Ecclesia; notes from Pastor John Durham.

We exist to demonstrate and declare the good news of Christ in Waco and the world.

The enemy's plan? Distract us. Divide us. Destroy us.

What divides churches today? It is personality and style. Just the differences in worship and preaching. When we fall to preferences, we are falling to the trap the enemy has set for us.

[Update January 4, 2014: That couldn't be more true, and I've experienced it over the past semester of college and church hopping. In my search for a new church I was able to go to many different churches that didn't believe any differently than I, yet had so many differing ways in how they did things. Dayspring is intellectual and incorporates famous philosopher's writing. Fellowship Bible plays contemporary music but also feels like a church from ten years ago, or so my mom said. Harris Creek caters to the younger crowd, with upbeat music and on-top-of-it technology and graphics. First Woodway is large but still feels like family, with my previous worship pastor leading; their big service worship is meaningful. My church home, Acts, is small and close-knit, reaching out just as much as they disciple those in the church. I loved them all, and just felt a pull towards Acts and the challenge God gave me to be bold in my faith in certain ways. But, I digress. My point? I was able to experience God at all of these places, despite their differences. But there are still rivalries and disagreements and divisions that shouldn't exist simply because one group likes hymns and one group likes David Crowder.]

The enemy HAS come to destroy us.

God, give us confidence in prayer. 

We pray to the One who is in control of the world, the One who is faithful to His Word.

God, make us generous. 

We own nothing, and Christ owns everything. It's amazing how much more generous you can become when you realize everything you own is God's. It's easier to spend someone else's money.

We should give humbly, there should be no pride when we give. We need to give sacrificially.
Acts 4:34, people would sell their houses.

"A Gospel saturated church is a church filled with people who give everything they have because they understand that in Christ, they already have everything they need." -- Billy Graham's grandson

God, send us out.

The Holy Spirit will lead us, and use us.

God, give us a heart to advance the Gospel. 

Psalm 125, a Song of Ascent

Are we looking to the right things for security?

The world tells us to look to popularity, or an alarm system, or some other method for security. Maybe our possessions or planning. Some look to their feelings to judge how secure they are, but feelings change daily.

We should actually look to God. He surrounds us as the mountains surround Jerusalem and He will not forsake us when we need Him. He gives us our true security and peace and we cannot depend on worldly things to take His place.

Even when it looks like evil is all around and it's going to last forever, we have to remember from verse 3 that evil is only temporary. Jesus will prevail in the end and we cannot get discouraged by what we see in a fallen world.

Our life of faith is like we are sitting in a FORTRESS, where nothing can get in. God surrounds us.

Just confessing does not give us a free card to sin. If one is really in the Lord, then they will have a desire to do as He says and will feel a longing in their heart to be as close to God as possible. The Holy Spirit will give them grief over their sin and they won't take it lightly. This is the difference between a true Christian and someone who is a hypocritical one.