Church Family,

This past Sunday, as we continued our series in Acts, we examined Paul’s speech to the elders of the church in Ephesus. Much of what Paul had to say was dire and difficult. Paul’s ongoing work would involve imprisonment and affliction. He would not return to see the church in Ephesus again. After he left, the Ephesians would face an onslaught of false teachers seeking to destroy true belief. Yet the greater tone of Paul’s speech was joyful confidence, for he had seen the faithfulness of the Ephesians in their care for him and his traveling companions. What’s more, he knew that in the midst of the coming difficulty the Word of God would lead the Ephesians to grow all the more in their faithfulness. Church, this is the very Word we have today. Let us join with our brothers and sisters of that ancient church of Ephesus in taking up that Word with joyful confidence that it would grow us in our faithfulness in the face of every trial.

Members’ Meeting

We will have our quarterly members’ meeting at 2:00 p.m. this upcoming Sunday, March 23. These meetings are an important part of church membership. They are an opportunity to stay informed on what is happening in the church, to pray for the church, and even to welcome new members into the church, so be sure to set aside time that afternoon to be part of that meeting. Also, consider using that window between the end of service and the start of the meeting to have lunch with a fellow church member, or even several fellow church members. Even if it is just a matter of grabbing leftovers from home and meeting at a park, the time we get to spend in each other’s lives is invaluable and we should be eager to jump on the opportunities that arise.

Grace be with you,

Logan Murphy

Pastoral Intern

Church Family,

This past Sunday, as we continued our series in Acts, we tackled the first half of Acts 19. While there are several matters of note in these twenty verses, I want to take a second here to reflect on the last three verses we covered. Here we encounter the response of early believers to their newfound faith. There was an outpouring of confession and repentance, such repentance that led the new believers to burn the objects of their idolatry (50,000 silver pieces worth of sorcery books in this case) so that such items would no longer hold sway over their lives. Church, it is worth considering whether or not we have burned the idols that have influence in our lives. They may not be literal idols (and may not need literal burning by extension) but we all have influences from our unbelief that must not be allowed to control our lives as believers. It may be an idol of social influence, greater income, leisure, or any number of other things. Whatever it is, if it draws us away from God rather than closer to Him, it is an idol and deserves only to be burned.

Members’ Meeting

We will have our quarterly members’ meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 23. These meetings are an important part of church membership. They are an opportunity to stay informed on what is happening in the church, to pray for the church, and even to welcome new members into the church, so be sure to set aside time that afternoon to be part of that meeting. Also, consider using that window between the end of service and the start of the meeting to have lunch with a fellow church member, or even several fellow church members. Even if it is just a matter of grabbing leftovers from home and meeting at a park, the time we get to spend in each other’s lives is invaluable and we should be eager to jump on the opportunities that arise.

New Sunday Studies

This past Sunday we began a new series on the Holy Spirit in our 9:00 a.m. Sunday Studies class. If you have not joined us for Sunday Studies before, it is a class where we pick a topic and work our way through it over several weeks in a way that centers around a lot of group discussion. Topics can include somewhat abstract theological concepts, like this upcoming series on the Holy Spirit, as well as highly practical concepts like the series we just finished on evangelism. Even if you aren’t able to be there every week, these classes are easy to jump into at any time so we highly encourage you to join us at 9:00 any Sunday morning you are able.

Grace be with you,

Logan Murphy

Pastoral Intern

Church Family,

This past Sunday, as we continued our series in Acts, we encountered a moment in the early church that was notably lacking our usual main characters. The story centered around a man named Apollos who was especially capable and eager to demonstrate that Jesus is the very messiah described in the Old Testament. His efforts were bolstered by Priscilla and Aquila who were able to identify shortcomings in Apollos’ teaching and provide him helpful correction, which he humbly received. What’s more, Priscilla and Aquila encouraged Apollos to continue on to minister in another city and wrote ahead so that the church would receive him gladly when he arrived. Church, these are the regular efforts of regular Christians engaging in evangelism, discipleship, and care. These are God’s people seeing to the responsibilities God has given us. Let us never believe that we have no role to play in God’s plan because we consider ourselves insignificant or ill-equipped. Rather, let us equip and encourage one another through faithful application of Scripture, and stir one another up to the good works to which God has called each and every one of us.

