Uncategorized Murray McLellan on 26 Nov 2007 04:13 pm
Mmmmm… Nov. 26, 2007
Monday, Nov. 26, 2007
Good mid-day, saints!
I hope that I did not overload you on Sunday! It is so important to stop and reflect upon the purpose of our redemption and how we have been brought near to God through Christ, satisfied, and then sent out on mission in service of our King. And it is nice to be able to do so in a nice warm hall … and not from inside the belly of a fish!
To be a part of the mission of Jesus is a joy and a privilege. To that end we are in the process of establishing a church-planting church. It is not enough that we promote Jesus “generally” – or His kingdom “generally” – or the Body of Christ “generally.” We want needy sinners brought to the true Jesus of the Bible in repentant faith. We want redeemed people gathered into Jesus’ visible community – Grace Fellowship, a local church of Jesus, seeking to be faithful to the Word of God. We want these saints to grow in grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, minister to one another in love, and to go forth into the community of Saskatoon as lights representing and proclaiming the True Light. The church is God’s new creation and His chosen instrument through which He will accomplish His mission. We want to seek first the kingdom of God – in and from our hearts.
As a church, we have moved our focus from Leask (our roots) to Saskatoon – that great city on the prairies. This has meant sacrifice for the saints in Leask. A comfortable church situation was not grasped and held onto, but rather, I witnessed a small group of believers humble themselves before the Lord and put His mission above “self.” We all saw and continue to see Saskatoon as the strategic center from which to impact the prairies with the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the pattern set for us in the New Testament by Paul and the apostles. Together we wish to function with one mind and one purpose to love and serve the city of Saskatoon for Christ’s sake. I never really considered Grace Fellowship as a church to do this, nor myself as one to serve in leading the way. Who is sufficient for these things? However, when we looked at the horizon of our great prairie sky, we did not see preaching paratroopers dropping into western Canada to plant sovereign grace churches. When we look around to see who is already here that could preach the Christ-centered gospel of God’s grace – and exalt the true and sovereign God …. there we were … or here we are … Lord, send us.
In the new year, we want to have a number of gathering groups. Together as a team of ministers, we need to be on a gathering mission – where each member, according to their own abilities and giftedness, does their share. Thanks to all of you who have caught a vision for what we are trying to do.
We plan to have an interactive study on the gospel and its impact on all of life that will begin sometime in the new year in a number of community groups, where each of us can gather friends, co-workers, family members etc. who may be interested in learning of Jesus. These community groups, for the most part, will be small (around 4 – 6 people), though some may be a little larger. Lord willing, they will be safe environments for seekers, doubters, and believers to learn truth and interact with others who are seeking the truth as well.
Fellowship meal
This Sunday will be a fellowship meal together at the Sutherland Hall. We will also have the unveiling of our new sign and logo. These meals will be held on a regular basis – the first Sunday of each month.
Christmas is For-giving
On December 23, we will have a special message that focuses on the gospel (oh yeah, we do that every week! :-) ). It will also be followed by a meal. Though we will not have a separate communion time on that Sunday, we will still “break bread” together in the eating of meal. Invite some of your social network to this gathering as we celebrate God for giving His Son that we might be forgiven all our sins – forever.
Prayer
A few of us have begun to meet at 9:25 a.m. before our Sunday church gathering to pray for God’s purposes. We meet in the kitchen and spend around 15 – 20 minutes participating in the privilege of prayer with our heavenly Father. For those who want to join with us, but are a little late – just walk on into the kitchen – do not be afraid that you will interrupt us. Just come on in.
Now for this week’s prayer and requests provided by Julie Cortens. May it be an inspiration to us as we seek to remember one another in prayer this week, and that God would be glorified in our lives and in His world. Thanks again, Julie. May this lead us to be more faithful as a church that prays in right dependence upon our Lord.
E M Bounds quote of the week:
“Without prayer the Christian life, robbed of its sweetness and its beauty, becomes cold and formal and dead; but rooted in the secret place where God meets and walks and talks with His own, it grows into such a testimony of divine power that all men will feel its influence and be touched by the warmth of its love. Thus resembling our Lord and Master, we shall be used for the glory of God and the salvation of our fellow men. And that surely is the purpose of all real prayer and the end of all true service”
Oh Father and Author of all good, use us for your glory and for the salvation of our fellow man. May we view all things in the light of eternity. May we conquer self, overcome the desires of the flesh, live daily to your glory and turn from the praises of man.
What joy to know that nothing can hurt or destroy our new life in Christ, nothing can have any power over Your Spirit within us. Lord, keep us humble, dependent, always joyful, always at peace, always striving for your glory and the salvation of our fellow man.
Lord, help us to not be Jonahs. May we always seek first the kingdom of God. May we be living for your glory and not our own comforts. May we be willing to be uncomfortable, suffer, be stretched, be challenged so that your Kingdom can be proclaimed here in Saskatoon. Lord, remove any sin from our hearts. Search us and show us any self- centered ways that we might repent and be of service to you and your kingdom.
Lord, we ask for prayer for Kurt’s family as they mourn the loss of their father and grandfather and husband. Be a comfort to each of them. Bring peace to their hearts.
Please continue to strengthen Kurt and Kendall as they push on through the pain of loss. Hear our prayers for them, comfort them as only you can.
We pray for David as he seeks employment. We thank you that you are the great provider and you continue to bless us.
We pray for Julie’s father facing surgery for colon cancer. Prepare his heart even now to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.
We give thanks for your provision of workers for Jan and Larry. Continue to give them peace in the daily trials of their business.
Lord, we also thank you for Murray – his steadfast study of your Word that we might grow individually and corporately in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Bless him, Lord. Provide for his needs. Help us to be supportive in every way we can - financially and spiritually of Murray and his family as one worthy of double honour.
Bless the preparation of the pamphlets and our new sign. May they be used to raise support and to ultimately bring glory to you as we reach out to the lost in Saskatoon. Please prepare the hearts that will receive these pamphlets to provide for Murray as you see fit. Use our new signs to bring many into our doors on Sunday mornings and prepare us to warmly greet and minister to our visitors when they arrive. Bless our time of prayer Sunday before fellowship. May it be pleasing to you and an encouragement and blessing to us.
We pray for Mark who is seeking new accommodations – provide him with a room mate that will be an encouragement to Mark in his faith. We remember Allison and Sammy – Lord, help them to keep you their priority amidst the distractions of school, basketball and each other. Help them all to desire to glorify you in everything they do, to resist the flesh, to seek our your saints and to stay steadfast in their study of your Word.
We remember this also for Braiden, Blair, Harold, Shawn, Derek, Jessie and Chris. We think of Maria and Bruce, grandparents and parents – Lord, there are so many we love and care for – help us to be a witness to the saving grace of Jesus Christ to each of them. Help us to step out and minister, to be uncomfortable and to sacrifice for the sake of your Gospel. Prepare their hearts to hear the Good News and use your saints to carry forth that Good News.
Continue to prepare us to reach out into the city of Saskatoon with a message of hope. Use us, Lord, to further your Kingdom.
It is because of his work on the cross that we can pray.
Amen.
May we love God, one another, and the city of Saskatoon.
Jesus, build your church in Saskatoon for the glory of our heavenly Father.
Much love in, and dependence upon, the Savior,
Murray
“Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God
and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ…”
Acts 28:31
“The story continues…”