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.