Pastor's News
Jan. 4 - An Old Book for the New Year!
Dear Family and Friends of the Bridge Christian Fellowship ~
We're off and running with an old book for the new year! Yesterday we began our walk through the Book of Job, a source of great wisdom for those seeking to know and follow Shaddai (the Almighty), through His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. While the world often points a finger of blame at our Creator God, demanding He answer, the Psalmist wisely reminds us it is He "Who "redeems your life from the pit" (Psa 103:4). It's the Lord Almighty who chose to answer the problem of pain and suffering among the earliest questions raised by mankind in this ancient but wholly relevant book. It's the Lord who has the right to answer... or not!
But there is a key in approaching the Lord our Redeemer: something Job learned full well. Repentance. Not the repentance we often think of, that is, turning away FROM sin, rather, turning TOWARD Jesus; good people turn FROM evil; saved people turn TO the Lord. My personal prayer is that as we move through the Book of Job, as we worship, as we fellowship, and as we pray this year, we will be changed at the level of our hearts, our very spirits, to a deeper, more passionate love for Jesus as we turn TO Him.
I invite you all to join this walk through an ancient but immediate book of great truth for our lives today. Wednesday nights, we'll get the most meat and potatoes in our verse by verse study, while Sundays, we'll consider topics and highlights of Job and his friends as they grapple with the reality of life.
Hope to see you there! As usual, all teachings will be posted on the website within 24 hours for those who are following online.
May the Lord bless you all with great revelation and wisdom this year, as we expectantly await the great revelation of our Lord Jesus in His coming for the saints! Happy New Year, and Maranatha!
In Jesus,
Pastor Rick
Dec. 23 - Christmas Service Invitation!
Dearest Bridge Christian Fellowship Family & Friends ~
Grace, peace, and a very Merry Christmas to you all thru Christ Jesus our Lord.
I’m writing today to invite you all to one of our two Christmas Services happening tomorrow night, Wednesday, December 23rd ~
1st ~ 6:00pm-7:00pm (in the barn) ~ Family Christmas Service: the kids will sing, we’ve got two groups doing special music, and our worship team will lead worship as we consider the ancient story again. (Childcare will be available for children after their singing portion of the service is done.)
2nd ~ 8:30pm-10:00pm (also in the barn) ~ Devotional Christmas Service: worship, some ‘a cappella’ songs from our choir, and a special Christmas teaching from the Word of God. [WHILE THE HOUR IS LATER THAN USUAL FOR A MIDWEEK SERVICE, WE HOPE YOU CAN ALL BE HERE AS THIS IS BOTH THE ONLY “CHRISTMAS” TEACHING THIS YEAR, AND ONE THAT IS HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT TO UNDERSTANDING JESUS!*] (No childcare will be provided for this service.)
Join us for one or both of these services, and may all our focus be on the Christ of Christmas this week; and may God bless us, everyone!
In Jesus,
Pastor Rick
*Regarding the special teaching, we’ll be looking at what it really means for Jesus to be “BEGOTTEN” as the Son of God from a place I’ve never personally considered at Christmas; but it’s relevance may astound you! I hope you’ll all be as blessed as I’ve been this week as together we delve into yet another amazing prophecy of scripture!
Oct. 16 - Regarding Shepherds
Dearest Bridge Fellowship ~
Grace and peace to you all in the Name of our Savior and Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
I’m writing you all for two reasons today: a short announcement, and a broader teaching letter. First the announcement.
This Sunday, October 18, 2009, is an important one in the life of our fellowship. During both 1st and 2nd Services, our Shepherds will be sharing the vision of how we plan to go forward with a building for the Bridge Christian Fellowship. We’ll share finalized architectural plans that are, as of this week, in Site Plan Review with Island Co., and we’ll talk about how we believe the Lord is leading us forward. This is not a “business meeting,” but a statement of faith and vision. Please plan to be there!
In Jesus,
Pastor Rick
TEACHING LETTER: “Leaders as Shepherds” ~
I was recently asked “Why do we at the Bridge Christian Fellowship call our church leaders “Shepherds”? Great question. But when it was asked, it got me to wondering how many of you in our fellowship have been curious about the same thing? So, here’s the answer.
Early on at the Bridge Christian Fellowship, the role and title of leaders was prayerfully and Biblically considered. In the days of the early church as seen in the New Testament, leaders were either called SHEPHERDS (the Greek word is poimen – where we get our word Pastor); BISHOPS (Greek, episcopos); or ELDERS (Greek, presbuteros). [As a side note, the word “Deacon” or “Deaconess” (Greek, diakonos) refers simply to various roles of ministry, but not necessarily to leadership.] Of the three words used to describe church leaders, all three are legitimate and useful in defining leadership, but one stands out as being the most Jesus-like: Shepherd. I best it indicates the role of “pastoring” a fellowship of believers. Furthermore, the designation of Shepherd gives leaders a potent spiritual portrait of the type of leadership Jesus is looking for… something to both aspire to and walk in.
Consider the picture of the actual Shepherd in Biblical times. He was a humble man, lowly by trade and not impressive by society’s standards. He had to be patient and ever waiting; watchful and ever vigilant; feeding the flock and leading them to good pasture; and protecting the flock against predators who would attack or destroy. The Shepherd also went after the one that was lost, as in Jesus’ parable of the Good Shepherd (Luke 15:4-7). Furthermore, it was Shepherds who heard the angel song trumpeting the coming of Jesus at His birth (Luke 2:8-20) ~ think about that one! We’re told these Shepherds “went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them” – what a great picture of the role of church leadership! It was to Shepherding that the Lord called Peter in John 21:15-17, commanding him to “Tend my lambs,” “Shepherd my sheep,” and “Tend my sheep.” No doubt, this stuck with Peter as he later passed that calling along to church leaders in 1 Peter 5.
