Friday, December 10, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
The Word
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Christmas Party
All those who have been coming to Small Groups all semester we hope to see you next Monday for a Christmas Party! We will be in the Fellowship Hall. Contact Sarah Henry or myself if you need directions. All are welcome.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Just a few simple words...
The gospel is not something that once responded to suddenly becomes for others. The same gospel that SAVED you is meant transform you into the likeness of Christ. Don't confuse the bible as something for others. When you read of sinners count yourself the same. I far to often gloss over texts and assume them for someone else.
Jesus said in Luke 15,"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."
He also says in chapter 5 of Luke," It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
These are just two of the MANY instances where Jesus makes it clear he didnt come for those who think they are ok, those that are in no need of saving. To accept the good news means that you must first have accepted the bad news..That you and I are sinners in need of saving. Salvation can only come if you need to be rescued from something. Once saved to live a life that says you are fine and have 'fire insurance" is to yet again miss the point of the gospel. Accepting the truth daily that you are still in need of a savior rather than taking his gift and purchase of your sins as license to feel good about yourself is not the gospel. The gospel is the power of God to save and to transform broken lives that are in constant need. To consider yourself one of the ninety-nine is to simply say, "I dont need Jesus". To say I am healthy is to say,"The gospel is no longer for me but for sinners."
Neglect the gospel, christians and you will neglect people. I am so guilty of doing this so often. Look at yourself and see what God has done and what he is and wants to continue doing.
Sanctification is not becoming a better you, its becoming more aware of the One who is better and serving him. The gospel is not about me and what it does for me.
God is the gospel and it is simply all about what HE IS DOING.
Count yourself a sinner and the grace of God takes its rightful place. It will stretch you and you will no longer have to live a life of attempting to please. You can rest in the fact that no matter how sinful you or I are he has made a way where we couldnt.
HE MUST BECOME GREATER I MUST BECOME LESS-John 3:30
The gospel is not something that once responded to suddenly becomes for others. The same gospel that SAVED you is meant transform you into the likeness of Christ. Don't confuse the bible as something for others. When you read of sinners count yourself the same. I far to often gloss over texts and assume them for someone else.
Jesus said in Luke 15,"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."
He also says in chapter 5 of Luke," It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
These are just two of the MANY instances where Jesus makes it clear he didnt come for those who think they are ok, those that are in no need of saving. To accept the good news means that you must first have accepted the bad news..That you and I are sinners in need of saving. Salvation can only come if you need to be rescued from something. Once saved to live a life that says you are fine and have 'fire insurance" is to yet again miss the point of the gospel. Accepting the truth daily that you are still in need of a savior rather than taking his gift and purchase of your sins as license to feel good about yourself is not the gospel. The gospel is the power of God to save and to transform broken lives that are in constant need. To consider yourself one of the ninety-nine is to simply say, "I dont need Jesus". To say I am healthy is to say,"The gospel is no longer for me but for sinners."
Neglect the gospel, christians and you will neglect people. I am so guilty of doing this so often. Look at yourself and see what God has done and what he is and wants to continue doing.
Sanctification is not becoming a better you, its becoming more aware of the One who is better and serving him. The gospel is not about me and what it does for me.
God is the gospel and it is simply all about what HE IS DOING.
Count yourself a sinner and the grace of God takes its rightful place. It will stretch you and you will no longer have to live a life of attempting to please. You can rest in the fact that no matter how sinful you or I are he has made a way where we couldnt.
HE MUST BECOME GREATER I MUST BECOME LESS-John 3:30
Monday, March 22, 2010
Sometimes I fail to use this thing in my head called a brain. Im highly frustrated at my inability to be the man God explicitly calls me to be. I so often entertain and fuel simple yet immature thoughts and ideas that lead to headaches. No it isn't as if any of these are fatal, but in my failing to be proactive in protecting myself and others from confusion people get hurt. Sure these are small wounds and most would say why are you overanalyzing minute details, but the truth is God wants all of us. Down to the very last minute detail God wants our heart and our obedience. This isnt to be a dictator but to give us wholeness and fullness. In my overthinking and inactivity towards firmly standing for or against things I fail to tell people the truth that would so easily save weeks of confusion." Each of you should not only look to your own interest but also to the interest of others!"!!Philippians 2;4. In this 'me' based society it is so easy to look past what others need and feel and only look for what meets your wants and needs. God may you give us a heart for others, Im so tired of living for me, it is empty, dry, and painful.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
john 3;30
He must become greater; I must become less.
This statement made by John the Baptist in light of his disciples and jews arguing over purification. He basically said you are missing the point. It is not your actions God desires but the heart behind those actions. To give your heart to something it must be very important. This is why in most of the things we do our heart is given to only one thing. Ourselves. me. Its always about me. To give your heart up and be vulnerable is hard, which is why it is much easier to give our hands or actions to God rather than actually give him our heart. Giving up our heart can leave us deeply wounded by finding out what is truly in there. In a world with such an outward focus what is it inside of you screaming for more, screaming for truth. it is your heart. We all long to be accepted but most of the time coming clean leaves us feeling like we wont be accepted. jesus says He came so that we may have life and abundantly. In his kingdom there is no one who is undesirable. We are all welcome..when he becomes greater we can lay ourselves bare and be accepted. That's the only true hope well ever have. Eternal significance in a temporary world. Accept the grace again and let go. Embrace that when he becomes greater and we become less we are no longer slaves to ourselves but slaves to Christ who receive life and fullness and joy. Its the paradox for the ages, but its real. Thank you jesus for accepting ones like me...
This statement made by John the Baptist in light of his disciples and jews arguing over purification. He basically said you are missing the point. It is not your actions God desires but the heart behind those actions. To give your heart to something it must be very important. This is why in most of the things we do our heart is given to only one thing. Ourselves. me. Its always about me. To give your heart up and be vulnerable is hard, which is why it is much easier to give our hands or actions to God rather than actually give him our heart. Giving up our heart can leave us deeply wounded by finding out what is truly in there. In a world with such an outward focus what is it inside of you screaming for more, screaming for truth. it is your heart. We all long to be accepted but most of the time coming clean leaves us feeling like we wont be accepted. jesus says He came so that we may have life and abundantly. In his kingdom there is no one who is undesirable. We are all welcome..when he becomes greater we can lay ourselves bare and be accepted. That's the only true hope well ever have. Eternal significance in a temporary world. Accept the grace again and let go. Embrace that when he becomes greater and we become less we are no longer slaves to ourselves but slaves to Christ who receive life and fullness and joy. Its the paradox for the ages, but its real. Thank you jesus for accepting ones like me...
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