Weekly Message / Prayer Request

Acts 2:42 Men’s Fellowship

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27 NIV

This morning is a very special morning in America even if we did not vote for the person who is about to take the oath of office. It represents a peaceful exchange of power from one person to the next, without violence, without confusion, and something which many people throughout the world will never have the opportunity to experience. This is truly an American experience.

Yet never before in my lifetime have I seen so much hope put in one person. Throughout this country millions of Americans are resting their hope in the new President. In fact a recent Washington Post poll says that 79 percent of Americans are optimistic about the next four years, which is higher than any other incoming President since the poll was taken.

On Fox News this morning while they were interviewing the VIP’s on the step of the Capital building, Steven Spielberg was looking out over the national mall in Washington DC when he said, “It is amazing to see so much hope in one spot.” Images of this type of hope are echoing on every news channel in America today as we bring forth the 44th President of the United States.

So as I witness the events of today and reflect upon its meaning for this country, I cannot help to feel startled by the contrast which is taking place. For this is the inauguration of a leader with the pomp and circumstance that rivals any leader in history. The world is looking upon this man with fanfare, parades, galas, dinners, and every other form of praise known to man. Other countries are giving him the praises worthy of a king.

But let us be wary of this hope and praise, for President Obama is still only a man. Yes he is the President; yes he deserves the respect of the office; yes we are to pray for him as our leader; and yes we are to render unto ‘Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's’ (Luke 20:25).

However, the only true and glorious riches are found in Christ, which is the true hope of glory. Upon this rests the contrast.

For Christ, the Son of God, did not come into this world with such celebration or praises. He did not live a life of prominence, living in the luxury of those who have led nations. He never used His ‘position’ to gather the following of man in order to gain a position above man. He lived in humility and died as an accused criminal. Yet from this life of ‘ordinary’ existence comes all things in which was created by Him, and for Him (Colossians 1:16).

Therefore the contrast between Christ’s entrance into prominence is completely counter-cultural to how we nominate and elect our leaders of today. This contrast I believe can be directly tied to the warning the Apostle Paul gave the Corinthian people:

“Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a ‘fool’ so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight…” 1 Corinthians 3:18,19 NIV

So as the events of the day begin to unfold and the next four years begin, I believe we need to reevaluate how much we rely on the world’s wisdom and how much we rely on the Lord. I believe we need to consider how much of our hope rests in Washington DC and how much of our hope rests in the Word of God.

The Church is to live counter-cultural to the world as Christ demonstrated. This I know is not easy because every day I find myself battling hope by the world’s standard. Right now I find myself in prayer about the pressures of this world…

But I believe living counter-cultural is not simply the actions we take; instead it is the mindset we should live by. This begins with Christ and ends with Him as well. The means is the end. On this special day, let us consider the special way which has been laid out before us. For Christ is the way, the truth, and the life… (John 14:6)


Prayer requests

Paul – praise God for how He is working thing out in Prosser and in his life, pray that he will be able to travel home this weekend

Ernie – praise God for the positive report of his wife’s doctor’s appointment, praise God for the continued healing of his grandson who recently had surgery on his throat cancer, pray for wife’s brother Gerry who is in intensive care because of a blood clot following surgery

Bill M – praise God for the test results of his PSA count after prostrate surgery, pray that his grandson’s hearing exam will go fine

Greg – praise God for taking care of a recent bill on his daughter’s cell phone, pray that he will continue to keep his eyes squarely focused on Him, pray for his brother who is having hernia surgery

David – praise God for the abundant life He has provided, pray that God will continue to give him wisdom, pray that he will continue to learn how to recognize his voice, pray that he may become more articulate about the Word and sharing

Richard – pray for all the turmoil in the Middle East and that our government will make the right decisions on how to be involved with the conflict in Gaza and beyond

Tim D – praise God for choosing us, pray that the government job which he recently applied for will work out according to His will

