Know well...make well known.

Yesterday was Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus made his “The Triumphal Entry” into the cit of Jerusalem. The following sets the scene:

Matt 21:8-11
Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting,” Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

What a beautiful picture right! The crowds making the way for Jesus, praising, “Hosanna!” The word Hosanna in Hebrew means “save, we pray”, see Psalm 118:25-26. But remember, Jesus is received by the words “Hosanna, Hosanna!” and just a few days later the crowds of this city would yell, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”…How is this?

In Matthew 21:10 we have a very important question, a question that many are still asking today. Look at the end of verse 10, “the city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” You have the crowds answer in verse 11, and we know what would be said regarding Jesus just a few days later, “let him be crucified” Matt 27:23. But what is our answer when we are asked that question? If someone were to say to one of us, “you are a Christian right? Well who is this Jesus?” I hope our answer would be simple, but layered. I hope that we would be able to give a very clear and personal short answer, but one that we could talk about for a lifetime. I pray that our answer would be the same today and forever, but also, that it would be even richer as our journey with Him goes on. In short, I hope we know, and are getting to know our Jesus.

And this is eternal life…know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ…” John 17:3

Let’s be a people who know our God well, that we may make him well known!!!

-Layman called pastor

Sunday Recap...The Essence of Christian Community

Sunday Recap…

It sure was good for me to be back with the church family after being out for a week. LOVED ISRAEL! (you’ll be hearing more about that in the near future) but it was good to be home, and what a way to bring in the spring, SNOW! crazy hu?

Hey don’t forget that we have a Family Easters Celebration immediately after CG this week. We’ll have bounce houses, an egg hunt for the kids, and hot dogs for all. Bring a lawn chair, and enjoy the fellowship, it’ll be EGGTASTIC!

Also, we’ll have a baptism for Parker Johnson at the Crelia’s house (formerly the Scales’ house) at 4 pm on Sunday! If you need directions to the Crelia’s contact the church office: secretary@thegbf.com

Man that Rhome can preach right!

Here is a recap of the Word that he shared with us on Sunday:

THE ESSENCE OF CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
Our Bible text was from Ephesians with the application portion coming from Ephesians 4:25-32. I highly recommend reading the text from your Bible and spending some time in prayer about its contents.

Here are Rhome’s 5 points from Sunday:
1. Speak the truth to one another
2. Be angry at the right things and don’t let the your anger go long
3. Share with one another, be generous
4. Watch what you say and how you say it, be edifying
5. Forgive one another

As I read these 5 things I can’t help but think what a great case they are for Lifeline groups. We need some small groups to begin meeting in homes on a regular basis for the purpose of authentic community and spiritual growth, a place where the “one anothers” from the Bible can be learned and lived out. The first step to getting groups like this started are identifying and equipping some leaders to lead these groups. I know God has laid it on the hearts of some folks to lead a group like this. Remember, you don’t have to be a Bible teacher to lead a Lifeline group, but you do have to have a desire to love people. You don’t have to be a perfect person to lead a Lifeline group, but you just have to be a REAL PERSON. If you are interested in Lifeline group leadership, please let me know! roy@thegbf.com ….don’t wait on someone else to do it if the Lord is calling YOU...remember, God does not always call the equipped, but many times he equips the called!

I’m really pumped for our next two Sundays together. This week REMEMBER THE PASSION OF CHRIST….Then next week, CELEBRATE THE RISEN SAVIOR!

Have a great week,
The Layman called Pastor

EaSteR FaMiLy CeLEbraTIoN

This Sunday, GBF will be hosting an informal Easter family celebration. Immediately following Community Groups, we invite ALL families and individuals to stay for a time of fun and fellowship! Hotdogs, bouncehouses, and an egg hunt will be held on the playground on the northside of the property! The old elementary gym is reserved as a backup, in case of bad weather circumstances!

WHAT TO BRING: Lawn chairs or a blanket to lounge on and an Easter basket or sack for any children who want to participate in the egg hunt

DONATIONS: Please send candy/surprised filled egg donations to the church office (Monday-Thursday from 9am-2pm) or drop them off at the children's hall at GBF!

It's gonna be an EGGSalent time:-)

BIG GOD - small hands... recap,

You are not a god created by human hands
You are not a god dependent on any mortal man
You are not a god in need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that’s just the way it is

You are God alone from before time began
You were on Your throne Your are God alone
And right now in the good times and bad
You are on Your throne You are God alone

You’re the only God whose power none can contend
You’re the only God whose name and praise will never end
You’re the only God who’s worthy of everything we can give
You are God and that’s just the way it is
Unchangeable...Unshakable …Unstoppable…That’s what You are
(Phillips,Craig, & Dean - You Are God Alone)

Acts 17:24-25
24The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

So we don’t serve God as though He is in NEED…How do we serve Him?

1 Peter 4:11
whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.

We serve Him by the strength that he supplies, bringing GLORY TO HIM. Our service is to make much of GOD!
As we serve, we look to HIM, and as we look to HIM, we rely on HIM to supply us, support us, and empower us, so it is to HIM that the GLORY belongs!

Matthew 5:16
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Serving our God knowing that HE is receiving the glory is all the more reason to “Serve the Lord with gladness!” –Psalm 100:2

This Sunday we are going to being talking about CONNECT with one another, John 13:34 will be a good place to start reading ahead.

Have a great week GBF!