Jeremy Deweerdt

At some level, I think we all enjoy our comforts or being comfortable. There’s nothing worse than being uncomfortable and you cannot do anything about it. I also notice that the older I get, the more I like comfort. Well, the book of 2 Corinthians also talks about comfort.

Paul’s tone is different in 2 Corinthians from what it was in 1 Corinthians. The years between these two books were very, very difficult for Paul. He had been persecuted, beaten for his faith, and at one point, he thought he was literally going to die. In 2 Corinthians, he defended his credentials to that church. Some people, whom Paul called “false teachers,” were going around and saying that Paul didn’t really speak for God, that he wasn’t a true minister of the faith, so Paul had to combat them. He had to go on the offense. The enemy is not passive and is considered the “Father of Lies,” according to the Bible, so there are times we have to go on the offense. Silence would only allow an unchecked environment for deception to grow.

We think Paul learned about these false teachers when he sent Timothy, his younger partner in ministry, to the church in Corinth for an update. Timothy returned and basically said, “Houston, we have a problem.” So Paul decided to write his letter. As he was about to describe tough times in his life, he began by giving all praise to God, who he says is the source of all comfort. Most people don’t start off this way when they talk about all of life’s difficulties. It’s not your normal conversation about situations that almost killed you. Yet, what Paul did was powerful. He is showing us that we must focus on the solution and not the problem surrounding us. The problem or situation you are facing and enduring right now is not bigger than the God you serve. He has the capacity to give you comfort and strength. Our focus must be upon Him as our source, and not upon the situation. Whoever or whatever you place your trust in will be your source of comfort. So can your source deliver? Can your source truly provide the help you so desperately need? Talents and abilities can be a source of comfort, but are they limitless? Alcohol, drugs, habits, vices, relationships, other people…they can be a sense of some comfort. But not ALL comfort. So what is your source? Whatever you focus on is what you put your faith in. And what you put your faith in, that is your source.

Here is a statement that you need to drill into your spirit: “But God!” You may be unemployed, but God! Maybe you are sick, but God! Perhaps you are hurt and broken-hearted, but God! There may be a family situation, but God! We serve the God who can and does! That’s why Paul started out 2 Corinthians by focusing on God and saying “all praise to God.”

Usually there are three reasons for times of hardship and pain. The first is our own wrong choices. The second is wrong choices from others. Other people’s sin costs us; it hurts us. Each person’s choices affect everyone around them. The last reason is the fact that we live in a hopelessly broken world. This means that things don’t run the way that they’re supposed to run.

During these difficult times, who can fix these problems? Well, first off, God can forgive our wrong choices and help us get on the path of restoration, strength, and spiritual health. God can give us the ability to forgive others and become stronger as a result of pain others have caused. God can give us the ability to have power over the influence of this world. Once we find our source of comfort in God, we must help others do the same. We know our comfort is in Christ, so why wouldn’t we share that? When going through pain and suffering, to remain focused only on your own needs produces a self-absorbed person. The default of pain and suffering is to wall-up and shut down. The Biblical principle is to give away what you need most. If you need comfort, give comfort. It will be the last thing you want to do, but it’s powerful. It keeps you from being self-consumed.

Let me leave with you with one more thing. Some of you reading this may be going through a painful circumstance. 2 Corinthians 1:9 says that God is the God who raises the dead. Yes, He raises the physically dead, but also the emotionally and spiritually dead. Some of you may feel dead on the inside. Maybe something happened to you, and inwardly, you feel like you died. God raises the dead. Keep in mind during this journey, though, that one of the most major misconceptions is that once a person relies on God as the source, then all that person’s problems go away. Reality is the problem doesn’t go away, but God inside of you becomes bigger than the problem. God makes you strong. He gives you the ability and strength to walk a very difficult path, and God journeys with you. So my question is: who or what is your source? I deeply hope it’s the One who can provide all comfort.

The books of 1 and 2 Corinthians were written to a church in the city of Corinth during the New Testament days. So far, we know that the city of Corinth was full of all different types of races. Because of the immorality in which its people lived, it was a city that makes Las Vegas look like Disney World. The church in Corinth was having some struggles as they tried to live out what it really means to have faith in Christ. We talked about the disunity that was within their church the first week. The week after, we talked about what freedom in Christ really means; now that they were freed from sin, what did that really look like? This week we are covering chapters 8-14 of 1 Corinthians, and Paul talks about order. How do we maintain order in a service?

