Good Morning, Metro!

I hope you have encountered the encouragement and power of the Holy Spirit since we gathered on Sunday. As we begin our series entitled Build: Fashioning a Spirit Filled, Mission Minded Church For His Glory, I could think of no better place to begin than on the person of the Holy Spirit. That may seem odd, given the many places one could start a series on the church. But if we aren't awakened to the reality of God among us through the Holy Spirit, then we will try to "build" His church in our own strength, and that would be a disaster!

Additionally, if we aren't infused with a passion to see Jesus made much of through fresh encounters with the Holy Spirit, we may gain knowledge and refine some structures, but what will we have really gained? The church isn't a building, and it isn't a meeting. We aren't going to church and we aren't attending church; WE ARE THE CHURCH! And if we are going to accomplish all that God has for us to accomplish we will need the power that comes from Him! As Charles Spurgeon said,

"I would sooner risk the dangers of a tornado of religious excitement than see the air grow stagnant with a dead formality." 

I am so glad MLC is not a place of dead formality, but I also long to see our local church risk the dangers of a tornado of "religious excitement"! I love when "Reformed" guys talk like that! Be encouraged and spurred on with Jesus' words,

"If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" - John 7:37

Pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit today, friends!

Aron