MasterPiece Church

Sunday, June 10th

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 20:49:00 +0000

Are you feeling slighted? Somehow you were dealt a bad hand and you ended up low on the totem pole.

This Sunday we're going to be discussing the issue of how to thrive in Christ -- regardless of your status or your situation. If you want the preview check out James 1:9-18.

Bring your appetite. We're planing to serve up baked potatoes and toppings following our worship time.

MasterPiece Church meets at 10 AM in building N of the South Mountain Community College Laveen Center (former site of Laveen Elementary School), 5001 W Dobbins Rd.

Whoever you are -- wherever you're from -- whatever your situation -- welcome! Bring some friends with you!

Blessings!

Brad Boydston
Pastor

We're looking for land

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:14:00 +0000

We know that as MasterPiece Church continues to grow we're going to need a more permanent place to support our expanding mission. We're looking for 7+/- acres in the Laveen area where we can build:

a multipurpose community center that includes a chapel for up to 200 people at a time
classrooms that can be used for children, Bible studies, youth groups, community English language classes, music classes, financial planning classes...
staff offices
a small bookstore and drop-in coffee shop in conjunction with
a thrift shop and free food shop for the benefit of the Laveen community
a Christian elementary school for special needs children from the entire Phoenix area (We project 30 students meeting in five classrooms)
a small farm with animals and medium size food garden for the school children
a children's play area
parking

Not absolutely essential but highly desirable:

arterial frontage
SRP irrigation
proximity to bus route
potential to power through solar energy

Suggestions? Input? Land offers? Contact Pastor Brad Boydston

Did he really say that?

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 07:54:00 +0000

Transcriptions of many of Pastor Brad Boydston's recent sermons and talks can be found on his Fresh Fish Food blog.

"I'm spiritual, but not really religious..."

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:34:00 +0000

How to become a Christian

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 07:03:00 +0000

Spiritual development is a process. But all processes have to have a beginning. Sometimes we are more aware of the beginnings than other times. How many of us can remember being born? Probably no one remembers that. But maybe you remember the first day that you went to school. Or perhaps you remember making an important decision that changed the whole direction of your life.

'Barbed wire entanglement' by Sidney Nolan

In order for the life of Christ to be formed in us we have to be followers of Christ. We are each at different places in our spiritual development but at some point, if you are a Christian, you began to trust Christ. You opened your life to him.

Here is a story by a man named Wesley Nelson who grew up on a farm. If you have ever been around horses you understand that they can be as stubborn and independently-minded as people. He writes:

When I think about how to become a Christian, I am reminded of a runaway farm horse that came racing down the road toward me. When he saw me, he dashed off the road and got tangled in a huge bundle of old rusty wire. The more he struggled to free himself, the more tightly he became tangled. Finally he lay helpless, with wires all around him, breathing heavily and snorting with frustration.

Several people tried to untangle him, but as soon as anyone came close, the horse resumed his struggling. Then a man who loved and understood horses arrived on the scene. For a longtime he talked quietly to the horse from a distance. Slowly, as he talked, he came nearer. When he got close enough he began to pat the horse gently. Soon the horse grew calm enough to permit the man to begin cutting away the wire with a pair of pliers.

As long as the horse trusted the man and lay quietly, all went well. But whenever he struggled to help free himself, he only made things worse. Finally the horse gave up and let the man cut away the wires until he was free again. Not only was he free—he was also calm enough to let the man lead him back to his owner.

Life, like this runaway horse, is out of control. Here we are with everything imaginable to entertain us—to make life a paradise.

Yet these things never seem to bring us peace. The world is full of trouble, and most of the trouble is caused by people. Many of us would like to separate ourselves from those who cause the trouble and think of ourselves as being exceptions, but we can’t do this. None of us is perfectly good, and probably no one is all bad. We are all tangled up with this troubled world because we are part of it.

As the Bible says, “There is no difference, for all have sinned” (Romans 3:22-23). God has included all of us among the sinners so he can save us from our entanglement and set us free.

Jesus said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). We Christians are people who are continually being set free, free to live a satisfying and useful life, free from a troubled conscience, free to be what God intended us to be. Jesus offers us a purpose for living, and he assures us of the freedom to fulfill that purpose. Just like that horse, we must give up the struggle to free ourselves. We must trust Jesus to save us from our entanglement and set us free.

The Bible tells us: “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of god—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Since salvation is a gift from God, it is available to all people on the same basis. It makes no difference what you have done, why you did it, or how bad it was. If you will trust Jesus, he will come to you as the man came to the horse, set you free, forget your past, and lead you back to God. Then he will help you start to live a new, free life.

God has done everything necessary.

God has sent his Son, Jesus, who died for ours sins and rose again. This is the most important truth about the Christian faith. The Apostle Paul explained it this way: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

God has done everything necessary for us to be saved from our entanglement. He did it for us because he knew we were so deeply entangled that we could never save ourselves. We can only trust him and accept by faith what he has done for us. This is what the Bible calls “the good news.”

What if we can’t believe in God and in Jesus?

