Have you been visiting Sovereign Grace for a while? Are you looking to get more involved in the life of our church? Get to know us better by attending Starting Point.
The next class will be Saturday, March 21st 9am-2pm. Lunch provided.
The harvest is ripe.
This town is big enough for more than one church. There are people who live in Orange County who have no meaningful contact with christians, especially christians who are motivated to proclaim the gospel with them.
Last Sunday evening we spent three hours learning and discussing the principles that drive us to be a church-planting church:
The city is growing. Churches are closing. Church attendance is shrinking.
God is stirring large numbers of individuals and churches to establish new churches.
The biblical pattern of expansion is church planting.
Our neighbors are in spiritual jeopardy.
Teaching, Proclaiming, Healing
Ian McConnell, Director of Church Planting for Sovereign Grace Churches was with us this past Sunday. Preaching from Matthew 9, we were invited to join Jesus in his rhythm of mission: teaching, proclaiming, and healing. We were also invited to be the answer to our prayers.
"pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Pastor Mike was at a family reunion.
Pastor Eric was on a family vacation.
You kept doing what you do best.
Last Sunday both our pastors were out of town and this happens like never. And no surprise, you proved what we've always believed. The church isn't about any one man or woman (ok, maybe one man named Jesus but besides Jesus). You didn't skip a beat.
The gospel was sung, preached, and celebrated. Church members served one another and welcomed guests. Sunday School was in session. People were encouraged and comforted. Friendships were forged. God was glorified.
Well done Sovereign Grace. Keep on keeping on...
Have you been visiting Sovereign Grace for a while? Are you looking to get more involved in the life of our church? Get to know us better by attending Starting Point.
The next class will be Saturday, March 21st 9am-2pm. Lunch provided.
This month Lucas Enge (our Pastoral Resident) is preaching a 3 sermon series through the Book of Lamentations. You can listen to the first one here. It was a wonderful reminder of how the severity of our sin and God's judgement leads us to marvel in our great salvation.
"Mourning turns to marveling."
Pastor Eric reminded us during the service that having other men preach isn't only an opportunity to develop new preachers. This is also an opportunity for God to develop us (the congregation).
- When others preach, it helps us keep the gospel first and foremost. It is the gospel we have come to hear, not a particular man.
- When others preach, we learn to share our ministries. We watch our pastors invest in others. We watch them support and encourage and celebrate their progress. This in turn encourages the entire church to do the same in their ministry roles
- When others preach, it cultivates trust. It trains us to place our confidence in Jesus, not in our preachers.
Pastor Eric said "We are so humbled by your trust in us (your pastors). It is a precious and fearful thing and we are honored by it. But listen. You're trust in us is not our goal. Not at all.
"We labor for you to trust your Savior, not your pastors."
Deacon David Christensen
This past Sunday we celebrated the ordination of our second deacon. You can see all our leaders here and the process with which we ordain deacons here. This was yet another reminder of how much God loves us and cares for us.
Deacons are men called by God to lead us by serving us. They do more than ensure no one goes without basic necessities, deacon's protect the communal joy we share in Christ.
Deacons are servants.
Deacons promote diversity.
Deacons work for unity.
Deacons preserve pastoral ministry.
Deacons are missional.
"...It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched..." (Mark 9:47 ESV)
This past Sunday Pastor Eric preached from Mark 9 and the realities of sin, hell, and the kingdom of God. The logic behind these hard sayings is straightforward. You can't get around it.
Heaven isn't full of people who fear hell.
Heaven is full of people who love God.
The greatest burden mankind has ever born is the guilt of our sin. The greatest consequence of our sin is hell. And the greatest news is that both of these are canceled at the cross.
“Hell is the backdrop that reveals the profound and unbelievable grace of the cross. It brings to light the enormity of our sin and therefore portrays the undeserved favor of God in full color.” (Francis Chan, Erasing Hell: What God Said About Eternity and Things We Made Up)