Next Launch Pad Gathering: June 20

Join us for a brief time of study and extended worship on Saturday night, June 20 at 8:30 pm.

We're in the Downtown / East Village Arts area of Long Beach and we'd love to have you come worship with us.

More information.

The Real Purpose of The Church

by Paul and Lori Carhart

This message was originally given by Paul Carhart at the Launch Pad gathering on May 16, 2009 and was followed by an extended worship time.

What is The Church?

When I refer to The Church, I’m not talking about a building somewhere with a steeple. I’m not talking about specific denominations. I’m talking about the whole of all Christian believers. All Christians, regardless of denomination and doctrine. That is The Church.

Why do people go to church?

1) Activities
2) Fellowship or social gathering… maybe even gossip.
(I’ll speak more on the evils of gossip another time)
3) Teaching… morality
4) Feel better about yourself

Why SHOULD people go to church?

1) Learn more about God
2) Experience the presence of God
3) Experience the blessings of God (Another word: Miracles)
(Blessings and miracles are a result of God pouring out His Spirit on those who love and worship Him in spirit and in truth)

If you're not getting at least one of these things from church, you might as well sleep in. Many believers have decided to do just that and have abandoned going to church altogether.

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:25

I want to take a quick moment to point out here that the “assembling together” spoken of here in the book of Hebrews is the early church. It was not in the form it takes now in Western society (and subsequent satellite missionary offshoots). It was a gathering of believers, usually under Roman persecution that took place, most often, within someone’s home. There were no such things as cathedrals, pews, podiums, Powerpoint presentations, worship teams and all of the trappings that we have come to know as part of the traditional church setting. I’m sure there was singing and the reading of scripture, all meant to, as the scripture says, “exhort one another.” But the idea of the traditional church setting as being sacred is not scriptural and can be, in fact, a harmful box to put God into. Instruction is very important and the Word of God should be used. Worship is also an important aspect of the early church. But just as the disciples gathered in the upper room on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the modern church structure doesn’t have to be in place for God to move. In fact, it can indeed be hindering and can be used to quench the Holy Spirit.

So what is worshiping God?

Maybe we should take a look at a few things it isn't.

1) Is it ten minutes of music before preaching?
2) Is it American Idol or some sort of concert?
3) Is it competition?
4) Is it misplaced or misdirected…
- toward man?
- toward money?
- toward material possessions?

The very first of God's commandments given to Moses is "You shall have no other gods before Me." - Exodus 20:3

We can try to pinpoint what worship is, but we might be selling ourselves short unless we define it in this way:

Worshiping God is to bask in His presence. What it boils down to is that to worship God is to fulfill the purpose for which man was created.

Don't believe me? Let's look at what the Bible says in the book of Genesis. Chapter 3, verse 8.

"And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden."

This is immediately after both Adam and Eve had partaken of the forbidden fruit. But notice something about this passage:

"…they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden."

Notice that God walking in the garden was a common thing. So common, in fact, that both Adam and Eve were familiar with the sound. Could it be that mankind was created to walk with God? I submit that we were created for that primary purpose.

Beings who fulfill their purpose

Naturally, after Adam and Eve introduced sin into the world, the world is in a fallen state. Still, other than man, most other facets of creation fulfill the purpose they were created for.

What does Jesus say about birds?

"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them."
from Matt 6:26

And flowers:

"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;" from Matt 6:28

And…

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse," - Romans 1:20

Indeed all of creation fulfills its purpose.

But does man fulfill his/her purpose?

For the most part, no. Most people spend very little time walking with God. So how can we improve that? The closest we can come now is to worship God in spirit and in truth and to let the Holy Spirit move.

How can we worship God?

1) Worship through music

"Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet
Praise Him with the lute and the harp
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes
Praise Him with loud cymbals
Praise Him with clashing cymbals" - Psalm 150: 3-5

It’s also worth noting here, that one of the reasons that music comes to the forefront as a means of worshiping God is that it is, scripturally, a form of worship practiced by angels at God’s throne (Revelation 5:8-14).