Now, some might wonder, Does that mean the rest of us are sheep?! That’s not a baaaad question… Sorry—couldn’t resist. But yes, Jesus very clearly referred to and consider us to be His “flock” (see Luke 12:32, John 10:16, John 21:15-17.) Peter even referred to Jesus as “the Chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4), after admonishing church leaders to be Shepherds of the flock of God (1 Peter 5:1-3). But there’s an interesting truth here that all Shepherd leaders must understand: a Shepherd in a church fellowship is ALSO a SHEEP themselves, for we are all following after Jesus Christ—“the Great Shepherd of the Sheep” (Heb 13:20). I can honestly say the men who serve in this role at the Bridge understand this. In fact, you all need to know not a single man among our Shepherds came looking for a title; in fact they were already serving and “Shepherding” in various ways before they were called to leadership. I may introduce them as our “Shepherds,” or refer to them in that way, but none among our leaders desires any title; in fact, no man with a title-seeking attitude would be called to serve at the Bridge. I am honored to serve with the most humble, prayerful, and ministry-minded group of men I have been privileged to know in church leadership; men who fit the Biblical designation of Shepherd very well.
There is certainly more to the calling of Shepherd, as Paul defines and describes in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-5; and we consider these things as well (although every Shepherd among us would tell you they don’t feel adequate to meet the standards of the lists—all the better, for it keep us on our knees before the Great Shepherd of the Sheep, our Savior Jesus—He said, “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep” [Israel]. “I have other sheep [the Church], which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one Shepherd.” That will be a great day indeed, when we are all one flock with one Shepherd, and my friends, it’s not far off.
May. 11 - Adoption Attachment - A Letter from Pastor Rick (for the Crawfords and Aydelottes)
May 11, 2009
Dearest Bridge Family,
Grace and peace to you all in Christ Jesus our God and Savior, through whom we have all been adopted as children of God—people who are “…born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13). We (the Aydelotte & Crawford families) have been amazed at the perfect timing and will of our Father, especially the way He intersected our adoption journeys to land us in Ghana at the same time! As we discussed this journey one night in the hotel, we felt a need to write you all as our family for two important reasons.
First, we want to thank you all for your prayers and encouragement through-out our adoption processes—through the ups and downs of it all, we have been assured by the love and support of our Bridge family; in fact, countless times, your kindness and encouragement has sustained us more than you may have realized. Thank you all—we love you with the love of the Lord!
Secondly, now that we are back home, we also want to request your sensitivity to the next stage of our journeys: the ATTACHMENT of our new children. What we are requesting of you is of immense importance to the emotional/spiritual health of our children. With biological children, attachment is NATURAL: it simply happens through feeding, caring, and nurturing; with adopted children, attachment must be INTENTIONAL. The first few months are vital to their ability to attach in a healthy way spiritually, emotionally, & physically to new parents and siblings. Here are a few guidelines by which you can help us achieve this intentional goal.
1. Please be patient with our time in the short-term. Social engagements that would either take us away from our children, or require them to be in larger settings of people will be limited.
2. Please don’t pick up or hug our children; physical contact of any kind must be at our discretion. Often, adopted kids are used to going to any and every one who offers attention—they need to learn that care and protection come from their parents, and not just any adult.
3. Please don’t offer our children treats or snacks; again, all care must come from mom & dad in the early months of adoption.
4. Finally, please avoid overt displays of emotion. Smiles and kindness are welcomed and appreciated, but remember, adopted children don’t see themselves as “the great culmination of a long faith process”—they are just children, trying to adjust to a new environment, home, and family. If you’re excited to see them, praise God in your heart!
These are simple and may even be obvious, but we wanted to share them to avoid any misunderstandings as we protect the privacy and lives of these precious children who have finally come home. We plan to have all our kids with us in worship together next Sunday, and can’t wait to share our joy with you all. Thanks again for every prayer offered and all encouragement given. We are so blessed to be family with you all in the Lord!
In Jesus,
Pastor Rick (on behalf of the Aydelotte family & the Crawford family)
ROMANS 8:15-17 …you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Apr. 25 - Bridge Builders Update, 4-25-09 - Truth Matters
Dear Bridge Fellowship ~
Grace and peace to you all through the Truth incarnate, our Lord Jesus Christ.
I’m sorry to report that on Wednesday, April 22, of this week, THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT HATE CRIMES ACT OF 2009 [HR 1913], passed the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 15-12, paving the way for a vote in the full House of Representatives next Wednesday. The bill, if passed in the full House, which is likely, will add the terms “gender”, “gender identity”, “sexual orientation”, and “disability” to the list of protected categories under federal hate crimes law. Unfortunately, the wording in the amendment is vague, and kicks open the door for all manner of lawsuits and punishments to those who would openly speak out against any of the 30 different espoused “sexual orientations” (including, but not limited to, homosexual, transsexual, and transgendered people). To even refer to such behavioral choices as “depraved” (God’s word, not mine) would be punishable. Incredibly, an amendment was even introduced by representative Steve King (R-Iowa) that would have at least kept pedophiles from receiving special protection in this act, but it was defeated. Since Biblical truth plainly declares sexual behavior beyond the marriage of a man to a woman to be outside of the will of God for mankind, the Word of God (for the first time in our country’s history), may soon become subject to hate crime violation.
As I’ve pondered matters of truth this week, especially in light of this historical development, I felt it necessary to follow up with you all on the last email I sent, in which I asked you all to pray and consider emailing your congressman regarding this act.
