halle Durbin, and has one great grandchild (Addelynn Joy Durbin) who will arrive this September. Janice is also survived by one sister, Phyllis (Clyde) Berry of Bonne Terre, one brother, James “Jimmy” Rogers of Mine La Motte, Richard (Barb) Standley of California, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Janice always loved this poem by CT Studd :

“Two little lines I heard one day,Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

Janice spent her lifetime serving God, knowing what’s done for Christ will last. She was a true example of what it looks like to surrender your whole life to Jesus. She leaves behind a legacy of ministers, ministers’ wives, Sunday School teachers, worship leaders, small group leaders, musicians, and a host of family and friends who will see Janice again in Heaven.

Vivian Janice Durbin

I have been hearing many terrific stories about grandma Janice and how her life impacted others. If you have a story to tell about her, our family would love to hear it. These can be serious or funny stories. Grandma left us this past Friday to be with Jesus, but her impact on us all remains.

Would you like to share a story? Here are some questions to help get you started. Share your story in the comment section below.

What about her life impacted you the most?
What was your favorite memory with Janice?
What did she teach you?
What about her made you laugh?
What was your favorite song to hear her sing?

Our family would like to thank everyone for the prayers, friendship, and food. And we look forward to reading your stories!

Haiti 2010

I had the privilege of traveling to Haiti early in July for a mission trip. Below is a picture video that captures our time there. We worked with Growing Hope for Haiti to begin constructing a community in Leogane, and we provided VBS to some local tent villages and orphanages. We are continuing our mission efforts in Haiti and are planning two trips in 2011. I will be blogging about our continued efforts in the future, but check out this video put together by Michael Goldsmith for now!

Haiti 2010 from Roger Durbin on Vimeo.

Preview of upcoming CD/DVD

Take a peak at the first song from The Bridge Community Church's upcoming CD/DVD from "A Night of Worship"

<---video embedded at benjamindurbin.com --->

All Because Of Jesus from Roger Durbin on Vimeo.

The upcming CD/DVD includes:

1. All Because of Jesus
2. Sing, Sing, Sing
3. Your Love
4. Beautiful Jesus
5. Lead Me To The Cross
6. How He Loves
7. It Is Well
8. Glory To God Forever
9. Today Is The Day
10. God Is With Us
11. Happy Day
12. Jesus Paid It All
13. No One Greater/The Stand
14. God Is Alive

More details TBA

I want to be a radical

Do you really believe that Jesus is worth abandoning everything for?

Do you and I really believe that Jesus is so good, so satisfying, and so rewarding that we will leave all we have and all we own and all we are in order to find our fullness in him? Do you and I believe him enough to obey him and to follow wherever he leads, even when the crowds in our culture--and maybe in our churches--turn the other way? - David Platt in Radical

I am back from Haiti with a very unsatisfied feeling with where we are as a people. I want to be a part of a people who delight in him like the brothers and sisters that worship in a shack in Haiti who have nothing but Him. And I want to be a part of a people who are risking it all for him.

For the sake of more than a billion people today who have yet to even hear the gospel, I want to risk it all. For the sake of twenty-six thousand children who will die today of starvation or a preventable disease, I want to risk it all. For the sake of my life, my family, and the people who surround me, I want to risk it all.

It is time to re-orient our lives around a radical abandonment to Jesus.




P.S. I highly recommend that everyone read Radical by David Platt. It is the most important book I have read this year.

Haiti Team

Will you join us in prayer for our mission trip to Haiti?

Next Monday morning at 3:00 AM thirteen men and women will be leaving the Parkland to spend a week in Haiti. Why? Growing Hope for Haiti and The Fuller Center for Housing has partnered together to build a community in Leogane. This is a community near the epicenter that was destroyed by the January 12th earthquake.

We will be helping to build this community and we will be providing a Vacation Bible School to a nearby tent city. Did you know that there is a possibility that we will reach 865 children ages 0-14?


