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Come to the Table
Standing at the Table of Communion tonight… I recall that long ago, in the Garden of Eden, our forebears, Adam and Eve, lived and walked in perfect communion with God. They enjoyed beautiful fellowship with their Holy Creator in His perfect oasis.
But we walked away. Adam and Eve turned their backs on God and rebelled against His guidance for life. They disbelieved God and instead believed Satan, personified as that “serpent of old,” who schemed to bring chaos to God’s created order (Revelation 12:9).
We proclaimed we wanted to do life our way, not God’s way. We rejected God’s truth and called Him a liar.
Our sin cut us off from God, but it was our own doing, our own rebellion, and now the shame of sin taunts and haunts all who remain separate from the God of all love and grace. The shame and guilt of pride, envy, lust, anger, hate, profanity, and violence now seems to control. Nothing we can do or say or work toward can take away the shame of our sin and restore the relationship. Separate. Lost.
Shocking Grace
But God the Father stepped in, by His grace, with His rescue plan through Christ the Son.
God came to us. (John 1:14)
Fast forward to the Last Supper where God the Son was again communing with mankind at the Passover meal on the eve of His crucifixion.
Jesus the Christ, God-Incarnate, knew what was in the heart of every man (see John 2:24-25). He knew full well that Judas would betray Him for a mere 30 pieces of silver, the recompense price for a dead slave. And yet at the Last Supper, Jesus shows a shocking picture of grace – underserved, unearned kindness toward Judas.
Let’s take a look at the scene in John 13:21-30:
When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.” The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking. There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. So Simon Peter *gestured to him, and *said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking.”
He, leaning back thus on Jesus’ bosom, *said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus then *answered, “That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.” So when He had dipped the morsel, He *took and *gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus *said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”
Now no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him. For some were supposing, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we have need of for the feast”; or else, that he should give something to the poor. So after receiving the morsel he went out immediately; and it was night.
Most of you are familiar with Da Vinci’s famous painting, The Last Supper. Beautiful as it is, the seating arrangement and table setup do not at all resemble the original setting:
Instead, in first-century culture the table would have been close to the ground with the guests laying next to it with their feet away from the table, leaning on their left arm and eating with their right hand.
Further biblical evidence shows that Jesus was seated in the place of the host, with John at his right (leaning back to talk with Jesus, cf. John 13:22, 24), Peter in the lowest seat of honor (John 13:23), and Judas in the highest seat of honor (Jn. 13:26).
How so? As the host, Jesus would have dipped the morsel of bread or meat into a sauce and, as a sign of honor and love, served it to the person seated directly to his left (see v. 26-27).
And this turns out to be Judas. Shocking.
Peter, seated across the table (v. 24), saw something going on and quickly grappled for information. But no one picked up on what only Jesus and Judas knew. (v. 28-29)
Even to the betrayer, Judas, filled with inexcusable greed, malicious intent, and secretive scheming… Jesus extends grace.
We may find it all-too-easy to say, “I’m better than Judas. No way I’d ever succumb to that kind of greed and unbelief!”
You and I might retort, “I’d never respond like Peter in the face of fear and deny Jesus three times.”
Yet all the disciples responded in kind:
“Peter said to Him, ‘Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.’ All the disciples said the same thing too.” (Matthew 26:33-35)
I’m that Betrayer
And deep in my heart I know I’m one who has chosen greed or giving, fear over faith, pride over humility, complacency over co-mission, lust over love, the path of death instead of the way of life… … all far too many times than I dare count.
I am that betrayer, Judas.
In the face of uncertainty, confusion, and fear, I am that denier, Peter.
Yet Jesus offers grace at the Table.
Judas rejected Jesus. Peter, John, James, and the rest of the rag-tag crew received grace upon grace in Jesus.
Q: What about you?
John the apostle would later write:
“He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. . . . For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” (John 1:11-12, 16)
So how about you? Jesus is inviting you to come to His Table, to come join the sinners who have been redeemed. …Take your place beside the Savior.
