The Prince family rang in the second day of the New Year with a lunch of vienna sausages, sliced cheese, and chips. While certainly not the most upscale lunch cuisine it was quite functional for a quick lunch amid a day of household labor.

Actually it was just a small fraction of the Prince’s who gathered to enjoy this quick feast. Some friends had taken our four youngest for an afternoon of play. This development left our 12 and 10 year old boys home to tackle some long delayed domestic projects.

The conversation at the lunch table bounced around and then drifted to the topic of work and the use of time. Some of the most important parental conversations occur over vienna sausages or PB&J’s and this was one of those moments. My wife and I were pointing out to our sons that work is given by God for our good and helps form our character (Gen 2:15).

We wanted them to understand that there is a reason they poke around and piddle at their work unless it is the only thing keeping them from some sort of play. The problem we explained was that they failed to see the inherent value of work and viewed it is a necessary evil that hopefully will at least lead to something far better.

We explained that this was why diligence in the use of time during work only became important to them if the carrot of play was dangled before them as sufficient motivation (TV, going outside, games, reading). There is a good, old-fashioned word for this-selfishness. The problem with this kind of selfishness is not just that we do not get the attic storage cleaned up before the little ones get back home it is that it is anti-Christ and satanic (Phil 2:3-8).

In explaining to my sons that Satan is pleased with them working as long as they see it as drudgery and despise it, something was happening to me and it is another good, old-fashioned word-conviction. I was reminding my sons that their problem had as its root the false assumption that time existed for them. They often act as though the only issue in the use of time and labor is personal benefit or convenience. I wanted to be clear to them that there is a grave danger in acting as though time was created simply for us and serves no greater purpose. I concluded that work and the use of time are not neutral issues they are spiritual ones that have to do with biblical theology, morality and wisdom (Prov 6:6-11; 26:13-16; 1 Cor 10:31; Col 3:23; 4:5; Phil 2:14).

As I was driving the truth home I was beginning to wonder whether or not I was instructing them or myself at this point. My thoughts began to race with how easily I slip into begrudging God’s gift of work and the fact that He ordained that work would chiefly characterize our lives. It is not just my boys who often think their lives would be better if they just could play more and work less. How can I fall prey to such foolishness when history is littered with the destructiveness of the lives of people who worked only to gain and not to give?

Play and rest are certainly God’s good gifts as well but they are not the enemy of work, or its competitor, they are works compliment. In fact, play and rest lose meaning and value and become the spiritual weapons of Satan apart from a life characterized by diligent work. Constant verbal complaints and computer status updates about how we begrudge work and the time it takes, are not cute, they are demonic.

People who recognize the hand of God in the created order realize that He does not do any of His work grudgingly or minimally. Those who have experienced the abundance of His gracious work in the gospel of Jesus Christ are to respond to everything in life with abundant effort “as for the Lord” (Col 3:23). 

I think that lunch of vienna sausages, sliced cheese, and chips may prove to be one of the most important that I enjoy all year. I will spend the majority of 2009 working and so will you. Therefore it is not hard to define one of your primary spiritual battlefields. Whether we are studying, washing dishes, changing diapers, teaching school, dusting furniture or digging ditches let’s battle the Evil One and our own selfishness with the blessing of diligent work in 2009. 

The gospel is about a person saving a people.  Yet, for many of us, the Christianity we know and experience consists only of statements, lists, concepts, and propositions.  At the same time, others, not appreciating the necessity of a word-driven Christianity, are tempted to run to some sort of mystical feelings-centered, version of the gospel.  

There is no denying that Christianity is word-centered. The Bible is made up of words, statements, lists, concepts, and propositions that define the story God is telling in the world.  Central to the Bible is a word, a message about a promise that all who believe in Jesus can be saved from their sins and rule with Him in His Kingdom forever.  However, we must  remember the Word, the message, the promise, became flesh and dwelt among us as a real-life person. Therefore, Christianity being word-centered is person-centered.

Furthermore, it’s centered on a person who lived in the real world and experienced real life.   Jesus ate meals, went to weddings, and wept at funerals.  He did not spend his days leaping tall buildings and zapping the enemies with some unique superhuman strength.  He chose to participate in the same sort of activities we are involved in on a daily basis.  He understood that Christianity takes place in homes, grocery stores, classrooms, and parks.  

Such an understanding is what we will be after each Wednesday evening at 6:30p.m. during our Equipped Wednesday Community Bible Study.  Join us as we examine the Word of God with Pastor Jeremy Haskins in a study called the Jesus-Centered Life.     

I fear his analysis is much closer to the mark than any of us would care to admit. Somehow we have managed to develop a brand of Christianity that is missing Christ. God and the gospel seem natural, manageable, safe and nice. Instead of calling ourselves and others to bow before King Jesus and to serve His Kingdom we have substituted a message of self-fulfillment and personal improvement. Even when we talk about God and His Kingdom we often find a way to talk more about ourselves than about God. We tend to take ourselves and our agenda more seriously than God and His Kingdom.

The result is a comfortable Christianity that makes perfect sense to the watching world and fits in, finding its niche in the world, rather than transforming it. Onlookers conclude that Christians have their place in society and can even serve a useful purpose. Sadly, American believers seem content with this arrangement as long as no one removes a Ten Commandments display or says “Happy Holidays” to us in the winter. Nevertheless, the question must be asked, “Is a non-threatening version of Christianity, Christianity at all?”

The Christian message is about a King and the invasion of His Kingdom to overthrow all powers, kingdoms, and agendas that are in opposition to His rule and reign. The message was so threatening to an earthly king that he ordered the slaughter of babies too try to end the threat (Matthew 2:16) and demons trembled at the realization of the mission of this King and His Kingdom (Mark 1:24). Invasions are always threatening. The earthly followers of Jesus were an unimpressive band of ordinary men but were described by onlookers as those “who have turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). According to the wisdom of the world these radical followers of Jesus lived upside down.