New Sunday Studies

This upcoming Sunday we will begin a new series on the Holy Spirit in our 9:00 a.m. Sunday Studies class. If you have not joined us for Sunday Studies before, it is a class where we pick a topic and work our way through it over several weeks in a way that centers around a lot of group discussion. Topics can include somewhat abstract theological concepts, like this upcoming series on the Holy Spirit, as well as highly practical concepts like the series we just finished on evangelism. Even if you aren’t able to be there every week, these classes are easy to jump into at any time so we highly encourage you to join us at 9:00 any Sunday morning you are able.

Parenting Conference

Just a reminder that the parenting conference we have been promoting is coming up soon and the end of early bird pricing is coming up even sooner. As I am writing this there are two more days to register at a discounted price. If you are interested in attending this conference and would like more information click the link here, and please let Brooke Murphy know if you are planning to attend so we can make sure to save seats for everyone and potential organize some carpool options.

Grace be with you,

Logan Murphy

Pastoral Intern

Church Family,

This past Sunday, as we continued our series in Acts, we examined Paul’s rather extensive stay in Corinth. While the year-and-a-half he spent there seems to have been riddled with rejection by the locals the whole time, the conflict escalated greatly as a proconsul named Gallio came to power. Many of the Jews of Corinth dragged Paul before Gallio and accused Paul of promoting forms of worship that were contrary to the law. However, Gallio seems to have seen through the claims that were made and recognized that this was not an issue of Roman law but rather of Jewish custom. The conflict comes down to right understanding of the Old Testament, which Gallio rightly recognizes is well outside his own or any other government authority. The responsibility for matters of the faith, brothers and sisters, falls entirely on us. As those who have heard and received the Gospel, it is our responsibility alone to ensure that the good news goes out to all people. Let us bear that responsibility well.

Parenting Conference

With the Phoenix area being such a major population center, we get a lot of great conferences near by and we like to highlight some that may be especially worth your attention. This April, The Gospel Coalition’s Arizona chapter will be hosting a parenting conference at Trinity Bible Church in Phoenix. This conference aims to give parents a biblical approach to cutting through competing world-views and distractions to effectively reach the hearts of their children. If you are interested in attending this conference and would like more information click the link here. There is a discounted early bird rate for the conference but only until February 28th, so sign up soon if you plan on attending.

Grace be with you,

Logan Murphy

Pastoral Intern

Church Family,

This past Sunday, as we continued our series in Acts, we came to Paul’s famous apologetic speech before the Areopagus in Acts 17. While this passage surely has much to teach us about engaging with a culture that, much like the Athenians of Paul’s day, thinks it can reason its way through the most essential questions of life, it seems worth spending just a short while in this blog considering how we ourselves ought to be convicted by Paul’s words. How often do we get caught up in worldly wisdom and neglect the teachings of Scripture? How often do we try to shape God into something convenient for our sinful priorities or even just something we find easy to understand, rather than seeing Him as He has revealed Himself to us in His Word? How often do we lose ourselves in the pursuit of pleasure, forgetting the clear command to seek God? God has made himself known to us so we have no excuse to do anything besides pursue Him wholeheartedly.

Parenting Conference

With the Phoenix area being such a major population center, we get a lot of great conferences near by and we like to highlight some that may be especially worth your attention. This April, The Gospel Coalition’s Arizona chapter will be hosting a parenting conference at Trinity Bible Church in Phoenix. This conference aims to give parents a biblical approach to cutting through competing world-views and distractions to effectively reach the hearts of their children. If you are interested in attending this conference and would like more information click the link here. There is a discounted early bird rate for the conference but only until February 28th, so sign up soon if you plan on attending.

