Sun, 27 May 2012 16:09:06 -0800WeeblyThu, 02 Feb 2012 18:25:59 -0800http://www.sandiegobiblechurch.com/1/post/2012/02/building-up-the-body.htmlEph. 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
Eph. 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
Eph. 4:13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
Eph. 4:14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
Eph. 4:15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
Eph. 4:16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Let me start by saying, there is no such thing as a spiritual gift that is too small.  There is no such thing as a Christian who is not needed…needed to take their spiritual gift and share it with the local church, with the intent of working together alongside the leadership to build up the body of Christ.

Now you may think your church doesn’t need you, that’s a lie from the enemy who seeks to rob you of your joy from serving God.  Satan loves to rob the local church as well, of the vital part you uniquely were created by God to bring to the body.  Let me say it again, there is no gift to small.  You may be a small tendon that goes unseen, however if you were the small ACL ligament in a leg and were missing, you would walk with a limp and be in severe pain.  How much would the body suffer if such a small part were not being used properly?

When you are ready to serve God, let someone who is in leadership (preferably a pastor) know your desire, be sure to tell them what you would like to do.  If you don’t know, take a spiritual gift test, ask others for advice on where they see you serving and by all means pray about where God wants you to serve, listening for His direction.

If you get frustrated, let your pastor know first “speaking the truth in love” and never be afraid to go back to a pastor until you find resolve.  Some pastors can be real slow at listening…I speak from recent personal experience.  Remember going direct to the source when frustrated is Godly, speaking horizontally to others can build even more frustration in the body and create great dissention.  Speaking of frustration, God has taught me how easy it is to frustrate others by trying to do everything by myself.  If I don’t value the contributions others bring, if I don’t value and utilize others service, wisdom, knowledge, etc., IE., their unique spiritual gifts, I can be the source of much frustration.  Empowering others to work together in the body is a pastor’s job!

Pastor/teachers are responsible for equipping the saints for the work of ministry.  The word “equipping” in Greek means to reset a broken bone and it also means to recognize something as already good.  In other words, some believers need help in using their gift, sometimes even need time off to heal, allowing others to serve them…while others are good to go, ready to serve, ready to build.  Keep in mind…even those who are broken, can use their gift as a means to recovery while in the process of healing.  Each person, each part is different and essential to the health of building a strong body.  It is only when all Christians, when all parts are working TOGETHER that there is UNITY within the body.

As I, along with all our pastors stay committed to serving the members of SDBC, let me encourage you to step up and serve too, God will bless you for your service and remember the local church is only as strong as it’s weakest link! 

Please…Please…Please…take an opportunity to go online and listen to my sermon from January 29th entitled “Building up the body”. 

Remember, pastors are not given to the church to tell the flock what they want to hear, rather we are to teach them what one day they will be so thankful they heard, as each of us will stand before King Jesus giving our own account.

Rom. 14:12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.  

I love each of you in our Lord Jesus,
Pastor Steve ]]>Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:11:56 -0800http://www.sandiegobiblechurch.com/1/post/2012/01/are-you-maturing-in-your-faith.html Heb. 5:12
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles (teachings) of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 

Heb. 5:13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of
righteousness, for he is an infant. 
 
Heb. 5:14  But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses
trained to discern good and evil.

I made the point in last week’s sermon that the difference between milk and solid food is how you handle the word of God.  If you just read your Bible you will be getting skim milk, however if you study God’s Word, taking a book at a time and learning about the  author, the purpose of the book, the audience, etc. and carefully STUDY God’s word you will be soon be eating solid food and you will through the practice of obedience to God’s moral will revealed by the Holy Spirit in His Word, you have the recipe for mature spiritual growth.  Of course if a church preaches topical sermons only without challenging you to stretch your understanding and knowledge of God’s Word, your diet of milk or basic truth can lead to spiritual malnutrition as well.

I recently came across this chart in one of my bibles (LASB) and it really spoke to me about our study of Hebrews.  I pray for each of you daily and especially that we all mature in our faith and remain faithful to Christ.  The writer of Hebrews remains confident  in his audience as I remain confident in our flock of SDBC, that you too will be a Metachos, or partner with Christ, reining with Him in His coming Kingdom on Earth and in the new heaven and earth Jesus will create (Rev. 21).  It is always helpful to examine our progress and can be especially helpful if we know what mature faith even looks like and perhaps what areas we
might need to work on.
 
