Lessons from the Unexpected…

As I write this article, I am currently on a flight that I did not expect to be taking today. My youngest sister had the opportunity and privilege last night to be a part of her high school’s homecoming court. Originally, my brother Drew was planning on flying back from Pensacola to be able to walk her across the field for this special ceremony. In a crazy turn of circumstances, my brother went from being able to go to not able to go, and I spent the beginning of Friday searching for a flight that would allow to me to make it there in time for her event at 7pm. Four short hours later, I was on a plane heading to California. It has been a whirlwind trip to say the least! 

I am reminded of two things as I sit here on this plane heading to see my family. First, I am reminded how often in life we are faced with the unexpected. As I awakened today, I did not have making a last-minute flight on my agenda for the day. Life has a way of doing that. Sometimes, the unexpected brings joyful times - like getting to see family. Sometimes, the unexpected brings tears. The question that can often forces itself to the surface in these circumstances is how we do we handle the unexpected. The answer is always the same: Trust in the Lord who provides for every need and provides every support. I am reminded of the Psalmist’s words in Psalm 18 “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.” 

When we are hit with the unexpected for us, we must reminded ourselves that it is not the unexpected for God. It has not taken Him by surprise, or left Him flat-footed, unable to meet the needs we cry out to Him with. It is this exact heart that Peter, no doubt reminiscing on the many times that God met his needs in the unexpected, expressed when he penned the reminder for the church at the end of 1 Peter 5, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” It is not a trite expression, but a faithful promise. It is the promise that our God’s rock providing a resting place for the storms of life. 

The second thought I had is not really connected to the first. In fact, it’s largely a truth that I spent some time asking myself. I began to think about how I ended up on a plane in less than 5 hours from when I heard about the needs of my family, and a question popped into my mind. I jumped through a lot of hoops to be able to make it to my sister’s homecoming. Do I show the same level of tenacity and drive in sharing the Gospel? I don’t know about you but I was convicted. I think sometimes it becomes easy to make excuses — its not a good time,” “they’ve already heard it before,” “I don’t want to be the pushy religious relative.” Excuses that we would often never make in trying to meet the needs of our family. To me and my sister, her homecoming was important, but in the grand scheme of eternity, it is minute. How much more important is the eternal destination of people’s souls, and how often do I become complacent in sharing the Gospel with them?

I hope these lessons from an unexpected trip were an encouragement and a challenge to you. Trust God with your unexpected — He will always carry you through it when we lean on Him. Be bold with our witness — Eternity matters far more then the temporal we often place before it. 

Serving together,

Pastor Derek

Time to start the CAR

As you know already, our time of meeting for SmallGroup lessons is coming to an end this upcoming week. In light of this, I wanted to take the time and encourage us with three good reminders when it comes to our personal evangelism. These are three core truths that will help you keep the right perspective when it comes creating a heart focused on sharing Christ. To help us remember, I wrote a simple acrostic for us to learn — CAR.

I. C — Compassion: the heartbeat of personal evangelism - Matt 9:35-38

One of the fastest things that will ruin our personal evangelism is losing the proper perspective of why we are doing what we are doing. Matthew chapter 9 gives us insight into this heart of compassion that Christ models for us. In vs. 35-36, we get an amazing summary of the previous 5 chapters of Matthew in two verses — we see the mission and the heart for the mission all in one simple statement. You and I have the same mission — proclaim the Kingdom of Christ. You and I have the same call to embrace, as we learned in a previous lesson, “the ministry of reconciliation.” You and I ought to share the same heart — one filled with compassion for the lost trapped in their sin around us.

Us having compassion is reliant on viewing others with their eternity in mind. It doesn’t compromise the truth or make excuses for someone’s sin. It looks at their spiritual condition and burns with the desire to share the truth that will finally set them free.

II. A - Availability: choosing to be an active messenger — Matthew 10

This is a point that seems no doubt a little simplistic and repetitive — We know that we have a call to be an evangelizer. (We have covered that numerous times.) However, the question for us is not whether we have the call or the responsibility to take the Gospel. The question is whether or not we will. “The question of availability is not one of opportunity; it is one of obedience.” The Gospel moments will come. They will find themselves developing in the path of our daily lives. The question that lies before us is whether or not we will take them.

If we ever feel like we have an excuse for why we don’t have to be an evangelizer, Matthew 10 specifically speaks to this reality. Rico Tice highlights several items about the disciples that may seem like excuses for not being an active reconciler. “After all, in Matthew 10, the twelve people he sent out on mission included Simon Peter, who would be an impetuous deserter; Thomas, the doubter; Matthew, the tax collector, who was a traitor to his people; Simon the Zealot, who was obsessed with freedom fighting; and Judas Iscariot, who would betray Christ. What a group! Is there anything positive to say about them? One thing: they were available. They weren’t great, but they were ready to go.”