Will you pray for us? Will you pray that we can work hard, stay safe, and help spread the Gospel? Will you pray for us individually? We are:

1. Jackie Adams
   
2. Jonathan Barnes
   
3. Mark Burlison
   
4. Ben Durbin
   
5. Michael Goldsmith
   
6. Stephanie Hedrick
   
7. Matt Helms
   
8. Melissa McDonough
   
9. Jeromy McDowell
   
10. Zack Mills
    
11. Jake Whitener
    
12. Justin Yount
    
13. Renee Jean

Colossians 4:2,3a -Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare
the mystery of Christ

Pride & Gospel Humility

Here is a copy of the note I gave to our dads on Father's Day at The Bridge.

Dad’s,

God deliberately designed the gospel in such a way as to strip us of pride and leave us without any grounds for boasting in ourselves. This is actually a wonderful mercy from God, for pride is at the root of all our sin. … So, to experience deliverance from sin, we must be delivered from the pride that produces it. Thankfully, the gospel is engineered to accomplish this deliverance.

Preaching the gospel to yourself each day mounts a powerful assault against your pride and serves to establish humility in its place. Nothing suffocates your pride more than daily reminders regarding the glory of your God, the gravity of your sins, and the crucifixion of God’s own Son in your place.

The gracious love of God, which is lavished on you because of Christ’s death, is always humbling to remember, especially when viewed against the backdrop of the Hell we deserve.


-Pastor Ben

In short: We don't graduate from the gospel.

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:18

Preach the Gospel to yourself daily. Why? It brings a proper view of who we are and who He is.

Without Christ I was on the precipice of hell. Without Christ we were all the worst, wickedest, and most undeserving people who ever lived. The worst of the worst. But in Christ we go from worst to first. We receive an “other worldly” gift that we do not deserve, and were absolutely helpless in ever earning.

True Gospel Humility should cause:

• Daily amazement at what has happened to you
  
• Daily gratitude for what has happened for you
  
• Joyful awareness that your greatest problem in life has been resolved.
  
• Overwhelmed by hope because you now know that no problem is too big for God.
  
• Sobered awareness of what you were: amazed awareness of God’s mercy.
  
• Serving others becomes a first thought, as it pertains to behavior.
  
• Hope, joy, care, encouragement, gratitude, and kindness are the characteristics of lives.
  
• Tearfulness is a normal response as you think of Christ and what he did for you.
  
• Gospel-centered-motivations shape what you do.
  
• Radically transformed from the inside out.
  
• Uninhibited in your transparency with others.

Missional Ministry Matrix Part 1: Christology

I stumbled across this matrix while reading "Confessions of a Reformission Rev." by Mark Driscoll. I liked it so I decided to work out some of the answers for our church community as missionaries in St. Francois County (The Bridge). Today's blog deals with "Christology."

1) Who is Jesus, what has He accomplished, and what has He sent us to do?

God sent His Son, Jesus Christ (Who) to live our life, die our death and rise again triumphantly to bring forgiven sinners together by the Holy Spirit (What) to live as his Kingdom people under his gracious reign (Our mission becomes His mission).

Being a missional Christian is simply following the way of Jesus. Jesus Christ was the first and greatest missionary. The Bible tells us that He came from heaven to earth to die for a lost and dying world.

Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. - Philippians 2:6-8

This is the good news (Gospel)! The focus of the gospel is not on the inadequacy of me (though we are born dead, condemned, depraved, corrupt, perverse, and sinful), but rather on the glory of God.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2:9-11

The gospel is what makes us right with God and it is also what frees us to delight in God. Grace extends down to us! God became flesh and dwelt among us (1 Timothy 3:16, John 1)!


The following scriptures reveal how the mission of God was fulfilled through Jesus Christ and how we are called join Him on mission in our culture.

Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work." John 4:34

"I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." John 5:30

"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." John 6:38

"I know Him; because I am from Him, and He sent Me." John 7:29

"And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him." John 8:29

"We must work the works of Him who sent Me, as long as it is day; night is coming, when no man can work." John 9:4

And Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me does not believe in Me, but in Him who sent Me. And he who beholds Me beholds the One who sent Me." John 12:44-45

"For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me commandment, what to say, and what to speak." John 12:49

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me." John 13:20

"And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent." John 17:3

"For the words which Thou gave Me I have given to them; and they received them, and truly understood that I came forth from Thee, and they believed that Thou didst send Me." John 17:8

"As Thou didst send Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." John 17:18

Jesus therefore said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you." John 20:21

This mission of The Bridge is one of joining God on His mission. We are to be disciples of Jesus who make more disciples.

We didn’t make it up.

Jesus left his disciples with two big assignments: make disciples of all nations, and be my witnesses in your city, in your region, and “to the end of the earth” (Mt. 28:19; Acts 1:8). So, we teach people to believe it, grow it, and send it (the gospel). All for God’s glory to spread in our context!

Why? God is a sending Father. He desires to send the church back into the world. We will not be a “holy huddle.” We will be a community that seeks to be salt and light in the world.

Why once more? The church is mission. Yes, the church gathers as people being called out (ekklesia) of the world. But the church is at the same time being sent out (apostolos) into the world. We will be a church community that gathers and scatters for the glory of God.

Current reading list

It has been a while since I updated my current reading list. It is shorter but here it goes! You'll notice that I have been studying church staff/teams.

• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Lencioni


• Staff Your Church for Growth by McIntosh


• Confessions of a Reformission Rev.: Hard Lessons from an Emerging Missional Church by Driscoll


• Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument -- not a book but worth your time.


• 1 Corinthians - at least once a week

I honestly do not think I have ever read a Christian book that is as raw, funny, and real as Confessions of a Reformission Rev. You'll either love it or hate it. I love it. I'm looking forward to reading "The Radical Reformission" next.

Jacob and Kate

I had the privilege of officiating a wedding yesterday at Vance Vineyards and Winery in Fredericktown for Jacob Musgrove and Kate Hennrich. All I could think about while officiating the wedding was one Sunday last January. On January 24th, 2010 we baptized Jacob as he publicly professed his faith in Jesus.

Jacob's baptism is about ten minutes and forty-five seconds in. Listen to his response. Glory to God forever!

(embedded video - facebook viewers may need to visit benjamindurbin.com to watch it)



If you are interested in having a full wedding script from their ceremony last night, you can download it here.

When is a generalization about a group racist?

I had this question posed to me yesterday. I couldn't come up with a great answer but John Piper did! Below is an excerpt from an article on racism, stereotypes, and generalizations. Check out the whole article here.

When is a generalization about a group racist? I am using the word racist as something sinful, and the following answers move toward a definition. The following uses of generalization would be wrong (racist):

• When you want a person to fit a negative generalization that you have formed about a group (even if the generalization statistically is true).
• When you assume that a statistically true negative generalization is true of a particular person in the face of individual evidence to the contrary.
• When you treat all the members of a group as if all must be characterized by a negative generalization.
• When you speak disparagingly of an entire group on the basis of a negative generalization without any regard for those in the group who don’t fit the generalization. Or: When you speak negatively of a group based on a generalization without giving any evidence that you acknowledge and appreciate the exceptions. (I assume that Jesus’ generalizations about the Pharisees [Matthew 23] and Paul’s generalization about the Cretans [Titus 1:12] are not sinful because they did have such regard and did appreciate the exceptions.)

Implication for Christians: While realizing that life is not livable without generalizations, be careful not to let your pride lead you to use statistical generalizations in unloving ways.

Pastors are poor repenters. Ironic isn't it? The men who call people to geniune repentance weekly, often fail to deeply repent themselves.

This week I had some of my personal property violated. In my anger, I formed generalizations that led to racist thoughts and complete bitterness. This wasn't towards a people group of a different ethnicity. No, it was towards a people group that are near the low end of the social and economic scale often by their own choice and actions. They need discipline, yes. And yes, I must protect my family, friends, and flock as well.

But....

They don't need me to be racist. That is sin. I don't want to be bitter. I don't want to dishonor God or the gospel. I repent and trust the gospel. They need me to speak the gospel, live the gospel, and keep the gospel at the center of my heart and actions.