One of the questions that came back to me (a valid and appreciated one) was WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH, THE PASTOR, AND THE PULPIT IN GOVERNMENT, POLITICS, AND POLICY MAKING. SHOULD THE CHRISTIAN ENGAGE (AND ESPECIALLY THE PASTOR) ENGAGE IN POLITICAL ACTIVISM. It took me back a bit, because I honestly never considered myself as a political activist (I still don’t); nor was the Bridge Christian Fellowship set up to be a politically driven or motivated church; however, while the purpose of following Christ is not about pushing political agendas one way or the other, as disciples of Jesus, let me ask you,
Are we not to always be concerned with TRUTH?
In every aspect of our lives, TRUTH MATTERS. Therefore, while not bent on political motivation, where Truth and the Word of Truth is challenged, I believe we must respond—as concerned citizens, yes, but far more so, as concerned Christians (people who honestly wear the name of Christ). We cannot separate the two. In fact, nowhere in scripture are we encouraged to separate, compartmentalize, or secularize the many facets of our lives (as in personal life, home life, business life, church life, etc); when we come under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we are called to be His people wherever we are in life. It’s called Integrity, and goes hand in hand with Truth.
Jesus, in that great conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well (the first person in scripture to whom He revealed His nature as Messiah), said 23“…an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (JOHN 4:23-24). However, several years later, the Apostles Paul and Peter warned that as time wore on, truth would be maligned and ignored in this world. Peter wrote Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned (2 PETER 2:2)—interesting that sensuality is connected with maligning truth. —and Paul wrote 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. (2 TIM 4:3-4). We should not be surprised, then, when we see such things happening in our culture and the world. America is not immune to sin and deception, and the further our country wanders from its Judeo-Christian foundation (a historically truth by the way), the more truth itself will be maligned.
What does the follower of Jesus do with all this? Like our Lord Jesus, we do not stop speaking truth, however, we do not speak the truth hatefully. We speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15). There’s nothing politically motivated about that ~ just speak the truth in love. Truth is not a bludgeon to be used on the heads of hurting people, regardless of their behavioral choices; however, truth must be spoken kindly and lovingly against such choices that not only damage people now, but have devastating results eternally. That’s the greater issue—What do so-called lifestyle choices mean for the future? As Christians, the greatest matter before us is the ETERNAL LIFESTYLE CHOICE.
As for Truth itself, the Truth is, truth never fails; though ignored or maligned for a season, the Truth always comes out, because truth is as sure as the Lord Himself. Jesus said “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The summation of all truth in the coming of Jesus Christ is not up for grabs; the outcome is sure. With that in mind, we must continue to be FULL OF TRUTH and FULL OF LOVE; we must continue to speak the Gospel message of salvation by faith in Jesus alone, regardless of the response or the outcome; and we must continue to behave with confidence in the Truth, in every aspect of our lives. “Little children, let us not love with word or tongue, but in deed and truth. We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him” (1 John 3:18).
In Jesus,
Pastor Rick
Aug. 23 - Bridge Builders Update, 8-23-08 - The Spirit of Adoption
Dearest Bridge Family ~
Grace and Peace to each of you all through God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Cheryl & I have some personal news to share with you all, but first, I’d like to invite you to think through something the Lord has done and is doing among us in the Bridge Christian Fellowship. We’ve often talked about the ‘Father heart of God’ – His goodness and kindness, His compassion and tenderness—words that sound great, but until they are realized in our lives, they remain simply words. But there is a reason we call God our “Father.” In Romans 8:15-17, Paul wrote 15For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…” But what does it really mean to receive “a spirit of adoption”? It means that before Jesus came we were orphans. Without Him, we had no hope. Without Him, we had no lasting family in this world. But because Jesus came into this world, dying for us on the cross, and resurrecting to life eternal, we are now adopted children of our Everlasting Father in His eternal family. As John wrote 12“But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13). That is the spirit of adoption.
I am watching (and personally experiencing) our Father grow and develop this ‘spirit of adoption’ here among us in the Bridge Christian Fellowship. James wrote: “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:27). The word “VISIT” is the Greek word “EPISKEPTOMAI”, meaning “TO VISIT, TO LOOK AFTER, TO RELIEVE.” Just as we were adopted as sons and daughters by our Father, so He is calling us to be a church where adoption takes place in every sense of the word—spiritually, as well as physically. A few months back, a small group of parents with adopted children gathered in my home—some with newly adopted kids, others whose children were grown and out of the house. I listened to their stories during an enlightening evening, thinking all the while how great it was that ‘others’ were able to do this (it’s easy to thank God for the service & ministry of others, rather than to engage in it myself)!
In fact, here in our little corner of the world, the Lord has sent children from multiple tribes, tongues, and nations of the world to be adopted into families who are part of this fellowship we call the Bridge. Some have adopted children from Korea, Bolivia, Haiti, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Vietnam, and right here at home in the US; and I’m convinced there are more to come. We have families who have adopted, families prayerfully considering adoption, families in the process of adoption, and some just waiting for a final visa to bring a child home. Even as we desire to be a missions-oriented church, He is bringing the nations right to our fellowship in the faces and lives of precious children.
Now please understand: I’m not saying I believe every family is called to adopt children—nor should there be undo pressure for families to do so! I’m convinced that adopting a child or children into a home and family is a direct and specific call from the Lord. But what does it mean to function with a spirit of adoption in our fellowship?
Obviously for some it means enlarging a family by actual adoption; for others, it means caring for our kids through teaching or helping in Sunday Bible classes and Children’s or Youth Ministry; for still others, it’s supporting impoverished children through organizations like Compassion International, World Vision, or Samaritan’s Purse; the spirit of adoption it can be expressed in acts of benevolence and kindness in and around our communities; and for all of us, the spirit of adoption means enlarging our heart for the lost—whether it’s people who don’t know of the love the Father has for them, or children who don’t know a family and a home. That’s the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
But let me share with you what the “spirit of adoption” it has come to mean most recently and personally to my family.
