The Passion of Christ....

"BY THIS ALL MEN WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES, IF YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER."

JOHN 13:35


Over the last couple of weeks our focus has been on finding stability in God's Word. We talked about how we all go through things and no matter what the situation God's Word can minister to our every need. As we draw closer to Easter I think it is appropriate to shift our focus to the cross.

For the past two Sunday's Daryle (our pastor at Concord Baptist Church in Calera), has preached a sermon series on "The Passion of Christ: As it relates to servanthood and love" (the above text was taken from Daryle's sermon on "The Passion of Christ: As It Relates To Love"). His messages each Sunday have really spoke to me. Since our men's accountability group agreed that we would start reviewing how we are applying our pastor's messages to our lives, I've started taking notes. That's right it's never too late to try something new when it comes to spiritual growth. I'll be the first to admit that I've got the note taking down, but I'm still trying to get the application part down. I feel however, there is hope for me yet. Anyway, as I was saying...Daryle's messages have really struck at the core of my being and God has revealed to me that I've got a lot to learn in both servanthood and love.

God has blessed us with a "nontraditional" opportunity in that we get to hear our pastor's message before we have Bible study/Sunday school. So, after a conversation with one of our very wise and spiritually mature class members (that's not a jab and doesn't mean "old"), and coupled with how God has spoke to me through His servant and our Sheppard; what better lesson could we study than the message inspired by God from our pastor?

Our focus will indeed turn to the Cross, as we mirror our pastor's message until he concludes this sermon series on "The Passion of Christ." What better way to celebrate the greatest Gift ever given to man. "What can wash away my sins.....Nothing but the blood of Jesus."

As we are coming up on commitment Sunday, it is my prayer that each of you view every Sunday as commitment Sunday. I want to encourage each of you to be in worship this Sunday so we can: worship and praise God together, be fed on the message together and so that we can take what has been shared and expound on it. This should be our passion.

Finding Stability In God's Word

NOW THAT YOU HAVE PURIFIED YOURSELVES BY OBEYING THE TRUTH SO THAT YOU HAVE SINCERE LOVE FOR YOUR BROTHERS, LOVE ONE ANOTHER DEEPLY, FROM THE HEART. FOR YOU HAVE BEEN BORN AGAIN, NOT OF PERISHABLE SEED, BUT OF IMPERISHABLE, THROUGH THE LIVING AND ENDURING WORD OF GOD. FOR, "ALL MEN ARE LIKE GRASS, AND ALL THEIR GLORY IS LIKE THE FLOWERS OF THE FIELD; THE GRASS WITHERS AND THE FLOWERS FALL, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD STANDS FOREVER." AND THIS IS THE WORD THAT WAS PREACHED TO YOU.

1 Peter 1:22-25

Have you ever been looking for something and it be right in front of your face and you just can't see it. For example, I may tear the house apart looking for my sunglasses for like 20 minutes only to realize they've been propped on top of my very large and very empty melon. That can be frustrating. You don't know whether to laugh, cry or beat yourself up. You may not know what to do, but I guarantee your spouse will... they will laugh (at you!!!, not with you). Don't even get me started on car keys, ughhhhh. I think you get the point and we've all been there.

So that makes me think, how does God feel about us? How frustrated should He be. He's given us the best "road map" that we could ever have and we still we get lost. All of life's questions are answered in His Word, but some of us, most of us choose to figure it out on our own. By the way...How's that working out for ya? Yeah, me too.

It almost seems to easy right. I mean His Word has stood the test of time. It was provided to us through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, by the one true God who created us and who loves us. So, why is it so hard for us crack it open and use it? Every situation in life that you are going through or have gone through, God knows and He's got the answer. He speaks to us through His Word, He ministers to us through His Word and He saved us with the Word.

Just about every lesson I've ever prepared has come through God's conviction. This week we are going to discuss how to better use the Bible and the other resources that can help us grow closer to Him in our daily lives. I know that I need to do a better job of opening up my Bible and seeking God. So we are going to share some ideas how to do it everyday, for every situation and every need.

I'm glad God doesn't get frustrated with us. I'm glad that He loves us and cares for us no matter how forgetful, or ungrateful or stubborn we are. You see I think He's got a great sense of humor. He's smiling down on us chuckling to Himself, because He knew where the sunglasses were the whole time.

May God bless each of you.