2) Worship through the arts (and other talents, gifts and abilities)

"So you shall speak who are gifted artisans who I have filled with the spirit of wisdom that that they may make Aaron's garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest." - Exodus 38:3

3) Worship through kind acts and giving

"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the lease of these My brethren, you did it to Me." - Matt 25:37-40

4) Worship as a lifestyle

"You shall have no other gods before Me." - Exodus 20:3

5) Corporate worship,

"Indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying: 'For He is good, For His mercy endures forever,' that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God."
- 2 Chr 5:13-14

“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
- Matthew 18:19-20

Clearly, there’s power in coming together to worship God.

6) Just about anything you do when you put God first

The Key: Putting God First

"You shall have no other gods before Me." - Exodus 20:3

In Genesis, 4:1-16, we read the story of Cain and Abel. Both brought sacrifices to God but God was only pleased with Abel's sacrifice. I believe it was because Cain had an attitude problem, that God wasn't pleased. God wanted an animal sacrifice. Cain was a farmer and didn't have any animals. Rather than trade grain for a suitable animal (his brother would have probably been glad to trade with him), Cain simply offered whatever he wanted. In the end, he killed his brother out of jealousy, almost as if to prove how twisted his heart had always been.

My point is: the most important element you can bring is a right heart. Forgiveness of sins daily = a right heart.

"Now we know that God does not hear sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him." - John 9:31

Worship paves the way for a closer walk, which finally fulfills man's purpose.

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. - John 4:23

Conclusion

If more of mankind fulfilled its purpose, the body of Christ would be stronger and the Church as a whole (as in the body of believers in Christ currently upon the earth) would not be as diluted and powerless as it is today.

Next Launch Pad Gathering

Join us for a true "underground movement" at our next Launch Pad gathering on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 921 Olive Ave., Long Beach, CA.

8:30 pm. Enter through the side-alley entrance.

Short Bible study and extended worship time!

Next Launch Pad Gathering

by Paul and Lori Carhart

We will be gathering to worship again on February 21, 2009. For more info, visit the Launch Pad site.

Healing Scriptures

by Paul and Lori Carhart

The November Launch Pad gathering did not benefit from an actual message. Instead, we focussed on healing scriptures before going into our time of worship. Many of the healing scriptures we went over, originally compiled by the late Ray Hedgpeth (Lori's father), are listed below. Feel free to read them over your own ailments or those of your friends. This is not superstition or magic. This is the Word of God and there is power in speaking it.

And said, "If you diligently heed the voice of the lord your god and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the god who heals you. - Exodus 15:26

So you shall serve the lord your god and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. - Exodus 23:25

I will extol you, O Lord for You have lifted me up, and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God I cried out to You and You healed me. O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave: You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. - Psalms 30:1-3

The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness: You will sustain him on his sickbed. I said, "Lord be merciful to me; heal my soul for I have sinned against you. - Psalms 41:3-4

No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling. - Psalms 90:10

Bless the Lord, oh my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies - Psalms 103: 1-4

He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. - Psalms 107:20

The Thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and destroy. I have come that you may have life, and that you may have it more abundantly. - John 10:10

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.") that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the gentiles in Christ. - Galatians 3:13-14

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope, (faith), witout wavering, for He who promised is faithful - Hebrews 10:23

Have faith in God, for assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, be removed and cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says. - Mark 11:22-23

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you recieve them, and you will have them. - Mark 11:24

He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement for our peace was upon Himi, and by His stripes we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5

For I will restore health to you and heal your wounds. - Jeremiah 30:17

He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sickenss. - Matthew 8:7

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live. - Deuteronomy 30:19

And the Lord will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you. - Deuteronomy 7:15

Beloved, I wish above all things that you may posper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. - 3John 1:2

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. - 2John 1:7

Finally my bretheren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickeness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with the truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, adn the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God. - Ephesians 6:10-17

Amen.

Family Time

by Paul and Lori Carhart

This message was originally given by Paul Carhart at the Launch Pad gathering on December 20, 2008 and was followed by an extended worship time.