In these days it is particularly hard to have faith in God because there are so many things all around us to trust in. God seems unreal. Because he knew how hard it would be, he sent his Holy Spirit to convince us how much we need him and to encourage us to turn to him. If we do not have enough faith, God’s Holy Spirit will give us faith. The Holy Spirit gently assures us that God cares, just as the man gently assured the tangled horse that he cared. The Holy Spirit invites us to trust Jesus, just as the man invited the horse to trust him. All we can do is stop struggling and give God a chance.

What does faith in Jesus mean?

1) Faith in Jesus means to depend on what Jesus has done. We do this by accepting him as our Savior. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God offers us the forgiveness of our sins and new life. He asks us to depend on what Jesus has done rather than on what we can do. He asks us to trust in Jesus rather than in ourselves.

2) Faith in Jesus means to trust Jesus enough to repent. We do this by turning to God and confessing that we have sinned by trying to live our own lives without him, and asking him to forgive us.

The good news from the Bible is: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19); “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

3) Faith in Jesus means to confess Jesus as Lord. We do this by inviting Jesus to take control of our lives and confessing that we recognize him as Lord over all. We may not fully understand what it will mean to follow him, but we will trust him to show us the way as we go along. Even though we may fail often, God will forgive our failures. He will help us to overcome our temptations and to live useful and satisfying lives.

This is the promise from the Bible: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

To believe “in your heart” means that you want to believe that Jesus is risen from the dead even though you may not be able to do so. If you will tell God how hard it is to believe, he will accept you and help you to trust in him.

To put it simply, we become Christians by believing in Jesus.

This means that:

1) We choose to accept him as our Savior and depend on him rather than on ourselves.

2) We repent of our sins and ask God to forgive us.

3) We turn ourselves over to Jesus, confess him as Lord of all, and invite him to take control over us. Then he helps us to believe that he arose from the dead and is able to lead us through our lives.

The Spirit of God helps us make this choice and even helps us to believe and to obey Jesus. He also give us God’s gift of salvation.

Your response to God

One way to respond to God is to pray to him, either in your own words or in the words of the following prayer:

God, I put my faith in what you have done for me through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

I confess how hard it is for me to believe, but I am trusting you to give me faith. I confess that I am a sinner, and I repent and ask your forgiveness. I depend on Jesus to save me from my sins and to give me eternal life.

I want to obey Jesus as Lord of my life. I don’t know all that this means, but I will depend on him to show me as I go along. I know I cannot earn the right to be a Christian. I accept this right as a free gift. Thank you that you have forgiven my sins that you are my heavenly Father, and that you have accepted me as your child. Help me to be a faithful servant of Jesus Christ. Amen.

If you have just made this decision, welcome to God’s family! God has called you and given you the faith to believe in him, and you have responded to his call. Now you are beginning a new life, a life that you have received as a gift from God. You belong to God and he will give you strength to live this new life by faith. A good promise to remember is: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

Since you now belong to God’s family, it will be important for you to become acquainted with other members of this family. Find a pastor and some Christian people who will help you begin your new life as a Christian.

Scripture passages are quoted from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. This essay, How to Become a Christian, was written by Wesley W. Nelson, ©1989 Covenant Publications. Used by permission.

How to become a Christian

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 07:03:00 +0000

'Barbed wire entanglement' by Sidney Nolan

Wesley Nelson tells his story and that of an entangled runaway horse. ~ link

Mission Covenant

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:50:00 +0000

The other day someone asked me for more information on the Evangelical Covenant Church and the driving-force behind it. It dawned on me that there might be a few other curious people out there so I jotted down a short summary.

MasterPiece Church is a part the Evangelical Covenant Church. The ECC has its roots in an awakening among Swedes and Swedish immigrants to North America in the second half of the 19th century. These people called themselves "Mission Friends."

The Mission Friends formed and then re-formed churches when they arrived in their new world. In 1885 the Ansgar Evangelical Lutheran Synod and the Mission Evangelical Lutheran Synod dissolved themselves to form together into the Swedish Evangelical Mission Covenant Church.

Eventually the "Swedish" dropped out of the name just as had the Lutheran label been previously abandoned. The Mission Friends wanted to make it clear to the world that they were not just for Lutherans or Swedes.

In the 1950's the "Mission" portion of the name was removed to avoid institutional confusion with the emerging Rescue Mission movement. Even though the drive to be mission partners with God has remained a constant, the loss of "Mission" in the title is in some ways unfortunate; the word "mission" so clearly describes what we're about.

And by "mission" we're talking about the whole mission of God -- sharing God's Word and challenging people to become committed and growing followers of Christ, feeding the hungry, caring for refugees, the stranger, the afflicted, the addicted, the struggling -- and addressing the issues that keep people down. We are Mission Friends.

Gary Walter, the president of the ECC, is fond of describing the mission in this way -- "From our inception we have been in it together to see: more disciples among more populations in a more caring and just world."

As MasterPiece Church continues to develop we will drink deeply from these biblically hewn wells of history. It may be the 21st century and we're not so Swedish anymore. (We are now the most ethnically and culturally mixed denominational body in the US.) But the thing which has not changed is that we are still Mission Friends and a part of the Mission Covenant.

Blessings!

Brad Boydston

Pastor

Posted: 25-Oct-10

Valentine's Day gathering

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 02:38:00 +0000

MasterPiece Church is a new congregation preparing to launch in the fall of 2010. We currently meet on the second and fourth Sundays each month for VP gatherings -- vision and prayer.

