Monthly Archives: October 2015

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on October 21, 2015
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Connections — Rev. David J. Schreffler

image     October 21, 2015

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.” Colossians 4:2-15

“A friend told me about a group of people who share a strong bond of faith in Christ. One of them, a 93-year-old woman, said, “I feel like I can call any of you at 2 a.m., and I don’t even have to apologize if I feel the need for any type of assistance.” Whether the need is prayer, practical help, or someone to be there during a time of need, these friends are unconditionally committed to each other. The same sense of commitment shines through Paul’s letter to the followers of Jesus in Colossae. Writing from prison in Rome, Paul says he is sending Tychicus and Onesimus to encourage them (Col. 4:7-9). Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus send their greetings (vv.10-11). And Epaphras is “always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured” (v. 12). These are bold assurances of practical help and deep-seated love.

Are you part of a “2 a.m. group”? If so, give thanks for the faithfulness of friends. If not, ask the Lord to connect you with another person with whom you can share a commitment to pray and care. I suspect it will soon grow to include others. Share the love of Christ with one another.” (Our Daily Bread, 2 A.M. Friends, September 18, 2015)

My wife and I met at church — a large church that has only grown larger over the last 27 years since we were married. While we were members there, the church started a program of small group ministry — where people of like interests and ages and stages in their lives were grouped together to engage in conversation, bible study and fellowship one time a month. Some of our oldest friends came from that group of seven couples. The small group ministry was so necessary in the life of this church because of the size of the church. It would be impossible for anyone to get to know even five percent of the members without this ministry.

We all need a small group within the church who help us feel that we belong, who help us feel connected, and who will be our “2 a.m. Group”. We don’t have to call them in the middle of the night, but we need to know that we have people who will be there no matter what. And isn’t that what the church should be about – people who love each other with the love of Christ as our sure guide? The larger the church, the more effort we need to put into making people feel connected – not only to Christ, but to each other as well.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on October 20, 2015
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Enter Through the Narrow Gate — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

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October 20, 2015

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:13-20

“…it is abundantly evident from Scripture, that those who are truly gracious are under the government of the meek and benevolent spirit of Jesus Christ, and that this disposition is essential to the nature of saving grace, and is the proper spirit of true Christianity. We may therefore conclude, without hesitation, that all truly Christian affections are attended by such a spirit; and that this is the natural tendency of the fear and the hope, the sorrow and the joy, the confidence and the zeal of every true Christian.” Jonathan Edwards. (1703 – 1758) A Treatise on Religious Affections, “For All The Saints”, volume II (p. 967-968)

“For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life…” One of the things I have been preaching on recently is how hard, how difficult the way of the cross is for the followers of Christ. Recently we read the scripture where Jesus gives one of his central teachings: “If you want to become one of my followers, you must deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.” I believe that the road to life has been accomplished for all who have accepted the challenge of following Jesus, in one manner or another. And in choosing to “remember” Jesus in our daily lives, we are not led down a road of pure gold, but onto one of the most difficult and challenging paths that we could imagine. Faith does not lead to a guarantee of a happy life with few problems. In fact, when we hear Jesus say that “The first will be last and servants of all”, we realize that the kingdom of G*d does not reward according to the world’s standards. In fact, when the disciples are overheard arguing among themselves who is the greatest, Jesus realizes he has a lot more to teach them about true greatness.

The gate is narrow and the road is hard….yes Jesus has done all that needs to be done, but there are plenty of narrow gates and hard roads for all of us. Don’t listen to the false prophets of our times who preach that true faith will lead to full pockets and full bellies for those who believe. There are plenty of believers who have empty pockets and hungry bellies – but they have a heaping amount of grace and blessings.

Pastor Dave