February 3, 2016
Dear Eastridge Family,
What is a disciple? At
our SDMI convention last year we were give this definition: A disciple is a follower
of Jesus who dwells with him as He transforms them into His own likeness, to be
on mission with Him.
All who are called to salvation are called to
discipleship. No exceptions. No excuses.
Robert Coleman asked the following question: “What is your excuse for
not obeying your Lord’s command to make disciples?”
Pastor Bill Hull in his many writings on discipleship says
repeatedly, “When it comes to conversion or salvation and discipleship, you
can’t have one without the other.” Too
many in the churches are fully satisfied with less than fully devoted to
Christ, and they bank on grace and goodness and unconditional love. But the God of grace, the God of goodness, and
that same God of unconditional love became incarnate in the One who called us
to repent, to believe, to embrace the gospel, and to fall head over heels in
love with the King of the kingdom, Jesus.
Discipleship is about conformity to Christ, as the apostle
Paul once put it: “Now the Lord is the
Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who
with unveiled faces contemplate the
Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory,
which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).
Behind the apostle Paul’s words about being conformed into the
image of Christ himself are Jesus’ words about mission-defining and
life-determining discipleship. I think
of Mark 8:34: “Whoever wants to be my
disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
The transformation God wants is called discipleship; and God’s
gift is the Spirit that empowers each of us to become more and more Christlike.
Are you a disciple of Jesus?
Is your life being transformed?
As a disciple of Jesus, who then are you discipling?
Men’s
Prayer Breakfast
This Saturday morning at 7:30 am we will meet for prayer and a
devotional then share breakfast together.
All the men are invited to join us for this powerful time of seeking God
together.
Church
Dinner
On Sunday February 14th we will have a church
dinner following the morning worship service.
We are asking everyone to bring a main dish along with a side or dessert
to share with your family and any guest we may have.
Nursery
Shower
Our nursery has been repainted and new carpet has been installed. We removed the broken toys and now it is time
to get some new ones age appropriate for our nursery. We need toys for children ages 0-3 years. If you would like to donate toys or money for
the purchase of new toys please contact Dalia Vargas or Jill Heer.
On Sunday February 21st after the morning worship service
we will allow our children to open the toys and have a short time of fellowship and refreshments.
Favorite
Quotes of the week
“The perfect church service would be one we were almost
unaware of. Our attention would have been on God.” - C. S. Lewis
"Do not mistake divine forbearance in regard to abortion
for indifference. The days of Noah endured 120 years before judgment." - Francis
Schaeffer
“Everyone thinks forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have
something to forgive.” – C. S. Lewis
I look forward to being together for worship this Sunday. I plan to continue the sermon series, “Life
is too short…” by sharing a message on forgiveness and resentment. Life is too short for bitterness and
resentment. We must learn the freedom of
forgiveness.
Pastor Andy
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