Our next gathering is scheduled for 5 p.m., Sunday, February 14th, at Jack and Donna Johnson's home, 5116 W La Mirada, Laveen. We'll be having some Valentine's Day fun, sharing a meal together, and discussing what it means to be a simply structured church (the last of our core values). If you're interested in joining the conversation contact Pastor Brad Boydston for details and directions.

Posted: 24-Jan-10

Now the hard work begins

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:18:00 +0000

The emergency rescue efforts in Haiti will be wrapping up in the next day or two. This week the efforts will start to shift more toward creating longer term relief systems to care for the earthquake survivors. In the months which follow community development projects will emerge to help people not only rebuild but also to improve on what they had.

We're privileged to be a part of Covenant World Relief, an extremely efficient compassion and mercy network which works through all phases of such crises. Before most of us were aware of the magnitude of the Haiti earthquake there were already CWR operatives en route. Within hours, through our partners, we were busy rescuing men, women, and children. Now we're providing water, food, and shelter to thousands. In the coming months and years CWR will be there to assist in rebuilding -- just as we were after the hurricanes along the Gulf Coast, the tsunami in Asia, the turmoil in Sudan, and the list goes on.

Covenant World Relief is a grassroots Christian relief agency. Because we work with churches and through in-country partners we don't have a lot of the overhead expenses incurred by many organizations. Because we operate through the natural bonds and connections within the Evangelical Covenant churches we don't have to spend a lot of money or energy in marketing. This means that donations go quickly, quietly (without a lot of hype and fanfare), and directly to areas of need.

If you would like to share in this ministry you can:

1. Make an online donation to the CWR Haiti relief effort.

2. Read more about CWR at their website.

3. Follow their blog.

4. Pray

Posted: 18-Jan-10

A relationally committed church

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 02:20:00 +0000

MasterPiece Church is a new congregation preparing to launch in the fall of 2010. We currently meet on the second and fourth Sundays each month for VP gatherings -- vision and prayer.

Our next gathering is scheduled for 5 p.m., Sunday, January 24th, at Bryan and Rochelle Peltzer's home, 5416 W Atlantis, Phoenix. We'll be sharing a meal together and discussing what it means to be a relationally committed church. If you're interested in joining the conversation contact Pastor Brad Boydston for details and directions.

Posted: 10-Jan-10

Superman vs Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:54:00 +0000

Pastor Brad Boydston's message
from Isaiah 42:1-9 & Matthew 3:13-16
09 January 2011

Super heroes are popular these days. One of my favorite shows on TV is No Ordinary Family -- an ordinary enough family which somehow ends up with extraordinary super-powers -- and how they are struggle to figure out the best way to use their powers for good -- without imploding the family.

NBC is going to debut a new superhero tonight -- a guy called “the cape.”

And I’m sure that he’ll be good -- but no super hero can match up with Superman. All other superheros are really spin-offs of the Superman concept.

So, tell me what we know about Superman. What is his story? [group discussion]

As we turn to our text this morning, Isaiah 42:1-9, we see that the desire for a super hero is not new -- an extraordinary person who will champion justice for the weak and vulnerable.

At first glance it appears that the prophet is predicting a noble royal figure -- the kind of king of which the people of Israel had been deprived.

For the kings of Israel had become corrupt and wanton people.

But as we look closely at the passage we see that the kind of universal justice -- and the deep concern for the hurting -- is way beyond what one might expect of a mere mortal king.

The prophet is looking forward to some kind of superhero -- an extraordinary character.

Now, it is no surprise that we as Christians see Jesus himself as that person -- the god-man -- come into the world to save the world -- and to deliver it from the control of sin and sinful oppression.

And in our Matthew passage this morning, Matthew 3:13-17, as Jesus identifies with the needs of ordinary people through the act of baptism -- something extraordinary happens:

vs. 16 -- “After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.’”

This is a divine endorsement from the other two members of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit shows up in the form of a dove. And a voice from God the Father in heaven declares Jesus to be the “dearly loved Son.”

What exactly this means is not totally clear upfront -- but by chapter 12 in Matthew, after Jesus has been healing the sick and experiencing opposition because of his association with the
marginal people of society, the gospel writer says,

15 “But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, 16but he warned them not to reveal who he was. 17 This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah (our text in Isaiah 42) concerning him:
18 ‘Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.
He is my Beloved, who pleases me.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not fight or shout
or raise his voice in public.
20 He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle.
Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.
21 And his name will be the hope
of all the world.’”

The gospel writers and the prophets are all screaming at the tops of their lungs -- “Look, look at this guy -- he is the superhero that will deliver God’s justice to the world in God’s way.”

This is the key point this morning: Jesus is the superhero who delivers God’s justice to the world in God’s way.

Notice, carefully that last phrase -- God’s justice to the world in God’s way. For Jesus is not exactly the kind of superhero that people were expecting. They were looking for someone more along the lines of a kosher Superman -- but that’s not who God sends.

Let’s take a quick glance at Isaiah 42 to highlight the contrasts.

