Do you want to experience God's blessing in your life? Do you want God to pour out His goodness on you in overwhelming measure?
I think most of us would answer both of those questions in the affirmative.
Recently I have written some about where we are going as a church.
I have said that God wants us to...
Worship Him, Grow in Him, Serve Him, and Reach Others for Him!
Serving should be thought of as more than filling a slot in a ministry org-chart or calendar. Serving should be thought of as a powerful way of relating and loving others.
In John 13, Jesus was about to celebrate Passover with His disciples. But there was no one available to wash their feet - a job normally reserved for the most humble of slaves. Certainly it was a job that was too humiliating and unworthy of any of the disciples!
Jesus didn't stop and take a spiritual gift inventory and then evaluate the opportunity based upon His giftedness. He didn't spend days praying over the commitment. Instead He saw the need and rose to or - perhaps better said - humbled Himself for the occasion and washed the feet of His disciples.
True servants see needs and seize opportunities! (Galatians 6:10)
After serving in this very humble manner Jesus says something like this to His disciples, "I have given you an example. You should do for each other as I have done for you. I am the Master and you are My servants. If I as the Master serve you, certainly you should serve each other. Now you understand My concerns. But you will only be blessed if you serve each other as I have served you!" (John 13:1 - 17)
What drives how you and I serve will determine whether or not we are blessed in the serving.
So how can a person get started in serving God through the ministries of our church?
You can be a greeter on Sunday mornings or help with refreshments.
You can help run sound or multi-media if you are tech-savvy.
You can serve as a worker or teacher in the children's ministries or student ministries.
You can host or facilitate a 2:42 Group or small group.
You can serve on the worship team as a musician or vocalist.
You can feed, shelter, and give the homeless a message of hope through Nomadic Sheltering.
But there is one thing you can't do and expect to experience God's blessing. You cannot simply sit back and do little or nothing.
Jesus has given us an example to follow! We will only be blessed if we do it!
Warmly in Christ,
Pastor Gary
Acts 20:24
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
VOTE!
Today we will elect a new president and vote on some very important propositions.
The mission of the church is not to elect the “right president.” It is to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).
As followers of Christ, God wants us to be good citizens. But ultimately our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20-21). Our greatest loyalty must not be to a political party or ideal. Our greatest loyalty must be to Christ (Matthew 16:24-26)!
Last night I was in the middle of a lot of people talking politics where my political views were definitely in the minority. I tried to listen well and hold my tongue.
I have very strong political opinions, but I reserve most political discussion for my family and closest friends. With everyone else I try to point out that all change without a change of heart is superficial. Our principle concern shouldn’t be over who occupies the White House, but who reigns in our hearts!
Most of us, if not all, want an honorable peace in the Middle East and we want to bring our young men and women home safely. But the ultimate reason for all war is that there is violence in our hearts. And only Christ can change the heart!
Most of us, if not all, want a stronger economy. But a lot of the mess in our economy is due to greed in our hearts. And only Christ can change the heart!
Most of us, if not all, want cleaner, less expensive, and renewable sources of energy. But only Christ, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, can release God’s power in abundant measure that cleans our hearts from the inside out!
Today, I hope you will vote. But more importantly, I hope you will invest your life in following Christ and being a change-agent for Him in our world (Acts 1:8)! This should be the mission of every person who calls Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior.
Next week I hope to share more with you about where God is leading us as a church.
Warmly in Christ,
Pastor Gary
The mission of the church is not to elect the “right president.” It is to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).
As followers of Christ, God wants us to be good citizens. But ultimately our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20-21). Our greatest loyalty must not be to a political party or ideal. Our greatest loyalty must be to Christ (Matthew 16:24-26)!
Last night I was in the middle of a lot of people talking politics where my political views were definitely in the minority. I tried to listen well and hold my tongue.
I have very strong political opinions, but I reserve most political discussion for my family and closest friends. With everyone else I try to point out that all change without a change of heart is superficial. Our principle concern shouldn’t be over who occupies the White House, but who reigns in our hearts!
Most of us, if not all, want an honorable peace in the Middle East and we want to bring our young men and women home safely. But the ultimate reason for all war is that there is violence in our hearts. And only Christ can change the heart!
Most of us, if not all, want a stronger economy. But a lot of the mess in our economy is due to greed in our hearts. And only Christ can change the heart!
Most of us, if not all, want cleaner, less expensive, and renewable sources of energy. But only Christ, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, can release God’s power in abundant measure that cleans our hearts from the inside out!
Today, I hope you will vote. But more importantly, I hope you will invest your life in following Christ and being a change-agent for Him in our world (Acts 1:8)! This should be the mission of every person who calls Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior.
Next week I hope to share more with you about where God is leading us as a church.
Warmly in Christ,
Pastor Gary
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