Minister’s Page
from Pastor Aaron…
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. These are the Fruits of the Spirit given in Galatians 5:22. I’ve been thinking about them a lot simply because so many of the works of the flesh (enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions) are being encouraged by many people with voices loud enough to be heard.
I am deeply troubled by the way voices of anger, enmity, and strife find their way into so many conversations, both outside and inside the church. I am deeply trouble by the number of times I find myself expressing or receiving those same works of the flesh. They seem to be almost in-escapable sins in our day. We know that God forgives sin, but as Paul wrote, “Should we keep on sinning that grace may abound? By no means!” We must find ways to overcome the temptation to the works of the flesh, and nurture the Fruits of the Spirit as they grow in our lives.
We can think of one as poison, and one as fertilizer. None of us want to consume poison. None of us would willingly or knowingly put poison on our prized tomato plant or rose bush. In the same way, we should not allow the poison of the work of the flesh to come into our lives. Pay attention to the message being conveyed to you by whatever you take in (be it the news, magazines, conversations, social media, etc.). If the message is enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, and/or dissension, do something to turn the poison off.
Turn the poison off and find a way to nurture love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, even if it is simply the self-control of changing the channel. Change the conversation by asking, “how can kindness be shared to the other side here?”
I’ll conclude with some helpful advice and encouragement from Philippians 4: “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Peace,
Aaron
August 27, 2017 Worship Service
September 3, 2017 Worship Service
September 10, 2017 Worship Service
September 17, 2017 Worship Service