I love order. If things in my life are disorderly, I start to get stressed out a little. I really do. My office, car, and house—I like them all to be in perfect order, neat and clean. As we look at the section of Corinthians for this week, we find out that the Apostle Paul liked order also. But more importantly, God wants things to be in order. He created everything with exact precision to function a certain way. The creation and rhythms of life and nature show His order. God also wants order in His church.

Starting in chapter 8 of 1 Corinthians, Paul talks about order in worship, like food being offered to idols, which was a form of idol worship in that day. He goes into pagan worship, especially in Chapter 11, and how we, as Christ followers, are to abstain from worshipping foreign gods. He also talks about head coverings and hair lengths, which when we study the cultural context of his instructions, we learn that Paul addressed these issues so that those who visit the church would not be confused. While these specific instructions are not for us today, the principle definitely is: we are not to do anything in public worship that would cause confusion or distraction to others. Then comes chapters 12-14, and in these three chapters, Paul talks more about the Spirit of God than in any of his other letters. The Holy Spirit is one Person of the Trinity; the Trinity consists of God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is kind of hard to understand, because we in our finite minds cannot comprehend how three things can become one. As we get into these three chapters, 12-14, we need to remember that the Holy Spirit is a Person. He is a he, not an it.

Paul is correcting a church that is way out of balance. They were wrongly executing the gift of tongues. They were abusing a gift. The Corinthians were all gathering together and entering into fanatical worship that was chaotic, and they were all speaking in heavenly languages. Yet, there was no interpretation, so confusion reigned. Something interesting is that the pagan churches in Corinth also spoke in unintelligible utterances. Therefore, Paul brings the church into balance in chapters 12-14 by saying that they must discern between what is of the spirit and what is of the flesh. Paul discerns that the way you discern if something is legitimate is if it points back to Jesus; then it’s of the spirit. But if it doesn’t, it’s of the flesh. Thus, tongues itself is not evidence that the Holy Spirit is present. However, if the utterance is interpreted in intelligible language, and it is Christ-centered and Christ-glorifying, then it is of the Holy Spirit. Do you realize that the enemy can manufacture things also? Sometimes we chase powerful things or experience, so it is very important to discern between the spirit and the flesh. I heard this quote once: “What many times is started in the spirit, many times is ended in the flesh.” So Paul is saying not to chase some power or experience. Don’t just be going fanatical in some worship experience, because that’s out of order. All worship should not distract, and it should focus the attention on Jesus. Now remember, this refers to the gift of tongues in a corporate setting, not prayer languages that are used individually by each person during their own personal time with God.

Paul talks about several more gifts from the Holy Spirit, and we know from his writings that all are important and necessary. We could all become jealous of the gifts others have if we choose to, but because God is the One who puts gifts inside us, to be jealous is to find fault with God. Therefore, you will benefit most by finding out what you actually can do—the gifts God has given you—and doing it. In the end, this will benefit not only you, but everyone else as well.

The most important lesson Paul teaches us is in 1 Corinthians 13. When people focus on the power, they forget to love. But when people focus on love, they eventually are given power. Paul reminds us that prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! Therefore, it is love that creates order, and love that governs power.

We spent the last two days filming in the Miami area. Today we met Lindsey who runs Taylor’s Closet… a shop for foster girls where they can shop for free for new clothes…. pretty cool!

We headed to Simi Valley, CA to talk with Pastor Francis Chan of Cornerstone Church. This interview was to be our launch DVD for the entire “Where the Rubber Meets the Road” Life Group series and it hit the mark. Francis powerfully communicated what it mean to life a life of significance.

Phoenix…the land of sun and desert… Well, not exactly. We roll into town while they are having the worst rains in 20 years. A few tornados (microbursts) happened… making the time spent in the “valley of the sun” a little interesting. But at the end of the day, God gave us an amazing interview with Pastor Lee McFarland of Radiant Church. This interview will be something you long remember…

Life Group series, “Where the Rubber Meets the Road” (Discovering God’s significance in everyday life) launches Feb 21. Get in a life group and get ready!

Every adventure needs a sweet ride….