The formula of a successful church

Watch this video and give me your honest reactions. '
(Facebook viewers need to visit benjamindurbin.com)

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Here are mine.

I'm afraid that the deconstruction in the video is true. We have the most important opportunity in the world every Sunday. I pray that we don't waste it being consumer driven rather than gospel driven. It is also a gut check to make sure we don't follow routine and trendiness rather than the triune God in our celebrations.

How does The Bridge rate in regards to simply following this formula?

I would of said it was more true of us in year 1 and 2. Now, we plod through scripture making the Gospel the centerpiece of all that we do. The gospel is elevated as the rock star. All of our elements proclaim the gospel and challenge people to move not consume.

We definitely aren't as trendy as we once were, but we do get to spend at least six months in 1 Corinthians soon! :-) We have made it a focused effort for scripture to be elevated to a place of prominence over any of our teachers.

Now, I do believe that there are still abuses in non-contemporary or non-relevant churches.

On the other end of the spectrum, you still have churches stuck in different eras. Often instead of following the Triune God, they would rather follow the good old days. You can find abuses on both sides of the fence.

This video could be shot with hymns, special singing, and old fashioned preaching with three piece suits and still pull out the same reaction in me.

What questions does this video force us to ask?

1. Who are we pleasing? God or man?
2. Who are we following? Our own plans and strategy, or the living and triune God?
3. Are we comfortable and set it something that worked once? Or are we being led by the spirit in faith?
4. What are we growing? Consumers or Gospel-Driven people?
5. What are we imaging? Radical disciples of Jesus? Or man-made systems and strategies?
6. Have we over-contextualized? Have we under-contextualized?
7. Is Jesus the hero of our church? The hero of our leadership? The hero of our celebrations?
   

These are the things I think about all of the time. These are the reactions I had to the video.

If you want to see a video that I believe is in contrast to this one, CLICK HERE.

Building Homes in Haiti

I am heading to Haiti July 5-12 to build homes with Growing Hope for Haiti. As I write this, there are currently 8 spots left on the team. Would you pray about joining?

For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Hebrews 3:4

Growing Hope for Haiti and The Fuller Center for Housing has partnered together to build a community in Leogane, Haiti. This community near the epicenter was destroyed by the January 12th earthquake. Opportunities for building homes for the people of Haiti exist in two ways:

1. Join my team!
2. Sponsor a home. $4,000 will provide a home for a family now living under a tarp, bed sheet, or tent, and contribute to the community well, latrines, and garden.

• We will be there July 5th-12th
• Building skills are not mandatory, but a willingness to work hard and be teachable is
• Cost is estimated to be $1100 including airfare, food, water, and transportation. (subject to change if airfare changes)
• Conditions are tough. You will be exposed to heat, rain, and sleep in tents.
  
• Passport required

Quit sitting on your assets.
Get up off of your blessed assurance.

Put your faith and money where your mouth is and join our team.

I am hoping for at least half of the team to be men.
Email me today!

Your faith doesn't have a speed limit. Quit living like it does and FLOOR it.

Click here for the SHOT list.

Our Story: Gospel Principles for my Missional Cell

Well over four years ago I began meeting together with other adults from St. Francois County in my home. We would meet for the purposes of developing community and spiritual growth. We shared stories, ate together, and dug into God's word together. I have been a part of four small groups of people (we call them cells) during this time period, with three of them being a part of The Bridge Community Church.

These small groups of people (cells) have been instrumental in my life. I have grown closer to Christ and have been moved to gospel maturity much quicker in these small communities, than I ever would have been just sitting in a pew. However, looking back they were missing something. I couldn't put my finger on it until I listened to Matt Carter from Austin Stone speak last year.

I realized that these groups were missing gospel intention. We had always aimed at deep community, but we lacked a focus on common mission and the eventual out-workings of the gospel. Because of this lack of living with gospel intentionality and common mission, our sense of deep community often dwindled over time.

