Let's Go To Jail Together!

Why Prison Ministry?

My Friday nights are usually not glamorous by the world's standards.  Many of my weekends begin by finishing up at work, going home for dinner, and then heading to the Butler County Prison to share the gospel with the inmates.  Why would someone who has a million things to do spend time at the jail, especially on a Friday night? 

There are really only two reasons: 

1) People need Jesus.

Convincing a prisoner that he is a sinner is usually not a hard sell.  Most of them know that they have done wrong.  They have broken the law.  They admit that they've committed some horrible crimes.  They've wasted their lives in various sinful addictions.  In some cases, they've ruined the lives of other people.  They've experienced great hurt and brokenness in relationships.  Their lives have been shattered by the effects of their own sin. Many of the men aren't even sure if anyone loves them or cares about them anymore. 

There are obviously occasions when some inmates come to the Bible study for the wrong reasons. But often times there are guys there who understand that they are broken and they want to be fixed.  They are lonely. They are confused.   They want answers and they aren't sure where to turn.  They've heard advice from so many different groups - 'This Anonymous' and 'That Anonymous'.  Ten steps to 'this' and twelve steps to 'that'.  While some of these groups may provide some help to the prisoners, what they really are missing is the life-changing power that is only found in Jesus Christ Himself.   

In their own words, what the prisoners really want is to be delivered from the things that cause them such anguish in their lives.  Jesus Christ is that Deliverer that sinners so desperately long for.  God has called upon those of us who know the truth to share it with the people who do not.  

2) I need Jesus.

Doing prison ministry forces me to study God's Word.  Putting lessons together for the prison bible study takes discipline.  When I know that someone else is depending on me to explain something to them from the Bible, it creates a situation that requires diligence in my own personal Bible study.  

Establishing a relationship with Jesus that has vitality and life takes time and effort spent in His Word and in prayer on a regular basis.  That's what the prison ministry does for me personally: I need Jesus every bit as much as a criminal behind bars; and spending time building relationships with the inmates is futile if I am not drawing from the endless well of grace and mercy myself.  Over the years, this single greatest cause of my growth as a Christian can be attributed to my involvement in prison ministry.  

Prison ministry has many disappointments. Sometimes you just never know if you're getting through. Many times an inmate will leave the jail and you don't know whether he's going to make it out there or not. But there is also great reward. When you see the light bulbs going on... when people get it... when you know that they understand what you are saying from God's Word...  they are getting Jesus. And so am I.  

For more information about prison ministry and how you can be involved, email the church at admin@harvestpittburghnorth.org

Haggai 101

During the month of May, we are walking through the book of Haggai. This will give you the context of the book to help you better understand the significance of what the prophet wrote. I believe the message in Haggai is the message the church, our church, needs desperately to hear.

Haggai is the next-to-the-next-to last book in the OT. It is a post exilic writing. What does that mean?

After Solomon’s reign, Israel divided into 2 parts, the Northern Kingdom (keeping the name Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (called Judah). Because both parts persisted in sin, God promised judgment in the form of conquest by another nation. This would put the Jews in exile, out of their own land.

In 720 BC, Northern Israel was conquered by the Assyrians.

In 586 BC, Southern Israel, Judah, was conquered by the Babylonians.

But God did not forget His promise to Israel to possess the land, so in 536 BC, the Jews began to return to their land from exile. How? Persia became the new world power (539 BC), and King Cyrus considered a defeated people would be glad to serve if in their own land. So he allowed the Jews to return. About 50,000 did in the first wave, led by a civil leader and a religious leader (Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, respectively).

Much rebuilding needed done to their homeland, especially rebuilding the Temple, the Old Testament House of God. In 536 BC, the foundation of the Temple was laid, but the work stopped just 2 years into the project.

What’s the big deal with the Temple being rebuilt? First of all, it is the focal point of Israel’s worship. Neglecting the Temple shows that worship is being neglected. Secondly, this Temple would eventually be a place Jesus would minister, and it carries much significance surrounding the events of His life and work.

In 520 BC, after 14 years of looking at an unfinished Temple, the Lord speaks through the prophet Haggai. The Israelites have put themselves and their comfort ahead of rebuilding the Temple, the place representing God’s presence among them.Their priorities have gotten really off kilter, and that is what the book of Haggai is about.

Is God, and the things of God, a priority? Or have you made yourself, your comfort, your desires, a priority over God?

When you make yourself the priority, everything falls apart, but when God is at the center, He blesses as only He can. God has the answer that turns everything around. Because He Himself is the answer.

So, to summarize:

720 BC - Assyrians conquer Israel (Northern Kingdom)

586 BC - Babylonians conquer Judah (Southern kingdom of Israel)

539 BC - Persians conquer Babylonians

538 BC - Jews allowed to return to their land

536 BC - Foundation of the Temple laid

534 BC - Building of the Temple stops

520 BC - Haggai calls the Jews to rebuild the Temple - the LORD is the priority!

516 BC - The Temple is completed

2014 AD - Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North reads the book of Haggai and examines her own priorities

p.s. - Make coming to Harvest a priority for this series on priorities.

Women as Pastors?

Is it Biblically sound to have women in positions of ordained leadership, such as pastors and/or reverends?

At Harvest Bible Chapel, we encourage women to be in every position of leadership the Scripture permits. And the only position I can see the Bible reserves for men only is the role of pastor/elder (same thing).

This belief comes from 1 Timothy 2:12-14, where Paul says he does not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man. Note that Paul’s reason was theological, NOT cultural. 

Many of our leaders here, and at HBCs world-wide, are amazing godly women. The Lord continues to raise up and use some very inspiring ladies to carry out Kingdom work. I know I am so thankful for the amazing women leaders at HBCPN, like Amanda, Michelle, and Mandy - just to name a few on our Ministry Team.

This is our last Question of the Week for a while! I hope these were helpful to you – and encouraged you to go after God’s Word for answers for even the toughest of questions.

Biblical Evidence for Spiritual Questions...

What hard evidence (Biblical or otherwise) is there for the following:

*”heaven” as the place where the “true” Christians go immediately after death?

*”hell” as the place where the non-Christians and/or false Christians suffer eternally?

*the current doctrine of the Holy Trinity?

*the soul or mind as separate and distinct from the body, particularly the brain?

The “hard evidence” is Scripture, God’s revealed Word, God’s revelation of Himself - the Bible. Especially with the things asked about here, there is no other source material. No one on earth has seen God. I have never been to heaven or hell. I have never had someone go either place and send me a postcard. The only material we have on any of these things is God’s Word.

So, here are some places to go in the Bible to answer these questions.

1,2 - See Matthew 25:46, Revelation 20. Heaven and hell are described as real and eternal places.

3 - The Bible speaks of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all as God (e.g. John 1:1). Many passages about this, check out “What We Believe >> Our Four Pillars and Doctrine” on our website.

4 - The Bible speaks of death as being a conscious/intelligent state, even though the brain of a deceased person stays in their body after they die.