Many of you know we were seeking to adopt a boy from Ghana; we were very excited about this, had his picture plastered around our house, and we were convinced he would be coming home to join our family. We were wrong. “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). But in the difficult days following the news that this precious child had been given to another family, God did a work in our hearts that I did not expect. He broadened our criteria. You see, when a family adopts, you generally can set your own criteria for the process, and ours was a boy, between the ages of 7-11. But the Lord had a different criteria in mind. As we prayed about this, our criteria got bigger—be careful, prayer will do that! Now there’s far more to this story than I can tell in one email, (much of this is very personal and we will treasure it in our own hearts), but the end result is that late this fall, we will be bringing three children home from Ghana: two girls, ages 11 and 3, and a boy, currently 4 months old. We are blown away but completely at peace with the Lord’s will, which was so much greater than our own! We were not the first, nor will we be the last to do so; but we are so privileged to be setting out on this journey, and we are blessed to learn from and be encouraged by so many other families who are already living out a great lesson for us all—“the spirit of adoption.”
Let me reiterate, this is not about trying to “sell” anyone on adopting a child—only the Lord can put that on a person’s or family’s heart. This is about recognizing the ‘Father heart’ of God. He saw each of us just as we see so many children in this world: children without fathers or mothers, without homes, without the fulfillment of belonging that we crave at the core of all human relationships; so, He came to our rescue, as Jesus said “to seek and to save that which was lost” (John 19:10). I heard someone say the other day that God created us out of His own need to be loved. Not true! THE FATHER CREATED US BECAUSE HE IS LOVE! John wrote “We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 John 4:16). God created us in the first place, not to fill some emptiness or void in His own existence, but because that’s what love does—Love looks for ways to give Himself away. That is the spirit of adoption!
Brothers and sisters in Christ, we have all been adopted. We have an inheritance “reserved in heaven” for us (1 Peter 1:4); we have a true and real ‘belonging’ that is eternal, because God chose to visit us in our distress! Knowing this, how then shall we live? Whether you hear the call to literally adopt a child or not, the issue for us all is that we are most definitely called to adopt the Father heart of God, who adopted us; and if we’re anything like Him, we will learn to love just as He first loved us.
Please keep all our families of adoption in prayer, especially those who are in the difficult process of waiting to bring their children home; and thank the Lord that He has honored us—a group of one-time orphans gathered as His own in a barn on North Whidbey Island—to touch just some of the children of the nations of the world.
In Jesus,
Pastor Rick
RICK CRAWFORD
Senior/Teaching Pastor
The Bridge Christian Fellowship
r.crawford@bridgechristianfellowship.org
(360-914-1108 (Mobile/Work)
Aug. 21 - Bridge Builders Update, 8-21-08 - Considering the Covenants
Dear Bridge Family ~
Grace and Peace to you all in the faithfulness of God our Father, and the gracious offering of our Lord Jesus Christ:
I received an email from a friend today asking me to clarify some things regarding the Covenant God made with Abram, and where the Law and the Tabernacle fit into that. For those who are curious, I thought I’d go ahead and send along my response in the form of a teaching letter for our whole fellowship.
____________________________________________________________
CONSIDERING THE COVENANTS:
There are a number of Covenants through-out the scriptures that God made with man:
1) THE ADAMIC COVENANT – where He covenanted with Adam to live in the garden (Genesis 1-2);
2) THE NOAHIC COVENANT – where He covenanted with Noah and all mankind regarding the flood and human government (Genesis 9);
3) THE ABRAMIC (OR ABRAHAMIC) COVENANT – where He covenanted with Abram to bless all mankind (Genesis 12);
4) THE LAND COVENANT – where He promised the land to Abram and his descendents (Genesis 15);
NOTE: the Land Covenant God made with Abraham in Genesis 15 (where he walked the path of blood alone) was both unconditional and one-sided ~ God made it while Abram slept. This covenant promises the land to Israel “forever,” and is part of the reason Israel is being restored to the land in this generation, and will ultimately be restored to the full promised land the Lord said they would live on, in the Millennial Kingdom (Ezekiel 48 and Revelation 20).
5) THE DAVIDIC COVENANT – where He promised to seat a descendant of David on his throne to rule and reign over the world from Jerusalem (1 Samuel 17:1-17);
6) THE MOSAIC COVENANT – where He established the LAW specifically with Moses and the people of Israel (Exodus-Deuteronomy); AND,
7) THE NEW COVENANT – where the Lord promised a new and eternal relationship, through the Blood of Jesus, to all who will believe (Jeremiah 31:31-33, Hebrews 8:7-13).
Now this is very important so take note! In Hebrews 10:9, we’re told “He takes away the first in order to establish the second,” meaning one covenant would be replaced with another. That “first” Covenant which was “taken away” to establish the second is specifically the Mosaic Covenant, or, the LAW (Exodus-Deuteronomy). This included not only the 10 Commandments, but 603 other statutes and ordinances for a total of 613 specific laws that the people were required to keep! But don’t miss this: THIS COVENANT IS THE ONLY COVENANT GOD MADE IN SCRIPTURE THAT WAS CONDITIONAL—that is, IF the people kept their part, THEN God would keep HIS; however, IF they failed (which they did miserably), THEN the Lord promised to drive them out of the land, which He did. If the people kept the Mosaic Covenant, they’d be blessed and remain in the land; if they rebelled, they would be cursed and driven from the land.
