Ten Years of Grace
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I won’t be blogging this week because I’m in Florida with Shannon celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary.
September 29 2008 at 3:00 am
Ephesians, Part 4: Application
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Yesterday, Jeff Purswell preached from Ephesians 1:15-23, considering Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians.
You can listen online or download the message here.
And pastor Brian Chesemore has prepared these questions to help us to continue applying the message as a group or as individuals:
1. Jeff shared that much of what he has learned about prayer came from listening to others pray or reading their prayers. Who are the men or women who have shaped your practice of prayer?
2. How would you describe your current relationship with God in prayer? What content tends to fill your prayers?
3. Paul’s example of prayer teaches that we are not simply passive observers of God’s unfolding plans. Instead prayer is the means by which God works out many of his sovereign plans. What are God’s purposes that we should regularly pray to see unfold?
4. What does Paul’s prayer reveal about your need for the Spirit’s work?
5. How can you take Paul’s prayer and make it your own this week for your family, friends and our church?
September 26 2008 at 4:16 pm
Sunday Snapshots
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Here are a few shots from last Sunday. See you tomorrow!
September 26 2008 at 1:54 pm
This Sunday
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Jeff Purswell is going to be preaching this Sunday from Ephesians 1:15-23. And we will be baptizing a member in each service.
I’m also really excited for you to see the newly designed Discovery Land space this week.
September 25 2008 at 10:12 am
Praying for Iran
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A couple weeks ago, we prayed as a congregation for the nation of Iran. Among the things we prayed about was the bill before Iranian parliament to mandate the death penalty for Muslims convicted of apostasy. I wanted to follow up and let you know what has taken place. The bill passed by overwhelming majority in favor of the death penalty. In fact, just two days before the vote two Iranian Christians were charged with apostasy. 
However, although apostasy is now a capital offense, judges are free to decide what penalty will be given, and the two men await their penalty. Please pray for these men, for other believers in Iran and for the leaders of this nation.
Here is some additional information that can help us pray for Iran:
Formerly known as Persia, Iran is the seat of one of the world’s oldest major civilizations, and Persian history figures prominently in the pages of the Old Testament. Today, this nation rich with history and culture faces grave circumstances. Human trafficking has been internationally recognized as a significant problem, religious persecution causes thousands of people to emigrate each year, and poverty and unemployment continue to rise.
Despite these circumstances, God’s unstoppable plan is unfolding in Iran. It is believed that people are responding to the gospel in great number. These converts face great cost as pressure from family, friends, and Islam looms ominously in their lives. By God’s grace and in spite of the isolation from the outside world of believers, the young church in Iran thrives.
Still, most of Iran’s 65 million people adhere to Shi’a Islam. This month, they will join Muslims around the world in celebrating Ramadan, a time of fasting, prayer and purifying themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.
Pray…
• for the Iranians and Muslims here in our community as they celebrate Ramadan, that they would see that only Jesus can purify them and reconcile them to God.
• for Muslims in Iran who convert to Christianity as they potentially face significant penalties. Ask that God would protect Muslim-background believers in Iran and that they will stand strong against tremendous pressure to return to Islam.
• for the rapidly growing church in Iran, that God would raise up godly pastors and leaders and that they would be firmly grounded in biblical truth.
September 23 2008 at 4:54 pm
Being Found in Christ
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Here’s a section of last Sunday’s sermon where I speak to unbelievers about the importance of being found in Christ. If you’re not a Christian I hope you’ll consider these words and respond by turning from sin and believing in Jesus.