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Friends,
We had a great 1st Wednesday last night on the topic of homosexuality. Many has asked for a recording of the teaching. Both audio and notes can be found at www.churchonmill.com/sermons (go to the bottom of the linked page). We hope this serves you well as you seek to understand and live out God’s truth!
Next month (June 6th) our topic, Lord willing, will be fear and worry. Make plans now to attend. It will be helpful on a crucial topic many of us struggle with daily.
See you Sunday if not before,
Chuck
We are just 26 hours away from our first 1st Wednesday! You’ll probably recall that 1st Wednesday is our brand new monthly corporate gathering designed solely to discuss issues of particular interest to you. The topics for each month were chosen by the Church on Mill family. 1st Wednesday is shaping up to be an exciting, timely, and urgent event. I hope you are planning to attend and are bringing a friend with you.
Where: Church on Mill auditorium
When: Wednesday, 6:30pm
Who: All are welcome and excellent ministry programing will be available for birth through high school students
What: Our topic for tomorrow is, “What does the Bible say about homosexuality?” The agenda will include the following: God’s view of sexuality, the Bible’s position on homosexuality, homosexuality’s origin, and ministering to people in a homosexual lifestyle. Following about 45 minutes of teaching there will be an open-mic Q&A.
See you tomorrow night,
Chuck
Last Sunday we announced a new, exciting ministry for the summer called “1st Wednesday.” Every first Wednesday of the month we will gather to discuss a topic of your choosing, seeking to discover what God says on the topic. Many people submitted suggested topics. One of the topics that came up more than once was eschatology. Eschatology is the study of ‘last things.’ Specifically it refers to the Scripture’s teaching on end times.
In His wonderful providence, God saw fit that we would already be encountering eschatology in this coming Sunday’s sermon from Luke. I love it when He does that!
Want to prepare your heart to worship on Sunday? Take a few minutes to enjoy the passage below:
1 Thess 4:13-18 ESV “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
Hopeful,
Chuck
P.S. – Also, this Sunday we will have some very special guests in the worship gathering – the members of Japanese International Baptist Church. They have some very exciting news for Church on Mill. You won’t want to miss it!
This morning I announced during our worship gathering at Church on Mill that we will be doing some special events over the summer called “1st Wednesday.” Every 1st Wednesday of the month, starting May 2nd, you are invited to attend a unique teaching time followed by Q&A. What will the topics be? You decide!
We are compiling answers to some questions from which the topics will be planned. The questions you have, issues you struggle with, and topics on your mind will make up these unique gatherings at 6:30pm starting May 2nd. Wonderful activities will be provided for kids of all ages.
If you were unable to complete a card this morning and would like to submit your input for 1st Wednesdays, please complete the below by posting comments or email me directly. I look forward to hearing from you! Here’s the questions:
1) What have you always wished would be discussed in the church?
2) What biblical / theological issue would you like to explore?
3) What sin are you currently battling?
4) What is one area where you think the church could improve its ministry? Why?
Thanks,
Chuck
Last Sunday at Church on Mill we explored the reality of our coming death and subsequent departure to either heaven or hell. The rich man and Lazarus provide us with a shocking picture of life after this life.
But does hell really exist? Haven’t we moved past that archaic doctrine? Is not God the God of love? You may have found yourself asking these kinds of questions during our worship gathering on Easter.
Here’s a few things the Bible teaches about hell:
1) Hell is an actual place where all wicked people will spend eternity (Matt 25:41, 46, Mk 9:43). It is common today to think that hell is fairly empty if it exists at all. The Bible teaches, rather, that all people deserve hell and are secured a place there unless God graciously saved them through the gospel. Hell is real and all who die in their sins go there.
2) Hell is a place of eternal, conscious torment. In other words, real people will feel real pain (physical, emotional, spiritual) forever and ever and ever (Lk 16:28, Rev 14:9-11). This must mean that God’s holiness is more grand than we can imagine and our sin is more horrific than we can comprehend.
3) God does not enjoy the punishment of people nor their condemnation to hell (Ezek 33:11). God is not jumping up and down with joy when a non-believer dies. He desires all to be saved; however, he is good, just, and right to banish sinners.
What should we do with this horrific doctrine? First, despite our natural revulsion to the idea, we must believe it. The existence of hell is part of the plain teaching of Scripture. Second, we should pray that God would give us broken heart for people headed for hell. The Apostle Paul once wrote that he would give up his salvation if that would permit others entrance to heaven. It doesn’t work like that, of course, but his compassionate heart is something we ought to strive for. Third, both the awfulness of hell and the glory of life forever with God in a renewed heaven and earth should propel us to share the gospel regularly. Fourth, the doctrine of hell ought to make us quick to forgive. Every sin ever committed against you will meet the justice of God either at the cross or in hell. What a comfort it is to know that the universe is not an unjust place. Be quick to forgive because God can be trusted to do what is right. Finally, let’s appreciate – every single day – the gift of salvation. All of us deserve eternal, conscious punishment, but in his mercy God saw fit to deliver you from horrific destruction. All praise to Jesus!
For His glory,
Chuck
We had a teremendous Easter weekend at Church on Mill. Here’s a few of the highlights:
- Over 150 people enjoyed dinner (thanks to those who cooked!), a terrific play by the children, and a meaningful time of worship. Several people remarked that it was their most meaningful Good Friday yet. It was such a special time to simply read the Passion narrative from Matthew and let the power of the Bible move our hearts for Jesus.
