Pastor Gunderman’s Blog

Are You Building on a Campsite?

June 3rd, 2008

If you’ve ever been camping you know that the size and amenities of recreational vehicles has come a long way from the old canvas tent! “Roughing it” now means having the fuse blow on your microwave while you’re trying to watch the television under the canopy! But even the most elaborate motorhome or trailer is still designed to be temporary, a compact version of the creature comforts of home. We wouldn’t think of hauling in a load of 2×4’s and plywood to build a cabin on a campsite. Campsites are temporary, campsites are not home.

In his first letter to the scattered Christians living in the area now know as northern Turkey, Peter called his readers “resident aliens.” (1 Peter 1:1) He goes on to encourage them with the good news that, although at the present time they were distressed by various trials, “the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” (1:7). Throughout the rest of the book he constantly reminds them that they are not home in Turkey, home is heaven. They are just “camping.” They are just “resident aliens.”

This same thought could just as easily be applied to Christians living in West Michigan. Even though at the present time we are distressed with rising unemployment, crime, cancer, heart failure, and death, we should not be undone as if this campsite is home. Too often we view the discouraging events of the present life as if this life were all there is. We discount the value of heaven and elevate the value of earth. Such a preoccupation with the things of this world will inevitably lead to frustration and discouragement.

What we need is a different, a heavenly, point of view. In Hebrews 12:2 we read “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Did you see that? Jesus conquered the cross because He set His eyes on the joy set before Him when He would sit at the Father’s right hand. He viewed His life on earth as “camping out” and so wasn’t disappointed when the crowds didn’t immediately recognize His deity and fall at His feet in worship. Jesus kept His eyes on home, and as a result, even the cross wasn’t enough to keep Him from joy.

So how about you, my friend? Have you been worried about all the people on the prayer list with cancer? Have you lost sleep because people you love are moving away to find work? Have you been troubled by the early passing of friends and loved ones? Are you struggling because life here isn’t matching up with the pictures in Better Homes and Gardens or People Magazine? Don’t confuse life here, with the promises of a perfect life in Heaven. Remember, you’re living on a campsite, don’t get caught building your hopes on sand.

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“Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” is a must see movie for students

April 23rd, 2008

Last Saturday my wife Sue and I viewed the movie Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. The movie is produced by Premise Media and stars Ben Stein. According to a press release from the movie’s web site “Ben Stein, the lovable, monotone teacher from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and The Wonder Years is on a journey to answer one of the biggest questions ever asked: Were we designed or are we simply the end result of an ancient mud puddle struck by lightning? Stein, who is also a lawyer, an economist, a former presidential speechwriter, author and social commentator, is stunned by what he finds on his journey. He discovers an elitist scientific establishment that has traded in its skepticism for dogma. But even worse, along the way, Stein uncovers a long line of biologists, astronomers, chemists and philosophers who have had their reputations destroyed and their careers ruined by a scientific establishment that allows absolutely no dissent from Charles Darwin’s theory of random mutation and natural selection.

“Big Science in this area of biology has lost its way,” says Stein. “Scientists are supposed to be allowed to follow the evidence wherever it may lead, no matter what the implications are. Freedom of inquiry has been greatly compromised, and this is not only anti-American, it’s anti-science. Its anti-the whole concept of learning.”

Expelled uncovers that educators and scientists are being ridiculed, denied tenure and even fired in some cases for the fact that they believe there is evidence of “design” in nature, challenging the idea that life is a result of random chance. For example, Stein meets Richard Sternberg, a double PhD Biologist who allowed a peer-reviewed research paper describing the evidence for intelligence in the universe to be published in the scientific journal Proceedings. Not long after publication, officials from the National Center for Science Education and the Smithsonian Institution where Sternberg was a research fellow began a coordinated smear and intimidation campaign to get the promising young scientist expelled from his position. This attack on scientific freedom was so egregious that it prompted a congressional investigation.”

