jroelive

Bi-Centennial Park

Today I Sabbath-ed (rested for spiritual and physical renewal/commandment #4) in the city of Nashville.
I woke up late—intentionally—got ready for the day and then simply began driving around my city—the city that God has called us to.

I was really unsure where my drive would take me. At first I was going to grab something to eat in East Nashville but turned around instead. I found myself back in the center of the city. I decided to grab an apple from the Farmer’s Market.

As I looked for a parking place for my Suburban, I drove past a homeless man who was drying himself out after yesterday’s rain. He was barefooted—socks and shoes were drying on the bench. I parked and grabbed the cash I had ($4) and a bottle of water. For some reason I knew that I was going to talk with this man. For some very strange reason I knew that I was to give him $4 and a bottle of water.

I walked over to him and he said “Hello.” He was just finishing up his lunch of saltine crackers and sardines. I said, “Hey, how are you?” He said, “I am ok.” I said, “Sir, I am to give you $4 and a bottle of water.” He looked me in the eyes and started singing—in a deep, passionate and clear African-American tone, “Jesus Christ you love me. Jesus Christ you take care of me. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.”

I was taken back a bit. He said, “Thank you sir.” I said, “Do you mind if I sit with you for a few minutes?” He said, “Please do.” I asked, “What’s your name?” He answered, “I am the 51 year old Edward Holmes. And you?” I said, “My name is Jeremy Rose.”

Come to find out he is from the Upstate of South Carolina. He moved to Nashville in 1984. He thought he was going to move to Washington, D.C. but upon purchasing the bus ticket he didn’t feel right about it so he asked the Greyhound employee where she thought he should go and she said, “Why not Nashville?” The rest is history.

He has been homeless for over 8 yrs now. At one time he had a home, two jobs and a car. Today he carries very little. I intended to share with him some joy and practical help—instead, Mr. Holmes served my soul. He preached the pure gospel to me, as I have never heard it. Mr. Holmes said, “Mr. Rose, God can handle your needs. He knows exactly what you are looking for. Do not be afraid. Even though the enemy encompasses around you, do not be afraid. Jesus loves you—what else do you need to know to do what it is that God has called you to do? Do not fear man. When their faces are in your nightmares and you are scared of what man can do, rejoice in Christ alone. He can handle it.”

The park where I met Mr. Holmes

He continued, “Sir, you do not have to feel sorry for me. I am homeless for the glory of God. My homelessness is a gift from God.”
I thought to myself, “Dang. This guy is a rock of the gospel.”
He said, “If I weren’t homeless I would not know that God could provide the way I have seen Him provide over these last eight years. If I weren’t homeless, how could I share about Jesus to the needy homeless people in Nashville? They all come to me to tell me their problems. They think I am crazy because I am always happy, but I’m not crazy in the head, I’m crazy in the heart. Jesus loves me and I just cant get over it. Job and Jeremiah are men that inspire me. They trusted Jesus. Hey, that’s a sermon, The JJ’s!
You know, I have seen Jesus as good both when I had anything and now when I have almost nothing.”

I do not have the words to say nor the time to say them to accurately give you a description of my soul after my hour and a half Mr. Edward Holmes. He blessed me. His BIG smile and genuine eyes, man…God sent him to minister to me today. On my Sabbath, God sent Mr. Holmes to teach me the gospel.

He said, “Mr. Rose, I have thoroughly enjoyed our time together today. You are a man who knows much and cares deeply. Thank you for ministering to me.” WHAT? Seriously? He ministered to me. I asked, “Is there anything I can do for you?” His answer, “You already have done so much. Thanks for asking.”

I hope that Mr. Holmes (or as he puts it, “just plain ‘Edward’”) gathers with us on Sunday as we gather as The Axis Church. I am sure that he would be the most honored guest in the gymnasium on Sunday if he can make it.

Take time to listen to those around you. You could be missing out on so much.