Again, this is the only conditional covenant the Lord made with man—all the other covenants do not depend on man, but on God to keep and fulfill them. Sadly, man could not keep this Covenant, just as the Lord knew they couldn’t! In fact, we’re told “the Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more” (Romans 5:20). Why? To prove to us that we are not good enough, that we simply can’t keep our part of the bargain! This leads us to the New Covenant of Grace. Paul said the Law was our “tutor to bring us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor” (Galatians 3:24-25).
All that to say, the system of sacrifices and law were part of the CONDITIONAL Covenant of the Law, made thru MOSES to the people; this is what the Hebrew writer (in 10:9) is saying was set aside in favor of the perfect and New Covenant of GRACE which came through Jesus. John summed it up beautifully, saying “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). The Law, the Tabernacle, the Temple Services and sacrifices all fall under the Mosaic Covenant, and are NOT part of the original covenant God made with Abram. The requirements of that covenant were one-sided—that God would keep His Word.
When we talked about “Covenant” on Sunday, we looked at the seriousness of it; what makes the covenants even more serious and eternally impacting is that each and every one reveals or portrays some aspect of Jesus, as we once again recognize the whole Word of God points us to Messiah:
1) ADAMIC: In the garden, Adam was the first man to sin; Jesus was the first man not to sin, but to become a perfect sacrifice to save us (Romans 5:14-17).
2) NOAHIC: After the flood, God established the shedding of blood as a capital punishment for murder; Jesus shed his blood for all others.
3) ABRAMIC: The seed of Abram that would bless all mankind in Genesis 12 is Jesus Christ.
4) LAND: When God walked the path of blood alone in Genesis 15, what more graphic picture is there of the walk of Jesus to the cross?!
5) DAVIDIC: In the Davidic Covenant, the descendant (son of David) who would sit on his throne is, through the line of Judah, Jesus.
6) MOSAIC: In the Mosaic Covenant, each and every sacrifice, including the Passover Lamb, portrays the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. He’s the perfect lamb who saved his people (all believers in Him) from their captivity (sin).
7) NEW: And of course, Jesus Himself explained and established the New Covenant in His blood at the Last Supper… 19…when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood” (LUKE 22:19-20).
That’s the lowdown on Covenants. There is so much more to understand here, and for you who are curious, a study of the covenants of scripture is not only fascinating, but will reveal to you more deeply, the person and perfection of Jesus our Lord, our Savior, our God. May He bless you all with His presence.
In Jesus,
Pastor Rick
RICK CRAWFORD
Senior/Teaching Pastor
The Bridge Christian Fellowship
r.crawford@bridgechristianfellowship.org
(360-914-1108 (Mobile/Work)
Mar. 30 - Bridge Builders Update, 3-30-08 - Perseverance and Offense
Dearest Bridge Family ~
Grace and peace to you through Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul wrote “speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:15)—that’s not always easy to do. In fact, there are times that by simply speaking the truth, we will be cast as unloving, uncaring, and intolerant. This morning was one of those times.
For those of you not in attendance during 2nd service, there was a moment during the teaching when some visitors stood up and left, who may have been offended by what I was teaching regarding the homosexual agenda and a group called “the Giving Circle” on Whidbey Island (a group that desires to promote this lifestyle choice specifically among teenagers). I stated that I believed this group was playing right into Satan’s hands, and that their organization, however well-meaning, was paving a dark road, both now and eternally for sexually confused adolescents. Groups such as the Giving Circle are, I believe, only adding to the confusion of already “questioning” (to use their own word) adolescents. I realize my words were strong, and as these visitors left, and I must admit I myself was rattled as I realized I had probably spoken offensively. But dear fellowship, I need you all to know that I stand by what I said. I never get up on a Sunday to be controversial for the sake of controversy, but, at times, the Word is controversial by today’s standards.
The moment this occurred, the point I was making was that “The House of the Lord Must Be Built with Perseverance.” This means, regardless of the consequences, the household of faith must grow on the foundation of Jesus Christ and according to the Word of Jesus Christ; like it or not, even when our personal sensibilities are offended, and they will likely be, we have to decide whether we will follow the Lord in truth, or appease men in so called tolerance.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the role of the teacher pastor, (especially in light of the Reverend Wright scandal in Barak Obama’s campaign!) and the influence a pastor can have on a church fellowship; please know that I take this role and influence very seriously. James wrote “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such, we will incur a stricter judgment” (James 3:1). On the other hand, if there’s anything I can encourage each of you toward, it’s the personal study and conviction of the Word yourselves. DON’T EVER TAKE ME AT MY WORD—ALWAYS TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD! Anything spoken by me from up front must be always held up to the standard and truth of scripture.
This morning, as our possibly offended guests left, I desperately wanted to say “Don’t go!” (The only reason I didn’t was because I didn’t want to draw unnecessary embarrassing attention to them), but it broke my heart to see them leave. In the world in which we live, most of us have either friends, family, or acquaintances who have chosen homosexuality (and yes, I realize many say it’s not a choice—although the research statistics beg to differ); and while it is never my desire to brand anyone as a greater sinner than myself, (I relate closely to Paul who said, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost”
1 Tim 1:15), I will not back down from the truth that we live in a sinful and Christ-rejecting world.
In Romans 1:16, Paul states “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” That’s the truth. But Paul goes on in that same chapter to write “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them… Therefore, God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them…” (Romans 1:18-19; 24). The Apostle goes on to spell out this impurity in terms of women exchanging what he calls “the natural function for the unnatural,” and men abandoning their natural desire for women, desiring men instead. He never uses the word homosexuality, instead, he clearly defines it for what it is. But my friends, DON’T MISS THIS—Paul spends the first three opening chapters of Romans to show us our need for the Gospel—the Good News of Jesus’ death and resurrection—saying “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by his grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24). That’s where this is all headed. That’s why, painful or not, difficult or not, we must speak the truth in love. For its Jesus, “the Way, and the TRUTH, and the Life” (John 14:6) that saves.
