Mike Tilley 8/13/17 Mike Tilley 8/13/17

A Prayer for Charlottesville

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
—Proverbs 31:8

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." —Proverbs 31:8

This ancient proverb has timeless relevance to those of us who believe and apply the gospel. We have to speak up.

We must speak up for the unborn; speak up for those around the world in child slavery; speak up for the lost, who are heading toward a Christless eternity apart from the gospel.

Children might understand this if they think of a playground bully, picking on the kids who are new, who are not cool, who are weak, or who look different.

Yesterday in Charlottesville, Virginia, white supremacists were carrying flaming torches, and some were carrying Nazi flags. These emblems represent the evil of racial superiority. They say to those who are not like them, “We will dominate you.”

As Christians, we open our mouths to say to African Americans and all minorities: We are with you, and not with them.

We say to white supremacists: You do not represent the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And so we pray:

"Thus says the Lord, let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord." —Jeremiah 9:23-24

God of steadfast love, would you show your steadfast love to those who live in fear today. In love, we mourn with those who suffered loss in Charlottesville. We praise you for the saving love shown to us in Christ.

God of justice, would you exercise your justice in the restraint and punishment of evil. We pray for those whose hearts are captive to the spiritual bondage of racial superiority. Would you set them free through the power of the gospel.

God of righteousness, we know that our only hope of righteousness is in Christ. As your church, grant us grace to seek first your kingdom and your righteousness in our hearts, in our city, and in the world.

You are the Lord, who delights in these things. We believe that these things can be, through the gospel. And we believe that they will be, when, through the gospel, you renew all things

Mike Tilley 2/16/17 Mike Tilley 2/16/17

Why Europe? 3 Surprises That Compel Our Mission

This week I'm joining with pastors in Europe to pray for the advance of the gospel in the "prodigal continent." This is one way that LBC partners with front-line churches in Europe, in line with our vision to bring good news to the nations.

But why Europe? Here are three surprising things I've learned as I've worked with church mission leaders over the past few years.

1. The opportunity is greater than I thought.

The big surprise here is the opportunity afforded by the English language. I knew that English speakers living abroad needed churches. I did not realize that opportunities to worship in English could reach nationals, such as the Germans and the French. This week I'll be praying with Steve Henderson, pastor of the international church in Munich, Germany. The church is slightly larger than LBC, and 25% of the participants are Germans.

But the gospel opportunity has grown even more, as refugees are flooding into Europe from the Middle East. What do people from these nations have in common? Quite often, it's the English language. There is a growing missional niche in the cities of Europe, and international churches are seeking to fill that void.

2. Our front-line church partners are more effective than I thought.

At LBC we believe the gospel of God's grace is powerful. In the cold spiritual climate of Europe, the gospel is thawing hearts. Our partner church in Prague has seen their first professions of faith by individuals from Middle Eastern backgrounds. In Nice, Marseille, Athens, Geneva, and Istanbul, the love of Christ is compelling believers to reach out to refugees and to care for them.

Another visible sign of gospel power is the gathering and uniting of people from many countries and cultures. The international church in Geneva has 55 countries represented. In a world fractured by selfishness and strife, he gospel is breaking down walls and teaching love of neighbor.

3. The challenges are greater than I thought.

In this age of people on the move, church members can be short term and transient. In Europe, Christians are a small minority, with a church attendance rate of 3% in some countries. Laws are not always favorable to Christians. Some pastors feel isolated, and the rigors of ministry can take a toll on marriages and families. Churches can be blind-sided by sin and spiritual conflict, just like anywhere.

So our friends in Europe often need an infusion of hope.

That's why International Christian Community (ICC) plays a vital role in the lives of pastors and churches in Europe. Pastors' retreats and prayer events bring these faithful mission leaders out of isolation and into community. Prayer events like the one this week in Lyon warm the icy resistance on this continent. You can check out the mission of ICC HERE.

While these three surprises inspire our European partnership, we need not be surprised at God's gracious providence in orchestrating these gospel opportunities.

