Category Archives: The Good News

Were You There?

Bible Ideas, Jesus, Personal Growth, The Good News, Worship
April 5, 2015

A popular Easter song is the old Negro spiritual, “Were You There?” Have you ever wondered about its meaning?

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?

Were you there when He rose up from the grave?

In answer to that question, one could say, “It all happened a long time ago, how could I have been there?” But, there is good – biblical – logic in saying, “Yes, I was there.”

First we were all there, because the reason for Jesus’ death was our sin. Not just the sins of the “world” (some unknown quantity of unknown people), but MY SINS. MY SINS put Jesus on the cross. MY SINS caused His suffering. MY SINS required a payment – a propitiation – before God. The death of Jesus was all about MY SIN. Yes, I was there.

Secondly, we should say we were there because we have eye witness accounts of the events. In the Bible we can read exactly what happened and know what took place. In fact, because we have them recorded in God’s Word, we know more about Jesus’ death and resurrection than those living in Jerusalem during those days. Out of the tens of thousands of people in Jerusalem during that Passover, only a small number actually saw what happened with their own eyes. Only a few took part. Most people were totally oblivious to Jesus’ death even though it occurred just a few miles away. Today, we have a better and more complete picture of those events than even the disciples with Jesus (after all, they were hiding away in fear). Yes, we were there, God’s Word takes us there and gives us a front row seat to all that happened.

Were you there? The biblical answer is “YES.” You were there, but you can choose not to believe it. You can turn your back on what Jesus did and pretend it is all fiction. But, if you do that, you will miss out on life’s greatest gift and the reason for His suffering will be lost in your unbelief.

These last four Sundays I have challenged us to take a “front row seat” to the Easter events. We would feel the disciples intimidation and danger. We would watch the religious leaders try to hold on to their power and their nation (even though they eventually lost it all). We would see Pilot discover that the Father is actually the One in control and because of that Jesus lays down His life. Yes, we were there. Easter is not just about the past, it is about us today! Let it change our lives just like it changed the lives of those first witnesses.

Is Jesus Really King?

Bible Ideas, Jesus, The Good News, Worship
March 29, 2015

Through the years I have preached many Palm Sunday sermons. One that I remember quite well was my first Palm Sunday message. I titled it, “Is Jesus Really King?” (I remember it because it was the first message I preached at First Baptist Church in Devils Lake, ND.) Since that time, I have taken that theme many times because I think it captures much of the emotion of Jesus’ Triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the Sunday before His crucifixion. In fact, I think Jesus’ disciples were asking that very question as they watched the Palm Sunday events unfold.

The short answer to my homiletic question is, YES, Jesus really is King! The crowd used those words, “King of Israel,” “Son of David.” They shouted and waved their hands in joy and praise. They also put their cloaks, branches and Palm leaves on the ground for Jesus to walk on.

Jesus also accepted their praise and encouraged it. He rode a colt through the crowd for all to see (much like a famous person would ride in a limacine today).   When some criticized His acceptance of this praise, Jesus declared that if the crowd was quiet, “the rocks would cry out” (Luke 19:40). Many times in Jesus’ ministry and miracles, He told people to be quiet about what they saw. This time, He encouraged and promoted the praise.

YES, Jesus really is King! There is no clearer message in what happened on Palm Sunday.

BUT, the rest of the story seems to call Jesus’ royalty into question. He is betrayed, arrested, falsely accused and then condemned to execution, all with His complete knowledge and acceptance. Just days after His “coronation,” He hangs on a cross, executed because He accepted the recognition as King. Yes, Jesus really is King, BUT He is King of a different Kingdom (just as He told Pilate in John 18:36).

It is still very easy to misunderstand Jesus’ Kingship. Just like the Jews, our problem begins when we assume we know what kind of King Jesus should be. We make up our minds that Jesus should fill a certain role and then we ignore the things He does that do not fit the role we imagine for Him. The Jews did it in the 1st century and we still do it today. Jesus was NOT always nice. Jesus turned people away. Jesus confronted the most religious people He met. Jesus did not coddle His disciples but put them into difficult situations.

This week, the week leading up to Easter, will you lay down your image of Jesus and ask Him to reveal Himself to you in fresh ways? Will you read His story from the gospels and let yourself see things that you have ignored before? Will you give Him authority in your life to shape and mold you into something that is HIS image, not yours? Ask yourself this week, is Jesus really King?