Grace be with you,

Logan Murphy

Pastoral Intern

Church Family,

This past Sunday, as we continued our series in Acts, we witnessed the missionary efforts of Paul and Silas in two cities – Thessalonica and Berea. While Paul and Silas shared the Gospel by the same means in both cities, namely reasoning, explaining, and proving from Scripture, their reception in the two cities could not have been more different. They were ran out of Thessalonica and one of their associates was arrested, but the Bereans received them, and more importantly their teaching, with all eagerness. The difference was the willingness of the Bereans to submit themselves to the authority of Scripture. They did not respond out of a jealous impulse as the Thessalonians had but spent days pouring over Scripture to verify what Paul and Silas were teaching them. Church, let us never be so arrogant to think that our human impulses are always correct. The simple reality is that our judgement is often clouded by misconceptions and prejudices, but God’s word is sure and true and we will always be much better served by leaning on it for understanding.

Parenting Conference

With the Phoenix area being such a major population center, we get a lot of great conferences near by and we like to highlight some that may be especially worth your attention. This April, The Gospel Coalition’s Arizona chapter will be hosting a parenting conference at Trinity Bible Church in Phoenix. This conference aims to give parents a biblical approach to cutting through competing world-views and distractions to effectively reach the hearts of their children. If you are interested in attending this conference and would like more information click the link here.

Grace be with you,

Logan Murphy

Pastoral Intern

Church Family,

This past Sunday, as we continued in Acts, we walked through three little vignettes regarding the mission work of Paul and Silas. As we reflect on these passages I want to take a second to draw attention to an interesting detail in the story of Paul and Silas’s imprisonment. The earthquake is reported to have opened all the doors of the prison such that any prisoner could have escaped. But when Paul and Silas cried out to the jailer it was not merely to report that the two of them had remained, or even that some number of the prisoners had remained; Paul’s report to the jailer was that “we are all here” (Acts 16:28). This surprising detail may well be explained back in verse 25 where we are told that as Paul and Silas are praying and singing hymns, the other prisoners are listening to them. The transformative work of the Holy Spirit bringing the Gospel to bear on our lives is so powerful that it not only shows up as a clear focus in the stories of Acts 16, it saturates the little background details. Church, this is the very Spirit that is doing a good work in us and will see that work to its completion. May we be encouraged and respond in resounding praise.

Church Game Night

We are having a church game night on the evening of Friday, January 31st, from 6:00 to 8:00. Feel free to bring your favorite board games or just show up to play everyone else brings. We have done a few of these game nights now and they are always a fantastic time. Thanks to these game nights, I have personally had the opportunity to throw a plush burrito at Pastor Bryan, and I think that’s an opportunity that everyone at Light in the Desert ought to have. Even if you don’t normally think of yourself as a board game kind of person, you may be surprised to learn a new game you really like and at the very least it’s an invaluable opportunity to spend time together as a church family.

Grace be with you,

Logan Murphy

Pastoral Intern

Church Family,

This past Sunday, as we continued our series in Acts, we came across a moment in the early church where it looked like the wheels might be starting to fall off. Paul and Barnabas were preparing to return to the cities where they had previously preached the Gospel to encourage the young churches that had sprouted up. However, the two of them ran into a sharp disagreement over whether or not to bring along Mark, who had traveled with them before but left part way through the journey. It’s not clear if either person was in the right; Paul likely had good reasons for wanting to leave Mark behind and Barnabas just as likely had good reasons for wanting to bring him. What is clear is that neither Paul nor Barnabas was willing to let this disagreement get in the way of their Gospel efforts. Instead, their efforts were doubled as Paul headed out one way and Barnabas took Mark and headed out another way. It’s even possible that this is why Paul recruited Timothy to come with him shortly after. Church family, we are certain to run into disagreements with our Christian brothers and sisters as we live in service to the Lord, but it is vital that we take after the example of Paul and Barnabas. Let us never get caught up in prideful efforts to prove ourselves right but rather focus our efforts on the sending forth of the Gospel.

Church Game Night

We are having a church game night on the evening of Friday, January 31st, from 6:00 to 8:00. Feel free to bring your favorite board games or just show up to play everyone else brings. We have done a few of these game nights now and they are always a fantastic time. Thanks to these game nights, I have personally had the opportunity to throw a plush burrito at Pastor Bryan, and I think that’s an opportunity that everyone at Light in the Desert ought to have. Even if you don’t normally think of yourself as a board game kind of person, you may be surprised to learn a new game you really like and at the very least it’s an invaluable opportunity to spend time together as a church family.

