WholeHeartedLife

Text Messages CAN Grow Your Faith!

"As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, 'I am holy; you be holy.'" (1 Peter 1:14-16, the Message)

Is your life being shaped by God's life? Could you classify your life as one that is blazing with holiness?

Join the club.

Do you ever feel like, when it comes to following Jesus, that you SUCK? Does this ever describe you: "I sometimes just feel incomplete in my walk with God, like there's something missing." There is: Personal holiness.

We cannot will ourselves to live holy lives. We CAN will ourselves into good morals but holiness is not that!!! Holiness isn't a moral code, the music you listen to or the clothes that you wear. Holiness isn't about the things that you DO or DON'T do. Holiness is a life energized by God's life. 

Holiness is not God AND you, it's God IN you. Holiness is God working through you, God working IN you. God's not saying, "come on... you can do this - as a matter of fact, let's do this together, it's Me AND you!" What God is saying is, "quit fighting this, I'm gonna do this IN you." God AND you is like that dumb bumper sticker, "God is my co-pilot." STUPID! God isn't anyone's co-pilot - He's your pilot or you're on your own. God IN you is is declaring that Jesus is the leader of your life. God AND you is like saying, "I'm doing my best to be good." God IN you is you declaring I'm surrendering my heart to His goodness.

So here's my challenge to you, let's practice this together in a practical way: every time that you get a text, phone call, facebook notification today on your mobile phone, before you respond stop and remind yourself: It's not God AND me, it's God IN me... Lord, I give you control right now, my thoughts, my words and my actions - fill me with Your love right now. Everytime you get a text. Everytime you get a fb notification. Everytime you get a call. EVERYTIME.

I pray for you, right now as I type, that your life be shaped by God's life and that this week would be the most Jesus filled week you have ever experienced. For His glory. Amen.

What Do I Want More than Anything

We're reaching a lot of people at Vertical Church. So many of the people who are coming to VC are people who just would not go to a regular church. This was and is our target - people who believe in God but feel like outcasts in church or as we normally say it: to help people who don't like church meet God.

Reaching people. Leading them to Jesus. Watching Him save them from their sin and from themselves. This is priority #1 and over the past 7 months we have seen many people give their lives to Christ.

But that's not all we're about. It's just the beginning.

What we want more than anything is to lead people to become passionate about Jesus so they can lead others to Jesus. Passion for Jesus is love for Jesus. It's growing in grace, it's learning about God, His thoughts and His ways. It's becoming a disciple of Jesus. Disciples do something with their knowledge and they help others to learn about the Savior. People who love Jesus help others love Jesus.

Here's a very easy to read paraphrase (the Message) of 1 Peter 1:13-17 which nicely sums up what we're interested in helping you achieve:

^13-16So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."

 ¹⁷You call out to God for help and he helps—he's a good Father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living.

God wants you to win in the area of holiness. Do you believe that? It's true. He's calling you to holiness but contrary to popular thoughts, holiness isn't tied to church attendance, giving, dress, the kind of music you like/listen to, denomination... Holiness is a heart attitude. As it says above, it's an energetic life blazing with holiness (isn't that awesome?!?)

So I wonder, who's ready to get holy? Are you as ready as I am to begin to learn more about suceeding in life with God? The countdown is on and this weekend we will begin a new series titled "Real Holiness" in which we will look at the life that God is calling us into, Vertical style. 

By the way, you've NEVER seen a Vertical service like you will experience this weekend. That's not hype - it's the straight up truth. You'll see.

 

Who Needs an Intervention?

Is it just me or does it seem like our world is out of control? Everyday I see the headlines that remind me that we need some help.

EVERYTHING IS NOT OK!

Think about it. As our society becomes more complex we find people pushing the limits of acceptability. How do we know when we've gone too far? More importantly, when we realize that we've gone too far how do we find our way out? 

We need an intervention.

The next 3 weeks at Vertical Church will be powerful as we look into the scriptures and explore the fact that no one is beyond God's grip or reach. I'm believing that God is going to do a great work in our midst. If you know people who are at their wits end, feel they've gone TOO far or have given up on church HEAR ME: do whatever it takes to get them to Vertical over the next 3 weeks.

PS. NEED YOUR HELP: Many of you have people in your life far from God that you've been praying for a long time. Their issue isn't necessarily drugs or alcohol, it can be anything that has caused them to drift from God. If you were going to write a short intervention letter to them what would you say? INBOX me with your short intervention letter.

Isaiah 59:1 says, "Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear."

