Pastor Chris Daukus Blog

PaaronD - I’m in the process of planting a church. What would say are the three things have done that worked best, helped you reach the most people or whatnot, and the three things your have done, that if you could have a “do-over”, you would do differently. Grace and Peace! -Erik

My Answer:

Erik,

First of all I am proud of you and glad to hear that you are planting a church.  I pray for grace, strength, and persaverance from Jesus as you press towards that calling in Jesus.  This question is interesting because I am still trying to figure out what I am doing, sometimes I get the feeling I am all right and other times I feel like I am all wrong.  I love what God is doing but I am sure the biggest barrier is me.

“DO-OVERS”

(1) My damnable pride - I think when I started at 24 I had a lot more pride.  I thought I had everything figured out and did not set myself in a place where I was surrounded by coaches.  I think having good godly coaches would have been a great idea.  I had some people who I could go to but I think I have way more now that I actually use.  I think 7 years in I know less and need more help!  I wish I would have started that way.

(2) My idol of the approval of man - I do not think I had enough security in Jesus and  the gospel.  I wanted everyone to be happy and I wanted everyones approval, to the point that I had unqualified leadership who were not tested, anyone who said they could sing was given a mic (so I had more people on stage then in the seats), and we ended up having no community or commitment.

(3) Teamwork - because I rushed into it I created a one man show instead of a team.  A core team is really important.  Start by building a core team.

“WORKED” - I am not sure if any of this worked but I like it.

(1) Clear Simple Vision - long story but just getting a clear simple vision of what we were about helped us to focus and decide who we were, what we were doing, and what we would not do.

(2) Empowering team - we drastically switched and we have a real plurality of eldership and great gifted team members who care about the gospel and the church as much as I do.  I am sure that is something God did but it worked.  Building community is so important.

(3) Endurance - I think just sticking with it has worked.  By God’s grace I just got to out last some of the hardships and problems.  Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.

I am not sure any of that will help but bless you brother.  We just joined the A29 network if you are not involved in a network it may be a good idea to get assessed and have some coaching.  Bless you.

This is a question sent in by Drew on the “Ask Aaron Anything” link:

In my adventures here in Las Vegas, recently I’ve ran into a guy at a well doctrined church who is well educated and desires to preach The Gospel purely for what it is. Yet he believes entirely that the church is ONLY, EXCLUSIVELY for believers. it is NOT a place for conversion. That unbelievers are not welcome. The Church is a barracks for training Christians and we are to evangelize and people are to come to the Lord solely by reading the Bible, evangelism, and God doing a work in thier heart. I COULD NOT disagree more. However, my problem is I don’t have any scripture to back my point. I really want to talk to the guy, open the scriptures and show him how that’s not right. But is that in the “open hand”? so to speak? Or is that a “close handed” issue that is not open for churches to do differently? Personally as I said I couldn’t disagree more, how are people supposed to come to know God, hear his Word, see how real he is and know him in a powerful way without being around his people and start doing life with them?

My Answer:

Drew, I do think methodology is an open handed position so in a discussion with this guy I would not be super strong handed but very unifying.  Let me give you some scripture to think through and use in your discussion.

1 Cor. 14:23 -  25 - 23.If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? 24.But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25.the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

Paul is giving instruction to the church of Corinth as they gather so that unbelievers will not be confused.  It is very important that in our gatherings to function in the gifts but they are in order so that outsiders understand and are not tripping out.   I think if you do not have unbelievers and you close it off to outsiders then you quickly  start loosing perspective on what you are doing.

He also says that if prophesy is spoken then the heart will be revealed and they will repent and worship God.  Sounds like outsiders were in the gathering and experienced God by the way they worshiped and functioned together.  I think outsiders should be allowed to see what happens as we gather and maybe be drawn to worship God.

Acts 2:42-47 - 42. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47. praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Many people in the early church were being saved everyday because they were seeing them gather in the temple and in homes. They were seeing their love for one another and the community being established and because of it they believed in God.  I also think it is reflectent of what Jesus said in John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” When people get to see how we relate to one another and worship God they will know who we belong to.  To close people out of the gathering does not make sense to me but I would also love to hear different perspectives, please make some comments.

This is a question sent in by Leslie on the “Ask Aaron Anything” link:

So, I asked this question to Heather during group last night, and she had very wise words for me.  I thought I’d post the question here as well, just to be able to have your take on the issue, and also to share it with my church family:

How does one deal with an unbelieving husband who may feel like he’s being “replaced” by Jesus?

(It’s not that I love Pat less now than I did before, in fact, I’d wager to say I love him even more. However, it is true that although I want to be a good and loving wife to him, my first priority is the relationship with my Lord - and Pat KNOWS that is now my priority.)

My Answer:

What you are sensing is that Pat is not your idol anymore. You did more then just love him before, you worshipped him as your savior. He wanted to be your everything but he could not be that for you. So now you love him more but you do not worship him. So that is new for him, he is used to a woman that more then loved and respected him but worshipped him. He is not getting that anymore. So as a wife of an unbelieving husband you want to learn how to give him biblical respect and love. It is better but it is different. Let him see Christ in your life by the way you serve him and love him. Find the things that he really wants and if they are not sin against God work to give those things to him. Let him see the difference between false worship and the biblical respect and love that a Godly wife can give. I am proud of you and so thankful for the example you are to this Church. Bless you all!

Sharing. Serving. Giving. One Prayer: Churches around the world unite in action as we share resources, serve our communities, and give to a meaningful cause.  We are excited about one prayer 2009.

I just wanted to invite my readers to check out oneprayer.com and look around the site.  There are prayer focuses and scripture for every day.  There is recources and Ideas for serving.  There is so much info and you can read what others are saying about one prayer on twitter, facebook, and e-mail.  We are blessed to unite with thousands of churches and to be apart of this month of prayer and service.  Check it out and let me know what God is doing in you this month through one prayer.

This is a question sent in by anonymous on the “Ask Aaron Anything” link:

I attended the service today at LifeConnection Church. Women are supposed to submit to men, giving love in order to receive love. I have a friend, Christian and strong with the Word of God, who has personal difficulties handling this command. She is a very independent young woman and she says that she does not want to get married in fear that she won’t have that control. She says “What if there is a girl who wants respect? Who doesn’t want to be a ’step-below’ men, just because of her gender.” I do not know how to reply to this in fear of giving her the wrong message. Do you have any clue what I should say to her? I had her read Ephesians 5, however, that was no help. Thanks.

My Answer:

(The Link to the message preached that spurred this question)

Brother I think this is an issue of the heart that the Holy Spirit will have to work on.  Submission does not come naturally it is a spirit lead, Christ reflected trait.  My thing with a man trying to convince a woman to submit is that it may not be the best move.  Just a correction to your question, it is not all women submit to all men it is wives submit to your own husband.  She needs to get that worked out in her heart before she gets married.  If she loves God and His word then she will submit to Him and His word.  My practical advice, as I told another brother with a similar question, is to, as a man, not try and have this talk with her let her connect to an older woman of God who can help her.

Titus 2:3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

I know you want her to obey the word but I think this is a lesson that you can not teach her.  It is going to have to come from the Holy Spirit inspiring the word and empowering her spirit,  worked out in discipleship from another woman of God.

Sunday Wrap up 5/24 from Life Connection Church on Vimeo.

Connection Group Study Guide

Sunday wrap up 5/17/09 from Life Connection Church on Vimeo.

I am a Chritian and have a roommate right now who claims to be a Christian as well. My roommate has said some really crazy things and I am in need of another opinion:

My roommate has said that he can feel that through the power of Jesus there are going to be people bursting into flames and turning to ash because they are not accepting what he (my roommate) says.

He said that he felt the whole weight of the world upon him, just like Jesus, and he was being attacked like Jesus.

He told me that he could see smoke around me and that it was the Holy Spirit. He’s told me that he heals the blind and made someone in a wheelchair walk.

So much of what he says just doesn’t seem to line up with scripture. I don’t know if I should say anything to him or not. He has to find his own place by 4/15/09 - but I feel so uncomfortable a lot of the time when he talks like this and I feel the Holy Spirit is telling me that what this guy speaks is not truth.

What do you think?

My Answer:

It sounds weird chad.  I have had people like that who I have dealt with my whole life.  The spiritual realm is a real place and is talked about in scripture.  Some people rely on visions more then scripture.  I have had people tell me weird things similar to that  and some of it is encouraging and challenging and coming from a humble person.  Others seem to be so “spiritual” that it is “SUPER SPIRITUAL” and it does no one any good.  Most of the time I wonder why people who say they see it brag about it like they are more spiritual because they see it.  Which is the way your room mate sounds when he says, “people bursting into flames and turning to ash because they are not accepting what he says.”  That does not sound like a normal thing Jesus used to do as he walked on the earth and people did not listen to Him. Not to say that we would not deserve something like that but it would not be because we are not listening to your roommate it would be because we do not listen to Jesus.  I also would think your roommate would want grace for his hearers and not internal combustion.

I have never met your roommate so I am going completely off of your letter but he sounds really prideful and insecure in his relationship with Jesus.  Trying to convince you of his spirituality by signs and wonders and not just humbly living it out in front of you.  The whole story sounds prideful and laughable to me.  Instead of arguing with him I would probably play with him but that is not good advice.

How would I handle this?

Well this is what I usually do.  I just try and lovingly talk to them about what seems unbiblical and I use only scripture.  To the things that are just weird and not against scripture I just, what I call, ’shelf’ them.  I put them on a shelf, so to speak, and see if they come true or ring true.  I do not live my life off of them or even think about them much but I just put it on a shelf and see what happens.  Like I said I get a kick and a laugh out of the crazy things that are said by “spiritual” people.

To balance that I will also say this.  I have heard some very strange things people have seen or done that just seem real and are coming from a very humble, genuine person who is gifted to see and do spiritual things.  I am always challenged and encouraged by those stories.

I am not sure if this helps you at all but just pray for him, confront lies, and shelf weird things.

5/10/09 from Life Connection Church on Vimeo.

Ephesians Study Guide

Dana’s twitter

ok, i been feeling lately like i have been avoiding this one person at church. so i want to tell her that im not doing it on purpose and i do care for her. we hanged out a couple of time and we got a little close but it still feels like im still avoiding her. what should i do?

My Answer:

This sunday we talked about unity that is rooted in the gospel.

Ephesians 4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Relationships are tough because there are two depraved, messed up humans who have their own emotions, feelings, and perceptions.  To have great relationships there has to be a strong foundation of Jesus focused people who are practicing repentance, forgiveness, patience, and love.   All of these things are not natural but are spirit led and important to healthy relationships.

Now with your relationship if you feel like you are avoiding her I know it will be a little humbling to approach her and ask for forgiveness for avoiding her, but I think that is the biblical thing to do.  She may not even feel like you were, or even have noticed, but for the sake of the relationship, the church, and Christ, it is better to humble yourself and talk with her.  If you have some offense or reason for avoidance then try and forgive or deal with that also.

Relationships and unity are valuable in scripture and it is a priority of every believer to not run from, but to give every effort for restored relationships.  Blessings!

This is a question sent in by anonymous on the “Ask Aaron Anything” link:

What level of abuse would justify breaking your church membership covenant and going to another church? At what point do you become an enabler for dysfunctional behavior?

My Answer:

This is really a great question.  This Sunday at Life Connection Church we talked about unity based out of Ephesians 4.   We live and minister in a church hopping/church splitting society and this is a real, everyday question.  I do not want to make it sound like there is never a time where you could be led by God or released by God from the covenant of membership you are in at your, or any  other, local church. But I will say this, I do not think it is as frequent or simple as it seems to be in our society.  I know that there are times when it is time to move on.  I would leave over things like  unrepentant sin in leadership, false teaching,  or when real needs are being ignored, and the list could probably go on.

I would say that my advice to you would be to handle it with “all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:2-3)  Make sure your heart and actions are in line with the gospel and reflectant of Jesus.

The decision to leave should always be done carefully, prayerfully, and with communication with the church leaders to see if things can be worked out.  Do not just disappear from the church unless there is abuse and communication is dangerous.

This is a hard one to answer with out being in that situation.  So pray a lot, walk in humilty, be full of grace and truth, and let Christ be exalted.

I also wanted to add a list from Joshua Harris‘ book, “Stop Dating the Church” on questions you should ask when deciding on a church to go to.  I thought this list was well thought out and helpful.

How would you present this gospel on Twitter?

Rob Bell: I would say that history is headed somewhere. The thousands of little ways in which you are tempted to believe that hope might actually be a legitimate response to the insanity of the world actually can be trusted. And the Christian story is that a tomb is empty, and a movement has actually begun that has been present in a sense all along in creation. And all those times when your cynicism was at odds with an impulse within you that said that this little thing might be about something bigger—those tiny little slivers may in fact be connected to something really, really big. Not quite down to 140 characters. Well, you can’t really tweet the gospel. I’m convinced that I am not doing anything new. I am hoping that I’m in a long tradition.

There is sooooooooooooooooooo much that is wrong with this answer to what the Gospel is.  Maybe he was confused by the way he worded the question,  ”this Gospel” not “THE GOSPEL”, so maybe this is a different gospel but that is not why I am writing this post.  So I will stop hating.

What I am wanting to do is see if any of you can answer this question. I thought it was a great question.

