Friday First: Embracing Your Ministry

When you think about it, Paul’s work in Thessalonica is an amazing testimony to what can happen when we determine to let God work. Paul moved forward in faith … in the fields where God assigned … and God brought the increase. All of this is a result of Paul viewing himself as an instrument of God’s providence.

In Acts 16 we read that Paul, Silas, and Timothy wanted to go to Asia to preach but were forbidden by the Spirit. Next, they tried to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them, Acts 16.7. After arriving at Troas, Paul received a vision of a man in Macedonia pleading for help. Verse 10 says that they immediately made efforts to go there, concluding that God had called them to preach the gospel to them.

Availability. Readiness. Flexibility. Humility. Dependence and trust in God. Seeing oneself as a tool God can use in His providence. What type of attitude do we possess about being used by God as a tool of His providence? Will we have the faith to let God work? Will you embrace your ministry?

Everyone has been called to their own personal ministry which will involve getting out of yourself and getting into the life of someone else…. So that God can work.

On Sunday we’ll discuss:

• What we can learn from Paul’s ministry. There are four things to take away.
• How to embrace our own ministry. There are two things to take away.

As you prepare for worship on Sunday, please give consideration to these questions:

• Where would you be spiritually had someone not taken a risk on you?
• Why is genuineness and authenticity so important as we serve others?
• Do you believe the cynicism of the world is holding back our efforts to encourage others in the church? How so?
• What are some ways you can provoke others to good works?
• For what has God recreated you?

OPENING / WELCOME
Cain Atkinson

SONG LEADER
Russ Robins

PRAYER OF PRAISE
Dave Pennington

LORD'S SUPPER
Nathan Armstrong

SCRIPTURE READING
Rich Jacobs
1 Thessalonians 2.1-12

PREACHING
Matthew Allen

CLOSING COMMENTS & PRAYER
George Wacks

WELCOME CENTER
Pat Reeder / Sarah Spargo

USHERS (arrive @ 08.45)
Jim Rutter / Dan Spargo

HEALTH SCREENING (arrive @ 08.45)
FRONT ENTRY: Connie Walker
SIDE ENTRY: Sadonna Schofield

Post-Service Sanitization
Rich & Connie Walker
Pam Grushon

Closing the Building
Mike Rosato