Make All Things New

I had the opportunity to preach the last time our church was able to meet (due to the 24 inches of snow in Philly last weekend). The text was John 11. I’d love your feedback.

John 11 – Extraordinary Hope

I have been reading a book called “A Praying Life” by Paul Miller which I highly recommend. Yesterday, I read a short portion that served me well. I am seeing so many people suffering around me, so many lacking joy as they seek to find a way out of their suffering. This reminder from Miller was greatly encouraging to me and I hope to share it with others.

“The Father wants to draw us into the story of his Son. He doesn’t have a better story to tell, so he keeps retelling it in our lives.” That means that we endure suffering and pain that seems like it should be avoidable, seems like it shouldn’t happen so that we can display the gospel in our lives. The gospel is the best story and we are privileged to “share in  [Jesus'] sufferings” (Philippians 3:10).

That is good and true, and here is the piece that is breathtaking to me. Miller writes, “If we stop fighting and embrace the gospel story God is weaving in our lives, we discover joy.” We find joy in submitting to the story God is writing with our lives! Joy comes through faith in God! God is doing so many things with our lives right now and we only see just a few of them. His story has a great ending that will suffice.

Gospel growth isn’t easy, but it is good because the Author of the Story is Good. So, I pray that we all are submitted to God as he tells his story through our lives. Soli Deo gloria.

Recently I noticed some small splinters in my hand. As is so common with these things, it only started hurting after I noticed them. Then I remembered that we have a larger, wooden cross we setup at church during the time of Advent. “I must have gotten them from that.” I thought to myself. “Man, these are really starting to hurt. I need to get them out.”

Thankfully, it didn’t take me long to realize the ridiculousness of complaining about the “pain” I endured carrying the cross. A few splinters are not even worth comparing to the immense agony that my Savior suffered through carrying His cross. And even more, He, who never deserved to bare such shame, did so for me. I so thankful for grace!

I found this to be helpful.

Are you SAD? from Puritan Reformed on Vimeo.

This video was taken prior to his undergoing brain surgery. Very encouraging!

This Friday, Pastor Matt Chandler, will be undergoing surgery for a brain tumor. Please pray for him and his family.

More information is available in this article.

Come and join us this Friday night!