 

Why We Love 80's Hair, Clothes and Music

When people experience Vertical Church for the 1st time they are often caught off guard. "I didn't know that church could be like this!" is a common response from our guests.

WE LIKE IT LIKE THAT.

Whoever said that we shouldn't enjoy church is crazy! Nowhere in scripture do you hear God calling people who are passionate about Him and His glory to be the chosen frozen - we are to be filled with the joy of the Spirit. Listen to the joy in the following verses: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:16-17 ESV). We are a people who have been called to bring glory to God, bring people to Jesus and to do it all with joy in our hearts. The reason we package our Sunday services in series and themes is for this very reason.

 

We work really hard to create incredible environments that will help people to draw near to Jesus so He can change their hearts and lives. At the very core of those environments are the V-Formation (our core values) - they help us to be intentional about what Vertical IS and ISN'T. This weekend we will begin our new series, "I Love the 80's" where we will have some 80's styled fun as we dive deeply into WHO we are as a church. I truly believe this series will set the table for something great in our church body. 

So when we talk 80's fashion, products and music and bring glory to God, people will laugh, smile, remember and relate. And people will be saved.  DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO GET PEOPLE HERE BEGINNING THIS WEEKEND and remember: as you invest in the lives of those around you who do not know Christ do it with joy and passion - God has put these people in your life on purpose; to bring them to Him.

 

Next Series: At the Movies

It makes sense that a church that meets in a movie theater should explore spiritual truths found in movies, right? Join Vertical Church for "At the Movies" as we search within Hollywood hits to uncover the story behind the story. Get ready for something big!

Week One is this Sunday and we will start with "Book of Eli". The movie revolves around Eli, a nomad in a post-apocalyptic world, who is told by a voice to deliver his copy of a book to a safe location on the West Coast of the United States. The history of the post-war world is explained along the way as is the importance of Eli's task. You might wanna check it out before Sunday's service.

Each week we will look at the plot of our chosen movie and uncover the biblical truths that are found within. I think this series is gonna be a lot of fun!

 

Controversial: Preaching by Video

Andy Stanley spoke at Vertical Church for the past 2 Sundays. Funny thing is he didn't even know it. If by slim chance you don't know of Andy Stanley, he is the Senior Pastor of North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, GA. And yes, he is the tv preacher Charles Stanley's son. We utilized a video message he preached at his church 2 years ago.

I wondered how our young congregation would react to having a "video preacher". Even though churches are utilizing this technology all over the world there aren't many people in our region who have ever experienced it.

A back story on this: Personally, I've been fascinated by video preaching for years. I have wondered if such a thing would work in our neck of the woods. Quite a while back I heard Andy Stanley confess his own doubts about whether he "believed" in video preaching/teaching even though they were utilizing it themselves (and were trendsetters in doing so). I followed and even visited numerous churches that were utilizing the technology to reach people and was convinced that it worked. But often when I would come home and share with people what I had experienced I was often greeted with statements like, "if I wanted to watch a preacher on tv I can stay home!" That's a fair statement if all you do when you attend church is listen to a preacher. If you watch a preacher at home you may hear a message but you won't have fellowship with other believers or an intimate time of worship through prayer and music. Remember, a worship service is more than a message.

"But often when I would come home and share with people what I had experienced I was often greeted with statements like, "if I wanted to watch a preacher on tv I can stay home!"'

There were a few reasons we chose to utilize video preaching for 2 weeks .We were going to do a message similar in nature to that of "God and Country". With Independence Day upon us, we felt that the message contained within about the spiritual foundation of our nation, not to mention the imperative that America needs to return to God, was one that our people needed to hear. The more I thought and prayed through this I became convinced of 2 things:

• Andy Stanley could communicate this message better than anyone on our teaching team could! We have at least 5 people on our team who communicate the Gospel but none of us preach better than Andy Stanley. That's not humility - that's honesty. Andy has had a HUGE influence on me as a preacher and a leader. Not only did I want to introduce my church to him, I wanted HIM to preach this message in my church.
• I needed to push the envelope. As a leader of a young church that is insistent on not growing stagnant I think it's important to keep us on our toes. As we look to expand from one location to multiple and team with church planters to carry the gospel into other towns and regions the day will probably come when we utilize video preaching in one way or another. Matter of fact, I'm sure it will in some form. I want our people to understand that live teaching is not inherently better just because it's LIVE. Good preaching is good preaching whether the person is breathing the same air as you or not. Using this excellent series gives me the opportunity to speak this truth into our people.