Sit down and be set free. Come to the Table.
We who were separate – distant – carrying the weight of our guilt and shame because of our own sinful rebellion against the holy and loving God, are called to come to the Table. We are invited into the Family, to have a seat by the Savior-Rescuer-Friend.
And His Table is a living metaphor, a symbol of what Christ accomplished to bring us home and into His family:
“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God…” (1 Peter 3:18a)
See His Love
Christ – the eternal God-man – carrying the crushing weight of a crossbeam all the way to Golgotha’s hill for you and for me.
As the cat-of-nine-tails whip lacerated his back
As the crown of jagged thorns cut into his skull
As the nails smashed into his hands and feet
As the spear pierced his stomach and intestines
As the weight of His body suffocated his lungs
…He breathed his last breath and endured it all out of love for you and me.
He is inviting you tonight to receive the symbol of bread for His body and the cup for His blood.
By receiving communion you are saying, “I believe Jesus Christ died for me. I have placed total trust in His death as the Way to Life forever in God’s family and forgiveness of all my sin – past, present and future. I know I cannot save myself through good behavior of any measure, but only through receiving the free gift salvation in Christ (see Romans 6:23) can I be rescued and redeemed.”
If you have not taken the step to receive the gift of rescue from sin through personal faith in Jesus Christ, we ask that you refrain from coming to the table. Our communion at Christ’s Table is for all who have believed and received His grace (no matter your church or background).
But instead of refraining from receiving communion, why don’t you believe and receive Christ right now? Believe in Him tonight. Receive life everlasting with God.
Come to the Table. Be Welcomed into God’s family.
Forever.
Here’s Sidewalk Prophets’ poignant anthem calling you to come to the table:
Michael Breznau | Good Friday 2018 | delivered at Mayfair Bible Church of Michigan
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What is Maundy Thursday?
On this rather cold, cloudy, and rainy March afternoon, I’m reminded of the dark, omnious day nearly 2,000 years ago when Jesus the Son took our place on the cross, dying the death we deserved as the perfect Lamb of God. Through His blood, we receive mercy, the atonement for sin, and life forever in communion with God.
We rejoice in this good news with the apostle Paul, who wrote:
“When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-14)
Tomorrow is Good Friday, a pivotal day of remembrance on the calendar for God’s redeemed people. We will gather at 6pm @ Mayfair Bible Church for a brief yet poignant reflection on the sacrificial death of Jesus the Christ. We hope and pray your schedule allows you to join with us as we sing, pray, hear from God’s Word, and receive the Lord’s Supper together.
Here’s my latest Q & A video:
What is Maundy Thursday?
Last week, I drove by a church sign that outlined a schedule for Maundy Thursday. Now, I’ve heard excerpts and comments about Maundy Thursday over the years. But as one raised in a non-denominational evangelical church, this particular calendar event usually skipped right by us without so much as a passing nod.
Some of you may have been raised in churches where Maundy Thursday or “Holy Thursday” (as some call it) was common practice. But I think for you and I alike, the rather deep meaning and significance of this holiday probably breezed by.
The rather peculiar word “Maundy” is derived from the Latin word Mandatum, which means “commandment.” This refers to the key instructions Jesus gave to His disciples at the close of the Last Supper on Thursday evening:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
Jesus was preparing to display the immeasurable depth and grandeur of God’s love through dying in our place on the cross. He continued to elaborate on this love in His Upper Room teaching:
“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13)
Throughout church history, Christians have remembered this important command of Christ on the eve of His crucifixion by celebrating Maundy Thursday. Most often, a more informal celebration of the Lord’s Supper is a part of this worship gathering. Some churches also hold foot-washing ceremonies, as well, to recall the picture of self-sacrificial service Christ modeled for His disciples.
