April 29th, 2022

The message of the gospel is so simple and yet, so profound:  "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him."  John 3:17-17

Just like the first generation of Hebrew believers, Christians today are inheritors of "so great a salvation" (Heb. 2:3).  And because of this, we must respond with lives that are driven by a relentless conviction that resists the tendency to drift.  How do we keep from drifting or getting pulled away from what is eternally important?

1. Continue to be transformed by the "old stuff" of the gospel message.  While it's important to continue to grow in spiritual knowledge, it's also important that we continue to thirst for a tall, cold glass of gospel milk.  Milk that is rich in the free gift of salvation that cannot be purchased, earned or passed down from one generation to the next.  Milk that provides us strength to live as disciples of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.  If you need to quench this thirst for gospel milk, I would suggest a slow, careful, and prayerful read through the book of Galatians or the book of Romans.

2. Also, be consistent in living out the truths of God's Word.  Drifting results either when we're under the currents of the unbelieving world outside of us or when we give in to the selfish desire within us.  Don't allow yourself to wander on your own instincts; but rather, anchor yourself on the immovable truth of the gospel.  To stay anchored, we need to daily--not weekly or monthly--attend to the application of God's Word. 

Join us this Sunday, at 9:30am, as we continue our series, Unleashed.  When Jesus conquered death, he unleashed for us a better, more secure path to God.  A path that is paved with the promise of eternal salvation and not the need to make daily sacrifices for our sins.  Being made right with God doesn't require us to work through a daunting list of do's and don'ts; rather, we are able to turn to our forever high priest, Jesus for the forgiveness of sin.  Take time this weekend to read Hebrews 1, as you prepare your hearts for worship.

Also this Sunday at 10:45am, our adult discipleship classes will combine for a 5 week study titled, Keeping It Simple (Spiritual Discipline for a Focused Life).  I want to encourage everyone to consider attending and learning about this much lacking, but extremely important discipline. 

For week #1, The Premise of Simplicity, please read Luke 10:17-42 and consider the question:  "What is the 'one thing' necessary (vs.42)  Also, come prepared to share about the many things that keep you from being focused on the one necessary thing.  Hope to see you there!

Below are the class details:

Facilitator:  Martha Bailey
Topic:  Keeping It Simple (Spiritual Discipline for a Focused Life)
When:  Sundays at 10:45am.
Why?:  Because all of us could use a little "simplicity" in our lives.

See you Sunday!

Pastor Doug