Here are some differences between mature and immature choices… 
MATURE CHOICES vs. IMMATURE CHOICES
Teaching others rather than…just being taught
Developing depth of understanding  rather than… struggling with the basics
Self-evaluation rather than…self-criticism
Seeking unity rather than…promoting disunity
Desiring spiritual challenges rather than…desiring entertainment
Careful study and observation rather than… opinions and half-hearted efforts
Active faith rather than…cautious apathy and doubt
Confidence rather than…fear
Feelings and experiences rather than…experiences evaluated according to feelings
Evaluated in light of God’s Word
(Copyright Life Application Study Bible) 
 
I love each of you individually with all my heart as we run the race together,
Pastor Steve ]]>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:07:41 -0800http://www.sandiegobiblechurch.com/1/post/2012/01/a-new-day-a-new-chance-to-excel.html"Teach us to number our days that we might present to You a heart of wisdom."
 
WOW…January, 2012 quickly coming to an end…The beginning of a new year that moves at lightning speed the older we get!  I pray you will seize the moment and not waste one day this year.  What will it mean to "excel" in 2012?  Allow me to put before you, three goals that I hold for myself this year, in hope you might also come to embrace them.
 

First, I hope that we will deepen our own personal spiritual lives as we live before the Lord Jesus Christ. This is not simply a New Year's resolution or an unrealistic item on a list of goals. It is, in fact, the essence of what we seek as Christians. For some of us, this will include renewing our commitment to read through the scriptures and study the scriptures, for personal learning and devotional value. For some, this will include a renewed commitment to achieving a robust prayer life. This is not simply creating more lists of people to pray for, although that might be helpful, but I mean a deeply dependent awareness of the role of the resurrected Christ in our lives as we seek His guidance and
leading in our lives. For some, this will include a clearer understanding of the accountability that is ours as we seek to invest our lives. This is articulated in both the Old Testament (Ecclesiastes12:14) and the New Testament (I Peter 1:17; Romans 14:10; I Corinthians 9:24-27; and 2 Corinthians 5:9-10). I hope and pray for you and myself that we will understand what Moses said in Psalm 90 and allow it to guide and drive us each day of 2012.
 

"Teach us to number our days that we might present to You a heart of wisdom."

Second, I hope that we will continue to do the work of the Lord by sharing the free gift of eternal life to a lost and dying world. May I challenge you, as I challenge myself --- in 2012 to do more evangelism. For some of us it will mean reaching out to our neighbors or perhaps those with whom we work. It may necessitate that we become a bit more creative and work through new channels, perhaps social, community or athletic events with friends and families or those who are connected to our children.
  
 
Finally, I hope that in 2012 each of us will make it our intention to pass along more of
what we have learned in our Christian life. This is what the Apostle Paul commanded Timothy in Second Timothy 2:2. Today we call it "mentoring".  Biblically we call it "discipleship". Whatever we call it, let's make sure we do it! It is essential that we pass on to the next generation not only a proper theology but a proper methodology of living the Christian life…And so my encouragement to you, as well as to myself, is that we would lead lives in 2012 that are not only an offering to the Lord, but that will also produce offspring, men and women, who will serve Him until He comes. As the old Greek  proverb says: "We are planting trees whose shade we will never sit under."
 

Christmas is over and the New Year is upon us. I hope for 2012 you have set before yourself goals and objectives, both professional and personal, that under the leading of the Spirit will exalt the Lord Jesus and bring Glory to the Father.
 
 
Serving Him with you until He comes for us,
 
Pastor Steve ]]>Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:03:40 -0800http://www.sandiegobiblechurch.com/1/post/2012/01/the-image-of-god.htmlMankind was created in the image of God. Can you imagine a greater act of grace (getting what we don’t deserve), than you and I coming into existence by the hand of God, for the purpose of reflecting His glory and to rule over everything God had made on earth.  Please take a minute to read a few verses in Genesis and soak up the truth of the value God has created in you.  I have highlighted in bold words that I want you to focus on so you see God’s original plan for His image bearers.

Gen. 1:26  Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let
them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 
 
Gen. 1:27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 
 
Gen. 1:28  God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 

Gen. 1:29  Then God said,  “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; 
 
Gen. 1:30 and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life,  [I have given] every green plant for food”; and it was so. 
 