Prospective Members Class

We are having a prospective members class this upcoming Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 4:00. Attending this class is not any sort of a commitment, it is just an opportunity to learn the core convictions of Light in the Desert Church, including a particular belief in the biblical model of church membership. If you have any interest in learning more about LitD, we would strongly encourage you to come to this class. Even if you have not signed up, feel free to just show up on Saturday.

Grace be with you,

Logan Murphy

Pastoral Intern

Church Family,

This past Sunday, as we continued our series in Acts, we tackled a huge portion of narrative in chapter 15 spanning verses 1-35. Here we read about one of the most famous (or infamous) controversies of the early church: whether or not Gentile believers needed to be circumcised to be saved. This story is amazing because its value is not just in the answer to the question at hand, but also in how the answer was determined and how everyone responded to the answer. The only right way to answer such an important question is to lean on scripture. Paul, Barnabas, and James did just this and showed from the narratives of Genesis through Deuteronomy and the from the prophecy in Amos that salvation did not come through adherence to ceremonial law but though faith in the one true God. The response to this revelation was not to bicker over who had been right and who had been wrong but to rejoice in the goodness of God for his saving grace and to providing loving guidance and encouragement to those who needed this answer. While this passage surely ought to teach us of the good news of salvation for all, my it also teach us to humbly lean on God’s perfect Word and to respond to that word with an outpouring of praise to God and love for others.

Wednesday Nights

After a brief winter break, our Wednesday night activities start back up tonight, January 15th. Just like last semester, we are offering a women’s bible reading, a men’s bible reading, and our disciple makers class. If you have never joined us on Wednesday nights before, now is as good a time as any. These classes are a great opportunity to have fruitful in-depth conversations so we hope you will make time to be with us at 6:00 on Wednesday evenings.

Church Game Night

We are having a church game night on the evening of Friday, January 31st, from 6:00 to 8:00. Feel free to bring your favorite board games or just show up to play everyone else brings. We have done a few of these game nights now and they are always a fantastic time. Thanks to these game nights, I have personally had the opportunity to throw a plush burrito at Pastor Bryan, and I think that’s an opportunity that everyone at Light in the Desert ought to have. Even if you don’t normally think of yourself as a board game kind of person, you may be surprised to learn a new game you really like and at the very least it’s an invaluable opportunity to spend time together as a church family.

Parking Overflow

As a quick reminder, the apartment complex just west of our campus is using our parking lot for overflow parking while they work on some resurfacing over the next few weeks. We have specifically reserved room for Wednesday evenings and Sundays, so we shouldn’t have issues with parking during our regular church activities. Just know that if you drive by the church during the week and the parking lot is bustling, there isn’t some event that we specifically kept secret from you, it’s just our friends in the complex next door.

Grace be with you,

Logan Murphy

Pastoral Intern

Church Family,

As we continued our advent series this past Sunday, we landed on a passage that may not be at the forefront of everyone’s minds around Christmas, though it undoubtedly speaks to the importance of what Christmas celebrates. 1 John 4:1-6 tells us that the incarnation is the center of God’s revelation to us. It is so central to God’s word that we can confidently say that any teaching that contradicts the biblical teaching of the incarnation cannot be true and must be rejected. And not only does the incarnation give us certainty about the message of the Gospel, it gives us certainty about the victory of the Gospel over all the false gospels that come from the world around us, for “he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Church, as we continue to think about all the claims and implications of the Christmas story, let us remember the confidence we have thanks to the incarnation.

Winter Schedule

We just wanted to give you a few quick reminders about a few upcoming schedule items that are out of the ordinary. First, we will have a short service on Christmas Eve at 4:00 in the afternoon. Note that this is different than the time you may have initially read in the blog post last week. That was a miscommunication that has since been corrected; the actual time is 4:00. Second, we will not have our usual Sunday Studies at 9:00 on the morning of the 29th. Instead, you are welcome to join us at that same time for a fellowship hour and enjoy treats and hot drinks with us.

Grace be with you,

Logan Murphy

Pastoral Intern