I tend to be cautious about the claims movie producers make for their movies, but in this case, having watched the film, I can honestly say that Stein and his crew have succeeded in making a film that lives up to it’s promotion. He engages the scientific establishment, allows them to state their own views, and then presents the other side: a list of highly qualified and competent scientists who have been blackballed from their jobs simply because they dared to question the validity of Darwin’s theory. The movie also shows the clear historical implications of Darwinian theory.

There are several things about this movie that I appreciated. First, Stein, a well known comedian and actor, is putting his reputation on the line. This is the kind of movie that get’s one branded as a lunatic and blackballed by the Hollywood elite. Second, Stein does a good job of keeping the issue were it firmly belongs, not making this a religious debate, which is what the Scientific community has done in their successful attempts to suppress ID, but instead pointing out the clear encroachment on freedom of speech and inquiry presented by the national scientific establishment. Third, I was heartily impressed to see someone speak candidly about the chilling effect of Darwinian Theory. Stein has the courage to show the links between Darwin to Hitler and Margaret Sanger, Planned Parenthood’s founder. Finally, the last section of the movie is in itself worth the price of admission. Stein interviews British atheist Richard Dawkins about the problems of complexity, especially at the molecular level. Dawkins’ answer is too ludicrous for words!

I heartily recommend that every high school and college student, or parent, see Expelled!

Pastor Jeff

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Getting Ready for Easter

February 12th, 2008

One of the best known Bible verses is John 3:16. Jesus said to the Pharisee Nicodemus: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” What a wonderful, amazing message of God’s love for lost humanity! It’s also the message we want to send to our friends, co-workers, relatives and neighbors this Easter.

In cooperation with thousands of Churches across the world we are partnering with Thomas Nelson Publishers to share the message of John 3:16 with 316 million people this Easter. How? By spending the 40 days before Easter in prayer and meditation on the Cross through a devotional booklet God So Loved You that we are giving to every family in our congregation composed of excerpts from Max Lucados’ writings. Then on Palm Sunday each family will receive a copy of a different book The 3:16 Promise to give to a friend, neighbor, relative or co-worker along with an invitation to join us for Easter Sunday. It is our hope and prayer that through the devotional book we will grow in our understanding of God’s love and be motivated to share it with someone, and that through the sharing of The 3:16 Promise many of our friends, neighbors, relatives and co-workers will receive the gift that God has given us in Christ.

Please pick up a devotional and spend some time each day sharing it with your family, meditating on the wonderful gift we’ve received in Christ Jesus. Begin praying now for an opportunity to share The 3:16 Promise with someone. Ask God to save your friend, your neighbor, your relative or co-worker. Be open to sharing your story of faith in Christ Jesus. It’s one way we can fulfill part of our mission statement. Remember? Berlin Baptist Church seeks to glorify God, share Jesus Christ, equip disciples, love and serve others. You are Berlin Baptist Church, the message depends on you.

Serving the Savior alongside you,

Pastor Jeff Gunderman
 

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Demonstrated Love (Luke 10:25-37) (Core Value #7)

November 26th, 2007

Introduction: It’s kind of a frightening thing to share this sermon with you. On the face of it the idea that we desire to demonstrate our love for God, our church family, and our community through the sacrificial giving of ourselves and our resource is just the kind of thing that all Christian people say. But here’s the scary thing: we aren’t promising to talk about it, we are promising to do it. Let me tell you what this command has meant in my life. It means that I have walked a mile in the snow to borrow a car from a friend to take a mom and dad to the hospital to identify their dead daughter, killed in a car accident earlier that day. It means that I have stayed with a mentally ill man who got drunk, threw up on himself and his carpet, fixed him something to eat and helped clean up his house. It means shoveling snow off a roof, getting gas, renting a hotel room, and holding a friend as they sobbed and sobbed at the death of their child. I promise I will do this. It’s meant reaching into my wallet and taking out what I have to give to someone who asks. Can I tell you something, of all the things we’ve talked about, out of all the core values we’ve discussed, this one has cost me more than any other. Because of that I believe it more passionately than any other.

We desire to demonstrate our love for God, our church family, and our community through the sacrificial giving of ourselves and our resources. ( 1 Chronicles 29:14; Malachi 3:10; Mark 12:41-44; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:1; 1 Cor. 12:7).