Although we here at Mayfair are not holding a formal Maundy Thursday gathering, I encourage you to take a moment to read through Chapter 13 of the Gospel of John, as you prepare for our communion gathering on Good Friday.
See you on Friday… and Sunday!
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Standing at My Altar
Today’s article is a guest post from Lori Visser, a member of Mayfair Bible Church, where I serve as Lead Pastor. Lori is a devoted Christ-follower, an artistically talented writer, and a vivacious mother and grandmother. Her wonderful sense of humor is coupled with a deep humility and love for God.
On her Facebook profile she defines her motto as: “Nisi dominus frustra.” This unique Latin phrase is a truncated version of the first line of Psalm 127: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” One might roughly translate it as, “Without the Lord, frustration.”
I recommend this honest, heart-moving piece to you:
Standing at My Altar
While standing at my altar, I was thinking how easy it is to forget…
I have stewed over the fact that my life and body have been sacrificed too many times, even for good things. For instance, I literally gave up space inside my body three times to allow three other little bodies to grow there. On the “not so good” side, I had to sacrifice my breast to conquer cancer. I sacrificed my thyroid to conquer the ravages of Graves’ disease.
I sacrificed ease of life and often my own sense of mental well being to comfort or help others in need. I have sacrificed my own ideas and plans about how my life should be. I have stood before this great altar many times, watching it smoldering; so much going up in smoke.
It is always sobering standing there.
Often I stand amazed as I realize how Jesus has brought me through it all. I am reminded God has a good plan for me, and that it all has a purpose. I wish I could say that is how I feel every single time, but that wouldn’t be true at all. Often I go there just to tell Jesus how sad or disappointed I am. It’s okay. He can take it. He always listens to my rants.
But sometimes I foolishly walk away from those rants without letting His love wash over me, refreshing and reminding me of His goodness. It’s a stupid way to walk away from the altar. It leads to nothing more than the same sense of sadness and disappointment with which I came there.
Today I wasn’t stupid. I decided to stay there and let Him wash me. I asked Him if all the sacrifice would be worth it. The Holy Spirit spoke into my own spirit, letting me know that it most assuredly would be.
Then He quietly but clearly reminded me of Jesus’ sacrifice. I remembered that He gave up everything. Everything. I pictured Him leaving glory. He sacrificed the perfection of heaven, and for nine months took up space inside of a young girl. A young girl, by the way, who said, “yes” to God, having no idea what her sacrifice would mean for herself, and an entire world.
Spring forward to Jesus’ misunderstood ministry. Even though it took the resurrection for them to completely understand, the disciples said yes. They gave up the plan for their lives and followed Jesus… even to death. Was their sacrifice worth it? Of course it was.
And as I stood at my great big smoldering altar, I remembered. Jesus gave up everything for me. Everything. He gave up glory; ease; riches; his body; his life. He sacrificed it all for me. For you. For everyone. He said, “yes,” and didn’t look back…
…even when He was sweating out blood.
When He was being beaten.
When He was feeling alone.
When He was being pierced.
When He was naked and dying on a shameful cross.
And you know what? It was worth it.
And so I stand now, before my puny looking altar, which just a few moments ago looked so large and smokey, and in it I see the Refiner’s fire. As the smoke wafts its way up, I see it like incense filled with smells that bring joy to my Savior, Healer, Redeemer and Friend, and I feel washed.
And it’s all worth it.
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” (Romans 12:1)
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My Prayer for You + Week In-Review
On this rainy Friday afternoon, I’m impressed with the need to pray for you, both individually and collectively. Below is my prayer for you, as well as three “Week In-Review” news items that I believe will interest you and benefit your walk with Jesus Christ.
My Prayer For You…
Oh grace-giving and faithful Father in heaven,
Thank you for loving us with the depth and unblemished quality of love that you would send your Son Jesus Christ to buy us back from the marketplace of sin and death. I praise you for bringing us into new life through Your Son and giving us a living and assured hope for eternity. Thank you for pouring out abundant and unstoppable grace on our lives, so much that our hearts overflow with gratitude to You and love toward others.