I want to make five observations from the text:

1. GOD’S JUSTICE IS UNIVERSAL JUSTICE.

Vs. 1 “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen.
He is my chosen one, who pleases me.
I have put my Spirit upon him.
He will bring justice to the nations.”

The thing about Superman is that his justice is pretty limited -- “who disguised as Clark Kent, fights a never ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way.”

Perhaps you’ve noticed that most of the story lines in Superman are America-centered -- which is understandable because he was designed to appeal to an American audience.

He protects America -- and when there are people from other places in the stories they are often villains -- spies -- enemy agents.

The ancient Hebrews were looking for an equivalent for Israel. But the superhero of Isaiah 42 and the gospels has a universal focus & impact.

We see this emphasis again in vss. 4-5
4 “He will not falter or lose heart
until justice prevails throughout the earth.
Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.
5 God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out.
He created the earth and everything in it.
He gives breath to everyone,
life to everyone who walks the earth.”

God is the creator of the world -- and so he is the protector of the world. “Even distant lands beyond the sea...”

vs. 6 -- “And you will be a light to guide the nations.”

The ancient LXX -- Greek translation of this verse renders it slightly differently. It says, “And his name will be the hope of all the world.” And that is how it is quoted in Matthew 12.

This was not an easy pill for ancient Israel to swallow. You can imagine them grumbling,

“Hey God, we’re the one’s hurting here. We’ve got the problems. We need you. But you’re talking about some overseas mission-project. If you’ll just straighten things out here at home -- among your chosen people in the land you promised us -- well once things are better here we would be happy to hear about what you have in mind for those people way over there. Charity has to begin at home.”

You can imagine that such would be there thinking. But it wasn’t the way that God was thinking and it hasn’t been the way that Jesus’ followers think. From the very beginning we have had a global focus. It is a part of the gospel DNA -- “disciples of all nations.”

Globalization isn’t a new issue or challenge for the church. And while many of our neighbors are reacting to the trends abroad -- wanting to lock things down -- tighten things up -- keep out the outsiders.

The outsiders and justice for outsiders has always been a high item on God’s agenda.

#2 -- We can note that GOD’S JUSTICE IS DRIVEN BY A CONCERN FOR THE WEAK AND VULNERABLE.

The American version of justice -- the version defended by Superman -- is driven by a desire for impartiality. Everyone gets what they deserve -- nothing less -- nothing more.

The statue of Lady Justice is blindfolded, suggesting that she dispenses justice impartially. Concern for the weak is there -- but it is somewhat secondary to an impartial ideal.

The American version of justice is good -- as far as it goes. But God’s version of justice is bigger and more radical because it is co-mingled with mercy and grace. There is a driving concern for the vulnerable and the weak.

There are a few passages in scripture which emphasize impartiality in justice but for every one of those there are 100 which talk about justice for the poor -- the orphans, the widows, the aliens, the vulnerable -- the marginalized.

It’s pretty clear that God’s justice is driven by a concern for the weak and vulnerable. That’s his primary justice agenda.

And we see it in the Issiah 42 description of God’s superhero:
(vs. 7) “You will open the eyes of the blind.
You will free the captives from prison,
releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.”

Now, here’s the deal. Sometimes our understanding of American justice gets in the way of carrying out God’s justice. In our system -- our culture -- we are driven by the desire to see that people only get what they deserve -- no less or no more. And many times people are naked or sick or in prison because of their own irresponsibility. They have brought it upon themselves.

And we get kind of stuck at this point.

Now, it’s true that we do not want to enable people to continue living irresponsibly. But that does not mean that we write them off or ignore them -- that we stop helping them.

If someone is in jail because they have burglarized houses that doesn’t mean that we don’t visit them in jail. Nor does it mean that we ignore them until they’ve proven themselves once they get out.

No, we create relationships with boundaries. We exercise care with creativity. We think of ways to justly help people.

#3 -- God’s justice doesn’t have a drop of grandstanding in it -- because GOD’S SUPERHERO IS A SERVANTHERO.

When you think about it, you realize that God could have sent a messiah who looked more like Superman -- who flew through the sky --
blasted bad guys with his x-ray vision.

But when God sent his superhero, he laid aside his flashiest superpowers -- and came as a servant.

Vs. 2 “He will not shout
or raise his voice in public -- or do interviews on Fox News.
3 He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle.
He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.”

Our advocate is not a high profile celebrity lawyer playing all the angles for the camera. He is not flashy or flamboyant. He is not putting on a show. He’s not some kind of cosmic Jerry Springer or Judge Joe Brown.

He doesn’t fly through the sky, leap tall buildings in a single bound, fly faster than a speeding bullet, crash through solid concrete walls.

That’s all designed for the camera -- and show.

Rather, God’s superhero is the suffering servant who himself is unjustly accused and tried -- yet doesn’t raise his voice in protest. He doesn’t leap off the cross or zap his enemies with x-ray vision.

He leads by sacrificial example:

“I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness.
I will take you by the hand and guard you,
and I will give you to my people, Israel,
as a symbol of my covenant with them.
And you will be a light to guide the nations.”

#4 -- GOD’S SUPERHERO HAS A TRUE IDENTITY.

Superman is always trying to hide his identity -- changing in phone booths or dark alleys. Jesus, on the other hand, is trying to reveal his identity in a controlled way.

