Gutting it Out!

What Happened to NICE?

2012-02-21T11:28:00.000-08:00

I have known of a number of really nice people in my life who do not profess to know Jesus. They take time out of their schedule to help others and seem to have all the qualities and attributes you would find in a good person. So what is the problem? Well, many nice people are not real nice when you bring up the subject of Jesus. Like turning a switch to bring darkness into a lighted room, speaking about Jesus can put a dark cloud over the countenance of a nice person. We easily write off the Pharisees as mean, ugly and angry people bent on evil in all they did. Many of them, though, were nice people. They helped others, they laughed, played with their kids and were respected by many. THey were nice people - until they were seen with Jesus. Being with Jesus brought about an ugly change to an otherwise pleasant demeanor. Why? Jesus being holy, good and perfect, exposes the true nature of our hearts. We have no choice around Jesus but to be what we are. A godly person is seen to be godly around Jesus, but an evil person will show evidence of evil. When reading over Mark 3:1-6 (our subject for this Sunday) I want to understand what really lay in the hearts of the Pharisees. Why do people resist Jesus? What is really going on when seemingly nice people suddenly turn into angry wolves bent on destroying Jesus? By understanding such a heart I am better able to understand the kind of heart from which I have been saved. I sure look forward to talking about this with you Sunday and I look forward to worshipping the Lord Jesus with you. HE IS SO GOOD!

Pastor Mitch

SO, HOW IS THAT WORKING FOR YOU?

2012-02-15T06:03:00.000-08:00

Dr. Phil, the popular TV psychologist is known for leaning toward his troubled guest to ask the question "so, how is that working for you?" I would like to ask you that question this Sunday. So, how is that working for you? All the disciplines. All the bible studies. All the church attendance. Praying. Giving. So, how is it working for you? Are you any happier? Holier? Closer to God? More affective? So, how is it working for you? The Pharisees (in Mark 2:18-27) questions Jesus as to why his disciples don't fast, and, why they were picking grain from a field on the Sabbath. Jesus turns the question on them. So, why do YOU do what you do? Why do you fast? Why do you not pick grain on the Sabbath? It is working? Do you know why are you doing it?

Lots of questions to ask this Sunday and hopefully some refreshing answers.

I sure look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday.

Pastor Mitch

Compeled By Love

2012-02-08T06:17:00.000-08:00

A Church in town has a sign outside that "Welcome Bikers". What would be your reaction if you came to our Church this Sunday to see a large sign reading, "Liars, Thieves, Gossipers, ALL sinners are welcome". It would catch your attention wouldn't it? You can begin to understand the mood and reaction to Jesus showing up at Levi's house in Mark 2:13-17 and seen eating with "sinners and tax collectors". You and I might easily say we would welcome sinners and hang out with them, but consider carefully how well you follow up on that claim. The Word will challenge us this Sunday as we look at what it looks like to be Compelled By the Love of Jesus. I sure look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday.

The Blessing of Death

2012-01-31T16:12:00.000-08:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters of FAC

Think about this. Had God not proclaimed a death sentence on Adam and Eve, post fall, they would have had to live forever in a world severed from its creator, alone and afraid. If scientists discovered a way for us to live forever in the world as we know it, would you really want it? Yes, God did punish Adam and Eve by telling them they would die, but death was also a blessing. It told them they would not have to live forever in this broken world in these broken bodies. The harshness of working, of child bearing pain, conflict and turmoil would be short lived. What seemed to be a cruel consequence to sin also became a merciful way out. It told Adam that it would not always be this way. And we know that ultimately Jesus stepped into this brokeness, took on himself the full brunt of Adam's punishment, and by dying and rising again gave us the hope and provision of life after this death. Suddenly being sick doesn't sound so bad. When sick, I am reminded that this body has to die before I can enter the experience of a new body placed in a new and restored climate totally free from the reality of sin.

I sure look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday as we gather in a the crowded room of Capernaum in Mark 2 where Jesus restores the hope of a man paralyzed by sin. The sin of Adam worked its way down centuries to affect this man's life, physically and spiritually. But here before him stood the new Adam with a new hope and a new offer. LIFE. It's why he came! Ultimately, whether you are sick or just struggling with life, you and I have a lot to look forward to. Sickness and the harshness of living in this world, remind us that something better is ahead. I cannot wait and in the meantime I am thankful that God, in his mercy, gave us all a way out of this.

