Uncategorized Murray McLellan on 17 Sep 2007 01:14 am
Mmmmm… Sept. 17, 2007
Monday, Sept. 17, 2007
Good morning, saints,
Well, I can hardly believe we have come to the end of Genesis on Sunday mornings – except for a brief look at Jacob preaching his own funeral message in Gen. 49, which we will look at next week! As I reflect on God’s mission as seen throughout the book, I rejoice in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, where I am accepted by sheer grace on the basis of what Jesus did as a substitute for poor sinners like you and like me. God has a dream for His people. God has a vision for your glory. The fact is, until it’s all over; it can look like a complete mess at times. I mean here’s Joseph, who got the dreams and was told by everybody “that’s ridiculous”. And through out God’s program for Joseph, it still looks ridiculous. It looks ridiculous to Joseph from the Egyptian jail. It looks ridiculous to everybody. God has a dream for your future glory. God has a dream for his people. And when you’re in the midst of the life journey, you usually can never figure out what is He doing. But I can tell you this, if you belong to Him, He will not let anything kill the dream for your future glory, not even you. Do you believe that? Do you believe you really can’t mess up your life? Do you believe He works very often most when He seems the most hidden? Do you believe that He “works together for the good of those who loves God” (Romans 8:28)? Do you believe it? I love the true God of the Bible; and I love His Book.
We have been exposed to so many life lessons as we have moved through the book of Genesis. We have seen God’s sovereignty as He invisibly worked providentially fulfilling all His purposes. From man’s perspective it just seemed like one chance circumstance after another – yet a grand plan was unfolding. We have been reminded that doing our jobs is part of our spiritual life. We are called to serve the city and bless others – as a nation within a nation. Lessons of forgiveness and repentance and grace have presented themselves in the testimony of Scripture in the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph and his brothers. Without a doubt, every passage has led us to Jesus – and a deeper look at His glorious gospel of grace!
Cheryl and I are off to
There is no house group this week, so plan on reaching out to someone. Build relationships with one another, and reach out to those whom the Lord has brought into your social circle for Christ’s sake.
The next house group gathering (Sept. 27) will be at the home of Garry and Susan Haduik at 7:30 p.m. You can call them at 934-1078 for directions to their house. We will continue to discuss the applications of what God has revealed to us in the Scriptures on Sunday mornings. You can also bring any other questions or encouragements from experiences and your Bible reading this past week.
I am still trying to collect answers to the questions I sent out in my first Mmmmm… letter. I will re-post them here. New comers, you don’t have to worry about responding – unless you want to. However, I really want those of you who have been a part of Grace Fellowship for over a year to ponder and think through these things. Give them the mmmmm… factor! It is the answer to # 3 that I am most interested in.
. Here are the questions again:
· Does your church or ministry have a clear biblical understanding of Jesus? If not, what else does your church family need to learn?
· What can you do to support the leaders in your church?
· Articulate in one sentence the mission Jesus has called your church to. Would the other people in your church give the same answer, or are there contradictory missions and confusion in your church? What can be done to bring people who are not on mission in line with the mission?
· What ministry are you currently doing to help serve Jesus’ mission in your culture through your church? What are you learning as you serve?
I am still looking for people to serve Christ as disciplers and Bible study leaders. I will set up a time to meet with this group for equipping (likely a Sunday evening or late afternoon). I would love to see our evening of theology continue – but in a shotgun format where I teach and prepare some of you to do the teaching to others (one on one or small group). Who are the people you are pouring your life into?
I am going to close with yet another quote from my Tim Keller reading. Some of what he says will need further explanation, but see if there is something you can grab hold of that is of particular importance to our ministry and advance of Jesus’ kingdom in
Tim Keller writes:
CHURCHES WILL BE EFFECTIVE IN CITY-CENTERS IF THEY:
Hold the historic Christian gospel—orthodox and Biblical in doctrine and practice, but are neither legalistic nor liberal.
Have a positive regard for the city; recognize that it is the most strategic possible place for ministry.
Neither over or under adapt to the culture of those in their surrounding neighborhood and culture.
Are intensely, creatively evangelistic and effective in reaching not just people who are already traditional or conservative but who are very secular.
Relentlessly emphasize and seek to build strong, “thick” counter-cultural Christian community in cities, especially through cell groups.
Are holistic, ministering in both word and deed to their community and the poor in extremely creative and generous ways.
Have a bias toward being multi-ethnic—seek to be at least as multi-ethnic as their neighborhood.
Are arts and culture-friendly; both supportive of Christian witness in “secular work” and willing to train people for cultural leadership, not just church leadership.
See church planting as a ministry as natural and important as discipleship, music, education, and pastoral care.
Prayer –
(The following prayer and requests are provided by
“Jam 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins (Psa 66.18) to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Lord, we come before your throne, humble and broken. We confess our sins before you knowing that our debt has been forgiven that we might forgive all who sin against us. Help us, Lord, to forgive and to extend to others the grace and love that has been given to us even though we were so undeserving.
Lord, we pray for Murray and Cheryl this week as they serve you and seek your will for our fellowship and for
Lord, we pray for
Lord, we pray for
We pray for Sammy as he seeks to be training with
We pray for health and remember Kurt and Kendall as they prepare for labour and delivery of a new miracle into their family. Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful blessing. Be ever present during this time of waiting.
Lord, we pray that Mark’s life reflect great faith in Christ and may his kindness and service and life not go unnoticed by his room mate. Thank you, Lord, for all your provisions for Mark.
We give thanks for Ken’s healing back – he was able to sit in church today – Thank you, Lord.
We remember
We pray for Mike and Amy as they settle into their new community. May they exude your grace to all. Help them to be a Light in their new community.
Mat 26:41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Heb 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Lord, help us this week to not become caught up in our busy lives but daily give thanks and praise to You. Protect us from temptations – our flesh is weak. Help us to daily draw near to Your throne of grace.
Rom
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen”
Jesus, build your church in
Much love in, and dependence upon, the Savior,
