Deepen and Define

Written by cycleguy on February 1st, 2024

French philosopher, Francois-Marie Arouet, better known as Voltaire (I believe I would choose Voltaire over Francois-Marie), famously predicted that Christianity would be dead within a hundred years of his death. He once wrote: “There will not be a Bible on the earth except one that is looked upon by an antiquarian curiosity seeker.” In 1966, TIME magazine ran a cover story posing the question, “Is God Dead?” They assumed the answer was obvious.

In an ironic twist of fate, the printing press found in Voltaire’s house was used to print Bibles, the book he said would be gone. And TIME! Can anyone say, “Life support?” Over 250 years later the faith Voltaire said would be dead is still alive and kicking.

In this series on WELCOME HOME…where… I have been focusing on being a church that is a welcoming community, but also what to expect in this type of church.  Here are the three we have covered so far:

The Gospel is Preached

Jesus in Honored

Grace is Offered

This week’s sermon is a bit more “ouchy” in that it starts probing. If we want to be a church that fulfills the next rung of this ladder we have to take two very important and distinct steps: First, we must deepen our intimacy with the Father (Colossians 2:6-10). Second, we must define our identity (Colossians 2:11-15).  As we draw closer to Him, we become more aware of who we are. Our identity is not in any qualifier we or our culture wants to put on us. We start with a new birth; we grow in intimacy with Him; then we find ourselves transformed by His overpowering love and grace. That becomes our identity.

So…WELCOME HOME…where…

LIVES ARE CHANGED

 

2 Comments so far ↓

  1. gail says:

    The question each christian has to ask themselves is: are you all in? Being all in leaves no plan B. You accept God on His terms, His timing, His directions, His ways. Instead of asking God what we want and need, we ask God what He needs from us. We do not give in to our doubts, we do not lose faith, we understand we are serving a perfect Father. God knows the way, no matter what culture or people around us seem to think, we are going to stick with God’s plan. Put all of our trust in God alone.

    • cycleguy says:

      Very well thought out words Gail. I like what you said about no Plan B. Alternatives are not worth it. I do hope the sermon was spot on and meaningful.