At this time of the year, it is common (and possibly even cliché) to pull out the old tried and true Christmas story. Mary and Joseph going to Bethlehem. No room in the inn. Born in a manger. Silent Night. Angels We Have Heard On High. Shepherds. Wisemen. Etc. And there’s certainly nothing wrong with that. The story is timeless and it reminds us not only of how our savior came into the world with little man-made fanfare. Even more importantly, and I believe the primary reason the story is in the Bible, is to bring into focus a good number of earlier prophesies that were fulfilled by Christ’s birth. It’s certainly something worth celebrating and it is, indeed, my favorite time of the year. It’s a time to spend with family and to share the gift of giving.

But what if there are members of your family that you’d rather not spend the holidays with? What does the Bible say about that? Can you put up a wall and shut them out? Or are you compelled to break bread with people who, if they were not a blood relation, you would never associate with?

First, Jesus makes it clear in Matthew that to follow Christ is to live a life of forgiveness.

Then Peter came to Him and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Until seven times? Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven.

Matthew 18:21-22

Forgiveness is just as important for the one who is doing the forgiving as it is for he or she who is being forgiven. If you do not forgive those who wrong you, your heart will become corrupt with the resentment and anger that will fester there. So whether or not one asks for forgiveness, according to Jesus, you need to forgive that person in order for YOU to continue to function in Christ. If the person who has wronged you asks you for forgiveness, you can therefore easily grant it because you’ve already forgiven them. But when one apologizes or asks for forgiveness, that connotes that the person has recognized that they have wronged you and that they will not do it again. What if a person asks for your forgiveness and then turns around and wrongs you in the same way again? Or what if the person who has wronged you has never asked for forgiveness at all? We are still to forgive them. Again, read the passage above. However, we do NOT have to continue to associate ourselves with that person. This is true of friends, associates AND family members.

Consider the following passage from Jesus’ youth:

And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the Feast. And fulfilling the days, as they returned, the boy Jesus stayed in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know. But they, supposing Him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey. And they looked for Him among the kinsfolk and acquaintances. And when they did not find Him, they turned back to Jerusalem, seeking Him. And it happened that after three days, they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and questioning them. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. And seeing Him, they were amazed. And His mother said to Him, Child, why have you done so to us? Behold, your father and I have looked for you, greatly distressed. And he said to them, Why did you look for Me? Do you not know that I must be about My Father’s business? And they did not understand the word which he spoke to them.

Luke 2:42-50

Here Jesus’ parents are surprised to find that He has remained at the temple. They had traveled out a day and therefore had to travel another day back before they found him. Two days he continued with the teachers without his parents! They were surprised to find Him there but He was just as surprised that they didn’t know what he was doing. In a similar way, if we are truly followers of Christ, our family members should be aware of it. They shouldn’t be surprised and if they want us to attend family functions, they should abstain from activities in which we would not be comfortable.

Now consider this passage from later in Jesus’ life, during His ministry:

But while He yet talked with the people, behold, His mother and His brothers stood outside, desiring to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, Behold, Your mother and Your brothers stand outside, desiring to speak with You. And He answered and said to him who told Him, Who is My mother? And who are My brothers? And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, Behold, My mother and My brothers! For whoever shall do the will of My Father in Heaven, the same is My brother and sister and mother.

Matthew 12:46-50

Here, Jesus goes as far as to identify those with whom he is ministering to be His family even to the extent of denying family status to those who are his blood family. Clearly, He was making a point here and did not intend to permanently distance Himself from his mother and brothers. But the message is clear. Those who actively participate and partake of His ministry are the priority in His life. It is a clear guideline that we should follow.

Is this just the excuse we need ostracize everyone we disagree with spiritually or anyone who makes us uncomfortable? No. However, just as Jesus used His ministry to exclude members of his family, we can use the follow scripture from Proverbs to decide where to put up a wall between ourselves and others.

These six the LORD hates; yea, seven are hateful to his soul: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that plots wicked plans, feet hurrying to run to evil, a false witness who speaks lies and he who causes fighting among brothers.