I ask that You, by the power of the Holy Spirit, would prepare the people of Mayfair for action on Your mission. Guard us against the temptations and allurements of the world system. Keep our teachers and leaders grounded in purity of life and doctrine. Continue to progressively develop us into people that reflect the life of Jesus Christ. Unify us in mind and heart and mission – to the praise of Your glorious grace. Amplify the message and mercy of Your Son Jesus through our interactions at work, among friends, and within our neighborhoods.
I pray that You will focus our mind’s attention and our heart’s affection on the hope of eternity so that we live today on the path of Your agenda, rather than our own ambition. Open our eyes to see past our busyness to the lost, hurting, and empty lives around us. Open our hearts to ache with compassion for the masses who are outside of your love, light, and life. Open our hands to reach with mercy to help the needy with the money, food, or clothing You have given us to use for Your name, not our gain.
As we gather on Sunday to worship You…
May our singing bring you delight,
May our praying be honest, not trite, and
May our teaching bear fruit in life…
To you, our Father, through Jesus Christ the Son, and by the power of the Spirit, I pray this prayer, Amen.
Week In-Review
- This past Wednesday marked the passing of Billy Graham at 99 years of age. In an age of scandal and compromise, he remained faithful to his family, Christ, and the simplicity of the Gospel. By God’s grace, He finished well. While we would likely differ with him on some points, there is no doubt that He was used by God to draw millions of people to faith in Christ. Here’s what he said we should think when we hear this news: “Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.” I encourage to read Dr. Russell Moore’s piece on the life and legacy of Bill Graham: Billy Graham Bore Witness for 99 Years.
- Last week I wrote an article containing my pastoral reflections on the tragic school shooting in Parkland, Florida: “My wife and I are in deep sadness over the death of 17 students and teachers in Parkland, Florida at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. We’re also grieved by the fact that the gunman, Nikolas Cruz, had a long history of mental illness and had been diagnosed with autism. Reports show he regularly faced rejection from classmates and neighbors. Every part of this story is incredibly sad and heart-wrenching. But while many will weigh-in to talk about political, legal, and psychological factors, I want to go back to a foundational issue, which is actually theological…”. continuing reading by click HERE: Shun the Violence.
- 75 years ago yesterday, a brother and sister were murdered by Hitler’s regime in Munich, Germany for standing up for Christian truth and justice. 18 year-old author, Sara Barratt writes, “They risked and lost, fought and failed, but not without leaving a lasting imprint. Their names were Hans and Sophie Scholl. . . . they formed the White Rose, a student-led resistance movement…. May their spirit live on in our generation, as we—to quote Sophie—’stand up for what [we] believe in, even if it means standing alone.’ ” Continue reading their powerful story HERE: The Incredible Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl
See you Sunday, Mayfair Bible Church family! Pssssst… We’re kicking off the 9:30am service with a baptism!
In Christ Alone,
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Shun the Violence
My wife and I are in deep sadness over the death of 17 students and teachers in Parkland, Florida at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
We’re also grieved by the fact that the gunman, Nikolas Cruz, had a long history of mental illness and had been diagnosed with autism. Reports show he regularly faced rejection from classmates and neighbors.
Every part of this story is incredibly sad and heart-wrenching.
But while many will weigh-in to talk about political, legal, and psychological factors, I want to go back to a foundational issue, which is actually theological.
We live in a culture that not only allows but promotes and glorifies violence. The quantity of horror movies pouring out of Hollywood is frightening. Redbox, Netflix, and Hulu “blood and gore” film options abound. The gaming industry is filled with products that give players points for extreme violence, murder, and rape. Even the clothing and music industries proliferate gang-culture.
In a sad twist of irony, one student who survived the shooting in Parkland told a reporter, “It was really bad. We knew this wasn’t a drill. . . . It seemed like it was out of a video game.”