Superman is always struggling to keep his identity a secret. But his struggle is deeper. He is never quite sure of who he is -- or what he can do. How can he love Lois Lane and let her into his life and at the same time maintain his secret?

Sometimes Superman is conflicted -- not knowing the right thing to do. And the conflict usually has to do with his own personal
identity crisis.

God’s superhero, on the other hand, never worries over whether he is doing the right thing, or the extent of his boundaries.

Sometimes Superman gets confused and depressed. But God’s super hero according to vs. 4 “will not falter or lose heart.” For he is uniquely confident in who he is and what he has come to do.

vs. 8 -- “I am the Lord; that is my name!
I will not give my glory to anyone else,
nor share my praise with carved idols.”

#5 -- GOD’S SUPERHERO IS INTO GROUP PROJECTS.

Some of my students hate group projects -- especially those who are over-achievers. They end up doing all the work and the others sit around, watch, and get the credit. The the idea of a group project is troubling. They’re rather be like Superman.

Superman is pretty much a one man show. True, he has friends -- who are always getting into trouble -- but he doesn’t have a Tonto or Robin.

However, when God wants to impact the world he doesn’t send a lone superman. He establishes a covenant relationship with a group of people. Then he sends a superhero to redeem them and to enable them to live out the justice to which he has called them.

vs. 6 -- “I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness.
I will take you by the hand and guard you,
and I will give you to my people, Israel,
as a symbol of my covenant with them.”

The divine superhero of Isaiah 42 sees his mission as redeeming the world by allowing the world, through a covenant relationship, to participate in what he is doing -- in his justice.

That is, he comes in the context of covenant -- a group relationship that he made with the ancient Hebrew people -- and which he extends to all people through what is called the “new covenant” in the new Testament.

Jesus is the embodiment of God’s covenant justice. And as such, he is God’s vision of what a superhero should look like.

Superman fights for justice. Jesus demonstrates justice.

Superman is always trying to figure out the right thing to do. Jesus always knows the right thing to do and say.

Superman’s idea of justice is tied to the American way. Jesus’ idea of justice is tied to God’s way -- which was expressed in the covenant relationship and revealed in the prophets.

There is another big difference between Superman, the greatest of all the superheros, and Jesus. Superman isn’t real.

While he may be inspirational he does not actually exist. He was created in the 1932 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

Superman was originally created in the image of Friedrich Nietzsche's idea of Übermensch -- the “above human” or “superman”. Neitzche, the 19th century philosopher, saw the superman as an answer to the “death of God” and the problem of meaninglessness -- Nihilism -- a master being or race -- who was removed, amoral -- above morality, new force to dominate the world.

So, the first Superman character was a distant and dark being.

But Siegel and Shuster quickly figured out that he’d be more popular as a truly good guy who was struggling to be at least sorta’ human and in 1933 they reinvented him into the superhero we know today.

Jesus, on the other hand, was and we’d argue, is, a real man -- fully human and fully divine -- the opposite of Übermensch -- which was removed from gritty inferior human experience.

Jesus lived in real time and experienced the fullness of human experience -- including death. And it was in his death that his sense of justice was most clearly demonstrated. Or perhaps we should say, his inseparable mixture of justice, mercy, and grace.

Do you remember the distinction? Justice is when you get what you deserve. Mercy is when you don’t get what you deserve. Grace is when you get something good that is undeserved.

In an act of justice, mercy, and grace Jesus took to his cross -- upon himself the brunt of our sin. That is, at the apex of his justice in some sense he became the substitute for anything we deserved -- what was rightfully directed at us -- judgment. But in his mercy he took it on himself and in his grace he has given us the new life that we don’t deserve.

This is not just a story from the imaginations of two creative writers -- but an actual act rooted in real history.

And the good news is that the vision for justice, mercy, and grace spelled out in the prophet Isaiah finds it fulfillment in Jesus. And it is an ongoing work on his part to transform the world -- individuals and societies -- to declare his own justice.

That is what his kingdom is about -- his agenda to spread justice, mercy, and grace in a way that transforms lives and cultures -- indeed ultimately the whole of creation.

And we are invited to be a part of what God is doing -- as Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the prophet’s predictions -- and as his followers -- we get to participate in what he is doing -- we share in his justice, mercy, and grace. We are his agents of such in the world.
In Matthew 6:33 Jesus extends an invitation to anyone who will listen. “Desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

The word that we translate as “righteousness” in English is “dikaiosyne. “ And in many places that word is also translated as justice. It would be equally correct to translate Matthew 6:33 as “Seek first the kingdom of God and his justice...”

For God’s righteousness is the same as God’s justice. If we say that someone is righteous -- we mean that he does the right thing and is just. If we say that justice is done we are saying that everything is made right -- that righteousness prevails.

The point is, and I know that this feels a little heady, if we are tuned into God and his agenda -- we’re going to be seeking his kind of justice for the world -- and it will be our first priority.

So, how do we define a Christian or follower of Jesus? How do you know if you are a Christian? Is a Christian someone who is a spiritual Superman?

No!

Simply, a Christian is someone who in relationship with him, has embraced Jesus’ justice, and is making it the top priority in life. And that is what God’s superhero is calling you to do.

