by Pastor Steve Tompkins

Calling all Shoreline dudes! (“last minute” dudes that is—you know who you are!)

I am writing because the Men’s Advance is right around the corner, and I have a question for you: Has Jesus called us together to play fake religious games where we pretend our lives are “together” while we try to look good on the outside? Or, has Jesus perhaps called us to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely” that we might “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb 12:1)? Hmm . . . let me think about that.

Let me ask some other questions: Does it really matter how I live my life? Is eternal reality really more important TODAY, than earthly reality? What does it mean to live a fruitful life for Jesus now? When I stand before Jesus some day will the works of my life burn like a house of cards such that I am saved “only as through fire” (1 Cor 3:15)? What words will Jesus speak to me personally? Will I hear, “you wicked and slothful servant!” (Matt 25:26)? Or will I have fruit to present to the King, receiving reward from His hand, and hearing “well done good and faithful servant” (Matt 25:23)?

Shoreline Campus brothers! What we are doing with our lives right now really counts for eternity. This life is a battle against the deceptive nature of sin and demonic lies that would trip us up and cause us to live frustrating, unfruitful lives of futility. This daily battle is very real, and Jesus has given us a great gift in this fight – each other! As the Head of the Church, He has called us to do life together. He has called us not to “look good” maintaining a religious exterior, but to be gut-real with each other in the fight. When we do this in each others lives His strength through His Spirit is powerful against sin, deception and the evil one. He has called us not merely to survive this life with a whimper, but to be among those who genuinely “conquer” (Rev 2:7).

The Men’s Advance is a key opportunity, not only to hear good teaching and have fun, but to be gut real before God and your brothers in this fight because Jesus fully intends, not that we go out with a whimper, but that we conquer! The Holy Spirit says “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another . . . (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Don’t miss this year’s Men’s Advance. Now is the time to register, and you can do so here. Or go to www.marshillchurch.org and click on “News and Events” then you will see the link to “Men’s Advance: Jesus Author and Perfector.”