glory.
Last Thursday we finished a series at encounter that we called "Great Awakenings." This series focused on five core ideas that as christians God wakes us up to. The last talk was called, "The Bottom Line." Glory. It's all about the glory of God. God is focused on His own glory. Everything He does is for His glory. That's a hard idea to come around. That shakes my thinking a little. It's easy to slip into the mindset that God is a selfish God if He is primarily concerned with His own glory. But, when I think about that logically, who else do I want God to be primarily concerned with other than Himself? If it's right for me to make God central, how is wrong for God to make God central. Needless to say, the ending to this Great Awakenings series was amazing. I think we could listen to glory talks all day long and never hear it all. At the beginning of his talk, Matt put it perfectly. He said, "There's an endless supply of wonder when we start talking about God's glory."
If you missed a week during this series, I encourage you to either listen online or buy it on CD because the Lord did amazing things over the past 5 weeks.
So, what else is going on around GCM?
Well we are continuing to hear about what God is doing in all of the community groups. I'm thinking of one group in particular right now where I know God is on the move and changing hearts slowly, but surely. It's a very exciting time as we continue to press into learning about our identity in Christ. This week we learned about purpose. What is our ultimate purpose in life? What is your purpose? Did the Lord teach your or your group anything new about purpose this week?
posted by grace campus ministries at 2/14/2006 04:59:00 PM
14 Comments:
Three semesters ago, I felt God moving me from computer science to math education as my vocational purpose. I changed my major that term, but a few weeks ago I started to wonder if that was really God's plan and prayed that he would help confirm my beliefs.
That week at Encounter, I met a guy in the back of the balcony who needed help with pre-calculus. I've been tutoring him ever since, and God has given me an awesome peace about my mission in life. I am definitely not ready to teach yet, but now I know that I can do anything with Christ at my side.
I don't know if that fit with this post about glory, but the purpose questions at the end made me want to share this story. God answers prayers, and He will mold you to what He wants you to be if you let Him!
- Tito
I love the fact that as Christians you can't escape the Glory of Christ. What i mean by that is this... its a perfect circle, every aspect of our lives, every circumstance, the core of our being is Father's Glory! Wow, sin seems so "blaaah" and less tempting, lives gain power and eternal purpose, and our hearts become more sensitive to His if we are empowered by and a reflection of His Glory. So, Col. 1.27 right? Christ is in us and we are in Christ and together we are in Father... and God is most concerned with His Glory fame and renown... so because we are in Him (who is about His glory) we share in the treasure that shakes the Heavens and causes angelic worhship!
Hello Fellow Encounterites,
This semester has been crazy for me. God has begun to reveal a lot more of His purpose for my life and I have been eagerly waiting for clarity about things.
I am an Aerospace Engineering major who is completely sick of Aerospace, but I'm in my fourth year so I'm pressing on. I'm getting a business minor and hopefully an MBA because I love working with people a lot more than numbers. I've begun to place more and more trust in God about my future (i.e. enormous debt and health problems) and have offered myself to a life of missions if thats where he wants me.
After Matt Brownings sermon I think everyone should feel this pull and urgency to reach the lost. It makes me sick that people, and so called Christians, can just sick back so selfishly and think that their lives are more important than God's plan and reaching the lost. A million years from now, the only thing that will matter is how many souls we reached for Christ. That means stepping out of our Comfort zone and Into God's Comfort zone.
If anyone wants to read a life changing book, read "One thing you can't do in Heaven" by Mark Cahill. Mark actually graduated from Auburn and played basketball here with Charles Barkley. Mark lives his life now speaking across the country and witnessing to thousands of people all over the place. This book is amazing!! Last semester, Matt Dean was preaching a very valid thing, that if we only talked to a few people a day or week, all the Christians at Encounter could reach the entire campus! That still is scary though sometimes, we Christians make excuses all the time not to witness to the random people next to us. "We are scared", "We are afraid of being rejected", "We don't think we know enough", "We dont know what do say, or are afraid of what people think". This book breaks through all the excuses and all the fears, and equips and empowers you with tools, ideas, and boldness to go reach the lost. This book will convict anyone and completely change your life, I promise. I can notice a difference of night and day from before I read the book a few weeks ago and now. My heart is so much more aligned with God's heart. I no longer look at other people and just see people. I look at other people and see them as people who I can share Christ with, or at least just encourage. READ THIS BOOK, I can't emphasize that enough. Matt, if you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it. It is an amazing tool to teach and inspire people about how to witness and the urgency of it. Also, Matt, I think that it would be awesome if Mark Cahill could come and speak at Encounter sometime. He is an Auburn Alum so i'm sure he'd be willing to come back.
