Gregg's Rest Stop (The Meaning of LIFE)

Published: Mon, 09/23/13

Gregg's Rest Stop

September 23, 2013

Journey in Christ

The Meaning of LIFE

	I love the Gospel of John's focus on true life in Christ! John wrote his Gospel "that you may believe that Jesus is Christ, and that believing you may have LIFE in His name" (John 20:31). Over 40 times in his Gospel, John uses the Greek word zoe that is translated into our English word life. Zoe means God's life - the only true life there is. Another Greek word bios is also translated into our English word life. However, bios is a reference to human and plant life, not true life that is only in God. We get our English words biography and biology from bios. This Rest Stop is a compilation of my ponderings this week of true life that is only found in Christ, in contrast to temptations to think otherwise. This emphasis of life in Christ is at the heart of the discipleship ministry of Journey in Christ. Be encouraged! THE GIFT OF CHRIST'S LIFE Christianity is not you giving your life to Christ. Christianity is Christ giving His life for you and to you through the cross. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His LIFE. (Romans 5:10) THE ONLY TRUE LIFE Jesus didn't come to show us how to live. Jesus came to show us Life -- His life. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and THE LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14.6) ETERNAL LIFE IS A PERSON Eternal life is not merely living forever. Eternal life is the very LIFE of Christ Himself. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal LIFE. (1 John 5:20). THE RECEIVING OF LIFE People are not saved just to go to heaven. People are saved first and foremost to receive the very LIFE of Christ. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. (John 1:12) THE FULLNESS OF LIFE The world futilly strives to achieve a fulfilled life. Christians simply receive the fullness of Christ's LIFE by God's grace. And of His fullness, we have all received, and grace for grace. (John 1:16) A LIFE TO BE PRAISED The world celebrates a life lived through dead statues. Christians praise their living Lord Jesus Christ! In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:11-12) CLOSING People futily try to get life out of this fallen world. However, true Life is only in the risen Lord Jesus Christ. He is the meaning of Life!

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you

for your partnership in the gospel.

(Philippians 1:3, 5)

Thank you for your partnership through this Rest Stop!

I hope the Rest Stops help encourage and equip you

for your journey and personal ministry.

If you sense the Lord leading you to financially partner with me,

I would love to hear from you.

My contact information is at the bottom of the right column.

Donations designated to me and made payable to Journey in Christ

are for my and Joy's basic living expenses with no debts.

I humbly view donations as eternal investments in the lives

of many people we are able to minister to in partnership with others.

These donations are tax-deductible.

Below is a link to an option for secure on-line donations.

Financial partnership with Gregg

You can review quarterly ministry newsletters

through the following link.

Gregg's ministry newsletters

Regardless, I'd love to hear from you anytime!

About

Discipleship through

Counseling

Teaching

Training

Gregg Gibbons

Pastoral Director

Michael Chalmers

Training Director

Kellie Boggs

Fellowship Director

Joy Gibbons

Ministry Assistant and women's ministry coordinator

Carole Blyth

Board member and women's ministry coordinator

Paul Crews

Board member and Pastor Mountain Creek Baptist Church

Florence Colby

Board Member and Exec Assistant

at US Endowment of Forestry

Dave Loser

Board Member and Chaplain with Corporate Chaplains of America

Carolyn Kennedy

Staff in training

Randy Garrick

Board Advisor and

CFO Engineered Systems Inc.

Dawn McClendon

Board Advisor and

school teacher in Durham NC

Marty Price

Board Advisor and Pastor

Pendleton Street Baptist Church

Journey in Christ website link

Partnership

I believe with all my heart that ministry is through relationships.

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you for your partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:3, 5).

YouTube link below of my ministry commissioning service that included testimonies from several partners, including Bobby Richardson, former 2nd baseman for the NY Yankees.

3-minute discipleship video

Please contact me to learn more about partnering with me. I'd love to hear from you!

Ministry News

Gregg is mentoring people in an office donated by Holly Ridge Church in Simpsonville SC.

Michael is mentoring people in offices donated by three churches Greenville SC.

Gregg teaches freedom in Christ at The Haven of Rest mission in Anderson SC Mondays 6:00-6:45 pm. Gregg welcomes partners to go with him anytime!

Our next 8-month advanced discipleship class will be meeting September 19-21 with three students.

Click the following link to find out how to host our foundational teaching for friends and family in your area.

Conference link

Also, Michael will be teaching a conference November 9 in Greenville.

More details later.

Joy, Carole, and Carolyn are leading a weekly Bible study from the Gospel of John for 8 female employees at a manufacturing plant! Sept 4-Oct 23.