Gen. 1:31  God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. 
  
Paradise was perfect (very good). God’s creation was perfect (very good).  Humans were perfect (very good).  Paradise was established on earth, but sadly lost by the sin of Adam. Yet God in all his wisdom and grace had a plan to restore ALL that mankind lost at the fall through the grace of God at the cross of Christ. 
 
The Bible starts, in Genesis, with the tree of life (Genesis 2:9) in a setting of intimacy between God and mankind (Genesis 2:15-25).  This was God’s grace at work in the  beginning, providing for those created in His image and allowing them to dwell with our Triune God.

The Bible ends, in Revelation, with the tree of life (Revelation 22:2) in a setting of restored intimacy between God and mankind (Revelation 21:3)  God’s grace in magnified afresh with His completed work of restoration, providing a new Paradise for those created in His image, allowing us to dwell once again with our Triune God physically again and restored to our purpose of reigningalongside Christ Jesus again. Rev. 5:10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” 

Between Genesis and Revelation, the message of the Bible is the story of humanity’s on-going rebellion and God’s more powerful grace to restore humanity, the earth and his universe.

Please join me in praising God for creating you and I in the image of God, for His mercy, for His unconditional love and forgiveness…and of course His amazing grace upon grace upon
grace!

This week do your best to reflect His image in you…to others…

 In His grace,
 Pastor Steve ]]>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:53:52 -0800http://www.sandiegobiblechurch.com/1/post/2012/01/this-yearjust-be-you.html I love teaching the Book of Hebrews we are studying, as much of this Book is foreign to most believers.  We were created by Jesus for a purpose  (Eph. 2:10), one of which as long as we remain faithful, is to earn the right to reign with Him in His future kingdom on earth as well as for eternity in the new heaven and earth to come (see Rev. 21:1-7). In the book of Hebrews this reward is called becoming a Metachos or“partner” with Christ to co-reign with Him over all He has made and is an honor available to ALL faithful believers. This concept of special blessingis taught throughout the Bible and was certainly understood by the
Jewish audience of Hebrews.  Consider the following list I’ve prepared  to help you see rewards theology throughout the Bible.

THE  BOOK OF HEBREWS paints the “Rewards” picture with the idea of Metachos”or partner with  Christ

THE BOOK OF REVELATION paints the “Rewards” picture with the idea of“Overcomer” 

THE BOOKS OF ST. PAUL paint the picture of “Rewards” with the idea of “Running the race and winning  crowns”…in addition to the Bema Judgment for rewards to all faithful
believers

 THE BOOK OF ST. PETER paints the picture of “Rewards” with “the glory to come at the revelation of Jesus Christ”

 IN THE BOOK OF 1st JOHN the picture is one of loss of “Rewards” for those who do not abide in Christ leaving a believer to shrink back in shame at His coming

Jesus couldn’t have been any clearer throughout the Gospels by instructing us in Matt. 6:19-20  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal”

AND FURTHER CONSIDER Matt. 19:27-30 Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” And Jesus said to them,  “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. “But many who are first will be last; and the last,  first. 

ALL OUR WRITERS ARE TALKING ABOUT A LITTLE PAINFUL SERVICE NOW FOR FUTURE KINGDOM PRIVELEGE…but DON’T MISS THIS…They are NOT connecting the FREE GIFT of eternal  life with any of the following:

A)  NOT-To earn or maintain or prove your receipt of your free gift of eternal life (which is faith alone in Christ alone)

B)  NOT-To meet the standards of some religious denomination

C)  NOT-To earn God’s love or right standing (This comes from a warped sense of God).  God loves you unconditionally no matter what you do or don’t do!  His love is NOT something you have to earn…His love is freely given with no strings attached!

Now here comes the problem I want to talk about.  
Please don’t ever compare yourself to other believers as a measuring stick of how you stack up in your Christian faith!  God created you unique and you will answer to Him alone.  He created you to obey Him and simply steward the time, talents and gifts He has given to you period, so please STOP LOOKING AT OTHERS AND KEEP YOUR EYE FOCUSED ON JESUS! 

