Mystery Church: June 2008

Monday, June 30, 2008

I Decided...

“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” 1 Cor. 2:2

Friday, June 27, 2008

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Most Serious

What is the most serious threat to the gospel?

For this question I think J.C. Ryle provides us with enduring discernment:

“You may spoil the gospel by substitution. You have only to withdraw from the eyes of the sinner the grand object which the Bible proposes to faith--Jesus Christ--and to substitute another object in His place… and the mischief is done.

“You may spoil the gospel by addition. You have only to add to Christ, the grand object of faith, some other objects as equally worthy of honor, and the mischief is done.

“You may spoil the gospel by disproportion. You have only to attach an exaggerated importance to the secondary things of Christianity, and a diminished importance to the first things, and the mischief is done.

“Lastly, but not least, you may completely spoil the gospel by confused and contradictory directions… Confused and disorderly statements about Christianity are almost as bad as no statement at all. Religion of this sort is not evangelical.”

(taken from a post C.J. Mahaney made on the Together for the Gospel site)

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

PRAYER NIGHT

Monday, June 23, 2008

SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Mars Hill Adopts Mystery!

God has been simply amazing to our little church called Mystery. Church planting can be difficult and discouraging at times to say the least. But this is a post about God's glory and goodness to our church in Southwest Missouri.
Mystery exists because of a vision Christ gave for the planting of a gospel centered, missionally minded church in Joplin, MO to reach young adults, the churchless, the religionless and the burned out and discouraged. All credit goes to Jesus for bringing us together, for providing for our needs and moving us toward him. We are indeed blessed and loved by him.
Along the way several churches from different walks have come alongside us to partner with us in planting. God, to his glory, has given us GREAT supporting churches. Life Point church in Ozark, MO, North Point Church in Lewisville, TX, Fusion in Muskogee, OK, and The Journey in St. Louis, MO have all been exceedingly good to us. Mystery would not exist without their financial support, encouragement and experienced leadership. Church planting is not easy or cheap and the resources and friendships these churches have provided is invaluable.
This week we received word of an exciting new supporter: Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA!

I was blown away when I got the email. Mystery, in Joplin, MO....now partnering with Mars Hill to see the gospel go forth into JoMo. Man God is just beyond good. Mark Driscoll, pastor of MH has said "grace always move to the front of the line" and let me just say this is the grace of God and the goodness of Jesus who indeed cares for our city even more than we can imagine.
Specifically we are being adopted by the Shoreline Campus pastored by Steve Tompkins. They don't want to be hands off either-they are looking to grow with us spiritually and relationally and are looking forward to working with us this coming year. Please be in thankful prayer to Jesus for this new partnership and also in prayer for Pastor Steve and Mars Hill Shoreline.

"Jesus...thank you. Thank you for your grace, your love and your provision. You are too good to us an undeserving lot of greatly graced people. We love you and lift up our prayers for our supporting churches and your love and provision for them as well. Amen."