Drinking Deep during Depression

2012-01-18T06:47:00.001-08:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters of FAC

10% of Americans suffer from depression and it seems the stats do not vary that much for believers. The difference for believers of course, is in our hope. God made us emotional beings and those emotions are often impacted by the realities of living in a broken world. There is nothing shameful about depression! You might not suffer from depression but you know someone who does. Psalm 13 not only give us a place to identify with King David as he suffered depression, but the Psalm also offers a place to identity and rest in the victory offered to us by Jesus. I have shared with you before that I suffered for three years during High School with severe depression. During those dark years something deep in me led me to believe that this would not last forever. It was as though I was grasping the hand of the Holy Spirit as he led me down a long tunnel. The first bends were dark and cold, but eventually I could feel a breeze of assurance that the darkness would not last and the final turn revealed a glorious light and I have been walking in that light ever since. John 10:10 tells us that the thief comes ONLY to kill, steal and destroy but Jesus revealed that he came ONLY to offer life and life to the full. I want to talk about that life this Sunday knowing that many of you will be deeply encouraged as we come around this beautiful Psalm.

I sure look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday.

Pastor Mitch

Lets Meet at the Well

2012-01-11T03:30:00.000-08:00

Amy Carmichael wrote: "Drink from the well, not from rivers which flow from the well". We are most nourished and only nourished when we discover how sufficient Jesus is. We only need to come to him and exchange our bucket for his. What he offers quenches the greatest thirst and fills the deepest recesses of our soul. Jesus came to transform lives. He came to offer hope. He came to offer Living Water in exchange for water that keeps making us thirsty. Have you really met Jesus? Are you drinking from his well? I sure look forward to joining you around the Well in John 4 this coming Sunday. Bring your bucket, but be ready to exchange it for His!

The Value of a glass of Water!

2012-01-06T07:22:00.001-08:00

What do you do when you are really thirsty? If you were to go three days without water and I put in front of you a box of chocolate and a glass of water I would venture a guess that your hand would lunge for the glass of water. When thirsty, the glass of water has great value. There is a huge difference between what we want and what we need and what we need becomes most evident in our times of desperation. This Sunday I will preach the first of three sermons on the subject of THIRST! Jesus stood before the huge crowd celebrating the Feast of Tabernacle and offered what even the greatest day of the feast could not offer! WATER! Living Water! Himself! And He promised that any who come to him thirsty and drink out of him will flow rivers of living water. (John 7:37-38)

I sure look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday. Come thirsty!

Pastor Mitch

Fresh Start

2011-12-28T08:54:00.001-08:00

Thank you FAC for standing strong in 2011. Thank you for representing Jesus at home and in your community. Thank you for honoring His Name and standing in awe of Him (Malachi 2:5). I am currently working through a small group devotional on the book of Malachi and find myself compelled by God's challenge to the priests to walk in deep reverence before Him. True worship, true service, real ministry flows out of a right attitude, a true fear of God. Live in awe of Him and it will spill over into every part of life. I look forward (with a deep awareness of my own personal and spiritual vulnerability) to see how this lives out in my life and in our Church community in 2012.

We start new and fresh in 2012. Kris Gerow begins his ministry as Youth Director January 4th. Elise Bacon begins also in January as assistant to Lera in our children's ministry. Elise comes with a degree from Bryan College in Music and Christian Ministry. She will also be working part time at Trimont Christian Academy. Welcome Elise to the staff of FAC! Below is a listing of our staff so you can be in prayer for us in 2012:

Senior Pastor: Mitch Schultz

Director of Worship: Dr. James Cascarelle

Director of Youth Ministry: Kris Gerow

Director of Children's Ministry: Lera Hesselbirg

Assistant to Children's Ministry: Elise Bacon

Bookkeep/Treasurer: Don Swanson

I sure look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday

Pastor mitch

Mitch Schultz

828-371-3589

http://mitchandreschultz.blogspot.com

Fresh Start

2011-12-28T08:54:00.000-08:00

Senior Pastor: Mitch Schultz

Director of Worship: Dr. James Cascarelle

Director of Youth Ministry: Kris Gerow

Director of Children's Ministry: Lera Hesselbirg

Assistant to Children's Ministry: Elise Bacon

Bookkeep/Treasurer: Don Swanson

I sure look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday

Pastor mitch

Mitch Schultz

828-371-3589

http://mitchandreschultz.blogspot.com

There Are Two Things Going On

2011-12-15T03:32:00.001-08:00

There is always more going on than what you see. That is where faith comes in. Joseph and Mary were ordered by Caesar to go to Bethlehem, only because he was looking to enlarge his already inflated ego by taking a census of his already too big empire. Behind the scenes however, something bigger was going on. Someone else was pulling the strings. A grander purpose was being carried out and suddenly, next to God's grand scheme, Caesar looks so small. Its good to get in the habit whenever something you don't like happens, (like when Caesar tells you to travel 75 miles to Bethlehem when you are pregnant and all you have is a donkey to travel on), to immediately assume God has something bigger in mind. This weeks' sermon from Luke 2:1-7 is entitled "There Are Two Things Going On". What we see, what seems, contrast with what actually is, can actually be exciting.