Let’s read together the Affirmation of Faith from Romans 1 --
“God promised this good news about his Son ahead of time through his prophets in the holy scriptures. His Son was descended from David. He was publicly identified as God’s Son with power through his resurrection from the dead, which was based on the Spirit of holiness. This Son is Jesus Christ our Lord. It is through Jesus that we have received God’s grace.”

What does it mean to be highly-connected?

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:56:00 +0000

MasterPiece Church is a new congregation preparing to launch in the fall of 2010. We currently meet on the second and fourth Sundays each month for VP gatherings -- vision and prayer.

Our first 2010 gathering is scheduled for 5 p.m., Sunday, January 10th, at Sherry Yu's home, 5448 W Atlantis, Phoenix. We'll be sharing a meal together and discussing what it means to be a highly connected church. If you're interested in joining the conversation contact Pastor Brad Boydston for details and directions.

Posted: 28-Dec-09

End of the year giving

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:30:00 +0000

Just a quick reminder -- In order to receive tax credit for gifts given to MasterPiece Church they must be received by the church or postmarked by December 31st, 2009. Contributions can be mailed to the church's post office box.

MasterPiece Church
PO Box 1113
Laveen AZ 85339-1113

MasterPiece Church is recognized by the US Internal Revenue Service as a "501(c)(3) exempt organization through the group exemption of the Evangelical Covenant Church.

Posted: 16-Dec-09

Moving into 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:33:00 +0000

The Christmas caroling tonight was a blast -- even if Scrooge closed the door on us at one house. :-) It never ceases to amaze me at how much fun we have together.

The next MasterPiece gathering will be at 5 p.m., Sunday, January 10th at a location to be announced. We'll return to our VP (vision and prayer) agenda.

FYI, I will be speaking at the 9 and 10:45 a.m. services at Hope Covenant Church in Chandler on Sunday, December 27th.

Blessings!

Brad Boydston
Pastor
MasterPiece Church -- now forming in Laveen

Posted: 13-Dec-09

Welcome to Advent

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:13:00 +0000

This is the first week in the season of Advent.

Advent is a fancy word for "coming." And in the four weeks prior to the celebration of the Christmas Christians are encouraged to focus their attention on the coming of Christ -- first as a vulnerable infant 2,000 years ago -- and in the future as the powerful returning king who will wrap up history as we know it.

There is no one right way to "do Advent" and Christians have developed lots of interesting traditions over the years. Some light candles in a special wreath. Some have special devotional readings. (We received in the mail today an Advent booklet written by the members of the Lutheran Church of Guam, a wonderful congregation which Cheryl and I were a part of when we were missionaries in the Western Pacific.)

At our last MasterPiece gathering we made Advent chains together. On each day in this season leading up to Christmas you remove a link from the chain and read the part of the Christmas story printed on it.

Recently many Christians have adopted the transforming emphases of the "Advent Conspiracy" as their own -- worship fully, spend less, give more, love all.

It's all good and helpful! However it is that you approach Advent, just don't turn it into an obligation or another burden during a busy time of the year. Rather let the emphases of Advent release you from the obligations and burdens of a busy season -- and allow the season to refocus your life so that you're on track to become the person that God has called you to be. Christ is coming!

Blessings!

Brad Boydston
Pastor
MasterPiece Church -- now forming in Laveen

Posted: 30-Nov-09

The ADVENTure continues

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:34:00 +0000

The next gathering will be held at 5 p.m., Sunday, December 13th. (During this early stage of development we meet on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month.) We'll be meeting at Brad & Cheryl Boydston's, 7003 S 51st Dr, Laveen, and venture out to do some Christmas caroling. Afterward we'll return for supper.

Posted 22-Nov-09

Let the ADVENTure begin!

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:37:00 +0000

Change of plans!!! We'll get back to talking about the vision for MasterPiece once we get to 2010. I want to shift gears slightly and do some fun holiday-related family-oriented projects during our Sunday night gatherings.

The next gathering is scheduled for 5 p.m., Sunday, November 22nd, at the home of Jack and Donna Johnson, 5116 W La Mirada, Laveen. I'll be telling a story and we'll be working on a pre-Advent project together -- something kids will really enjoy. But you certainly don't have to be a kid to get into it. We're going to be having an ADVENTure.

So, just what is Advent anyway?

If you're interested in joining us contact me, Pastor Brad Boydston, for details and directions.

Posted 15-Nov-09

What does it mean to be a mission-driven church?

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:55:00 +0000

MasterPiece Church is a congregation in formation -- working together to discern exactly what the new Laveen-area church might look like once it is launched in the fall of 2010. This is why the launch team is meeting twice each month for VP gatherings -- vision and prayer.

The next gathering is scheduled for 5 p.m., Sunday, October 25th, at the home of Brad and Cheryl Boydston, 7003 S 51st Dr, Laveen. We'll be eating and discussing what it means to be a mission-driven church. If you're interested in joining the conversation check in with Pastor Brad Boydston for details and directions.

Posted 11-Oct-09

What does it mean to be a biblically-defined church?

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:50:00 +0000

MasterPiece Church is a congregation in formation -- working together to discern exactly what the new Laveen-area church might look like once it is launched in the fall of 2010. This is why the launch team is meeting twice each month for VP gatherings -- vision and prayer.

