Is Love Enough?

Is Love Enough, that's the Question?

I have grown tired of hearing the modern day Pharisees, as they spout off about the "weak and shallow" message being conveyed today. A message focused on "the hope" and "the love of God". That preachers need to dig deeper and hold the line on the "serious Gospel message". 

Perhaps I'm just having a tough week and I should cut them some slack but I believe they are completely wrong and more importantly I believe that it is the cynical and legalistic "theology" of our more conservative brothers that is destroying and distorting the true message of our Lord and Savior. 

John 3: ^16-18"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. (From "the Message")

Can this be said any more clearly? God sent Jesus to reconnect with Man and set us free!

I am amazed at the lack of real life experience that so few of these Pharisees possess. Smothered in degrees, up to their eyeballs in Academia, completely out of touch with the modern man and his challenges and struggles. How can they begin to understand what people need to hear from God and their local church?

It is hard to believe sometimes that we are reading the same Bible and have arrived at such different and opposing conclusion.

If the modern day church wants to reach the modern day man, we need to become sincere and passionate about telling people how much God loves them, why He loves them and why they should get to know Him.

Read Luke 10: 25-37, The Good Samaritan, and consider the church today.

Tell someone how much God loves them, tell them of your relationship with the one and only God in Heaven. Tell them about the creator of heaven and earth and how, before He spoke a single star or planet into existence He thought about them, He designed them, He loved them!

(Ephesians 1)

Never grow tired or weary of telling people of Gods love for them, it is the strongest rock, the greatest and most profound truth of all Scripture.

Love People!

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To the Death

Be Strong and Courageous!

The Lord says this over and over to Joshua, finally in Joshua 1:9 He says; Have I not commanded you, Be strong and Courageous, do NOT be fearful or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you WHERE EVER you go.

I have read this scripture thousands of times (literally), it is my life scripture. I read it, I study it, I pray about it, I teach on it, I dream about it, I talk to God endlessly about it and still I have so many questions about this moment in time.

So public and pressure filled, being thrust into the spotlight, not number 2 any longer now number 1. No one to turn to but God, no one else has the answers he needs.

Read this scripture and you will likely get the wrong idea about Joshua. You could think he was fearful and timid, an insecure man, maybe he looks hesitant and slow to act but you would be wrong, very wrong.

Joshua, much like Moses and David, Elijah and Elisha, was a man of action; his hands were covered with the blood of the enemy’s of the kingdom of God. He was a brilliant commander of military strategy and commanded hundreds of thousands of men into battle and to victory.

Joshua is what I refer to as a “ to the death companion”, I am endlessly searching for the Joshua’s God has placed around me. He will never leave your side, come good or bad, in victory and defeat, he is your closest confidante.

You will find in life, depending on what you do or how wealthy you are, certain people will gather around you and assure you that they “have your back” and they mean well. The amazing thing about Joshua was he didn’t just say to Moses I have your back in a battle but Joshua went out and Battled for Moses. He fought his fights. This allowed Moses to do his job
Moses job was to talk to God and seek direction, lead the Nation of Israel and pray.

Exodus 17:11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.
Jesus went to the cross for each of us, He has fought all our fights, He has endured all our pain, He has paid the price for our sin.
Jesus “has your back” and is your “to the death companion”

Live a life of Strength and Confidence; God is with you wherever you go!
Live your Best Life Today!

Thanksgiving Newsletter

		Hello Church: We wanted to send a huge prayer for an amazing Thanksgiving to you and your family. Of all the many things I am Thankful for, one of the things I am most thankful for is you. Without you Christian City Church, Raleigh would not be possible. Thank you all for your time and support of the incredible work that was begun in Raleigh, NC We look forward to seeing everyone in church this week, I am believing this week is going to be an amazing breakthrough week as we wrap-up the series on faith. We will be setting time aside during service to pray for people this week, if you know of anyone in need of healing this is going to be a fantastic opportunity to invite them to church. I hope this helps as we push into God and seek His will and purpose for His church and our lives.
		FOOD DRIVE
		Hey Guys one quick reminder for this coming Sunday be sure to bring your cans of non-perishable food for the Eastern Carolina food bank, we are connecting with Guitar Center to help those in need.
		FREE GIVE AWAY
		We are giving away an Ipod NANO Video to a visitor from the month of November. Bring your friends and make sure to register them as first time guests and you both can win a brand new Ipod Nano Video. We will be giving away our first Nano in December.
		FREE MUSIC If you have not yet logged onto www.C3Worship.com and check out the Free Music and videos, as well as New Original Music from C3 Worship Leaders around the world
		We look forward to seeing you this Sunday at 11am Have a great week, see you in church!
		Please pass this on to friends and family that may not be on our email list yet.
		Visit www.c3ral.com for more info about C3 Church and where we are headed