GOD DOES HIS OWN THING

2011-12-07T07:50:00.001-08:00

This Sunday I will be looking at Matthew 2:1-9 and the topic of my sermon is GOD DOES HIS OWN THING. Someone commented this morning (cynically I might add) that we should have two different seasons to celebrate Christmas. One to quench that insatiable lust for stuff and the other to purely honor the birth of our savior. Its hard to do both at the same time, isn't it? God did not try to fit Jesus into the materialistic sin sick muck of our world. What he did was so other than the world. What he did was upsetting to the world. It challenged the world and confronted those in the world and gave men and women a choice. People like Herod looked for ways to kill him, but then you had "kings from the east" who gave up everything worldly because they could not wait to bow down to him. Really, when it comes down to it, you can't have Jesus and all this. We have quiet a choice to make.

I sure look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday.

Pastor Mitch

Jesus'ing Alone? Is it Possible?

2011-11-17T06:19:00.000-08:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters of FAC

Someone shared with me recently that they almost gave up on Church until they started attending FAC. I was encouraged but saddened by this. Encouraged of course that FAC rescued them from a growing trend away from church prevalent among young people in our culture. I was saddened however that, according to a recent Barna study, only 3 out of 10 young people who grow up in Church will continue to follow Jesus by going to Church. Do you notice the way I worded that: "follow Jesus by going to Church"? This Sunday I will be referring to a book called "Bowling Alone" written in an attempt to understand the diminishing of community in America. Its a secular book, but describes well what is also happening in Christian community. (You will have to come Sunday to hear the premise for the book.) Is it possible to live for Jesus apart from community? I am so glad my friend concluded that it is not. By the way, note the number of times in Mark's gospel that Jesus taught in the Synagogue (the church of his day)? Community mattered to Jesus. He taught where people assembled, but he also mobilized the assembled (the church, not the individual) to carry out His Great Commission. You don' read much about individualism in the scriptures. It's challenging then to take such an inter-dependent model of community and figure out how to fit it into a culture that is so independent. I sure look forward to talking about how this all brings renewed life into our christian experience. And of course, I cannot wait to worship with you this Sunday.

Its About the Gospel

2011-11-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

This Sunday we begin a fifteen week message series on Mark's Gospel. Mark begins with the banner headline that his narrative is just the beginning of the Gospel about Jesus the Son of God and quickly introduces us to a man, by the name of John (some say he was a baptist but I think he was non denominational - okay that was bad!), who was driven by that gospel. He was born for this and he died for this. He was also described by Mark as a voice (not THE VOICE) calling, or crying in the wilderness "prepare the way for the Lord". This encourages me as it invites me to be an other voice with the same call to more people still stranded in today's wilderness. If John had been the only voice there would not have been much for us to do, but we have all been invited to join him to cry out the gospel message and to line up our entire life to be driven by it. I sure am eager to see how the Holy Spirit will use this to simplify our lives. Whether you are in the kitchen, or out talking to people about Jesus, you have been left here for the Gospel! The Good News - that Jesus lives, that Jesus is Coming and that Jesus Reigns.

Pastor Mitch

IS MISSION PLURAL OR SINGULAR?

2011-10-19T13:34:00.000-07:00

This Sunday is World Focus Weekend. We hold WFW four times a year as our way of partnering with the work of mission around the world. Mission? The use of the singular is not a mistake. While we usually use the plural it is in fact a singular mission that we take part in. It is the work of mission, the one purpose, the singular task given to us by our Lord Jesus in the Great Commission of Matthew 11:28. Mission is not one ministry in our Church, it is OUR MINISTRY. Its the reason we exist. Mission is one call, one activity that flows out from where we are extending to the furthest parts of the world. Our mission is the see the return of Our King. According to Matthew 24:14 Jesus promised to return when this gospel has been preached in all corners of the world. So, how important is WFW? It is extremely important because it reminds us of who we are but also involves us in who we are. Each time we hear from a missionary we have one more opportunity to advance the kingdom just all the more forward. As the Holy Spirit stirs us during these weekends, he also invites to pray and to give. Lets take these events extremely seriously, not something else we do. It is what we do!

JESUS SHALL REIGN, JESUS DOES REIGN!

