Generosity

This week Pastor Marc talked about 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 and what it looks like to live generously. Here are three take-aways from this week.

“Generosity is giving when it doesn’t make sense. ”

— Marc

Generosity requires faith

God asks for us to have faith in him, but that faith is stretched so thin when the rent is due. We serve a generous God. He has given us His Son, He gives us Salvation open-handed, and He gives us hope. God is not a taker, He is a giver. He asks us little in comparison. Money is not the end-all-be-all. He may not always give us money, but God knows what we need. Our God is faithful to give to those are faithful to give.

generosity kills materialism

How do we kill materialism? We have to view money for what it is, a tool. For us as believers, money is a tool for us to bless our community. Tools are made to be used, not to be stored away never to be used again.

Generosity builds faith

God provides a way for us to be generous. Our faith in God increases as we see the blessings He brings to those who are in need. When we step out in faith and give (at church or in the community) and watch God step in and provide, our faith is strengthened. Do we trust God enough to give?

A follow up to Sunday's sermon:

The goal of growth is ALWAYS productivity. We raise our kids to be independent so that they may grow to be productive adults. We don't want our children to depend on us forever, and we desire to see them mature and become self-sufficient.

The same is true for the church.

Our goal is to be healthy enough that we can grow to a place in which we are taking care of our own needs; physical, spiritual, and financial. Our ultimate goal is to be productive. We aren't just paying bills and passing time, but we are making a difference and investing in our community. If this is to be true in the church it must also be seen in believers' lives.

Here are two questions to think on this week

1. Are we growing into mature believers who are generous AND self-sufficient?
2. Are we growing into every good work mentioned in 2 Corinthians 9:8?

Growth and good works go hand in hand.

Here's a video of the sermon this week on Generosity.

Video Block

Double-click here to add a video by URL or embed code. Learn more

Four Ways to "Love Your Neighbor As Yourself."

---

We sure love to quote Luke 10:27, but do we know how to really love our neighbors as ourselves? Here's where we need to start.

WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?

Typically when referring to our neighbors we often only think of those living directly next to us. Though this is true, Jesus taught us in Luke 10 that we should treat all people as our neighbors regardless of age or ethnicity. We are taught to love ALL people.

I Love Me Some Me

Have you ever caught yourself saying this? Probably not, but most likely you've caught yourself thinking this. Maybe you've caught yourself thinking, "I'll love my neighbor, but not as much as I love myself." We have to rid ourselves of that kind of thinking and we have to start believing that we love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves, just as Jesus taught us to. We have to say, "I love me some people."

Help your neighbor

This is where we do look to help those that live next to us. Well why can't we help ALL people? We should strive to reach out to as many people as possible, but we simply can't reach all seven billion people alive today on our own. Our goal is to hone in on our community where we live. The reason being is we can affect our community greater where we live, rather than what we can do for a neighborhood on the other side of the globe. We can do this because we can see their physical needs day in and day out. Be intentional. Look for ways you can help them.

Pray for your neighbor

Although it is good to pray for ourselves and for our needs, as Paul writes in Phillipians 4:6-7, we likely tend to ONLY pray for ourselves. Remember your neighbor in your prayers. Pray for your next door neighbor, pray the people in your city, in your state, in your country, and in this world. 

---

What God is after?

Last week we looked at what God is after. What is He all about? The more we learn about God, the more we discover He is the answer to some of our deepest desires.

People desire to be seen.

It starts when we are kids. We keep asking mom to watch as we display our latest trick, dance move or athletic endeavor. As we grow older, it becomes a subtle desire. Facebook likes, Instagram followers and Twitter mentions are the new form of attention. God does see us. He is interested in who we are and what we do. 

People have a deep sense of right and wrong (justice).

God created us with this understanding of right and wrong hardwired into our souls. We sense there is good and evil. We also desire to see right win over wrong. We don't want to see injustice. This is a deep longing inside us for another world- a world to come. 

People feel like their lives are building toward something.

God describes what our lives are building towards throughout the scriptures. Our lives are building toward eternity. This life we live here is short in comparison to eternity. This eternity depends completely on what we believe about God.

Our message was focused on 1 John 2:1-11

This passage comes down to abiding in Christ. That's the answer to the question. God wants us to abide in Christ. If I'm abiding, loving my brother won't be an issue. If I'm abiding, living in sin won't be an issue.

