Virtual Church Consulting

Last week, in our “Kingdom Rebellion” series, we explored the events of Genesis Chapter 3, focusing on the Fall and its consequences. This week, we shift our attention to Genesis Chapter 4 and look at the tale of two seeds.

Genesis 4:1–7 (NIV)
1 Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the ORD. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. 6 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

Chapter 4 introduces us to several firsts: the initial sibling rivalry, the inaugural murder, and the establishment of the first city, among other significant events. We’ll delve into these topics more thoroughly at Keys Vineyard Church this weekend. To prepare, let’s examine the conflict between the seed/offspring more closely.

Genesis 4:7 (NIV)
7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

In John’s first letter, he expounds on the story of Cain and Abel. He shows us that there are two wills at work.

1 John 3:10–18 (NIV)
10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. 11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Cain is biologically the seed of the woman, yet his choices/actions align him more closely with the serpent’s lineage.

As believers in Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, we are blessed to have the ability to choose to do what is right and the power to carry out that choice in our actions.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

In the fruit of the spirit list, this is about self-control. As we see in Cain and Abel’s story, anything uncontrolled can harm your relationships.

Self-control is ultimately a divine gift cultivated within us by the Holy Spirit. Recognizing it as such helps us credit God rather than ourselves. However, embracing self-control involves both reception and active participation. It’s about allowing Christ, through his Spirit, to govern our desires, not merely about self-management.

This weekend at church, we’ll explore what this looks like in practice, including:

Being accountable (Romans 14:12)
Living with integrity (Proverbs 15:3)

Make plans to join us this weekend at Keys Vineyard Church in person or online.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

Last week, we started our new series called Kingdom Rebellion, and we did an overview of the main three points: The Fall, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel. This week, we are going to focus on the Fall.

Genesis 3:1-7 (NIV)
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'” 4 “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Our big topics during this week’s message at Keys Vineyard will be the consequences of the Fall and a look at the Crimson Thread of Redemption, recorded in Genesis 3:15.

Genesis 3:15 (NIV)
15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

In preparation for the discussion, let’s take a quick practical look at temptation. As the evil one tempts Adam and Eve, he uses three specific tactics. These can be understood as the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. The Apostle John made sure we would be aware of these tactics by recording them for us in 1 John 2:16:

1 John 2:16 (NIV)
16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

It is essential to be aware of these tactics because the evil one continues to use them repeatedly. For the most part, he has been quite successful. However, when he tries them on Jesus during the temptation in the wilderness, they don’t work. Take some time to read over the account of the fall in Genesis 3:1-7 and then read the account of the temptation in the wilderness in Luke 4:1-12:

Luke 4:1–12 (NIV)
1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” 5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” 9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

See if you can find the three temptation tactics used in each account. Then take time to have a think about how Jesus used the word of God to stand firm in the face of temptation. All this and more at Keys Vineyard Church this weekend, so join us in person or online.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

In the digital age, social media has become a pivotal tool for organizations worldwide, including churches. Its profound impact on religious communities offers significant opportunities and notable challenges. At Church Consultant, we want to help you understand the pros and cons of social media for the church, which is essential in leveraging its potential effectively while mitigating potential drawbacks.

Pros of Social Media for the Church

Enhanced Outreach and Evangelism: Social media platforms allow churches to reach a broader audience beyond their local community. They can share sermons, worship services, and other religious content with a global audience, making it easier to spread their message and engage with people who might not physically attend church.

Community Building: Social media allows church members to connect, share experiences, and support each other outside regular worship services. This digital fellowship can be particularly beneficial for members unable to attend in person due to health, distance, or other constraints.

Increased Engagement: Churches can use social media to engage with their congregation in real time, fostering a more interactive and responsive community. Live streaming services, prayer groups, and religious discussions online can enhance participation and keep the congregation engaged throughout the week.

Cost-Effective Communication: Social media offers a cost-effective way for churches to communicate with their members. Announcements, event promotions, and other communications can be disseminated quickly and without the costs associated with traditional print media.

Cons of Social Media for the Church

Risk of Misinformation: The ease of sharing content on social media also comes with the risk of spreading misinformation. Churches need to be vigilant about the accuracy of the content and be prepared to address false information that may circulate.

Online Negativity and Trolling: Social media platforms can sometimes breed negativity and trolling. Churches may find themselves targets of unwarranted criticism or offensive comments, which can be challenging to manage and potentially damage their reputation.

Digital Divide: Not all church members may have equal access to or comfort using social media. This digital divide can leave some members feeling left out or disconnected from the church’s online activities.

Time and Resource Investment: Effectively managing social media requires time and resources. Churches must allocate personnel to regularly update and monitor their social media channels, respond to comments, and create engaging content.

Social media presents a valuable opportunity for churches to expand their outreach, build community, increase engagement, and communicate effectively and cost-efficiently. However, it also brings challenges like the risk of misinformation, the potential for online negativity, the digital divide, and the need for time and resource investment. Churches venturing into social media must do so with a strategic plan and awareness of these pros and cons to maximize the benefits while minimizing the drawbacks.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.