July 3, 2013
11:15 AM

Our mission statement begins, “We are a community of Christ-followers longing to glorify God…” I would like to suggest that we, the Trinity Church family, ought to focus our prayers and efforts during this year plus of transition between senior pastors on our growth as a healthy community, following Jesus, and glorifying God. The quality of our community reflects most deeply in our relationships, how we relate to one another, forgive one another, bear with one another, value, encourage and serve each other. (There is a large list of “one another” admonitions in the Scriptures worth looking into… and putting into practice.) Following Christ is how we best do that. I am so excited that Rick Langer is taking us this summer through a series on Following Jesus!  Our shared commitment to growing as Christ-followers is what ultimately shapes the quality of our community and brings maximum glory to God!

It is also what makes us a great family into which God may place new believers. I have been reminded of an analogy for our church family since having the privilege of adopting 2 of my precious children. Our Father is in the business of adoption, reaching out to save abandoned, lost or hurt children (you and me included), and bringing them into his family. As a local church, we are one of many families into which he places his “new creations.” Toward this end, we ought to pray not only for ourselves, but also for the other local churches in our community. We need to be healthy, thriving, ready families who are truly following Jesus. This means that we not only stand firm in our faith and in our growing knowledge of God’s true Word, but also that the gospel of grace that saved us is making us more gracious and compassionate, desperately reaching out to the abandoned, lost and hurt surrounding us, joyfully partnering with our gracious Father in bringing them home!

God is also in the business of transforming this growing family into his image. It’s his work and not ours, but we must cooperate. The Scriptures say we are being transformed from glory to glory! (2 Corinthians 3:18) This only happens in the wonderful messy world of family, where we gather to worship God, devote ourselves to the teaching of his Word, experiencing his glorious presence together, and doing life as we grow and serve together. That’s why the Scriptures encourage us to not neglect meeting together.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:23–25 ESV)

My our great God be glorified as we continue to follow Christ, enjoying the wonderful community that he has established, brought us into and will continue to build.

Bill Born