I am looking forward to Sunday and the 'wrap up' of my message series, "
Being the Church," which is based upon gleanings from Acts 9-15 concerning how we are to actually "BE" Christ's Church in our world. This has been a more lengthy series, one taking us along the path of Paul's conversion and early ministry (1st ten years or so) out of Antioch, which includes the story of his
first missionary journey with his good and capable friend, Barnabas; yet, what we have learned has been significant. And though certainly not inclusive of
everything the church might be, clear - at least - as to
9 things we ought be without question: that we are to be
saved,
led by God's Spirit,
not prejudiced, so by
God's election and
our decision to say, '
yes" - and that we are
unstoppable, that we ought to
expect and
follow Spirit-led leadership, that we should maintain a
gospel perspective, always
give God credit, and
never compromise Christ's gospel message of
grace. For... in realizing
these 9 things, we just might see God move in the same way we read of in Acts.
So this Sunday, then, come and hear how this has been so. In our Sunday morning service I will tell your stories - stories you have shared with me both through email and in person. As well, we will hear live testimony of the same - then gaze, once more, upon God's Word (the end of Acts 14) for a reminder of how important this final 'being' step is - the step of telling the story of all that God has done as we were found faithful to "be the church" He has called us to be.
Till Sunday,
Pastor Sam
