As I sit and ponder on the eve of Christ’s Resurrection, I find myself broken hearted. I think of the “Easter” story… the death, burial, and resurrection of our Saviour. That’s easy to say isn’t it? All packaged up in a nice, polite, comfortable phrase, “the death, burial, and resurrection *** .” We are at ease when we consider all that this phrase means to us – as Christians; and yet how often do we allow ourselves to truly contemplate what that phrase meant for the Lamb of God?
Oh, the cost started way before His entry into Jerusalem… You see, according to 1 Peter 1 the plan for the “Easter” story was in place “before the foundation of the world.” Can you imagine? I know that often I have scheduled, things which I am not looking forward to; a visit to the dentist, an uncomfortable or difficult conversation, or any number of other things that I don’t want to do, and I know how miserable I can get as these “appointments” get closer. Yet Christ knew of the plan “before the foundation of the world.”
I know. Jesus is God and I’m sure He deals with things on a completely different plain than I do, but I also know that quite often for me; these dreaded appointments turn out not to be as bad as I had imagined they would be. But Christ, in His omniscience, knew exactly how bad His “appointment” would be. He knew the whole time (thousands of years at the minimum) how He would suffer.
Of course there is the emotional suffering; the rejection of His people, the betrayal of Judas and Peter, and the lack of faith exhibited by His disciples. And there is the physical suffering; the cat of nine tails that shredded His back, the beatings, the mockings, the crown of thorns that pierced His head, the carrying of His cross up to Golgotha, and the spikes — as they were driven through His hands and feet.
The bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus is a fundamental tenet of Christianity that was foretold in scripture and backed by eyewitness accounts.
The crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ marks a momentous sacrifice for sinners; but our Lord’s birth also is ample witness of the humiliation He bore for the sake of His people.
The world is full of tech-savvy and very hip people who use many of the ever-expanding means of communication, and we are thankful that one of these, Matt Beach, went out of his way to get more people to “like” us on Facebook.
A group of Christian singers from Montgomery, Ala., gave a presentation for us on Memorial Day, the last day in May. The youth choir from Aldersgate United Methodist Church joined us for lunch and sang for our men, workers and supporters in the sanctuary of our church building at 124 Signal Hills Drive, Chattanooga. The [...]
God’s Word tells us in Hebrews 10:25 not to forsake the “assembling” of ourselves together. For the past three years the Union Gospel Mission has been honoring the Lord by assembling ourselves together for church services at our location at 124 Signal Hills Drive. But recently, God has influenced me to change our direction. The Union [...]
I recently had the great pleasure of meeting Makayla Bishop. Makayla is a homeschooled 8-year-old whose family attends Sawyer Missionary Baptist Church. I’m sure you’re wondering why I met Makayla. A few weeks ago Makayla noticed her friends selling coupon books and participating in other “fundraisers” for a number of causes. From needy children wanting [...]
Threatened lawsuits in Chattanooga have put open prayers to God in the spotlight, bringing national attention to the public nature of Christianity. God wants to be publicly honored, worshiped and praised. In the town square, in the august meeting rooms of county commissions, city halls and federal congresses, the God of the scriptures demands to [...]
Government welfare programs fail to address the problems underlying poverty and homelessness. In contrast, the Christian gospel has a good effect on those who yield to its claims about mankind’s fall into sin and Jesus Christ’s efficacious grace and forgiveness. Emmett Allgood is living proof about how one’s life can be redirected from self to caring for others.
Hubbub in the Chattanooga City Council over the availability of colorful guns in the city is a distraction from other problems government can address.
Union Gospel Mission has been denied full use of a donated building near its facility on Signal Mountain Drive, and it is with a sense of Christian resignation that the mission reviews the cost of lost services to homeless men in Chattanooga.
Our mission is overseen by Jon Rector, right. He has been the executive director since 2003. Prior to that Jon spent 3 years as chaplain with the Chattanooga Rescue Mission.
The other paid staffer is Wayne Hammel, our program director. Wayne handles the Bible study program (GRACE discipleship program) and chapel schedule. He began his involvement with Union Gospel Mission in 2000 as a volunteer.
Bro. Jon and Bro. Wayne share the preaching responsibilities for Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday evening church services.