Home Group Bible Studies

What a beautiful day the Lord has given us. This is enough to give me Spring Fever. I need to find a baseball game in the area. This is my favorite time of the year.

Sunday morning's sermon is still bouncing around in my head. The image of expressing true contrition being like that which is placed in a mortar (or Kathy's pilón) and ground up into pieces is really powerful. It has really made me think about my own personal dreams and desires, and if I am truly willing to come before the Lord and let Him have my entire life. Am I really willing to be broken, or even ground up into pieces so that He can use me the way He desires? That's a question we all have to deal with at some point.

On Sunday evening, March 2, we officially kicked off our new Home Group Bible Studies. In our service we prayed for our leaders and hosts, and celebrated in advance the many ways that we believe these groups will encourage our people to grow spiritually and create opportunities to reach out to others. I really appreciate the fact that so many of our people have been willing to get involved in this program, even though it involves a departure from the traditional church schedule of activities on Sunday evenings. We simply believe that it will open the door to growth in so many ways.

Grand Opening

Welcome to my first step into the Blog-World! I am hoping that this is a place where we can share thoughts, impressions, questions and blessings that we are experiencing together at Christ Wesleyan. Also, anyone else who joins the conversation can add their thoughts as well.

My sermon last Sunday was part of a series called, "All For Eternity." Jesus came into the world so that we would all have the opportunity of eternal life. The title was, "Life Is Short - Eternity Is Forever." Some people caught on to the fact that I didn't mention my second point in the sermon. I'm actually glad you noticed. Maybe it gave you something to think about during the afternoon and try to guess what would have filled the blanks in your sermon notes. Below is the outline so that you can see if you were right.

I Peter 1:22-25

We've heard all of our lives that life is short.

At deathclock.com I discovered that my day of death will be Monday, September 13, 2055.

I have roughly 1.5 billion seconds left to live.

Understanding just how short life is in comparison to the eternal life that God desires for us helps us place this life in proper perspective.

Because Life is Short . . .

I. Live Now By Loving Others

A. Our World Is Cynical About Love.

- Chicago Law Firm's Billboard - "Life's Short. Get a Divorce"

B. Sincere Love Brings Meaning To Life

- Too many people never really discover meaning in this life.

"I have spent my days stringing and unstringing my instrument, while the song I came to sing remains unsung." - Tagore

"Many people dies with their music still in them. Why is this so? Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out."

II. Live By Living Forever

The secret to really living this life to the fullest is knowing that this world is not your home.

Pathway to Eternity

A. Be Born Again

- This is the first step to eternity. John 3:16

- Everyone needs to answer the question, "Do you know that you are born again?"

B. Believe In God's Word

- God's Word has a purifying effect in our lives.

C. Begin To Really Live

This has never happened, but I quote a Country Music Song Lyric:

"Someday I hope you get the chance to live like you were dying."

Sometimes it takes the realization that this life will end to begin to really live.

Begin now.

Life is Short - Eternity Is Forever