The Church Awakens - Part One

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 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. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Luke 2:22-38 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord” and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed and a sword will pierce through your own soul also, so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Boiler Room:

Spurgeon's "Boiler Room"

Five young college students were spending a Sunday in London, so they went to hear the famed C.H. Spurgeon preach. While waiting for the doors to open, the students were greeted by a man who asked, "Gentlemen, let me show you around. Would you like to see the heating plant of this church?" They were not particularly interested, for it was a hot day in July. But they didn't want to offend the stranger, so they consented. The young men were taken down a stairway, a door was quietly opened, and their guide whispered, "This is our heating plant." Surprised, the students saw 700 people bowed in prayer, seeking a blessing on the service that was soon to begin in the auditorium above. Softly closing the door, the gentleman then introduced himself. It was none other than Charles Spurgeon.

Taken from, Our Daily Bread, April 24

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) is known as the ‘prince of preachers.’ He was a Baptist minister in England who saw enormous blessings from God upon his ministry. It is not an exaggeration to say that thousands came to Christ through his preaching. Some of services drew as many as 10,000 people at a time!

But Spurgeon never took credit for the success of his ministry. Instead, he always pointed to the hundreds of people who came before services and prayed for God’s blessing. He said any success he had came from God in answer to their prayers. Spurgeon was often fond of calling these prayer gatherings the church’s “boiler room.”

In Spurgeon’s time, steam was the power source of the day. Boiler rooms were the powerhouses, the driving forces of everything from vast machines in factories to household heating systems. Boiler rooms, however, were not pleasant places to visit. They were functional, dirty, and hot; often tucked away in the basement. Likewise, Spurgeon saw the prayers of his people as the spiritual power behind his preaching and ministry.

This is why he told his fellow pastors, “Brethren, we shall never see much change for the better in our churches in general till the prayer meeting occupies a higher place in the esteem of Christians.”

-From the blog https://prayingforrevival.wordpress.com/2009/03/29/spurgeons-boiler-rooms/

This is available to you every Sunday from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the church.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

The ABCs of fasting:

When you otherwise would be eating, set aside time that you are praying about these areas:

1. Areas you need to ADVANCE your service to God i.e. - Miracles on the job front

2. Areas you need a BREAKTHROUGH from God - Your provision from God i.e. - Breaking sin habits Financial breakthroughs Relational breakthroughs

3. Areas you need to be CONSECRATED in a whole new way Your heart before God

Luke 2:39-40 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

To grow in strength, you need a plan:

Writing out a mission statement before the Lord:

What are goals that He is giving you this year for: 1) Your time with Him 2) Your service in and through the church 3) Your finances (budgeting) and giving

Your relationships: 1) Marital or romantic - How do you need to go to the next level? 2) Pro-active child rearing 3) Covenant relationships

Your academics/career: 1) What new ventures do you need to pursue? 2) What learning opportunities are available to you? 3) What new responsibility can you take on to be a blessing to the school/company?

Your health: 1) Eating 2) Exercise 3) Rest

What do you need to do to achieve these things: 1) Daily 2) Weekly 3) Monthly 4) By the end of the year Your place in this city:

Jeremiah 29:4-7 (NIV) This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

We envision being a house of prayer for all the nations to the glory of God.

We envision sharing the Good News of Christ’s death and resurrection with thousands of unchurched friends and people in the greater Chicagoland area, many of whom will accept Him as Lord and Savior.

We envision developing people – new believers as well as established believers – into fully functioning followers of Christ through Bible study, worship services, community groups, special events, and leadership training.

We envision being a church that lives and models biblical community: a safe place where we are accepted, loved, shepherded, encouraged, forgiven, and are built into disciples of Jesus Christ.

We envision helping all our people – youth as well as adults – to discover their divine designs so that they are equipped to serve Christ effectively in some ministry within and outside our church.

We envision welcoming numerous members into our body who are excited about Christ, will experience healing in their family relationships and marriages, and grow together in love.

We envision being a people who care for the orphan, the widow, the victim, and the poor through practical means that help to rebuild lives.

We envision training and sending out missionaries, church planters, and church workers all over the world. We also see a number of our people pursuing short-term missions service domestically and abroad. We see our people ministering to unreached people groups and serving the least Christianized cities of the world.