Mark – praise God for the health of his wife and that the results from a doctor’s appointment well well, praise God for a recent trip to Poulsbo with the family and how much fun it was, pray that God will guide this group of men through the study of the book of Ephesians and that it will make an impact for Him in the hearts of other men

***Pray that Northshore can continue to make an impact in the local community for our Lord Jesus Christ


Continued prayer needs

Calvin – pray that the men of this church will become energized for God, pray for his brother which is dealing with a difficult custody battle

Carmine – pray for the troops which are serving overseas and for their financial health and security

Dick – praise for his new job that it is a good fit and he can be successful

Kelcy – pray for all the pastors and leaders within the Church

Stephen G – pray for strength in teaching kids at school so they may learn and become better students

Steve S – pray that he will be able to trust more in God

Brett S – pray that he will be able to stay strong in the Word and continue to come back to this fellowship

Nelson – pray for the President-elect that he will be a man of God, pray for his brother Bob

Tim W – pray for wife who is going to Germany to visit parents who may not be doing well, pray that a great deal of success came from the auction which happened on Saturday night

Ramon – pray that God will continue to heal his wife Tina and give her strength in the coming days

Larry Miller – pray that he will be able to find work, pray that he will be able to strengthen the marriage ministry at Northshore

Sky – pray that the move to Bellingham will be smooth and he will be able to attend school up there to pursue some of his goals

Tim H – pray for his wife to find her ministry

Gary – pray for strength as he works through all the various stresses of life, pray for the health of his wife

Brent – pray that he will find clarity and guidance for finding the right person to marry

Chad – pray for continued seeking of purity in his life


Future Meetings

**** Wednesday, January 21st, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church in room C214

Wednesday, January 28th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church

**** Wednesday, February 4th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church

Wednesday, February 11th, 7:00-9:00 pm, regular meeting at Northshore Christian Church

**** Wednesday, February 18th, 7:00-9:00 pm, meeting with Tim Dresler at Northshore Christian Church


Group Happenings

Just started… “Ephesians: The Wealth of God in us”—A study through the book of Ephesians, verse by verse, chapter by chapter, so we can discover all we have been given by God…

As the world continues to tell all of us all what we do not have and what we are lacking; as each one of us continue to struggle through tough economic times; as the Church continues to face new challenges; I believe there is no better time than to truly discover all we do have as Christians. We have been blessed beyond measure through our Lord Jesus Christ and by Him have access to all of God's promises.

By studying all the topics covered in the book of Ephesians together in this fellowship of men, my prayer is that all of us will truly come to understand that we have "The wealth of God in us".

Pray that this study will be a tremendous blessing to each one of us, a blessing to the Church, and an opportunity for the Acts 2:42 Men's Fellowship to continue the calling God has placed on all of our hearts...

I invite you to invite others so that through this study, we can minister unto others and share the love of God.

God bless and I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.

In Christ,
Mark


Ephesians Study Outline

Here is the outline of the study plan we are looking at covering while we study the book of Ephesians:

Part number
1. Ephesians 1:1-14 Predestination, Redemption, Inheritance in Christ
2. Ephesians 1:15-23 Resources in Christ
3. Ephesians 2:1-10 New Life in Christ
4. Ephesians 2:11-3:13 Unity in Christ
5. Ephesians 3:14-21 God’s Fullness for the Church
6. Ephesians 4:1-6 God’s Plan for Faithful Living in the Church
7. Ephesians 4:7-16 God’s Son Endows and Builds the Church
8. Ephesians 4:17-32 God’s Pattern and Principles for members of the Church
9. Ephesians 5:1-14 Walking in love / Living in Light
10. Ephesians 5:15-21 Walking in wisdom / Filled with God’s Spirit
11. Ephesians 5:22-6:9 God’s standard for Authority and Submission in the Church
12. Ephesians 6:10-17 God’s provision for His children’s spiritual battles
13. Ephesians 6:18-24 God’s appeal for prayer in the Church / Benediction


Memory Verse

“But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” 2 Chronicles 15:7 NKJV