The "Many Colored" Wisdom of God

"Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for all ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 3:7-10)

Paul finds himself in prison because of his proclamation that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and recipients of the promises made in Jesus Christ, a mystery made known in the wake of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul’s ministry of proclaiming the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles is a gift of God’s grace, given to the most unworthy of men, a former persecutor of the Church and killer of Christians. The purpose of such grace in Paul’s life (given in verse 10) is to expand the church, through whom the manifold wisdom of God is put on display.

The word "manifold", in the original Greek language, literally means "many colored" or "of diverse colors" or "motley". For those of us around in the 80's, one can't help but think of the heavy metal hair band known as Mötley Crüe. The band's name was derived from the idea that a diverse group of misfits had come together to make music with one another. Does that not sound like the Church? A diverse group of misfits who have been reconciled to God and one another through the cross of Jesus Christ and who seek to live lives that sing of the praise of God's glorious grace.

 

If you're a Christian, you are a metaphorical brush that God is using to add color to the canvas of human history, in order that the world might know the "many colored" wisdom of God.

The problem is that the canvas is dark and lifeless in many places. Contrary to popular belief, Winter Springs is one of those places. The statistics speak for themselves.

The percentage of the U.S. population affiliated with a religious congregation is 50.2%.
(Winter Springs is 36.8%)

Of those 36.8% who are affiliated with a religious congregation in Winter Springs, only a little more than half are affiliated with a Protestant Christian church.
(only 6,736 of 33,282 people)

Perhaps God is calling you to help add gospel brushstrokes to a dark, lifeless canvas. Will you join up with a diverse group of misfits, in order that the world might know the "many colored" wisdom of God?

Jamey Vizzini
Lead Pastor/Planter
CrossPointe Winter Springs

Vision Nights

The fact that you're reading this blog post is an answer to prayer. A number of reasons may have driven you to this website. Perhaps you're already a committed core group member and simply want to show your support by checking things out. Perhaps you've known for quite some time about the planting of a new Crosspointe congregation in Winter Springs and are on the fence about whether to join this work of the gospel. Perhaps you're just now hearing about the planting of this new congregation, maybe even as recently as today. Whatever your reason for checking out this site, I'm glad that you did.

In the coming days, I'll be publishing a post entitled "Why Plant a Church in Winter Springs". This post will give you some insight regarding my family's calling to plant a church in Winter Springs. The post will also include demographic information about Winter Springs that will make clear the need to plant the gospel in the area. My prayer is that you will give consideration to partnering with us in this work of the gospel, be it through prayer, financial support, and/or joining the team.

 

We will be hosting a series of "Vision Nights" for the planting of Crosspointe Winter Springs on the last Wednesday in March, April, and May. The first of these gatherings will be on Wednesday, March 27th, which is less than two weeks away. It will last from 6-7:30pm and will involve a cookout, followed by a time of vision casting and Q&A. Dinner and childcare will be provided.

 

It's for both the committed and the curious. So, if it sounds like something that you would be interested in attending, shoot me an email at jamey@crosspointewintersprings.com or give me a call at (678) 986-8738. 

 

I'm excited to see the gospel radically orient people to Jesus and his mission of renewing the world. To him be the glory.

Jamey Vizzini

Lead Pastor/Planter

Crosspointe Winter Springs