WithoutWax.tv by Pete Wilson | Tag Archive | Rob Bell
Tag Archive - Rob Bell

What’s The Point?

June 3, 2010 in Leadership with 71 Comments

As I was writing my message this week I got to thinking about a question I hadn’t asked myself in a while. The question was, “What exactly is the point of a message (sermon)?” I’m not talking about the point to a specific message, but to messages in general.

The most basic explanation I’ve had in my head for years is “the purpose of a sermon is to explain and apply the Scripture with the end goal being understanding and eventually spiritual transformation.”  I kind of based my definition off of some assumptions made from  2 Timothy 3:16 applies: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (NIV).

I finished up Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell last night before bed. He wrote…

“The sermon is about starting the discussion. The sermon is about having the first word. The sermon is a catalyst that inspires people into whole new ways of seeing their lives.”

So I thought this would be a great discussion today. I really want to know what you guys think. In your opinion what is purpose of “the sermon?”  If you give them weekly what is your ultimate goal? If you listen to them regularly, what do you expect to get out of them?

Empire of Entitlement

May 17, 2010 in Spiritual Growth with 42 Comments

There are few things that threaten my ability to live and lead in humility like a spirit of entitlement.

In our culture today it’s real easy to get caught up inside of what’s been called the “empire of entitlement.”  Inside of this empire I start to think…

-Life should revolve around ME.

-Relationships are about meeting MY needs.

-Fruitful ministry is the result of MY effort.

-The things I have are because of MY hard work.

Rob Bell wrote in Jesus Wants to Save Christians …

In an empire of entitlement, when the fundamental awareness is lost that this is all a gift, luxuries can begin to seem like necessities. Excess can become normal. And it can be very easy to lose perspective on just how much we have.”

I have to be very careful, especially when things are going well, that I don’t live inside of the delusions of  this empire for long. As soon as I start to believe that I have what I have because of MY hard work it leads to all kinds of unhealthy extremes. When I sense myself drifting in this direction I have to remind myself of Scriptures like this one in Deuteronomy.  Moses warning is so relevant to many of us today. Especially those of us in leadership.

Deut 8:14-18

14 Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. 15 Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! 16 He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. 17 He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ 18 Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

Do you ever struggle inside of this “empire of entitlement” forgetting it’s God who gives you the power to accomplish what you accomplish and gain all that you gain?

The Best Of You

October 9, 2009 in Church Leadership, Family with 35 Comments

Having a blast and learning so much down here in Atlanta at Catalyst. It’s so great just to get around other leaders and sharpen one another. I heard so many incredible things yesterday and it will take me a while to process it all.

However, one question from Rob Bell just absolutely floored me.

He asked, “Does your spouse and kids get the best of you or do they get the scraps leftover after you’re done building what you’re going to build?”

I felt my heart sink low into my chest because I know the answer.  I thought to myself, I’m getting ready to go into what is probably the busiest season of my ministry to date and not cheating my family is going to take a tremendous amount of discipline. And I felt as if God impressed on me, “Yes Pete, it will, but it will be worth every hard decision. Don’t win at church and fail at home.”

Isn’t it amazing how one question can cause you to need to make some major changes?

How about you? Is your spouse getting your best? Are your kids getting your best?