Where we’ve been

          The past 12 weeks have far surpassed any and every expectation that I had about this church plant.  Seriously, I’m a little embarrassed to admit that part of me underestimated God and doubted any ‘serious’ progress at this infant stage.  That part of me was so wrong.

          There is another part of me that’s full of hope, hope in the saving Gospel message.  12 weeks ago I hoped to have met a lot of new people at this point.  I hoped to see people passionately serving like never before in their lives.  I hoped to see people seeking hard after biblical truth. I hoped to see lives changed.  I hoped to see Sunday services where people were coming to learn about, serve, and worship Jesus.  The part of me that had hope is overwhelmingly grateful to our Lord.  I believe in the power of the gospel as mentioned in Romans 1:16-17, lately I spend a lot of time in awe of His power and might changing people week to week.

Where we’re at

          We’re currently finishing up our journey through the book of 1 Timothy.  Paul’s letter to Timothy & the church in Ephesus has given us so much perspective on the expectations for the household of God.  This season spent in His word has been rich and God’s word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11).  These expectations in 1 Timothy have been invaluable to us as we get our bearings.  Like a newborn baby becoming aware of its’ surroundings we’ve focused our study on who we are and what we are to do as a church according to scripture.

          Ultimately 1 Timothy has taught us that any pursuit of godliness is to be an effort that desires to put the truth of the Gospel on display.  As we serve, give, love, and live our lives we do so for Jesus’ sake.  I could go on and on with 12 weeks of Journey stories in which this behavior has been observed.  It’s been tremendously rewarding to partner with this community of believers to proclaim the Gospel message in the Mid-Ohio Valley.  It’s with joy and excitement that I get to encourage others to partner with us on a weekly basis as the pastor & a partner of The Journey.

Where we’re headed.

          The last thing we want to do right now is sit and determine that we’ve accomplished something. Anything good in us is the work of Christ alone. May we only desire to press forward with diligence in proclaiming what Christ has done.

          With that said, on December 23rd we are starting through the Gospel of John!  Perhaps we can view this new venture as a Christmas gift to our church family.  Though any book of the bible would be profitable, after much prayer, thought, and counsel I’m thrilled about the treasures of wisdom that await us down this path.

“[30] Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; [31] but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

(John 20:30-31 ESV)

          John, a disciple of Jesus, wishes to display the evidence of the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life.  The purpose behind displaying this proof is that people would believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that Jesus is the Christ and no one else.  Just as doubting Thomas came to confess, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28), it is our hope that people would come to know Jesus as their Lord and God during this series.

          As John intended, we want people to see the evidence in God’s word and believe in Jesus as the Son of God that they may have life in his name.  That life of course beginning with a rebirth into a spirit filled life now as well as an eternal life with God.  We as believers know that the true ‘key’ to life is written in the Gospel of John.

     Which leads me to ask…

          What kind of professing Christian would hold on to the key of life, not sharing its’ limitless power, unending hope, and live for its’ eternal significance? No kind.

We invite you to join us in this season of prayer and study with John’s Gospel that we may continue in faith at The Journey Church of Marietta!

Pastor Cody