Keep Pressing On

I press on​ toward the goal for the prize

​  
of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus

- Philippians 3:14

My Part

3/4/2014

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Before you continue reading quickly write the words, "my part" on a sticky note or small piece of paper and leave it within reach.
Consider this question:  Who is responsible for a Christ-Follower's spiritual growth. When Jesus called you to Himself, when you put your trust in Him and became a Christian, you began as an infant.  Our heavenly Father's expectation and desire is that you would grow up and become more like His Son.  So again, who is responsible to make this happen?  Who is responsible for Christian discipleship?  The answer is threefold: God, the church and you.
  • God's part = provide His word through which the Holy Spirit does the internal work of transformation.
  • The church's part = teach the word of God, equip and provide opportunities to make disciples.
  • Your part = hear God's word and be encouraged by other disciples to obey Jesus.

Now I want you to pick up the piece of paper.  The responsibility to obey Jesus, to grow spiritually and become more like Him is in your hands.  You have the power to decide whether you will remain a spiritual infant or submit to your Father's will and grow up.

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. - 1 Peter 2:2 (NIV)


Community Bible Experience groups....never too late....
  • Sundays 9am in the Sanctuary
  • Sundays 9am in Fellowship Hall  
  • Sundays 9am in the Barn (middle & high school) 
  • Sundays 6:00pm in Fellowship Hall
  • Tuesdays 11am at the Parsonage (Ladies Group)
  • Wednesdays 9am in the Fellowship Hall

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God Wants Four-Year-Olds

8/11/2011

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Are you so worried you might do something wrong that you will not take a risk in your service to God?  In her too short book, "John Wesley: Christian Revolutionary," Mildred Bangs Wynkoop explains what it means to give ourselves to God as a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1-2).   She writes that we are to be....

A virile, vibrant organism.  The figure reminds us of a four-year-old getting into everything, climbing, jumping, bothering everyone, asking questions, challenging parental authority sometimes, but alive.  A living sacrifice is a vital, living person, busting with life, impulsive, individualistic, eager -- with all this put at God's disposal.  ...God is willing to take the risk.  In fact, he is not only inviting the risk but pressuring us to invest our resources with Him.  He surrounds us with all the aids, guides, guards, mercy and chastisement needed to direct this energy into spirital maturity.  
A "living sacrifice" may think some new thoughts-plan some new plans.  A Luther is apt to burst out of the bondage of mediocrity and shatter precedent.  A Wesley is apt to find his heart warmed again and go crashing into a too-comfortable church and stir it up.  He may go running out into the fields - or into the ghettos - where a sin-saturated culture needs the well-harnessed dynamic of a Christian who cares about people.  God needs people who don't quit thinking and challenging life when they become Christians. Heaven isn't here yet.

Have we become to cautious, too careful, too comfortable or too catatonic in our faith. to risk dynamic service for our Lord?  Let's get out there with energized, creative service to God and allow His Holy Spirit to shape, transform, chastise and encourage us along the way.
  

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    I can plod. I can persevere in any definite pursuit. To this I owe everything.
    ​
     - William Carey

    Author

    My name is Tim Kirkes.  I am honored to be the a child of my heavenly Father, the husband of Lisa, the father of two boys and the pastor of San Dimas Wesleyan church.

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