Some will be offended. Others will just leave. Still others may raise a loud voice of dissent. The question is, Will we be a fellowship who are willing to speak the truth, in love, for the sake of the goal ~ eternity with Jesus. If we allow ourselves to be swayed by the “anything goes” mentality of tolerance, refusing to call sin what it really is—sin—then we truly will be a crumbling church, and we will abdicate the one message of hope we have to offer the world—salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ, poured out as He took our place on the cross. As I’ve shared before—that’s the end game of sin: the cross. The horror, the pain, the wrath, and the judgment of that moment in time is the end result of sin. That cross is where we all belonged, until Jesus took our sin on Himself ~ but if we don’t accept this truth, the judgment of the cross becomes our judgment.
Family, let us then continue to speak light into the darkness, truth into the lies, and love into the hatred, knowing that there will be temporary fall-out, but also knowing that the fall-out of our silence is eternal. May the Lord confirm His truth, which IS truth, over all our relative assumptions.
In Jesus,
Pastor Rick
PS My family will be on vacation next week, but we’ll see you all back next Sunday ~ until then, the Lord bless you and keep you all!
Rick Crawford
Senior Teaching Pastor
The Bridge Christian Fellowship
www.bridgechristianfellowship.org
work/cellular: 360-914-1108
Mar. 6 - Bridge Builders Update, 3-06-08 - Walking with the Lamp
Dear Bridge Fellowship ~
Grace and peace to you all in Jesus Christ, our God and our Savior!
I pray this email finds you healthy, although I know many are fighting this nasty seasonal cold/flu epidemic; for my part, I’m on the mend, and thankful for Jim Crouch’s willingness to step in and teach on Sunday at the last minute. (I called him on Saturday at 5pm!) So, thanks Jim! Thanks also to Dan Fernandez and the worship team for doing a great job.
The good part for me about being down is I had some quiet time to be in the Word and to pray… and the Lord led me again to pray for our fellowship to have wisdom and spiritual discernment in these last days. It should be no surprise to us that the Bible clearly warns that people will be hungry for ear-tickling, heart-pounding, experiential sensationalism in these days like no other time in church history (See 1 Tim 4:1-5; 2 Tim 3:1-12; 2 Tim 4:1-4; 2 Peter 3:1-14; and Jude 1-25). Jesus said “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many” (Matthew 24:4-5).
As I shared last night at Bible Study, THE POINT IS NOT TO BE PARANOID, BUT PREPARED! With that in mind, check out this quote…
“Strange as it may seem, the danger today is greater for the fervent Christian than for the lukewarm and the self-satisfied. The seeker after God's best things is eager to hear anyone who offers a way by which he can obtain them. He longs for some new experience, some elevated view of truth, some operation of the Spirit that will raise him above the dead level of religious mediocrity he sees all around him, and for this reason he is ready to give a sympathetic ear to the new and the wonderful in religion, particularly if it is presented by someone with an attractive personality and a reputation for superior godliness.”
How true it is today, and yet, this was written in the 1950’s by the beloved A.W. Tozer. As I read this, I thought, “My, how history repeats itself; if this was true for the church in the 50’s, how much more true is it in these last days!”
Last night as we studied 2 Samuel 20-21, we saw David in his own “last days” (probably in his mid to late 70’s) ~ and he was still fighting giants! Even as an old man, the offspring of Goliath were still coming at him (1 Samuel 21:15-22); and as he grew weary in the battle, his men told him, (and I paraphrase) “Dave, we need you alive and well in Jerusalem—whatever happens, don’t extinguish the Lamp of Israel” (v 17). DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR LAMP IS RUNNING LOW ON OIL IN YOUR LIFE? DOES IT SEEM SPIRITUAL “BURN-OUT” IS INEVITABLE? PAY CLOSE ATTENTION…
That word “LAMP” in the Bible is a picture or type of two very specific, very wonderful resources of strength for all believers:
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psa 119:105).
1. The Word of God is our Lamp in this darkness! A way to see clearly through the confusion and illusion of these days.
Peter wrote: “…we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (2 Peter 1:19-21).
Which leads us to the second revelation of the LAMP… as David said in a Psalm of deliverance written just after the “giant wars” ~
“You are my LAMP oh Lord; and the Lord illumines my darkness” (2 Samuel 22:29).
2. The Spirit of Christ is also our Lamp in the darkness! In the same way the Lampstand in the Temple illuminated the Holy Place for the priest to do his ministry, so the Holy Spirit illuminates our way as “a royal priesthood”—to do the ministry to which we have been called!
So there you have it, once again--the two most important implements of discernment and wisdom in these days--the Lamp of the Word and the Lamp of the Spirit!
Sadly, far too many Christians toss out one for the other. Either they consider seeking after the Holy Spirit as too mystical and illusive, or they consider the route of the Word to be too slow and methodical; many Christians today are being lured by short-cuts of excitement and spiritual adrenaline rushes, while others are closing themselves off to the power the Spirit of Christ supplies!
I personally reject that kind of thinking as absolute folly, for we know the Word of God is LIVING and ACTIVE (Hebrews 4:12), enlivened and applied in ways beyond human understanding by the very Spirit of God Himself! You see, with the Lord, it’s not an either/or proposition, it’s both/and: BOTH THE WORD AND THE SPIRIT! You know what’s great about the concept of the Lamp? It requires walking, or at least, moving slowly.
