Judas and the Woman
The contrast between the woman and Judas in Mark 14 couldn't be greater. The woman literally poured out her future in a single act of worship. Judas traded Jesus for a pocket full of coins. How much is Jesus worth to you?
"There is freedom in the fear of God."
"Thank you for being Lincoln's father."
Baptism is an outward sign of an inward reality.
Has God been at work in your life? Have you trusted in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins? Do you want to live for him? If so, you're probably ready to be baptized.
What if I'm not ready?
You might not be. Talk to a pastor. There are reasons to wait...mostly because some isn't sure they are a Christian. However, more often than not people hesitate and miss out on this wonderful part of the Christian life.
Hit the link below and fill out the form. We're doing baptisms during our Sunday Service on July 12, 2015. If you've read to the end of this post, your ready to start talking about your baptism.
Our greatest need is to encounter God, not feel excited.
Bob Kauflin writes...
Strictly speaking, God never says the goal of the church gathering is excitement. It’s edification for God’s glory. We meet to stir up one another to love and good works, not simply to have an emotionally electrifying time. We meet to behold God’s glory in Christ through his Word, responding in ways appropriate to his self-revelation (Heb. 10:24; 2 Cor. 3:18).
That doesn’t mean gathering as the church isn’t meant to be a soul stirring event. We have every reason when we’re together to be excited about what God has done for us in Christ. But that’s not the same as aiming for adrenaline-pumping, professionally produced, high energy, exciting gatherings alone. That approach leaves little room to engage in expressions normal for elect exiles on our way to a new home (1 Pet. 1:1-2). Expressions like disorientation (Ps. 42:1-5). Sorrow for sin (Ps. 38:1-8). Grief (Rom. 12:15). A humble awareness of our creatureliness before our Creator (Ps. 95:6-7). Not to mention reverence and awe (Heb. 12:28).
Our greatest need when we gather is not simply to feel excited, but to encounter God: to engage with the certainty of his sovereignty, the reality of his authority, the comfort of his mercy in Christ, and the promise of his grace. We need to be strengthened for the battles against the world, our flesh, and the devil that will confront us the moment we wake up Monday morning, if not before. Mere emotional excitement, however it might be produced, won’t be sufficient. We need God’s Word clearly expounded, God’s gospel clearly presented, and God’s presence clearly experienced. We need well crafted, intentional liturgies that cultivate God-honoring, Christ-exalting thoughts and desires (See Rhythms of Grace and Christ-Centered Worship for more on that). Our efforts to make our meetings exciting can actually end up obscuring what our congregations need the most.
Read more over at worshipmatters.com.
Lunch is on us.
If you are a recent guest, first-time attender, just passing through, or have been around a couple weeks but haven't yet been to a guest luncheon, then please be our guest! Join us this Sunday, 06-14-15, immediately following the service, for a luncheon in the Woman's Club Garden.
We'd love to get to know you better.
The format is "come-and-go as you please" and kids are welcome. More info will be available at the service on Sunday. See you then!
What was the ultimate cause that led Jesus to die for our sins?
Was there any other way for God to save his church?
Did Christ fully pay for the sins of all unbelievers too?
Join us in Sunday School for a three week study on the Atonement as we take a brief break from our current series: What is God like?
June 14 - The Necessity of the Atonement
June 21 - The Nature of the Atonement
June 28 - The Extent of the Atonement
"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians 5:21