Heb. 12:1-3 
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

Who of us can compare ourselves to a Billy Graham or Moses or Abraham?  I mean I relate more to David’s failures or to Sampson’s waste of potential, yet most surprising you will find ALL these people listed in Hebrew’s chapter 11, which is the “Who’s Who of faith”.  Here’s what you WON’T find in this chapter…the failure of Moses to enter the promised land…the faithlessness of Sara and Abraham who both doubted God’s ability to perform on His promise of a child when this couple took things into their own hands and sinned by having sex with Hagar.  Nor will you find any of these saints failures listed.

Why aren’t their failures listed? Because the writer of Hebrews has already told us, when we fail in our faith as Christians we have a King, a High Priest who invites us to boldly come
to His throne for a healthy dose of GRACE.

 Heb. 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 
 
Heb. 4:16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy  and find grace to help in time of need. 
 
This year in 2012 BE YOURSELF and serve God out of gratitude for what He has done for you…it is then you will find Him rewarding you out of gratitude for what you have done for Him!

AND, when you blow it…Remember to go to His throne of grace where you will receive mercy and find grace upon grace to help in your time of need!

With all my love and agape in the grace of mercy of our Lord and King Jesus,
Pastor Steve


  ]]>Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:41:07 -0800http://www.sandiegobiblechurch.com/1/post/2011/12/im-proud-of-you.htmlI’M PROUD OF YOU…for numerous things!

My dear family  in Christ:
Please take the time to read this whole year-end letter as a matter of vital importance to your continued spiritual growth.

#1) As
this year is rapidly coming to a close I had to write each of you and share how proud I am of you! We just came off our Christmas service where we managed to squish in nearly 200 men, women and children into one service and all I can say is WOW what a night…What a Child…What a King! I honestly was really skeptical of your vote to celebrate our Lord’s birth on a Saturday night this year (in lieu of Sunday services), but you made a believer of me for your faithfulness and I truly believe this was the right call this year…thank you with all my heart for making this such a special service and a special thanks to all who found time to give of their time serving others as well as thanks to each of you who participated by worshipping Christ our King with your attendance! For those of you out of town, we all missed you terribly and pray for your safe return to SDBC this Sunday.

#2) Speaking of this Sunday, I promise you a sermon of encouragement this New Year’s Day
(regular service times)! The Book of Hebrews is a pastoral letter by the writer (a pastor) to his flock. The book is one of the most complicated books in the Bible and I am proud of you for hanging in there, as we have been serving up “kosher beef”! This book was written, (as all pastoral epistles), to be read out-loud from beginning to end. When you do so, one is able to get the “big idea” and not get bogged down in details. I fear when we are unpacking the text and the complexity of the author’s argument, we can lose site of the balance of this
book.

#3) Hebrews is a letter of three “E”s Encouragement, Exhortation and Education. In the same way a loving earthly father would “exhort” a child in correction, seeking to “educate” his child in how to mature and provide “encouragement” along the way, so too our writer of Hebrews takes the same approach. The challenge when breaking down the text weekly is the danger to see only the correction side and over react thinking we have to become a zealot or succumb to the dangers of rules, regulations, legalism or performance based acts to earn our Father’s love. All the same could be falsely assumed to be true for those
striving to become a “metachos,”partner or disciple of Christ in His future Kingdom reign. I
am proud of each of you for not bailing on a difficult book, one that is truly life changing
for any Christian and has been kept secret for way too long in the Church! I promise to do my best to keep a healthy balance each week with encouragement,
exhortation and education

Hebrews 6:9-12
But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany
salvation, though we are speaking in this way. For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.  And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patienceinherit the promises. (Emphasis mine)

#4) Please don’t fall for the enemy’s trap of comparing yourself with others when it comes to living a faithful life to Christ and co-reigning with Him in the future. I am proud of those of you I have talked towho have told me you are starting to really “get the message of Hebrews and share in your excitement”.

As we move forward it is imperative to remember:  We have a God who…

A)  Wants you to succeed and is actively involved in bringing YOU to glory as one of His partners.  Hebrews 2:10

B) Loves you unconditionally, no matter what you do or don’t do. His love is not for sale and
not something you have to “EARN”! His love is freely given to all His children.

C)  Has a plan for YOU…please don’t compare yourself to someone else…remember Hebrew’s 11 includes many people who’s failures were epic, yet here you find them listed in the Who’s Who of faith…please be encouraged that God can bring you to glory in the same way…NOT through perfection in this life, but by approaching the “Throne of Grace” were we find a merciful High Priest. Hebrews 4:16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 
 
D) We also have a God who only desires you to be faithful in what He has given you…it’s NOT about how faithful others are, it’s only about how faithful you are. It’s not about performance…it’s simply a matter of stewardship!

