EXPLORING MYSTERY Sunday Nov 1st

New to Mystery? Interested in learning more about the church? Then Exploring Mystery is for you. The first Sunday of each month right after the service we have an informal time to ask questions, hear our story and meet the pastors and leaders. It's short and there are snacks. The perfect place to begin connecting with our church. See you there Nov. 1st

Women of Mystery Doing Lunch

Women of Mystery are getting together for lunch Friday November 6th at Noon. Join them at Deli du Jour 2310 S Main in Joplin. There will be food, fellowship and fun. This event is open to any and all ladies connected with or wanted to connect with other women at Mystery.

MAN DAY Saturday Oct 17th

Guys, the Gospel, & Guns!
Men of Mystery Dude Day Saturday October 17, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Cost: $25 for food, travel and fun.
All men are invited to this Men of Mystery all-day event. We'll meet at and leave from the Mystery building at 9:00 sharp!
We'll be heading to Claythorne Lodge (www.claythorne.com) for some Gospel training, Guns, and Good times! Lane Harrison from Lifepoint Church in Ozark, MO will be sharing with us at two sessions. He will be talking about what is required of the men of God and then how we can best structure our lives to accomplish all God's called us to as men. Oh and we'll be shooting some guns at Claythorne's Sporting Clays course!!

Every guy should attend. Cost is $25 for all day and covers lunch, and a round of sporting clays. See Pastor Nate for more details!

Great Day of Service

Sunday Sept 27th Joplin is having their annual Great Day of Service and this year Mystery is has gotten involved. We have adopted the 500 block of downtown. This includes the east and west side of main st. along with the block behind us (bar row) as well. We are going to be serving our city and loving our neighbors at the same time. Its an incredible opportunity!!

Here is how it will work. Sunday morning we will gather as usual at 10am to worship and love Jesus together and immediately after the service we will hit the streets to clean up and make our neighborhood beautiful, then we will regroup at our building at 2pm for a late lunch together.

What you can do. PLEASE get involved we need 30-50 people to pull this off well. Dress causal. Bring gloves, big black trash bags and lawn equipment (weed-eaters, rakes, etc.) Invite a friend. This is a great opportunity to connect people from all walks with your church family and live out the gospel alongside people.

Seriously mark your calendars and do all you can to make it. its only 3 hours of your afternoon and it could have an enormous impact on our city. Come help make Joplin a better place.

Men of Mystery Monday Night Sept 21st

Men of Mystery will be meeting this monday night 6:30pm at the Mystery building. We will be eating food and talking about what it means for men to fight for the gospel. This is open to all men (ladies encourage your guys to come).

The gospel is a fight - are you in?

Pass it on....

Sermon Up - Temptation

Sermon audio from this week is available for download here. Pastor Nate Karnes spoke from James 1 regarding Temptation. How are we to over come sin? Does God temp us? What does it our sin require of God? Listen in for some great teaching from God's word.

Fall Ownership Classes

Want to know more about Mystery? Curious about Christianity? Looking for a church home? Interested in making Mystery your church? Maybe you just have some questions? The Fall session of our Ownership Seminar Begins Sunday Evening Oct 4th. This class is aimed at answering your questions about Christianty and our church. It consists of 8 sessions over a four week period. Classes begin at 5:30pm and go till 8 with a break for dinner. Childcare is available if you sign up in advance.
This class is a prerequisite for membership at Mystery and is a great time to make new friends and find the answers you are looking for. Its fun, informal and informative. Sign up Sunday mornings at our worship gathering.

Mystery's Gospel Identity - Worshipper

We are Worshippers

Everyone was made to worship. To worship is to revere and adore. When we worship we attribute glory and honor to someone or something. We all give ourselves and affections to something or someone. We’re hard wired to worship. Ever seen people at a concert or sporting event? Ever stood in awe of the mountains or the ocean? It’s in us and it longs to come out. We’re a church that worships Jesus.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism explains, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him for ever.” Jesus glorified the Father. (John 17:1,4) To follow Jesus is to bring glory to God- to worship him. We want to grow as worshippers. There are many idols and false gods in our city and in our lives. We want to replace them with the God of the bible, his truth and grace. As Followers we live to enjoy him everywhere, please him in everything and love him completely.

At Mystery this means we:
Live Holy Lives- Respecting God’s holiness - Keeping ourselves from sin
Live Humbly- Thankful for God’s Grace - Considering others above ourselves
Live Responsibly- Stewarding and managing God’s resources, accountable action
Live Obediently- Keeping all God’s commands- Doers of the Word not just hears

Saturday Work Day September 12th

Join your church family and help ready the building for fall all church work day Sept 12th 10am-2pm. Lots to do and many hands would definitely help. we will be fixing a few things, cleaning and painting the front of the building. come join us. bring a friend and introduce them to your church family. Mark your calendars and make plans to be here Sat. Sept 12th. If you have questions or need specifics contact Vance Eden or talk to him at our Sunday gathering.

