We had a great and very full day. For me it began with the first session of Knowing MVBC, our membership class. I always teach on our church covenant and its definition of the responsibilities of membership. I summarize it in three words: know, equip, and send. It's an opportunity to share a vision for a church full of people who are confident that God's Word will build his church and committed to seeing this worked out together in a community of faith.
David Carnes was back leading our corporate worship. He and his wife, Tricia, lost their son to disease just a few weeks ago. It was a hard and trying time, but David expressed how in the darkness he came to see more clearly than ever the goodness of God.
Before I prayed during the service, Brad Thayer announced a wonderful opportunity MVBC has to get out of debt. Generous members have agreed to match any gifts to debt reduction made above and beyond normal giving. We have the opportunity to get out of debt in just a few weeks. This is a tremendous challenge!
The sermon was in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16. Paul's love for God and for God's people is in full force here. I actually left a good chunk of my message out of the sermon. I wanted to share how Paul knew the gospel was at work in the lives of the believers he wrote to. The answer from verses 14-16 is that he saw the church persevere in suffering. In pain and trials our dependence upon God is more obvious than any other time. I'm sure we will return to that theme soon. In the meantime, it was a joy to preach the gospel today.
After the service, lunch with friends and then a membership interview. I heard the personal testimony of a new and dear brother to me. I'm so thankful for the people the Lord is bringing here.
From the membership interview I went to the second elder nominating committee meeting. We spent over an hour reading aloud and talking about the passages in the New Testament that address elders from 1 Timothy 3, 1 Peter 5, Titus 1, and Acts 20. Great and helpful conversation.
In the evening service I interviewed Jason Phillips, director of the Atlanta Care Center. He has a love for the Lord and a sparky personality. We learned about the Center's heart to see the gospel transform the clients with whom they interact. We want to pray that God provides the finances and the volunteers they need to invest in young moms. After a time of prayer for him and others, I closed the day with a brief meditation from Ezekiel 20:41 about how the holiness of God is on display in our church in sight of the world around us.
It was a full and very good day. Praise God for his work in our midst!
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