"The God who made the world and everything in it...made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him." (Acts 17:24-27)

Mike Tilley is the senior pastor of Lake Baldwin Church, and has lived in Orlando since 1994. He and his wife, Molly, worked with a core group from the Baldwin Park community to plant Lake Baldwin Church in 2006. Mike loves teaching the Bible in a way that relates to real life. In his spare time, Mike enjoys good movies, long dinner with friends, snow skiing, hanging out with his kids and two granddaughters, and travel.

Mike Tilley 7/15/16 Mike Tilley 7/15/16

Darkness in Nice, France

This weekend we lament yet another tragedy at the hands of darkness and evil. We stand with the French people and the churches in France. Pray for worship services on Sunday where the hope of the gospel will be preached. Pray for all of those who lost loved ones on the dark night of July 14 in Nice, France.

The beautiful city of Nice, France, suffered tragedy last night, when 84 people were struck and killed by a lorry. Citizens of Nice had just finished Bastille Day celebrations with fireworks on the beach. France and the world today are horrified by another terrorist attack.

When I heard the news, I thought of our ministry partners at two international churches in the Nice area. James Arnold serves as pastor of both churches, one in St. Paul just 25 minutes up the road from Nice, and the other in Nice itself. James preached at Lake Baldwin Church in June 2015 as part of our effort to highlight our connection with church partners in Europe. He reports that he and his team are safe. They had just completed a week of Kids Club, so were too tired to go to the Bastille Day fireworks.

This weekend we lament yet another tragedy at the hands of darkness and evil. We stand with the French people and the churches in France. Remember to pray for James and his family and team, as well as the two congregations in the Nice area. They are no doubt grappling this weekend for how best to respond. Pray for worship services on Sunday where the hope of the gospel will be preached. Pray for all of those who lost loved ones on the dark night of July 14 in Nice, France.

At LBC we have been forging bonds of partnership with international churches in Europe that are affiliated with International Christian Community. The vision is for each church to be a radiating center of light, bringing the gospel to internationals, immigrants, and in-country nationals. Please be praying for the churches of ICC, both this weekend and next month as they will be included in the August Prayer Initiative. Pray that the hope of Christ and his grace will radiate from the churches in Europe.

"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13-14)

You can read an update from James Arnold on the ICC Blog.

Alison Epps 7/8/16 Alison Epps 7/8/16

Lament and Confession in the Wake of Violence

In the beatitudes, Jesus teaches his followers how the gospel will transform the way they live and interact with others. In light of recent events in our country, these truths ring fresh in our hearts as we own our sinfulness, repent, and seek to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.

"Lament and Confession in the Wake of Violence"

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’
   Instead, we have been proud and overbearing.
   We have asserted our own importance and been jealous of others.
   We have cast off the weak, the poor, and the marginalized
      and slandered those we envy and dislike.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
   Instead, we have been angry in our hearts and in our words.
   We have returned evil for evil.
   We have done violence ourselves and condoned the violence of others.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who weep, for they shall be consoled.”
   Instead, we have failed to show compassion and care for others who suffer
      and in doing so have hardened our hearts.
   We have not borne our own sorrow and suffering with the patience which comes from faith.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
Instead, we have looked on our neighbor’s faults and weaknesses with a hard and intolerant eye.
We have failed to show understanding and sympathy, but judged harshly and too soon.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Instead, we have been suspicious, distrustful and insincere in the thoughts of our hearts.
We have spoiled the joy and beauty of our sense and our love through lust and self-indulgence.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”
   Instead, we have broken the loving peace of friends and families with divisiveness.
   We have been intolerant of those unlike ourselves and disturbed the peace of our land
      with violence and civil strife.
   We have harbored prejudice in our hearts, whether knowingly or unknowingly,
      and have perpetuated the fear and anger in our country.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who suffer persecution for the sake of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
   Instead, we have neglected in our prayers and in our charity those who are persecuted
      for their faith, their beliefs, or their race.
   We have encouraged or left unrebuked those who, in word or deed,
      deny the equality of the children of God.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Based on "A Prayer of Penitence based on the Beatitudes of Jesus" from the Church of England.
Adapted on July 8th, 2016 by Joel Pollard, Director of Worship at Lake Baldwin Church