Dear Alpine Family
As my time here at Alpine comes to an end, I have been reflecting on the last moments Jesus had with his disciples. During these moments, Jesus shared three important promises:
- First, Jesus promised to make a home in his disciples’ hearts. (John 14:23),
- Second, Jesus promised to fill the disciples with a spirit of courage and comfort. “The Holy Spirit…will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you”. (John 14:26).
- Finally, Jesus promised to sustain his disciples with a special kind of peace. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you” (John 14:27).
Jesus was indeed leaving them, but he wanted them to know that he was not leaving them alone. Not only would God remain, but God’s good gifts and promises would continue to be present as well. The same God, gifts, and promises are present here at Alpine today and will continue to flourish because of God’s presence and faithfulness. Author Mary Lindberg writes “So we’ll open the gifts Jesus gave us—a home in him, the courage to move on, the peace that will get us through many unknowns. And we’ll trust that God is staying with those we love for many more seasons.”
Thank you for all the mercy, grace, kindness, generosity, patience, and love that you have shared with me. You are a great group of people and I wish you all the best in this new season that you are about to begin. May you continue to grow in faith, hope, and love, worshipping the Lord with your whole heart, mind, body, and soul and remember to do everything for the glory of God!
Here is a list of our final takeaways from our summer worship series.
- God is personal – but God is not private. Our faith is personal, but our faith was never meant to be private or individual.
- Transformation happens because of God’s presence in our lives. It is not a reward for having strong faith.
- When we encounter the work of the spirit, we should ask “What does this mean?”
- We are all outcasts and yet we are still welcomed into God’s Kingdom.
- When we are called to follow Jesus, we are called to adopt Jesus’ attitudes and values. This will change our lives and our relationships.
- When we encounter hostility and brokenness in this world, Jesus encourages us to respond with a radical form of welcomeness.
- The hospitality or welcomeness that Jesus demonstrates is giving the best of yourself to make someone feel like they belong.
- Attach yourself to Jesus, accept His way of living, for in it you will find true rest.
- What matters most is knowing How God feels about us and the way we are living.
- God spreads forgiveness indiscriminately. God is wasteful with God’s forgiveness.
- How will we sow seeds of forgiveness?
- Surrounded by evil, Jesus is focused on sowing seeds of grace.
Thank You for the privilege of serving with you.
Pastor Dan