Bro. Philip Preaching Tonight

We NEVER get to hear from Bro. Phil, and he’s probably the best teacher we have! I don’t actually know about his teaching skills, but when I see the PROPS he brings to Master Clubs, I am jealous. I wish WE had swords and pigs and racecars in our services! *sigh

Well, it’s our PRIVILEGE to hear him preach tonight. I’m so thankful for the Thompsons. No one has more hobbies than Phil and Sarah, and no one has a bigger heart for the underserved than they do, either. What a precious family.

I’m thankful that Bro. Phil is our Master Clubs director and a role model for my own son. Phil’s got his own family, his own career, his own schooling, and yet is devoted to the Lord. I want my kids to do what God has called them to do—that’s not about being a pastor or missionary or anything like that—it’s about serving God as a teacher, as a husband, as a wife, as a business owner, as a service tech, or as a whatever you are! Your WORK has meaning within the framework of Christianity because we work as unto the Lord. And we give GOD glory through going to work every day and doing a good job and being honest and serving under a boss you hate or with coworkers who aren’t always the nicest people to be around. That’s the Christian worldview of work.

Phil and Sarah are teaching my kids that serving God comes first, and I love showing them godly church members as examples of how God changes people for the better. They’re a devoted couple, and they’re servants, and I love that. Just a few weeks ago, they had a campout at their property and the kids did all kinds of wonderfully dangerous things! They’re using their lives and goods for eternal purposes, and God is blessing them as a result.

No matter what world you live in—pigs, chickens, juggling, clowns, special needs, education, knife-throwing, cooking, board games, comics, knitting (or is it crocheting?), disc golf, root beer making, flame-thrower-weeding—you probably have something in common with Phil and Sarah. You name it, and they’re probably into it.

But I’m MOST thankful for their testimony for God. It’s a joy to call him “brother” like they did in the Bible with Saul. “Brother Saul” was their way of introducing Saul—the infamous killer of Christians—as a convert to Christianity. When they said “Brother Saul” it was like a few Christian brothers banded together and said, “It’s not about his past, or what he used to be… He’s part of the family now. Jesus has made him new.”

Phil didn’t used to be a killer (er… unless… Phil, do you have anything to tell me?!), but God DID change his life and he’s a new man.

And God is using him in our church, especially in my own kids’ lives, and I’m really thankful for that. I hope you enjoy the sermon tonight!

–Pastor Ryan

We’re praying for missionaries in China and in Los Angeles this week. Please email the church for more information.