AuthorTerry R Baughman is Lead Pastor for LifeChurch in Gilbert, AZ. See his complete bio at trbaughman.com Archives
October 2024
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The Plan of Redemption3/29/2020 ![]() The Plan of Redemption Finished! The Message of Easter Terry R. Baughman “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” (Ephesians 1:3-4). God’s plan is not reactionary, but proactive. He does not need to respond to situations and adapt to changing trends, rather He sets things in motion that will coordinate in some future moment at just the right time. God knows the end from the beginning so there is a purposeful relevance to all that God sets out to accomplish. When God moves He knows the end result and He knows the intended reaction of intentional recipients. John said, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). God was in the beginning and the power of His Word was evident. “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:3). John goes on to say, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). We were chosen, “in Him before the foundation of the world.” So before the world was made, before the elements came together in God ordained Creation, and before there was ever a sin, the plan of redemption was set in motion and the remedy for an atonement was provided. God knew that sin would ravage His created beings and His glorious intention would be temporarily abated, but then that was also part of the plan. There is a heavenly record. It is the “Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). Before the beginning He wrote the ending! God has always had a plan. Christ’s coming, the “Word became flesh,” the incarnation, was the culmination of His pre-ordained plan. This was His plan from the beginning. He knew we needed a Savior and He was the only One who could redeem us from the power of sin. Though it seems difficult to comprehend, Jesus came to die and to live again! Throughout His thirty-three and a half years there was intention in every move. While others were not allowed to know the bigger picture until the very end, Jesus understood His purpose. Even when faced with the painful truth of His sacrifice He surrendered to this purpose, “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour” (John 12:27 NIV). Facing the judgment of Pilate, Jesus revealed His purpose, the truth of His existence and deity, “For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37). The plan of redemption was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Because He came we can live in Him! “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:20–22 NIV). Theme passage: “… although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” (Hebrews 4:3).
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The Walk of Faith3/22/2020 ![]() The Walk of Faith Steps of Spiritual Growth Terry R. Baughman “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1–2). A walk is a journey, a path, a direction, and an access to a destination. We may “take a walk” to clear our thinking, breathe in the fresh air, or get some exercise. Walking is a productive physical activity that stimulates blood flow, circulates oxygen, and it might get our heart rate high enough to count for some cardio benefit. Walking is also a productive spiritual activity. The Christ-walk is a walk of faith, the way of developing discipleship, and the opportunity to grow in our relationship with Him. The walk suggests movement, progression, step by step following after His perfect plan in our lives. Paul wrote that those who are in Christ and walk according to the direction of the Spirit are free from condemnation and victorious in Jesus. In the epistle to the Galatian believers he wrote, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). The secret to victorious Christian living and growth in discipleship comes when we forsake the path of fleshly desires and pursue Jesus and His Kingdom. From the initial call for discipleship, “Come, follow me,” to the journey down the Via Dolorosa on the way to the cross of Calvary, Jesus calls us to follow Him. His call was and is, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). This is a road of commitment, devotion, endurance and faith. Faith is the essential element that brought us to know Christ. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Paul said, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). That initial step of faith brings us into His path. Jesus is, “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). We often speak of this life as a journey. That is an apt analogy for the progress of our life on the road of spiritual development. There are many conditions along the way. There are narrow passages, rough roads, steep climbs, and even some smooth traveling segments through the route. God’s Word provides direction and His Spirit promises guidance through every passage or turn we encounter. Our GPS is God’s Powerful Spirit working in us and through us to accomplish His great plan. As with any journey through life the only way to arrive is to keep going. If we stop along the way we will never reach our destination. Regardless of difficulties or challenges, the only way to finish the trip is to continue. The way of the Spirit is a walk of faith being led of the Holy spirit. The only way to the finish is to keep on walking! Theme passage: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food” (Romans 5:12).
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Development of Discipleship3/15/2020 ![]() The Development of Discipleship Steps of Spiritual Growth Terry R. Baughman “In the same way that nursing infants cry for milk, you must intensely crave the pure spiritual milk of God’s Word. For this ‘milk’ will cause you to grow into maturity, fully nourished and strong for life — especially now that you have had a taste of the goodness of the Lord Jehovah and have experienced his kindness” (1 Peter 2:2–3 TPT). In the words of a song performed by Hillsong United, entitled As You Find Me, there is a phrase that says, “Your love’s too good to leave me here.” After setting the conflicting actions of purity and sin, perfection and disappointment, and commitment and abandonment, there is still a grace that reaches beyond our mistakes and failures. God’s grace is a demonstration of His love. The song goes on to say, “And I know I don't deserve this kind of love. Somehow this kind of love is who You are.” Jesus reaches us in the pit of our sin and the depth of our failures. His grace restores us to relationship and He calls us to become disciples. He is still calling, “Follow Me, and I will make you …” (Matthew 4:19). There is an expectation of change in the challenge, I will make you. His plan is change. His purpose is discipleship development. His process is to stage events that will result in maturity and spiritual growth. He loves us too much to leave us in our past or even here in the present. He has a future picture in mind of what we can become! Our instinct for self-preservation is to resist external influences for change. We are more comfortable with the familiar existence of the present. Change is uncomfortable and growth creates the need for adaptation. The stress of maturity is not of our own initiative, but discipleship demands that we accept the challenge of change and willing submit to this new influence in our lives. God holds the blueprints and designs the schedule of completion, but we must be willing to embrace His plan and follow His direction. Paul wrote to the believers in Philippi, “I pray with great faith for you, because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this glorious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you and will put his finishing touches to it until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ!” (Philippians 1:6 TPT). When we trust the Master we can take courage in His ability to complete what He has begun in each of us. Beyond the casting of the seed in the Gospels and the birth of the church in the Book of Acts, we are given many Epistles that instruct believers in how to follow after Christ. Through the letters to believers in various cities where Paul traveled, individuals who Paul mentored and trained, other writings written to Hebrew Christians and written by Apostles we are encouraged to grow. The whole body of writing in the New Testament give guidance for believer to become more like Christ. Paul maintained that, “These grace ministries will function until we all attain oneness in the faith, until we all experience the fullness of what it means to know the Son of God, and finally we become one perfect man with the full dimensions of spiritual maturity and fully developed in the abundance of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13 TPT). May we hunger for more of His Word, passionately follow the calling of His Holy Spirit, and grow more strongly in Him day by day. That is our calling and His desire. Theme passage: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food” (Romans 5:12).
