12/31 Sermon, Titled "Inadequate"

This past Sunday at The Family Church here in Gainesville, Colin Griffin, son of our senior pastor Philip Griffin, delivered a message titled Inadequate. Colin is very active in overseas missions, and has been working lately in the Middle East in places like Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine. His frequent contact with practitioners of the Muslim and Jewish faiths has sharpened his feelings of inadequacy whenever he seeks to act in his own power, and has increasingly found himself relying on God through his faith in Christ.  So his selection of  Philippians 4:3-11 as the scripture of focus was wholly appropriate...

In presenting his talk, Colin referred to different times he discussed matters of faith with Muslims and Jews.  One problem he encountered was the commonly held notion...and it's not just in the Middle East...that believers in a particular faith should not cross religious lines and seek to influence believers following other religions.  I, however, believe rather strongly that this spiritual segregation is counterproductive...I say let the ideas flow freely, as long as the participants are respectful toward one another.  After all, we're talking about the most profound things that affect us all...wouldn't it just make sense to keep everything out in the open instead of erecting walls to separate us from each other in this regard?  A good rule to practice when reaching out like this is to devote much of the time in listening to others and earnestly trying to see things from their perspective...this will in turn help to open them up to receiving what you have to convey.  I appreciate and admire Colin's boldness in pursuing meaningful communication with others, in spite of the walls he has encountered.  Of course, he would quickly step in and say that he was completely inadequate to the task, a work that only God could effect to change others' hearts...

Colin's excellent sermon can be seen on the church's YouTube video website...just click on the following link: [link].  Next week Two weeks from now Pastor Philip will start a series about the book of Philippians...Colin's message was a nice introduction to it.  The Family Church is located at 2022 SW 122nd Street and holds its Sunday morning services at 9 and 10:30.  There's the message, praise/worship music, many friendly folks, prayer and discipleship opportunities...and a warm hospitality center where visitors can get some coffee.  A good way to spend a Sunday morning...