On sunday someone texted a question in “What is the Gospel.” So I decided to put a little challenge out to my readers and lifeconnectionchurch.net;  can you in 140 characters present the Gospel?  How would you present the gospel on Twitter? (notice I changed this to “the”)

NOTE:  Do not just post your answer on twitter.  Post it here and then post it on twitter and invite your followers to come to my site and take a crack at answering.  When you put it on twitter start it with #gospel.

Sunday Wrap Up - 5/3/09 from Life Connection Church on Vimeo.

Connection Group Study Guide

@pastoraarond twitter account

Connection Group Notes

Read the previous post to see my confusing thoughts on the doctrine of election vs. free will.

TXT QUESTION # 1 - What if God didn’t choose my sister? How do I deal with that? Can I change his mind?

The doctrine of election was always written to the church in scripture to excite them about being planned, paid for, and preserved. It should cause us to worship and thank God for the work of salvation that He has done in our lives not based on works or merit but based solely on the work of God.

If you look at your sister and start to fear about whether she will be saved or not you are missing your rightful response. You do not know who by the Spirit God has chosen. For all you know, according to scripture, it is God’s desire that all men would be saved. (1 Tim. 2:3-4) This should cause you to pray for, serve, and preach to your sister in faith. Ultimately, God by the Spirit is going to have to take the words and actions and reveal Jesus to her. Keep the faith, we serve a loving and good God. Do not let a doctrine that is meant to excite the believer in the work God did for them make you fearful. Rejoice that your name is written in the Lambs book of life. Remember these things: God is good, stay on mission, and do not operate out of fear but faith.

TXT QUESTION # 2 -What can you say to someone who thinks we are just exclusive in the amount of the chosen people and that’s unfair?

I would just have to preach the gospel to them and share with them the work of Jesus and how He calls all of them to benefit from this unfair grace. In addition to that, they do not want God to be fair or we would all be deserving of Hell. They should reject their lives and put faith in Jesus. Jesus calls all to come Luke 9:23

But he also knows the only ones that will come are the ones the Father brings to him. John 6:37 “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”

WARNING: THIS POST MAY BE VERY CONFUSING,  IF YOU HATE BEING CONFUSED DO NOT READ!!!

On Sunday we began a series in Ephesians. The first chapter deals with election and predestination and it caused some confusion and fear. Partially because it is a debated doctrine and mostly because I sucked at explaining it, got off focus, and tried to explain it too much. So, after a day or two of laying in a dark room, in the fetal position, with emo music on I had to remind myself of the Gospel. It is not based on my abilities but on the grace of Jesus and the work of the Spirit. While I was thinking of the gospel something hit me.(”poop” i mean “poof” sorry, if you where there on sunday you will get it.) So, I took my thumb out of my mouth, got off the floor, turned the light on, switched the music to hip hop and wrote this little rap. (It is not really a rap just some thoughts but i hope it makes some sense.)

God created and established the law and in order to establish the new covenant of grace He did not just abolish it and start over. He worked inside of the law and fulfilled the law by paying the price for the sins that would have not been known except by the law. Therefore he could still be just and the justifier. Showing us that what God creates he works inside of in order to fulfill His sovereign will. Now, thinking of election in light of God’s character, revealed in the gospel, you can see the sovereignty of God and the free will of man seem to contradict each other like the law contradicts grace. God created and established the law as well as the free will of man. In creating free will He did not forfeit His sovereignty. When he created man with free will He chooses to work within the free will that he created to fulfill His sovereign will. A great example of that is how he established the new covenant of grace but remained just by working inside of the law that He established. (Romans 3:26 - It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.) In the same way God through the spirit does a work of sovereignty in salvation and can keep free will in tact by working inside of the free will he created. I think it makes God’s sovereignty even more amazing when you think of how he chooses to accomplish it not by abolishing free will but by staying sovereign inside of the free will that He created. That way He can be just and justifier even in the doctrine of election.

I will try and simplify what is going through my head.  God through Jesus stayed all God and became all man.  God made a way to through Jesus to be Just and gracious. That same God is all sovereign and makes all the choices but gives man real choices and has figured out a way to be sovereign and through the spirit work in the free will of man to accomplish his sovereign plan.

This may make things more confusing, and if so I am sorry, but it makes some gospel sense to me.

In the next post I will try and answer some questions that where texted in on sunday so check back in but if you have any comments on my thoughts i would love to hear them.