The next gathering is scheduled for 6 p.m., Sunday, October 11th, at the home of Jack and Donna Johnson, 5116 W La Mirada, Laveen. After we eat, we'll be discussing what it means to be a biblically-defined church. If you're interested in joining the conversation check in with Pastor Brad Boydston for details and directions.

The picture to the right is from our very first gathering.

~ Posted 28-Sept-09

1st VP gathering September 27th

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 02:46:00 +0000

Laveen history in the making! We'll be having our first MasterPiece Church VP (vision and prayer) gathering, 6 p.m., next Sunday evening, September 27th.

The gathering next Sunday is open to the public and we're excited about meeting new people. We'll be meeting at Bryan and Rochelle Peltzer's home, 5416 W Atlantis. The Peltzers will be throwing some meat on the grill and the rest of us can bring food to share. Email Pastor Brad Boydston for details. Or if you prefer you can call him at 602-903-5085.

We are not planning to "go public" with the church until September 2010. That will allow us to spend the first year developing community and figuring out the best ways to serve our neighbors. Our VP gatherings are a part of that strategy.

Please pass the word along if you know of someone who might be interested. Thanks!

Valores

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:22:00 +0000

Centrada en Cristo
Bíblicamente definido
Impulsado a mission
Centrado a Culto
Altamente conectados
Relacional-cometidas
Estructurada simple

“MasterPiece” El nombre proviene de la New Living Translation (NLT) de la Biblia en Efesios 2:10 - "Porque somos la obra maestra de Dios. Él nos ha creado de nuevo en Cristo Jesús, para que podamos hacer las cosas buenas que planeaba para nosotros siempre atrás ".

El punto del pasaje es que, colectivamente, la iglesia es el principal trabajo de Dios, creados a partir de gente de diferentes orígenes con el fin de llevar a cabo su labor en curso en el mundo.

Como nos reunimos la comunidad MasterPiece inicial hay algunos valores que consideramos importantes para la salud a largo plazo y la eficacia de la iglesia.

Nos estamos esforzando para convertirse en una iglesia centrada en Cristo. Vamos a adorar y vivir nuestras vidas de tal manera que el objetivo principal no está en nosotros mismos o nuestras necesidades personales, sino en lo que Dios ha hecho y está haciendo - especialmente a través del don de Cristo Jesús en el mundo. Es importante que cada uno tiene una relación creciente con Cristo.

Nos estamos esforzando para convertirse en la Biblia-Iglesia definió. Creemos que la Biblia, compuesta por el Antiguo y Nuevo Testamento, es la Palabra de Dios y la única guía perfecta para la fe, la doctrina y la vida. La Biblia tendrá un papel importante en la vida de nuestra congregación. La predicación y la enseñanza será basada en la Biblia. Estamos tratando de convertirse en personas panorama Biblia, escuchar todo el mensaje y la historia de Dios - luchando junto con los retos que vienen con el que tratan de vivir que la historia de hoy.

Nos estamos esforzando para convertirse en una misión de la iglesia que circulan. Nos vemos como una base fuerza misionera en nuestros hogares, comunidades y lugares de trabajo. Y por la misión que estamos hablando de toda la misión de Dios - compartir la Palabra de Dios, y desafiar a las personas a ser seguidores de Cristo, alimentando a los hambrientos, cuidar a los refugiados, los forasteros, a los afligidos, los adictos, los que luchan - y hacer frente a las cuestiones que mantienen a la gente. Ya sea que estemos haciendo esto en Arizona o en África que queremos ser una práctica en la comunidad de la misión.

Nos estamos esforzando para convertirse en un culto, la iglesia enfocada. Nuestra misión en el mundo sale de la clase de adoración que primero se centra en Dios - reconocerlo por lo que es, lo que hace, y lo que está diciendo. El nuestro es un enfoque ecléctico para el culto, reconociendo la diversidad de generaciones y culturas. Valoramos la participación de la congregación.

Nos estamos esforzando para convertirse en una muy iglesia anexa. Obra maestra es una parte de la Iglesia del Pacto Evangélico (ECC) y está en comunión con todos los órganos de fieles cristianos que proclaman y vivir la fe cristiana histórica - independientemente de las etiquetas confesionales o estructuras.

Esto significa que nos vemos como conectado con todos los que han vivido como seguidores de Cristo a través del tiempo y relacionados con la fe que han confesado. Mientras vemos la Biblia como la autoridad final afirmamos los estados clásicos de la iglesia, tales como el Credo de los Apóstoles y el Credo de Nicea, como expresión fiel del mensaje bíblico. Estamos en la corriente de la historia con todos los que reconocemos a Cristo como Salvador y Señor.

Como parte de la CCE, compartimos algunas misiones comunes (por ejemplo: campamentos juveniles, los proyectos de misión en el mundo, los ministerios de la compasión y la justicia), valores (por ejemplo: el énfasis en la enseñanza bíblica fundamentales y la libertad en cuestiones no fundamentales, la apertura a las mujeres en todas las áreas de liderazgo), la rendición de cuentas, y la historia con otras congregaciones de la iglesia en nuestra familia extendida.

