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Ephesians, Expeditions

Here’s the fourth installment of an eight-part tour through the different sites the Mars Hill trip will visit next year on the Turkey expedition. Go here for more information about the trip, the full itinerary, and how to sign up.

Day 4: Philadelphia, Sardis, and Laodicea

After breakfast, we will head to Philadelphia and Sardis, capital of the Lydian Kingdom, and the first city to use coins of gold and silver.  Our visit in Sardis will take us to the amazing ruins of the Temple of Artemis, the picturesque gymnasium, and the synagogue with intact mosaic tile artwork.  Following lunch of local cuisine, Pastor Mark will bless us with amazing teaching inside the gymnasium. We will then travel to ancient Laodicea, a city known for its riches, development of medicines and where the church was known for being “lukewarm in belief.”   We will once again be blessed with a teach from Pastor Mark in the Laodicea amphitheater, featured above.  A short drive to Pamukkale for dinner and overnight.

To the Church in Sardis, which fell asleep

“‘… I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent.

If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Revelation 3:1-6

Read the letters to the churches in Philadelphia and Laodicea after the jump:

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Really Negative Women in Proverbs

Biblical womanhood, Proverbs

Last month, we looked at eight male characters – specifically, four chauvinists and four cowards – from the Marriage & Men sermon. Today, we’ll look at the female complement: six negative women, as described in the book of Proverbs. The following is excerpted from the 2002 sermon from the original sermon series on that book of the Bible.

Ladies, here are some women in Proverbs – some really negative women in Proverbs.

The Foolish Woman

“The woman Folly is loud;
she is seductive and knows nothing.”

Proverbs 9:13

Loud and foolish. You put those things together, that is a bad résumé. This is a woman who thinks she knows what she’s talking about. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about, but, she’s so loud that it almost is convincing. Some women think, “If I yell and scream and chuck stuff and declare war –” Proverbs says that is just foolish.

She sits at the door of her house;
she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
And to him who lacks sense she says,
“Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
But he does not know that the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Proverbs 9:14-18

This woman has a home where she opens it up and she welcomes everyone over to listen to her ranting and raving. She invites all the dumb people to come to her house for Bible study and says, “Let’s just sin.” And if you open the door to her basement, it’s Hell. And that’s where she takes you.

And some of you women care too much about the opinions of other women and when the woman folly shows up and says, “Hey, don’t get married. Hey, sleep with him. Hey, it’s not good to be a mother. Hey, you don’t need to depend on any income other than your own.” The woman folly is so loud that some of you give her more credence than she is due.

The Promiscuous Woman

The funny thing with this woman is sometimes she thinks that if she has sex with a man that he will love her, which is insane. If he loved her, he wouldn’t have sex with her until he had covenanted with her. And these are women who give themselves to men, hoping that one of them will stick.

“My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways, for a prostitute is a deep pit and a wayward wife is a narrow well. Like a bandit, she lies in wait and she multiplies the unfaithful among men.”

Proverbs 23:26-28

Some women are like prostitutes. They are cheap. They are easy. They are quick. And for some reason, these women think that men appreciate them and like them. And you should be in on the conversations with these men when they are not in the presence of those women. They do not say nice things about those women. They do not esteem them and affirm them. They talk about how easy they were.

There are also women who are very expensive.

“A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.”

Proverbs 29:3

Some women love to play men for money. They’re gold diggers. These are women who, they don’t care how old he is, what he looks like. He could look like Chewbacca. He could be illiterate. He could be 175 years old. But if he has a lot of money, she loves him, or rather, she loves his credit card. These are women who play men for money. If they’re really beautiful, they’ll get a car, or a house, lots of nights out, new clothes, fun vacations, and they’ll play men.

The Quarrelsome Woman

“Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.”

Proverbs 25:24

We call this the Pitch-a-Tent club. Those are guys who go to REI looking for camping gear, not ‘cause they’re going in the woods, but because they’re going up on the roof. They’ve given up. They’re gonna put a ladder on the side of the house, climb up to the top, and then pull the ladder up.

She’s not really quarrelsome, right? She just has strong opinions, they say.

“A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.”