We envision training marketplace Christians to be fully devoted followers of Christ who help transform culture by bringing the kingdom of God to every sphere of industry and influence.

We envision being a generous people. We see the people of God giving radically to the advance of the gospel in the city and the nations because of the love of God in their hearts.

Second City Church- The Church Awakens Sermon Series 2015

Jesus at the Holidays

Man on a Mission: Jesus at the Holidays

Psalms like these read during the Jewish holidays highlighted God's goodness to His people and set the foundation for the gospel of grace:

Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. O house of Israel, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield. You who fear him, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield. The Lord remembers us and will bless us: He will bless the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, he will bless those who fear the Lord— small and great alike. May the Lord make you increase, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to man. It is not the dead who praise the Lord, those who go down to silence; it is we who extol the Lord, both now and forevermore. Praise the Lord. (Psalm 115:1-18 NIV84)


The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.” 
― George Orwell

* Jewish, and thus, Christian, holidays are celebrations of God's faithfulness.

• One that was sure to be celebrated during Jesus' time was Hanukkah (December 8-16 this year).  With recorded accounts in the apocryphal book of Maccabees, it commemorates the victory of the Jews over the Antiochus Epiphanes who attempted to eradicate Jewish worship and desecrate the temple in 168 BC.
• Even more than our use of holidays in American culture, the purpose of the holy days were a remembrance Yhwh's care and strength, leading to celebration, consecration and deeper worship of our loving Father.  At the holidays, time was set apart to travel, enjoy feasting with family, rest from our work and offer appreciative sacrifices to God.  All this was meant to recalibrate and realign our hearts before our benevolent King.

“If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree. ” 
― Michael Crichton

The inter-testamental period

• As we get into things like the Sermon on the Mount, this period sets up everything that we will understand about the NT context, Jesus' life, ministry and teachings within it.
• Following the fall of the Persian Empire, there is an understood "400 years of silence" similar to the 400 years of bondage of Israelites in Egypt.

Things that help to contextualize The times in which Jesus lived: The Second Temple period and Herod's temple Herod Herod's paranoia The Hasmonean Empire Pompey and the Roman Empire The Jewish Diaspora Synagogue Life Pharisees Sadducees Essenes Zealots The development of the use of crucifixion

The Take Away:

1. Even when it seems that God is silent in your circumstances or the ongoing affairs of the world, He is working sovereignty to bring about His salvation for humanity.  God is at work even when we don't recognize it.
2. The perceived absence of the movement of the Holy Spirit was followed by the greatest period of power that the world had ever seen.  The manifestations of the kingdom of heaven were amplified with Jesus and continue long after Pentecost (Joel 2)
3. It is incumbent that as the political climate and culture changes around us, that we cling to the standards of God's eternal Word to maintain a connection to what He is doing in His kingdom advance. Within what has already been written is a picture of where we want to be found in all that He is about to do. i.e. - Daniel's prophecies (especially Daniel 8 and 11), the unfolding of the trade of power between nations and Messianic expectation
4. Possibly most importantly, what we see in the Babylonian exile in 586 BC was the destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem and the emergence of the intensified Jewish Diaspora.  Prior to that time, life in Israel centered around God through ceremony at the temple, and the observance of the ethical code in the Torah.  God, through the prophets, continually brought the exhortation that the outward ritual was empty if not accompanied by devotion to him through godly living.

Isaiah, who started his prophetic ministry around 739 BC wrote: “The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?” says the Lord. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your evil assemblies. Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. “Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. (Isaiah 1:11-20 NIV84)

Almost 100 years later, Jeremiah gives similar exhortation: This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Stand at the gate of the Lord's house and there proclaim this message: “ ‘Hear the word of the Lord, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the Lord. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!” If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever. But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless. “ ‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord. “ ‘Go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for my Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel. While you were doing all these things, declares the Lord, I spoke to you again and again, but you did not listen; I called you, but you did not answer. Therefore, what I did to Shiloh I will now do to the house that bears my Name, the temple you trust in, the place I gave to you and your fathers. I will thrust you from my presence, just as I did all your brothers, the people of Ephraim.’ (Jeremiah 7:1-15 NIV84)

• This would be objectified when their place of worship and national identity was removed from the Jews for a time.  Through the synagogues, God arranged a scenario where the emphasis could become the attitude of the heart reflecting the holy days.  Holiness is more than simple morality, it is when we strive to be set apart to God for HIS purposes in all of our pursuits, decision making and activity.  It is that upon which Jesus, prior to the second temple's destruction in AD 70, came to put an exclamation point.  It is now the way we are called to live, and what the Sermon on the Mount will expound.