The Gospel in our Trials

The reality of life is sometimes things are hard. It's a false gospel that says being a Christian is easy and that God desires that you be healthy, wealthy and trouble free.

Mystery is two weeks into our study of James and already James, in just the second verse, brings up the subject of trials. It was an issue in the lives of the early church and it's still an issue today. Life in Christ is still life. Anything that happens to a person can still happen to a Christian. THe question is not "if" Trials will come but "When and in what form". The better question for us is how are we as Christ Followers to respond to suffering and difficulty?

First we need to expect trials. They will come. Second we need to not evade or escape difficulty, but rather embrace them and ask ourselves what is God teaching me about himself, my sin and the gospel in this? God takes us through things more than around them.

Our world would have us believe trials are bad, but the gospel, while not giving us exact answers, does give us the tools to respond to suffering. Trails according to James yields spiritual maturity. He calls it "steadfastness" or "Stand-Fast-Ness". The ability to endure and grow through persevering.

What are the rewards of standing fast in suffering and difficulty. James gives a few in verse 2-4.
One Trials reveal and test our faith in God. Jesus wants us to know and acknowledge who we worship, live and hope in cause it has great consequences. Only Jesus can forgive sin and give life, so we want to know if it's Jesus we are loving and serving. Next Trials Refine our Faith. God is out to complete us in him and trials show our needs and build us up in the gospel. Refining is a process of progressive strengthening of our confidence in Christ. Lastly trials Realign our hearts. They are designed to move our eyes off ourselves and onto others. To turn our trust to God and nothing else, to turn our attention to the Cross of Christ and all that he accomplished for sinners in his life, death, burial and resurrection. Finally trials move our minds to have an eternal perspective on things. The kingdom of God is now, but it is also not yet. We need to consider our future in Jesus. It may seem rough now, but it will not be like this forever. Jesus will renew and restore all things. That is good news.

If we learn to live well in our trials, trusting Jesus and growing in the gospel there is peace and joy to be had in this world, even in the midst of difficulties, struggles an suffering.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising bthe shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. - Heb. 12:1-2

Download the complete sermon at mysterychurch.com

ReDesign

Have you check out mysterychurch.com lately? new stuff abounds. New color scheme and new links. Check it out.

Living Sent

“As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” - John 17:18

The church exists to fulfill the mission of the Christ. As he was sent into the world, so we are sent. What does this mean? It means we are sent to rescue the lost. First and foremost we want to show people Jesus and see them come to love him. We are sent to make disciples. Jesus command modeled his method. He did not say go make converts to a religious system, rather go make disciples. We call people to come see Jesus, then to follow and remain in him. Making disciples is the means of fulfilling the mission. Call people to trust Jesus person and work, to obey his teachings, to be baptized and join his church on mission. It’s in him we find life and on mission that we find our meaning in life. We were made to worship God and witness of the gospel flows from hearts worshipping Jesus.

Being on mission will also require being in the world. We can’t hide in our Christian ghettos. Do we really need another Christian version of anything (Christian gas station, car lot or hair salon) or do we simply need Christians living and working in the city, for the good of the city. The church is called to gather, but we are also commanded to scatter, to fan out into dark places bringing the light of the gospel to bear. Think of everyday, everywhere and everyone as an opportunity to worship Jesus. Who came for you, saves you for himself and sends you for his glory and your good.

Lastly we are sent in community. God the Father sent God the Son who sent God the Spirit. Jesus prayed we would be like them, working together for God’s glory in harmony and in community. Discipleship and mission is a community project. Don’t think invitations and events, think community and involvement. Christian is a verb more than it’s a noun.

Pure Religion - New Series in James

Mystery is starting a new teaching series this Sunday August 23rd through the book of James. How does the gospel work itself out in our lives? Whats the difference between looking Christian and being a Christ Follower. Is religion dangerous? How? We will be spending the next several months in the book of James looking at a life shaped by the gospel. Join us 10am Sundays downtown and then during the week at one of our community groups to explore James in more detail.

ARTWALK THIS WEEK

Come learn about and love Joplin. Experience art, music, people, food and so much more. This Thursday 5:30-8:30 Main St. in Downtown Joplin. Check out the Galleries hosted by Mystery and the many more local artists featured throughout the Main St. galleries.We are in need of people to help set up this Wednesday evening at 5:30. If you can come serve the artists we would appreciate it. Also we need people from Mystery to help Thursday the night of the even. Thee is something for everyone, hosting, clean up, food...you name it we could use it. Work a couple hours, meet new people and walk the rest of main street. Excellent Missional Opportunity for the whole family or for you and your friends.

