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The Spiritual Covid Preperation – Craig Andrew Griebel

Posted on Apr 19, 2020 by admin in Devotions, elders pen - Craig, General, Sermons & Blogs |

The Spiritual Covid Preperation

My parents and Holly’s parents have completely different vacation planning strategies. I remember the last family vacation I took before getting married to Holly. We went to Hawaii and aside from the flights and condo we were staying at – didn’t plan too much else until we arrived in Kawaii. I remember talking to my future in-laws about the trip and they were astounded we had nothing pre-scheduled. I didn’t think much of this until I went on a trip with them to New York City about two years later. We had a binder of each day planned out almost so specifically that we had to pencil in rest room breaks…well maybe not that much but for someone that is a little more “fly by the seat of my pants” it certainly seemed that way. In the end, both trips were very different but also very enjoyable.

My point is this: God prepares us for our future in ways that we don’t always expect. He moves in a very unique way that often doesn’t make sense. However, the one truth that we can depend on is that He WILL prepare us for what is ahead. I think of Paul before he went to Jerusalem after coming to Christ on that road to Damascus. We read in Galatians 1:17-18: “I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me; instead I went to Arabia and came back to Damascus. Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas (Peter), and I stayed with him 15 days.” Many scholars believe Paul took this time in Arabia to prepare – to know Christ more and prepare for the huge calling that was on his life – a calling that led to entire countries eventually becoming flooded with the Gospel.

Paul is not unique in this. We see in the Old Testament that Joseph saw a vision in which he would be a leader to his family at age 17 – only to undergo jail and slavery for thirteen years. Finally at the age of 30 he indeed saw his brothers bow down to him. Moses waited in Midian as a shepherd of sheep for 40 years before he was able to shepherd a nation out of slavery. Joshua spent a lifetime following Moses to prepare him to continue this role at Moses’ death. David spent years in the wilderness being chased by Saul – time that would teach him necessary skills to lead and protect his future kingdom. Even Jesus Himself did not begin His ministry until the age of 30 – becoming “strong, filled with wisdom” during His early life (Luke 2:40).

My point is this – Covid 19 has shut down our way of life. It has caused many of you to lose your jobs and many more to lose your peace. Some of you are no longer at school and aside from overwhelming amounts of homework have nothing to do but binge watch Netflix or Hulu. This virus has slowed down and silenced much of the noise and busyness that usually fills our life. And with this slow down we have a decision to make – will we use it to grow or to wilt – to shine or to fade. We should not let this time of silence scare us but instead use it to prepare us.

Many Christians do not share the Gospel because they do not feel adequate or equipped enough. I could write an entire blog series on why this is a silly excuse (but we will save that for another time) but for now – let us think about this time making that excuse invalid. Time is what we have – time to grow in the Word and actually dive in and read it. Time to pray and come to know God in a deeper level. Time to attend worship services via YouTube or Facebook. We now have the time – if we aren’t allowing God to prepare us in this time we only have ourselves to blame.

I truly believe that the Gospel will flourish due to the Corona virus. I believe it will be a rock that many around the world will be forced to lean on during this difficult time. I also truly believe God will rise up many leaders out of this fire that is burning across our nation. The question now becomes: will you be part of the movement? Will you take the time to grow and prepare? Will you be like Paul and grow in this time “of Arabia” – acting as he did to get away from the noise and prepare for the mission field in front of him? Love the silence and let Him speak to you in it. And enjoy this time of everything being slowed down – because soon enough the noise will be back. The question is will you be ready to overcome it with the peace and tranquility of the Simple Gospel offered by Christ alone?

Colossians 3:8 – Craig Andrew Griebel

Posted on Mar 9, 2017 by admin in Devotions, elders pen - Craig, General, Sermons & Blogs |

Mar '17

New Life Sins – a series to step on all of our toes

Lately, I have been reading the book of Colossians and really studying what it means to make Christ the head of my being. What I mean is that as a Christian it can be hard to really take seriously this New Life which we have been given. We know that: “if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) We have heard that we are “buried with Christ” similar to baptism – going from the old dead body to a new life in Christ (Romans 6:4). However, if you are like me, it can be hard to truly grasp this concept. We make other things our priority and the truth that we are created to be new fades away.

