Preaching for Life Change

Brothers and Sisters, let me 1st say how much I love each of you and how honored I am to speak to you each week. I don’t feel like I say that enough, so let me say it again: Thank you for blessing me with this glorious privilege; I do not take it lightly.

I also want to share our vision for you. By “our,” I mean all of our shepherds and ministry staff. Why do we do what we do? What are we motivated by? What is the Goal? Let me tell you, it’s simple:

  1. We desire to preach and teach with our words and our lives in such a way that would lead, inspire and encourage you to live God’s vision for your life.
  2. We want you to deeply Embrace God. We want you to humbly Encourage Others. We want you to passionately Engage the World!
  3. Ironically, we want you to preach and teach with your words and your lives in such a way, that the whole world can know Jesus!

Paul expresses this desire, which I now claim, beautifully in 2 Cor. 3:2-3.

“You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known & read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”

You are our love letter to the world. We cherish you & are deeply interested in decisions you make every day. Everything you do, is part of this witness to the world. In the same breath, however, we know that we are far from up to such a task – as I am sure you feel so as well. Let me finish Paul’s thoughts in 2 Corinthians 3:4-6:

“Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us compe-tent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

God is with us, God is with YOU! He loves you and desires to use you for eternal purposes! As we are learning in Philippians 1:6, “God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete…” Let us cling to this promise, open our hearts to His Spirit, and hang on tight for the ride ahead! May God be praised in every choice you make.

I love you all so very much,
David