Practical Faith Challenge for the Week: Share an insight about the holidays with a friend using one observation from Biblical history that would point them to God.

Helpful resources: NIV Study Bible Archeological Study Bible ESV Study Bible IV Press Commentary Zondervan Commentary

2nd City Church - Man on a Mission Sermon Series 2012

Preparing the way for the Lord

Man on a Mission:"Preparing the way for the Lord"

* In the future we will get into topical messages and series, but right now, to set the foundation of the church plant, we want to make sure to let Jesus and the Bible speak for themselves as to what is important to God, even things that we may have heard before, but upon which we have not spent much time dwelling to make them premiums in our lives.

We all want God to move in our lives and in the city.  However, what ALWAYS PRECEDES a move of God is the people's move towards confession and repentance.

*Matthew 3:1-12


Why would John call them a brood of vipers? There was poison on their lips (ref. Romans 3:13). Often, when we have become prideful in our Christianity, thinking ourselves the experts, or hurt in our community, thinking ourselves the victims, we lose sight of Christ Himself who looks to redeem imperfect scenarios.  The only result is a fault-finding attitude, rather than one of humility and service.  Here is where you begin to criticize the people and work of God rather than throwing in your lot to aid and join them.  The vipers often feed on the embryonic eggs of other creatures trying to come to life.  He is giving a warning to watch ourselves and exhorting us to throw in our lot with Jesus and his people.

When we think of repentance, we think of thoughts of God's anger, having visceral reactions in regards to His judgments.  It is because we don't understand the heart of our Father in the midst of these commands.

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? (Romans 2:4 NIV84)

How would it be the case that He is expressing His kindness? There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 14:12 NIV)

• says the exact same thing in Prov. 16:25


Here's an example in which many of us have found ourselves:

For the lips of an adulteress drip honey,
and her speech is smoother than oil;
but in the end she is bitter as gall,
sharp as a double-edged sword. 
Her feet go down to death;
her steps lead straight to the grave.
She gives no thought to the way of life;
her paths are crooked, but she knows it not. (Proverbs 5:3-6 NIV84)

In preaching there is proclamation, but there is also an element of counseling for every aspect of Christ's character or counsel that we are encouraging people to obey.  Everyone has a history explaining why they are the way that they are and an attachment to the reason they live and behave the way that they do.  God is sensitive to this, yet still calls us, as the Creator, to the liberating and higher place.

“Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters; 
and you who have no money, 
come, buy and eat! 
Come, buy wine and milk 
without money and without cost. 
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy? 
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, 
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. 
Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live. 
I will make an everlasting covenant with you, 
my faithful love promised to David. 
Seek the Lord while he may be found;
 call on him while he is near. 
Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts. 
Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,” 
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways 
and my thoughts than your thoughts. 
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven, 
and do not return to it 
without watering the earth 
and making it bud and flourish, 
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty, 
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace; 
the mountains and hills 
will burst into song before you, 
and all the trees of the field 
will clap their hands. 
Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. 
This will be for the Lord's renown,
for an everlasting sign, 
which will not be destroyed.” (Isaiah 55:1-3, 6-13 NIV84)

There is an emotional response to the behavioral patterns that have marked our lives and to which we have become identified.  We cling to them, feeling that if we lose this part of our activity, we lose our very selves.  Yet Jesus calls us to trust him in this change of mind so that He might bring us into the life that is truly life.  Never forget, He knows best and desires our best.

