Tory Farina

Should Christians be Moral- Original post by Paul Stewart

I just read my buddy Paul's post on Morality and Christianity... It is Good. Here is a re-post...

Morality is concerned with or adhering to the code of interpersonal behavior that is considered right or acceptable in a particular society. Basically morality is the attempt of humanity to justify itself before God and others.

But a Christian ethic is an ethic of the cross. It is an ethic about death – the end of striving to be moral and the beginning of righteousness.

Morality does not require death. We can be good, upright, moral people without the cross. But the problem is not that we are not good, it is that we are fallen and cast out of the presence of God.

In fact, Genesis 3 lists “striving for good” as a sign of our fallen state. Martin Luther said that the issue in ethics is not “the move from vice to virtue, it’s the move from both vice and virtue to righteousness.” Our problem is not that we are immoral, but that we are moral.

Being “good” does not repair our relationship with God and others. Christian ethics is an ethics of righteousness, and righteousness is fundamentally a relational category, not a moral category. Righteousness depends not on effort but on who we are related to.

Christian ethics begin with relationship, not keeping moral codes. Loving God and neighbor is Christian ethics. This is what God designed and created us to do. In the fall we lost our ability to be human – to do what we were created to do. Sin at its essence is separation – from God and others.

In being separate from God, we now know good and evil; in knowing good and evil we are compelled to make moral decisions in order to justify ourselves.

That is why the cross tells us that humanity must die. This is primarily and first the act of Jesus Christ, but it is important to view Christian ethics as a response to that act. To follow Christ, take up our cross, deny ourselves and to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to Him. Death with Christ is the way to life with Christ and apart from death there is no righteousness. 

The goal of Christianity is not to produce moral people. Following Christ is about relationship not about rules and regulations. It is not about adhering to lists or following certain formulas or simply trying to convince people to stop drinking, smoking or gambling.

Christianity is about helping people connect with the life-giving presence of God and to enter into that covenant relationship and beginning to live in ways that help to maintain that relationship.

Next step

I am a believer in steps. In my life I have skipped steps only to find myself looking back at my life and having to go back to that step. It is like a kid who is playing baseball and hits the ball only to run right past 1st base all the way to second. If you don't tag the base then your out.

Baptism is one of those first bases or first steps. It is one of two core things that Jesus commanded. Baptism along with communion are simply the two most basic first steps in this Christian walk. Not just did Jesus talk about baptism, Jesus was baptized as an adult. My favorite story in scripture is the ethiopian eunuch in scripture was explained the gospel and pulled his chariot over to be baptized right then and there.

I find that a lot of people have an apprehension to baptism. They either were sprinkled as a baby or just feel a little odd about that practice. Baptism is for me the most spiritually charged moment I get to be apart of in a persons life. God is all about explaining things practically to us as humans. He wanted a way to help us understand what Jesus did on the cross. His way is for us to go under the water and “die” (not really but symbolically… I rarely hold people under tell the bubbles come up… lol) to their old way of life. Die to Sin and to be raised again out of the water a new creation as Christ rose again after the crucifixion. It is so inspiring. Every time I pull people out of the water I sense the presence of God so strong it makes my want to cry and laugh at the same time. The only other time this has happened was seeing my baby being born.

So take the next step as an adult Christ fallower… Sign up Sunday and Wednesday at the BBQ lets hop in the pool and be baptized.

Pete and repeate went into a store...

I have been challenged lately. The classic adage if you want the same results keep doing the same thing but don’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results. I want different results. More than that. I feel drawn out of the boat I am riding safely in into the unknown in order that I as a person become closer to the man God has planned for me to be.

Let me give you a few examples...
Message prep- I am re-working how I prepare my messages. I take to long and am not getting them done until the week of. I am starting to work on a series five weeks out. If I can be weeks ahead then our overall product will improve and there will be more margin for God to speak.
Study Time- margin is needed to give me room in my schedule to study. Leadership, theology, creative new ideas, or just to journal and write out my God thoughts/ man thoughts.
Meetings- how and who I spend my time needs to be evaluated as we grow. Our church leadership meetings need to be redrawn up. The way we worked in the past while great and fun is not the way to grow to the next level. In the future we will continue to have fun it will just come about in a different way.
Date nights- I want to be more intentional about how I spend my quality time with Olivia and Elizabeth.
Fitness- I am not happy with my body and have only one option… RUN FOREST RUN!
Evangelism- I want to be a better fisher of men. Looking for every opportunity to show people around me Christ.
There are a bunch more and I am in the middle of this process.

Here is what I know. This is not a tomorrow thing. I am chipping away at one or two parts at a time. This will make me… a better father, husband, friend, pastor, student, worshiper. I tell you this not to show you how spiritual I am rather to draw you out of the boat of mediocrity with me. Look at your life. Look over the rail and out into the great unknown of what could be. If you have been stuck… not feeling that stretch, that free fall, that “ok… God, LETS GO!” in a while. Then chart your course with me. Write down some areas that God is leading you to walk in a new direction in. Then hop the guard rail and walk into the place God has destined you for!
We are on a journey. Many of us stop along the way and think we are fine staying in the spot that has provision. But I am convinced that there is more! That there is a beautiful bounty ahead of me. A place in my life with a greater sense of significance, influence, sanity, joy, peace, adventure, vision, responsibility, and a place that will make God smile broadly with joy at my worshipful obedience.

