Thoughts from Pastor Dave: September 27, 2004

     Let me introduce you to Carl. Carl is someone who comes to Grace Baptist Church. He may be your neighbor, someone you work with or even a complete stranger. For the moment the details concerning Carl are secondary. Instead, I introduce Carl to you to ask a rather simple question: “What in the world do we do with Carl?”

     “I understand that we have an opening on Evangelism Committee? Maybe Carl would consider such a task?” “We always need help teaching Sunday School: what age is Carl comfortable with?” “Carl seems to be young, maybe we could recruit him to help at the ABY retreat!” “I heard Carl sing yesterday at church, he should certainly be in the choir!”

     Yes, these are all things that Carl could be involved in. Some of them are noble. Some are important ministries of the church and must be maintained so that Grace functions effectively. But when we answer the question, “What do we do with Carl?” by making a list of commitments, I think we miss God’s design for his people.

     Paul writes, “For those whom he (God) foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family,” Romans 8:29. Again he states in 2 Corinthians 3:18, “And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” Peter too looks for Carl’s transformation into the image of Christ. “Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature…” 2 Peter 1:4.

     So what should Grace Baptist Church do with Carl? We should provide the opportunities and encouragement for the development of Christ-like character in Carl. (To be continued.)

     For His Glory,

      Pastor Dave

     To view past issues of the Grace Notes, click HERE.