MARCH 14, 2024

Lakeshore Friends—

In Matthew 24:4-5, Jesus talked about how in the last days that there would be lots of deception, especially the deception that many will claim to be Christ.  He also predicted that many would actually be deceived by this.  Sadly, we are already seeing it all around us today.  It is heartbreaking to witness.

Last Sunday, as we began our new series, Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up, we talked about the most foundational error people make about Jesus with respect to His character.  Anyone who truly believes in the true Jesus should know that he is both 100 percent God and 100 percent human all at the same time.  It’s not one or the other, it’s not a 50/50 blending, and it’s not different modes of God.  Jesus had to be 100/100 for us to call Him our Savior.  While it may not make total sense to our rational mind, it should be no surprise that an infinite, transcendent God is not always fully grasped by our finite, sin-impacted minds.  If you missed last Sunday’s important and foundational message to this series, you can watch it here.

"The right view of Jesus is the only way to experience a truly vibrant relationship with Him."

I feel so passionate about the importance of understanding Jesus accurately because whether through indifference or ignorance people are believing lies that could keep them from trusting Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and as a result spending eternity apart from Him.  I also feel that too many Christians need to have a deeper view of Jesus than they do.  I tire of the shallow characterization of Jesus that is often presented by others.

The right view of Jesus is the only way to experience a truly vibrant relationship with Him. 

I want to ask you to invite people who need to know about the greatness of the true, biblical Jesus this Sunday.  I also hope that you’ll make attending your top priority this and every week, but especially for this important and inspiring look at Jesus.  I think for everyone who does, their Easter will be even more special.

Grab a yard sign, invite cards, or text someone and then ask God to bring those you invited.  The stakes are too high to do anything less.

One more thing: As Easter approaches, it's not too late to make your commitment to fast and pray. You can do that here.

Much love,
Vince

MARCH 7, 2024

Lakeshore Friends—

The most well-known person in the history of the world has to be Jesus Christ.  I doubt there is anyone else that has been known by as many people as He has. Wouldn’t you agree?  Yet, for as well known as He is, so few people really understand Him very accurately.  Sadly, many professing Christians really don’t understand Him very accurately either.  Worse yet, there are many pastors leading churches who don’t understand Jesus accurately.

It’s a really sad fact that has bothered me during my over 30 years in ministry.  I tire of people thinking of Jesus as just a good teacher, a moral philosopher, a cosmic genie in a bottle, a “live and let live” crusader, as simply a good human being, or even as being exclusively God.  So many people have some warped view of Jesus and I have heard it so much that I have decided to do something to change it for anyone who will listen.

On Sunday, I’m returning to teach a new series called, “Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up.”  For those of you who are older, you may get the reference as belonging to the old popular show, “To Tell The Truth.”  For those of you who are younger, you may be triggered to think about the song by Eminem, “The Real Slim Shady.”  For all of us, I hope it is a title that inspires you to want to understand Jesus better so that we follow in the spirit of the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 3:10 where he said, “I want to know Christ.”  We can never know Him enough, can we?

"So many people have some warped view of Jesus."

We will look at His character (this Sunday), His conduct and why people are drawn to Him, His chemistry with people, His crucifixion (Good Friday), and His comeback (Saturday night and Sunday of Easter Weekend).  After these five weeks, you will see the REAL Jesus and fall more deeply in love with Him if you do.

My heart in doing this series is three-fold:

First, I want to have us all understand and know Jesus better so that we live a more God-pleasing life.  You can only do that if you understand the REAL Jesus.

Second, I want us all to build toward Easter and the crowning moment of Jesus Christ’s life, His resurrection.  We will help you appreciate Him more fully each week.

Third, I want to teach this series to help you invite friends, family, coworkers, neighbors and the like to this series.  If people are truly seeking God, they will be intrigued by this series when you invite them.

I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday.  And don’t forget to set your clocks ahead on Saturday night!

Warmly,
Vince

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

HI FRIENDS—

Pastor’s Frank and Brian P. have started off our current series with two strong Bible messages on taking charge of our physical and emotional health. This week we'll wrap things up by looking at how we can take control of our relational health. As we'll see, it all starts with the most important relationship we can have in our lives: our relationship with God.

It’s kind of ironic that I get to do this message, being that I’m the one who feels it was a great Valentine’s Day this year because I have succeeded over the years in lowering Jeannie’s expectations for the day to a place where even I can meet them.  I’m thinking of writing a book so I can share my success with others.  Maybe I’ll share a few of my secrets this Sunday.

We're going to have another great Sunday praising God, baptizing five people, enjoying the fellowship in the atrium, introducing our invited friends to each other, and being the disciple-making church at Lakeshore.   

Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday.
Pastor Brian