I have brief update on the Youth leader search but first, I forgot to fill you in over the weekend, so I offer my apologies. I was focused on a sermon I was preparing for this past Sunday morning. I had the opportunity to preach to high school in the area. The passage was 2 Peter 1:3 & 4, and the focus was on sharing in God's divine nature. I can give you a summary:
2 Peter 1:3-4 ESV
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
Echoing the prayer of Jesus Christ for his disciples, "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. " (John 17:15-18). We have been sent into the world, not to escape the world's corruption, but to fulfill the purposes of God while we are here.
It is necessary, then, to live life in the reality of God's promises, conducting our daily affairs as if everything that God has pledged is true. The problem here is twofold. For one ,we do not know God's promises. God guarantees his people many things, including assurance of his direction for life, peace with him, being accepted by him, and answered prayer according to his will, to list a few. Life in the reality of God's promises is participation in divine nature and made available by his glory and excellence, and is our escape from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful nature.
Counting on those promises as true is the other problem. How do we trust someone we do not consider to be trustworthy? And if we consider God to be worthy of trust, then why do we hesitate to believe his word? Perhaps we need to question how well we know God. The point is to know God personally, rather than only propositionally. Know more than facts; know the person of God through firsthand experience.
All of this, which is summed up in partaking of divine nature, includes all that pertains to life and godliness. You can receive all of this by the divine power of God. However, not all people have access to that power. Though God's power is inexhaustible, it is available for the fulfilment of his purposes, and to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him...which brings us back to the importance of knowing God.
Amen.
An update on getting together with Youth leaders here in Nkwanta: Our first meeting was last Friday! The three Youth leaders (I would be the fourth) and one Youth music director had a very fruitful discussion. I got to hear some of their frustrations as leaders of young people, with issues including mistrust, misunderstanding, disunity, and communication.
We also talked about biblical training!! I brought up my passions for Youth and identity formation, and asked after the leaders' thoughts of letting me teach them the basics of biblical training and/or the implications of having one's identity in Christ. They responded positively, and we all voiced our desire to bring more Youth leaders into the future meetings. We just have to find out where they are....
Live in Love.
2 Peter 1:3-4 ESV
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
Echoing the prayer of Jesus Christ for his disciples, "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. " (John 17:15-18). We have been sent into the world, not to escape the world's corruption, but to fulfill the purposes of God while we are here.
It is necessary, then, to live life in the reality of God's promises, conducting our daily affairs as if everything that God has pledged is true. The problem here is twofold. For one ,we do not know God's promises. God guarantees his people many things, including assurance of his direction for life, peace with him, being accepted by him, and answered prayer according to his will, to list a few. Life in the reality of God's promises is participation in divine nature and made available by his glory and excellence, and is our escape from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful nature.
Counting on those promises as true is the other problem. How do we trust someone we do not consider to be trustworthy? And if we consider God to be worthy of trust, then why do we hesitate to believe his word? Perhaps we need to question how well we know God. The point is to know God personally, rather than only propositionally. Know more than facts; know the person of God through firsthand experience.
All of this, which is summed up in partaking of divine nature, includes all that pertains to life and godliness. You can receive all of this by the divine power of God. However, not all people have access to that power. Though God's power is inexhaustible, it is available for the fulfilment of his purposes, and to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him...which brings us back to the importance of knowing God.
Amen.
An update on getting together with Youth leaders here in Nkwanta: Our first meeting was last Friday! The three Youth leaders (I would be the fourth) and one Youth music director had a very fruitful discussion. I got to hear some of their frustrations as leaders of young people, with issues including mistrust, misunderstanding, disunity, and communication.
We also talked about biblical training!! I brought up my passions for Youth and identity formation, and asked after the leaders' thoughts of letting me teach them the basics of biblical training and/or the implications of having one's identity in Christ. They responded positively, and we all voiced our desire to bring more Youth leaders into the future meetings. We just have to find out where they are....
Live in Love.
posted from Bloggeroid
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