Proverbs 6: 16-19

If there are people, family members or not, who continue to have a toxic hold on you, check them against this scripture. Jesus clearly did not make special provision for blood relations. If the toxicity of your relationship is not associated with one of the above-mentioned “sins” that the Lord hates, I would be very surprised. We can still pray for these people but I believe you have every right to exert a certain level of control over the extent of your exposure to these people.

Do not give that which is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn again and tear you.

Matthew 7:6

Leave the Scrooges to themselves.

After all, ‘Tis the season to be jolly!

Two Commandments

by Paul and Lori Carhart

This message was originally given by Paul Carhart at the Launch Pad gathering on October 18, 2008 and was followed by an extended worship time.

We've often heard that actions are louder than words. It is not merely a cliché but a biblical truth.

"My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." - 1 John, 3-18

Indeed, we can profess love for someone or something, but our actions may betray where we truly stand.

For example, a man may say he loves his wife but if he is not faithful to her… if he betrays her… if he beats her. I would question the worth of his statements.

Likewise, a woman may say she love s her child, but if she locks the child in a closet or beats the child in a way that goes far beyond simple discipline…. Again I would question her love.

And if a person says he or she loves God but then they go out and partake in any manner of worldly elements that God has clearly taken a stance against, well you know where I'm going.

In writing, there's an oft-repeated rule: "Show, don't tell." Again, when telling a story, the plea is to show an action… to have something occur "on stage" rather than merely impart the facts of an action. When something is shown, it is immediate, passionate, important. The reason this is true in telling a story is because it is true in our every day lives.

Commanded to Love

God gave Moses Ten Commandments by which His people should live. By the time Jesus had come upon the scene, many other rules and regulations had sprung from those original commandments. So Jesus simplified it even more.

"Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." - Matt 22-37-40

In these two commandments given by Jesus, all of the ten given to Moses are fulfilled.

The first commandment here is to love the Lord your God. Just as in the examples I've previously given, we can say we love God. Or we can show him.

How do we show God we love Him?

The best way to know what it is that God wants on any given subject is to see what he says on the matter. He left us His word for just this purpose.

Naturally, there is the obvious answer.

"The Lord will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His ways." - Deut. 28:9

We are meant to do our best to follow God's laws. Of course, we know it's impossible for man to do this. That's why there's grace. That's why there's forgiveness. It's why Jesus came and died on the cross. Still, we are meant to do our best.

There is another way, above and beyond doing our best to follow God's commandments, to show God that we love Him.

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. - John 4:23

I'm emphasizing the last part of this scripture because the Bible clearly declares that God is "seeking such to worship Him." He longs for those who love Him to worship Him!

Again, we can say we love God until the cows come home but how do we show Him? Are we doing our best, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to live a righteous life? Have we incorporated worshipping God into our every day lifestyle?

What about the second Commandment?

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. - 1 John 4:7-8

Also:

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. And everyone who loves Him who begets also loves him who has been born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, whenever we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome. For everything that has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? - 1 John 5:1-5

The Bible makes it clear that we are not to merely stop with loving God. In many ways, it's easy to love God. I mean, God loves us, right? When someone loves you, the natural inclination is to return that love. But what about those who hate you? Again, the Bible makes it clear.

"If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you." - Proverbs 25:21-22

Again, loving your neighbor, whether they are friendly or hateful toward you, is more than merely stating it. Loving is an action. It requires you to act.

Perhaps the most important way we can show "our neighbors" love is by telling them about God. Sometimes people are open to evangelism. They want to know more about God. Sometimes, they are not. They do not want to be "Bible-thumped." That's okay. We can still show God that we love our neighbors by praying for people, not only their well-being in time of need, but for their salvation, even when they think everything is fine.

Again, worship comes into play. Heartfelt worship flowing from God's people can bring healing, deliverance, and even salvation.

Summary

- Love is professed by actions, not merely words.

- God longs for those who love Him to worship Him.

- Through the act of worship, we can fulfill both of the commandments that Jesus gave, and thus fulfill the Ten Commandments in our lives.

- What better way to truly let God know that we love Him?