Voice of God - New Testament

Last Week we began a new series focusing on hearing the voice of God.  The Old Testament has many great examples of God speaking in dramatic fashion.  When God met Moses at the burning bush, the trajectory of Moses' life changed.  Up until that time he had been living on the backside of the dessert perhaps trying to forget an episode earlier in his life (in Egypt) when he took matters into his own hands.  Then God showed up with a call and a cause and asked Moses to put his life into His hands.  It wasn't easy for Moses to "let go and let God"!  He had a number of excuses and his humility almost got in the way of God's plan.   But Moses said yes to God's call and cause and God worked mightily through him to deliverance his people from slavery.

This week we turn to the New Testament to look at two key leaders in the early church -- Peter and Paul.   Both men experienced a radical transformation and call to serve.  Peter was a disciple who walked with Jesus.  Sometimes he got it right and sometimes he messed up royally.  In fact, Peter denied the Lord and wept bitterly because of his failure.  After the death of Jesus, Peter was so discouraged that he said to the other disciples, "I am going fishing" (John 21) -- Peter was returning to his old way of life.  In that moment, Jesus met Peter and restored him to his call as a shepherd.  Following the Day of Pentecost, Peter became a leading figure in the early church.

When we first encounter Paul in the New Testament, he is assisting in the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58).  Saul was a devout Jew and worked to destroy the spread of Christianity until he met Jesus.  Acts 9 records Saul's dramatic encounter with Jesus on the Road to Damascus.  The rest is history -- Saul, now Paul became the leading Apostle to the Gentiles.  He led to way on three missionary journeys and wrote much of the New Testament.

Both Peter and Paul remind us that God can meet us and in a moment our lives can be redirected with purpose and potential.  I hope you will join us Sunday as we discover God's voice in their lives and ours.  See you Sunday, Pastor Tom

God's Not Dead

God's Not Dead will be showing at New Life Community Church tonight (Thursday, August 21st).  The Family Feast begins at 6 PM.  Movie showing will start around 6:30 PM.  Great movie.  Invite a friend and join us!

The Voice of God

Is the voice of God analogous to a thunder clap in the sky or a whisper in the wind?  How does God speak to you?  How did God speak to the saints in the Old Testament or to believers in the New Testament?  Hebrews 1:1-2 provides a framework for God's voice.  Hebrews records, "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe."

We shouldn't skip over the obvious truth, namely, that God is a speaking God.  God loves to communicate with us!  Christian theology teaches us that God has revealed His divine nature to us in creation, through the prophets, and the gift of His Son, Christ Jesus.  Genesis, the book of beginnings opens with the words, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (1:1)  Beginning in verse 3, "And God said" is repeated at least eight times in the opening chapter of the Bible.

So our creator God spoke creation into existence out of nothing--with His voice.  In Genesis, God spoke to Adam and Eve, to Cain, to Noah, to Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob,  and then to Joseph.  In Exodus God called Moses . . . that's where we pick up.

God's people are in slavery; life is not so good.  The people are suffering in captivity.  Joseph and the Pharaoh which knew Joseph is long gone.  God hears his people groaning and speaks to a man named Moses.

Moses' story is remarkable because of his background and upbringing.  Although Hebrew, he was raised as an Egyptian, and later became the leader of God's people in the Exodus.  sunday we will look at the preparation of Moses and God's call at the burning bush.  Can't wait!  Pastor Tom

Voice of God

A new series begins at New Life Community Church on Sunday, August 24th entitled, "The Voice of God".  We will dig into the book of Exodus and the book of Acts looking at how God spoke to Israel and the early church.  Learning to hear the voice of God and apply his will and way to our lives is essential to walking with God today.  Share with your friends and invite them to New Life.

Building the Church

There's a lot of excitement at New Life.  This past week we had a terrific mid-week service.  If you missed it, you really missed it!  Renovations are coming along fast now.  Tomorrow morning another church form Southern Missouri is joining with us to continue renovations.

Sunday I plan to preach on 1 Corinthians 3 focusing on becoming a wise builder in God's kingdom.  Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:10, "By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care."

It's amazing what can happen in our lives, our families, and our church when we begin to go, give, serve, and sacrifice for God's cause and kingdom in specific and intentional ways.

If you can't join us tomorrow morning for the all-church work day, I hope you will make it to the Sunday worship gathering as we experience God's presence and learn new ways to become a wise builder in God's kingdom.  

Blessed to be a blessing, Pastor Tom

The Valley of Praise

This week at New Life we continue the series, Victory in the Valley.  We have been learning some important truths about redemption, transformation, the power of faith, and the dangers of giving up or giving in when we are going through a valley.

The message Sunday will come from 2 Chronicles 20.  It records the story of King Jehoshaphat leading the people in prayer and learning about the power of praise.  Praise, like thanksgiving, gets our focus off our problems and refocuses us on God's greatness and goodness. Join us at New Life at 10:15 AM.

FAMILY FEST @ New Life

September 13 at 4:00 PM, New Life is hosting a special event called "Family Fest".  The event will focus on kids and families and making the community aware of New Life's new facility.  You are invited to join us.  Please take a moment and put it on your calendar and make plans now to join in the fun.

We are expecting 30 volunteers to help make the event a success.  If you are willing to volunteer, please contact Pastor Tom at tom@newlifecolumbia.org.

On the Edge of Victory

Sometimes in life, we are so close to victory that we can almost taste it!  Have you ever been there?  So many times in life (too many times), I have been on the edge of victory.  I remember playing in the semi-finals of the NCCAA Men's Basketball Championships in 1992.  The game came down to a last second shot after our leading scorer blew out his knee.  Unfortunately, our opponents won the game and went on to win the championship.  We had come up short even though we were on the edge of victory.

Sometimes we don't know why we come up short or if there is anything to learn from our experience.  But, life certainly teaches us that you won't win again if you give up after loosing.  We all have moments in our life which look like or feel like that.  Times when we are certain we can win, but we come up short of the goal or the expectation.

The Israelites were at a similar place in Numbers 13 -- the edge of victory.  God had called them, led them, and provided for them out of slavery and through the wilderness.  Now they were on the edge of victory ready to possess the promised land.  One thing stood in the way . . .  fear!

Fear of the unknown.  Fear of change.  Fear of the obstacles.  Only one thing could overcome the fear.  Faith in God's goodness and God's plan to come through on His promises.

Fear can be crippling and it can steal your faith, your joy, and your hope.  If you are struggling with fear in some area of your life.  I encourage you to increase your faith in God.  Faith pleases God and invites Him to help you.  Join us Sunday as we consider faith on the edge of victory.  Pastor Tom