Good afternoon everyone! The Thorson house is quiet after being full of family and friends for Jon & Breanna's wedding over the weekend until yesterday afternoon. We were REALLY blessed at Crossroads on Jan. 6 as Professor and Missionary Brian William Thomas preached and prayed with us! Brian led the wedding service too (pictured at right). He's been a mentor to Jon throughout his college years and an adviser to Jon & Dan and their Igniter Ministries group. His message at Crossroads is worth listening to at sermon.net/crossroadsdc/sermonid/1199933618.
So what's next?
Well, we had a super time last night out at Don & Robin Begarowicz's home as we launched into the first Monday that we're sharing together around the Alpha Holy Spirit videos. This morning I was back on the school bus and since then I've been mostly doing some planning and publicizing for what's next. Take a look at the Crossroads website. That's where you can learn more. Please come tonight if you can for prayer, 6:30 p.m., and tomorrow for youth at 6.
Time now to spend some time preparing in the Lord for this coming Sunday's message. We're moving into a series together with our network partners -- a series we're calling Things Jesus Never Said. The first thing Jesus never said is this:
Jesus Never Said
"God Helps Those Who Help Themselves"
Our Jan. 13 message will be based on the passage in Matthew 5 where Jesus DID say people who can't help themselves are blessed -- the "poor in spirit," the "meek," those who mourn and "those who are persecuted because of righteousness." We'll also look at Proverbs 28:26 which says, in part:
He who trusts in himself is a fool...
At the wedding on Sunday afternoon I heard Brian Thomas say that, because Jon is set on going into ministry, that he and Breanna can't count on being secure in the so-called "American Dream." The American Dream includes ideas such as freedom, which is a part of the Christian message to be sure (freedom "in Christ," though, is different than absolute liberty). But the American Dream also says we ought to work hard SO THAT we become financially secure and independent.
Hard work is important for the Christ-follower! But, as we learn in Ephesians 4:28, the purpose of work is different for the Christian! The Bible there sayswe ought to do things that are useful so we "have something to share with those in need."
Hard work is important for the Christ-follower! But, as we learn in Ephesians 4:28, the purpose of work is different for the Christian! The Bible there sayswe ought to do things that are useful so we "have something to share with those in need."
Mr. Thomas spoke with me about this personally before the wedding, so I know what he was getting at. He himself has experienced, many times, a different kind of life, a life that is DEPENDENT instead of independent. Dependent directly on God, and also dependent on God's people.
There is a strong "counter cultural" character to the Christian message that we need to be aware of. That quite different "Christ centered" culture is described in the book of Acts and is lived out today in communities where the Holy Spirit is allowed to take control.
Join us on Sundays as we address these topics:
- Jan. 13 - Jesus Never Said "God Helps Those Who Help Themselves" (message based on Matthew 5:3-12 and Proverbs 28:26)
- Jan. 20 - Jesus Never Said "It's Just Between Me and You" (message based on John 17:20-23) with communion
- Jan. 27 - Jesus Never Said "It's OK not to love certain people" (message based on Mark 2:13-17, 1 Cor. 13)
- Feb. 3 - Jesus Never Said "Everyone should believe and act like you do" (message based on 1 Cor. 12:14-20, John 21:23) with communion
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