TMG
Tom’s Midweek Greeting
Nevada MO
May 20, 2021
Sometimes it seems people’s approach to Christianity is that it’s about things they must do in order to try to look or feel more like a Christian. Real Christianity, however, is, first of all, about a real and growing relationship with a person – Jesus.
I remember when I became a Christian (as a teenager), I was fascinated by the people in the church my family attended because they were excited about someone who was really alive and active in their life! That person was Jesus. The joy of the Christian life — the anticipation, hope, and confidence that he brings in life — comes not from our own efforts at being a Christian, but from the Man himself!
Last week I recommended to you a sermon by Charles Stanley called “Conformed to His Image.” (https://www.oneplace.com/ministries/in-touch/listen/conformed-to-his-image-855614.html). Dr. Stanley reminded his listeners that becoming a Christian means Jesus takes up residence in your body through the Holy Spirit. The Christian life is not you making new additions to your life (“I’m going to try harder now; I’ve got to do good, or be more spiritual, now that I’m a Christian”) ; it’s actually more about subtractions (God chipping away at things in your life that don’t resemble Jesus, so he can now be seen in you)!
That chipping away is a long-term process. Sometimes the Lord uses sandpaper; sometimes a hammer, sometimes a chisel! But Dr. Stanley reminded his listeners, “Don’t miss out on the finished product.” Keep on walking with the Lord and allowing his work to take place in your life.
I like that thought, “Don’t miss out on the finished product!” For me, that summarizes what we’re about at Crossroads Church – on our way to becoming the finished product God wants us to be!
This Sunday’s worship and sermon will be part of God’s continued work on and in us! The sermon will be from Genesis 6-7 on Noah and the flood. “The God of the Flood – The God of Survivors.” I look forward to seeing you at the Y this Sunday at 10 am! (If you’re unable to join us in person, the sermon will be posted on the Crossroads Facebook page sometime before Saturday evening.)
Calendar
You’re invited to a party honoring Jaci Servos.
Come celebrate Jaci’s graduation! This Saturday, May 22, 2021, 3:00 p.m., at the Pentecostal Assembly of Nevada, 2010 N. Ash.
Youth Scavenger Hunt this coming Wednesday evening.
Plan to be at Cris & Donna’s this coming Wednesday at 6:30 pm for food and fun!
Sunday, June 6
Mark your calendar for a special day at Crossroads!
- A baptism will be part of our worship service. Josh Hunt is being baptized.
- A hamburger / hot dog cookout after the service. See Michaela or Kim for what you can bring. There will also be a sign-up list at the worship service this Sunday. Meat and buns will be provided. We’ll have fellowship and a chance to update everyone on what’s going on at Crossroads. Ministry teams will have time to meet.
- Church Night at the Nevada Griffons game at 7 pm. Meet at the YMCA parking lot between 6:30 and 6:45 if you’d like to go with others from Crossroads. Admission is free. Bring a lawn chair.
June 7 – start of Monday Night Bible Study
Our theme for MNBS this summer is “Christian Urban Legends.” Come to my house to meet in person at 7 pm, or watch live via Facebook. What are some popular ideas Christians believe that might not be entirely true? Things like … (1) Everything happens for a reason. … (2) Christians shouldn’t judge. … (3) God helps those who help themselves. … (4) Dead people go to a better place. … (5) Forgiving means forgetting. Join us for encouragement and challenge.
June 23 — EFCA One
EFCA One is a gathering for everyone who’s part of the Evangelical Free Church of America. This year it’s a one-day virtual gathering on Wednesday, June 23. There will be a Celebration Service from 4:30 – 6:00 pm, followed by a Business Session from 7-9 pm. Plan on joining for some or all of the conference if you’d like to get a sense of what’s going on in the EFCA. For information, go to www.efcaone.com.
Women’s Conference Sign-Up
There are still places for the Women of Joy conference in Branson October 1-3. This could be a special time of blessing for you and/or a friend you’d like to bring along. Contact Heather Hall if you have any questions, or sign up this Sunday! Tickets are $109 if purchased before July 7. Lodging costs will be in addition to the conference cost.
Exercising Spiritual Discernment
I came across this list of false doctrines that are usually part of a cult or a false religion. I think it’s a good, helpful list. What kinds of false doctrines emerge out of cults and false religions? Typically they include the following:
New revelations – either from God or from some other spiritual entity, all of which trump revelations in the Bible.
A denial of the sole authority of the Bible – advocating either new holy books or new revelations from spirit entities.
A distorted view of God – including pantheism (all is God), polytheism (there are many gods), and religious dualism (there is a good god and a bad god).
A distorted view of Jesus Christ – denying his deity, his crucifixion, and his physical resurrection from the dead.
A distorted view of Christ’s work at the cross – denying that Christ’s death on the cross paid the price for humanity’s sins.
A distorted view of the Holy Spirit – claiming he is a divine force and not a person in the Trinity.
A distorted view of humankind – claiming that humans are a part of God and hence can create their own realities, or that humans can become God.
A denial of salvation by grace – emphasizing that works are necessary for salvation.
(from Spiritual Warfare in the End Times, by Ron Rhodes)
I hope to see you this Sunday morning at 10 at the Y! Don’t miss out on the finished product!
— Tom
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