- On Saturday several LifeGroups, Gospel Communities, and Families put on neighborhood parties to mix with non-believers and build relationships. This was a bit of a change for the church. For several years we have done an event at the church property. Why the change? One word – mission. In recent years it has no longer been effective at attracting us to bring our non-Christian friends, so we decided to take the party to them. Instead of just a few people outside the Church on Mill family being impacted, dozens of us were able to rub shoulders with upwards of 100 people outside the Church on Mill family. New people were met, relationships were established and deepened, kids had a lot of fun, the resurrection story was shared, and the church family enjoyed one another.
- Sunday was momentous. God brought an enormous crowd to our worship gathering. 315 people were present as we worshipped the risen King, tackled an epic story of heaven and hell, got to hear the story of a changed life and see it proclaimed in baptism, and just enjoyed a great morning together
Thanks to everyone who helped pull off such a wonderful, God-filled weekend.
It’s all for Jesus,
Chuck
Friends,
This Sunday at our worship gathering we will be covering an incredibly relevant and controversial topic: divorce and remarriage. Why? Because I want my job to hang in the balance this week. No, because we are a church family committed to all of Scripture and our journey through Luke now takes us to a passage dealing with the subject.
As I am preparing this message many of you have come to mind. This is not a theological diatribe existing in a vacuum. Divorce and remarriage, rather, is something that has impacted each one of us.
So, how do you prepare yourself to hear a sermon on a counter-cultural, emotion-filled, controversial topic? Here’s a few suggestions:
1) Read the passage ahead of time (Lk 16:14-17).
2) Pray for God to soften your heart, fill you with the Holy Spirit, and give you ears to hear what he might want to say to you.
3) Resolve, by the power of the gospel, to submit your will to whatever Scripture says, regardless of any former or current position you might hold.
4) See godliness – Christlikeness – as worth striving for. Our goal at COM isn’t to grow an enormous edifice; instead, our goal is to be faithful to glorify God by making disciples. Making disciples includes reminding all of us that the pursuit of godliness requires toil and strife. “For to this end we toil and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the savior of all people, especially those who believe” (1 Tim 4:10). If Jesus himself and the Christlikeness that flows from him is our supreme treasure, he’s worth the effort! Living by the truths of the sermon this weekend will require effort.
5) Be prepared to ask questions after the sermon. Clarification is an important thing, especially on these types of issues. All the leaders at COM want open, transparent, faith and hope filled dialogue to mark all our discussions. Let’s all the Lord to use this topic to draw us all closer as a church family.
For his glory and our joy,
Chuck
Every Sunday is important because it is an opportunity for us to joyfully gather together corporately and worship God. It’s a rhythm in our schedules that reminds us to speak the gospel into each other’s lives and celebrate the resurrected Christ. So every Sunday is important…but Easter Sunday is huge! What’s Easter weekend hold this year at Church on Mill?
Friday – Good Friday Gathering: At 6:00pm, we will meet for dinner and a time of worship focused on the crucifixion. Also, COM kids will share a special message with us.
Saturday – Neighborhood Parties: Several Lifegroups / Gospel Communities are hosting events to meet neighbors, build relationships, and share the gospel.
Sunday – Worship Celebration: We will gather at 10:45am to worship the Risen Jesus Christ! Coffee and donuts will be served on the patio starting at 10:00am so come early and bring some friends with you.
Let’s pray there’s a great movement of God this Easter weekend so that our hearts will be refreshed by the gospel and unbelievers will get saved by Jesus.
Chuck (email  | facebook  )
Tomorrow is going to be a great day for the Church on Mill family. Here’s a few of the highlights:
1) People will gather in LifeGroups and Gospel Communities to encourage each other to live in the gospel, be great friends to each other, and explore ways to be on the mission of making disciples together. If you’ve not yet tried a group, tomorrow is the perfect day!
2) Interested in church membership? Want to know how to get move involved? Becoming an active member of a local bible-believing, gospel-clinging church is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. Our Membership Class starts tomorrow at 9:30am in the church offices. In this three week class you’ll learn all about Church on Mill and have plenty of opportunities to get your questions answered.
3) We’re going to celebrate in our worship gathering as two people are being baptized!
4) After the worship gathering, we’ll all gather at a nearby park for a fun afternoon of being together. Don’t forget to bring a lunch with you.
See you tomorrow,
Chuck
Last Sunday at Church on Mill was a bit like a cage fight – our selfish desires against God’s demand for our all. If you missed the sermon make sure to check it out (www.churchonmill.com/sermons).
Jesus, in Luke 14, says that unless we are willing to give up everything, we cannot be his disciples. That’s hard to hear but it’s good news: God’s worth it and it’s for our joy.
Now for the rest of the story…we must not confuse the fact that being a disciple means Jesus is Lord and King with any notion that we earn or maintain a relationship with God based on our actions. Christ’s death and resurrection alone give us salvation. The demands of discipleship are not the demands of earning a ticket into heaven! Perhaps this will encourage your heart as it has mine:
“The gospel encourages me to rest in my righteous standing with God, a standing which Christ Himself has accomplished and always maintains for me. I never have to do a moment’s labor to gain or maintain my justified status before God! Freed from the burden of such a task, I now can put my energies into enjoying God, pursuing holiness, and ministering God’s amazing grace to others.
The gospel also reminds me that my righteous standing with God always holds firm regardless of my performance, because my standing is based solely on the work of Jesus and not mine. On my worst days of sin and failure, the gospel encourages me with God’s unrelenting grace towards me. On my best days of victory and usefulness, the gospel keeps me relating to God solely on the basis of Jesus’ righteousness and not mine.” -Milton Vincent, from A Gospel Primer (available in the Church on Mill bookstore at www.churchonmill.com/books)
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