A WORLD Christian!

When you hear the term "a world Christian" what comes to your mind? A world Christian can be defined as someone who sees the world as Jesus does. You know the verse. "For God so loved the world..!" Well, now with the heart of Christ pulsating in me, I find myself also "so loving the world" with the understand that "God gave his only son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have ever lasting life". To be a world Christian, I suggest, means I possess the heart of Jesus for the world and I join him in what he is doing to pursue the lost in this world. While we should not have to distinguish between a disciple of Jesus and a Christian, unfortunately we have to. When you came to Jesus, (accepted him as "your Lord and Savior"), you became one of his followers. You became his disciple. You don't become a Christian, then a disciple. Jesus' call to himself, was a call to follow him and that following took you on a journey that embraced the whole world with a tireless commitment to reach that world with his saving message contained in the gospel. That is what it means to be a world Christian. I sure look forward to sharing more about that with you this Sunday as we look at Mark 3:7-12.

What Happened to NICE?

I have known of a number of really nice people in my life who do not profess to know Jesus. They take time out of their schedule to help others and seem to have all the qualities and attributes you would find in a good person. So what is the problem? Well, many nice people are not real nice when you bring up the subject of Jesus. Like turning a switch to bring darkness into a lighted room, speaking about Jesus can put a dark cloud over the countenance of a nice person. We easily write off the Pharisees as mean, ugly and angry people bent on evil in all they did. Many of them, though, were nice people. They helped others, they laughed, played with their kids and were respected by many. THey were nice people - until they were seen with Jesus. Being with Jesus brought about an ugly change to an otherwise pleasant demeanor. Why? Jesus being holy, good and perfect, exposes the true nature of our hearts. We have no choice around Jesus but to be what we are. A godly person is seen to be godly around Jesus, but an evil person will show evidence of evil. When reading over Mark 3:1-6 (our subject for this Sunday) I want to understand what really lay in the hearts of the Pharisees. Why do people resist Jesus? What is really going on when seemingly nice people suddenly turn into angry wolves bent on destroying Jesus? By understanding such a heart I am better able to understand the kind of heart from which I have been saved. I sure look forward to talking about this with you Sunday and I look forward to worshipping the Lord Jesus with you. HE IS SO GOOD!

Pastor Mitch

SO, HOW IS THAT WORKING FOR YOU?

Dr. Phil, the popular TV psychologist is known for leaning toward his troubled guest to ask the question "so, how is that working for you?" I would like to ask you that question this Sunday. So, how is that working for you? All the disciplines. All the bible studies. All the church attendance. Praying. Giving. So, how is it working for you? Are you any happier? Holier? Closer to God? More affective? So, how is it working for you? The Pharisees (in Mark 2:18-27) questions Jesus as to why his disciples don't fast, and, why they were picking grain from a field on the Sabbath. Jesus turns the question on them. So, why do YOU do what you do? Why do you fast? Why do you not pick grain on the Sabbath? It is working? Do you know why are you doing it?

Lots of questions to ask this Sunday and hopefully some refreshing answers.

I sure look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday.

Pastor Mitch

Compeled By Love

A Church in town has a sign outside that "Welcome Bikers". What would be your reaction if you came to our Church this Sunday to see a large sign reading, "Liars, Thieves, Gossipers, ALL sinners are welcome". It would catch your attention wouldn't it? You can begin to understand the mood and reaction to Jesus showing up at Levi's house in Mark 2:13-17 and seen eating with "sinners and tax collectors". You and I might easily say we would welcome sinners and hang out with them, but consider carefully how well you follow up on that claim. The Word will challenge us this Sunday as we look at what it looks like to be Compelled By the Love of Jesus. I sure look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday.