Weekly Message / Prayer Request

Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship

“Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:2-11 NIV


Getting through the flesh and considering it a loss for the sake of Christ is one of the most difficult tasks we all face. For it is the flesh which causes us to become mired in our own world, separated from all strength and purpose God intends for us.

Even Paul, a man of great heritage in worldly connections, found himself not able to boast about what the flesh could offer here in this passage to the Philippians because of its sinful nature.

Yet there are men everyday in our lives which believe it is through our strength alone that we may live a life full of purpose. They rip apart others through slander and eyes of judgment saying ‘if they only looked this way’ or ‘had this worldly trait’ then maybe they would be successful. They put full confidence on what the flesh can offer.

Nothing of this world matters. The worldly things will all be taken away at our passing; therefore should we not consider what is eternal and matters to a God full of love and grace?

Christ answered this question with a parable in the gospel of Matthew:

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44,45 NIV

If we accept this teaching, and we must as followers of Christ, then we shall notice that there is nothing of value in this world. Everything of any value exists within the kingdom of heaven and we should “sell” everything if necessary to obtain this prize. Nothing of this world should burden us from obtaining this end.

But we must also know that we are not alone in this endeavor. We are brothers joined together in unity. This bond is why our fellowship exists and is the reason why any relationship exists. It living out what the Apostle Paul makes clear at the end of this passage from Philippians 3—there is power through Christ by His resurrection and ‘the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings.’

Fellowship—powered by love for one another. This power, which Christ demonstrated by suffering on the cross for our sake, allows us to break free of the burden of the flesh and put our life into that which springs eternal.

May I be able to demonstrate all that is written here this week as I travel home to see family and friends…


Prayer request

Dick – pray for strength as he helps lead others through any division in the church over those ushering

Ernie – pray for continued health with wife and her difficulties of her knee, pray for dear friends facing a financial crisis, pray for his own health

Tim – pray that Tim will be able to effectively guide and talk with son Dan

Chad – pray for friend’s mother-in-law which is battling cancer

Norman – pray for daughter with clinical tests this week trying to determine cause of siezures

Kelcy – pray for family in the sudden death of his uncle

David – pray for the ability to become an effective witness

Mark – praise for the trials over the health of Amara, pray for the new additional to the family and “his/her” health, pray for safe travels and that it may be a Christian visit with family and friends

***Pray for relationship building throughout the Northshore Christian Church

Continued prayer needs

Carmine – pray for strength in working two jobs and finding time within others, pray for relationship with family

Gary – pray for strength in working with IRS, praise and prayer for staff infection, pray for stepdaughters in their struggles

Ramon – pray for safe travels to California, pray for continued healing with wife, pray for sister-in-law

Larry Miller – pray for strength and guidance in leading marriage ministry at Northshore

Randy – pray for release of addictions of the flesh

Michael – pray for guidance in finding a Church in Alabama

Chris – pray that he finds Christ and His purpose


*** pray also for the men’s ministry in developing Godly leaders

Future Meetings

Wednesday, October 31st, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at the Northshore Christian Church (call Mark for directions) Topic: “Power of Prayer”

Wednesday, November 14th , 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting with site and topic to be determined (we will establish location at October 31st meeting)

Challenge

Live life in the ‘unity of the Spirit’ in our minds so it may translate out into the Church…