I pray everyone had a great holiday season. Although it was relaxing and a great time to refuel, I am glad that the holidays are over and Access is back!  We will be beginning our 2009 Access year this Thursday, January 8th. Over the past few months we have been discussing the characteristics of God in our series, God Is. I wanted to take the time to thank everyone who submitted questions for the series, and apologize if your question was not answered - although we greatly tried to answer all the questions, some did not fit into the the series. Which leads me to this upcoming week.

We received some of the same questions multiple times that did not get answered during the series, so this week we will be having an open Q&A at Access. I will be going over the top 4-5 questions that were not covered and then will be opening the floor up for live questions. This is your chance to ask those theological questions that you have be wrestling with.

My prayer is that together we can come to a greater understanding of God’s Word as we walk out our faith as followers of Christ. This week is going to be a great time of worship with Daniel and the band, examining the Word, and fellowship so don’t miss out. See you Thursday.

Shalom!
pastor Brent

God Is: Love

Shalom!
B.

ps… As you know Access is not meeting either on Christmas Day or New Years Day, but we will rejoin together on January 8th for a night of worship and open Q&A.  This will be a time for everyone to ask any questions that they have in regards to the God Is series, questions that you have about the bible, religion, church, walking out your faith, etc… I will also be going over a few questions that we were not able to touch on during the series.  So take these next couple of weeks to think about what you’d like to ask and then come on the 8th of January and ask away!

We have rented out half of Hudsonville Lanes on New Years Eve from 10:30pm-1am for the Access New Years Eve party. Tickets are only $12 a piece which includes all your bowling (play as much as you want), shoe rental, and unlimited soda. Last year was pretty hectic and unfortunately we had to turn some people away because there was not enough room. This year we have rented more lanes, but still can only accommodate 72 bowlers (12 lanes, 6 bowlers each). Since there is only twelve lanes we need people to sign up prior to Dec 31st so that everyone who wants to bowl can. This is a first come, first serve event. Payment is due at time of sign-up, but we will be selling tickets at the door at Hudsonville Lanes… but don’t wait because tickets are going fast.

This is going to be a great time, of fellowship, food, bowling, and laughter. You don’t want to miss it!

Shalom!
Pastor Brent

Blessings, Jessica

Shalom!

Pastor Brent

Shalom!

Brent

Shalom!

Pastor Brent

Living the way of Jesus is a popular saying.  I have heard it over and over in recent years.  Preached from pulpits, written in Christian literature, and broadcast over the air waves.  But I always come back to “what does this mean?” The quick retort is to do the things that Jesus did: help those less fortunate, visit widows and orphans, and put other people’s needs above our own.

First let me say that I agree to all of these.  Jesus commanded us to do every one of these things.  But is this what it means to be a Christ follower?  Is following the Messiah equal to doing humanitarian works?

Jesus said He was the Way, the Truth, and the Life (Jn 14:6).

So I wonder… is salvation living a certain way, or knowing The Way?

Again, I adhere to the fact that we need to emulate Christ in our actions.  But first, before we can ever know how to live like Him, we have to know Him.  Just because a person does the actions of Jesus does not mean that they know Him; that they have submitted their life to Him and received Him as LORD  (Jn 1:12).   That they are on the journey of salvation.

Look at Gandhi.  He lived a life of peace and did many things to bring attention to those who were less fortunate.  Does that equate salvation?

No, because it’s not our works that make us right with the Father, but God’s grace extended through the resurrected Messiah.

Only Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection could pay for mankind’s sin.  No matter what “good” works we do, we can never provide our own salvation. The bible tells us that our righteousness (good works) is but filthy rags to the LORD (Is 64:6).

Salvation comes not through doing good works, but by meeting the resurrected Christ.  Who then restores our relationship with the Father by His grace.

Once we know The Way, and begin down the path of salvation in fellowship with the risen Christ, only then can we begin to live the way of Jesus.

Shalom!

Pastor Brent

Question—
Hi Pastor Brent,
Hey I know you listen to Brian Zahnd a lot, and I was just listening to his latest sermon- which is good if you haven’t listened to it yet- But I have a question for you. Brian said that The Kingdom of God is salvation. I don’t really understand that.
It makes sense a little bit, but I don’t know if i’ve ever heard it that way. So what exactly do you think he means?
Haha sorry, its a weird, random question.
Be blessed!

Answer—
I cannot speak to the exact intent of Brian’s meaning, but I do think that I can add some clarity. What Zahnd is trying to communicate is that salvation is more than just a notion of “say a prayer and you’re square” - as I like to call it - but rather salvation is God restoring creation onto Himself. We talked about this last night with the message about God being a creator. God’s goal is not to “save” mankind from this horrible world, but to restore creation back to it’s original glory - as He created it to be. Brian uses the word salvage in place of salvation a lot which is very fitting because it brings light to what Jesus said about God’s Kingdom is here and yet God’s Kingdom is coming. God is salvaging the world… restoring creation. This is why Jesus told us to pray, “Your Kingdom Come… Your Will Be Done.” Those who try to say that creation is bad, that the body is bad, and that God’s desire is to get us out of here is more influenced by Platonic writings than scripture. Hope this helps.

Shalom!
Brent