This year my cell selected a common mission. We did this through prayer and cultural engagement. We looked at the specific rhythms of our county with the purpose of finding where the gospel needed to take root and grow. We asked God to open up our eyes to see how we could be missionaries for Him in our own back yard.

We settled on a common people group to whom we have been sent together to in order to make disciples. This group of people for my missional cell are the students living in the dorms at Mineral Area College. We are now working to radically reorient the rhythms of our own lives around loving and reaching these people. This is moving us away from simply focusing on a weekly meeting, and towards living a life together on mission.

We currently are 13 adults who share life and truth, love God and one another, and engage the social and spiritual needs of our county.

Together we ---

Share life and truth.
We are more than a meeting; we are a community that shares life throughout the week: meals, trials, vacation, mission, etc. We are imperfect but are united by the perfecting truth of the gospel of grace.

Pray for one another and St. Francois County
We pray regularly for one another, our neighbors, and our county because we know that it is ultimately God who renews the county.

Engage peoples and cultures.
Our missional cell engages the cultures of the students at the MAC dorms with genuine interest, love, and the hope of redemption.

Love one another.
We are bound together by mutual love and encouragement. We’re a family.

Why do we do this?
Gospel principles that guide missional cell.

We are all broken.
We are all more broken than we want to admit, and God is more holy than we comprehend.

We all need Jesus.
In Jesus we are more forgiven and accepted than we can imagine, and God is more delighted in us than we understand.

We all need one another.
We need each other to share our struggles and joys in following Jesus.

Our county needs the Gospel.
The gospel of Christ changes and renews the peoples and cultures of the county.

Interested in finding out about other missional cells at The Bridge Community Church? Contact Stan Jackson today.

Current Reading LIst

Here are some books I have been reading in the last few months.

1. The Book of Ruth (I read it once a day gearing up to teach it in May)
   
2. Doctrine by Driscoll and Breshears
3. Total Church by Timmis
4. Sticky Teams by Osborne
5. A Sweet and Bitter Providence by Piper
6. Church 3.0 by Cole
   

Learn "Like a Lion" for Easter

We often ask our community to learn a new song before special celebrations. For this Easter, we are asking them to learn "Like a Lion" and scream it out during our Easter Celebrations. Below is the Youtube video containing the song and the lyrics.

Like a Lion



Lyrics
Let love explode and bring the dead to life
A love so bold
To see a revolution somehow.
Let love explode and bring the dead to life
A love so bold
To bring a revolution somehow

Pre- chorus
Now I'm lost in your freedom
This world I'll overcome.

Chorus:
My God is not dead
He's surely alive
He's living on the inside
Roaring like a lion

Verse 2:
Let hope arise and make the darkness hide
My faith is dead
I need a resurrection somehow

Chorus:
My God is not dead
He's surely alive
He's living on the inside
Roaring like a lion

Bridge:
Let Heaven roar and fire fall
come shake the ground
with the sound of revival

Chorus:
My God is not dead
He's surely alive
He's living on the inside
Roaring like a lion

Living on Mission

At The Bridge Community, we have made it a priority to train our members to live on mission as disciples of Jesus who make more disciples. In fact, we teach that one is not truly a disciple of Jesus if all one does is consume events. Our mantra is that we desire to teach people to believe it, grow it, and send it (with it being the gospel and central to all we do). All of this is for God’s glory to spread and grow in our context!

Why? We see that scripture is filled with language that speaks to the missionary nature of a Triune God. God the Father sends the Son, and God the Father and the Son sends the Spirit, and God the Father and the Son and the Spirit sends the church.

We realize that Jesus sees himself not only as one sent but also as one who is sending: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21). We are sent as a missionary people, individually and collectively.

In fact, Acts 17: 26-27 tells us that God has determined the exact place and time where we should live so that men may find Him. Isn't it amazing to think that you/we have been chosen by God to be His representative to our surrounding context? What a privilege! What an incredible responsibility! Every member is a missionary to the people they come into contact with (family, friends, co-workers, etc).

