It is so cool to see all the life that is happening in our small groups. We’re seeing lots of new faces, and each group has gotten off to a great start. A couple of things we need to let you know about.
- All Church Meeting: If you consider Hope Chapel your home church, we invite you to our annual all-church meeting after church on Sunday, 2/15. We will go over some exciting projects and events, and approve our budget. Lunch and childcare are provided.
- Starting Point Class: If you are new to our church and have never attended one of our Starting Point classes, our next one is on Sunday, 2/15, during the 9 am service. This class lets you know what we are about and how you can get plugged in.
God Brings the Growth
1 Cor 3:7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
As we continue our series on bringing about a breakthrough in our lives and church, it is important to remember that God is the one who brings the growth. We have been using the seed-and-harvest metaphor to talk about God bringing a breakthrough to our church. In previous weeks, we have seen the importance of tilling the hard soil to prepare for planting, and the elements that try to choke out the seed from growing. Today, we will examine God’s role in our growth.
Paul addresses division in the Corinthian church and discusses sowing and watering. Some people will sow the seed, and others will water the crops, but only God can bring the growth. This shows us the need for us to be under Biblical teaching (sowing seed) and the power of the Holy Spirit (water) for growth to happen. At the same time, God determines how productive the crop will be.
If there is going to be a breakthrough in your life and in Hope Chapel, it will be because God has brought it about. We will faithfully teach the Word of God, provide a loving community, and allow the Holy Spirit to work, but we also need to seek God for this breakthrough. This will require concerted prayer by the church. In the coming weeks, you will hear about our plans in this area.
Resource of the Week: Church History in Plain Language
Are you a history buff? Would you like to learn how the early church got started, but learn it in simple, easy to learn language? Bruce Shelley’s book Church History in Plain Language is one of the best resources out there. Click here to get it.
That’s it for now. See you on Sunday. We are starting the book of 1 John.
Pastor Chuck