First Things First

Bible Ideas, Jesus, The Good News, Worship
January 25, 2015

We have all heard the expression, “first things first.” I think it is a good guide about many matters in life. Like many good modern proverbs, it is short, sweet and its turn of the phrase makes it easy to remember. Had Paul lived in our time and culture, he probably would have said this in I Cor 15:3. It might have come out something like this, “Friends, as I close my letter, let me remind you to keep first things first in your faith.”

Our Christian faith speaks to many important issues in life. This might be a surprise to some because Christianity is about 2,000 years old. [In fact its roots in Judaism go back at least another 2,000 years.] Christianity has had a major role in shaping our lives today. Many of the things we take for granted in modern life are rooted in Christianity. Scientific discoveries, public and higher education, modern democracy, the abolishment of slavery, fair labor practices, and many other social and political principles are born out of a Christian world view and the values upon which that is founded.

I am proud to be a Christian and to know that the faith I value so highly is honorable and praiseworthy. BUT, if we are not careful, our Christian faith will become a reason and a guide for doing good and we can forget to put first things first.

What is the first thing about Christian faith? Paul tells us, “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared (to many alive).” (I Cor 15:3-4) Our Christian faith is about many good things, but FIRST of all, it is about Jesus Christ’s death on the cross for our sins. His death atoned for our sins, paying our debt before God so that we could be forgiven and brought back into a right relationship with God. AND, that Jesus did not stay dead, He rose from the dead, alive again and promising that one day we too will share in His resurrection.

We must never let many good things overshadow that most important thing, Jesus’ death and resurrection. Without this foundation, Christianity is just another religion or philosophy. It is this foundation that gives each of us personal hope. It is this foundation that declares death is NOT the end. It is this foundation that promises whatever we do for our Lord Jesus, will never be forgotten. It is this foundation that has given believers the strength to stand against tyranny, persecution, and evil knowing that in the end, the Lord Jesus will reign.

These are wise words, “put first things first.” But like many wise words, they are easy to say, but difficult to do. I need to ask, what are my most important things? Is my faith about doing good things, or about what Jesus has done for me?

Your pastor,

Dude Garrett

Sanctity and Sin

Bible Ideas, Cultural Issues, Grief, The Good News
January 18, 2015

Today is our recognition of the Sanctity of Human Life. Although we do not focus very much on special emphases for the Sundays of the year, this is one that I have followed for a long time. Those who are regular attendees of our church know that most years, I preach a message that focuses on the Sanctity of Life and its biblical foundation.   Today I will do that again and even the music will follow that same theme. It is my prayer that this emphasis will help us fight the trend in our world to devalue life and miss the wonder of being God’s special creation, “made in His image.”

As I work on this message, I am struck by the affect of sin on the sanctity of life. It is not a correlation I have considered before. Yes, I know we are all sinners and that our sin has separated us from God and His holiness, but I am more attentive today to the fact that sin keeps us from accepting the wonder and beauty of our simple daily lives.

When we sin, it pushes us away from God and when we reject God, we lose the reason for seeing life as wonderful and special. Sin makes us think that life is what we make it, rather than a gift from our Creator. Sin convinces us that some lives are not worth as much as others and even that our lives may not be worth enough to keep on living. My sinfulness pushes God out of my life and when He is kicked out, I loose all reason to see life as valuable, significant and worth living.

However, when I repent of my sin, turn back to my Creator, I discover that life is valuable just because it is a gift from God. He is the author of life and when I give Him His rightful place of authority, I can receive His gift of life in its beauty and simplicity. The wonder of being God’s child is far reaching. It makes each day special. It gives me worth without the baggage of accomplish, peer pressure, wealth and even happiness. Even something as simple as happiness is tied to what I’ve done, what I have, or what I want. All of those are centered around ME, my sinful self-centeredness. When I release that sinfulness to the Savior, in return He gives me the simple job of just being His child. That relationship of trust brings our Creator great glory and brings us great satisfaction.   I love John Piper’s insight, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”

Psalm 8 says that God “made man a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” If we can believe that, it gives each one of us a reason to experience the joy and wonder of the Sanctity of Human Life. We need to turn away from our sin and receive the great gift of God, LIFE. Will you turn your face to the Creator and receive that gift?

 

Your pastor,

Dude Garrett

The Year of the Sheep

Bible Ideas, Cultural Issues, Ministry, The Good News

 

March 1, 2015

The Chinese new year began on Feb 19. It is now the year of the sheep. Since the new year festival is the most important holiday in China, I took time on Friday to ask my Chinese friends more about their new year. It was fun to ask them questions and to have them ask me questions too.

