Carry the Cross
Posted by Dave Clayton on 04/04/2012
“As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.” – Luke 23:26
As we center our hearts and minds on the cross of Jesus Christ, we must wrestle with the realities of how the cross shapes the course of our lives. The cross is the ultimate reminder that the way to life is through death — the way to light comes first through darkness.
On wonder what must it have been like for Simon of Cyrene on that Good Friday? What must it have been like to be a man minding his own business, following his own agenda, to have been seized by Roman soldiers and placed under the crushing weight of Jesus’ already blood-stained cross?
One short verse in Luke’s Gospel. One man whose memory would be forever seared with the image of the Christ on the way to His death. One life forever changed by the One who ultimately bore the cross for the sin of the world.
Here’s my prayer and hope for you today and the rest of your life: May you hear the life-transforming call of The Cross Bearer. May you gaze into the heart of God’s love knowing that “God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). May you come to know true freedom in yoking yourself with Jesus, knowing “Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” (Philippians 3:10). May you expectantly walk with Him down the road to the cross.
PRAYER.
Father,
As we think about the cross of Jesus, your love for us becomes overwhelming. Thank you for being such a wonderful and loving God. As we pause to reflect upon Your cross, the tree where You bore the penalty and shame of our sins, might we more fully understand what it means. Might we understand what it means to now be free—free to walk with You down the road to the cross. Jesus, my Lord, today we long to meet with You. We long to be fully drawn into Your passion and suffering. But we also long to be drawn into the joy that was set before You as You endured the cross, as You despised the shame and as You looked toward the throne of heaven You would soon be seated upon with Your Father. Jesus, lead us to the cross. We love you. Amen.
Readings on the Cross
Posted by Dave Clayton on 04/04/2012
There are few things more powerful than gathering with a group of friends and reading the story of the cross aloud. Jesus’ journey to the cross is told in all four gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). You can choose to read one account, or all four.
Either way, as you read, imagine yourself in the story. What sounds would you hear? What sights would you see? Which characters do you relate to?
Matthew’s Reflections on the Cross
Mark’s Reflections on the Cross
Luke’s Reflections on the Cross
John’s Perspective on the Cross
The Cross of Jesus Christ
Posted by Dave Clayton on 04/01/2012
EASTER 2012
Posted by Dave Clayton on 03/27/2012
Easter Sunday is special. There is something powerful about millions of people gathering all over the world for the sole purpose of remembering that the tomb of Jesus Christ is empty. Easter reminds us of a truth we proclaim at Ethos every Sunday – Jesus is Alive, and that changes everything.
The last several Easters at Ethos Church have been incredibly special. We have shared meals, celebrated as people gave their lives to Jesus, served our city, and invited our friends who are not Christians to join us in the celebration.
As a part of our Easter Celebration, we will be taking a special Blueprint 2012 Offering. On Easter Sunday, 100% of offering will go to fund our special mission projects in Nashville and around the globe.
The first portion of our Easter offering will go to provide more than 300,000 meals to impoverished children in Haiti. We will partner with Global Samaritan to purchase, ship, and distribute these meals across 15 locations in Port au Prince, Haiti.
The rest of our Easter Offering will go towards planting churches, building orphanages, providing education, and much more as outlined in Blueprint 2012.
HERE ARE 3 WAYS YOU CAN HELP:
(1) INVITE
(2) CELEBRATE
(3) GIVE
ONE : INVITE
Just as the earliest disciples of Jesus went out to tell everyone that the tomb of Jesus was empty, we invite you to do the same thing. Invite your friends, parents, neighbors, and co-workers to gather with us for worship as we CELEBRATE the joys of the risen Jesu and to GIVE joyfully & generously to our Blueprint 2012. Tweet about it. Change your facebook status. We don’t care how you invite your friends, just make sure you invite your friends. Imagine what would happen if the 1,600 people of Ethos Church each invited 10 friends to help with this effort?
TWO : CELEBRATE
Jesus promises us that wherever two or three people are gathered in His name — He will be there also. So just as we do every Sunday, we will gather with Jesus and one another on Easter Sunday to celebrate all that Jesus has done, is doing, and will continue to do.
THREE : GIVE
Our goal is simple — we want every individual in our church to give generously, joyfully, and sacrificially. We are asking that every person to prayerfully make the decision to GIVE. Whether God is calling you to give $10 or $10,000, we ask you that do it joyfully. If you would like to give online you can do so here. Choose “Awaken a Movement” Fund.
This is not about Ethos Church. This is about Jesus Christ — an empty tomb, a risen King, and a Glorious God. What better way to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ than by advancing the Gospel and caring for people all over the world? Thanks for dreaming God sized dreams with us, and for having the courage to take faithful risks as we seek to Love God, Love People, and Awaken the Movement that Jesus began.
Revival Pt 9 : Leaning Forward
Posted by Dave Clayton on 03/24/2012
SERVE: Project Homeless Connect Care Packages – March 25th
Posted by Dave Clayton on 03/21/2012
As part of our Blueprint 2012 we join in a variety of opportunities to serve and bless our friends that are homeless in Nashville. Project Homeless Connect (PHC) is a one-day, one-stop event to provide people experiencing homelessness with access to a broad range of services, including medical and foot care, legal services, employment assistance, pet care, food, toiletries and more.
Ethos Church has agreed to partner with AGAPE who will sponsor a booth to provide information about services available as well as hand out items that would be of use to a homeless individual. We have committed to putting together 1,000 care packages. Suggested items for care packages are as follows:
-Granola Bars
-Snack Packs
-Travel sized toothbrush
-Travel sized toothpaste
-Lip Balm
-Pocket sized tissue
-Single serve drink packs
-dental floss
-Travel size deodorant
-Sugar free gum or mints
-Travel size mouth wash
-Band-aids
-Travel Size wet wipes
-Travel size lotion
-Travel size hand sanitizer
-Combs
Bags can be any combination of these items, but please at least include the 4 bolded items at the top of the list. Use gallon sized ziplock bags for packaging.
We will be collecting the care packages on Sunday March 25th during each worship gathering. If you have any questions contact Jenny Stites (jennystites@gmail.com)
Revival Pt 8 : Joy of the Lord
Posted by Dave Clayton on 03/19/2012
Revival Pt 7 : Hungry for God
Posted by Dave Clayton on 03/11/2012
Revival Part 6 : Imagination
Posted by Dave Clayton on 03/04/2012
Blueprint 2012 : Trips to Haiti
Posted by Dave Clayton on 02/27/2012
As a part of our Blueprint 2012 we are partnering with Mobile Medical Disaster Relief to care for orphans and widows in Haiti. During the month of April, we will be raising funds to build an orphanage in Haiti, and throughout the year we will be partnering with MMDR to send mission teams to serve the wonderful people of Haiti.
DATES FOR 2012 TRIPS TO HAITI
* March 10-16
* June 2-8
* July 7-13
* August 4-10
TO REGISTER FOR A TRIP
* GO HERE
MORE INFORMATION (i.e. Cost, Travel, Medical Requirements, etc)
* GO HERE
