As we focus on “Sharing the Hope of the Cross” in these weeks leading toward
Resurrection Sunday, our desire is to proclaim the glory of God. After all, we
exist to bring glory to Him as we love Him with all we are (the Great
Commandment), as we serve others in His Name (the Great Commitment), and
as we share Jesus with those who don’t yet know Him (the Great Commission).
Sound familiar?

We grow in our love for God through worship—as individuals and as a church.

We grow in our service to others through ministry—as individuals and as a
church.

We grow in our witness to the world through evangelism—as individuals and as
a church.

Growing together in worship and ministry and evangelism produces true
fellowship as our lives are energized and intertwined by the Spirit. Fake
fellowship is social and surface and produces nothing - yet the energy and effort
required to maintain flimsy and shallow relationships drains and distracts us
from our true purpose: bringing glory to God.

The Christ whose death on the cross bought the hope we hold dear and hold
forth calls us to discipleship: becoming more like Him as we share His presence,
His ministry, and His message of hope. The key to discipleship? In Matthew
20:20, Jesus says it this way: “to obey everything I commanded.” (I guess we
could call that “20-20 vision”?)

It is tragic that King James Version translates that Greek verb as “to observe”
instead of “to obey.” Watching will never accomplish the same purpose as
doing - apply that to anything in your life and consider the result! In the early
seventeenth century, the English word “observe” was used in a more legal
sense of “comply” or “conform.” Sadly, many believers today would rather
“observe” Jesus than “obey” Jesus. We spend countless hours discussing and
gathering information but precious little time putting Jesus’ words into obedient
action. Will you gather data or be a disciple today?

I’m proud to be your pastor,

Jerry