Called to be Holy

The book of 1 Peter addresses Gentile Christians much like the Old Testament prophets address the Jewish people living in exile. The constant challenge for God's people living in exile (away from their homeland) was forgetting their true identity as God's chosen people. Like the Israelites, who were delivered from the "futile ways" (1 Peter 1:18) of slavery in Egypt, you and I have been rescued from the futility of the world's way of doing things ('Might makes right.' 'If it feels good, do it.' 'Only the strong and good looking succeed.') Last weekend's message explored the parallels between Israel's Passover liberation and ours. We saw how God calls us to holy living in grateful response. We are called to "love one another earnestly from a pure (holy) heart." (1 Peter 1: 22) If you missed the message, you can listen to it here. Our memory verses for this series are 1 Peter 2:9-10. Read 1 Peter 1:1-10 in preparation for the upcoming message as our "Sent Together: Chosen People, Living as Strangers" series continues. It's going to be a great a weekend of worship and learning at CLPC! Yours for Christ, Steve Oglesbee steve@clpc.org

Elect Exiles

Being labeled "elect exiles" (1 Peter 1:1) seems like a funny title. After all, nobody voted for us and we're not living in some far off land! But according to Peter, this is who we become when Jesus grabs hold of our life. When we receive Christ's choice to love us, we are "elect" (or "chosen"). But our new relationship with God also puts us at odds with the world around us. The values of God's Kingdom are often the reverse of those in our workplace, our politics, and even in our homes. But the world needs the love, grace, and witness of this other-worldly kingdom. The world needs God's people living out healthy relationships, exhibiting radical love, defending the weak, and caring for the planet. The world needs the church.

If you missed yesterday's message, you can listen to it here.

Our series on 1 Peter, "Sent Together: Chosen People, Living as Strangers," continues this weekend. Read 1 Peter 1:13-25 in preparation. I look forward to worshipping and learning with you.

Another Way: Monday Message

The book of Matthew says the Magi went to Jesus on "their way" (Matthew 2:9) but went home by "another way." (Matthew 2:12) According to the story, the Magi alter their return trip having been warned in a dream about king Herod's evil plan. But Matthew's word choice also reflects the promise of the Gospel. We come to Jesus with our "own way" and Jesus gives us "another way." We bring Jesus the hurts, hang ups, and hassles of our "own way" and Jesus shows us "another way" of living and loving. If you missed this weekend's message, you can listen to it here.

Formed by what we follow

These days, there are lots of things the world goes after. We chase titillating news stories. We go after job promotions, nicer cars, and bigger homes. We follow our favorite sports teams and rock stars. We pursue our children and grandchildren’s success. Innocent or decadent. Healthy or unhealthy. What we go after shapes and forms who we are.

In John’s version of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry, the Pharisees (exasperated trying to squash Jesus’ popularity) exclaim, “Look, the world has gone after him” (John 12:19). In yesterday’s message we explored what it means to “go after” Jesus. Following Jesus doesn’t mean dismissing intellectual doubts or questions. It simply means (simple, not easy) choosing to abandon our way of doing things for his. As we daily choose Jesus’ way, we are shaped and formed for the truly good life. If you missed yesterday’s message you can listen to it here.

Join us on April 1, for Easter worship. This weekend’s message is, “No Fool’n!” There will be no Saturday night worship. All three worship services will be on Sunday morning at 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30 (contemporary). It’s going to be a wonderful Sunday celebration that you won’t want to miss!

Building community, not just houses

While many of the psalms are individual prayers, Psalm 80 is communal. It reminds us that God’s salvation is not private and individualistic. God saves us into a family – the covenant family of God. God’s plan for blessing and restoring the world involves community.

As hurricane Harvey rebuilding kicks into high gear, where will we seize opportunity to become mini-restoration communities? With organizational prowess, technological know-how, and fierce determination, we have the potential to do a lot of things. But will we be restoration communities along the way? Will we just build houses or will we build transformational relationships? With every task there’s an opportunity to go it alone or to go it together. Let’s choose the latter and build community.

If you missed yesterday’s message you can listen to it here.

Restoring Joy

Worry, fear, resentment, and regret are some of my biggest joy-stealers. When I fret about the future, begrudge something in the moment, or feel shame about the past, joy drains from my soul like a sieve.

Can you relate?

Thankfully, God is in the restoration business. Psalm 51 says, "Create in me a clean heart, O God... Restore to me the joy of your salvation." Joy is restored to our souls when we daily invite God to remake our hearts. Rather than catastrophizing about the future, beating yourself up about the past, or resenting a present experience, make David's prayer your own. If you missed yesterday's message, you can listen to it here.

PS. Try this, from Tim Timmons:
http://www.10000minutes.com/blog/
Breathe In: JESUS
Breathe Out: YOU HAVE MY ATTENTION
Practice this with me all day long...from the time you wake up till you go to bed!

Power for the Faint

Harvey recovery is gritty and difficult work. It takes a long time to put a house back together after a flood. Truth is, restoration of any kind takes a long time. In an Amazon-Prime world where everything happens so quickly, it’s difficult to wait for results.

Seasons of waiting can make us doubt God. Does God care? Is God listening? But Isaiah invites us to turn the equation. Rather than seeing God’s character through the lens of our circumstances, Isaiah invites us to see our circumstances through the lens of God’s character. That kind of waiting renews our strength (“Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” Isaiah 40:31).

If you missed yesterday’s message (“Power for the Faint”) you can listen to it here.