We concluded with 3 ways to abide in Christ:

• Spend time with God at church and in groups.

• Be surrounded by people who will keep you accountable.

• Prepare for days you don't feel like abiding.

Here's a video of the message:

What we believe about God

Last weekend we started a series called "10G's: chasing values not paper." Through the summer we'll be highlighting 10 values we are chasing as a church. We always need to start with God. In 1 John 1:1-10 we discovered 3 valuable truths about God.

God is holy (perfect, pure light in a dark world).

God is forgiving.

God is interested in a personal relationship with us.

Here's a video of the message:

Fearless & Remembered

Last weekend we concluded our Fearless series. We've been talking about 5 ladies who changed the world with their fearless faith. We read Mark 14:3-9 and noted that often criticism comes from the very people who should be encouraging you. Mary did what she could in a big way to commemorate Jesus coming death. He commended her act by saying wherever the gospel is spoken this story would be told as a memorial for her.

Last weekend was Memorial Day weekend. We honor the memories of men and women who served and gave their lives to protect our country. Memorial Day is a day to remember. We read a passage that encouraged us to remember the sacrifice Mary made over 2,000 years ago. Here's what we discovered:

When you take steps to make a difference people get uncomfortable.

Often, criticism comes from the very people who should be encouraging you.

We have to wrap our identity in the commendation of Jesus not men.

Here's a video of last week's message

Fearless & generous

Last weekend we looked at the life of Tabitha in Acts 9. She was a lady known for her generosity in the community of Joppa. She doesn't appear to have been a wealthy woman. She did, however, use her life in a generous manner. She seemed to look after widows primarily by sewing and making them tunics (clothes) to wear. We need to understand that it takes real courage to be generous, when the world tells us to look out for ourselves. It's scary being generous (with time, treasure or talent) when we don't know what the next year holds for us. 

When Tabitha died her community seemed to refuse her death. They couldn't accept that she was gone. They called for Peter to come fix this. Here was my question for our church and you (the reader): when your life is over, will your community notice?

Here are 3 questions we need to answer honestly:

What will be said about me when I'm gone?

What would I want to be said about me when I'm gone?

What is my action step right now to change what will be said about me to what I would like to be said about me?

I hope you understand this was never about Tabitha. The last verse in that little story records that the fame and honor of Jesus name went throughout the region. It's all about Jesus. Do my actions, my generosity, my life point people to Jesus? Or am I just a pretty good person with decent actions to back it up? Radical generosity always makes waves...

-Pastor Marc

watch last weeks message here: 

Fearless and Thoughtful

Last Sunday we talked about Mary (Jesus' mother). We looked specifically at the phrase "she kept these things in her heart" in Luke 2:19. Mary was a lady with a lot to ponder, but nobody to relate to. Who else could relate to raising a child who was capable of walking on water, weather control and even resurrection? But she was thoughtful. Later as Jesus is about to begin His ministry, we find Mary celebrating at a wedding party in Cana. Jesus is there with the whole crew as well. She is thoughtful in a way we might glance over at first. The family throwing the party is about to run out of wine. That's super embarrassing. Apparently this family doesn't have the resources to fix the problem. Mary is thoughtful. She wants to save them from embarrassment. She is also limited in resources. She can't do anything about it. So she tells Jesus. She did what she could to make a difference.

Sunday we summed it up this way:

Thoughtfulness should lead us to an acute awareness of the needs around us. It should also drive us toward specific action steps, large or small, to address those needs.

There is a problem though. Most of us are too busy with everyday life to see the need, much less address it. In order to be thoughtful in such a way that leads to action we must determine to make time for 3 specific solutions.

REST: not laziness, but rest which leads to evaluation and awareness which leads to...

THOUGTFULNESS- not contemplating our desires and needs, but instead the needs of others in such a way that it leads us to specific...

ACTION- what can I do today? What can we do as a church?

This has led us as a church to peanut butter sundae on May 22. The Foodbank of Southeastern VA has a list of target items. Peanut butter is always at the top of that list. It's a protein that can be stored on the shelf. This Sunday we are asking everyone to bring a jar of unopened peanut butter to donate to the food bank. We can't solve hunger in Hampton Roads, but we can make a difference by taking action this Sunday. After the service Sunday, we'll celebrate with ice cream sundaes (thus the name peanut butter sundae). 