From day one I have said Vertical Church is not for everyone. In the end it's imperative that we embrace who we are:  Vertical Church is here to lead people to become passionate about Jesus so they can lead people to Jesus. We're also here to help people who don't like church meet God. Our goal is not to give people what they want, it's to lead them to what they need. Missing this might make you miss a movement.

Our Next Series

There IS a divide in our nation that cannot be denied.

You can’t turn on the news without becoming aware that things aren’t going so well in the good ole USA. What’s worse, it seems that those who lead us can’t agree on how to change things. While politicians frame the debate as rich vs. poor, big business vs. the middle class, or Republican vs. Democrat, there is another conflict that reflects a much deeper divide in American culture—a conflict that, if resolved, could bring our nation together to address the issues that fill the airways. And what is that conflict? Join us for the next 2 weeks and find out.

This Will Help Everyone

Are you on a journey towards a new life? Remember that I said on Sunday that it is a daily battle and that you must be prepared to do it everyday? If you are looking to live that out the following verses (from Sunday's message, "Vanillarama Trees") will help you a lot to prepare to win day by day. I'll break it down for you (comments in parenthesis are mine):

Focus on God's strength over your own.

[10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. [12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood (your battle isn't against people), but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (evil spirits whose job is to battle against all you will do today). [13] Therefore take up the whole armor of God (you better, you're in a battle), that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm (if you do this you can stand firm).(Ephesians 6:10-13 ESV)

Don't focus on forever - focus on winning today.

[14] Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth (let truth hold your day together), and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (you are putting on the righteousness of God which protects your heart), [15] and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace (to get you ready to share the Gospel). [16] In all circumstances take up the shield of faith (faith in Him is your protection), with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one (satan is out to win today over you); [17] and take the helmet of salvation (God's salvation protects your mind), and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (you will do battle by using the Word of God as you go through today - YOU WILL WIN),(Ephesians 6:14-17 ESV)

Remember prayers place in your daily focus.

[18] praying at all times in the Spirit (pray what you feel God is telling you to pray for as it comes throughout your day), with all prayer and supplication (specific prayers). To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints (don't just pray for you - pray for your church body and others as well), [19] and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.(Ephesians 6:18-20 ESV)

And remember, we are working to learn to have a prayerful spirit, an open communication between you and the Lord. Praying at all times doesn't mean on your knees all the time, but rather, ON YOUR HEART at all times.

Let's do this!

How to Make Preparation for A New Life

What we're talking about is not how to have a better life... we're not talking finances, healing or blessing. You don't need a better life - you need a new life. What you may be missing may surprise you. 

[24] Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. [25] So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” [26] Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” [27] Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” [28] Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

MY Lord and MY God.

A personal declaration of a commitment to Him. It's not you and a pastor - it's you and your God. YOUR God. The reason that some of you have never what you might perceive as a spiritual breakthrough in your life is because you have never made this statement. Maybe you have made the statement but you left HIM the way a wayward father walks out on his family.

Many people have religion but never move their belief into the realm of relationship. 

Thomas didn't doubt Jesus existence and you probably don't either. For Thomas it took seeing Jesus resurrected to personally experience and trust His power. For you it's going to take a step of faith; Jesus said in this very passage, [29] Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”(John 20:29 ESV). The first step to truly beginning a new life is truly trusting Jesus. Thomas was unsure - NOW he believes. For you it's truly trusting despite your unsureness; truly trusting despite your insecurities. We're talking about the base definition of faith - believing in something that you cannot see.

What about you? Do you really want a new life or are you just hoping for a better one? If you're ready to move away from surface knowlege and into the realm of relationship it may just begin with a simple statement that changes perspective - MY Lord and MY God.

Make sure you do not miss Sunday as I will give you some muscle to lay this statement upon. 

 

Why Our New Series May "BE" Important...

...to you or to someone you know.

Our Executive Pastor, Donnie Paschall, summed it up yesterday when he said, 

I just finished another conversation with yet another person who thinks that to BE a Christian depends on our ability to BE good enough. If there has ever been a time for our new 4 week series called "BE" it is now. If you are one who has hesitated to come to faith in Christ because you don't think you will BE able to live out the Christian life successfully or you are one who has experienced the religious roller coaster so much that you are wondering if you will ever BE good enough for God, then you do not want to miss the next 4 weeks at Vertical. We will take an in depth look at what Jesus has to say about an issue that plagues so many of us. This is guaranteed to be a life changing event you cannot afford to miss!  

 

Seriously, this will "BE" huge in a lot of lives (ok, i'll quit with the "be" stuff)