As the fall comes upon us here in Canada, the leaves are beginning to change from summer green to autumn splendor. Karmyn is just days away from her due date and we expect to have a great transition in our personal lives.
I have just finished my last full time week at the Town Pool, and am transitioning to an interim position as an adult education pastor at my families home church, the Okotoks Evangelical Free Church. This position is an excellent development ground for me, as I will be teaching a lot and preaching once or twice over the next 12 weeks of my 'contract' time. It feels exciting to be transitioning back in to full time ministry and obeying God's call on my life, as we pursue our church planting objectives in Vernon.
This weekend Sunday September 9th will be the last of my series of three "summer" messages at Edmonton's Grace Reformed Baptist Church, where I will be preaching on "The Message of Jesus According to Mark". I am going to explore this gospel of action, and see what key teachings are emphasized in this context.
Ultimately Jesus calls us to change. The Gospel tells us that, "He came... preaching" saying, "The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:14). The biblical word is "repent" from the Greek metanoia, which is a call to really change our worldview. To totally make over all our thoughts and ambitions. In other words of Jesus, " "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and atake up his cross and follow Me. 35 "For awhoever wishes to save his 1life will lose it, but whoever loses his 1life for My sake and the gospel's will save it." (8:34,35).
This change is the foundation of the church, the spiritual kingdom of God.
