Skip to main content

Follow Me Excerpt, Book Giveaway on Facebook, Donation Raised for Philippines (Pastoral Emphasis for 12/15)

Today's reading from the Chronological Reading Plan: Colossians, Philemon

As a church family, we are currently reading David Platt's book "Follow Me".  I hope you are enjoying reading it.  Here's another excerpt from the book...
"WHEN FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST share stories of how they became Christians, they often say something along the lines of, "I decided to make Jesus my personal Lord and Savior." Initially and ultimately, of course, it's wonderful to hear brothers and sisters recount the moment when their hearts were opened to the incomprehensibly passionate love of God—a love that now captivates them in an intimately personal relationship with Jesus. At the same time, when I reflect on that particular statement—"I decided to make Jesus my personal Lord and Savior"—I can't help but wonder how much this idea represents some subtly yet significantly dangerous trends in contemporary Christianity.  On one level, this statement minimizes the inherent authority of Jesus. Surely none of us can decide to make him Lord. Jesus is Lord regardless of what you or I decide. The Bible is clear that one day "every knee [will] bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue [will] confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." The question is not whether we will make Jesus Lord. The real question is whether you or I will submit to his lordship, and this is the essence of conversion. Yet on an even deeper level, I'm afraid that we use this phrase all too often to foster a customized Christianity that revolves around a personal Christ that we create for ourselves. Almost unknowingly, we all have a tendency to redefine Christianity according to our own tastes, preferences, church traditions, and cultural norms. Slowly, subtly, we take the Jesus of the Bible and twist him into someone with whom we are a little more comfortable. We dilute what he says about the cost of following him, we disregard what he says about those who choose not to follow him, we practically ignore what he says about materialism, and we functionally miss what he says about mission. We pick and choose what we like and don't like from Jesus' teachings. In the end, we create a nice, non-offensive, politically correct, middle-class, American Jesus who looks just like us and thinks just like us."

Since it's the gift-giving season, we're going to have a book giveaway online this week.  In order to win, you have to like our Mt. Zion page on Facebook and be present on next Sunday to pick up the book.  The first person to correctly answer the question that will be posted on our Facebook page sometime this week will get a free copy of "Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart: How to Know For Sure You Are Saved" by J.D. Greear (local pastor of the Summit Church in Durham).



Thanks to all who came out and all of the participants who worked hard and ministered at our Christmas Program yesterday.

Christ First Christian Fellowship Center is presenting a "Very Jazzy Christmas" this evening at 7pm at Herbert C. Young Community Center in Cary.  It was be an evening of life jazz and performances by the Glory to God Mime Ministry and Movement in Christ Dance Ministry.

Thanks for your generous giving to help those affected by the typhoon in the Philippines. We were able to donate $1,500 to World Vision.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mortgage Burning Ceremony (10.6.24)

Today is a day of celebration and gratitude as we come together to witness the burning of our church’s mortgage! This moment represents years of faith, commitment, and sacrificial giving from this congregation. It’s a testament to God’s faithfulness and the dedication of His people. What we are celebrating today is not just the end of a financial obligation, but the beginning of new possibilities for missions, outreach, and service in our community.   ---     Psalm 127:1 says, ‘Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.’   This building has been more than just bricks and mortar; it has been a spiritual home where so many lives have been touched by the gospel. We recognize that while we’ve paid off the mortgage, it is the Lord who has truly built this house, sustaining us through every season.   --- History of the Vision         Though this chapter is closing, the mission God has ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Responding to the Flooding, Christmas in July Food Drive, New Sermon Series (Pastoral Emphasis for 7/13)

Responding to the Flooding All of us are painfully aware of the devastating flooding that struck our nation recently. As of Friday evening, the confirmed death toll in Texas has risen to 129, with at least 150 individuals still missing across the state. Our hearts are heavy, and we grieve for the lives lost and the families enduring unimaginable pain. One of the first things people tend to do is look for someone to blame. Was it the fault of the warning system not being early enough? Was it the fault of the government (state and federal)? Was it the fault of God? If God is so good, why do we suffer with natural disasters like flooding that takes the lives of seemingly innocent people like young children? The reality is that the fault lies with us. Humanity decided to rebel against the Creator God, thereby, ushering in sin and the fall from God's perfect creation. Natural disasters happen because we live in a fallen world ravaged by sin. Natural disasters like these floods are trag...
Post a Comment
Read more

Baby Announcement, MLK Dreamfest, Prayers for California (Pastoral Emphasis for 1/12)

A Joyful Announcement: Welcome Baby Eliana! We are thrilled to celebrate the birth of Eliana Corena Thompson , daughter of Lachonya and Robert Thompson. Eliana arrived on December 21st , weighing 6 lbs 2 oz and measuring 19.25 inches long.  Her beautiful name, Eliana, has a special meaning in Hebrew: “God has answered.” This precious little one is indeed an answer to countless prayers. Congratulations to the proud parents! ---  EQUIP Conference 2025: A Call to Commitment This year’s EQUIP Conference will inspire us to deepen our COMMITMENT in every area of life: God, Family, Church, Work/School, and Trials . Mark your calendars for:  March 14th (7 PM–9 PM)  March 15th (9 AM–12:30 PM)  This conference is for everyone ! Registration opens on January 19th , so don’t miss the chance to be part of this transformative event.  ---  MLK Dreamfest: Honoring the Dream Together We are excited to participate in the Town of Cary’s MLK Dreamfest ! Join us in r...
Post a Comment
Read more