They were all surprised to learn that I knew it was now the year of the sheep. Since I had also read that it was the year of the goat, I asked them which it was. They told me that there is no real distinction in China between goats and sheep. They also told me that being born in the year of the sheep is unlucky to many in China. Therefore, some families would try not to have a child this year. One lady said that the lower birth rate this year would actually make the children born this year lucky. They would have less competition for college, jobs and other important opportunities. (Interesting that the “unlucky” year for children would in practice be more “lucky” for them.)

As we talked about Chinese life and culture, it came to me that since this was the beginning of the year of the sheep, we should read about Jesus who calls himself, the Good Shepherd. So, after questions and conversation were concluded, I asked them if we could read about Jesus describing himself as the Good Shepherd. They were glad to do that.

As we read John 10, it struck me very powerfully that Jesus’ description of the Good Shepherd and the sheep was all about personal connection between Jesus and those who follow Him. His sheep hear His voice, they follow Him, they know Him and He takes care of them. All those words describe the personal connection that Jesus has with His people, those of us who are Christians.

I thought this was so important because for many people new to America and to Christianity, they think of Christianity as a religion, or a set of moral values or even a philosophy. But according to Jesus in John 10, Christianity is all about connecting with the Good Shepherd, learning to recognize His voice and following Him in a relationship of trust. I told my Chinese friends that Christianity is actually all about a personal connection with Jesus who is alive and offering to be the Good Shepherd in our lives. In fact, Jesus says that He will “lay down his life for his sheep.”

As we talked about Jesus’ words in John 10, I told them the rest of the story. That Jesus did indeed lay down His life for His sheep. He died on the cross so that our sins would be forgiven and so that personal connection with Him could become a possibility. In every way you look at it, Jesus is indeed the Good Shepherd. Now it is our turn. Will we put our lives into His hands?   Will we be His sheep?

Your pastor,

Dude Garrett

Easter Messages

Bible Ideas, Ministry, The Good News
March 8, 2015

Preaching messages that relate to themes of the church year are challenging. This is especially true of Christmas and Easter. The subject is very specific and after preaching for more than 30 years I sometimes feel that I have said about everything I can think to say about Jesus’ birth and the events leading up to Jesus’ resurrection.

Why should that bother me? Is there a problem hearing again the most important stories from Jesus’ life? I think of Peter’s words, “So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory” (II Peter 1:12-13). Refreshing our memory is one of the reasons we do regular Bible study, both personal and corporate. I have also found that through the years my understanding and application grow, even though I have read the same passages before. It is not so much the NEW information I need, but a fresh application and appreciation of what I have already heard.

Still, approaching Easter messages this year, I asked the Deacons if they had any suggestions for me. Out of that conversation, it was suggested that I could do messages on some of the characters that are a part in the Easter story. I liked that idea and as I worked on it this week, I decided to look at the Easter events through the eyes of four distinct groups: the disciples, the religious leaders (Annas and Caiaphas), the Romans (Pilot) and the crowds (Palm Sunday and Good Friday).

This morning I want us to look at the Easter events through the eyes of the disciples of Jesus. They had the uncomfortable “front row seats” to everything that happened. How close are we willing to get to the Easter events?

Next Sunday we will look at the religious leaders (esp Caiaphas and Annas). They hated everything about Jesus, and their hatred centered around His threat to their power. Even today, there are those who are threatened by Jesus and what He said and did.

A third group is represented by Pilot (and other Romans). They had very little interest in Jesus, thinking He was just an unimportant player in their world of politics and government. However, they could not escape His impact on their lives.

Finally, we will look at the crowds. Especially two crowds, one that favored Jesus and followed Him, one that came to hate Jesus and called for His execution. In the end, we will be a member of one of those same crowds.

I hope you will be challenged as we take note of those groups involved in the Easter events. If we watch honestly enough, we can see ourselves.

Your pastor,

Dude Garrett

Chinese Believers

Bible Ideas, Ministry, The Good News
November 17, 2013

It has been my wonderful privilege to often officiate baptismal services for the Fargo-Moorhead Chinese Christian Church and their Fellowship that extends into the local college community.  I went back into my records and discovered that I have done that 10 different times since 2003.  During those 10 years I have baptized 38 new believers and have shared the gospel and talked about the meaning of baptism to dozens more.

Those new believers include college students, graduate students and their wives, professors, visiting scientists, and even a few Chinese people who live and work in our metro area.  A few were teenage daughters of Chinese parents, some were young adults with most of life yet to come and some were adults who despite a difficult life have been captured by the grace of God.  Some were here in Fargo for only a few months before returning to China, and some have been here for all of my 10 years of ministry alongside the FMCCC.  Each individual story is a wonderful testimony to God’s grace, to the magnetism of the gospel, and to the faithful witness of God people.

