January 4th, 2023
by Jamie Tickel
by Jamie Tickel
"I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries." (1 Corinthians 16:5-9 ESV)
I love it that we have an opportunity to see the Apostle Paul's itinerary of ministry work included in his letter to the Corinthian church. As He is closing out this first letter he is giving them an update on when they could expect him to stop in and stay with them. But placed within this itinerary is a very important description of Ephesus. He says, "I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost" and then tells us why.
"A wide door for effective work has opened to me." The Apostle saw many opportunities presenting themselves to him during his time in Ephesus. He saw doors that were opening for the gospel and the spread of the kingdom.
It is my prayer that we will see the opportunities for the gospel to spread that God has provided for us in our community and the neighboring community of Pittsburg. You will be hearing more about VISION: PITTSBURG in the days ahead.
Wide doors of opportunity are exciting but they are not without challenges. Paul goes on to tack on that "there are many adversaries." We would be foolish to think that the devil will give up ground easily. He doesn't give away what is his - it must be taken. And it won't be taken without a fight. Yes, the road of the follower of Jesus is marked with blessing but also battles. Often, it seems, the blessings come as a result of the battles.
Church family, I hope we are excited for the year that is to come and see the opportunities placed in front of us to share the gospel and advance the Kingdom of God on earth. Let's be faithful.
-Pastor Jamie Tickel
Lead Pastor
I love it that we have an opportunity to see the Apostle Paul's itinerary of ministry work included in his letter to the Corinthian church. As He is closing out this first letter he is giving them an update on when they could expect him to stop in and stay with them. But placed within this itinerary is a very important description of Ephesus. He says, "I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost" and then tells us why.
"A wide door for effective work has opened to me." The Apostle saw many opportunities presenting themselves to him during his time in Ephesus. He saw doors that were opening for the gospel and the spread of the kingdom.
It is my prayer that we will see the opportunities for the gospel to spread that God has provided for us in our community and the neighboring community of Pittsburg. You will be hearing more about VISION: PITTSBURG in the days ahead.
Wide doors of opportunity are exciting but they are not without challenges. Paul goes on to tack on that "there are many adversaries." We would be foolish to think that the devil will give up ground easily. He doesn't give away what is his - it must be taken. And it won't be taken without a fight. Yes, the road of the follower of Jesus is marked with blessing but also battles. Often, it seems, the blessings come as a result of the battles.
Church family, I hope we are excited for the year that is to come and see the opportunities placed in front of us to share the gospel and advance the Kingdom of God on earth. Let's be faithful.
-Pastor Jamie Tickel
Lead Pastor
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