On Reformation Sunday we remembered God's work through men 500 years ago. And the fruit of their ministry to cling to Christ and the Scriptures, celebrating God's power to save through the gospel. We owe a debt of gratitude to the brothers and sisters who've come before us and laid this foundation for us to build on.
Thanks for sharing your company and your food this past Sunday. Any excuse to be together and to consume large amounts of delicious fare is a good one in our book. But to do so while honoring God's work in history made it all the more enjoyable.
Guess who arrives every Sunday at 10:45am like clockwork?
Remember back when you were a new to Sovereign Grace. You probably arrived early, anticipating the need for extra time to park, find the building, find your seat, get set up for Children's Ministry, and stuff like that.
You were understandably anxious. Everything was new. All the people were new. What would the service be like? Would it be what you were looking for? Or would this turn out to be another church you visit once?
Let's plan for guests. Arrive at 10:45am. Stand out on the street and be quick to greet. Stand in the lobby and orient them to our facility. Stand in the auditorium and talk to our guests as they watch our new countdown timer. Let's not leave our guests wondering at 11:00 if we are even going to show up. Let's arrive when they do and welcome them as Christ has welcomed us.
This Sunday is Reformation Sunday. The day we celebrate the start of the reformation with Martin Luther and his 95 Theses. And in typical Sovereign Grace fashion, we do it by throwing a party!
The celebration begins immediately following the service out in the Woman's Club Garden. All guests are welcome.
Church members and regular attenders are asked to bring a dish to share (sides, salads, vegetables, yummy german stuff, Dorritos).
1. Tea.ology - The first meeting was a great success! Thank you to all who helped, and who participated. The conference room was filled and ladies were encouraged! Mark your calendars for our next gathering on November 8th. Check out the Facebook page for articles and information.
2. Small Groups - While our schedules may be full, and adding one more evening out seems difficult, you may be surprised how encouraging and sweet the fellowship is at a Small Group gathering. We love to live our faith and this a great way to build community. Find yours today!!
3. New time clock - You may have heard. You may have noticed. We have a new time clock on the screen before the start of church and during our the mid-service break. We want to help guests and regular attendees keep track of when we start and make sense of the gaps in our service.
How do we fight against the Red Dragon and his two beasts (Revelation 12-13)? How do we engage in spiritual warfare?
The last few sermons out of the Book of Revelation have taught us much about the "nature of his game." But how should we respond? How do stand against the Red Dragon's schemes?
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10–11 ESV)
Learn more about spiritual warfare by reading Jeff Purswell's A Call to Arms.
Jeff Purswell is the Dean of the Sovereign Grace Pastors College, a role he has filled since 1998. He also serves as an elder at Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville (KY).
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16–17 ESV)
Joseph
Carson
1. Weddings - Thanks to all who helped make Christy and Dylan's wedding a wonderful success! The Gospel was preached, Christ was glorified, and hearts were full!
2. Starting Point - Starts this coming Sunday!! October 13th at 10am!! If you have been visiting Sovereign Grace Church for a while and want to be more involved in the life of our church, join us as we begin our next series of Starting Point classes. A commitment of 5 meeting times, reviewing and discussing lessons in a small group format, will inform those interested in how and why we do church the way we do and what we believe as a church. Register today!
3. Tea.ology - Ladies, our first night discussing God together begins this Friday! October 11th - 7pm at the church office. Join us in getting this ministry up and running, we are still in the planning phase and would love your suggestions and participation.
Listen again as Eric teaches about the second beast in Revelation.