Brothers and Sisters,
Races are hard and at times difficult, but this does not stop any runner from running. Paul uses a race as an analogy to encourage us in our ongoing pursuit of Christ (Phil 3:12-16). He offers critical insight into our running which compels us to get up, jump in the race, and run. Perhaps the most important insight and most compelling is what Paul says in verse 12, “I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” God making Paul his own through Christ is the great ground of his running. The starting block is none other than God’s sovereign work of salvation in his life, election. This fuels the great apostle to run with vigor. As Pastor Chuck reminded us Sunday, “The ‘bang’ that ought to ring in your ears every morning you wake up is not the sound of works or of regret or of God’s anger…no…the starting gun that motivates running the race is grace.”
Brothers and Sisters, running after Christ is overwhelming, but the prize of intimately knowing him is worth every moment (Phil 3:14). Let us run the race forgetting our past by flushing our skubalon, look to what is ahead (Rev 21), and press on today by looking at our great prize, Jesus himself.
Membership Intensive
Don’t forget will be offering a one-day Membership Class on Saturday November 5th at 9am-4pm covering all membership material in one sitting. A one-hour break for lunch will be given at which time attendees are welcome to eat a bagged lunch they bring or go out to buy lunch.
We deeply value membership and always look forward to these classes to discuss who we are, why we do what we do, and encourage others to become a part of COM. If you are interested in membership please do plan on attending. If you know someone who is interested, perhaps you could invite them to attend or commit to attend with them. Lastly, if it has been awhile since you participated in a membership class we encourage you to attend, as many things have changed and been updated. We would love for you to be there to provide wisdom and insight for those attending for the first time.
Grace be with you,
Bryan Jerry