Nos estamos esforzando para convertirse en una forma relacional-COMPROMETIDOS iglesia. El Evangelio es fundamentalmente de naturaleza relacional y también lo es la iglesia. Las instituciones, los edificios, las organizaciones (tan útil como estas cosas pueden ser) son secundarias a las relaciones. MasterPiece pretende ser caracterizada por un aire de hospitalidad - un espíritu acogedor donde la gente imperfecta puede adorar juntos, aprender juntos, comen juntos, trabajan juntos, la atención juntos, limar diferencias juntos, se divierten juntos - y reflejan la vida de Cristo juntos. Queremos ser una comunidad donde los de todas las generaciones y carreras en vivo y aprender juntos.

Nos estamos esforzando para convertirse en un simple-ESTRUCTURADA iglesia. Este tipo de simplicidad tierra no se debe confundir con ser simplista. Estamos diciendo que queremos mantener las cosas lo suficientemente simple que la gente común se siente capacitado para asumir riesgos y poner en marcha los ministerios, sin tener que navegar por una compleja burocracia de la iglesia. Valoramos la iniciativa de establecer. Uno de los aspectos de nuestra simplemente perspectivas estructurada es que en lugar de convertirse en una iglesia enorme y complejo que va a empezar muchas pequeñas congregaciones.

El nombre MasterPiece Iglesia sugiere que Dios está en el trabajo. Estamos emocionados de ser parte de lo que está haciendo en Phoenix y en todo el mundo.

Welcome!

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:38:00 +0000

We're definitely different. And it's not because we're trying to differentiate ourselves from all other churches past or present. We aren't disgruntled or unhappy. To the contrary!

MasterPiece Church is a new congregation based in the village of Laveen to serve the people of southwest Phoenix. During our initial stages of formation we are meeting in various homes and parks at 5 p.m., on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month.

We expect to shift to a weekly Sunday morning gathering in the fall. The church is progressing well as we move that direction but we're not rigidly locked into a preset schedule. We're waiting to see what doors God opens and when.

In other words, we're taking a "relaxed" approach to this start-up -- not passive or lackadaisical but relaxed. We're confident of God's direction and excited about how far he has brought us already.

MasterPiece is not traditional, contemporary, purpose-driven, emerging, organic, cell, or missional -- not that any of those things are bad. It's just that none of the common labels really capture what's going on with this church. We're simply working at becoming a faithful and mission-driven congregation that lines up with what God is doing here. That's our vision.

When we gather children and youth are in the middle of it all -- including foster kids. (Yes, it can be a little crazy sometimes but we're not too worried by the chaos.) We consider ourselves blessed by the immigrants who are feeling at home with us. Our people are teachers, business people, retailers, government employees, hospitality workers, students -- and community leaders. Some of us are unemployed right now.

So, when you're feeling a bit adventuresome drop in on us some Sunday evening. Or if you would like more information first I'm happy to chat by email, DM, the phone, or face-to-face! Please do not hesitate to contact me.

We know that MasterPiece may be a little different than what you've experienced in the past. But we're a church that is thoroughly committed to Christ. And because of that, we're joining him as he makes a difference in our world and the lives of those around us.

Blessings!

Brad Boydston
Pastor

The Tentative Timeframe

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:14:00 +0000

Fall 2009 -- Meet regularly with potential launch team to do some vision development. Find one or two area outreach projects in which we'll participate as a group. Tackle some of the necessary organizational tasks (e.g. incorporation).

Winter 2009-2010 -- Launch team meets regularly to develop community and to connect with new people. One or two area outreach projects.

Spring 2010 -- Continue with launch team development and outreach projects. Start assigning responsibilities for the launch. Develop worship leadership team.

Summer 2010 -- Meet a few times as a launch team. Focus on getting things lined up for the launch.

Fall 2010 -- Begin meeting for worship in September with a "grand opening" in November. Launch children's ministry.

The launch team will be free to speed things up or slow things down in response to the way they see God working.

Follow us on Twitter!

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 21:14:00 +0000

We're tweeting at twitter.com/masterpiece602.

Connections

noreply@blogger.com (Brad Boydston) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:33:00 +0000

MasterPiece Church considers itself to be in fellowship with all who faithfully proclaim and live out the historic Christian faith -- regardless of denominational labels or structures. For the sake of accountability and the advantages that come with working together in mission, we are formally affiliated with the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), a rapidly growing multiethnic denomination in the United States and Canada with ministries on five continents of the world.

Founded in 1885 by Swedish immigrants, the ECC values the Bible as the word of God, the gift of God's grace and ever-deepening spiritual life that comes through a faith with Jesus Christ, the importance of extending God's love and compassion to a hurting world, and the strength the comes from unity within diversity.

For more information about how Covenant churches approach faith in Christ download the Covenant Affirmations booklet (.pdf) or Afirmaciones del Pacto (.pdf).

We are also related to the Pacific Southwest Conference of the ECC.

There are other ECC congregations in Arizona:

Chandler

Hope Covenant Church

Gilbert

The Bridge

Peoria

New Hope Covenant Church

Phoenix

Genesis Church
Paradise Valley Community Church

Surprise

Rio de Vida

Tucson

Eastside Covenant Church
Grace Community Church