“20/20 A Focus on Holiness”

HOPE EPC Raleigh celebrated their 8th Anniversary on January 1, 2017.  God has been gracious to HOPE and has lead us through some curves and crannies that were unexpected.  He has even taken us down some paths unknown.  But in the end, the Leadership and the church has united around His direction for HOPE even if it meant abandoning our own.

This past Sunday during our brunch together I asked if anyone would like to share a word about HOPE, maybe a memory or what HOPE means to them.  Many uplifted up testimonies to the work of the LORD in and through HOPE in their lives.  One of the most special testimonies was when one shared how they had come to Christ through work of the Holy Spirit and HOPE.  If HOPE was started just for this one soul, everything minute was worth it.

One of the things I noticed as I listened to individuals share was how often I heard, “We are a church who preaches and teaches the Word of God and I have grown so much.”  There were those who lifted up our Children and Youth ministries and how our children and youth are getting a strong foundation in Christ.  One grandmother shared that her 5 year old granddaughter, at the local playground, went around to each child there and asked if they knew Jesus.  Come on folks, how precious is that?

One of the focuses early on at HOPE was to preach the Word, to give context, history, and relationship of the text to that period of time and to us today.  I believe we have maintained that focus.  So many churches today are topical in nature and still, God is using that approach to further His kingdom.  Many of those churches are filled and have multi-services to meet the crowds.  I still feel God calling HOPE church to be Word driven in its preaching and teaching.  We are an Evangelical congregation who loves the LORD and loves to learn more about Him who has saved us.

We have been preaching through 1st Corinthians at HOPE.  We started the sermon series on September 13, 2015.  Yes that is right 2015.  Except for the seasons of Advent and Lent, 1st Corinthians has been our focus.  The sermon series is titled, “20/20 A Focus on Holiness.”  I have shared with our congregation that the Apostle Paul’s intent of the letter is for the believers of Corinth, (and forward) to have a clear vision (20/20) of who Christ is, what He has done, and how we are to live with Him as our Savior and LORD (living a Holy life).  We will finish the series the last Sunday in February before heading into Lent 2017.

Because we have focused on a life of “Holiness” over this past year and half, I have had many of the HOPE congregants tell me how they have grown in the knowledge and understanding of how to live a holy life for Christ.  How they have gained understanding of the context of the time Paul was writing to the believers in Corinth.  

Many people claim to know God today, about 80% say they believe in a higher being.  When you start to add, do you believe in Jesus Christ and have been born again, it drops to about 33%.  When you add the question, do you attend church regularly, pray and read the Bible, the percentage drops to 8%.  Listen to this, if you add “Do you have the inward character to live a holy life for Christ?” the percentages drop to about 2%. 

Folks, while our belief in Christ is central to our salvation, (and salvation is secure), God’s desire is for us to know Him more, Worship Him more, Grow in Him more, Serve Him more, and share His love and story more.  He calls us to holy living for Him.  I want to challenge everyone reading this article to a focus on Holiness in HIM during 2017 giving HIM the glory for it all!

Blessings, 

Pastor Marty   

Worship, Grow & Serve