We are very excited to announce that the NEW Internet Campus is almost here! Some of its new features include closed captioning, real-time user IP mapping, embedded chat, improved sermon notes and a new ultra-high bandwidth stream for full-screen and flat panel viewing. Check out the video above!

Join us at all our Frontline campuses as we start a new series called “Welcome to Life”!

The Frontline Teaching team will be going through Romans Chapter 8 for seven weeks. Trust us, you won’t want to miss it! Watch the video above to get a taste for what we’ll be talking about throughout the series.

The Secret of Contentment

Finding true, lasting contentment in this life has always been a tremendous struggle of mine in all seasons. God has faithfully granted clear guidance, insight, and peace with His purposes in my life, where He is leading, and yet I continue to struggle in my restlessness and uncertainty. As much as I have grown in faith over the years, the issues (plural) of contentment and control rear their ugly heads all too often. I find myself growing impatient and discontent crying out to God, “Okay, enough of this waiting, let’s get on with it here!” Why am I still single? Where will you take me next? If only I could have this or that…” It’s truly staggering how quick I am to forget His faithfulness and ultimately lose faith in the King and Lord of my life.

In his message, Todd covered a great deal of content in regard to Biblical contentment and gave us the example of Paul learning to be content in all circumstances. We learned that this didn’t come naturally to Paul; he disciplined himself to exercise his choice to be content. Paul had learned contentment was not a feeling that comes and goes, but a choice he made day by day to be obedient and trust in the Lord. I desperately desire freedom in this area! Over the past 3 three years of having the blessing of building relationships with women at Frontline, I know that many of you have the same types of struggles over contentment and control. Maybe for you it is appearance, relationship status, infertility, career, friendships, or family?

As I’ve prayed through and processed through the primary causes of this in my life, God has revealed several things to me. First and foremost, it comes down to a lack of faith and not trusting that God is enough, in control, and truly has my absolute best interest at heart. If I really believed that God is perfect in His Sovereignty, the Blessed controller (1 Timothy 6:15) and knows best for my life, would I be living in the “grass is greener” state of mind? No! I absolutely wouldn’t. I see that in my efforts and genuine desire to trust God, I deep down feel that He’s moving just a little too slow! I am quick to forget. This is where I unconsciously decide that God needs my help…taking things into my own hands. I begin to CONTROL and manipulate – taking my eyes off of Him, placing myself on the throne, and focusing on my circumstances. I mix my pride and own strength with those efforts to trust, which creates a discontent, anxious heart.

So, what do we do with this plaguing tool of the Enemy in our lives?

We must…
1. Meditate upon, know, and BELIEVE God’s Truth and promises.
2. Take thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ.
3. Choose to surrender.

We can trust that He is with us and will provide all that we need, therefore live lives of peace, freedom, and contentment. Believe in the unfailing character of who God is. Confess any unbelief and pride to the Lord and ask Him to grant you the strength and grace.

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19

“Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “the Lord is my Helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedience to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

In Philippians, Paul gives us the recipe and instruction in finding Biblical, genuine contentment in Christ. Paul says, “I have learned the secret of being content in and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty of in want. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength…” This secret is trusting in the power and might of Jesus in our lives. Have you ever wondered why this very often quoted verse follows Paul’s bold statements about contentment? This verse is translated literally from the Greek as, “I am able to face anything by the One who makes me able (to do it).” I love that truth. If you find yourself struggling with God’s timing in bringing you a mate, you can cling to God’s promises in that He will supply all you need in this current season to bring Him glory and remain faithful as a single person.

In Linda Dillow’s book “Calm My Anxious Heart” she quotes, “At all times, in all circumstances, Christ is able and willing to provide the strength we need to be content. Contentment occurs when Christ’s strength is infused into my weak body, soul, and spirit….He infuses contentment into us through His Word. As it seeps into our minds, it transforms us.”

I am praying for the women of Frontline as we seek God in living godly lives as women of contentment, joy, and surrender! Contentment IS possible through the One who gives us strength. Continue to persevere. While I am on this journey with you, I have experienced God’s transformation in this area and even though my circumstances haven’t changed, God is changing me through them.