Anyways, I'm going to Jamaica over spring break on a mission trip, and I'm going with the Encounter group to China this summer too. I'm eager to see where God takes me. A lot has been going on in my life, and this all is just a tip of the iceberg. But the comment has gotten pretty long now so I'll head out for now. Godbless everyone!!
Thomas Hill
I second everything drummerguy said. Mark Cahill is an amazing person and he is truly living with WWJD as his motto. Be warned, if you read that book, you will feel extremely lukewarm. No feel good stuff in it! But it's extremely important that people read it.
No offense to Matt or any other campus minister around here, but I think the problem with Christian college students not sharing their faith, is that sooo many ministers, campus ministers, etc tell us to "reach the world for Jesus!", or "Go out and witness to people!" BUT they don't show us how. They don't give us any conversation starters, pointers, nothing! And that can be stressful for us without seminary degrees.
Mr. Dean, I highly encourage you to please look into having Mark Cahill speak at Encounter one night. His website is www.markcahill.org. He is an amazing speaker, and I GUARANTEE that this campus needs to hear what he has to stay.
Otherwise, Encounter has been awesome lately and my life is slowly becoming more Christ-like everyday. God is really using this ministry to touch, convict, and move people.
Praise God!
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"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for TEACHING, REBUKING, CORRECTING, and TRAINING in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly [[EQUIPPED]] for EVERY good work." 2Tim 3v. 16, 17
Matt I appreciate your devotion as our friend and leader to encourage us in our faith. I hope that we also encourage you in yours(rom 1v.12) May you never grow discouraged in us or ministry. For the works of man are futile compared to the power and effectiveness of the Lord. Continue to be his instrument of praise! Praise God for equipping us! May we all have a spirit of boldness to act in accordance of being equipped!
Hilaree, a conversation starter is as simple as "Hey, my name is Hilaree." The Spirit of the Lord will then progress that conversation as he chooses. Here's a thought: You may come across a day that your lifestyle has spoken to someone so strongly that they confront you and say, "why are you different, why are you joyful, why are you hopeful?"
I realize your comment was probably not intended to be as piercing to people when it was typed compared to when it was read but scripture clearly tells us to declare His glory to the nations so Matt and every other person are not leaving us hanging for doing that. The bible was written in completion and God did not give us 2 + __ = 5 for us to think, "oh no 2 + what = 5?!?!" He fills in the blank for us. Luckily it doesn't always have to be in the form of 3, it could be 1+1+1 He allows us to choose our own way but the result is always the same --> his GLORY! Praise the Lord for providing ways for us! May you rejoice in that and may you be encouraged by that. bless you friend.
Well thanks so much carrie jehle for responding to my message. And you're right, I didn't mean for my message to be "piercing". I was simply adding on to drummerguy's post and I understand everything you said, but... When did Jesus ever say that we are only to allow our actions to speak? Yes, we become Christ-like, but I must also remind you that Jesus said that the world will HATE we that are in the light. We will be rejected because we choose to follow Him. And persecuted. Maybe killed. Or spit on. He also said that the gospel offends.. Trust me, I know this from personal experience... Narrow is the Way. I think we as Christians need to step out of our comfort zone to reach the world for Christ (in love of course.. but remember, love also warns). If it was easy, He probably wouldn't have called us to it.
One question... And this is not meant to knock you or anything, just to make us think... How long have you been a Christian? In that time span, how many nonChristians have come up to you and said, "wow you are always so happy, and cheerful, joyous, etc.." and then you led them to Christ? If you knew me, and if I was a nonbeliever, I would probably never have the guts to ask you about your "delight" in the Lord, because to be honest, before I really was a Christian, that kind of "Christian" attitude intimidated me. So I would never ask.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that many people like to quote St. Francis in saying, "Preach the gospel at all times, if necessary use words." When did Jesus say this? Or Paul? Because it is not only necessary, but VITAL that we open our mouths and boldly proclaim the Gospel of peace. By no means am I saying that Christians should not live the life because Im not.
When you have time, read Ezekiel 33.
