Summer 2008 Priorities
Hey Friends!
I believe there are two major things on the mind of Christ for our church this Summer: Purity and Discipleship. I want to briefly mention each and encourage you to get joyfully involved in these critical priorities. I know the Summer is a time for rest and fun, so I pray that we've grown to the point where living pure before God and discipling others has become just that for you....FUN!
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
This passage is our purity theme. We are launching a program called The Silver Ring Thing (www.silverringthing.com) on June 21st. The stated mission of the program is "to motivate, educate, support and transform generations of young people to embrace a lifestyle of Christ-centered sexual abstinence until marriage." I would just like to add that although the program is "geared" for younger people, the information and the way we plan to present it will be applicable for singles from teenager on up. Take a minute and re-read the Scripture above. Meditate on it for a few minutes. Breathe it in. I don't have to say what you already know. You know that God's standards of purity are mocked in our culture and that impurity is displayed in neon lights. You also know many people impacted by decisions contrary to God's Word. The good news is that this program is for all teens, singles and parents of teens, regardless of their past choices.
Will you join us? Do you know anyone who needs this program? Will you help them get involved? The time is now! Registration ends this Sunday.
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Most of you have read this Scripture countless times. You and I know what it means and we understand the eternal ramifications of this Great Commission. But who are we discipling? Who are we intentionally walking into maturity in Christ? How much time do we spend with unbelievers we are leading to Christ or new believers who need to understand the basics of Christianity?
This Summer...let's be intentional and purposeful. Let's disciple someone.
I believe there are two major things on the mind of Christ for our church this Summer: Purity and Discipleship. I want to briefly mention each and encourage you to get joyfully involved in these critical priorities. I know the Summer is a time for rest and fun, so I pray that we've grown to the point where living pure before God and discipling others has become just that for you....FUN!
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
This passage is our purity theme. We are launching a program called The Silver Ring Thing (www.silverringthing.com) on June 21st. The stated mission of the program is "to motivate, educate, support and transform generations of young people to embrace a lifestyle of Christ-centered sexual abstinence until marriage." I would just like to add that although the program is "geared" for younger people, the information and the way we plan to present it will be applicable for singles from teenager on up. Take a minute and re-read the Scripture above. Meditate on it for a few minutes. Breathe it in. I don't have to say what you already know. You know that God's standards of purity are mocked in our culture and that impurity is displayed in neon lights. You also know many people impacted by decisions contrary to God's Word. The good news is that this program is for all teens, singles and parents of teens, regardless of their past choices.
Will you join us? Do you know anyone who needs this program? Will you help them get involved? The time is now! Registration ends this Sunday.
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Most of you have read this Scripture countless times. You and I know what it means and we understand the eternal ramifications of this Great Commission. But who are we discipling? Who are we intentionally walking into maturity in Christ? How much time do we spend with unbelievers we are leading to Christ or new believers who need to understand the basics of Christianity?
This Summer...let's be intentional and purposeful. Let's disciple someone.
Comments