  1. Despite the mess
    1. Ritual uncleanness 
      1. Fear of guilt by association
      2. Fear of being ‘taken’ Early-church patriarch Clement of Alexandria stated, “It is better to take the risk of giving to the undeserving than to take the risk of neglecting the deserving.” Christian History (Issue 14), p. 13; submitted by Steve Gertz, Wheaton, Illinois
    2. Real uncleanness
      1. People are messy! They don’t always react the way we expect
      2.  People are sick – we might catch the disease they have (Christians cared for the sick in the plagues in Europe) would we reach out to an HIV infected person? Will we get involved with the crisis pregnancy center? They need volunteers right now.
    3. We will get messy to show love!
  2. Despite the risk
    1. Possible danger
      1. Perhaps the bandits would come back?
      2. Isn’t it safer to stay out of the way? Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies. At the end all his disciples deserted him. On the cross he was utterly alone, surrounded by evildoers and mockers. For this cause he had come, to bring peace to the enemies of God. So the Christian, too, belongs not in the seclusion of a cloistered life but in the thick of foes. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Christian History, no. 32.)
    2. Real danger
      1.  We might be misunderstood: Even if people reject the gospel, we still must love them. A good example of this was reported by Ralph Neighbour, pastor of Houston’s West Memorial Baptist Church (in Death and the Caring Community, by Larry Richards and Paul Johnson): Jack had been president of a large corporation, and when he got cancer, they ruthlessly dumped him. He went through his insurance, used his life savings, and had practically nothing left. I visited him with one of my deacons, who said, “Jack, you speak so openly about the brief life you have left. I wonder if you’ve prepared for your life after death?” Jack stood up, livid with rage. “You — —- Christians. All you ever think about is what’s going to happen to me after I die. If your God is so great, why doesn’t he do something about the real problems of life?” He went on to tell us he was leaving his wife penniless and his daughter without money for college. Then he ordered us out. Later my deacon insisted we go back. We did. “Jack, I know I offended you,” he said. “I humbly apologize. But I want you to know I’ve been working since then. Your first problem is where your family will live after you die. A realtor in our church has agreed to sell your house and give your wife his commission. I guarantee you that, if you’ll permit us, some other men and I will make the house payments until it’s sold. Then, I’ve contacted the owner of an apartment house down the street. He’s offered your wife a three bedroom apartment plus free utilities and an $850-a-month salary in return for her collecting rents and supervising plumbing and electrical repairs. The income from your house should pay for your daughter’s college. I just wanted you to know your family will be cared for.” Jack cried like a baby. He died shortly thereafter, so wrapped in pain he never accepted Christ. But he experienced God’s love even while rejecting him. And his widow, touched by the caring Christians, responded to the gospel message. (Van Campbell, Homer, Louisiana. Leadership, Vol. 5, no. 1)
      2. We might get too involved and become hurt ourselves.
    3. We will take risks to show love!
  3. Despite the divisions of our broken world
    1. Race
      1. All people are equally valuable
      2.  All people are equally lost
    2. Religion
      1. Jews considered Samaritans heretics
      2. Samaritans considered Jews heretics
    3. Income
      1. The rich need a Savior 
      2. The poor need a Savior
    4. We will care for our brothers and sisters no matter what their color or class, and we will watch for those who God places before us!

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We Desire: A Healthy Body (Core Value #9) Ephesians 4:15,16

November 26th, 2007

Introduction: I can’t pull my bow because my left arm is weak. It’s weak because I fell and injured the nerve that communicates with that part of my body. My brain is telling it what to do, but the connection was lost for a while, and it’s taking time to rebuild the muscle. In the body of Christ which is Berlin Baptist we also are having trouble drawing a bow. Our Sunday School is still looking for two teachers after two years. We are doing a less than acceptable job of ministry because someone isn’t listening to the head, or perhaps because they are listening but had lost the connection for a while and are now too weak spiritually to teach. This isn’t what Christ desires, and we are determined that it not stay this way.

