August 28th, 2025
by Rev. Nathan Phillips
by Rev. Nathan Phillips
You are probably very familiar with the beloved hymn writer John Newton, who famously
wrote “Amazing Grace” back in 1772. John would also write these words,
“I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I wish to be. I am not what I one day will be. But, by the grace of God, I am not what I once was.”
As I look at the conversion and the letters of the Apostle Paul written in our New
Testament, I can’t help but get the sense that Paul would give these words from John a hearty amen!
John Newton was very familiar with the sin of his past life, transporting slaves across the
Atlantic Ocean as part of the British slave-trade. When the Apostle Paul (also known as Saul) was blinded by the light on the road to Damascus and Jesus spoke to him, saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4), he then became aware of his sin and the harm he had done when he persecuted Christians and oversaw the killing of the Stephen. That is why Paul can say, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.” (1 Timothy 1:15)
This month, we’ve been looking at comeback or turnaround stories of people throughout the Bible. This Sunday, we’ll be wrapping up this series, The Comeback Kids, with the Apostle Paul. We’ll look at how he went from the feared persecutor of Christians to the forgiven messenger of Jesus Christ.
As we wrap up this series, I’d like to invite you to do two things: 1) Think about your favorite turnaround or transformation story in scripture or of someone you know. Then praise God for the turnaround in that person’s life. 2) Identify someone you know that needs a transformation or turn around in their life. Bring the name of this person to our worship together on Sunday. Carry them in prayer as we worship and pray together. Consider coming to the altar to pray for them. You might consider placing their name on a card in your Bible and pray for them every time you open God’s Word, and don’t stop until you see God do something in their life.
It is an honor and joy to be a part of the ministry team here at Columbus First. My family
is so grateful for the love and support this church family has given us over this month as we
have joined you. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and we look forward to following Jesus alongside you and watching God do abundantly more than we could ask or imagine.
wrote “Amazing Grace” back in 1772. John would also write these words,
“I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I wish to be. I am not what I one day will be. But, by the grace of God, I am not what I once was.”
As I look at the conversion and the letters of the Apostle Paul written in our New
Testament, I can’t help but get the sense that Paul would give these words from John a hearty amen!
John Newton was very familiar with the sin of his past life, transporting slaves across the
Atlantic Ocean as part of the British slave-trade. When the Apostle Paul (also known as Saul) was blinded by the light on the road to Damascus and Jesus spoke to him, saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4), he then became aware of his sin and the harm he had done when he persecuted Christians and oversaw the killing of the Stephen. That is why Paul can say, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.” (1 Timothy 1:15)
This month, we’ve been looking at comeback or turnaround stories of people throughout the Bible. This Sunday, we’ll be wrapping up this series, The Comeback Kids, with the Apostle Paul. We’ll look at how he went from the feared persecutor of Christians to the forgiven messenger of Jesus Christ.
As we wrap up this series, I’d like to invite you to do two things: 1) Think about your favorite turnaround or transformation story in scripture or of someone you know. Then praise God for the turnaround in that person’s life. 2) Identify someone you know that needs a transformation or turn around in their life. Bring the name of this person to our worship together on Sunday. Carry them in prayer as we worship and pray together. Consider coming to the altar to pray for them. You might consider placing their name on a card in your Bible and pray for them every time you open God’s Word, and don’t stop until you see God do something in their life.
It is an honor and joy to be a part of the ministry team here at Columbus First. My family
is so grateful for the love and support this church family has given us over this month as we
have joined you. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and we look forward to following Jesus alongside you and watching God do abundantly more than we could ask or imagine.
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