What can you do to create margin in your life for rest that leads to thoughtfulness that leads to action?

Pastor Marc

p.s. here's the video of Sunday's message

How will we deal with the refugee crisis at Restore?

Over the last few days I've seen this topic covered, rehearsed and beat to death. I like what my buddy Daniel Edwards said, "Have you seen Facebook? It's a dumpster fire right now!" He's right. People are upset, scared, angry and every other emotion.

I want to make something clear. I'm not asking how should the country deal with refugees from Syria because:

1. I have no control over that
2. Neither do you... unless you're in DC reading this, then maybe.
3. The NT doesn't deal with how governments should operate. It deals with how we should respond as believers to the government (more on that in a later post).
4. There isn't much we can do at this point legally from our position as US residents (aside from giving to the causes and praying for the families).

Our guide in all of life is scripture. Let's start there. James 1:27 says, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

I'm addressing this issue as a believer and as a pastor. First let me tell you where we are at as believers at the Neppl household. I was encouraged to hear my wife say what my heart had been feeling. She told me if at all possible we should open our home to orphans coming out of Syria. My go to move was hit up that google. It didn't take long to realize that isn't possible. Syria is under Sharia law and doesn't recognize the US for adoption at all. Also, adoption during civil wars is basically impossible and doesn't help. Here's an article with more about that. Next, I thought, "We'll just open our home to a refugee family!" Again, much easier said than done, especially now that the House is mounting pressure to stop refugees from coming to America. To sum it: Casie and I want to help, but do it in a legal way that helps more than it hurts. This will not be something we can just make happen overnight. The good news is Bethany Christian Services is looking (especially in MI) for families to host refugees (not just Syrian refugees). More on that here. We hope to help, but are still at the beginning stage of compassion. Navigating the best way to turn compassion into help is difficult, but we are hopeful. 

Now, let me address it as a pastor at Restore. I have noticed on Facebook that in our congregation we have a plethora of opinions on this subject. Hear this: that is good! I'm glad we don't all think alike. My word of caution to our people is simple: let's lead with compassion for mankind, err on the side of caring for the orphan, and speak in love. Some have very dogmatic positions about what the country should do. My concern is what we do as believers and as the church.

I have a few recommendations to our people:

Speak in love. Hear your brother or sister out. I know this issue is divisive, but don't let it rob you of relationship with your fellow believers. 

Read more than one news source on this issue. Don't let FOX, MSNBC or CNN tell you what to think. When we only read what we lean toward, we reinforce the bubble that limits our relationships. 

Read up on what good non-profits are already doing for refugees. Here is what Bethany has been doing (now suspended by current state law) in Michigan. World Vision is also dealing with the crisis on the ground. Here's a link. When we can't go to the mission field we give so others can. The same sacrifice must then be encouraged here. When we can't go, we give. Consider supporting an organization that is assisting the millions of hurting people.

Live in light of love, not fear. Jesus came to free us from fear, bondage and sin. I personally refuse to allow fear to drive the decisions I make. Ultimately, if God has called us to compassion, He'll protect the mission. I hear the common sense argument. I do. I absolutely believe the government should use common sense. I believe they do (thus a 2 year process for any refugee). I believe though, that my faith, my love, my compassion should be unreasonable. Jesus called his followers to radical faith. Most of Jesus' disciples died violent deaths loving people far from God. Therefore my encouragement to you as a believer is to be an individual with radical love and compassion.

I know some of our people won't agree with everything I've written here. That's okay. Our goal is respectful dialog. I can love you and disagree. That's the beauty of our faith. We have Jesus in common. We don't have to agree on everything, just the main thing. 

I'll talk a little more on this subject Sunday as it relates closely to our topic of community and diversity. See you there at 5PM.

Blessings

Marc

Vision 201: community & diversity

People often ask what we are about. Our go to answer is : Restore Church exists to foster Authentic Faith, Diverse Community, and Radical Generosity.

We sum it up: believe connect serve.

---

Today I want to talk about diversity and community. What should the church community look like? How is diversity expressed in different contexts?