Proverbs 19:13

Drip, drip, drip. Going nuts yet? Fifty years of that, you will be. These women say, “Well, he just needs to know how I feel.” By looking at you, he can tell what you’re thinking. You don’t need to say it. He knows. He fully knows. The handgun gave it away.

Meet the embarrassing, moody, and flirtatious women after the jump:

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“Now you’re the International Man of Fu Manchu Mystery … What are you thinking?”

Featured

Just to make sure you didn’t miss this earlier this week, watch Gospel Coalition Council members Mark Driscoll and Joshua Harris grill Francis Chan about why he stepped down as senior pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California, and what he plans to do next. It’s a great example of iron sharpening iron, hard questions and humble answers. As you watch, you’ll see these men candidly and directly approach their own hearts in pastoring.

What’s Next for Francis Chan? A Conversation with Mark Driscoll and Joshua Harris from Ben Peays on Vimeo.


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Pastor Mark on Twitter

Join @PastorMark on Twitter as he uses it to be a nobody trying to tell everybody about Somebody.

Biblical “Stuff for Sailors”

Military Mission

For a glimpse into our Military Mission, here’s a letter from one sailor currently on deployment:

From: David
To: Military Missions
Subject: Re: stuff for sailors

Thanks again for all the books and CDs. Like we were talking
about, the navy chaplains usually hang out on the carrier, so the
smaller ships like mine are on their own. We always try to put
something together, for the 3 of us who actually go to service on the
ship. But I think those materials will do a lot of good when the
Holy Spirit’s moving, since we can’t stream or download anything out
at sea. I’ll let you know how it works out. Could you please keep us in
prayer? Thanks!

David

To support the Mars Hill Military Mission, buy $5 raffle tickets by September 11 to raise money to send a group of servicemen and women on a trip to Turkey with Pastor Mark next year, and enter yourself to win an all-expenses paid trip for yourself.

Religion Saves

Religion Saves

Pastor Mark answers the top nine most-asked questions in Religion Saves: And Nine Other Misconceptions. Find out more.

Why Women Are Key to Community

Biblical womanhood, Community

[photo]

by Pastor Brad House

If you have ever had dinner at a house full of single men you would never question why women are key to community. Of the five senses, all are improved by the presence of women in a Community Group. This, however, is not what makes you, the women, key to community. That is found in your identity as image bearers of God.

The question of why women are key to community is, in a sense, irrelevant; The basic premise of being a community is that everyone is key. 1 Corinthians 12 tells us that every member of the community contributes to the health of the group. It also tells us that when one member suffers, the whole body suffers.

“Our desire is for the women of Mars Hill to express their spiritual gifts as they have been called by God.”

It’s true that at Mars Hill, we are zealous in our calling men to accountability and leadership, but we need  the women in our communities to step forward and exercise their spiritual gifts, too. When this doesn’t happen, the body is deprived of the blessing that these women bring to the community. As image-bearers of Christ, women have been created to contribute to community in unique and profound ways. It is imperative for the health of the church that the call to men to rise up does not inadvertently ask women to shrink back. On the contrary, our desire is for the women of Mars Hill to express their spiritual gifts as they have been called by God, and maintain a high standard to which those men should rise.

Key to addressing this within your community group is to realize that we are disciples and disciple-makers. The “one another“ scriptures are not gender specific. We are all called to love, encourage, rebuke, teach one another as we live out the gospel in community.

“Women have helped me to become a better husband, father, and pastor.”

While women are encouraged to express those gifts within the whole body, they are uniquely qualified to disciple other women as well as provide a female perspective to the group.

My life has been impacted greatly by the wisdom that I have received from women in my Community Group over the years. They have helped me to become a better husband, father, and pastor. Their willingness to speak gospel truth into my life, my marriage and my ministry has been invaluable. As a leader, there have been countless times when other women in the group have been able to identify when someone in the group was struggling with something to which I was oblivious. They are uniquely equipped to identify distortions in the gospel another woman might be believing, which I could not see. This is not threatening to a male leader. It is a much needed lifeline. It would be tragic if such gifts were covered up and neglected.

