Most of us have had the experience of being an outsider. Whether as a new family in a close-knit neighborhood or as a visitor to a foreign country, we dislike the uncomfortable and isolated position of the stranger. Being unknown by those around us threatens us on a deeper level than mere words can express.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.  (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Those who were being reconciled to God in the early church came from various religious, social, and ethnic backgrounds. New Gentile (non-Jewish) believers in particular were on “foreign soil” and often felt like strangers in the Christian community.  Paul assures them — and us by the Spirit — that they are not under-privileged outcasts but full-fledged citizens of God’s kingdom. Regardless of the differences between backgrounds or preferences or financial portfolios, there was a new relationship forged by the shed blood of Christ that supersedes all of that, and that relationship was a truer reality.  Full privileges of citizenship beats being an outcast every day of the week.

Perhaps you also, need to be reminded of the nature of the Christian community God is creating, the Church. It is not just a community club filled with people having shared interests, nor is it a random hodgepodge of people with no affiliation. In Christ, we have together become something we were not. We are now citizens of a new kingdom.

Each of these believers completed the application paperwork and follow-up discussion/s with one or both elders, then testified of God’s grace in their lives before the body at large and were individually affirmed by the congregation. Hearing people publicly share how God has reached into their lives bringing change by the power of the gospel is an awesome, God glorifying time to those of us who have known that same grace. These past two gatherings have been a gift of God’s goodness to our body. Jesus, thank you!

Beth and Jennifer spoke as part of our outdoor worship gathering on July 4th. Then on July 11th we heard from Elizabeth, Brian, JoeAnn, Barbara, Annie, & Nick. Welcome each of you!

We encourage you to start reading through the book this week in preparation for the series.  Also, join us in praying that God would transform our church by His Word so we increasingly live as redeemed people.

The look and feel of the blog has also changed while we were on break.  I would love to hear your feedback.

Thanks for checking in!
-Josh

The speakers are Stu & Ruth Ann Batstone from World Harvest Mission.  The cost will be $50 per couple (space is limited to 100 couples). This is an opportunity for couples to examine their marriages in light of the Gospel.  This is also a unique workshop format in that the Batstones will give brief presentations on each/most of these topics, then give us time to talk privately with our spouses about the material covered. No uncomfortable group therapy discussions—just good one-on-one time with your spouse. The hosts are also recommending that people clear their schedules to allow for a lunch date on Saturday, immediately following the workshop, to continue their conversations.

Mike, Josh and I recommend that you prayerfully consider whether this workshop would be an opportunity for you and your spouse to get away and put some Gospel light on your marriage.

Tim

God is concerned about one thing and one thing only: that we would look like Jesus. He is spit-shining us to make us practically into the image of his Son. He doesn’t send trials to take away our joy but to increase our joy. When I sense that a trial is coming, I pray that God would receive maximum glory out of it.

You can listen to the talk here.

~ Mike

Radical? Possibly.

Achievable? Certainly.

Exciting? Most definitely!

In summary, Jesus came from the glories of heaven…and stooped to become like us, living in our flesh. Then he stooped lower, not just to serve but to be a servant. And then he stooped even lower, to die. And then he stooped yet lower still, dying the most despised death of all time (a Roman cross), to bear the curse of sinners.

That was Christ’s response to a hurting world. And he calls and empowers us to follow his example of selfless living. This is a new altruism because it is not motivated by guilt or driven by personality, but rather by the empowering work of the Gospel within us.

Below are several of the applications I made during the message:

• What truths of the Gospel do you need to be reminded of today:  your union with Christ, experience of fellowship in the Spirit, sonship through Christ’s work with a supremely loving Father?  Thank God for whichever one is speaking to you, and ask that He use it as the basis for your right living in and beyond the body of Christ.
• How much time in a typical week do you spend dedicated to meeting the needs of others?  How much time do you spend in self-love, or meeting your own needs?  Does the ratio between the two need to change if you are to be living selflessly?
• How would God have you to selflessly defend the Sanctity of Human Life?  Some possible examples already being lived out by many at GTBC are serving in volunteer capacities at pregnancy centers, adopting, helping financially as others adopt, etc.
• So how DO we respond to hurt in the world??  Be it hurt across the globe, the plight of impoverished nations without a sufficient drinking supply, or in response to a disaster like a hurricane or earthquake (like this week in Haiti)?  Instead of freezing up (like I do) in response to needs, how can you put action to selfless living as Christ did?

May God continue to empower His Word in our hearts!
~Josh

P.S.  Also, if you’re interested in more reading on Gospel-motivated ministry to others, I highly recommend the book Ministries of Mercy by Tim Keller.