2011-10-11T06:34:00.000-07:00

Its been fascinating watching events unfold in the mideast. I remember feeling relieved when long time dictators such as the iron fisted Mubarak in Egypt, and that villainous Gaddafi in Libya came toppling down under the relentless pressure placed on them by the common people. If you responded like I did, you probably sighed with relief that finally; justice will finally be carried out, people will enjoy freedom, and a dawn of a new era will begin. Have you watched the news this past week? In Egypt, Christian are facing a level of persecution never seen under Mubarak's reign of terror. In the span of just three weeks over 30 Christian demonstrators were mowed down by storming tanks. In Libya, Jews are being targeted and attacked and forced to flee, something unheard of under Gaddafi's maniacal rule. None of this makes me long again for repressive regimes, but it does make me wonder about the state of our world particularly in those nations surrounding Israel. Zechariah in his prophecy speaks over and over of a Day that will come where pressure and attacks against Israel and against God's followers will increase but so will the motion of God's hand against His enemies. Read Zechariah, as I did again this past week, and one exciting truth surfaces to form a banner headline over a messed up world. The worse things get in our world, the more God will begin to move to establish His reign. In chapter fourteen, the chapter we will be looking at this Sunday as we consider Jesus the Coming King, God lures His enemies to Israel to destroy them and finally bring an end to all opposition and once for all establish His reign. The world is very unsettled today, but as followers of Jesus we have a lot to look forward to.

Healing - The Elephant in the Room

2011-10-05T09:31:00.000-07:00

The issue of healing can be the elephant in the room that no one is really willing to talk about. Does God heal? If so, why are so many sick? Why do we rarely see true miraculous healings, I mean the kind that is a total and complete reversal to a medical situation that has absolutely no other explanation? I don't struggle at all with Jesus being the Healer. That conviction is sound. It's settled and rooted deep into my belief. My struggle is what I observe. Fortunately I do not base my convictions on experience, but rather on Biblical truths. While I might not see God heal all that often, I still go to Him for healing. And I do it with expectation. He is still the only one who can heal, therefore I run to Him. My experiences and observations about healing have not rattled one bit that sound conviction that God can heal and does heal. With that comes a deep trust that he knows what is best.

Pastor Mitch

The Believers Health Rating

2011-09-28T06:41:00.000-07:00

You will often find on the wall of most restaurants a sheet indicating the health rating of that particular establishment. A 100% reflects a perfect score, offering confidence to the restaurant guest that this is a very clean place. This restaurant has met the standards set by the health department. Did you know God expects a 100% score of His followers? The idea of sanctification is related to the concept of sanctuary. Sanctifying is what God does to prepare his sanctuary. According to 1 Cor. 3:17-18 we are now that temple! In short He cleans us (that is sanctifying) so that he can indwell us (that is the sanctuary). Thankfully I do not have to do anything other than offer myself to him inorder to meet this otherwise imposible standard of cleanliness, or holiness. 1 Peter 1:15 calls us to "be holy as I am holy". I heard someone say once that God cannot use a dirty vessel. This used to make me feel guilty, unable to ever reach this high call, until I realized I am not the one who does the cleaning. He does. Sanctification, so we become his sanctuary, is His work. He sets me apart by the work of Christ, He empowers me to dedicate myself fully to Him, He in turn cleanses me and then indwells me so my life is completely His to use.

Party Crashing

2010-09-18T05:34:00.000-07:00

Ever tried to crash a party and got caught? The closest I got was the time when....hey wait this might get out. Just kidding. Never happened! You might remember last year a couple was seen mixing with the Obama's, photo ops and all, only to find out they had snuck in without an invitation. I wonder sometimes how many are mingling among us who have never truly accepted the invitation by Jesus to come by way of the cross? It is possible to be in the mix with other Christians without truly being a Christian? Being a Christian only happens one way. By coming to Jesus, repenting of sin and accepting the invitation to come and die because he died and to be raised to new life again because he is alive.

All this to prepare for our look at Joshua 5 this coming Sunday. Before this desert generation could enter the land, enjoy God's abundance and claim victory over the enemy, God had to conquer them. There were no party crashers allowed. It came only by way of invitation to die and be reborn.

I sure look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday.