#5)  Finally, I’m proud of you for talking the time to read this letter and willing to make SDBC a place where we can speak the truth in love, where I can share the hard truths of God’s Word and not have to dole out milk each week. I am proud of you for being willing to eat solid food for breakfast on Sundays!

“We must preach, not what people want to hear, but one day what they wish they had heard” Sir Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626), Bishop of Winchester, who was on the committee ofscholars that produced the King James Translation of the Bible

With all my love and praying God’s blessing on each of you for the New Year ahead,
Pastor Steve ]]>Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:13:36 -0800http://www.sandiegobiblechurch.com/1/post/2011/12/jesus-the-author-and-perfector-of-our-faith.htmlHebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

In this busy season and in the business of life it is only too easy to take our eye off the MAIN THING or the MAIN PERSON.  With all the drama going on in the world it would be easy to grow weary and lose heart…Allow the writer of Hebrews to refocus our gaze on what matters most in this life as you meditate on these three verses. 

While you may be a Christian and think, “OK, now that I’m “going to heaven” I can “rest” knowing that I have eternal life.  Well, yes and no…allow me to explain.  While you do have eternal life based on faith in Christ and the promise of God, the life you have left on this earth is NOT a season of rest!  There will be plenty of time for that when you get to heaven.  The real question throughout the Book of Hebrews is “Are you maturing in your faith so that you will be a partner with Christ and co-reign with Him in His coming Kingdom and the new heaven and earth He will recreate?  In order to become a Metachos or partner with Christ and co-reign with Him in the future, this honor or position is based on your faithfulness to Him is this life.

The Christmas story "begins" with a Child...and the Christmas story "ends" with a King

THE AUTHOR AND PERFECTOR OF OUR FAITH…The heir of all things who wants to share His Kingship with faithful believers in the future…I pray you are faithful in your walk with Christ now or re-commit to being faithful to Him in this Christmas season!

This year I promise you something different this Christmas Eve from 6-7:30PM
A message that tells the rest of the Christmas Story.  Please bring all your family and friends for an evening you won’t soon forget.  Lot’s of worship, lot’s of carols, children singing, drama, candle lighting ceremony, special communion service, surprises and a message of Christmas with a Jewish twist…and best of all “hug em and love em” time…to start your Christmas off right with the love and light of Christ for all men and women.

Please don’t forget there are NO CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICES, Sunday December 25th as we encourage you to celebrate the Spirit of Christmas with your family and friends on this day of rest.

Wishing you all a blessed and Spirit filled Christmas,
Pastor Steve ]]>Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:11:40 -0800http://www.sandiegobiblechurch.com/1/post/2011/12/got-faith.htmlThere is nothing like a little test or trial to do a spot check on your faith.  In a season of testing and trials for many of us, I pray God’s Word will bring comfort to you today!…

James 1:2-5 (NASB)
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Enduring tests and trials, surviving tests and trials, asking God to remove us from tests and trials is a more normative response for many of us than THANKING GOD for tests and trials or EMBRACING THEM WITH JOY!  

Remember the writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus sympathizes with our human weakness and encourages us to draw near to Him where we find mercy and grace in our time of need (tests and trials) (Hebrews 4:14-16).  I can’t think of anything more joyful than the presence of God so clearly felt in our deepest times of need.  Remember trials come in different forms and different severities and all are temporary, limited to this life.

There is a purpose for test and trials, most notably, to test or purify our faith, as fire is to gold and silver, to prove and perfect faith already within us. Christ is always in the process of perfecting or making our faith complete.  It is through tests and trials that we get the opportunity to show ourselves faithful so that God can shower blessings on us in His future Kingdom on this earth and beyond in the new heavens and earth He will re-create (Revelation 21). 

Through tests and trials we have the opportunity to be light in a dark world and to reflect Jesus without words to those around us.  In any test or trial, ask God for His wisdom, for in Christ we already have our answers.  It is easy to trust in Jesus for eternal life, but it takes more faith to trust in God’s daily provisions.  Tests and trials are all an essential part of God’s plan to help us become His disciples today and for our eternal rewards.

May we all be found faithful according to the riches of His mercy and grace and may God build in you a mature, complete faith that glorifies the radiance of Himself!

