● December 2025 "The Mountain Top Messenger" Newsletter
(please click on above link to open current newsletter)
Happy December, Advent is here, we are preparing for our Lord and Savior's arrival. Both His first
Advent and the long awaited second advent. We started our Advent with our opening service this
past Sunday on the theme of "Who is This?" Truly the most important question in the world, for not
knowing and believing who Jesus is, spells condemnation. Pretty harsh word, but a statement of
truth and fact.
Believing comes from faith, and how does faith come,
"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the
message is heard through the word about Christ." (Romans 10:17)
Now, while we are told faith comes through hearing, it can also come through reading or seeing the
Word. In my experience reading is fine, but true clarity seems to come through hearing, talking, discussing,
sharing of God's Word. Many is the time where I have read a section of scripture, and it
wasn't until speaking to or listening to someone else discuss that section did it really click. For those
in our different Bible study groups we'll all agree, there are times when through hearing we have
those great "Ah Ha! moments". When suddenly the Holy Spirit says, "now it is time for you to
understand what that really means".
Now, you might wonder where is He going with this. Well, here is the point. Last month, I put out the
request for you to offer up something you might like me to go over in one or more of my monthly
newsletter covers. Sorry to say it, but, you all let me down, not a single response? That led me to two
possible conclusions. First, no one read my newsletter cover last month or none of you have any
questions? So, for this month I chose my own topic.
It has to do with an email I received from an organization called Barna. Now Barna is a highly regarded
and reputable Christian survey organization and they are constantly releasing all kinds of survey
data about Christianity in the United States and the world today. A few weeks ago they released a
new study entitled: "How Millennials and Gen Z are driving a Bible Reading Comeback". A couple of
the key points were;
*Weekly Bible reading among U.S. adults has climbed to 42%, up 12 points since a 15 year low in 2024.
*Next, young adults lead the way, nearly half of Gen Z and Millennial are engaged in Scripture weekly.
On the down side; reading out paces belief, While more Americans are reading the Bible, a
smaller percentage affirms its authority, revealing a gap between curiosity and conviction.
I found all of these things very interesting, more reading but not more believing, so I asked myself
where is the disconnect. After reading more deeply into their survey and all the graphs and charts
and tables I believe, I began to see the disconnect. I think it is kind of like the Bible Study group
who haven't had their "Ah Ha moment" yet. Their reading, but perhaps not fully understanding it,
they aren't having the studies, they aren't getting the questions answered when they don't understand.
The more I read this the more I was reminded of the story of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts Chapter
8. An angel of the Lord tells Philip to go to the desert road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza.
There Philip sees the Ethiopian eunuch going to the road in a chariot and he is reading the book of
Isaiah. The Spirit tells Philip to "Go to that chariot and stay near it." So Philip is running
down the road beside the chariot as the eunuch is reading Isaiah, and Philip asked him "Do you understand
what you are reading?" To which the eunuch replied: "How can I," he said, "unless someone
explains it to me?"
"So, he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Philip then explains the passage to the eunuch.
The scriptures became clear to him through Philips explanation, so much so that they stopped the
chariot on the side of the road and baptized the eunuch in water on the side of the road." (Acts
8:26-40)
Anyway, a long way to get to my point, I can't help but believe many of those young people who are
now reading the Bible are in need of help, in need of someone to help make it clear. So that rather
than just reading an old book with some good points, they can understand that it is indeed the inspired
word of God, put forth of their eternal salvation.
I am currently working on ways that I, we, may be able to help those people. Think about it, pray
about it, let me know what you think. How might we, as both individuals and as the Church, help
those who are looking for answers. I will be awaiting for your responses or at the very least, a
thumbs up to let me know you read my article.
Reminder, Advent Wednesdays start on the 3rd, and we will be having soup and sandwiches dinner
for each of the 3 Wednesdays starting at 5:00. I look forward to seeing you all there, I am also looking
for to having egg salad sandwiches and maybe even some pea soup.
God bless you all and Merry Christmas!
And as always:
The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto
you, the Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
Pastor Rick
|