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The Birth of the Spirit3/8/2020 ![]() The Birth of the Spirit Steps of Spiritual Growth Terry R. Baughman “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit’” (John 3:5–6). A Jewish religious leader came to Jesus seeking to know more about this teacher and His unusual message. Perhaps due to his own position in the religious community Nicodemus came to see Jesus under the cover of darkness. He commented on the teaching ministry and miraculous signs that Jesus had done, recognizing that indeed He was a messenger from God. Jesus did not remain in the polite expressions of platitudes but rather spoke to the heart of the reason for his visit, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Beyond the niceties of congenial conversation there is an evident truth that must be shared. Jesus came with a mission to deliver souls from sin and to give them the hope of everlasting life. He did not come to earn respect and achieve acclaim by the religious elite, but rather He came to fulfill His mission. He had, “come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). It is no great accomplishment to share theological beliefs and debate doctrine. What is most important is that we share the good news of Jesus Christ to those who are seeking to know more about Him. Our message must be like Jesus’ message. At every opportunity we must share the reality of the new birth experience and the promise of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is not possible to have that promised life without being born again of the water and of the Spirit. Jesus made that very clear. The experience that we are sharing is life-changing and brings the assurance of eternal life with Christ. “You must be born again.” These were the words Jesus spoke to the seeker. They are still adequate words to provide direction to all who seek Him. This is not a self-help plan or a self improvement program. This is not a social club, a diet and exercise plan, or a gym membership. It is radical rebirth, offering everyone the chance to begin anew. His offer hold the potential for a whole new existence that we never knew was possible. Not all the benefits of a new birth experience are planted in the hereafter. There are many present promises and daily benefits provided for believers who have chosen to follow Jesus. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Christ has offered us more than heaven. He promises us an abundant life here and now. Among His gifts are unspeakable joy (1 Peter 1:8), constant companionship (Matthew 28:20), and abiding peace (John 14:27). Jesus gives us a life of hope, freedom from the bondage of our past, and a new life of liberty in the Holy Spirit. The transformation of spiritual rebirth is the miracle of a moment and an experience of a lifetime. Birth is sudden. After a period of labor the child is born and expresses himself with a gasp of air and a welcome cry to signal the arrival. However, the growth process extends throughout a lifetime. So it is with a spiritual new birth. There are miracles in the moment, but the process of become a new creation continues throughout our discipleship. Never stop growing. Never stop living the new life! Theme passage: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food” (Romans 5:12).
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The Seed of the Word3/1/2020 ![]() The Seed of the Word Steps of Spiritual Growth Terry R. Baughman “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). The potential of the seed is never realized until it is planted in the soil and allowed to grow. As long as the seed is stored in the barn there will be no germination or growth. For the seed to reproduce its kind it must be sown in the ground, watered appropriately, and warmed by the sun. It is no surprise when the fresh shoots of a new plant emerge from the ground and reach for the sunlight. The power is in the seed and it is manifested when someone takes the seed and begins to broadcast it into the prepared soil. Likewise, the implanted word will bring life into the dormant soil of our spiritual beings. James said it will save your souls. The power of the Word should never be underestimated. Anything is possible with God and His Word will produce faith in the hearts of every believer. As Paul said, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). The Word of God is effective to produce results as it is faithfully shared and consistently received. Jesus explained that the seed is the Word of God in the parable of the sower. In the parable He spoke of various types of soils. The seed fell on good soil, but also on rocks, along the wayside, and among thorns. The seed was the same for all. There was nothing wrong with the seed, but at issue was the soil. The wayside soil was ready for birds and prey to find and feast on the bounty of good seed. The soil was hardened and would not allow the seed into its covering where it might take root, grow and provide something of value for those who come later. The rocky soil was a ready place for plants to find root and grow, but because of the shallow soil hidden in crevasses of the rocks, the growth would be short lived and the certain death would result. Finally, the thorny soil represented those who where choked by the undergrowth and never allowed to develop. Jesus said, “The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word” (Matthew 13:22). Concerning the good soil, Jesus said, “He who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit” (Matthew 13:23). The criterion for being good soil is those who hear it, understand it, and bring forth fruit! Everyone starts as an infant. It is always the babies who demonstrate the rapid growth of our children. Peter concluded, “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Peter 2:2–3). He saw nothing wrong with feeding milk to a new baby. Actually, that is entirely appropriate and necessary. However, there will come a time when the diet needs to be changed to continue providing necessary nutrition for continual growth. The writer of Hebrews said, “Solid food belongs to those who are of full age” (Hebrews 5:14). The milk of the Word will produce growth to the point where meat is required in the diet. It is the seed is the word of God that will produce the germination of new life and spiritual development leading into Christian growth. Share the Word! Theme passage: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food” (Romans 5:12). |