Hi Church!
There is so much chaos and disappointment in the news right now. I know you have grieved, wondered, or even been angered over the stories about giants of our faith stepping (or being forced) out, and it is tragic. Whether criminal, immoral, or unethical events, they are all sickening. Ashley and I have been close to some fallen leaders, and even served with them, but (even) we know we have two clear responses to these things. I will share more this coming Sunday, but do this:
- Pray. The enemy has surrounded the camp, and is closing in on very vulnerable sides. Pray, not as a last effort, but with a mighty voice of hope. Prayer is not passive. It’s not preparation for something — prayer is an OFFENSE against the devil’s schemes. We must enter the holy presence of God, not just for Gateway Church or Oak Cliff Bible Church but for US the Church. We ARE the CHURCH that is being attacked by the evil one. If you read social commentary, you will see Christians waving “not us” morality flags and those who oppose God waving “see we told you so” flags. The bride of Jesus is under attack — even by its own. It’s not political, ethical, or religious warfare. It’s spiritual warfare, and our best defense, is our prayerful offense. More to come.
- Show grace. No matter how hurt, confused or angry you (or the people around you) may find yourself, draw on the grace of God. No matter how dark the sin or how deep the pain caused, it is the grace of God that sustains His people. We may sit in a seat of social justice, but only Jesus sits on THE throne of judgment. Be mad as a hornet if you must, but show grace. Oswald Chambers wrote in My Utmost For His Highest, “One of the greatest proofs that you are drawing on his grace is that you can be humiliated (or hurt or angry) without showing the slightest trace of anything but his grace.” On your newsfeeds, threads, in your break rooms and living rooms, show grace.
More to come, but in the meantime, MAKE TIME to join us for the awesome things below. Let’s pray, show grace, and worship Jesus together! See you Sunday!
Love you!
Pastor Brent