Scripture makes it clear that women have always played a significant role in community: Lydia was the first Christian convert in Asia. Priscilla was a gifted evangelist who spread the gospel with her husband. Phoebe was a deacon of the church and considered by Paul to be a great help to the gospel.

To the women of the church, I encourage you to find confidence in your identity as daughters of God and exercise your gifts within the body for the fame of Jesus. Without you, the whole body suffers. You are key.

Brad House is the pastor of community groups at the Ballard campus.


Community Groups
Community

Live the mission. Serve one another. Pray for your church. Do life together.

Mars Hill Global: The Fog of Happiness

Mars Hill Global Stories

Pastor Mark,

I’m sure this is one of many messages you receive. I wanted to take a second and thank the Lord Jesus for providing your message on Why should we worship Jesus?

I ask the Lord to forgive my sins and put my trust in Jesus in 2005. He has done so much in my life and brought me to a place that I could never have expected sense that moment.

I am writing you today to let you know I started to read your book Vintage Jesus this past week. To be honest, at first I was trying to just get through it because much of the initial content I had received from other books. However, when I got to Chapter 9 I was awoken to the fact of worship and how the glory of the Lord Jesus in light of my idolatry and its many forms has consumed my life and joy these past years even after coming to faith in Jesus Christ.

Your message came like a beacon in the dense fog of my pursuit of happiness and joy in the world and God’s creation alone. My hope for many like me is that this message of worship and in light of our cultures idolatry in everything from sex to football that you keep this message current. Because for me, I can say that until yesterday I had a small view of the glory of God and now see the purpose and beauty of putting that glory before and preeminently above all things for my Lord Jesus Christ.

So thank you and don’t think this message is less important or more applicable than it is today. Praise be to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Kurt

Oakdale, Minnesota

Top Five Red Letter Memories

Featured, Music, Worship

After four years leading the people of Mars Hill Church in worship, Red Letter is taking a well-earned break. These world-class musicians volunteer their time, which means they’ve spent thousands of hours playing their guts out for Jesus’ glory.

In honor of a solid run, here are five great Red Letter memories:

1) Opening Guitar for “Destructor”

“Destructor” is a Mars Hill original that’s been reinvented throughout the years. Red Letter’s haunting intro matches the nature of the song perfectly.

2) Mars Hill Music on Vinyl

Red Letter’s studio album on vinyl is perhaps the best if not only opportunity for Seattle indie-rockers to geek out for the glory of God.

3) The Growth of Pastor Joel

Joel Brown went from deacon to pastor during his years leading Red Letter. “I worshiped music,” Pastor Joel wrote on The Resurgence, “Now I worship God.” Read more what he’s learned as a worship pastor at the Ballard campus.

4) Lecrae’s Backup Band

Rapper Lecrae made a guest appearance at our Ballard campus a few years ago. The result was a mashup of two great songs from two distinct musical traditions united as the church on Jesus’ mission (download the mp3).

5) Heartfelt Worship

Jesus cares about the state of our hearts—not the quality of our voice or the volume of our guitars. But I guarantee the music in heaven will be the best any of us have ever heard. Good music on earth provides a small glimpse of what it will sound like in the throne room of God, which often results in a more passionate listener response (whether in secular or sacred contexts).

Thank you, Red Letter, for using your gift to create good, godly music that has helped thousands express their love of the living God. Thanks to the families of the band members as well, who sacrificed a lot so that husbands and fathers could take time to serve the church in this unique way.

Find Pastor Jamie on Facebook and Twitter.


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Mars Hill Music

Download and stream the latest from Mars Hill bands in the Mars Hill music library.

This is why God gave you a couch: Luke #43 Sermon Notes

Luke, Mission, Sermon Notes

From the August 22 sermon, “The Harvest Is Plentiful” on Luke 10:1-16:

God is both a sent God and a sending God; Jesus was sent as a missionary, and he sends his followers out on the same mission, to bring the good news of his person and work to as many as possible. Jesus says that the harvest is plentiful. Do you believe that today? Pray for more laborers who are willing to follow God’s specific call for them, like the 72 did in Luke 10.

