“After the Bible the next most valuable book for the Christian is a good hymnal. Let any young Christian spend a year prayerfully meditating on the hymns of Watts and Wesley alone and he will become a fine theologian. Then let him read a balanced diet of the Puritans and the Christian mystics. The results will be more wonderful than he could have dreamed.”  Man: The Dwelling Place of God, 150-151 Author: A.W. Tozer

All three of the following songs were mentioned in this morning's message.  Each lyric puts into song biblical truths that if meditated on and often remembered will serve to support the foundation of a healthy faith walk with God.

Encourage One Another... (I Thess 5:8 ESV).   Please share your thoughts by adding comments.

For several weeks we have been looking at the idea that it is essential for us to know our purpose, our goals and to be very intentional in our pursuit of them.  Without these we will not succeed at making and maturing new disciples and our own spiritual health will falter.  I found the two videos that follow very insightful and convicting in light of our recents sermons and Sunday school classes. The first one is by David Platt and you may find it a little sharp edged (convicting) but that can be a very wonderful gift from God if it causes some soul searching that leads to positive change and a more effective God honoring life.  The second video is of David Platt and Francis Chan and provides some very helpful insights on how and possibly why our disciple making efforts may be missing the mark. 

As always your thoughts and comments are welcome and encouraged.  For those in the Adult Sunday School class we will probably watch and discuss this content Sunday morning.

Our sermon texts were:  John 4 and Hebrews10:19-24 (Hold fast - stir one another up to love and good deeds – persevere)

Purpose, Goals, Intentionality

VIM  -  Vision, Intention, Means  -  Dallas Willard

"Without VIM (or purpose goals, and intentionality) being understood, the inner person is left substantially as it was, as it is in non-Christians…  That is why today you find many Christians circling back to non-Christian sources to resolve the problems of their inner life."  Dallas Willard   (these are essential if we are to make progress in Christian spiritual formation) (click here for an article by Dallas explaining his V-I-M principle)

Purpose – To Know God  (My soul shall not find rest until it rests in Thee – Augustine)

• Simeon & Anna 
  
• This is eternal life – that we may know the only true God - John 17 (Jesus’ prayer)
  
• Love the Lord with all your being…

Goal – To Make Jesus Known

• Simeon – consolation of his people
  
• Anna – redemption of her people
  
• Matthew 28:19 – Go…  make disciples  (or as you are going…  not some far off place but rather right where you are as you live your everyday life)
  
• Love your neighbor as yourself

Intentionality

• John 4 – The Samaritan woman at the well
  
• Jesus intentionally broke through political, religious, and social barriers to stay to the purpose and goal. 
  

People need Jesus.  They need his love and mercy and grace.  In this year ahead, let’s be determined and intentional to make Jesus known!

Here is a short thought provoking video clip by Francis Chan that we watched in Sunday School.  As always you are invited to share your comments.