Advent Can help Grow your Faith

Posted on by Matthew Laker

0e1851833_series-4gsheaderThere is so much noise in life, and with the daily grind of life day in and day out, we can get a little lost.  Our culture can seem so dark at times, with so many running here and there.  Advent is about hope coming, and waiting on the Lord.

Advent is a season about waiting for the Lord.  It is season of seeking Jesus.  Advent is like the stones the Israelites used  when they set up a stone monument after crossing the river.   God did not tell the church to create advent, but perhaps the Holy Spirit secretly did.  We may never know, but Advent can be like those stones; A tool to remember who God is and what he has done.  Advent can be a reminder of our need, where we have come from, and where we are going.  When we understand who God is and what he has done, we find direction on who we are.

There is a place for the advent lighting in the larger community, but what will you practice in a smaller community and in your home.  How will you use this season to teach others about who God is?  How will you use this season to climb a mountain and meet with God? Then, celebrate on the 25th of December,  come back down and engage in mission work.

Advent challenges our daily grind, all is not lost.  Advent reminds us that God has not left us and hope is on its way. What will you seek the Lord for this advent season?

During the advent season what might you do differently to meet with God?

How will you search the Scriptures and everyday life to find Jesus?

What advent resources have you used to help journey in this season?

 

Here is a resource:

Advent devotional reading – pdf

Why Go to Church?

Posted on by Matthew Laker

Why go to church? dowtnown 1

Behind such a question is a need to understand the purpose of church. We live in an age with information at our finger tips so why would we go to church?”  Some might think, ‘I can gain good information without having to go anywhere.’ However, church is more than just information.  Kenneth Schak shares in his post what pastors should know about the bible:  “The bible is not just about information but transformation.”

The same can be said about the church.  It is a people who have embraced the gospel of Jesus, and who bear witness to the gospel, and who act as a catalyst for transformation  not only in their own lives but also in the lives of others.  In the West, we struggle with the stereotype that  going to church is about a building and meaningless ritual.  However, this is not Jesus’ intention.

Ephesians 2:10 “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms”

From the beginning, in Genesis, God has called a people to be in relationship with him and each other, and be his witness and stewards of his creation/kingdom.

Therefore, three reasons to “Go to Church” are:

1. We are called to be together.

2. The intention is that the  “Jesus community” becomes a place for the fruit of the spirit to be developed in each of us. .

3. We bear witness together.

John 13:35 – By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Perhaps it is the wrong question to ask “Why go to church.”  Implied in the question is a certain form or expression.  A better question to ask is, “What is the purpose of the church?”

The gathering of God’s people in a local setting is part of our new identity as disciples of Jesus.  The shape of that will look different over the years.

To follow Jesus means to gather with his people.

What do you find to be the joys and challenge of the spiritual discipline of gathering with Jesus followers?

Why Go to Church?

Posted on by Matthew Laker

Why go to church?

Behind such a question is a need to understand the purpose of church. We live in an age with information at our finger tips so why would we go to church?”  Some might think, ‘I can gain good information without having to go anywhere.’ However, church is more than just information. Kenneth Schak shares in his post what pastors should know about the bible:  “The bible is not just about information but transformation.”

bible and churchThe same can be said about the church. It is a people who have embraced the gospel of Jesus, and who bear witness to the gospel, and who act as a catalyst for transformation  not only in their own lives but also in the lives of others.

In the West, we struggle with the stereotype that  going to church is about a building and meaningless ritual. However, this is not Jesus’ intention.

Ephesians 2:10 “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms”

From the beginning, in Genesis, God has called a people to be in relationship with him and each other, and be his witness and stewards of his creation/kingdom.

Therefore, three reasons to “Go to Church” are:

1. We are called to be together.

2. The intention is that the  “Jesus community” becomes a place for the fruit of the spirit to be developed in each of us. .

3. We bear witness together.

John 13:35 – By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Perhaps it is the wrong question to ask “Why go to church.”  Implied in the question is a certain form or expression. A better question to ask is, “What is the purpose of the church?”

The gathering of God’s people in a local setting is part of our new identity as disciples of Jesus.  The shape of that will look different over the years.

To follow Jesus means to gather with his people.

What do you find to be the joys and challenge of the spiritual discipline of gathering with Jesus followers?