He Who Began A Good Work In You...

Brad began with the classic opening, "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." It's Pastor Shannon's last day here and he reiterated how much he loves us. He also found a couple things as he was cleaning which he brought to give a couple people. Ear plugs for Marlys and a container of Flarp for Leonard. Brad's favorite book of Bible and favorite text.would be the focus of his message.

Before entering into worship Chuck shared a few notes and thoughts. This church has grown into a family these forty years. He shared several verses about God's faithfulness. "No good thing does He withhold from those who love Him." The music team then sang "Through It All., following it with Mighty To Save." Then we all stood and joined in singing several songs from the blue songbook. During the offering they went on to sing "Heaven On My MInd."

He Who Began A Good Work In You

Brad led us in prayer. Then began speaking about his message for us from the Book of Philippians, chapter 1. The opening verses are from Paul to a church community whom Paul loved very much. The verse he wanted to focus on, "He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it..." God began the work, and God will finish the work.

Paul never intended to go to Philippi, but God blocked Paul's plans and he ended up there. This community became the first church family in Europe.

God has the power to do this because he is God. Brad listed all the moments in history that demonstrate the kind of power God has, from the parting of the Red Sea to the power to roll away the stone and raise Jesus from the grave. God has the power to change hearts, the power to love difficult people, the power to never give up, and the power to complete the work He began in this church 80 years ago.

"He who began..." God began the work in us and He is not finished. When God begins something He is planning to follow up. The key thing is for us to be patient, and trust. As Americans we're not very good at waiting.

It's more important what God is doing in us than this building itself.

"He who began a good work..."  God's work is always good. He doesn't do anything that isn't good. In the very beginning, in Creation, after completing the act of creation it says, "And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good."

But it's more than about God doing work out there in the world throughout history. "He who began a good work in you."

"Have you ever felt inadequate?" Brad says there is a reason we feel that way. "It's because we are. God is the one who activates our spiritual gifts and makes us adequate, fulfills our purpose in life and enables us and empowers us to make a difference in the world."

"He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it." Great is God's faithfulness. He is the faithful God, to a thousand generations. "He is faithful in all He does." It is His nature and His character. God does not get discouraged. He never gives up.

It is not about our adequacy. God is the one who is faithful.

"He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it on the day of Christ Jesus."

Our lives is about something so much bigger than what we are doing here. It's global. And it forever.

God doesn't quit and that day is coming. Whatever happens, live in a manner worthy of the Gospel.

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After the message Pam was invited to come forward to share a few words. She emotionally told how the Pastor Brad not only lived with us but showed his faith by the manner in which Brad and his family lived among us. There were tears among many this morning as they remembered or recounted Brad's time with us.

Duane said a prayer for them and then gave gifts to Brook to help her washing clothes -- a washboard, agitator and wringer as well as a solar clothes dryer (clothesline.) He also gave a saw  which Brad could use for both work and to make music.