First Light! Welcome To We Meet Every Wednesday at 6:30 AM. Join Us Afterward, Upstairs in the Café.

Speaker Schedule: October 31 – Mike Pullen November 7 – Brett Korade November 14 – Cyrus Mad-Bondo

Director, Washington Area Coalition of Men’s Ministries Today’s Speaker: Dave Brown Director, Washington Area Coalition of Men’s Ministries

The Imago Dei – The Image of God Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

The Gospel Transforms Three Aspects of Your Life Your Past Your Present Your Future

C.S. Lewis wrote It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

Your Identity Your identity is not determined by your behavior. Rather, your behavior is determined by your identity. That is to say, whatever you do, whatever you achieve, whatever is said of you, or whoever you know does not determine who you are. But who you are will determine how you live your life. Only Jesus Christ can change a man eternally through the power of His cross and the power and freedom in His Gospel. You can educate yourself all you want, perhaps learn some better manners, behaviors or tips and techniques, but you will never change your old sinful, rebel nature apart from Christ. Only God changes us by giving us a new nature, a new heart, a new history, a new identity and a new destiny in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men

Because of Jesus A. Because of Jesus in my Past, God remembers my sin no more. (Hebrews 10:17 “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”) B. Because of Jesus in my Present, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (Phil 4:13) C. Because of Jesus in my Future, I live with hope that as He lives so will I. (John 14:19 “Because I live, you also will live.”)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS What did you hear that was new, different, encouraging or convicting? What do you find yourself most identifying with? Why or when might that be? What things about your past, present and future do you struggle with most? How might what you heard today give you some clarity and hope?

Mentoring at Hutchison Elementary in Herndon, VA Tommy Lippard and several others from First Light serve in this ministry. Tommy introduced Renee Garman of Hutchison staff to promote it. Contacts: Ken Prussner: kaprussner@gmail.com Renee Garman: RJGarman@fcps.edu