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Hello again from the Adult Sunday
School class of Mt Hope. We have been studying the book of Luke, verse by verse. We have
done the same in Matthew and Mark and hope to do the same in John in the future.
However, I would like to let you know about what we are doing as a
church. We have read Rick Warren's book about "The Purpose Driven Church".
He is proposing many ideas for church growth, without compromising the Word of God.
Our purpose, as well as all churches, should be, Acts 1:8 where Paul
says by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, But you will receive power when the Holy
Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses, both in Jerusalem (our area) and in
all Judea, (our four counties) and Samaria (Indiana) and even to the remotest parts of the
earth.
The second command for us is what God told His disciples just before
He left them to go back to heaven in Matthew 28:19 and 20. "Go therefore and teach,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age".
This is the purpose of Mt. Hope. This is the reason God has left the
Christians back here on earth.
Rick Warren presents a lot of ideas. Some will work in some areas and
not in others. They are like surfing in the ocean. The surfer picks out a wave and rides
it as far as he can. If he falls off, he picks out another wave and tries it. The wave
might be any idea that reaches out to draw the unchurched to the Lord. A neighboring
church uses contemporary music, we are going to try using films.
We have secured the film, "The Passion of Christ"
on DVD wide screen. A community building in a nearby town has given us permission to use
their building to show it on Sunday night, August, 19. This is a rural area, we want to
give them something for free that they cannot get anywhere else. We are collecting a
mailing list of the area. Our aim is toward the unchurched. We do not try to get members
from other churches. If this is received well we'll use some other DVD films, "Joshua
and the Last Flight Out". We would covet the prayers of any Christian on the
internet for this endeavor. We are trusting God to work miracles. He is able to do great
things and we're going to watch Him work. Friend, isn't it wonderful to have a Savior who
is there for us, yes, even to the end of this age?
I'd like to close with these quotes. Wm. Carey, the missionary to
India said, "Expect great thing from God, attempt great things for God".
Henrietta Mears, the Sunday School builder said, "To attempt something for God and to
fail is not sin, but not to attempt something for Him is sin".
Folks, maybe your church is not doing well in its work for God.
Pastors, get the book, "The Purpose Driven Church" and give some
copies away to your board or influential members. God wants to use you in His work. Our
minds are too little to comprehend what He is able to do. Thank you, and God bless you
all.
The Lord bless and keep you all,
Sincerely,
The Adult teacher,
Milt
Goble
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