To God's Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
Today I feel overwhelmed at the privilege of being called by God to serve Him and build His church. Life and ministry are not always easy, and sometimes distractions can come and cause us to miss out on the privilege of ministry, so may I encourage you, as one who has been encouraged this week, to look through all of the distractions and rejoice in the privilege of ministry.
One of my heroes died last week. Jerry Bridges went home. This is a man whose books, sermons, and life have had a tremendous Kingdom impact. For me personally, The Practice Of Godliness, hit me in Bible College, and his book Trusting God, is I think the best simple book on God's Sovereignty over all of life. Transforming Grace is a book I wish came from my keyboard, and the Joy of Fearing God, so powerful in a culture that seeks to demean Him. It is hard when those we love, are called home, but in this I rejoice, his impact carries on. This week, may his death strengthen your faith, and use it to pick up any of his books (all are excellent) and spend some time drawing closer to Jesus!
Two more of our people went home to be with Jesus, Bill Bil, and Netta Gerbrandt. Please be in prayer for the families that are impacted, and use their deaths to motivate you to live in a way that glorifies God and share the Gospel with others. The sting of death is gone, when we know we will be with Jesus, when we know those we love are with Jesus!
Ottawa was an amazing experience, as Canadian pastors gathered there and dreamed together of a Canada where every person had to respond to the Jesus of the Bible, because of the health of our churches. The Gospel Coalition In Canada has begun, and our prayer is that it would lead to revival in our loved nation! Our longing is that God would, in response to the fervent, extraordinary, prevailing prayer of His people, send a revival to our nation! Please pray for me, as a part of this movement, as well as for our church, that we would be a healthy model of Biblical preaching (expository), dynamic evangelism, and holy living in the world but not of the world. It is a privilege for us to be on the ground floor of this Canadian movement and I pray that it would be powerful and transforming for our church, and the Canadian church!
This Sunday we are having a baptism, and that is always a thrill! Please join us in celebrating what God is doing in the lives of our people, as we see this picture of transformation! If you have not been baptized as a believer, please contact one of our elders/pastors and we will rejoice to help you in obeying Jesus in this incredible experience.
Reminder: Evangelism Flyer Delivery On Saturday: If you are interested in a walk that includes praying for our community and delivering flyers please call Rick Crompton, and join us in this ministry opportunity!
Sunday Is Coming:
Text: Mark 14:1-9
Title: Gospel Living: Sacrificial Love
As you prepare your heart for the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus, why do you think that this woman is one that Jesus holds up as a model for us?
How can we be sacrificially loving for Jesus?
Why do you think that Jesus made this a mark of His people?
How does this example show us how to love one another?
Why is a good understanding of what Jesus did for us key to being who Jesus wants us to be?
Who can you invite to church for Easter Sunday, as we rejoice together at the richness of the love of our God on display in this sacrifice?
It is an honour to serve you!
Pastor Rob