We need to come down [from the mountain] and scatter. We gotta get ministry started in other places. Friends, if you’re a Christian, your home belongs to Jesus, a community group should be meeting there, and you should be open to the fact that there will be a harvest, more people will come, and you’re gonna need to split that group and send people out. And those of you who are in those groups, you’ve gotta take it as a real honor, not a burden: “Man, I get to be like one of the 72 … we’re gonna go start another group. We’re gonna open our home. We’re gonna see the harvest of the Kingdom of God on our couch. On our couch, we’re gonna see the Kingdom of God. We’re gonna see people go from death to life. We’re gonna see generations and legacies altered on our couch.” Just so you know, that’s why God gave you a couch.

Watch a third clip, “Why Christians Send,” after the jump:

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Gloria

Music, Worship

by Chad Gardner

.

We love singing scripture at Mars Hill. It helps us remember God’s Word and engages our emotions directly with the truth we believe. The song “Gloria” comes from Psalm 34:4-5 where David writes:

I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.

I love that David, while being hunted by an army, seeks God and is delivered from his fears. Can you image having an army after you and not being afraid? David was a murderer and adulterer, yet we see him imaging the radiance of Christ and being unashamed. In his sin and circumstances, David is experiencing the supernatural joy of being forgiven, and wholeheartedly implores us to “taste and see that the Lord is good!”

The word “Gloria” is part of the Latin phrase “Soli Deo Gloria,” which means “Glory to God alone.” Like David, in our sin and circumstances, Christ delivers us, making us unashamed and radiant. When we really see who Christ is, when we actually taste his goodness and are overwhelmed, how else could we respond but with a resounding “Gloria!”

To hear and download this song, visit the Ballard blog, where this post originally appeared.

Chad Gardner leads King’s Kaleidoscope, a worship band at the Mars Hill U-District campus. The band led worship at this year’s Good Friday services at the Ballard campus. You can download that worship set in its entirety here.


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Mars Hill Music
Download and stream the latest from Mars Hill bands in the Mars Hill music library.

Mars Hill Global: Georgia via GodTube

Mars Hill Global Stories

Dear Mars Hill Church,

I want to thank you for being the awesome church you are. I found out about your church on GodTube and ever since I seen Pastor Mark I am hooked. We are going through some difficult times and I know that it’s not a “coincidence” that I found your website. Me and my husband have been addicted to watching Pastor Mark’s sermons daily. We are learning so much and are growing together in the Word. So I felt led to say thank you and, though you may get some bad press, there are those of us out here that want to hear the truth! You have no idea how God is using you in my life right now. I pray that God continues to bless your Church and I am spreading the word of your site so that others can get the truth from the pulpit and know what being a real Christian is all about… God is truly using you all over the world.

Renee
Braselton, GA


Mars Hill Global
Mars Hill Global
New campuses, new churches, leadership training, and free resources for churches everywhere. In partnership with Acts 29 and Resurgence.



FEATURED - September 1st, 2010

“Now you’re the International Man of Fu Manchu Mystery … What are you thinking?”

Just to make sure you didn’t miss this earlier this week, watch Gospel Coalition Council members Mark Driscoll and Joshua Harris grill Francis Chan about why he stepped down as senior pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California, and what he plans to do next. It’s a great example of iron sharpening iron, hard [...]


Continue...

MORE FROM FEATURED

Top Five Red Letter Memories

By Pastor Jamie Munson,

Introducing Mars Hill’s New Home in the U-District

By Mars Hill Church, August 11, 2010

ReTrain 2010: 100 students. 50 churches. 7 countries. 1 mission.

By Pastor Jamie Munson,
CHANGED BY JESUS - August 25th, 2010

The Shameless Identity of a Woman

By Deacon Gina Noriega
.
I identified with being dirty most of my life.
I labeled myself “whore” at a very young age. Those words seemed like they were seared on my soul.
When I was around four years old, my grandfather and my father started to sexually molest me. This lasted till I was about 10 years old. [...]


Continue...

MORE FROM CHANGED BY JESUS

You could have God! And you chose light beer.

By Pastor Mark Driscoll, August 5, 2010

Mars Hillians in the News: Downtown couple’s story on King 5

By Mars Hill Church, July 12, 2010

Changed by Jesus: Redemption in Death

By Mars Hill Church, June 23, 2010