My Answer:

Ok, this is a question that is widely debated but to answer it you have to look at context.  What Paul is addressing with the church of corinth?  He is trying to address their false belief that Jesus did not raise from the dead.  The resurection of Jesus is of huge importance to the Gospel. If the resurrection is not true, then we can forget about the future and live as we please! Paul throughout 1 Corinthians 15 is making a case that Jesus rose from the dead.  So when He comes to verse 29 he is continuing this line of reasoning.

What does it mean to be “baptized for the dead”? Some take this to mean “proxy baptism,” where a believer is baptized on behalf of a dead relative; but we find no such teaching in the New Testament. In the second century, there were some heretical groups that practiced “vicarious baptism,” but the church at large has never accepted the practice. To begin with, salvation is a personal matter that is accomplished by the work of Jesus on the cross.  He is our mediator not another man being baptized for you; so the belief goes against the Gospel.

Paul teaches in Rom. 6:3–5 that Christians are buried with Christ in baptism and raised to walk in newness of life, and that they are united to him in his death and resurrection. That spiritual experience to which water baptism points is not simply a reference to ‘the soul’ but to the whole person, including his or her body. The early greek fathers concluded on this verse that Paul was asking what is the point of undergoing baptism at all, which was on behalf of bodies—the phrase for the dead lit. ‘on behalf of the dead [bodies]’ is repeated twice—if they will simply disappear.

So my basic conclusion:  Paul is arguing his point with a question.  Why should we be baptized if we believe that Jesus is still dead and our bodies will simply disappear?  The basic reason we are baptized is to show that we are dying with Christ and being raised with Christ and if we do not believe in the resurection then what is the point of baptism?

Up to 200 different explanations have been given of this verse!  There are other scholars that conclude other things on this debated scripture but most if not all of the “Christian” theologians will conclude that He is NOT talking about baptism by proxy for the dead, it is out of sync with the gospel.  So if you believe one of the other 199 explanations on this text that is fine with me, just do not build a doctrine of “baptism by proxy” on this one verse because it is out of step with the gospel.

Some of the recources I used to answer this question:

The Bible Knowledge Commentary

The Bible Exposition Commentary

The New Bible Commentary

This is a question sent in by Josh on the “Ask Aaron Anything” link: Can there be such a thing as too much prayer? Sometimes I find myself overwhelmed with people to pray for and if I am praying for someone at one time I will feel bad if I didn’t pary for that other person that needs pray just as much. I feel like this is unhealthy because I don’t think prayer is supposed to bring stress, but comfort and it is doing the opposite. How do I care about people and pray for them but trust God to do what he is going to do at the same time?

My Answer:

I do not think there is such a thing as to much prayer.  1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “pray continually.”  You also said prayer should not bring stress, but comfort.  I am not sure there is anything scriptural that would prove that.  Once when Jesus prayed he  sweat blood because of the weight of the sacrifice that he was going to make for all mankind.  So sometimes when you pray you may feel a burden for the unconverted and that is not a bad thing.  I also pray that if you have that weight it would never go. I think your last question is the key… I want to pray but trust God.  We have to be able to trust in the will of God.  When we love people that is Christ like but our love for God should far override that and when we bring it to Him we should not fear to come with all of our emotions but in the end we rest in faith that HE IS IN CONTROL.

Bless you and continue to pray and act on the Godly burden for people.  Continue in pray and do the work of an evangelist. Thank you for the question I hope I helped a little.  If anyone else wants to chip in and give some advice feel free to do so.

Communion Video from Life Connection Church on Vimeo.

13 Blessings which come to God’s elect by way of our Savior’s blood: by  Anthony Carter

1. We have the new covenant in His blood (Lk. 22:20): And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

2. We have been purchased by His blood (Acts 20:28): Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

3. He is our propitiation by His blood (Rom. 3:25): Whom God put forward as propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith…

4. We have been justified by His blood (Rom. 5:9): Since therefore we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

5. We have redemption through his blood (Eph. 1:7): In him we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of his grace.

6. We have been brought near by His blood (Eph. 2:13): But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

7. We have peace through His blood (Col. 1:20): For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things whether on earth or in heaven making peace by the blood of his cross.

8. We have our consciences purified by His blood (Heb. 9:14): how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

9. We have been sanctified through His blood (Heb. 13:12): So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.

10. We are elect according to His blood (1Pet. 1:2): …elect…according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for the obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood.

11. We are ransomed by His blood (1Pet. 1:19): …knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, no with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ…

12. We have been cleansed from all our sins by His blood (1Jn. 1:7): But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

13. We are free from sin by His blood (Rev. 1:5): …from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first born of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.