August 9, 2013

Acts 8:1,4 “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered... But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.”

This is the challenge we left with on Sunday—the fact that there was a group of people who were truly ordinary but somehow transforming into extraordinary. We see the transformation taking place before our very eyes when no matter what the early church was challenged with, even persecution, they shared the hope of Christ with others wherever they went.

This is not what most of us would have expected from a group of people being told to shut up or be imprisoned and even possibly face death. But they wouldn't be quiet. They shared it first by the life they lived. The life and teachings of Jesus were lived out in the flesh. Secondly, they used words when given the opportunity. How about us? Today? Tomorrow? We have freedom to live and speak freely about Jesus wherever . . . do we? Will we choose extraordinary? Oh, I know many of us are, and I know all of us want to. You know how good it feels to be extraordinary. This is the life we can live too. The early church was relentlessly pursuing the heart and mission of God no matter the obstacle. Are you facing an obstacle? Be extraordinary!

As we come together Sunday we will look at Acts 20 and be challenged again by the life of a very flawed and broken person named Paul.

This coming weekend is going to be an opportunity to celebrate the goodness of our God with people we care deeply about as we experience the power of The Church.

We love you and can hardly wait to be with you.

Pastor Craig, Becky, Seth, Hannah and Riley the dog

P.S. Check out the link below about our upcoming church-wide group study, and prayerfully consider signing up to be a group facilitator.

Group study