To make matters worse, many families who confess to be Christians not only accept but purchase and enjoy these products of our violent culture. They may even shame those who disagree with their favorite forms of entertainment.
So why should we wonder when criminal violence and vitriol is skyrocketing?
Yet God’s Word is clear: “The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence His soul hates.” (Psalm 11:5)
The heart of God is actively opposed to those who enjoy violence.
Some will immediately object, “But what about war violence?” Yet I have met numerous military veterans who don’t wish to talk for one minute about the actual violence they had to endure for the sake of peace. Some men I know are seriously traumatized by some of the war films produced today. Why? Because they know the real-life consequences of war. It’s not through a screen and portrayed on a set for them.
It’s time for God’s people to repent of soaking in and approving of our culture of violence. It’s time for Christians everywhere to stand up and say, “No more. Not in my house. Not on my watch.”
As we pray for those grieving the loss of their loved ones, let us also pray for an awakening across our nation to the Gospel of Christ, which alone produces the lasting fruit of peace, righteousness, and justice.
Will you join me?
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Shifting Seasons
The great snowstorm of 2018 has now come and gone, and today feels like spring when compared to the sub-zero temperatures of January.
Yesterday afternoon, Hudson squinted up into the sky and proclaimed to our little daughter, “Hey Everlynn! Winter is over! It’s warm and I can see the sun!”
“Not quite,” I remarked, much to Hudson’s chagrin. But winter is definitely receding. Within several weeks we may see crocuses begin to emerge from the frosty ground with their cheerful blossoms. A warm breeze will melt away the icy wind. Cool April showers will bring forth life hidden dormant within.
The shifting of the seasons reminds me of God’s enduring faithfulness. The shadows of the night turn to the bright rays of dawn. The barrenness of winter is broken by the efflorescence of spring. The grief and angst of Good Friday rolled away on Resurrection Sunday. Therefore, we know the sorrows of this life will be eclipsed by resurrection life in the age to come.
In the middle of a dark season, Jeremiah recalled God’s immovable, irrevocable love:
“Remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and bitterness. Surely my soul remembers and is bowed down with me. This I recall to mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s loving-kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I have hope in Him.’ ” (Lamentations 3:19-24)
God is faithful in His love toward us through every season of life. God does not forget about spring in the middle of winter. God continues His good plan of grace when discouraging storms cause us to twist in the wind.
What type of season are you in right now?
Does it feel like winter in your soul? Are you enjoying a spring-like mountaintop moment with God? In every season, lean into the steadfast love of God in Christ.
Trust that the One who carefully arranges fall, winter, spring, and summer also watches over us and guides us with His good plan. In winter-like storms, Charles Spurgeon said, “I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me against the Rock of Ages.” Lean into His faithful arms. He is never letting go.
In Christ Alone,
Our New Sermon Series Launch @ Mayfair Bible Church
Q: What’s the most dangerous and destructive element invading the collective worship of God’s people? A particular music style? The absence of organ offertories? Casual apparel? Weak lyrics? Overuse of technology?
A: Believing it’s all about me, myself, and I. My preferences. My likes. My dislikes. My feeding. This erroneous theology plays out in all kinds of heteropraxy – bad behavior, bad believing, and bad “worship.”
Yet we’re all prone to this destructive, anti-gospel perspective. So what does God provide as a guide for authentic, Christ-exalting worship? Join us this Sunday at 9:30am as we launch a new series in First Corinthians called “Worship… through the Lens of Love” where we’ll discover the compass that redirects the focus of our worship as God’s people. We’ll also be kicking-off our 5-week New Connections class at 11:10 with “Pizza with the Pastors.” I can’t wait!
