With our move to a new building and the ways we've had to adapt through a pandemic, our St. Matthew family has been adventuring through a wilderness. Wilderness is a theme throughout Scripture. Through the wilderness, God teaches His people to pack light, to be adaptable to change, and above all to trust Him more as He prepares them for what is ahead. Through this time, God has been doing the same for us. We are learning to let go of the things that weigh us down as we let go of our plans and trust in His provision. Through the twists and turns of our adventure through a wilderness, God is growing our faith and trust in Him. He is preparing us for an exciting future!
Over the next few weeks, we are going to talk about the journey that we have been on. We are going to unpack what we've been learning and look more closely at how we can walk closer to God. Get ready as we journey as the St Matthew family together with God on an adventure as God equips us to make a difference in our lives and for His Kingdom.
Sunday, October 18th “Giants in the Land”
God has always called His people into the adventure of joining Him on His mission. Noah. Abraham. Moses. The Children of Israel. David. Daniel. The Twelve. And you. In every case, there has been obstacles. In the case of the Children of Israel, there were “giants” in the land. Today, we look at the Vision God lays before us and the giants that we face, as God would invite each of us to boldly and joyfully say, “Yes! I’m in!”
Sunday, October 25th “Wandering the Wilderness”
I remember my first year of playing little league football. It was like “wandering in the wilderness.” I remember the flutter kicks until you thought your stomach would burst. I remember the running. I remember how I didn’t even know how to get into a stance. I remember even having to be shown how to put on my pads. And I remember a coach that was right there with me from running the sprints to checking my gear. “Wandering in the wilderness”…but through it I learned and grew. As we “wander through the wilderness” during our lives of ministry with Jesus, just like with His ancient people God is with us to grow us into all we were meant to be as we “enter into a new land.” This is what we look at today as the Spirit of Christ would invite each of us to say boldly an joyfully, “Yes! I’m in!”
Sunday, November 1st “Are We There Yet?” (On the Shore of the Jordan)
Moses had led the Children of Israel to the brink of entering the Promised Land. But God had said He would not be able to enter it. However, God, in His grace, took Moses up on a high mountain and showed him the whole land. He saw the Vision but was not able to enter. Today, we see the Vision! And then God, in His grace, would invite us to enter.
Sunday, November 15th We Have Arrived! (Crossing the Jordan!)
As with the Children of Israel, God has brought us to this point to go into a new land with a new Vision as we continue to walk with Jesus. The Children of Israel, with joy and thanksgiving, being miraculously led into the new land, proceeded to make sure they never forgot as they committed to the new mission before them. And so it is with us. With joy and thanksgiving, we are led into a new land of mission and ministry. What will be our pillars of remembrance as God invites each of us to “cross the Jordan” into this new land? …as He invites us to boldly and joyfully say, “Yes! I’m in!”