Colossians has a way of convicting me of this. For you see, the entire book is written by Paul to prove to a church that Christ is all they need. There is no other “hidden knowledge” they have to earn – Christ is enough. The first two chapters focus on this aspect – rules don’t get us to God. Neither do some type of hidden teachings not found in the Bible. Instead, Christ is all we need – He brings us to a complete new life. This can be convicting and humbling – knowing I bring nothing to the table to somehow barter my salvation – but instead Christ gave this gift freely. However, I don’t feel it is quite as convicting as Colossians 3. For you see, it is at this chapter that the book shifts from theology to practice. In fact the chapter starts by letting you know it is about to get real: “So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God.” (Col. 3:1)

It goes on to tell us in Colossians 3:5 to put to death the sins of our past – “sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.” (Col. 3:5) These are the sins that we forfeit when we come to Christ – indeed all are a form of idolatry that try to put something else in the place of Christ. Convicting, but still not quite where I want to focus today. What is really astounding as that close to two thousand years ago Paul went on to name sins that Christians two centuries later continue to deal with. He basically states – “Alright, so you put to death the sins mentioned in verse 5 – now put away these other sins that you like to ignore.” Verse 7-8 reads: “you once walked in these things (the sins mentioned in verse 5) when you were living in them. But now you must also put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth”

These are what I like to call the “New Life Sins” – the ones we as Christians justify as not real sins. These are the sins that we all perform and usually don’t feel the need to repent of. These are the sins that have been convicting me as I study Colossians. Thus, I want to start a series looking at each sin mentioned in Colossians 3:8 – looking at how I personally justify this sin and why it is still wrong. I hope you will join me in this journey as we try to let Christ and the Bible step on our toes – making us realize that to truly grow in our relationship with Christ – we have to let him purge these evils from our life. I pray you will join me in this journey – and I pray God brings about changes in our life to stop justifying sin but instead live in the New Life He has purchased for us through the blood of the cross.

John 15:5 – Craig Andrew Griebel

Posted on Jan 2, 2017 by admin in Devotions, elders pen - Craig, General, Sermons & Blogs |

Jan '17

A New Beginning

The New Year is upon us as is a multitude of resolutions that we will strive to follow for an entire year. Gym memberships will increase and new diets will sell. However, by the time March comes along, McDonald’s burger sells will again be through the roof and equipment in gyms will once again be available to the faithful few that are consistent enough to continue in their healthy lifestyle. New becomes old and the cycle repeats itself so that next year can finally be that time when we accomplish the goal we are trying to achieve.

I think that this repetitive cycle makes it hard for us to realize what a “New Beginning” really looks like. When Christ states that He is making “everything new” (Rev. 21:5) does He mean something permanent or just another new start that will have to be started all over again when we somehow botch it up? Often times at work, I have my balance patients complete some type of obstacle course to work on their mobility and every time they lose their balance, I make them start over. Is this the way Christ works as well? Is our newness based on performance – our walk and witness shot down when we fall? I feel that I often make my renewal (aka: the making of me being a new man of Christ or sanctification more or less) all about my efforts. What am I doing to get to Jesus? However, if we look at the exact wording of Revelation 21:5 it instead reads: “Then the One seated on the throne said, ‘Look! I am making everything new.’ He also said, ‘Write, because these words are faithful and true.’” The key I think I have to realize is the “I am making everything new” – not “Craig is making everything new.”

Now, don’t get me wrong. I think we work out our salvation daily (Philippians 2:12) by striving to know Christ and dwell in Him in a greater way. But know this for certain: it is not our actions that make us new. Instead, it is the grace of a glorious God that sent His only Son to be a substitute for us – to pay the price we owe. When you come to Christ in salvation – He makes you new.

I believe the problem we often have is that we like to think we somehow must do something to contribute. This is what separates Biblical Christianity from false gospels such as Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witness – we truly believe that the work is done. He made us new in that moment of salvation – “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift – not from works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Again, don’t get the wrong message here. This does not give us justification to not remain in Christ and to sin freely (the entire book of Romans deals with that aspect quite extensively) but it does give us a peace this new year to know that we truly are new creations. We are not a quick resolution made by God to save humanity but then when a couple of months go by and we keep screwing up He gives up on us. No, this is a lasting newness – one purchased by the very valuable blood of Christ.

Thus, I guess my entire note can be summed up in this aspect: Know you are made new and rest in that fact. Know that God sees you as a glorious creation that He is proud of. I believe that growing in Christ rests upon this fact. Because, when you forget this truth you try to perform the “making new” on your own– and trust me – you are not near as capable as God. We grow by remaining in this truth – that God truly does look down at us and proudly report: “Look! I am making everything new.” And guess what? That includes you!

“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.” John 15:5