Monday Quote

Yesterday I ended my sermon with the two paragraphs from David Powlison’s chapter in Suffering and the Sovereignty of God.  Some have asked for copy and so I thought I would post it here today.

As Powlison closes his chapter he talks about moving from a “Why Me” approach to a “Why Not Me” approach to suffering.  If you want to listen to the entire sermon you can do so here.

“Finally, you are prepared to pose – and to mean – almost unimaginable questions:  Why not me? Why not this?  Why not now? If in someway, my faith might serve as a three-watt night light in a very dark world, why not me?  If my suffering shows forth the Savior of the world, why not me? If I have the privilege of filling up the sufferings of Christ? If he sanctifies to me my deepest distress?  If I fear no evil? If he bears me in his arms? If my weakness demonstrates the power of God to save us from all that is wrong? If my honest struggle shows other strugglers how to land on their feet? If my life comes a source of hope for others why not me?

Of course, you don’t want to suffer, but you’ve become willing: “If it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as you will.”  Like him your loud cries and tears will in fact be heard by the one who saves from death.  Like him, you will learn obedience through what you suffer. Like him, you will sympathize with the weaknesses of others.  Like him, you will deal gently with the ignorant and wayward.  Like him, you will display faith to a faithless world, hope to hopeless world, love to a loveless world, life to a dying world.  If all that God promises only comes true, then why not me?”

David Powlison

Pg 173, Suffering and the Sovereignty of God

Have a good week.

Monday Quote (Marriage)

This week I will be thinking through marriage in preparation for our upcoming marriage weekend.  Dr. Jones (Counseling Professor) will be our speaker on Saturday.

On Friday evening we will gather for a time of fellowship and I will teach the first introduction session.  So as I try to blog a bit more I thought I would bring back the Monday Quote.  I believe this quote has made its way on to the blog previously, but it is worth repeating

“The key question is this: Will we approach marriage from a God-centered view or a man-centered view? In a man centered view, we will maintain our marriage as long as our earthly comforts, desires, and expectations are met.  In a God-centered view, we preserve our marriage because it brings glory to God and points to a sinful world to a reconciling Creator.”

CJ Mahaney

If you are interested in joining us for the marriage weekend.

Friday
7:30-9:00 Session 1 – Foundations of Marriage (Matt)

Saturday
10:30-12:00 Session 2 – The Heart of Martial Communication (Dr. Jones)
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:30-3:00 Session 3 – Resolving Marriage Conflict God’s Way (Dr. Jones)

For more information send me an email at matt@thepassagechurch.com

Have a great week.

Happy New Year (Passage Church Edition)

 

As I return back the office for the first time in 2012, I have spent a lot of time thinking and dreaming about what God might do this year.  I am more excited about Passage today than I ever have been.  

I see the potential for our church in the leadership that God has brought and is continuing to bring.  I see the potential in the open doors for ministry that He has provided.  I see the potential that those who have come to know Christ will be great witnesses for him.  I see potential in our youth and their leadership.  I could go on, but do you know what excites me more than the potential? It is the power that works in that potential.  

It is not potential alone but it is the power of God.  The same power that raised Christ of the dead is at work within us.  It is that power that makes potential more than a possibility.  

Here are a few specific ways I am praying we see the power of God in 2012. 

• Praying we see at least 50 people come to know and trust Christ this year.  
• Praying that train 50 people for discipleship and mentoring.  
• Praying that we add 10 additional small groups by January 2013. 
• Praying that we take significant steps with our ministry partners in Naco, Mexico and Indore, India.

Those are just a few of the specific request.  I hope you will join me in praying for these things daily and then I pray you will join me working towards these request. 

Happy New Year 

 

Monday Quote

When I was previously blogging the most popular installment was often the Monday quote.

Today’s quote comes from a book Alan Hirsch co-authored, “Right Here, Right Now.”  Alan is a gifted writer who works hard to move all Christians mission.  If you are a Christ follower I think this book is well worth your time, but for today hopefully a couple quotes will challenge the way we live and the way we view the church.

“Our churches have wonderfully written missional  vision statements and well-conceived plans and programs.  But if individual members are not committed to living their lives as kingdom-minded missionaries in their daily life stations then the corporate efforts of the church as a whole will never sniff the air of their true kingdom potential.”

“Perhaps the greatest factor that hinders the Western church from missional engagement is that most Christians here do not identify themselves as fully empowered agents of the kingdom of God.”

Have a good week.

Matt

 

 

Return to the Blog (2nd try)

After two years away I have decided to return to the blogging world. I have given it much thought over the last few weeks and decided to go ahead and jump in with both feet.

It will not be a daily blog, but I will try to return a couple of times a week. The content of the blog will vary. It will be a combination of church planting resources, sermon overflow, personal, and prayer request. I know that if you blog should have a specific audience, but we will give this a shot and see how it goes.

I hope the 4 of you who read this are doing well and I look forward to interacting a bit via the blog.

 

Matt

Face to Face Sermon Series

Face to Face Sermon Series from Matthew Walton on Vimeo.

I don’t have a clue.

Have you ever felt that way?  Have you felt like you were walking into a situation that you had more questions then answers about what you were supposed to do. 

5 years, 3 months, and 2 days–I walked into a room, stared at the back wall and waited for my girlfriend to come through the doors.  About 20 minutes later I no longer had a girlfriend, I had a wife.  I had read a few books, and observed a few men, but the truth is I really didn’t feel like I had a clue how to be a husband.  Five years later, I’m still figuring it out and I’m blessed with an awesome wife who has been extremely gracious. 

1 year and 20 days-I sat in a hospital room and waited for Noah to make his grand entrance into the world.  He took a little longer than we thought, but finally that evening we were able to hold our son for the first time.  I experienced that immediate transfer of love that you have heard about.  Noah hadn’t taken his first step, said his first word, or served his first ace, but I was extremely proud to be his Dad.  While we sat there just looking at him that for the next couple of days I remember thinking once again, I don’t have a clue what I was doing.  My Dad was a great example of what being a father looks like, but there was so much that I don’t know.

1week 6days from today-The Passage Church will officially launch and one thing I have once again realized is that I don’t have a clue.  Church Planting is a ministry like non-other I have ever experienced.  I have been blessed with a great team, great resources, and great mentors, but that doesn’t change the fact that I am treading on ground that is unfamiliar and sometimes overwhelming. 

In all three circumstances the one constant must be my sole dependence upon Jesus.  It  is through living a life that dies to myself and seeks to allow Christ to live through me that God will be honored in my marriage, in my family, and in HIS church.  People often will say, “I hear you are starting your own church,”  and while I know what they are saying, I hope they wrong.  I hope the day never comes where I view The Passage Church as “my” church, but only a vessel that God will use to bring people to a saving knowledge of His grace and mercy found only through the sacrifice of Jesus. 

As you read this please pray for us as we prepare to launch.  As you read this please pray for our area.  As you read this pray for our leadership.  As you read this please pray for me — cause I don’t have a clue. 

matt