Back in college, Cheryl and I were driving back to our college in Abilene, Texas, from a weekend trip to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico; it was late at night when a small rock popped up and put out my right headlamp of my little 1974 Toyota Corolla ~ the “brights” still worked, but the main lamp was out. Moments later, another pebble shot up and hit my left headlamp, putting it out completely. Now believe it or not, a third rock flew up and took out my remaining “brights” lamp on the right, leaving us in the middle of nowhere with nothing but the yellow running lamp on the right side of my car! I kid you not. What are the odds?! Needless to say, for several hours we crept along the highway at a snail’s pace, making our way back to our apartment home. Moving in the unity of the Word and the Spirit can be like that. It can take time, perseverance, and intentionality; there are certainly bursts of joy and wonder, but more often than not, it’s a walk, not a run. You may, like David, find yourself facing remnants of giants you thought you defeated years ago. They may pop up suddenly in an attempt to put out the Lamp! Walk on, and cling to the Lamp of Israel.
In June of 1950, A.W. Tozer wrote: "It will cost something to walk slow in the parade of the ages, while excited men of time rush about confusing motion with progress. But it will pay in the long run and the true Christian is not much interested in anything short of that."
It has been a long run ~ 2,000 years. But my friends, JESUS IS COMING SOON. As Paul wrote, 11...it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed (Romans 13:11). How much more so today?! Just this past week I was again asked why at the Bridge we seem to be “stuck in the end times.” My answer? Because this is where God stuck us! Let me say it once more ~ maintaining our focus on these last days and the soon return of Jesus is not about being PARANOID, it’s about being PREPARED.
May we be found faithfully walking with the Lamp of His Word and the Light of His Spirit, discerning each step, expectant for His return, and ready when He comes; may we ever be illuminated by THE LAMP OF ISRAEL—OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!
In Jesus,
Pastor Rick
PS Sunday morning, we’ll tackle one of those more difficult and challenging sections of the Older Testament, 2 Samuel 21:1-14 ~ feel free to read ahead and pray it through; God’s got something awesome to show us this Sunday!
Rick Crawford
Senior Teaching Pastor
The Bridge Christian Fellowship
www.bridgechristianfellowship.org
work/cellular: 360-914-1108
Feb. 5 - Bridge Builders Update, 2-5-08: David & Bathsheba and the Progression of Transgression
Dear Bridge Fellowship ~
Grace, peace, and righteousness to you all through our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THROUGH THIS IMPORTANT EMAIL!
After Sunday morning’s teaching on 2 Samuel 11 (David & Bathsheba, and the Progression of Transgression), I received a hand-written note from a wise sister in the fellowship who absolutely hit the nail on the head. I was able to share it with those attending 2nd service, but for all who were at 1st service, or were unable to attend either service, here’s what she wrote.
“David’s progression of sin didn’t start with lusting after Bathsheba. Seeing her was not the beginning. It began with unchecked sin in his life of lust way back when he started collecting concubines for himself. He had a lust for women for a long time that was unchecked in his life. I’m sure he thought having all those wives and concubines would never hurt anybody else, but it was the breeding ground for his weakness to win over righteousness when he saw Bathsheba. There is no small sin.”
Profound. This is the issue. Unchecked sin, simmering for a long time, thought to be manageable in our lives, until it erupts into full-blown fall out! I’m writing today to encourage us all to accept the challenge to stomp out sin by the power of grace. Remember grace not only saves us for eternity, but empowers us to crush sin NOW (Romans 6:1-7, 16:20)! We all have a civil war going on in our hearts (Romans 7-8), a battle between the sin nature and the Spirit; but it’s not a war we must necessarily lose. Grace empowers us to live righteously NOW. Yes, we will fall, and yes, there is on-going forgiveness by the blood of Jesus, but we are invited by the Spirit to “Submit, therefore, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7). Numerous times, the apostle wrote that we are to stand firm in grace! (See Galatians 5:1, Ephesians 6:11-14, Phil 1:27, 1 Thess 3:8, 2 Thess 2:15, 1 Peter 5:12.) As you may recall, James clearly spelled out what we called the Progression of Transgression on Sunday, so that we might be aware and prepared to fight. “14…each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own (1) lust. 15Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to (2) sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth (3) death” (James 1:14-15).
Now, the reason I’m following up on this study is to share some resources, armament if you will, for doing battle with possibly the greatest source of the lure of lust in our world today… THE INTERNET.
The very tool that allows me to contact you all today, is vastly used by the enemy to create a breeding ground for unchecked sin to run rampant. Internet Pornography accounts for over 85% of what’s on the internet today. Remember what John wrote—“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of the Father lives forever” (1 John 2:15-17). Please consider a couple of valuable tools below.
PARENTS: Take clearly defined steps to help your children, especially your teenagers, stand firm against the Influence of the Internet. GET A GOOD PARENTAL CONTROL SOFTWARE LOADED ONTO ALL COMPUTERS IN YOUR HOMES! Recommendation: SafeEyes Parental Control Software (you can order it online, by doing a search for “Safe Eyes.”) We use it in my home—not because I don’t trust my children, but because I don’t trust Satan and the internet. It’s very functional, and gives you control and feedback over all internet usage in your home.
ALL MEN: If you have the slightest draw to internet pornography, you need accountability! Husbands, ask your wives to help hold you accountable, inviting them into the secret places of your heart; Single Guys, find another guy who will enter into a contract of accountability with you! And married or not, if you happen to be caught up in the secret sin of internet pornography, there’s an excellent resource website you can visit ~ www.xxxchurch.com! (Yes, that’s the web address!) These guys are committed to fighting the online lure of lust, and provide everything from free accountability software, to seminars, even to an online recovery workshop called PureOnline, 30 Days to Purity.
