Journey to The Journey

The word “advent” comes from the Latin advenire, ad (“to”) - venire (“come”), or adventus (“arrival”). It is the celebration of the incarnation of Jesus at his birth (i.e. Christmas). Historically, it has been a traditional part of worship leading up to Christmas among Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and Methodists (among others), but is also regularly observed among many within evangelicalism.

As Michael rightly pointed out in his message, the ascension of Jesus is likely the most often overlooked aspect of Christ's work. We have holidays devoted to celebrating his birth/life (Christmas) and his death and resurrection (Easter), but we rarely think about his ascension and what it means for us as believers. And yet, it is the ascension, that Christ has risen to glory and now sits at the right hand of the Father where he is reigning and ruling, interceding for and overseeing his Church, that is perhaps of the greatest importance in the daily lives of Christians right now.

Every week in the month of November, we are pleased to be hosting a different Acts 29 Midwest Network pastor at The Journey. These are men that we have had the opportunity to partner with in various ministry efforts over the years. While we all share a common passion for seeing healthy churches planted and the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed, each of these men bring with them a unique perspective and vision for growing God's kingdom in the context in which they have been called to minister. We hope and pray that, not only will this month allow us to hear from gifted friends in the faith, but that it will also provide our church family with a greater ability to see how God is working in places beyond Marietta, Ohio. So, without further ado, it is our pleasure to introduce this week's guest preacher...Pastor Michael Graham from The Village Church in Hamilton, OH.

Earlier this year, South African televangelist Alph Lukau created an international stir when a video of him reportedly resurrecting a dead man went viral. Controversy ensued when the resurrection was revealed to have been fabricated. Several of the participants were later arrested and charged in connection. For many, this was just another example in a long list of foolish and unbelievable claims made by Christians.

Every week in the month of November, we are pleased to be hosting a different Acts 29 Midwest Network pastor at The Journey. These are men that we have had the opportunity to partner with in various ministry efforts over the years. While we all share a common passion for seeing healthy churches planted and the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed, each of these men bring with them a unique perspective and vision for growing God's kingdom in the context in which they have been called to minister. We hope and pray that, not only will this month allow us to hear from gifted friends in the faith, but that it will also provide our church family with a greater ability to see how God is working in places beyond Marietta, Ohio. So, without further ado, it is our pleasure to introduce this week's guest preacher...Pastor Justin Rahmes from Missio Dei North in Mason, OH.

In reality, without a proper appreciation for the true severity of the plight of sinful man, one will never respond to the gospel with a thankful heart. The same God that has set his wrath against sin, has mercifully condescended from glory to take on flesh and bear the weight of that judgement upon himself in Christ for the benefit of his children. It isn't simply that God has loved us, but he has loved us "in Christ." It is within the framework of the relationship of eternal Father and eternal Son where we find our hope. Election, adoption, justification, sanctification, glorification - all of the fancy "-tion" words that we teach our pastors in seminary classes - all find their source in Jesus. It is through both the finished and on-going work of Christ that all of these things are accomplished and accounted to us.

Every week in the month of November, we are pleased to be hosting a different Acts 29 Midwest Network pastor at The Journey. These are men that we have had the opportunity to partner with in various ministry efforts over the years. While we all share a common passion for seeing healthy churches planted and the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed, each of these men bring with them a unique perspective and vision for growing God's kingdom in the context in which they have been called to minister. We hope and pray that, not only will this month allow us to hear from gifted friends in the faith, but that it will also provide our church family with a greater ability to see how God is working in places beyond Marietta, Ohio. So, without further ado, it is our pleasure to introduce this week's guest preacher...Pastor Kurt Hannah from Missio Dei Church in Cincinnati, OH.

How often do we take time to simply dwell on the fact that Jesus, the author and creator of the entire universe, the sovereign Lord and sustainer of all things, condescended from glory, took on flesh, and walked (or tabernacled, as Tyler put it in his sermon) among his people? Think of it this way, at the same time that Jesus was, for example, sleeping down in the hull of a fishing boat, he was holding together the entire universe...every single atom and molecule in the billions of galaxies. How do we begin to wrap our minds around such things???