As always, God bless you!! Have a great week for His glory :)
I would just like to clear up my earlier comment a little.
If Mr. Dean and the Encounter staff read this, by no means was I saying that they are doing an insufficient job, and neither was Hilaree320. God is definetely doing amazing things through the Encounter ministry and I feel very fortunate and thankful to be able to worship at Encounter and hear what Matt preaches about. Matt, thank you for your service and dedication to the Auburn communinity. You are never afraid to preach what God is really feeling towards His people, and your sermons are always genuine and incredibly helpful and God breathed I believe.
As for the comments about the book I made and about witnessing, I will stand firm. Before I read "One thing you can't do in Heaven" I was living for the Lord no doubt, and serving Him was my heart's desire. BUT, I wasn't confident enough to share my faith with any random person that I met, I wasn't comfortable sharing the GOOD NEWS, and I'll admit that. Many Christians could admit to that. I was living by the principle, "Maybe if I act Christian enough and look happy a lot then non believers will approach me". But be honest, like Hilaree320 said, that NEVER happens, unless you have been friends with that person for like 20 years or something.
Jesus demands us to GO, and to tell the good news to everyone, it is urgent!!
What if that person across from you is going to die in a car wreck tonight, and God placed you at that table so that you could speak with them about Jesus? You can't wait for them to come to you! The diciples didn't wait for the Jews and Gentiles to come to them in their boats, they went to where the people were. Non-christians do not naturally flock to Christians out of curiousity, it just doesn't work that way.
Romans 10:14-15 says "But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless SOMEONE TELLS THEM? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is what the scriptures mean when they say, 'How beautiful are the feet of those that bring Good News!'"
Approximately 150,000 people will die today. That is about 2 per second. Where will all those people spend Eternity? What are we going to do about it?
Carrie Jehle, thanks for your message and I agree with you, the Bible is sufficient for us Christians to be able to walk boldly, and God does leave out details sometimes for us to figure out. I think he does that because He made us creative, and he wants to see what we will do to proclaim His Glory. The reason that I encourage people to read Mark Cahill's book is because it is a collection of experiences, tools and ideas that Mark Cahill has used to go out and spread the Good News to thousands of people who he didn't have time to "build a relationship with" or time for them to come to him. It is an extremely encouraging and convicting book.
Of course everyone has different "gifts and talents" that God uses. But that is not an excuse to keep our mouths shut if we feel uncomfortable talking to a stranger. The book is just really helpful in providing witnessing tools and ideas and also ways to answer many questions that could be asked and how to talk to various groups of people. Hilaree320 and I are not judging or condemning anyone!! We just both enjoyed this book so much that we feel like sharing it with other Christians to help encourage them to be more bold and brave in their faith.
Thats all.
But if you want to sit and wait for the lost to come to you then I pray that you can continue to Glorify God through any means that you can and means that God has equipped you with. Like you said, its all about His Glory.
I was just trying to be a little encouraging, from my personal experiences with reading the book.
My only hope is that "Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand." Romans 15:20
Godbless, drummerguy
Drummerguy,
Thanks, that was a really encouraging comment. I've been following along through this dialogue here and i'm really excited to see you step up and clear the air. I think we've all been encouraged by your last comment. I agree totally with what you've said.
Thanks drummerguy for saying what I wanted to say.. lol When I'm in a rush I can never get down what I want to, and I 110% agree with you.
God deserves all the glory, and everyone else deserves to know of His glory and to glorify Him also.
God bless Gracecampus ministries, as God has changed my life through words spoken, songs sung out of praise, and moments such as the beginning of the school year when ya'll took up the collection of shoes. Awesome.
God bless! :)
the heart of this conversation seems right on, taking shape over time and i think each contributing member has shown respect and responsibility for their words. Looking at both sides, it is apparent that both share a passion for God, and in some respect both are correct.
though the gospel is offensive, it doesn't ask us to be offensive and though the truth of God in Christ is piercing, awful, and beautiful at the same time, that truth never should motivate us to pierce others.
the most important thing we can remember is that God alone saves, it does not depend on mans' effort or desire but on God's mercy.
none of us deserve Jesus. Period.
Stepping out of our comfort zones when prompted by our saving God's Spirit is an act of obedience, just like living a life of humility and patience is an act of obedience.
the point is not how credible we are to our culture, nor how bold we are in speaking out, but how obedient we are to the voice of God.