Todd spoke about two key challenges on Sunday that women must address in order to become more godly; contentment and control. Today, I’d like to expand on the topic of ‘control’ by sharing what I believe the Lord has taught me personally in this area and how it’s enabled me to trust in God’s sovereignty.

I believe it began with Eve in the Garden. The serpent cunningly convinced her that she would not die if she ate the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden but that her eyes would be opened, and she would become like God, knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:5). But as soon as Adam and Eve had eaten the fruit, their eyes were opened and they hid from God because they were afraid.

You see, Eve feared the Lord – not the type of fear that causes us to have a deep reverence for Him – but the fear that causes anxiety and concern. It’s the fear that makes us afraid of the outcome. Eve feared that God did not have her best interests in mind and that perhaps, God was holding out on her by not allowing them to eat the fruit of the tree. So she chose to trust the serpent rather than God.

Let’s face it…we all question whether God’s will for us is TRULY what He promises. Don’t you feel some hesitation deep down inside that He won’t really give you your heart’s desires, or that His best doesn’t line up with what you’re thinking? Satan knows that’s where we struggle. He went to the woman in the garden – not the man.

So what does it look like for the 21^st century female Christ-follower? We don’t truly trust God’s authority in our lives, whether it’s in relationships, our physical appearance, careers, finances, providing for our needs, or what our calling is. We get anxious and ask for prayer in our small groups – but oftentimes we take things into our own hands and allow the culture to influence us rather than the Word of God. That’s when we seek ‘control’ of our environment and the variables in our lives. We fail to remember God’s promise as stated in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

In order to battle Satan’s tactics, we have to know (1) who God is, (2) develop a deep understanding of His promises in scripture and (3) foster trust in the sovereignty of God. This is only going to come through diving into His Word every day, engraving scripture on your heart and putting on the full armor to fight the spiritual battle of our minds.

Do not allow your fear of what God has planned for you to immobilize you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Trust in God’s sovereign plan and release control of your life over to Him on a daily basis.

1. Godly men have knowledge of and are obedient to the Word of God
2. Godly men possess true character
3. Godly men are teachable

If you were unable to attend any of the Frontline campuses for this message, I encourage you to go online to www.frontlinedc.com and click on “sermon archives.”

The next characteristic of a godly man that young men not only need to understand but embrace is:

4. Godly Men Protect and Provide

Words that parallel this thought: Courage, Boldness, Strength

This is NOT a blustery, pretentious sort of bravado, but instead we’re talking about a Christ-like, humble awareness of the God-given responsibility of men to protect and provide for family, friends, and strangers.

First, God made a commitment to protect us in many passages of Scripture. One such example is 2 Thessalonians 3:3, “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” Then He calls men likewise to provide for his own in 1 Timothy 5:8, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” Those are strong words and they are meant to be understood with the weight offered in the wording of the passage.

Not only are we to provide for family, but many passages such as the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-27) show that we are to protect and provide for not only friends but strangers as well.

We live in a culture where men have been emasculated in many ways. Even suggesting that men have a God-given responsibility to protect and provide for those around them is dismissed as an antiquated notion by many. Yet, young men today must gain a biblical perspective on this issue and realize the weight of responsibility they have in being godly models of protection and provision.

5. Godly Men Are Servant Leaders

The kind of servanthood the Bible refers to is primarily expressed through sacrifice.

“Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her…” (Ephesians 5:25-29) This passage obviously speaks directly to husbands’ relationship to their wives. However, it also speaks to a larger principle of the sacrificial mandate given by God to all men to be accurate examples of His kind of love.

A godly man’s life is a life lived thinking of others as more important than self. Paul admonishes the Philippians to, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:3-5) Paul then goes on to explain exactly what it looks like to have the “attitude of Christ in verses 6-11. Phrases in those particular verses that stand out in relation to our topic include: “made Himself nothing,” and “taking the very nature of a servant,” and “humbled Himself,” and “became obedient to death.”

Godly men must live lives of humble sacrifice for the sole purpose of serving others and giving glory to God.

