Sermon The Agony and the Ecstasy Clarence and Dianna Schilt

Pastoral Welcome Shirley Ponder

Baptism Nathan Joshua Shakil Munir Z. M. Zubaid2

Children’s Feature Jackie Bishop

Scripture Reading John 3:1–8, NIV George and LaVonne Gibb

Note: Baptisms are in the extras section of the DVD

PASTOR'S PAGE The Agony and the Ecstasy The church has been very clear and confident at how becoming a believer and following Christ will radically change lives. Our confidence in this is supported in the Bible. Scripture holds out promise after promise for the Christian life. Jesus clearly talked about the fact that following him would bring peace, joy and strength at levels so deep and wonderful it would be beyond our ability to even understand let alone articulate. The experiencing of Him would be enough, and more than enough, for whatever life serves up to us. This is truly good news – news that could well be put in the category of ecstasy! If this is true why is there not more evidence of it in both individual lives as well as the corporate church? The data from George Barna’s research team shows that Christianity is not “working” very well. Divorces, abuses, addictions, choices of music, TV viewing, movies, etc. are virtually the same amongst professed Christians as others. This is the agony. Why is there such a disconnect between the promise and the reality? It is not because Christians don’t care or are not trying. We are too glib throwing around terms like lukewarm, Laodecian church, etc. When you listen beyond the surface to most believers we care, and we care a lot. We are hungry for a deeper experience of the Christian life. We long to be more faithful in living the two great commandments. And we wonder what is wrong and why we are not able to do this with greater “success”. The thesis of this morning’s sermon study (as well as the rest of the seminar in the afternoon) is that our focus is wrong. We have confused what our role and God’s role is in the Christian journey. One of the lines you will hear is, “Resurrection power comes only to the dead – those who are dead to self.” The reason we are failing so much is that we are focused on trying harder instead of dying more fully. Dying is agony. Strangely, it is both harder and easier than trying. Yet, it is the only way we can experience the ecstasy. Listen reflectively today as you learn both Biblical principles and practical applications on “How to Die Right and Live to Tell About It.” -- Clarence and Dianna Schilt

MEDITATION In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross! -- Philippians 2:5-8

THIS PRODUCT IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ORDER THIS PRODUCT PLEASE CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT A FORM TO REQUEST THIS PURCHASE. YOU MAY ALSO CALL (909) 651-5551 AND PROVIDE THE DATE OF THE SERVICE AND SERVICE TYPE YOU'RE WANTING TO PURCHASE.