On Sunday Pastor Eric preached from Job 23 explaining that suffering makes God seem absent. When your world turns upside down your heart will break. But God’s heart toward you never changes. And Christ is good at healing all kinds of broken hearts.
On Sunday Pastor Eric asked us to ponder that question as he preached from Job 1:6-2:10. We should not attempt to compare our suffering to Job. It’s likely that his suffering is worse. But Job serves as a model of how to suffer well. We need to learn from him, not compare ourselves to him.
On Sunday Pastor Eric finished off the book of Romans preaching the doxology at the very end, Romans 16:25-27. He reminded us that Romans is designed to turn us into worshipers. Not scholars. Not intellectuals. Not good citizens. But worshipers. Our thoughts about God must turn into heartfelt love and adoration of God. That’s what the book of Romans has done for us.
On Sunday, Pastor Eric reminded us that our greatest enemies are those we fail to recognize. We are influenced by what we listen to, what we sing, and what we read. Are those things Christian or are we being subtly led astray by our enemy? We need to be discerning. Discernment is a crucial skill in order for us to more fully live in the good of the gospel.
Pastor Eric preached from Paul's personal greetings in Romans 16:1-16. He reminded us that we cannot afford to be unaware of the saints who've gone before us. Otherwise, we may think our experiences are unprecedented rather than ordinary. As Paul wraps up his letter, he addresses a list of beloved saints who have done the extraordinary yet ordinary work of gospel ministry. And God has the same kind of work for us to do as well.
God met our leaders as they engaged in a marathon 12-hour meeting this past Saturday. Thank you for sending them and praying for them. May God bless our ministry in Orange, Santa Ana, and beyond this coming year.
A big thank you to our brothers and sisters at Trabuco Canyon Community Church for hosting the retreat.
Pastor Eric preached from Romans 15:14-33 this past Sunday. He reminded us that affirming the grace of God in one another brings God much glory. When we look at each other, we see what God sees: His Son. The things Jesus has called us to do, we do together. The gospel has bound us to one another.
This past Sunday Pastor Dustin reminded us that God is preserving our diversity as we reach maturity. We are not all the same, and that is a good thing, even though it can create tension. God has provided everything we need to persevere as a community comprised of very different people.