There are many passages in the Bible and many great books on the subject of godly manhood. Among the many strong resources I’d recommend Biblical Foundations for Manhood and Womanhood, Wayne Grudem, editor. As I mentioned in my message on qualities of a godly man, I also like The Measure of a Man: Twenty Attributes of a Godly Man by Gene Getz. The Measure of a Man is terrific as a small group resource.

Again, the five qualities of a godly man listed in this blog are in no way an exhaustive list of godly male attributes; far from it. Rather, these are five qualities that I’ve seen as particularly challenging for young Christian men in our culture, in general and in Frontline in particular.

I pray that every man who reads this is both convicted of his area (or areas) of particular challenge and is, at the same time, empowered by the Spirit of the Living God to live this kind of life. This kind of life can only be lived by the power of the Holy Spirit living through us.

Your servant for His sake,

Todd Phillips, Frontline Pastor

Join us at Frontline over the next three weeks as our Senior Pastor, Lon Solomon, gives a series of messages entitled “People Jesus Met.”

We’ll be examining some of the encounters that Jesus had with different people and what lessons we can learn from them.

You won’t want to miss it!

A special offering for these three ministries will take place during services June 5-6 and June 12-13 at all MBC and Frontline campuses, the proceeds of which will be divided equally between the three ministries.

Below you will find short descriptions, videos and links to their websites for more information on how you can support them and get involved!

DayBreak
DayBreak is an inner-city ministry whose mission is to impact Lincoln Heights in Northeast DC with the message of Jesus Christ by offering children’s programs such as an after-school program, tutoring, mentoring and Saturday Vacation Bible School. Through these programs, DayBreak staff and volunteers build relationships and share the love of Christ with both children and parents. DayBreak is a separate 501 (c) (3) non – profit organization and an integrated auxiliary of McLean Bible Church.

Click here to view the DayBreak Video.

Jill’s House
Jill’s House is scheduled to open in fall of 2010 and will serve the 40,000 – plus children with special needs in the Greater Washington, DC area with short-term overnight care, social activities and a range of therapy activities, providing the opportunity for respite for their families. Jill’s House is a separate 501 (c) (3) non – profit organization and an integrated auxiliary of McLean Bible Church.

Click here to view the Jill’s House Video.

The House
The House is a youth center located in Southeast Washington, DC that provides an opportunity for inner city youth and their families to connect to Christ through creative programs that meet both physical and spiritual needs. Many of the students suffer from a severe lack of exposure to opportunities beyond their own neighborhood. The volunteers and staff share their time and gifts with these students by encouraging them to be involved with various programs and projects at The House. In the midst of violence, drugs, abuse, and other ills, The House provides a safe and strong community for youth in Southeast Washington, D.C. The House is a separate 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.

Click here to view the House Video.

Click Here for more information!

First, my apologies to those who attended Frontline this past weekend at any one of our campuses for the express purpose of learning what the Bible says in regard to the topic of masturbation. I know it must have been difficult to wait patiently for the question to come up in the message only to be left in the cold by your pastor! None-the-less, here we are. So, let’s dive right in.

Based on one survey, one third of Christian women and nearly all Christian men struggle with this issue. Another survey reports that 31 percent of laypeople and 30 percent of pastors considered masturbation to be wrong, 32 percent of lay people and 35 percent of pastors said it was not wrong, and the remainder said it depends on circumstances. How’s that for a unity! Regardless, for a subject that is an almost universal experience among men and for somewhere around a third of women, the topic is very seldom addressed in Christian community.

Fathers wonder what they should tell their sons. Women are confused about what to say to their daughters. Small group leaders don’t know what they should say to young adults who ask about the issue, so they tend to discourage it because that’s what everyone else does.

So, is there a biblical response to the subject of masturbation?

First, there simply is no specific approval or prohibition of masturbation in the Bible. Some of you will quickly refer me to Genesis 38 (which does not address masturbation, but the act of a man ‘pulling out’ of a woman before ejaculation) or Leviticus 15:16-17 (which deals only with the act of becoming ceremonially unclean rather than sinfulness). I’m not going to dissect these passages because these passages do not prohibit masturbation and are therefore not relevant to our discourse here.