MARRIED WOMEN: Married women, I challenge you to love your husband’s enough to question their internet activity, and/or movies they watch, and not just to laugh off lust as a “guy-thing.” Intimacy includes all aspects of marriage—a willingness to share the secret places of our hearts—for if we are truly “one” in marriage, there should be no secrets… with the exception of the occasional birthday or Christmas present!
ALL WOMEN, You can help your brothers in Christ, as well as yourselves, by seeking to be pleasing in the eyes of the Lord (Read 1 Peter 3:3-5 and consider your wardrobe!). And ladies, you may or may not struggle with the lure of lust on the internet, but how is your reading these days? What magazines, novels, etc., are you taking in? What other lure of lust is there for you? (Lust is not only a sexual thing, but a hunger for things that are worldly.)
EVERYBODY: Let is pay attention to the places we invite our hearts to go. There are far too many places in the world where none of us NEED to take our hearts. I quote the Apostle John again—“The world is passing away, and all its lusts; but the one who does the will of the Father lives forever” (1 John 2:17).
God bless you all, and may we learn to live, now and forever, in the grace and righteousness of the Lord. STAND FIRM!
In Jesus,
Pastor Rick
Jan. 22 - Bridge To Israel Bible Tour, 2008
Dearest Bridge Fellowship:
Grace and Peace to you all in Christ Jesus. I have an important announcement for you all today—please read on!
At precisely four o'clock on the afternoon of May 14, 1948, as the nations of the world held their breath, a man by the name of David Ben-Gurion stood up in a crowded hall at the Tel Aviv Museum to make this proclamation:
"It is the self-evident right of the Jewish people to be a nation as all other nations, it's own sovereign State. Accordingly, we meet in solemn assembly. Thus, by virtue of the natural and historic right of the Jewish people and the Resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations, we hereby proclaim the establishment of the Jewish State in Palestine to be called the State of Israel."
In a stunning moment of prophetic fulfillment--foretold in both the Older Testament and New Testament scriptures--Israel, as a nation, was reborn in a day (Isaiah 66:7-9 / Matthew 24:32-34).
This year, 2008, marks the 60th Anniversary of Israel's national rebirth. It is both a glorious and exciting thing; a cup of joy and a cup which causes reeling (Zechariah 12:2). This year also marks our return trip to Israel, Lord willing, as we journey back for our second Bridge To Israel Bible Study Tour! You are invited to join us on this epic and historic adventure—a trip which holds eternal significance and value! We will walk where Jesus walked, along the shores of the Galilee, and in the hills of Judea. We'll stand in the very synagogue of Capernaum where Jesus' taught, and even take a rafting trip down the Jordan River; we'll float on the Dead Sea, visit Masada, and see Qumran - the caves of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Greater still, we'll experience David's capitol city, Jerusalem, with all its splendor. There, we'll walk the Temple Mount, visit the Western Wall, stand at the top of the Mount of Olives, and wander through Gethsemane; we’ll Golgotha—the Place of the Skull, site of Jesus’ crucifixion; and we’ll commune at the Garden Tomb.
In addition, for those who choose, we've added an early extension tour to Israel’s Southernmost city, the famed Eilat, on the Red Sea; while there, we’ll taking an amazing side-tour into Jordan to visit a place of incredible prophetic significance—Petra. We’ll be pausing several times a day to be in the Word as I teach from various locations through the trip. As has been said many times before, two-weeks in Israel is better than an entire year in Bible College! You’ll actually taste, touch, smell, see, and hear the Word as it comes alive before your very eyes.
$3145 - Bridge to Israel Main Tour: Monday, October 27-Friday, November 7, 2008. The price is all inclusive--airfare, hotels, breakfast/dinner daily, all transfers, entrance fees, taxes and tips to hotels, drivers, and guides.
$ 740 - Pretour Option to Eilat/Petra: leaving Friday, October 24, 2008. Also all inclusive--add’l airfare, 3 night's 1st class hotel, breakfast & dinner daily, sightseeing, taxes, tips, border fees, and visa.
The total cost for the Main Tour with the Pre-Tour Option = $3885.
For more information on this trip, forms will be available at the back of the Barn this Sunday, or you can email Cheryl Crawford at blinkofani@comcast.net, or just talk to one of us in person.
May the Lord bless us again as we plan to go up to Jerusalem, 2008!
In Jesus,
Pastor Rick
PS The deadline for a $300 deposit paid directly to Inspired Travel is March 12. I will be limiting available seats first to those who attend Bridge Fellowship, until March 1, and then, depending on turn-out, may open it up to others who might wish to join us. Shalom!
Rick Crawford
Senior Teaching Pastor
The Bridge Christian Fellowship
www.bridgechristianfellowship.org
work/cellular: 360-914-1108
Jan. 10 - A Bridge to the World Wide Web!
Dear Bridge Family & Friends:
Grace and peace to you all in our God and Savior, Jesus Christ!
As we begin this New Year of 2008, I'm excited to announce the launch of our new Bridge Christian Fellowship website... and there was much rejoicing! On this site, you'll find contact and calendar information, directions to our meeting place at the barn, and downloadable mp3 teachings of every Bible study & message from the beginning of the Bridge in 2003 to the present. It's our hope that the teachings will encourage and inspire your own study, meditation, and prayer through the scriptures.
This site will grow and expand over the coming months with links to Bridge ministries, teaching guides and helps, and other interesting Jesus-oriented fare. In the meantime, feel free to pass along our website to your friends ~ our great hope is to get out the gospel word that "Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:11). AMEN!
In Jesus,
Pastor Rick