To God’s Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
What an amazing Sunday, filled with baptisms, and a clear call to connect and serve in the family of God! I LOVE BAPTISM SUNDAY, and to hear so many stories of God's grace!
So thankful and encouraged!
Look up Galatians 2:20…okay, I doubt you actually will, so will give it to you here
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
There are two precious ordinances that we have been blessed with as a church family by our LORD, and the second one is COMMUNION.
This coming Sunday we are having communion again and excited to get back to how we have traditionally done it, and pass out the elements and partake together. If you have any concerns about this, we still want you to participate, so ask that if you are uncomfortable being served the elements that you pick yours up before the service in the foyer. I am so thankful for how this remembrance of our LORD, and participation together in His love and Gospel unifies us and calls us to live on mission for Him! We want you to join us in this time of remembrance and recommitment to living for HIs glory!
Over these first few weeks of the FALL we have been discussing how to grow as Christians so that our depth will display the glory of God.
We also have over 50 signed up for membership class...God is at work in our church family, and we should notice and praise Him! I am thankful for so many partners in the Gospel, and thankful this is increasing!
We want to be a church family that lives on MISSION POSSIBLE!
How do we do this?
We understand what it means (seeking to bring Him glory), and the way of thinking that makes this possible (word saturation).
If each of us is making it a priority to grow in our walk with God, we will find a unity of thinking that comes from God’s WORD, not the world around us. This is what it will take to thrive as the world shifts further and further away from its moral foundation.
Personal growth will always include preaching the Gospel to ourselves every day (living in relationship with God); pursuing right thinking; Praying; People gathered in church; and seeking the supremacy of the person of Jesus in all things.
Last week we talked about PREACHING THE GOSPEL TO OURSELVES EVERY DAY, I hope you are doing this in your life now, and growing more every day in practical ways to live your life for Jesus.
PURSUING right thinking is the focus on WORD SATURATION. We have covered this repeatedly, but we must apply it.
What are you doing in your life right now to make sure you think like the WORD, not the world?
How often are you in God’s Word? What are you learning? Are you sharing it with others? What are you memorizing?
Reminder, we are memorizing Colossians 3:1 together as a church family, and what a great reminder (we try to read it every morning as a staff) of our call to keep our eyes fixed on what really matters.
Unity comes from being together IN CHRIST (the Gospel), and being WORD SATURATED, if we have these things then your politics, or policing of social issues will be so far secondary to what God declares matters that you will find what unites far beyond what divides, and LOVE will mark your connection to the community of faith (more on this next week, God willing).
Sunday Is Coming:
Please take the time to prepare your heart to hear from God…
Sermon: Mission Possible: Outreach Matthew 11
- What do you think it means for you to be engaged with, “joyfully sharing the Gospel with our community and world”?
- How are you doing at this?
- How does Matthew 11 help us see what God values? Focus especially on verse 11…and the greatness of John the Baptist.
- How does 1 Peter 2:11-12 help us see how we are to live this out in a world that is drifting away from God?
- If you have time, reflect on 2 Corinthians 5:11-21. Why does the fear of God help us share the Gospel? How does being His ambassador help you to see your life from His perspective?
- Why is knowing God essential to living on mission for Him?
- How does the Spirit help us to witness (Acts 1:8)?
Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel, and your desire to help us to be a MISSION POSSIBLE COMMUNITY?
Your Mission Servant, because I am His….
Pastor Rob