Diversity is so much more than skin deep. When we moved to Portsmouth, we knew we were moving to an area of the 757 where Casie and I would be in the minority as caucasians. That was deliberate. We wanted to live in an area that reflects where the culture is headed. Caucasians will be a minority in the entire country by 2044 (caucasians have been a minority in the world since like... forever?) When we say we want to have a church that's diverse, people assume that just means we're trying to reach black people and white people. Yes, we want to reach people who don't look alike, but we also want to reach people from different educational backgrounds, income levels, cultural preferences and lifestyles. We can fool ourselves into thinking we are diverse and still have a church filled with people who don't look alike, but share the same cultural preferences, income and lifestyle. Our goal is to be a church that's open to everyone from every type of culture, experience and background.

Diversity gets messy. In the NT diversity often led to conflict. The same is true today. When cultures collide, feelings get hurt. This week I've noticed a sharp divide in our people's approach on Facebook to the Syrian refugee crisis. I'm glad we don't all think the same. My job is to make sure we can disagree in love and learn from our brother or sister's perspective. That's not easy. That's diversity. Learning to worship in an environment where the music isn't always my preference can be trying, but that's part of putting my preferences aside for the greater good of the body of Christ. I like to tell the team, "Get used to being uncomfortable. Too often we shy away from it, but when you're uncomfortable it might be God is using that song, message, moment in the service to speak to someone who is coming to church from a completely different background."

Diversity was the secret sauce of the early church. It was the first place that everyone was welcomed and loved regardless of race, background, social status etc. People longed to be with each other, and the gospel brought them together. I believe more than any other generation the millennial generation wants to be surrounded by people from every walk of life. We see the benefits of knowing blue collar and white collar workers personally and deeply. We understand that we grow when our ideas are challenged by our peers from a different setting. The church reaches the most people when it's open to all people. I know every church would say it's open to all. However, at Restore we take certain steps to ensure people get that we are about diversity. We strive to have leaders in every area that reflect the diversity of our community. We refuse to allow our decisions to be based on one group of people. We make sure all of our people know that this is Jesus' church and He longs for it to reflect His love for the community, not our preferences or style.

I'll speak this weekend about diversity in community at Restore at 5PM.

See you there

Marc

Vision 101: what is faith?

People often ask what we are about. Our go to answer is : Restore Church exists to foster Authentic Faith, Diverse Community, and Radical Generosity.

We sum it up: believe connect serve.

---

Today I'd like to discuss Authentic Faith. What is faith? Why is authenticity emphasized at Restore? 

We believe that everything starts with faith around here. That's why it's the first part of our vision. We don't gather because we all hold the same political views, have similar backgrounds or even like the same type of music. We gather because we have faith in common. In Hebrews 11 Faith is defined as the essence of what we hope for, but cannot see. I'm never going to try to prove God to you. That's the opposite of faith. I'd rather challenge you to believe in what we can't see. 

Recently we discussed this in greater detail at Restore. Here's a clip of the service.

Our goal is for everyone to believe and have a deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Belief (according to Hebrews 11) deals with future and past. The hope it refers to is our longing for an eternity in a place free of war, pain, death, sin, etc. Every human has this longing. We long for a different world. That's a desire placed inside us by our Creator. We long to be where He is.

Faith also deals with the past. The unseen mentioned in the passage emphasizes that the individuals reading that passage had never seen Jesus. They came around years after His death, burial and resurrection. We also can't see Jesus, but that's where faith comes in. Faith changes everything. That's why everything starts with faith around here.

Let me close by saying this: faith isn't the absence of doubt! Some of Jesus early followers struggled with doubt. Doubt is natural. This is where we get authentic and honest with one another. As a pastor I must confess that my faith isn't always the faith to move mountains. I struggle with doubt in different areas often. I'm not saying I question God, heaven or anything major. I do however struggle with depending on Him. I have doubts arise when I see people hurting or in need. We must get used to dealing with doubt without letting it turn into unbelief. Unbelief is the rejection of faith, Jesus, everything. Doubt can lead to unbelief, or it can lead to deeper faith. It depends on what you do with your doubt. Will you deal with it by asking questions, seeking out community, digging deeper into what is truth and what isn't, or will you just hope it goes away? I hope you'll deal with it. let me know if we can help in any way.

Blessings

Pastor Marc