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Prayer isn’t a Post-it Note
Dear Mayfair Bible Church,
Wow… time rapidly coasts by when you’re having fun! I’ve so deeply enjoyed preaching God’s life-changing Word over these past five weeks together. I praise the Lord for the insatiable hunger He has given you for the Scriptures. And I give thanks to Christ for His love at work in and through you. My heart was also overwhelmed with joy this past Sunday night when so many of you returned to engage in prayers of confession, intercession, and praise. For those of you who missed our Church-Wide Call to Prayer event, you may click HERE to access our 2018 Prayer Guide.
Undoubtedly, we all desire to move forward into greater Christ-likeness and spiritual maturity in 2018. Yet the only way we will move forward, both individually and collectively, is on our knees in fervent prayer. In E.M. Bounds’ pithy book, The Power of Prayer, he reminds us:
“Paul lived on his knees, that the Ephesian Church might measure the heights, breadths, and depths of an unmeasurable saintliness, and ‘be filled with all the fullness of God. . . .
The praying which makes a prayerful ministry is not a little praying put in as we put flavor to give it a pleasant smack, but the praying must be in the body, and form the blood and bones. Prayer is no petty duty, put into a corner; no piecemeal performance made out of the fragments of time which have been snatched from business and other engagements of life; but it means that the best of our time, the heart of our time and strength must be given.”
For this reason, God is pressing on my soul to call all of us (myself included) to devoted, persevering prayer. Prayer is the beginning, the middle, and the end of every other outflow of faith. All ministry, work, and service must come out of an intimate relationship with God and prayer is the source of that communion (see James 1:5; 5:13-16).
The most vital work is not first serving, teaching, preaching, exhorting, evangelizing, giving, or even Bible reading (all good things) – but prayer! Prayer must preface, saturate, and finish all we do as Christians. Prayer isn’t merely the bookends or a magnet on the fridge of the Christian life. It’s the foundation. Prayer is the way we put on the armor of God, and how we are empowered by God and obedient to God (see Ephesians 6:18-19).
In James chapter 5, we discover 6 key reasons why we should pray (though the Bible is filled with hundreds of reasons why we should pray). Here are the six:
1. Prayer changes our perspective (5:13a; cf. 1:5)
2. Prayer leads to praise (5:13b; cf. Acts 16:22-26)
3. Prayer restores the sick (5:14-15)
4. Prayer demonstrates our faith (5:15a)
5. Prayer results in forgiveness (5:15b-16a)
6. Prayer unleashes God’s power (5: 16b-18; cf. 1 Kgs. 8:42)
So let us pray. I ask that you continue to uphold all your elders and deacons – and the rest of Mayfair Bible Church – in your prayers. Someone once wisely quipped, “A family that prays together, stays together.” And undoubtedly, the local church is a family. So let’s devote ourselves to prayer for one another and for those without Christ in our community.
Going forward, keep on the lookout for a new, private Facebook Group called “Mayfair @ Prayer” which will help all of us stay tuned to prayer needs within the church family. We’ll also be holding the REFOCUS Prayer gathering each Wednesday from 7-8 pm and scheduling other times of corporate prayer. May God’s grace and truth be displayed in all we do!
In Christ Alone,
Share the video below with your friends and family to invite them to REFOCUS:
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Dear Mayfair Bible Church…
On December 3rd, I accepted the call to serve as Lead Pastor for Mayfair Bible Church of Flushing, Michigan. Our hearts are overwhelmed with praise to God. Below is a short video we produced and letter I’ve written to the wonderful flock at Mayfair.
Dear Mayfair Bible Church,
My family and I are so thrilled and grateful for the privilege of joining the Mayfair family. I praise God for you and for the clear call to serve as your lead under-shepherd, as we follow the Chief Shepherd together. God’s providential direction was so evident to us throughout the process of interviewing and candidating and I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God has led us to where we are today. Thank you for persistently praying in faith for God’s will to be done.
Your generosity and thoughtfulness amazes us! We were overwhelmed with joy by the eager crowd of new friends who helped us move our belongings into our new home, which God amazingly provided for us. And, again, tears of happiness filled our eyes as we received the “shower” of gift cards, greetings, flowers, cookies, and so many other beautiful Christmas gifts. From our family to yours: thank you.
