DNA: Who we are. What we do.

This Sunday, at 9:30am, we will conclude our series DNA:  Who we are.  What we do.  As we close out this series on the core values that shape our identity and culture, I thought it might be fun to have you take short quiz.  See if you are able to fill-in the missing words in our core value statements below:  (the answers are at the bottom of this email)

1. Worship God _____________________ .
2. ________________ with one another _____________________ .
3. Grow to ___________ God deeply.
4. Go, __________, and tell the ___________ boldly.

So...how did you do?

Last week, we unpacked Paul's case for the importance of the gospel as the only hope for mankind, and how we are the instruments chosen by God to spread the "good news" with the world.  According to Matthew 28:19, John 20:21 and Acts 1:8, we have been sent by Jesus.  We are the answer to Paul's question in Romans 10:15:  "And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?"  So, understanding that one of our main roles as followers of Jesus is to share the gospel story with a lost world, how do we do that?  Where do you and I begin?  In short, we begin with prayer.  We begin by praying and asking Jesus to open our eyes to the lost around us.  We must learn to love lost people the way God does.  When Jesus stretched his arms out wide on the cross, he was saying, "I love you this much!"  I Corinthians 5:14 says, "For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all..."  Ask Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to give you a love for the lost.

This Sunday, I will introduce an evangelism strategy that is basic, simple and doable.  It's a strategy not built on slick marketing tools, but instead, is built on the relationships that you and I encounter every single day.  As we will learn on Sunday, evangelism is about investing in someone's life.  Evangelism is inviting them to experience Jesus and his church.  Finally, evangelism is introducing them to the life-changing power of the gospel.  Don't miss this Sunday at 9:30am, as we focus our attention on the message of cross.

Following the service, our adult Sunday school class will conclude their study in Acts.  Make plans to stick around after the service and experience Christian fellowship as we explore the life of the early church.

Note:  Thanks to everyone who donated beanies and scarves to Tonya.  Be on the lookout for pictures of her wearing these demonstrations of our love for one another.

Thank you for being a praying church.

Answers to the "fill-in-the-blank" core value statements:

1. Worship God passionately.
2. Connect with one another authentically.
3. Grow to know God deeply.
4. Go, show, and tell the gospel boldly.

See you Sunday.

Doug