Rather than simply finding their niche in the world they followed the counter-cultural values and agenda of their King and His Kingdom (Matthew 5-7). Their message and ministry was weird, threatening, powerful and eternity transforming (1 Corinthians 1:22-31). Our call and mission have not changed.  In 2009 we are still called to live upside down in a fallen world. This will only happen if Christ, His gospel, and His Kingdom are at the heart of our Christianity. Join me for a journey in 2009 as we hold each other accountable to live upside down in every area of our lives so that we might be in our generation “those who turn the world upside down.”

Living Upside Down with You,

Pastor David    

As you and your family pray about what you may give consider the following quote:

“Why should we not … instead of the paltry offerings we make, do something that will prove that we are really in earnest in claiming to be followers of him who, though he was rich, for our sake became poor?” (Lottie Moon)        

After the 2007 offering, Ashland Avenue Baptist Church, was considered to be in the top 1% (per capita giving) of all Southern Baptist Churches.  Every year, we have exceeded our Lottie Moon goal.  This year our goal is to give over $29,000.  As you consider what you and your family will give to this year’s Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, consider the words of the famous missionary who inspired the offering,        

Need it be said, why the week before Christmas is chosen? Is not the festive season when families and friends exchange gifts in memory of The Gift laid on the altar of the world for the redemption of the human race, the most appropriate time to consecrate a portion from abounding riches and scant poverty to send forth the good tidings of great joy into all the earth?

Do you find it difficult to pray for your president?  Perhaps you feel that he opposes all the values you hold close.  In I Timothy 2 we find that prayer is not just for the people we like.  Paul tells Christians to pray for the Emperor of Rome, the same man who would take delight in the execution of Paul.  Prayer forces us to acknowledge that God has an agenda that exists even in the bad times.  Listen as Pastor David pleads with us to pray that God will use our leaders to accomplish his purposes in this world.

Saturday, November 8^th 10am - 1pm

 Tuesday, November 11^th 5:30pm -7:30pm

Saturday, November 15^th 10am - 1pm 

K-1st games will be held in the Ashland Ave Baptist Church Family Center

for more information click here

Click here to purchase tickets.

It was an unforgettable evening in April 2000 when Andrew Peterson stood with his guitar on the Ryman Auditorium’s historic stage, a long velvet curtain behind him and a humble regard for this sacred ground. With the ghosts of yesteryears’s Grand Ole Opry dwelling among the rafters, Peterson performed what was then his top ten single, “Nothing to Say,” and left the audience overcome.

After applause subsided, industry veteran Gary Chapman who was emceeing the showcase wiped away tears, admitting that not since the late Rich Mullins had he been so moved by an artist, and that Peterson was indeed following in Mullins’ footsteps.

Almost five years later, Peterson’s keen eye for lyrical detail and endearing (if occasionally foot-in-mouth) sincerity with his listeners are not the only things that liken him to Mullins. More than ever, he’s been pouring over the Bible stories he learned while growing up a preacher’s kid, and making them into songs.

Comparisons aside, Peterson’s October 2004 release of Behold the Lamb of God represents a truly original accomplishment. Though his songwriting has always been Scripture-based, Peterson wanted this album to be even more focused. A departure from typical Christmas recordings that center on holiday classics, his album peers deep into the Old Testament, walking chronologically through the historic events that culminated in the birth of Christ, and conveying them artistically.

“I love stories–everything from movies to paintings to novels. And the thing is, the rest of the world is pretty much the same way. That’s why we pay eight bucks to go to the cinema. That’s why we love to cry and laugh and root for the underdog. That’s why Boston loves the Red Sox,” Peterson contends. “My hope is that my music captures a hint of the beauty of God’s story. With this album, I tried to squeeze it into about ten songs. “

Never one to shy away from a challenge, this thirty year-old artist has spent his eight-year career making the kind of records that turn songwriting into an artform. His last three national releases on Watershed/Essential Records, Carried Along (2000), Clear to Venus (2001), and Love and Thunder (2003) have established Peterson as one of Christian music’s quintessential storytellers. Behold the Lamb of God promises to continue that tradition. The songs on this distinctive project (distributed by Fervent Records) have been crafted by Peterson over the past five years, and feature the musical contributions of Jill Phillips, Ron Block (of Union Station), Ben Shive, Andrew Osenga, Todd Bragg, and Garett Buell (of Caedmon’s Call), among others.

It’s no surprise that Peterson’s story-style songs connect with audiences, young and old. His own solo tours continue to draw crowds, while past opportunities to open for Fernando Ortega, Caedmon’s Call, and Nichole Nordeman have only broadened his reach among fans. But successes aside, Peterson admits that the most satisfying part of being an artist is the stories he hears in exchange for his own.

It is not uncommon for people to approach him after concerts to share how his songs have impacted their lives. From a woman suffering with depression who found hope in “After the Last Tear Falls,” to the older married couple inspired by Peterson’s musical account of Sarah and Abraham… “When I hear stories like that, about how a song actually made an objective difference in someone’s life, I marvel at God’s ability to use a goofball like me for His own ends,” he says.

“When I first started writing, I hoped that somehow God would affect someone through me the way I was affected through the life and work of Rich,” continues Peterson. “I don’t know if that’s happened, if it’ll ever happen, or even if that’s still what I want. All I know is that I’m sinful, prideful, capable of all sorts of things, and God has still remained faithful. He uses my lyrics for things far beyond the reach of my intention or ability, and shows me daily that it isn’t me or my songs doing His work, it’s Him.”