At the Family Church here in Gainesville last Sunday, senior pastor Philip Griffin wrapped up his message series, titled Counter-Culture, about the Old Testament book of Daniel and how this figure's example of living as an exile in a strange land is applicable to us today. In living "counter-culturally", Pastor Philip summarized in four parts how Daniel was able to accomplish this through his faith in God and God's intervention into his life: don't isolate or assimilate but participate with a purpose, live to point others to God, know the future of all kingdoms and governments, and choose faith over fear. Our pastor pointed out that, as believers, we have dual citizenship: primarily that of the city of God and secondarily that of our earthly city...we don't set ourselves apart from the world nor do we adopt its ways and beliefs. Instead, like Daniel in Babylon, we participate and work to bless and prosper it while presenting ourselves as a light pointing the way to God. And while engaging in responsible civic activity such as politics is an element of participating in this earthly dwelling of ours, we should not place too much store on our governments, all of which are destined to crumble according to God's timing, not our own as Philip emphasized. So in the end, we need to recognize that God is in control and while we should work to glorify him in our daily lives by making the world a better place in which to live, we have the choice as to whether we will demonstrate that our faith in him is much stronger and more important than any fear about what is going on around us...
I've found that Bible Gateway is a great website to get access to the Bible...just click on this link to reach it: [Bible]. The Family Church meets each Sunday morning at 9 and 10:30, with the weekly sermon, praise and worship music (always different each time), prayer, fellowship, and discipleship opportunities. There's also a hospitality room where they serve coffee and refreshments before and between services...a good place to meet some really friendly people. Next Sunday begins a new message series...
If you'd like to view Pastor Philip's message, just click on the following link to the church's YouTube video website: [TFC Videos]...
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