Evidence of Abiding Pt 2

"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." - John 15:8

Five ways you know you are abiding in Christ - Living as his disciple (John 15:1-17)

1. Living a Life of Obedience v.10
Are you lead by His Word
Are you living in accordance with His Will
Are you walking in His Way of living

2. Living a Life of Dependence v.7, 16
In Me…My Word, My Love, My Commands
Is you life marked by desperate and dependent prayer?
Are your prayers God glorifying, Christ Focused and Mission minded?
Is your life lived confident in and dependent upon the Spirit of God working in you?

3. Living a Life of Love
Are you loving God and people?
Are you loving people as God loved the world, sending his treasured son?
Are you loving the church as Jesus loved his church?
Are you loving others as Christ loved you?

4. A Life Lived in Community v.12
Are you known by and knowing those in your church?
Do you meet regularly with other Christians involved in the same local church?
Are you praying and playing with each other outside organized church times?

5. Life Lived on Mission v.16
Has anyone seen Jesus reflected in you this week?
Are you not only living as a disciple but making disciples?
Are you sharing the gospel verbally as well as visually in your life?

Ask your self these questions. Analyze your life honestly. Repent of any area not in line with the gospel. Allow God to prune you so that your life bears much fruit. Pray for God to make your life more and more in line with the gospel and more and more looking like Jesus'. For his glory, your joy and the good of those around you.

Evidence of Abiding Pt 1

Many people think that becoming a Christian is the same thing as being a Christian. We tend to see following Jesus as a one time event rather than a constant and continual lifestyle. To truly be a disciple, or Christ Follower, we have to following Jesus daily. Following him means we have had our eyes and hearts opened by the Spirit of God to see Jesus as he is - God, Savior and King. It means to respond to the Spirit by following Jesus faithfully. It means receiving a new identity (his) but it's also LIVING in this new identity each and every minute of each and every day. Jesus calls it "Abiding" in John 15. The word means to remain in, survive by, or exist. Thats pretty powerful. Not only does Jesus offer life, but he is life and to truly live we must remain in him. It's daily trust in his daily truth. Are you right now living in the reality of who Jesus is, what he has done and who you are in him? Are you relying on his identity and responding out of it in each and every decision? That's what it is to abide...to exist in Christ.

Fall Community Groups

It's that time of year again! The fall is coming. Schedules are getting tighter, school is starting and people are coming back to town and settling down from vacations and travels. It's exciting for a church and also very busy. The best part is that Mystery's Gospel Communities start back up. The last week of August our Community Groups reform and begin gathering together to laugh, share, care, study and pray with one another. Community Groups are where growth and relationships happen at there best.
We have double the number of groups this fall to six! We have groups from north to south Joplin and into Webb City. There is one for everyone and our goal is to see anyone and everyone that calls Mystery home connected and committed to a Community Group. It's the gospel, it's family, it's vital as well as enjoyable.
We've got lots planned for the fall through our groups including missional involvement in the city, serving the church, our neighbors and those in need. Also we will be studying through the book of James together during the week as well as teaching through it on Sundays.
Everyone is welcome. Find and sign up for a group at our Sunday Morning gathering. It could be the best thing you did this year.

What's Happin at Mystery - Fall 2009 Kick-Off Calendar

Hello Everyone.

Hope your enjoying the awesome mild July temperatures. Wanted to let everyone know what' going at at a church called Mystery in the next few weeks. Be sure to check out the website (mysterychurch.com) as well as our blog, facebook and twitter feed for more information.

-Tonight Wed the 29th Last Mid Week Mystery community gathering and Jonah bible study 6:30 at our downtown location
-This Sunday August 2nd New series "Disciple" - What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?
-Sunday August 16th - Re-Launch weekend. School begins and so does a new semester of Mystery - Invite your friends & neighbors
-Sunday August 23rd we enter out fall series on through the book of James
-The week of August 24th Community Groups begin. We'll have information and sign-ups in the coming weeks
-Exploring Mystery Sunday September 6th - This is immediately after service an is a time to hear our hearts, ask questions of our pastors as well as eat snacks and meet members of Mystery. It lasts about 45 minutes and is a great entry point for new guests.
-Ownership Seminar - This is Mystery's Membership and Gospel 101 class that will take place Sunday evenings in October. Its for people examining Christianity and/or looking to make Mystery their church. Everyone's welcome.

Stayed tuned. It's an exciting and busy time of year and Jesus is definitely at work in the people and hearts of Mystery to see the city transformed for his glory and our good. Mark your calendars and make plans to be part of the excitement!


Love Live Enjoy - This is Mystery

NEW SERIES IN AUGUST - DISCIPLE

August is a time where we transition from summer into the fall. This means getting back int he groove, back on schedule and back to school. For Mystery is means getting back on mission. We'll spend three weeks in August looking at our Discipleship Pathway. What does it mean to be a disciple and make disciples. Come and See, Follow Abide and Multiply as we regather and head into a new season of gospel growth at Mystery.

Beaten

“Thou art beaten that thou mayest be better” - John Bunyan