Any thoughts on how God is changing you or areas he is calling you out in? I would love to hear.

To ride with Jesus...

I have been thinking a lot about what it would be like to ride with Jesus. Wondering how I would respond to his teaching. Wondering what things he said might trip me up. I would love to say... "I would fallow and have total obedience and strength to represent him no matter what." But I think that the reality might make me more human more like the actual disciples.  When I take time to really process how they think based on what is written and how the responded, I am struck by how human they are,.

This week I am talking about Philip. I want to look into who he was... his personality... his choices and words to Jesus. I am looking at the question that Jesus asks him and how it brought Philip to a place where he could receive from Jesus. It makes me think about the questions Jesus is asking me.

Jesus asks us questions all the time. He doesn't just do things for us or bring people into our lives to smack sense into us. He takes us and leads us to a place of receptivity. We are all "Young Guns" trying to learn how to live this life... Jesus desires for us to be developed and grow into great people. What questions is he asking you?

• circumstance asks us questions... We often find ourselves in a place where we know God is teaching us something if we pay attention.
• Relationships ask us questions... the relationships we have cause challenges and benefits... but each one can teach us something. Why do I feel jealous to that person? Why does that person grate on me? Why am I so critical to them? Why do I love them so much? Why do I react the way i do in their presence?
• Scripture asks us questions... If you and I read the bible in a way that it interacts with us we will realize that certain thing on the page pop out. In that moment it is important to figure out why that passage or thought is grabbing you.
• The Holy spirit asks question... You and I can be stimulated by just about anything in this world... a thought might pop in your head that causes us to stop and process... This is more than just good marketing or a great song or a good movie it is often the spirit of God trying to cause us to ask deeper questions.

God is using a number of these questions so that I can develop into the man He has called me to be. It is good. I am excited but it can be painful. Let it work though you and ask the Holy Spirit of God to speak into your mind and heart. Take time to develop these thoughts and pray through what God is speaking. When you are ready share it with a trusted spouse of friend.

What is God developing in you? What questions is he asking and are you listening? If you don't have anything to point to lately... stop. Take a walk. Ask God to speak to you as you walk. Notice the world around you and anything that pops out ask God about it. If you listen He will speak and if you ask he will respond.

(Any guesses on what the surprise might be this week?)

Everything must CHANGE

I like the Idea of change... I think we can to easily get locked into a hairdo, a way of brushing teeth or just about anything we do regularly. I like to take a new road to an old destination and try a new thing at a restaurant. I like the idea of change but I am not always comfortable with what change means... change for change sake is not always better. A new nose doesn't mean you feel better about your inside self. A new car doesn't mean you treat it any differently or wash it anymore. Rather change for the positive that is powerful change.

Change for the better is a very difficult task it is easier not to force it... I am their, I am in the spot that looks at my life and the way I have been doing things and working and I realize EVERYTHING MUST CHANGE. I can not live my potential as I have been living. Nothing is wrong with the way things have been going. I am not in sin. I am not hurting anyone. I am realizing that their are bigger Giants ahead of me to slay... In order to be a conquerer and arise to who God made me...
I have to change the way I eat... change the way I sleep... change the way I work.

I am a little scared. Not gonna lie. But I am so pumped because, I know that if I make the changes necessary I will be closer to the man God created me to be.

Here is a sampling of my changes...

• Early to bed Early to rise... 6am... John Adams got up at 5...  I'm not him:)
• Low fat low carb High exercise... (I am going to buy a jump rope!) My goal is shed 30 lbs by Christmas... no more blueberry donuts on Sunday :(
• planning and prepping to be a better leader... As we grow and more is required of me I have to kick my leadership lid up a notch... there is more inside of me I know it... tools I am under utilizing or have yet to discover that properly worked on will unleash me and us as an organization
• Our organization is changing internally... you probably will not notice things change much.. but we are reworking a lot of internal processes.
• Time blocking... I am going to work on using my schedule better and block out times for prep and study. Also I am trying to get ahead on my sermon prep. someday I want to be two weeks ahead. It is amazing how God can speak on a subject to me when I am prepared ahead of the game... now I am done by Friday if I am lucky.

I am being rocked by God! He wants to do so much more through me and in this church. He wants to take us all to a Higher Point! I am growing and finding my changes to be deep workings of Gods spirit within me. This summer is going to be a powerful season for me, for the church and for you.

What needs to change in your life? What are you going to do about it?

Whats the point?

Mission... Vision... Passion... Hope... Life Change... Broken mended... lost found... Peace in trials... Inertia... Advancement... Next steps... Faith... Security through adventure... Love

Our vision is to see people
FIND THEIR PLACE| DEVELOP THEIR FAITH| LIVE THEIR POTENTIAL!

