Weekend and Message Highlights

This weekend was my first message of the year . . . last weekend we did something we call Worship and the Word . . . a service that contains simply scripture reading . . . prayer . . . and singing. It's always an impactful service . . . one from which we receive lots of positive feedback.

Being my first message of the year, I took some time to talk about some spiritual habits that I called our people to commit to this year.

• We celebrated 9 baptisms . . . I never get tired of witnessing these decisions by people who demonstrate their faith in Jesus in this meaningful way

 

• I talked with soooo many new people . . . one family told me this church has radically changed their lives in just the eight weeks they have been attending . . . that is so cool!

 

• So sad we live in a culture that no longer values commitment . . . we value flexibility

   

• Our commitments really do shape who and what we are becoming

 

• Yes . . . I really did announce to my wife on our honeymoon that I was thinking of bagging Bible College and become a cop . . . bad timing!

 

• Since our commitments shape our lives we better choose them carefully

 

• The church you choose to be a part of . . . hopefully commit to . . . is one of those commitments that should be chosen carefully

 

• I called our people to commit to five habits . . . attend a weekend service . . . serve in a ministry . . . share their story . . . get in a life group . . . give financially

 

• Yeah . . . I think going to church is still important . . . I know a lot of people who are Christ followers don't think so . . . but I guess I'm just old fashioned that way.

 

• Yeah . . . I want to see as many people as possible show up . . . I couldn't give a rip about how big we are compared to other churches . . . I do give a rip about where people will spend their eternity.

 

• Yeah . . . every Christ follower should be serving . . . probably serving more and studying the Bible less . . . most of us are already educated way beyond our level of obedience

 

• That said . . . every person has room to grow . . . I believe it happens best in relationships with others through small groups

 

• God can use your story . . . your story does fit into God's story

 

• If you're making money . . . put God first in your giving. . . He can make it go farther than you can