The most recent baptism was last Friday.  One lady who was baptized is a visiting scientist.  She has been here only a few months, but during that time has shared with me in her uncomfortable English some of the heartbreak and burdens of her life.  Giving her life to Jesus has been a kind of personal battle, not with the Lord, but with her past and her future.  When I baptized her on Friday, there were tears in her eyes and when she shared her testimony after the baptism (as is the custom of their church) again, there were tears in her eyes as she told about her commitment to Jesus and thanked those who helped her to learn about God.

In the very same service another young lady was baptized.  I did not know her as well personally, but her eyes and her voice were full of joy.  As I lifted her from the baptismal water, she smiled a huge smile and as she shared her testimony later, there was lots of laughter and smiles in the congregation.  Even after the service as I talked with her during the fellowship time, her face still carried a radiant smile.

It struck me that BOTH emotions were most fitting for the occasion.  Tears and smiles can say the same thing.  “I’m forgiven!”  “I’m adopted into God’s family!”  “I’m set on a new course in my life.”  “I’m free from the past.”  “I have a new reason to live.”  “I’m a child of a God who loves me and gave His son to be my Savior.”  “I have found HOPE.”

It is not the water of baptism, the prayers of those in attendance or even the wonderful support of a church family.  In Peter’s words, it is the “pledge of a good conscience toward God.”  (I Peter 3:21)  Peter goes on to say that we are saved by the resurrection of Jesus who now intercedes for us at the right hand of God.

In baptism, we say YES to God’s invitation to come to Jesus and find life.  Have you said YES to that invitation from God?

Your Pastor,

Dude Garrett

Want to talk to Pastor Dude?  Give him a call on his cell phone (701)261-0931

The Big Picture

Bible Ideas, Ministry, Personal Growth, The Good News

October 20, 2013

As I have read, preached and taught through the Book of Acts these last few months, I continue to notice the times when the Apostles (especially Paul) seemed to say “no” to the preaching of the gospel.  I talked about this in my sermon a few weeks ago from Acts 16:6-10.  I called that sermon “500 Miles of No.”  I see it again in today’s passage, Acts 17:1.  Paul, Silas, and Timothy traveled from Philippi to Thessalonica.  Along the way “they passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia.”  Although we need to be careful NOT to read into the Bible something that is not there, it seems to me that Paul and his friends did not preach or teach in either of those towns.

Noted New Testament scholar, F.F. Bruce made this observation.  “The three travelers apparently halted only for a night at Amphipolis and again at Apollonia, but at Thessalonica they made a longer stay; it was the next place after Philippi selected for intensive evangelization.”  (The Book of Acts, pg 343)  My question is, why?  Why did they not evangelize in those towns?

I must admit that my question does not have a biblical answer.  Luke tells us that the Holy Spirit closed the doors in their travels through Asia, but here he only mentions that they “passed through” these towns.  Still, I must conclude that Paul and his friends did not disobey God in this decision.  It was God’s will that Paul preach the gospel in Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea and not these other towns.

If I were to speculate about how Paul and his company made these decisions, I would suggest at least one reason.  Paul had a strategy that he believed was directed by God.  He may have described it in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”  Luke also describes it this way, “As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue.”   Paul’s strategy was to go to the synagogue (full of Jewish people and others who were already on the road to belief).  There Paul would tell them about Jesus and some of those who heard about Jesus would believe he was the Messiah, the Savior, and their lives would be changed forever.  Once a group was established, Paul would move on leaving behind believers who would continue to spread the good news about Jesus.

Paul planted new churches in places where the Old Testament was read and respected, where local leaders could nurture new believers and where these Christians could in turn reach out to the cities and towns near them.  It seems to me that Paul learned that if he would do what God wanted him to do, the Lord would take care of the rest.  Paul had only a part of God’s plans.

I would suggest that is still a good principle to follow.  No single individual can do everything.  Instead, we must learn what God wants us to do, follow Him faithfully and leave the big picture in His hands.

Am I walking closely enough to the Lord that He can direct my steps?  Have I learned how He wants to use me in His Kingdom work?

Your Pastor,

Dude Garrett

Want to talk to Pastor Dude?  Give him a call on his cell phone (701)261-0931.

