“This will continue until we are . . . mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him.” Ephesians 4:13 (CEV)
Becoming like Christ is a long, slow process of growth. Spiritual maturity is neither instant nor automatic. It’s gradual and progressive.
Paul said,
“This will continue until we are . . . mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him” (Ephesians 4:13 CEV).
You are a work in progress. Your spiritual transformation—developing the character of Jesus—will take the rest of your life. And even then it won’t be completed here on Earth. It will only be finished when you get to heaven or when Jesus returns. At that point, any unfinished work on your character will be wrapped up.
The Bible says that when you’re finally able to see Jesus perfectly, you will become perfectly like him:
“We are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is” (1 John 3:2 NLT).
Many Christians become confused because they ignore this simple truth: God is far more interested in building your character than he is in anything else.
People worry when God seems silent on specific issues, such as “What career should I choose?” The truth is, there are many different careers that could be in God’s will for your life. What God cares about most is that whatever you do, you do in a Christlike manner.
God is far more interested in who you are than in what you do. We are human beings, not human doings. God is much more concerned about your character than your career—because you will take your character into eternity, not your career.
God’s purpose is to make you like him before he takes you to heaven. Becoming like Jesus is your greatest privilege, your immediate responsibility, and your ultimate destiny.
Talk It Over
- How have you seen God shaping your character to be more like Jesus?
- God is more interested in who you are than in what you do. How does knowing this change the things you’re praying about or worrying about?
- Your spiritual transformation will take your whole life—and not be completed until you see Jesus face to face. How does that knowledge affect how you live each day?
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ZONE MISSION RALLY: Don’t miss the Zone Mission Rally THIS SUNDAY, June 13 at 6:00pm. We are excited to hear from our special speakers, Rob and Cindy North, Directors of University Advancement at Africa Nazarene University.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL! Vacation Bible School will be June 27 through June 30 (6:30-8:00pm) for preschool-5th grade. Our friends from Penny Road Church of the Nazarene in North Carolina will be here to help us with VBS and several service projects around the building.
Registration is now open here.
LIFE LINE SCREENING, the nation’s leading provider of preventive health screenings, will offer affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings at Old Hickory Church of the Nazarene on Monday, June 21, 2021. You must pre-register.
More details including how to register is here.
BACK TO SCHOOL BASH! Save the date for July 31 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM for our Back to School Bash featuring vendors, bake sale, live music, silent auction, free food, and kids activities.
Click this link and share with your friends and neighbors.
WORKERS ARE NEEDED. Please let us know if you can help in the following areas...
- the Children's Department.
- to serve as ushers and greeters.
CHURCH CENTER: You are invited to join us on the Church Center app! Church Center is a place to connect with small groups and church events, send messages to your group, update your profile, and more! Download from the App Store and connect today. If you have trouble with setting up or updating your profile to keep your contact information up to date, see Jenn Houchin or Terri Ray.
FOOD PANTRY: The pantry is open on Wednesday from 5:00-7:00pm and Thursday from 10:00am-12:00pm and volunteers and donations are needed.
COFFEE SHOP: Uncommon Grounds is open every Monday-Saturday from 7:00am-2:00pm. Invite a friend and use this great outreach to introduce the church to your friends.
CHAIR YOGA: Exercise classes are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:30-9:30am in the gym. If you are interested in starting an exercise regime, please join us. We follow the silver sneakers protocol using a chair, including yoga, strength & balance, and we even do some "dancing to the oldies." Come join us... it's free & open to anyone.
TAEKWONDO: If you are interested in free Taekwondo classes please email for more information.
CLASSES & STUDIES
SUNDAYS
Debbie Woodard leads the Young Adult class in person and via ZOOM for anyone who would like to join. They meet Sunday mornings at 9am in the classroom beside the new office.
Meeting ID: 868 1977 8952
Password: Bible101
Kenneth Ray & Gracie Smith lead the Friendship Class in person and via ZOOM for anyone who would like to join. They meet Sunday mornings at 9am in the classroom down the hall and to the right of the office.
Meeting ID: 846 6822 8046
Password: Bible101
Brice Rupert leads the teens class (6-12), Kelsey Quillen leads the kids class (k-5), both in person at 9:00am. We have kids classes for all ages.
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP begins at 10:00am in the sanctuary. The services will continue to be live streamed on Facebook and our website home page for those unable to be with us in the church building.
OH|KIDS CHURCH for K-5th grade meets in the kids room downstairs during the worship hour at 10:00am.
TUESDAYS
Coffee & Community Bible Study every other Tuesday at 9:30am in the Coffee Shop. Next meeting is on June 22.
WEDNESDAYS
Wednesday Night Bible Study with Debbie Woodard is on Facebook Live (from Debbie's page) at 6:30pm.
THURSDAYS
The Thursday study is on break during June. If you have prayer requests, you can email them to the church office.
