An exposition of Ephesians 2: 1-10. This message by guest preacher, Reverend Phil Dark was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, September 4, 2011.

It was great to be home Sunday. Thanks to all for the welcome home and thanks for noticing we were gone! We had a wonderful trip and I’m sure I’ll be months processing all we saw. In 15 days we traveled 13,845 miles, were in 5 countries, met some incredible people and visited some wonderful places. To walk the ancient streets of Ephesus and visualize the clamoring crowd angered at the teaching of Paul; to stand at the Colosseum considering those who died for their faith as the crowd cheered for blood; to walk through the ruins of Capernaum and wonder “if that was the house where the cripple man was lowered through the roof,” was an incredible experience. To stand on the Mount of Beatitude and walk the road from the Mount of Olives toward Jerusalem and then make our way through the streets of the crowded city was unforgettable. A reminder that our faith is grounded in history. Real time. Real places. For our Sunday evening service, September 25, we’ll be sharing pictures and reflecting on what we learned. I hope you will join us.

In the meantime I want to thank Jerry Deason for taking the leadership of our Good News Club at Robertson Elementary. We’re off to a great start. Several folks have already committed to work but we need more. In addition to those who will be on campus and leading the club we need prayer warriors. Jerry is going to be visiting Sunday School classes and seeking commitments to pray. I hope you will join with us. We’ve also gotten off to a great start with the game day football dinners for Webster. Thanks to those who have committed to serve. We had good participation at the Vision West Block Party last Saturday. Thank you for reaching out to our community.

I look forward to seeing you and your family as we gather for study and worship this coming Lord’s Day.

Rod

Making a difference where we live. Impacting the community with the gospel, the love and grace of Christ. That’s our calling. That’s why we are here. We are called to bring the presence of the living Christ to this community. How do we do that? By living our faith day and day in this community. By joining our lives with the lives of our neighbors, coworkers and those we cross paths with everyday. Two of the ways we do that together is the football meals on Fridays and the Good News Club on Tuesdays. These are tangible was of touching and impacting the lives of students, teachers and families. I’m grateful to those who’ve taken leadership in these areas and the large number of volunteers who take part every week. Thank you!

In addition there is the Vision West Block Party we participated in this month. We’ve got Trunk ‘r Treat coming up n a few weeks. These are wonderful opportunities to say to the community we’re here, we care about you and we have something to offer you. But there is another element. Its what makes the others work. Without it, the others are of limited value. Each of us must live out our faith. Share our lives, speak of the gospel with our neighbors, pray for and with the people God puts in our path. When our faith is real and vital to us it impacts those who cross our path.

At the end of the day it’s not about programs, agendas or packaging. It’s about the reality of our faith spilling out onto others. It’s about slowing down and taking the time to talk to others, pray for others and involve ourselves in their lives. I know that’s a foreign concept in today’s culture. But it’s what works. It always has. It always will. It’s called evangelism and it’s personal. I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod

A Wednesday Bible study: This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, September 28, 2011.