Now, time for me to finally eat my apple. 

admin All things for good, Christian Life, The Gospel, church planting fear, Germantown, Jesus, The Gospel, Truth

Here are a few thoughts that I decided not include in my sermon of James 2:14-18 regarding Authentic Faith.

Hebrews 11:6 The writer says…Without faith, it is impossible to please God.

Well, if faith is so important—and if James is right in that we must speak of our faith AND show our faith in action—we would be wise in asking, “What are hindrances to my faith?”

Hindrances to Authentic Faith – reasons why we don’t have legit faith/reasons why we have trouble trusting God/Jesus…

• Fear of man – rather than being a missionary (living out your faith, doing your faith around the lost, being light in the darkness) we tend to recluse ourselves from the needy because we have genuine fear and intense anxiety when around the needy.
• My own pride/arrogance – I am smart enough to “wing” the Christian life. I don’t really need to pray, serve, share, etc. So long as I look the part, I don’t have to play the part. Also, I really don’t have the time to invest in my faith—time to read, pray, serve, etc.
• Selfishness/Fear – We fear that God may ask us too much of us. We fear that we may have to open up our life to others—this scares me to death! I like my walls of protection my “privacy.”
• Scared of ending up weird. All those I know who have really worked hard at their faith have ended up being really strange. (they probably ended up being extremely legalistic—that’s why they seem strange)
• Too Easily Satisfied – We settle to just know more than the next guy rather than to live by faith—NOT just knowing. We live just enough like a Christian to “fit in” but not enough to be considered authentic by Christ.
• Romans 10:17 – Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
• In John 16 Jesus says, to ask in order to receive. Have we proven that we are desperate for faith? Do we ask for it. Ask and you will receive.

admin Christian Life, Idolatry, Sermon Notes fear, idols, Jesus, Prayer

I remember back when I was 17 years old, standing in the registration line at North Greenville College. I was leaving the simple years of high school and leaping forward to the long awaited college years. I was so excited when I first arrived onto campus, but after being sent to three different lines to try to enroll and register I was getting very frustrated and more fearful with every second. I remember calling my parents on my very first cell phone (Nokia w/ a UNC Tarheel cover) and begging them to let me come home and try the college thing next semester. I am glad they made me stay and stick it out but I was very upset back in 1997.  I remember walking around the corner of the library and crying. I felt so insecure and awkward.

Today is my last day in the office here at West Cabarrus Church. My family and I have been called to start a new church in the urban center of Nashville, Tennessee. I am leaving the comfort and ease of a consistent paycheck, a really nice office, great fellowship with other believers and an established church—to leap forward to the long awaited and great unknown of church planting with only a clear call and a grand vision of things to come. I feel the same awkwardness that I did twelve years ago. I am certain that we are to do this, but at times I still have fear and restlessness in my heart. Will God really miraculously provide for us as He has in the past and all throughout history for His people? This is my prayer. Will we sell our home and find a decent home in downtown Nashville for our family to live in…safely? This is my prayer. Will we find a good, safe and healthy school for our children to attend? This is my prayer.

Please pray for us through this awkward transition as we look to the LORD to provide our needs. As you pray for us please know that we are confident in this calling but still are at times trying to find a library to walk behind and cry because we feel insecure and awkward.

Our great encouragement comes from a clear understanding of the gospel. The gospel tells us we cannot do this…alone. The gospel tells us that Christ died—defeating fear, insecurity and awkwardness that comes from us trying to place ourselves in control of our lives and our situations. The gospel tells us that since God has called us, we can be at peace with our circumstances because it is God that works everything out for our good because we are His and we are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

The prayer that needs to be uttered is one that begs God to help us understand daily that we are nothing and He is everything (John 3:30)—a prayer that begs God to teach us how to better apply the gospel to our every need and situation.

A great encouragement is to know that we have people praying this for us and over us. Grace to you.

admin The Gospel, church planting church planting, fear, The Axis Church, The Gospel, vision