Weekly Message / Prayer Request

ACTS 2:42 MENS FELLOWSHIP

“But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.” Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.” Luke 9:27-36 NKJV

In order to understand the magnitude of the cross in each one of our lives, we must first come to the realization of what the price of the cross was.

The crucifixion of Christ was not just about the death of a man who said good and wise things about the glory of God. The crucifixion of Christ was about the Son of God who willingly gave up His life for each one of us in order that we may have eternal life with our heavenly Father. This difference is important because within these two statements we find the difference between Jesus in human form and the deity of Christ.

In this passage from the Gospel of Luke is the moment of transfiguration, a moment upon where a taste of His glory was displayed to Peter, James, and John. It was not a moment of this world since ‘His face shone as the sun, and His garments became white as light’ (Matthew 17:2). Instead, it was a moment upon where His deity was demonstrated.

When we consider this deity upon the cross, its meaning pours into each one of our lives. The God of all things in heaven and on earth presented His beloved Son as a sacrificial Lamb upon where Christ, the second person of the Godhead, willfully gave up His earthly life in human form in order for all of us to live.

Through this depth of meaning comes the height of our brotherhood. For John, a witness to the glory of Christ’s transfiguration wrote this in the Gospel he penned after Christ’s ascension into heaven:

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.” John 1:12 NIV

This fellowship only exists because and through the blood of Christ. We are united in one Spirit, one mind, and one heart by the One who united all to be called children of God. Therefore we must set our focus upon the bond which unites all of us together—the cross.

From this starting point may we begin to see the unity of the Church. All of the divisions of men can never compare to the bond which unites. Through love may the barriers of men be broken down and the glory of God be shown through what binds. From this staring point, may the Church become the blueprint set forth by God…

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I look forward to seeing all of you on Tuesday… May you continue to find the blessings of God in your life. They are there. They can be found in each one of us…


Prayer requests

Ernie – pray for continued health of wife, pray for continued strength and health for Ernie

Tim – pray for Tim’s mother who had a mild heart-attack and continued strengthening of her health

Carmine – pray for Sharon Hale and her recovery from brain surgery

Dick – pray for continued strength in seeking out job opportunities

David – pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal to us what we need to learn about our heavenly Father

Mark – pray for continual seeking of His will in daily living, pray that family in Ohio may find unity and continued strengthening by God

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

Continued prayer needs

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

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

Chad – pray for friend’s mother-in-law which is battling cancer, pray for continued seeking of purity

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

Ramon – pray for continued healing with wife, praise for continued blessings in work opportunities

Larry Miller – pray that the marriage ministry will begin to make a larger impact on the Church

Michael – praise for Michael finding a Church in Alabama for himself and family

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

Future Meetings

Tuesday, November 13th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at the Northshore Christian Church (call Mark for directions) Topic: “Deity of Christ”

Wednesday, November 28th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at the Northshore Christian Church Topic: “Original Sin”

Challenge

May we find peace and power within our inner being in order to build unity throughout the Church…