It is all about movement. I pray no one is the same after being apart of High Point. last sunday we had a crazy number of guests. Some who had not been apart of church others who had not been apart of a life giving community like we are. I pray they went away changed. Thinking about there next step.

Our greeters... worship... kids volunteers... hospitality and you all help people with their movement.

The greatest part of movement is the connection one with another. I am so excited that connection groups are coming! It is a place to get to know others, share life and challenge one another to live your potential!

The point is not Religion... Church... Ego... The Point is Life transformation... The Point is Jesus and him Crucified... The Point is That we all have a potential for our families our lives and our work... an ideal that God wants for you...

We are here to inspire you to run after it.

Generation Unleashed!

We are raising up a blessed generation! They have more at there fingertips than any previous generation. They will not even know what the encyclopedia Britannica is or was because everything they want to know is found in the palm of there hand. They eat the most nutritious foods. Have the most access to travel and culture.

It is our responsibility to take their raising as apart of our God given mission. Jesus commissioned us all to go and make disciple... Our children our the greatest disciples we will make. It is my prayer that we have a Group of Young people that are so inspired by our passionate embrace of our God. It starts with me and you... They want to see how we live... make decisions... handle stress.

We are to shape them and pray for them and challenge them to go and be the great men and woman that God has created them for. Each one of them has a plan and purpose many of our generation has found emptiness and turmoil because they are not living in the mission and plan that they were designed for but our kids can be different. Take time to help them discover there High Point and live their Potential with gusto! Bless them! Pray for them! UNLEASH THEM INTO THE WILD OF OUR WORLD ON TARGET!

Theological aplication of the new office fridge!

At High Point we hold to what scripture says when it challenges us as Christ followers to not be drunk. We also see in scripture the challenge for those in leadership to stay away from alcohol because it clouds judgment. We realize as a pastoral team and as a church, people are coming from all sorts of backgrounds and may have an issue with alcohol so we as a pastoral team abstain from alcohol.

People in our church drink alcohol and I teach that we need to be careful about it not to let it control us. I think that for the most part you are better off not having it in your life but that is a personal conviction and not a scriptural one. I would lean more in the, It is permissible but probably not beneficial, camp.

This picture is funny to me because we have made a point to be a dry church. Our connection groups are not going to have alcohol at them. But we rent our office from a couple of lawyers and I walked in one morning to see this in our communal fridge. (So we are dry every where except our office...?)

I love that we as a church meeting the marketplace. We office, meet for Sunday and often meet in connection groups in places where we can be in  contact with what non believers are dealing with.  I think it is funny that in our credential organization of the Assemblies of God of Minnesota we are probably the only church that has a case of beer in there fridge.

Jesus didn't call us to live in our Christian bubble and not have community with those who have not committed there life to Christ... He called us to engage. I would say if you only have Christian friends then you are not living the fullness of your potential as a Christian. Jesus spent most of his time with people who were not of the religious majority. I don't know the commitment level of all of the people we share on office with but I do know that they are watching us.

The people we are around are asking the question... What do they have that is different? Lets see if they are who they say they are.

Check your life... are you around people and places that challenge you to live like Christ? Do you have friends who don't know the Lord?

We bring in the root beer and the ginger ale... they bring in the real thing... I think over all we are all spiritually desperate for a real encounter with Jesus.

World Changers...

I saw this on my way in this morning and it brought a smile to my face. I feel like they should be coming to HPC. We have so many babies and people who are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant.

I am a big Fan of KIDS! I love there Joy, expressions, honesty and openness. The church should be the place where kids find exciting and engaging. where we realize the Sunday morning is more than just an hour of more baby sitting but rather it is an hour of preparation. We are preparing our kids for the future. We are preparing our kids to be world changers.

I look at the little ones in our church and pray that High Point will be a way of life for them. They will strive from a young age to find there place in community and feel apart of the body of Christ... Develop there faith and be inspired to live walking with the lord and Be Empowered to Live there potential! We could have the next Dr. who will cure aids, the next CEO f a fortune 100 company, the next missionary who will make a huge difference in Myanmar, The next parent of a world changer, the next car engineer who will come up with a 200mpg vehicle.

God has big plans for our kids. It is my Job to lead the church into a better future. It is your job to lead your home into a better future and together we will raise up world changers!

Open up and say AAAAHHHHH!

We asked the question this week... What Evil is coming out of your mouth?

This is one of those questions that we don't ask enough. Think about it... When was the last time you thought about what comes out of your mouth other then the last presentation you made? Think about the last words that you spoke to your lover this morning... scroll through your call log and think about what things you said to the last few people on the list.

Was it words of joy, peace, love, healing? Was it words of angst, pain, frustration, anger or fear?

God challenges us to mind our words... to pay attention to the things that come out. What Comes out is evidence of what your heart is like. If good things come out... your heart is good. If evil things come out... your heart has evil in it.

If I were to strap a recording device to you and replay your daily verbiage... what would you think? Would you be happy with your words? or embarrassed?

Lets take the challenge and live this week Pouring in good things to our heart and mind so we can speak out good things to the world around us.