Landed in Tulsa… Met up with the crew that is driving across the nation to film some individuals with very powerful stories. We are all looking for significance… I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t want their life to amount to something. However, where do you find significance? Real significance? The kind of significance that God would give and be a part of?

So the journey begins… Where the Rubber Meets the Road. Talking to people about how they have found God’s kind of significance right in the middle of normal, every day life.

Ok, here we go again embarking on another amazing journey.  Over the next two weeks, we will be filming all the footage for the Winter/Spring Life Group series that is launching February 21.  This year is going to be like none other as we are traveling around the nation, interviewing some incredible people and asking the question, “How do you find significance in everyday life?”  In other words, how do you live in middle of God’s purpose while doing life, paying bills, raising kids, going to school, trying to make ends meet, etc?  (Right where you live everyday!)

Follow along for the next two weeks for a behind-the-scenes sneak-peek at “Where the Rubber Meets the Road.”  (A discussion about finding God and significance in everyday life.”

At Rockford First, we have discovered that many people are at one of the following stages in their spiritual journey…

Exploring Christ:

“I believe in God (I think) but I am not sure about Jesus Christ.  My faith is not a significant part of my life.”

Growing in Christ:

“I believe in Jesus and I am working on what it means to get to know him.  I am in relationship with God by grace and through forgiveness.”

Close to Christ:

“I feel close to Jesus and depend on the Holy Spirit daily for guidance.

Christ-Centered:

“My relationship with Jesus is the most important relationship in my life.  My relationship with God and his Word guides everything I do.”

Wherever you are at, we are excited to on the journey with you!  See you Sunday!

Pastor Jeremy

RMC turns 17 this year and God has given us an amazing season of discipleship, ministry, evangelism, creative communications, and relationship throughout these many years. Over 1200 young adults have gone through a year of focusing on God and are now all over this world. It has been my prayer since 1993 to see God develop world-changers and use them in all walks of life. He has answered my prayers. This present class is no different. With over 120 people here from all over the world, RMC is the strongest it has ever been.

I wanted you to know that after much prayer, planning, and strategic thinking, we have decided to reinvent the Rockford Master’s Commission in the fall of 2010. Since RMC’s inception in 1993, much has changed in culture, ministry, and post-high school education. RMC has been evolving throughout the years to keep up and even lead some of this change. However, God has challenged me to reinvent the program as we head into the next 17 years.

The leadership of RMC and myself have prayerfully decided to change the name of the Rockford Master’s Commission and revisit the core values and beliefs with which we started the program 17 years ago. We are narrowing our focus to that of a young adult giving one year of their life to be shaped by God. Through mentoring, prayer, understanding of the Bible, involvement in the ministries of Rockford First, evangelism, serving, and missions, I believe young adults can gain a focus before going onto higher education, internships, or wherever the Lord leads them. We are stripping away much of the added activity, albeit positive, to really concentrate a student’s year on God, the direction of their career, and the mission of their life.

We will encourage students to come to this new program for ONLY one year before launching into their educational journey. A total overhaul to the academia and methodology will narrow the focus of our efforts. The integration of the students into the church will be stronger than ever in the history of RMC. We are prayerfully designing a life-changing year, which I believe will take this ministry to a whole new level. Also, at the end of the year, we will help students with their next step of education so that the transition is seamless.

I firmly believe that these changes we are putting into play will provide more momentum to a ministry that God is already blessing. Another item that needs to be emphasized is even though RMC is refocusing, it will still have the same original core values that we have had since 1993. In fact, this change will cause us to focus more intently on those core values.Lastly, as a RMC Partner, you still are connected to this new season. Though the name is changing, that does not mean we leave all the past memories, relationships, victories, and momentum behind us.  Therefore, Partners correspondence, Alumni get-togethers, reunions, and program anniversaries will still be planned and celebrated.

The need for this new focus is important! The change that is happening in the world all around us is mandating that we must give young adults an opportunity to focus on God, direction, and mission for their lives. This year of focus will empower students with a perspective they cannot gain outside of a time of uninterrupted connection with their Creator.

I am asking that you join me in prayer throughout the next year. Rockford Master’s Commission is changing…changing for the better and for the future. Thousands of young adults will come to Rockford before launching into life. one year of focus. a lifetime of purpose.

With Excitement,

Jeremy DeWeerdt