We excitedly look forward to serving alongside you in the mission of the Gospel. Our hearts are filled with anticipation for what we’ll see God do among us and in our community to the praise of His glory.
My central aim as your pastor will be to boldly preach God’s Word and graciously love God’s people. I look forward to leading the flock toward the healing balm of God’s grace and guiding you on God’s mission.
As we step forward together, here are the five primary ministry functions I desire to keep in view as a pastor:
- Pray that God will guide us toward becoming more like Jesus Christ.
- Preach the Word with accuracy, grace, and authority through the power of the Spirit, so that lives are changed for God’s glory.
- Lead in love by building personal relationships with individuals, ministry teams, and families, so to care for the flock with humility and courage.
- Reach out to the broken, hurting, and spiritually lost in our community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ – and influence MBC to do the same.
- Learn by listening to your stories and the story of Mayfair Bible Church’s past history of Gospel ministry.
I want you to know that I do not take the call of God lightly or tritely. Serving as an under-shepherd under the Great Shepherd of the sheep is a serious and crucial responsibility (1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Timothy 3:1-8; Titus 1:1-9; Hebrews 13:17-18). For this reason, I ask that you continue to uphold me – and the rest of Mayfair Bible Church – in your prayers. Someone once wisely quipped, “A family that prays together, stays together.” And undoubtedly, the local church is a family. So let’s devote ourselves to prayer for one another and for those without Christ in our community. May God’s grace and truth be displayed in all we do!
Love in Christ,
Mayfair Bible Church | 5339 W. Pierson Rd. Flushing, MI 48433 | (810) 733-7130
Mayfair Bible Church: December 2017
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Giving Thanks To…
Dear Family and Friends,
From our family to yours… we thank God for each one of you. Your constant love, encouragement, and prayers are an ever-present source of joy to us.
Over the past twelve months of family and ministry life, you’ve journeyed alongside us as I (Michael) traveled for out-of-country missions work not once, but three times (to Mexico and India). Many of you physically and financially helped the five of us move from Michigan to North Carolina. You laughed with Stephanie and I as our kiddos cracked hilarious jokes. You rejoiced with us as God provided me with the ministry role of Staff Pastor for LifeChange Action. You prayed for gospel fruitfulness and, in turn, praised Christ with me as we saw several adults come to saving faith in Christ. For these and so many other reasons, we give thanks to God for you.
“Why do people think Thanksgiving is all about eating turkey, Papa?” Hudson remarked. Our inquisitive little man looked into my eyes with a concerned gaze as his giant bowl of oatmeal grew cold.
“Well Hudson, most people know the basic story of Thanksgiving Day as a piece of history. But, today, many don’t seem to think about why we celebrate this holiday and specifically to whom we are giving thanks.” I responded.
“Yeah, Papa… I know what Thanksgiving is all about. And it’s NOT about turkey!” Hudson declared with a professorial tone.
___________________________
For Christians, there is always a direct object to our praise and thanksgiving. God is the object to which all our thankfulness is directed because we recognize that all good things come from Him. James 1:27 reminds us:
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”
So during this Thanksgiving weekend let’s not merely say “I’m thankful” but direct our thankfulness to the One from whom all good things flow. Here’s how the psalmist focused His thanks and praise toward God:
“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary and gathered from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.” (Psalm 107:1-3)
This Thanksgiving, Stephanie and I are lifting up loud praise to God for our three beautiful, growing children: Hudson (8), Everlynn (5), and Carson (1). God is continually using them to teach and shape us in the grace of Christ. They explode with uncanny original thoughts and perspectives. And their zest for life sweeps across every room they enter. Here are our three little treasures:
Love in Christ,
The Breznau Family
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Feeding the Monster
Our daughter Everlynn darted down the hallway shouting, “Hudson says there’s a monster in his closet! Ahhhh!!!” Underneath her playful shrieking hid an impish grin.