Jesus clearly is more committed to redeeming people than we'll ever be, period.
Therefore, in humility let's each learn his voice, feel with his heart, and see with his eyes.
knowing Christ is life.
The only way we'll credibly speak or live is through a steady, faithful, abiding relationship with Jesus.
It's not about what we do or say, but all about Who we know, and how HE alone is God's offer of redemption, through our verbal and visible witness of loving Him, leading satisfied, holy lives unto Him, that others would say , "God really is among you!"
I was surfing the web a bit back, and i found a web site that was rebuking about every popular christian speaker and writer (like Rick Warren, Charles Spurgeon, TD Jakes, etc.). Their main passage of rebuke was John 15:18,19. Their basis of belief was that we should be hated by the world, and that if we werent, we were not Christian. This would lead one to say that lots of people are false prophets becuase of their upstanding with the world. This is just our culture and the hatred of you personaly does not reflect your saved unsaved, joy of Christ or unaffectiveness.
Just a thought on our display of the Glory of God, that it even still is not a base of how much or good you do it, and how to test yourself on how much of a God glorifier you are.
this is a little off subject, but speaking of the glory of God... i was reading the plainsman today and i saw an article about the Mormon missionaries that are going around Auburn for the next two years. let me tell you, i've seen these guys everywhere!! i even saw more mormons on the concourse giving away cookies and talking to students about their false religions...
this just got me thinking... oh my goodness, how MUCH could Christians learn from these ppl?? they have absolutely no shame in going up and starting conversations about their religion with anyone... and TWO of them are making such a difference on this campus. satan is trying to get a stronghold on the students of this campus and as Christians, we need to counteract this... we should be reaching out to Au students just like the mormons are.. no, wait, even BETTER than the mormons are... but i cant tell you the last time a Christian came up to me and even handed me a tract or something, much less start a conversation...
how much would God be glorified if everyone at Encounter were as BOLD as these 2 young missionary mormons in sharing the TRUE Gospel of Jesus Christ?? my gosh God could flip this campus around!
just watching and reading about these guys (and talking with them) gives me so many ideas.. and ironically enough, encourages me.. but also saddens me that the MORMONS are the ones that are talking to me about their faith.. students are being blinded by these ppl (ppl i know, btw) because they are SEARCHING for truth, and the LDS ppl are willing to give them their version of it.. unfortunately, it leads to nothing but damnation. so lets pray for the church of lds and pray for God to raise up bold Christians to spread the true gospel.
who's with me?
Wow...this was the first page I visited to check out the blogs...It was an interesting one!
I just want to say, first of all, that I was a freshman at Troy University in Troy last year, and nearly every Thursday I was in Auburn at Encounter. That's a lot of gas and a lot of driving, but every bit of it was worth it. God is definately using Encounter to reach people beyond Auburn. I say this because after a few weeks of attending I invited some folks...then I think Encounter became a half & half of Troy and Auburn students. Sorry for invading y'alls space, but you don't understand the changes that have been made in lives. Thanks for the hospitality, and thanks for being diligent in your work.
Matt (and of couse, the whole Encounter crew), I wanted to let you know that the message about God's glory was not even close to what I expected...It was not the typical "God's Glory!!" sermon I've heard since I came out of the womb. I'm being 100% honest with you when I say that it changed my life and the lives of others who never attended. I know of one friend, specifically, who I talked to. He was struggling because he was learning so much about his faith (I'm talkin' down to the fundamentalist doctrines of his faith and other denominations.), but he knew something wasn't right. He couldn't figure out why he wasn't getting the relationship part right in the communication area, in the simple feeling of closeness and "intimacy." Well, he didn't tell me about this until after he heard what you said about God's ultimate passion. When he got out of my truck he said "I don't think you understand what you've just said...You've changed my life." And those were my exact thoughts after you spoke...You changed my life, my vision. I thought I understood before, but it's quite obvious that I didn't.
I'm interning at a church this summer, and I want you to know that Encounter has done wonders to prepare me for what God has already started doing at this church with the youth. It's very obvious that Encounter's vision is clear, and you are all doing your best to keep focused and keep your goal in perspective. I'm always praying for you guys/girls. You're appreciated more than you'll ever know!
Thanks!!
oh, and p.s...I'm moving to AU next year, and I would love to help out in any way possible...but I guess that's what you have the "get involved" page for...
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