In all my agape,
Pastor Steve ]]>Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800http://www.sandiegobiblechurch.com/1/post/2011/12/tis-the-season-of-giving.htmlHebrews. 12:1  Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:3  For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

My dear brothers and sisters in our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus,
As we enter into the season of giving there are some truths we should all remember. Our heavenly Father gave us the ultimate gift, His Son, Jesus Christ our Savior. As we receive Him we are reminded to take hold of Him in our day-to -day relationship, because as we abide in Him we are united to our Heavenly Father in perfect fellowship through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

It is only when we are constantly focused on our Savior will we learn to follow His ways. The book of Hebrews is written to believers who need to be encouraged not to look back to their old way of thinking. Tests and trials of various kinds along with fear was causing them to consider choosing a more comfortable way. The writer of Hebrews message to them is the same message for us today, fear not, for our rest is found in Him.

Focusing on Jesus is not always easy. Allow me to show you how we become the gift in this season of giving.  Begin by challenging yourself in your quiet time to listen to Him concerning the needs of others.  Next, earnestly intercede prayerfully for those God puts on your heart in this quiet time.  Finally look for opportunities to encourage others every chance that you get.

In this season of giving, you too can be a giver and a receiver of God’s grace and love to others!

Nowmay the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
1Thessalonians. 5:23 

With Love in Christ,
Pastor Steve ]]>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800http://www.sandiegobiblechurch.com/1/post/2011/12/christmas-service-on-christmas-eve.htmlThis year at SDBC it's CHRISTMAS SUNDAY ON SATURDAY EVE! 6-7:30pm
We are now full steam ahead for an amazing Christmas Eve Service to Celebrate the Birth of Christ Jesus.......This will be a full on service with lots of worship including contemporary favorites and some powerful traditional worship Carols, our kids leading a worship song or two, a powerful Gospel message tied to Hebrews 12:1-3 by Pastor Steve, Candlelight ceremony with an emphasis on “His Light”, Celebration of COMMUNION, and more great stuff to come and enjoy with all the family of SDBC.  Please be sure to invite your family and friends as almost anyone will go to Church on Christmas Eve!

By celebrating Christmas Sunday on Christmas Eve we will enable our church family to enjoy Sunday, Christmas Day with family and friends at home.  Please take the time on Christmas Day to remember Christ is the reason for this holiday and look for opportunities to celebrate what Jesus means to you with others, keeping in mind we will be back in church the following Sunday, New Years Day!

God is moving and growing SDBC RIGHT NOW!!!!!
God is SO FAITHFUL and continues to bless SDBC in many ways!  We may have not found a new church home yet, but God is preparing the way while we continue to look!  I just want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you who are a part of building His Kingdom through this local church. We currently have a team heading up the organization within SDBC that will allow us to expand the church while Lord willing eliminating any frustration within ministries and keeping me (Pastor Steve) from burnout and doing the KEY things God has called me to focus on. 

It all begins by expanding our pastoral team.  In order for us to be most effective we needed 3 or 4 more qualified men who would step up and serve at the pastoral level and some additional “called” men who would step up as pastoral interns as we look and prepare for the future, staying committed to our focus of Discipleship.  God has and is providing new leaders…Please join me in praying for the expanding leadership of SDBC.  Speaking of discipleship we need to expand the other church office of Deacon, both men and women.  This is an office in the Church that is often overlooked, yet at SDBC we are establishing, by God’s leading, more deacons and a clear picture of what this office entails.   The great news is, God is and has been providing leaders who are stepping up and answering God’s call in all these offices. 

We will soon be presenting additional pastors, intern pastors and deacons all in anticipation of serving and preparing you for God’s call on your life as well.  Once again, please pray for us as we finalize the steps of installing our newer pastors and others in the intern pastor and deacon roles.

Speaking of Pastors
Please join me in thanking Jerry Tunstall this Sunday for his service in the pastoral role, as Jerry has been a key person in helping us establish structure within SDBC.  While brother Jerry is taking a well earned break from the pastor office, Jerry and Elva remain committed to the growth and family of SDBC…they aren’t going anywhere as Jerry waits for God’s direction in the next project he can pour his heart into at SDBC.  Make sure you give Jerry and Elva an extra hug this Sunday for their sacrificial service to our body!

Love and hugs to each of you!

PSteve ]]>