“I myself said,
“ ‘How gladly would I treat you like sons 
and give you a desirable land, 
the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.’ 
I thought you would call me ‘Father’ 
and not turn away from following me. (Jeremiah 3:19 NIV84)

The Hebrew word for Torah in the Scripture encapsulated the Law and had a meaning that referred to a target.  Sin thus became a term for missing the mark.  It is far deeper than simple disobedience, but it is a general posture in life where we fail to even acknowledge God's good standard in our relationships, how we use our time or finances.  We fail to even aim for the mark and therefore live in sin.

Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. (James 4:17 NIV84)

It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.” 
― C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

When we have made any level of commitment to Christ, the sins that we commit are far more sins of omission rather than commission - a general laziness of spirit and heart.  It is more the sin of apathy and complacency, doing the bare minimum to get by, than the sin of licentious living.

The more often [a man] feels without acting, the less he will ever be able to act, and, in the long run, the less he will be able to feel.” 
― C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

Repentance is defined as a change of mind.  Greek:

Repentance is not a onetime activity, but an ongoing affair, a lifestyle.  It is to aim for, and by the grace of God, rise to the mark.  It is then we hit the target of peace, fulfillment and satisfaction in life because we are doing that for which we were created. Repentance is the prerequisite preparing the way continually for the ongoing work of The Lord Jesus in your life.

How do we get to a place, like the Pharisees, where we are surrounded culturally by the law of God, but become a brood of vipers?  In a city like Chicago, it is easy as God becomes a side note and not the center of our lives, an additive and not the director.  The syncretistic spirit in this city tolerates spirituality, but resists building our world and contextualizing daily activity around JESUS and His Kindom purposes.  There is an acknowledgement of God, but not a pursuit of Him.  Yet John's very purpose, and ours, is to prepare a way for Jesus.

Your religion is what you do with your solitude.”   -Archbishop William Temple

The problem with American culture today is the plethora of options with which we are confronted today.  In sociological studies, they've reported that countries with far less economically and what we would deem as comfort are far happier because the number of options are limited.  Therefore people are not thinking about what they don't have, always thinking they are missing something; rather they are enjoying what they do have. In this manner, their lives can be more fulfilled.

This atmosphere which dulls convictions was accentuated in my mind when I saw that the happiest time of year thus far for people in Chicago came during a trick or treat Halloween celebration. It takes more effort to do anything in a big city like Chicago, so without a compass, you will passively slump into the malaise and the perpetual tide of the culture around you.

Confession means to come into agreement with what is right

Confession does not just have to be to a priest or religious leader in the church, but someone with whom you're are walking for growth in Jesus and His purposes in your life:

My eyes will be on the faithful in the land,
that they may dwell with me; 
he whose walk is blameless 
will minister to me. (Psalm 101:6 NIV84)

As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17 NIV84)

Confession in the church serves multiple purposes:

1. to build intimate relationship through which we
2. to take responsibility for our actions and own our junk
3. to identify and nail the appropriate things to the cross

A lack of humility will lead to a lonely, isolated existence.

God sets the lonely in families,
he leads forth the prisoners with singing; 
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. (Psalm 68:6 NIV84)

He who conceals his sins does not prosper,
but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13 NIV84)

There are three categories of people who will be coming to repentance in our midst:

1. The believer through the ongoing sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit
2. The non-Christian who is being reconciled to God
3. The church transfer who felt burnt or embittered at another church trying to find refuge here.  The challenging part in this scenario is people don't realize that things aren't always as one sided as they seem and may need to come to repentance themselves

If someone quickly finds fault with others, they will quickly do it with you. We don't encourage people to come from other churches without working out their grievances, otherwise when the rub comes, there will be the same response just in a different environment.

Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy2:19-22 NIV84)

What good thing does God want from this repentance?

Christ set a different example for us with his baptism.  He was perfect in his righteousness, but did all to fulfill the law and lead by example.  In effect, He has never asked or commanded us to do anything that He has not done Himself. We can therefore trust Him in everything as He promises to lead us to life to the fullest.

Take time o pray, asking the Holy Spirit to search your hearts, confess and pray with another about things you need to repent and be healed about.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23, 24 NIV84)

Practical Faith Challenge of the Week: This week, share with someone why the message of confession and repentance is a part of the good news.

* This week read Matthew 4 in preparation for "Man on a Mission" Part 4 - "Fighting for our Lives"

2nd City Church 2012 Man on a Mission Sermon series