III. R — Reliance: resting on the Spirit and not yourself - Titus 3:3-7

Have you ever felt nervous about a responsibility that you had? Perhaps, it was something like the first time you were ever asked by your parents to watch your siblings. You and I have been given this responsibility, sharing the Gospel, and sometimes we get nervous and fearful about that responsibility. Yet, there is a truth that is freeing when it comes to this feeling. It is not your responsibility what happens when you share the Gospel. It is our responsibility to go; it is the Spirit’s to convict and produce fruit.

Read the passage listed. Note how little of a part of that process you are and how large of a part that God is. Everything is because of Him. Likewise, when we share Christ, God is the one that saves them. We don’t. There is nothing that I can impart into that equation that saves someone more than the Holy Spirit is capable of doing.

Our American culture is constantly results driven, and we can often feel that same pressure when it comes to sharing the Gospel. If I don’t have a person down the aisle every week accepting Christ, I have somehow failed God, and I am failing as an ambassador of Him. We avoid this by remembering: the fruit being produced is not my responsibility. We avoid this by remembering: the Word of God is quick and powerful and able to convict and bring men to their need for Christ.

So, as we finish our SmallGroup time for the summer and embrace evangelism as a congregation in August, let these three reminders encourage us, equip us, and motivate us to share Christ boldly. We must be filled with compassion. We must choose to be available to the call to evangelize. We must consistently rely on the Spirit’s enablement. It's time to start the CAR.

Pastor Derek

Life is Passing

During these past few weeks, our Sunbury SmallGroup has been meeting and going through an overview of the book of Ecclesiastes. In the book of Ecclesiastes, the Preacher reflects on the pursuit of significance and meaning in life. He contends that many people try to insulate themselves from the harsh reality of existence by seeking wisdom, pleasure, work, and possessions. Ultimately, he argues that death is an ultimate reality that we often try to avoid facing. His overarching point is that WE SHOULD acknowledge the reality of death in order to find joy in receiving life as a gift. As you go about your Saturday, here are some thoughts that I thought might encourage you as you consider “living life backwards.”

1) Embrace Life's Transience

There is not nothing more enjoyable for me than spending time with my family! I enjoy hiking, coffee-shopping, and exploring with my wife and kids; and watching them interact with the world (my kids, of course). At the heart of being human is our desire for happiness! It's something we crave in everything we do, whether it's working, relationships, raising a family, or having fun. We want to make a difference and have control over our lives. We make plans and dreams, all with the goal of finding happiness and purpose. Throughout Ecclesiastes, Solomon continually highlights the transient nature of life. He asserts that wisdom, pleasure, work, and possessions often serve as mere distractions that insulate us from the reality of our mortality (Ec 1:16–17). By acknowledging the certainty of death, we find deeper joy in receiving life as a gift from God rather than striving for our own personal gain. The pursuit of happiness and pleasure, while natural, cannot provide lasting satisfaction! He is quick to jolt us to this eternal perspective.

2) Confront the Reality of Death

Solomon, recognizes that death is an unavoidable reality that affects both the wise and the foolish. He says, “For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.” (Ec 2:16)” He emphasizes that without confronting the inevitability of death, we engage in self-deception and fail to live authentically. One author said it this way, “The reality is that if death doesn’t inform the way we live, then death is something we are pretending doesn’t exist.” As followers, we must recognize that there is a great fleeting nature that comes with worldly accomplishments. If we seek to gain for ourselves and our kingdom, we must realize that it is ultimately temporary and will eventually be left behind. Solomon argues that we must accept the brevity of life, to gain a clearer perspective on the significance of our pursuits! Essentially, weigh everything in light of eternity!

3) Discover True Fulfillment

At the end of chapter 2, Solomon states this: “there is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.” In the face of life's futility and the reality of death, we find a glimmer of hope…true enjoyment and fulfillment come from God. Rather than striving to control and master life for our own gain and kingdom, we are called to receive it as a precious gift. Solomon states that there is nothing better for a person than to find joy in simple realities such as eating, drinking, and enjoying their work. By recognizing these as gifts from God, we shift our focus from personal gain seeking control to appreciating blessings as given by God! He succinctly states in verse 26, “for God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy.”

As you consider your day, week, and upcoming month…I challenge you to align yourself with His Word and His ways! Life is to be enjoyed as given, but leveraged for His eternal glory! It’s a life that is “lived backwards,” but it is a life that is lived for His glory!

Sincerely,

Pastor Jordan Kosinski