A Note from Michael Gossett
“Consider the Pursuit”
As I write this article, my wife, Katie, sent me a picture of our youngest daughter at gymnastics practice. It is remarkable to see her growth in such a short period of time. She has moved from the beginner gymnastics level to the advanced level. She goes only one time a week to class but in between, she seems to be consistently practicing at home. Rowan has a goal in mind, and it is simply to get to the next level. She has a unique ability to pursue her goals even at a young age. My prayer for her (and all my kids as well as my wife and myself) is that pursuit would be just as tenacious in her walk with Jesus.
Unfortunately, we all know people who have somewhat lagged in their pursuit toward Christ and could be classified as limping into heaven. Imagine entering a race and when the gun goes off, we believe that the race is over. This happens in the Christian life more often than you think. A runner must not ever believe that the gun goes off at the finish line, but rather at the starting line. The disciple must learn quickly that the point of God’s call is not the finish line but the starting line. Salvation is not the end goal, but rather the starting point of your new life in Christ. From the point of salvation, we must continue in pursuit of Him until He calls us home.
Paul refers to these Christians in 1 Corinthians 3:2 as still drinking milk when they should be feasting on prime rib. A believer in Jesus does not automatically grow in maturity as they age, but only those who pursue Jesus. Peter addressed this issue in 2 Peter 1:5-8 when he wrote, “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is a faith that shuns complacency rather than embraces it. One of the first steps that you and I may need to make in our pursuit of Christ is to simply shun complacency.
If you want to know whether you are pursuing Christ, consider whether or not you are complacent in your relationship with Christ. Complacency can be seen in several ways, but most often complacency begins with whether you are committed to attending church. This seems to be the first place of compromise in our lives. We tend to justify missing church in various ways. We say, “It’s not that important.” This is a sign of complacency. Another litmus test for complacency is not praying and reading God’s Word. We justify it by saying, “I don’t have the time.” This is a sign of complacency. Another sign is that you can’t recall the last time you shared the gospel with someone – and you don’t make sharing your faith a daily priority. We rationalize it by saying, “Someone else will do it.” This is a sign of complacency. If we want to move from a complacent relationship with Jesus to a life of pursuing Jesus, we will need to move toward an intimate mindset over a production mindset.
In our Bible reading are we simply trying to accomplish a goal of reading a few chapters each day? (Production mindset). Instead, are we reading to know Christ better? (Intimacy mindset). Are we praying through our lists of needs and desires? (Production mindset). Or, are we praying to have our hearts, our desires, our needs, and our wants shaped into the same of Christ’s? (Intimacy mindset). As individuals and a church, let us pursue Christ today so that we can be shaped into His likeness and in His image for the sake of His kingdom. Today, let us pursue first the kingdom of God.
What an incredible student weekend our student ministry planned, our volunteers executed, and our students experienced. The weekend was full of sound teaching from God’s word, Christ exalting worship, and lives that were changed. I want to say thank you to our student ministry staff, our student ministry volunteers, and the prayers from so many of you. This short (though in the moment for leaders I am sure it didn’t feel short) time for students to break away from the world and focus on Christ has an incredible ability to allow the Spirit to move in their hearts in ways that are extremely unique. Thank you for being a church that understands the importance of investing in these impactful events so students can meet Jesus for the first time or walk away with a deeper faith.
Did you know that because of your faithfulness to give financially directly supports these efforts? So many times, we forget why we give sacrificially. We give because we want to make sure we are making an eternal impact on every individual that comes through the doors of our church. We also want to touch individuals who would never come through the doors of our church, but hopefully will. Your faithfulness paves the way for God to work! This is one of hundreds, if not thousands, of reasons why we give through the local church.
Join us March 3rd in LH 260 at 9:30 AM if you are a new believer and wanting to learn more. One parent must attend with the child. We can’t wait to be a part of this exciting time in your life! Spots are limited. Register here
THIS SUNDAY!
This week, we will continue our study in the book of Hebrews and will look specifically at Hebrews 4:1-13. We will learn what it means to have true rest in Christ. Here is the text so you can read the passage and begin to pray for God to speak to us through His Word.
“Therefore, since the promise to enter his rest remains, let us beware that none of you be found to have fallen short. 2 For we also have received the good news just as they did. But the message they heard did not benefit them, since they were not united with those who heard it in faith. 3 For we who have believed enter the rest, in keeping with what he has said, So I swore in my anger, “They will not enter my rest,” even though his works have been finished since the foundation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in this way: And on the seventh day God rested from all his works. 5 Again, in that passage he says, They will never enter my rest. 6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience, 7 he again specifies a certain day—today. He specified this speaking through David after such a long time: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 Therefore, a Sabbath rest remains for God’s people. 10 For the person who has entered his rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, then, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.” (Hebrews 4:1-13, CSB)
Begin reading, praying, and anticipating for the Lord to teach us what the greatest rest is in our lives.
You are loved and prayed for!
Michael Gossett