TMG
Tom’s Midweek Greeting
Crossroads Community Church
Nevada MO
June 6, 2019
www.nevadacrossroadschurch.org
This coming Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost Sunday is the Sunday that fell fifty days after the Lord’s resurrection (ten days after his ascension) when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the early followers of Christ. I encourage you to read the story in Acts 2.
What a friend is the Holy Spirit of God! He is the Lord living in you and me, if we are believers in Christ. Jesus told his disciples that it was to their advantage that he go away because when he did he would send the Holy Spirit.
It’s hard for me to resist reprinting here a very simple study on the Holy Spirit given to me years ago by an elderly man who lived in a mountain village in France and who attended our church down in the valley. He had been a member of the Communist Party prior to becoming a Christian; he was excited about new life in Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit!
The point of the study was to show that the Holy Spirit relates to us in a personal way, just as is true of God the Father and God the Son. He has “personality” as evidenced by the fact that he has intellect, feelings (can be grieved, according to Ephesians 4:30), and a will. In addition, we experience the very personal work he does in the world and in our lives. The Bible says the Holy Spirit teaches, leads, sends, commands, intercedes, speaks, hears, convicts, warns, and glorifies the Lord Jesus. Wow!
Yet, the Holy Spirit is also God. We know this because the Bible tells us he is all-knowing, all-present, all-powerful; he is the truth; he is the holy Spirit; he is the Spirit of life; he is the Spirit of Christ; he is the Spirit of God. He does the following supernatural works in the life of a person who knows Jesus as Savior: He convicts of sin; he regenerates; he seals the Christian for heaven; he lives in the Christian; he fills the Christian.
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit (that is, under his influence or control), amazing changes happen in our lives:
- We have a song in our heart. Ephesians 5:19
- We are thankful. Ephesians 5:20
- We relate to each other in a healthy way (husbands & wives, children & parents, workers & employers). Ephesians 5:21-6:9
- The qualities of Jesus’ life are produced in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23
- We have power to tell others the Good News about Christ Acts 1:8
I’m thankful that we live in an age in which God has poured out his Spirit into the hearts and lives of those who know him by faith!
Let’s be in the habit of releasing control over our own lives and asking him to take charge in our lives! What a wonderful church, wonderful families, and a wonderful world would be the result!
Coming Up…
Drop-By Prayer
Tomorrow (Thursday) – if you have a moment between 4:00 and 5:00 pm, drop by my house (contact us for location) for a few minutes of prayer. I’ll be praying, and I would love for you to join me! If you have a need, we’ll pray over that. We’ll pray for others God has put on our hearts, and for his ongoing ministry at Crossroads. Come when you can for a few minutes or the whole hour! We’ll meet on my front porch.
Sunday worship
We’ll worship this Sunday at the Y at 10:00. Come early and enjoy some fellowship. We’ll continue in our summer sermon series on “What is God Like?” Psalm 90 tells us about an eternal, infinite God. It also tells us that our own lives are fleeting and full of trouble. How can we time-trapped, falling-apart humans relate to an eternal, infinite God?
Next Men’s Fellowship & Discipleship: Monday, June 17, 6:30 pm.
Elders Notes
Our elders met last Sunday afternoon. Here are some of the main points from our meeting:
- It was decided to attempt a Crossroads Facebook page based on some guidelines that were offered to us by Heather Hall.
- Tom shared about planning the Worship Team has done, and we discussed involvement of the elders in worship on a more regular basis at the start of worship and in giving the announcements.
- We discussed some possible activities for the summer (most dates still to be determined):
- a re-start of Sunday morning youth Bible study and Wednesday night youth group
- a re-start of a Sunday morning class for adults
- Tom to lead a Crossroads 101 course for those new to the church, or who might be interested in membership
- a possible movie night for youth, or youth and adults
- trip to Kansas City vs. St Louis baseball game in August
- a Sunday barbecue in August to begin the new school year
- It was decided to send a monetary gift to Joe Chenoweth as an expression of our appreciation for all the work he has done for Crossroads through “Walk the Walls.”
- We discussed needs among members of the Crossroads flock, and we committed those needs to the Lord in prayer.
Thank you for being a support to our Elder Board by praying for them! I’ve been praying that God will grant vision, unity, and wisdom to our elders; also for growing relationships with the Lord. We value your prayers and your input!
I look forward to seeing you Thursday (tomorrow) if you’re able, and also Sunday morning!
— Tom
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