by ricks
8. March 2010 17:25
It was a great day together! I truly enjoy the moments we have as a congregation -- the worship was outstanding; the fellowship was a delight; the food was abundant; good to hear the report from our mission team -- a good day! I wonder how God is going to show himself to the team members now that they are back home. Will they be missionaries here, too? Will all of us be missionaries where we are planted?
Isn't it odd how many people think the message of the cross is foolish but have never really checked out God's side of the debate?
Besides Epicureans and secular humanists, there are other "wise" systems -- often they are spoken best at funerals. Here's one that makes my stomach turn -- "God needed more angels in heaven, so that's why he had to die." Or, at my friend Les' funeral -- one of his buddies gave some reflections that went kind of like this: "We went 4 wheeling and got stuck in the mud together. We drank beer together. Les really lived." That's a "wise" system. You only go around once in life. Go for the gusto. Have fun with your friends. Then you'll really live. Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow you die. THAT CAN'T BE ALL THERE IS! Check out John 10:10.
I love 1 Corinthians 1:29: "so that no one may boast before Him." That's the point of the cross (Isaiah 42:8; 48:11). Many, many layers of pride get peeled off of us at the cross. It sounds like this: "Lord Jesus, I am sorry for my sins." "Father, not My will but Yours be done." "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do."
My favorite story today was from Art. His friend didn't want to watch the movie about Christianity. Art asked why. His friend said, "That's not what I believe." Art said, "How do you know?" So the friend decided to give it a look. Several weeks later, he said to Art, "You were right." And Art said, "I wasn't right. It was God talking to you." In other words, Art understood that spiritual leadership in a conversation is not about winning the point but about joining God in His work; it's not about the debate but about God revealing Himself.
Thank God for His gift and the awesome privilege to preach "Christ crucified."
Stay true.
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