May is now “in the books” and June is upon us. Summer will soon be arriving. Life is moving along with challenges and opportunities all around us. My prayer is that you and I might see those challenges and opportunities and meet them with faith, hope, and love in Christ Jesus. Thank you to every Harding Street member who gives of their time, talent, and treasure to further the gospel of Christ in our community and around the world. You and I…We are the church of Christ in the world.
On Sunday we concluded our sermon series from Philippians 3:7-14 “Our Greatest Desire – Jesus” with lesson #5 – “To Know the Fellowship of His Suffering.” Paul’s desire was to gain/win Jesus, to be found in Christ, to know Him, to know the power of His resurrection, and to know the fellowship of His suffering. My desire is to imitate my brother as he imitated Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:1). Suffering is a major part of victory. Just ask our 2021 Arkansas State Champion Lady Devil Dog softball team and they will certainly tell you of the long and winding road that led them to that championship, a road that was filled with suffering that yielded a crown of glory in the end. And so it is with life; you cannot receive the crown without the cross.
If you missed being here on Sunday night, you missed a really good lesson from the Bible entitled “WHAT CAN I DO WHEN I HAVE A PRODIGAL.” We have been studying the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son from Luke 15. Jesus is known as the Man of Sorrows and One acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53). Jesus knows our struggles and has given us instructions on what to do when we have a son or daughter, brother or sister, a parent or spouse, or a friend who is taking or has taken the road away from God into the foreign country. We looked at the instructions Jesus gave us when dealing with a prodigal found in Mark 10 and His encounter with a “rich young ruler.” There is no better way than His way. What did Jesus do with this prodigal? He listened to him. He looked at him. He loved him. He told him the truth and let him choose. He let him go. Though things may seem impossible. Remember, with God all things are possible.
Success is when we hear the truth and do it (James 1:22). Success is when we realize our wrong and correct it (1 John 1:8). Success is when we understand that we are only one in a mighty big world (Galatians 6:3). Success is when we realize just how much we don’t know (1 Corinthians 3:18). Success is when learn how to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:26). Success is when we understand the principle of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7). Success is when we choose only good friends (1 Corinthians 15:33). Success is when we finally realize who Jesus is and what He accomplished in His life, death, burial, and resurrection for us (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). I want success in my life. How about you?
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