Core Value # 9: We desire to pursue and encourage the active involvement of all members of the family of God in order to ensure the fulfillment of our values. (Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:7ff; Gal. 5:13-14; Eph. 4:11-16; Hebrews 10:24-25).

 

Transition: As we desire to bring glory to God, share Jesus Christ, equip disciples, love and serve others we need a healthy body.

 

  1. A Healthy Body is Christ’s Desire (4:15)
    1. He is our head
      1. He provides all we need (Philippians 4:19)
      2. He directs all who come to Him
    2. We are directed to grow up
      1. Tied to the truth: “aletheuountes implies being true as well as speaking the truth and following the truth. Truth is the element in which we are to live, move, and have our being; fidelity to the truth is the backbone of the Christian ministry.” (Pulpit Commentary in loc.) 
      2. Recently, a Kansas City pharmacist was charged with diluting cancer treatment drugs, Gemzar and Taxol, in order to make a larger profit. So far there are 20 felony counts against the pharmacist, Robert Courtney. He admitted to diluting the drugs during a period of time spanning from November 2000 to March 2001. This man held life-saving power in his hands and for the sake of personal gain diluted it to the point where it could not help people. We can do the same with God’s life-saving truth. Submitted by Michael W Owenby; source: USA Today (8-28-01) 
      3. Growing in union with Christ and with one another!
  2. A Healthy Body is Our Responsibility
    1. A continuing responsibility
      1. “Fitted” and “held together’ are present participles – signifying continuing action
      2. This is a life long pursuit 
    2. An individual responsibility
      1. Every joint needs to work
      2. Every part needs to work properly
      3. Twenty nine years ago my wife Sue lost her right hand in an industrial accident. She has learned to make do with her left hand, learning to write with it, prepare meals, change diapers, get dressed, etc. But now, because it’s over used, she is experiencing both trigger finger and carpel tunnel syndrome in that hand. It’s over used. Just so, in our body some “parts” are over used and struggling because they are trying to cover for “missing” parts
  3. A Healthy Body is Our Opportunity
    1. To receive the love we need
      1. Love throughout this passage is a choice, not an emotion, and an action, not an expression
      2. Each of us needs to be loved and to give love (John 13:34ff)

      3. A lawsuit filed against the producers of the hit TV show Extreme Makeover begins with the line, “Deleese Williams is considered ugly.” The remaining 31 pages of the complaint tell the story of a Texas wife and mother who was promised a series of cosmetic surgeries that would “transform her life and destiny.” That dream was shattered, however, when one of the dental surgeons reported that Williams’s recovery time would be longer than expected. She was pulled from the show the night before her surgeries were scheduled to begin, and sent back to Texas the next day. According to the lawsuit, Williams sobbed uncontrollably when she was given the news. “How can I go back as ugly as I left?” she said, “I was supposed to come home pretty.” Wesley Cordova, an attorney for Williams, claims that her suffering continues: “Deleese is so hurt and humiliated she won’t leave the house now. She grocery shops at midnight.” The lawsuit also claims that Williams’s family has been severely impacted. The producers coached them to focus on nothing accept Deleese’s physical flaws, and even pushed them to verbally express their opinions on taped interviews—which Deleese later saw. The lawsuit claims, “Now that she returned in the same condition in which she left, there were no secrets, no hidden feelings, no rewards.” Finally, Cordova alleges that the emotional stress of the entire situation had a tragic impact on Deleese’s sister, Kellie. “Kellie could not live with the fact that she had said horrible things that hurt her sister,” said Cordova. “She fell to pieces. Four months later, she ended her life with an overdose of pills, alcohol, and cocaine.” The lawsuit concludes: “The family is shredded. There is a human cost to this.” (Michelle Caruso, “Extreme Tragedy,” nydailynews.com (9-18-05)


    2. To experience the maturity we seek

      1. Individually – we are searching for meaning that can only be found in serving Christ

      2. Corporately – we are built up and engage in the mission for which Christ left us when we serve Christ. 

    3. Today, before you leave, take time to review the various ministries that are available and get involved in serving!

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