This truly is a tremendous responsibility. Overwhelmed by the thought that if you are saved you are to join God on mission? Not sure where to start? Need help? I thought you might so I have been putting together resources to share. Most of these resources have been collected for free via the GCM Collective. I am going to break these up into individual and community/cell family helps.

Individual Helps
Integrating Mission into your normal routine
How to talk to people: The Gospel is Good news
10 Ways to be Missional

Community Helps (cell, church, community)
Questions to help you understand your neighborhood
Living in a Missional context
Contextual Assessment Starter
Missonal Community (cell,group) Covenant Template (example to be seen as a resource)

I hope that you find these resources helpful. I earnestly pray that you go on mission and make disciples in St. Francois County and our surrounding context! I am encouraged that we have already begun doing this. Collectively GAP is exploding! We now have people on mission working in the FCC, CSC, Aquinas, and the jail. We now have missional cells adopting neighborhoods, the MAC dorms, and beginning free stores for the impoverished. The list goes on and seems to be growing monthly! Keep building relationships and presenting the gospel!

May we continue to creatively and fearlessly take Christ into the broken world that needs Him most (Matthew 28:18-20).

Info on Night of Worship + video & set list

Our 4th birthday is coming up fast at The Bridge and we're having a Night of Worship to celebrate! It will be filled with music, drama, and food! Come celebrate with us! Also, we'll be shooting a live DVD and CD that night, so come prepared to sing, shout, dance, twirl, yell, hoot, holler, etc. BE THERE!

Details
The Bridge Community Church
301 Lore
Leadington, MO 63601

March 7th @ 7PM
For more details: info@bridgeworship.net

***Facebook viewers must view benjamindurbin.com for videos



In case you couldn't quite understand our speedy version of the set list, here it is in writing!

1. All Because of Jesus
2. Sing, Sing, Sing
3. Your Love
4. Beautiful Jesus
5. Lead Me To The Cross
6. How He Loves
7. It Is Well
8. Glory To God Forever
9. Today Is The Day
10. God Is With Us
11. Happy Day
12. Jesus Paid It All
13. No One Greater/The Stand
14. God Is Alive

P.S. Your worship leaders will be Ben, Matheaw, and Tisa. . . not those crazy guys in the video!

See you there!

Current Reading List

I haven't updated my reading list in a while. Here is what I have read or have been reading since Christmas.

• Deep Church by Belcher


• Refuel by Fields


• Culture Making by Crouch


• Counterfeit Gods by Keller


• Ignite by Searcy


• Crazy Love by Chan

I've started writing something as well. It is a short booklet in pdf format for new believers at The Bridge. I hope to have it done by Easter. I stress hope.

What should I read next? I'm looking to pick up a good theology or church history book.

Power Button

Have you discovered how the "Power Button" works? Not only does it turn on your "so-called life" (tvs, laptops, cell phones, radio), it also turns them off.

My prayer for The Bridge Community this week is that you will re-discover the power button. And as you turn distractions off, I pray you re-discover life.

See God's creation. See His hand in your routine. See your children. Get lost in your spouse's eyes. Play a game of cards with your friends. Read a book. Read the scriptures.

TALK to people face to face.

Talk to God in quietness. Hear from Him.

Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God. "

Remember the song that followed Holy Communion Sunday? Re-visit the lyrics.

Matthew West -- Stop the World

The TV is talking
The telephone’s ringing
The lights are all on
And the radio’s screaming
A million distractions are stealing my heart from You
I’m tired and empty
This life is relentless
It weakens my knees
And breaks my defenses
It’s wearing me down and I’m desperate to hear from You

Stop the world I wanna get out
I need an escape away from this crowd
Just to hear You speak to me

I need to be still before I make a move
I need to be humble with nothing to prove
I need Your Word to show me the truth
And I need time, precious time

Stop the world I wanna get out
I need an escape away from this crowd
Just to hear You speak to me
Stop the world I’m ready to listen
Show me sign, give me a vision of heaven
I can hold on to
Stop the world I need some time with You

Before I can find my voice
I need to hear Your voice
Above all the senseless noise