Edgewood – Page 6 – John Markum

Challenge #7: Bring your Bible

Posted on March 3, 2011 by johnmarkum

Edgewood Challenge #7: Bring your Bible to Church

Probably the easiest challenge we could deliver! As a follower of Jesus, the Bible is your lifeline to God’s encouragement, instruction, correction, and entire worldview so that you and I can reach our full potential in Christ (2 Tim 3:16, 17). You wouldn’t even think of leaving the house without your cell phone. But going to church without your Bible… many people don’t even give it a second thought.

Now, to be fair, it’s partly our fault as church leadership. I mean, it was our idea to put those high-tech screens in the church with lights and videos, lyrics, and – not least of all – every Bible verse we intend to quote in the course of a service. But that was intended to benefit our guests and those who don’t yet have a relationship with Jesus, not the faithful who attend week-in and week-out. You need to bring your Bible because you need to see for yourself what the Bible says – not just take our word for it. We’re not trying to dupe anybody! God gifted you with the intelligence to read His word for yourself. Don’t sell yourself short by leaving it to the “religious professionals” to tell you what to believe. Learn from us, yes. But read it for yourself, and see what God has for you.

And hey, we’re hip to the 21st Century… bring the Bible ON your cell phone. Or your iPad. Or your iPod touch. If it gets you into the Bible on your own, we’re for it!

Blessings,

John

Challenge #6: Thankfulness

Posted on March 1, 2011 by johnmarkum

Edgewood challenge #6: Find one thing to be thankful for daily.

“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, concerning you.” 1 Thes. 5:18

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are worthy of praise.” Phil 4:8

Scripture reminds us to think on things that are healthy – to focus on the good. I especially love this passage from 1st Thessalonians which says “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God…” because it reminds us to be thankful regardless of our circumstances. Many people get hung up on the will of God part of the verse, and I understand their frustration…

I just lost my job, and I don’t know how I’m going to provide for my family. How is that the will of God?

A loved one just got a cancer diagnosis. She’s only 40. Why would God’s will be against me like that?

This passage, however, is not saying that God willed for everything that happens, just like it is not God’s will for people to commit acts of violence, terrorism, rape, and murder. What this passage is saying is that regardless of the circumstances it is God’s will that I be thankful. Stand firm on the promises of God and be thankful that, in Jesus, we are more than victorious over our circumstances.

As a church, if we carry with us the gratitude of a life that has been redeemed, we will get more out of life, and the world will notice the difference of a life that has been changed by the gratefulness that comes from knowing Jesus. Incorporate it into your daily quiet time with God. Look for it when you read the Bible. Find opportunities everywhere to be thankful, and you’ll soon realize that you and I have way more to be grateful for every day than one simple thing.

Blessings,

John

PS… I’m thankful to belong to such a warm and caring church family. Thank you, Edgewood, for modeling gratitude!

Challenge #5: Serve

Posted on February 28, 2011 by johnmarkum

Edgewood Challenge #5: Give time to serve in one ministry.

There’s this statistic that floats around many churches that says, “20% of the people do 80% of the service.” This stat gets called the 80/20 Stat most of the time and simply points out that only a fraction of most Christians ever give of their time and talent to be part of what the church is doing to impact their city for Christ.

It’s a shame, really. We would claim to believe in a God who saves souls, changes lives, and does the impossible – who is eager to capture us up into His mission to redeem the world to Himself – and we would pass. Because of this, one church leader, Ed Stetzer, began referring to this ratio of people who don’t volunteer themselves to the work of the church as the 80/20 Sin. When you and I make excuses for why we do not get connected in serving, we are trying to say that we believe in Jesus enough to save us, but not enough to give ourselves back to Him.

But what if we really lived it…? What would be the potential of our church – of the Quad Cities – if we lived as though our life was not our own, but we were bought with a price? What if the 80/20 statistic was flopped, and 80 % of the people each took a piece of the ownership in serving? The thought of what that would look like is absolutely breath-taking!

The Bible describes the church as the “body” of Christ. But when 80% of the body is not doing it’s function, the body is paralyzed… or dying. The whole body suffers when even a small part of it is out of order. But a body that is 100% operational is alive, healthy, and powerful. Let’s be that church!

Edgewood is such an amazing place because every week we get to see new people coming through our doors, and the potential to turn our world upside-down for the Gospel has never been greater, or more needed. And because our church has 3 weekend adult services, and a youth service, there are plenty of opportunities to use your time and talents to serve in one ministry. Let’s change our world by the way we serve one another!

Blessings,

John