Brothers and sisters,

I am grateful for this family, and the partnership we share in the gospel. I pray the start of this week has been one filled with the joy for we are His!

Basics

We have come to the end of our six-week series, “Basics”. We have explored together the wonderful message of God, which when believed creates the people of God, who then display the glory of God. We have seen that God’s people grow up in the gospel within the family structures which God has established in the church, and that they increasingly take on the family traits of Christ as the truth of the gospel captivates their hearts.  It is our joy to glorify God through lives changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sermon Recap

Last Sunday we asked the question, “What should we expect life to be like for the family of God?” The controversial answer was this: our lives will be marked by suffering and joy. We found an illustration of this life in 2 Corinthians 2:14, where Paul describes Christians as Christ-conquered captives being led in a triumphal procession by Christ Himself. They march in death and to death, called by their Master to take up their crosses and follow the One who Himself died and rose again. It is precisely in suffering that the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ goes out, as the world observes a people enduring hardship and persecution with joy. They can do so not because they are strong, but because Christ is their sufficiency.

Want to Grow Spiritually?

Influential author and teacher, Donald Whitney, will be speaking on the disciplines of Scripture memorization and prayer on March 3-4, 2017. This is a great way to be encouraged in practices that help us better know our God. For more information or to register, see here.  Consider asking someone you are discipling or in a GC with to join you.  This practical conference will share helpful tools on how to know God more.  At only $10, it’s one of the best Alexander Hamilton’s you’ll ever spend!

Brothers and sisters, let us “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:1-2).

Your brother in Christ,

Phil Hoshiwara