Death in Our Family

Family Life, Grief, Personal Growth, The Good News, Uncategorized

Death in our Family
June 16, 2013

As you probably know, this week the Garrett’s newest family member (Dan and Kelly’s unborn son) died.  His death was very sudden and unexpected.  We knew there were complications to Kelly’s pregnancy and we knew those complications could be life threatening to their unborn baby.  But they were under the best of medical care, going to the clinic at least two times a week so we did not expect such a sudden and drastic thing to happen.

It was Monday when Kelly went into her scheduled ckeckup and the ultrasound verified Kelly’s fears that there was no heartbeat.  Monday afternoon Kelly went to the hospital to have labor induced and at 2:00 the next afternoon, James William was still born at the hospital.  His parents, his grandparents and his sister and brother cradled his lifeless body, offering the love that was stored up and ready to be given at his anticipated birth in just about a month.  That love, so precious and so life giving was not canceled out by the grief and loss of his tragic death.  Love and sorrow mingled as we stared death in the face and declared, “Death, you do not win! By faith we believe the promises of God and while we take your blows to our hearts, we also hold onto the hope of the promise of life that swallows up death in victory.”

On Friday, our family gathered at Dan and Kelly’s church for a funeral for James William Garrett.  There were others there who loved and respected Dan and Kelly.  Those who gathered shared the parent’s grief, sang songs of faith, listened to the words of scripture and said “we love you” in both words and actions.  It was a time of healing and support.

Monday (tomorrow) James’ tiny body will be laid to rest beside his maternal grandfather in Holy Cross Cemetery just a few blocks from our church building (1502 32nd Ave. N. in Fargo).  Dan and Kelly have gracious agreed that if some from our church family would like to come to the short graveside service they are welcome (the service is planned for 11:00 tomorrow morning at the cemetery).   Peggy, James’ other grandmother is a part of a Bible study and that group of ladies is providing a lunch for the family at our church building after the graveside service, but they are not planning for a very large group, so if you would like to attend this service tomorrow morning and come to our church building afterword for lunch, please let me know so plans can be arranged accordingly.

Through this sad week I have often thought of Job’s words, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (1:21) He has been a partner with me in our grief.  I find His sovereign Hand to be comfort.  Maybe I know a little of what Job meant.

Your Pastor,

Dude Garrett

Want to talk to Pastor Dude?  Give him a call on his cell phone (701)261-0931.

Outreach Ideas

Bible Ideas, Ministry, Personal Growth, The Good News

Outreach Ideas
June 9, 2013

Good ideas are most valuable and often hard to get.  That is why the Church Council decided to invite everyone to have input on how to do our two park outreaches this summer.  And, thanks to many of you, good ideas came out in our lunch last Sunday.

We talked about things we could give away and treats and refreshments we could offer.  We discussed ways to divide and schedule the work as well as guidelines for things like making the bounce houses safe for all the kids who come to play.  We even thought about ways to make music a part of the outreach.  Best of all, we discussed how to greet people and make connections with the families, both parents and children, who are in the park  those afternoons.  We had some very good ideas, many of them I would never have thought about on my own.

When we started our discussion we made it clear that all ideas were welcome, this was not the time to pick and choose what we would do, but rather a time to build up a “bank account of ideas” so we could have many to choose from when it came time to get more practical and make specific plans.  So, as we ended our time, I asked for volunteers to meet at a later time, sort through our discussion and help us make specific, workable plans for June 30 and July 28 (the dates of our Outreaches in the Park).

Often when I ask for volunteers, the room becomes very quite.  Everyone is thinking, “do I dare volunteer?”  Praise the Lord, in just a few minutes we had 5 volunteers, Wanda, Sherry, Erin, James and Cindy.  What a great group and a wonderful cross section of our church family.  And then, they met together the next day (last Monday)!  Their job was to take any ideas from our discussion, work them over and come up with a plan to organize our Outreaches in the Park.  This morning in worship, we will hear a report and learn how we can get involved in our June 30 park outreach.

Yet, there is one more step, the most important step of all, YOUR STEP.  It is one thing to have ideas, it is another thing to plan, but all that is for nothing if we do not follow through with those ideas and plans.  The follow through is up to each of us.

So, listen up!  Listen to the outreach plans, but most of all, listen to the Lord.  Look for a way that you can be involved and then, clear your schedule and plan to help.  Help where you can.  Look for what you can do, volunteer, sign up and then show up.  But note this, the Lord may use you in a way you will not expect.  Offer your involvement as a gift of service to THE LORD and then notice how He works in your heart as you follow Him.  That is a great pattern for all kinds of ministry.

Your Pastor,

Dude Garrett

Want to talk to Pastor Dude?  Give him a call on his cell phone (701)261-0931.