Slideshow image

Good afternoon GBC!

“May the grace of the Lord be with your spirits.”

 

Midweek Meditation: “Learn of Me”: Christ’s Invitation to Growing Through Knowing Him

 

Almost every day I ask my children the same question, “What did you learn today?” I take this from the Ancient Grecian Solon, who suggested that one of the pillars of a society are knowledgeable and ever-learning citizens. Let’s specify and Christian-ize my question, “what you have you learned of Christ today? Jesus invites us to know more of him in Matt. 11:29 where he invites the people to learn of him that they may liberated by him. The more we learn of Christ, the greater our liberty in him.

 

Christ’s message is simple, “you need more of me.” Since every other way requires more work and offers less freedom, Christ’s offer is to greater liberty through greater learning. The Pharisee says, “learn the law.” Jesus says, “learn me.” The further we get into Christless religion, the deeper we discover our what we lack. As we go deeper in the Law we find more to be done. As we go deeper in the life and teaching of Christ we find more that has been done. This not just the invitation to an intellectual pursuit, but a devotional pursuit. This is a call to be a disciple which is to be a learner. There is no greater freedom of mind than the liberty to learn Christ. Remember the founding invitation, though. “Come to me.” Christ says, “come here and learn who I am and what I offer.” Christ invites us into the endless reserves of his spiritual wisdom. I wonder how many of us could say and truly mean what Paul says in Philippians 3:8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. What would we sacrifice for a greater knowledge of Christ? In this context Paul has relinquished societal status, religious standing, communal belonging, and likely even wealth. We may say we desire to know Christ, but our lack of sacrifice betrays our claim. Paul says in verse 10 that he desires to know Jesus in suffering, yet many do not even give up extra sleep in the mornings to spend time in the Scriptures. Do our subscribed podcasts indicate interest in Christ? Does our screentime allow for a thriving time in confession, prayer, and biblical meditation?

 

What have you learned about Jesus today?

 

Ministry Prayer Requests

  • Pray that we would desire the meat of doctrine and grow out of milk!
  • Pray for a greater burden for discipleship.
  • Pray for a true culture of hospitality, towards outsiders and the household of faith.

 

Ministry Reminders

  • Ladies Game Night this Thursday at the church at 6!
  • Sign up to feed our poor hungry intern, either out at a restaurant or in your home. Contact the office or signup at the Welcome Center.

In Christ,

Pastor Kyle