Checking in and saying hi!

[br0ce]

Hey all, I am br0ce (Bruce). New around these parts, have been studying the topic at hand for a few months now, seeking like minded to bounce ideas off. Would like to start with the following paper that I wrote for my Growth Group. The growth group is a group of people from my church that get together and talk about the last weeks message and how it pertains in their life, etc. The church is a non-denominational type church in Vista California called North Coast Church. We have about 7K members, the pastors are super laid back, and I never here about hell fire and brimstone. Obedience is heavily stressed, which is cool, and the teachers are purposely un-conventional in their approach. It is a very welcoming place for new believers. The sermon and topic were about "how big is your God" and the visual vehicle for this was the pastor smashing his T.V. with a sledge hammer making the analogy that just because you do not understand something (how a T.V. works) you do not throw it out. He contrasted that with a toaster which he understood and made light of worshiping the simple things that we understand. The sermon can be found if one wanted to see it, we record all sermons, do a Goggle search if interested.

Any comments about this paper would be awesome, if this is the wrong place for something like this let me know and I can re-post it. I will turn in and discuss with the group on Thursday the 19th of Jan. I also sent a copy to the pastors of the church.

Note: the original is formatted with the "my God is so big..." on the left and the verses on the right.

How big is my God.

My God is so big that he created all things:

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. (Col. 1:16)

My God is so big that he not only created all things, but is actually the "glue" that holds all things together:

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Col 1:17

My God is so big that he not only created all things, and holds all things together, but also loves his creation:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son... Jhn 3:16

My God is so big that he not only created all things, holds all things together, loves his creation, but also wants all men to be saved.

This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1Ti 2:3,4   

My God is so big that he not only created all things, holds all things together, loves his creation, wants all men to be saved, but also has provided a way for all men to be saved:

But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. Jhn 12:32   

My God is so big that he not only created all things, holds all things together, loves his creation, wants all men to be saved, has provided a way for all men to be saved, but also will eventually fulfill his will to save all men so that he may be "all in all":

When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all 1Cr 15:28


My Big God:

All things were created by him, for him and in him all things are held together with so much love that he gave his one and only Son to draw all men back to himself so that he may eventually fulfill his will, which is to be; "all in all".

ALL IN ALL...
It just doesn't get any bigger than that!

[redhotmagma]

 :thumbsup:  welcome bruce

[WhiteWings]

HI and  :welcome: Bruce

[br0ce]

Thanks for the welcome guys, I suppose that this is not the best place to post this write-up as it probably does not get much exposure from the locals, I think I will re-post in a more appropriate venue for some feedback.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Welcome....