“Hudson…” I said wearily. “There’s no monster in your room, buddy.”
“But Papa! You need to come and look! I think I heard something!” Hudson declared.
I strolled into his room to find him cowering in the far corner of his bed. The closet door, of course, was swung wide open. I peeked inside to appear as if I was a TSA officer on monster patrol doing a routine scan.
“Nope. No monsters, Hudson. You can go to sleep now.” I said, matter of fact.
“But buuut, I think it now went in the bathroom shower,” Hudson remarked. Ultimately, we scanned and confirmed that Hudson’s general living space was monster-free. And eventually he drifted off to sleep.
Our Monsters
Yet many of us adults (and teens, too) have a monster we rather like to coddle and feed on a regular basis. His name? Harry Ego Monster. Or perhaps her name is Penelope Popularity Monster. Parker Pride Monster? Take your pick.
In the age of social media you and I are easily entrapped into feeding this insidious monster. We begin to, perhaps, subconsciously act on this line of thinking:
“If I write something witty or funny or wise, people will like it. People will respond and I’ll get attention. I’ll have a reputation…a position. I might even trend. I can score popularity points through my intellect or by sharing meaningless memes or saying things that spark controversy. Just think of all the friends and ‘likes’ I’ll get.”
So we tap and chew away on our devices like a squirrel clutching a tasty nut in January.
All of this feeds the monster of our own ego, selfish conceit, and a religiously concealed penchant for vainglory.
Now please don’t plug your ears yet. I don’t think there’s anything inherently wrong with writing something witty or funny or wise on Facebook. Posting a happy picture on Instagram or tweeting a phrase that may encourage someone’s heart is perfectly acceptable.
But in all of this we must ask ourselves: what is my motive? If we don’t probe our souls, we are in continual danger of feeding the monster. King Solomon reminds us, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23; NASB)
And the monster only grows larger. The more we feed the monster, the more the monster wants more. Soon we live entrapped in a conceited cellar with a ballooning beast nobody really would like to live with except, of course, ourselves.
A steep precipice of consequences lies ahead as we feed the monster. Yet I fear many of us (myself included) are too busy stuffing Harry Ego’s face to see we’re headed off a cliff. The monster’s bad cholesterol will ostracize people who love us, generally annoy many of our friends, and make us so centered on ourselves that we forget about everyone else (even when they’re sitting two feet away).
However, more than all of this, feeding this monster damages our relationship with God; it’s not in keeping with His character, and it preoccupies our mind with self rather than Christ. The number one danger of social media is that it can become a narcissistic pool in which all of us stare gazing at the supposed beauty of our own reflection, our own insights, and our own popularity, all quantified by how many people like our page or interact with our posts. Such utter nonsense! What damaging sin. What could be further from the character of Christ?
Like a giant rock thrown into that pond (or at the monster), these Spirit-inspired words from the apostle Paul jolt our attention:
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus…
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” (Philippians 2:3-5; 4:8)
Know this, I personally stand in just as much danger of falling prey to the monster as anyone else. I’ve found myself in this ego entrapment more times than I would like to admit.
As a pastor or public speaker we might be even more prone to the monstrous beast than many people in other professions. We often quantify our innate valuation by numbering how many complements and positive comments we receive after a morning worship service or by how many views we get on our YouTube channel…. or how many people seem to appreciate our fan page.
As our eyeballs stare at the monster to feed it and feed it some more, our heart-focus turns away from the crucified and risen Christ, who died to set us free from this all-consuming, soul-destroying sin.
So how will I slay the monster today? How might you starve the monster this week?
Oh Lord, judge our motives, know the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. Reveal to us our sin so that we may readily repent. May every word we say, every action we take, every thought we think be guided by the character of Christ through the power of the Spirit. Tune our souls to sing your praise with a never ceasing adoration of the Son, to the honor of your glorious grace. Amen.