In the New Testament, the passage most commonly offered as a prohibition of masturbation (based on the underlying principles of the passage) is Matthew 5:27-30:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.”

The argument then is that desire (or lust) for a woman (or man) then is as sinful as the actual act of sex outside of marriage. Therefore, if someone is masturbating, the pictures they have in their mind during the act causes the act to be sinful. It is very important to note here what Jesus means when he is speaking of “lust.” There is a differentiation between the attraction we feel for members of the opposite sex, which is a God-given attraction that draws men and women together in healthy ways toward the ultimate commitment of marriage, and a covetous desire for possession of the other person for personal gratification.

So, some argue at this point that as long as one fantasizes “appropriately” during masturbation then it is not sinful. For example, if a single person fantasizes that they are having sex with their future wife or if a married person fantasizes about their spouse during masturbation then the act is not sinful. This is, from your humble pastor’s perspective, the strongest argument for the assertion that it is possible to masturbate and not sin. NOTE – I said that this is the strongest argument I can find to offer the very small possibility that masturbation with an appropriate mental picture is acceptable in the sight of God. I AM NOT AGREEING WITH THIS ASSERTION. If this argument were to hold water, it still leaves such a small potential for engaging in this act without sinning as to be practically unattainable.

I have friends from seminary and other pastors who have a different view of this issue than I do. But, I will say that although masturbation can be considered a “gray area,” I advise young adults to steer clear of the act for several reasons:

1. 1. “Think on such things…”

Paul exhorts all believers to guard their thought life. In Philippians 4:7-8 Paul speaks to the importance of a holy thought life:

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Phil. 4:7-8)

Our thought life is the true battlefield. Masturbation is an act where the mind can quickly turn to impure thoughts that do not honor God.

1. 2. When in doubt, don’t

Dave Young on our Prince William staff said it well: I don’t do it BECAUSE I don’t fully understand what it is, what its ripple effects will be on me or a potential spouse, and how God feels about it. And spiritually speaking, God says, “but the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Rom 14:23). I have not heard any reports to convince me of exactly what it is and isn’t so it’s an unknown.

1. 3. Paul’s Advice

Paul, when discussing the fact that single people were “burning with passion” for one another, offers marriage as the solution, rather than some form of appropriate masturbation. (1 Corinthians 7:9)

1. 4. “Flee from Sexual Immorality”

1 Corinthians 6:18 warns us to “flee form sexual immorality.” How involved do we want to get to something that is so close to (if not is) sexual immorality? This would seem very unwise from a biblical perspective.

1. 5. “I’ll stop when I’m married”

The goal of sex within the bonds of marriage is oneness with your spouse. The goal of masturbation is self-gratification. Masturbation and sex with one’s spouse are diametrically opposed in their goals. Many people take with them into the marriage bed the goal of self-gratification that they’ve learned from their experience with masturbation. This often creates many challenges in the marriage bed.

Many singles tell me that they will stop masturbating when they get married because they’ll have an outlet for their sexual desires. For most, this is simply not the case. Many people find that they’ve developed two sex lives…one with their spouse and one with themselves. This takes away from the development of intimacy between spouses.

1. 6. “Not Even a Hint…”

Ephesians 5:3 states: “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” We are “set apart” for the work of God as Christ-followers. We then should not allow there to be a hint of sin or engage in anything that would be considered “unwise.”

A life lived for God’s name and His renown are the ultimate goals of our lives. Live lives that are worthy of God and worthy of His calling on your life! (Eph. 4:1; Col. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:12)

See you Sunday!

Well, we’ve added a brand new way to connect with and pray for fellow Internet Campus viewers.

Click here to visit the Internet Campus Prayer Wall. Once you’re there, you can click “Share Your Prayer Request” and a form will appear for you to type your request. (Note: you can opt to have your prayer request remain anonymous)

Once your request has been moderated, it will be posted to the prayer wall, where others can pray for it!

Please let us know if you have any questions!

Click here to visit the Internet Campus Prayer Wall