Pastor Mitch

Preaching on Tithing

2010-07-13T17:55:00.001-07:00

Ok, now.... Sunday I am preaching on Giving, tithing etc... from Matthew 6:1-4. So, why do pastor's struggle with preaching on this subject? Can I be honest with you? (You'll get it anyway). Perhaps for several reasons. 1. Will people think this is a clever back door way to raise money for the Church? 2. Will I make people feel guilty because they do not tithe? 3. Will visitors get a negative impression of us because the first sermon they hear is about MONEY? So, how did I manage to brave these concerns and face the issue head on. Easy! For one thing its in the text and must be mentioned. Further more, I have discovered so far in my study this week that this an exciting subject. Think about it. You love the Kingdom right? -by giving to it you get to be part of what Jesus is doing in expanding his work . You love Jesus right? -you get to express regularly your gratitude for the wonderful way he keeps providing for you. You care about what he cares about, right? -you get to share in the blessing of seeing people reached with the gospel. Suddenly tithing, and putting that little, or big bit in the offering plate each week becomes more than the mundane realization and slight satisfaction that you are helping pay the power and water bill, and helping keep the carpets clean. You do what you do out of sheer joy that all you have belongs to Jesus and you can't wait to tell Jesus by putting that envelope in the offering plate on Sunday. So, really there is no hesitation in preaching on giving! Can't wait!

See you Sunday and don't forget your check book, oops I mean bible!

Mitch A. Schultz

Wrestling with God

2010-07-06T17:44:00.001-07:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters

Two will be baptized during our second service this coming Sunday July 11. If you attend first service you may come celebrate with others toward the end of the second service (around 11:45 a.m.)

Been reflecting a lot on Jacob’s struggle with God from Genesis 32 for this Sunday in large part because of the baptism. (We will resume our study on Matthew 6 on giving and fasting the next week) If we are honest we would have to admit that our greatest wrestling matches don’t take place in the ring against others or even against our arch foe, Satan. The one we resist the most is the one who loves us most. His call to surrender can bring out the worst resistance in us. If you don’t believe that come to him sometime and offer him your life and full allegiance. That kind of commitment, as Jacob discovers, doesn’t come without a fight. Our innate desire for self rule and our tendency for self love will not give in that easily even to the authority of one who seeks nothing less than just to bless us. Read over Jacob’s struggle but don’t expect it to be an easy read particularly as you put yourself into the story.

Sure look forward to seeing you this Sunday,

Waiting for Him,

Pastor Mitch

Who Is He Really?

2010-03-05T06:17:00.001-08:00

Our perception of God is often distorted. Often the only way to know him is to get away from the mist into the clearing of his Word. It is there, with renewed minds and focused faith that we see him and understand him for who he really is. To form an impression of God from our hazy experiences is like trying to discern what an news anchor really looks like when the picture on our set is very fuzzy. We can try to adjust the antenna, but only true picture we will get is when we actually walk into the studio and see him face to face. I am so encouraged in reading his Word, how the Holy Spirit brings us into his Holy Presence to discover Him for who He really is.

Why Plant Churches

2010-02-20T11:13:00.001-08:00

I have been actively involved in a Church Plant movement in Western Carolina. We were thrilled this morning to have one man, recently placed at Western Carolina speak to our men. Darryl, the Church Planter, stirred our hearts as he shared his passion and vision for planting a church at the university setting. Some might ask, and do ask, why more churches? Are we inundated with Churches at every corner? Did you know most people who come to Jesus do so through a new church? Another reason to plant Churches is that it is the best way to reach new demographics with the gospel. It is our biblical responsibility to plant churches. What excites me is that this new plant is being planted by another church we started two years ago. This makes what is happening at Western Carolina our grandchild church.

Getting Alone with Jesus!

2010-02-17T03:25:00.000-08:00

The following Prayer by William Runyan is one I will often read in preparation for my devotions;

Lord, I have shut the door
Speak now the Word
Which in the din and throng
Could not be heard

Hush now my inner heart
Whisper your will
While I have come apart
While all is still

Lord I have shut the door
Here do I bow
Speak for my soul attend
Turns to you now
Rebuke what is vain
Counsel my soul
Your Holy Will reveal
Your will control

HAVE YOU HAD TIME ALONE WITH JESUS TODAY?

The Cross

2010-02-16T02:39:00.000-08:00

We sang about the Wondrous Cross on Sunday. The song is warm, emotional and effective in bringing to mind the deep love of God expressed through the sacrifice of His Son. I reflected in my prayer time this morning how every time I sin I am drawn more to the cross. The more I sin the more I am drawn to what Jesus did on the cross and the more I am drawn to the cross the less I desire to sin. This brings an ugly side of the cross. The cross is not so wondrous when we consider what it represents. The Cross is a symbol of death, anguish and punishment. When I sin the Holy Spirit draws me to the horror of the Cross, to show me what Jesus endured there. He takes me there not to shame me, but to draw me deeper into the well of his mercy. The Cross, its horror, the agony Jesus endured there, gives me hope. Causes me to break free from sin. If Jesus did all that for me, why do I persist in rebellion against Him. Yes, I guess it is Wondrous!