by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Welcome to Sunday Snippets!
Kyle Estepp delivered this morning’s message, based on Galatians 4:21-31. As with all the Snippets, I try to jot down everything
verbatim, but it’s not always possible.To listen to the sermon in its
entirety, I invite you to visit Summit’s site.
- Any addition to the gospel is no gospel at all. It’s legalism.
- Our sonship is no longer based on perfection, but that of Christ’s.
- If we are depending on moral excellence to rescue us, we are in as much spiritual slavery as Hagar was in physical slavery.
Paul quotes Isaiah 54:1
“Sing, barren woman,
you who never bore a child;
burst into song, shout for joy,
you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband,”
says the Lord.
“Enlarge the place of your tent,
stretch your tent curtains wide,
do not hold back;
lengthen your cords,
strengthen your stakes.
For you will spread out to the right and to the left;
your descendants will dispossess nations
and settle in their desolate cities.”
- God chooses to save the world through the barren woman—for this is how the grace of God works. His grace isn’t just for the fertile Hagar’s, but also for the barren Sarah’s.
By what means of rescue are we depending on?
What does our life declare?
Reference: Tim Keller’s, Relating to the Law: Four Kinds of People
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Piper hung out with the girls yesterday!
Sarah’s former roommates from NGU shared their glasses and lots of love with the adorable granddaughter. It’s hard to believe she’s already seven months old.
Time flies.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
As described by psychologist Carl Jung, introversion refers to energy flow and the tendency of some people to draw energy from the inner world — their focus is inward, on ideas and reflection, and they typically seek solitude to recharge their batteries. Many enjoy people and welcome social encounters and aren’t shy at all, but too much socializing would be draining for them.
My recent admission to being an introvert was met with disbelief and a few hints of laughter as our writer’s group cackled till midnight—yet it’s oh so true. I love people and enjoy “doing life” with women in different settings throughout the week, but without times of solitude, my battery is quickly zapped.
During our ten month search for a church home, we remained open to the Spirit’s leading in regard to a Sunday School format vs. life/small groups. For various reasons, the more structured-type teaching has always appealed to me a little more. We’ve “done life” with groups in the past and counted each a blessing, but I struggled nonetheless.
Brian and I knew life groups were an integral part of Summit Church before visiting but it wasn’t until several weeks later, when we began sensing a true attachment to the church, that the reality of life groups hit home.
This won’t be comfortable.
Four words that sent my brain into a frenzy, like rowdy toddlers on a playground, until Truth quieted them with five words of His own.
Who says it should be?
In that glorious moment of conviction I realized how complacent I’d become. Since when did anything worth pursuing feel comfortable? Confession came quick (Hebrews 10:I9) and freedom forged in forgiveness swiftly followed.
This conviction, coupled with Sunday’s powerful message by our Campus Pastor, Brooke Taylor, left me feeling excited about the life group we were to attend that evening. One truth in particular from the message spoke life into this introvert’s soul:
Community doesn’t just happen — it requires intentionality.
Here’s why I share my testimony: I know I’m not alone. There are others out there who feel there’s no greater place to be than a quiet nook, furnished with a good book and a hot cup of tea. I get it—but this doesn’t mean we’re not cut out for life groups. It simply means we require an extra dose of intentionality, with a booster shot of courage.
Turns out, our first visit to a Summit life group was a tremendous blessing (thank you Kevin and Carolyn!) We were warmly welcomed and felt right at home. As we drove away, I felt so energized by the group I almost mistook myself for an extrovert!
What about you? Have you ever allowed your comfort zone to impede God’s best for you?
Be encouraged. Your glorious moment may be right around the corner.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 19:24,25
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Welcome to Sunday Snippets!
Campus Pastor Brook Taylor delivered a timely message from Acts 2:42-45 this morning. As with all the Snippets, I try to jot down everything verbatim, but it’s not always possible.To listen to the sermon in its
entirety, I invite you to visit Summit’s site.
Here goes…
- Listening to or viewing a sermon online/TV isn’t a bad thing — but using this as our only means of doing church is not how the Church was designed to work with the Word of God. [Watch for an upcoming blog post as I explore this subject in more detail. -CB]
- Sometimes, in searching for the “right” small group we think that being around others who are like us in life stage, affinities, backgrounds, etc. will naturally make us more apt to draw closer to the Lord — but the truth of the matter is that biblical community thrives through our common identity in Christ. He is the only commonality we need to enjoy true fellowship. Rubbing elbows with those who have different strengths, weaknesses, and struggles helps us to grow as Christ followers. [Watch for an upcoming blog post on this subject as well – a personal testimony, if you will. -CB]
- True community doesn’t just happen. We must be intentional.
- The more we pursue Jesus Christ, the more we’ll have a growing love for His people.
- Intimacy with God is the pursuit of God amidst the people of God.
I’ll close with the final question that was posed to us: Are you engaged in true biblical community?
If not, what’s holding you back? Stay tuned this week as I share some of my own personal journey with life/small groups. You may be surprised.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
A favorite yard sale find a few years ago, Wired for a Life of Worship, by Louie Giglio, continues to impart wisdom, delight, and a fresh appreciation for the endless attributes of our mighty God.
One half of the book is devoted to the subject of worship:
“Our lives are on loan from God, a sacred trust of opportunities and decisions. And every one of our choices is made on a battlefield with heavenly ramifications.” -Giglio
The other half invites the reader to engage in private worship by reading specific psalms, asking us to record the different attributes of God found in the text. In a plentiful space nearby, readers can write, draw, do whatever we like to express our gratitude for one attribute of our choosing.
Titling the pages of praise is one of my favorite things to do because it quiets my soul long enough to consider who God truly is — such as Joyful, Listener, Satisfier, The Perfect Parent, Illuminator, My Fortress, Giver of Eternal Blessings, etc.
Searching for a unique worship experience? Look no further.
