Hi GV Family,
I am looking forward to seeing you this Sunday when we will be finishing our 3-wk. January Vision Series that has been entitled, "The Church as a Kingdom of Priests." This Sunday we are looking at a few portions of Scripture, but mostly John 5:9-17 when Jesus heals a man who has been paralyzed for thirty-eight years. The sad thing about this account is that man doesn't acknowledge Jesus or know who he is, and even after Jesus returns to him later to confront him on his wayward heart and reveals his identity to him, instead of bowing down and worshiping the Lord, he turns him into the Jewish people and authorities who then persecute Jesus upon learning his identity. They persecute Jesus because supposedly he violates the regulations of the Sabbath day by healing the man. Yet what the people failed to understand was that it was none other than the Lord of the universe who was standing before them who was the Creator of all and had made the Sabbath day in order to rejoice in all of his acts of creation. And now that the human race had gone wayward and the world was under a curse, the very point of Sabbath was to anticipate a GREAT day of restoration when all things would be RE-created in joy. This was the purpose for which Jesus came and for which he gave his life for us. As he says, "My Father is working until now, and I am working." Lesslie Newbigin wrote of this passage, "God's Sabbath rest did not mean that he had ceased to give life- for babies were born on the Sabbath and rain still fell... God is always-even on the Sabbath- the giver of life and judge of all." Also, this Sunday we will consider how we participate with Jesus in the Father's work, perhaps in more ordinary ways, but significant nonetheless as our "works" are wrapped up in Christ.
Also this Sunday we will introduce our new office administrator Victor Olawaiye, hear a few words from Sarah Dolan, also from Tim Huh who will be doing a Monday Matters vocational testimonial. I will give an update on elder nominations and we will celebrate the Campanelli's with cake following the service, as this will be their last Sunday with us. Also, our second week of our EHS class will continue at 12:15p. . . . whew, that's a lot! but what a Sunday we have before us- you are not going to want to miss it!
Blessings and see you soon,
Pastor Mike
Sermon Title: "And I Am Working"
Sermon Texts: John 5:9-17; Rev. 5:9,10; 1 Pet. 2:9-12
Sermon Quotations:
"When he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him, like a master workman, and was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man." -Proverbs 8:29-31
Sermon Texts: John 5:9-17; Rev. 5:9,10; 1 Pet. 2:9-12
Sermon Quotations:
"When he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him, like a master workman, and was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man." -Proverbs 8:29-31
"God's Sabbath rest did not mean that he had ceased to give life- for babies were born on the Sabbath and rain still fell. . . God is always- even on the Sabbath- the giver of life and the judge of all." -Lesslie Newbigin
"Hiding your faith, is a way for a believer to survive what is often a conflicted journey. . . . It would be difficult for many, despite their deep desire to identify with Christ, to live openly true to what their faith demands." -Mako Fujimura
"Here is also wonder and glory, joy and meaning. . . . There is good work to be done." -Steven Garber
"And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. -Hebrews 12:1-2
Sermon Outline:
1. Jesus' Lack of "Success"
2. The Meaning of Sabbath
3. Our Participation with Jesus in the Father's Work
4. Our Hope in a Great Final Day and Present Opposition
5. The Joy of the Cross
Benediction:
2. The Meaning of Sabbath
3. Our Participation with Jesus in the Father's Work
4. Our Hope in a Great Final Day and Present Opposition
5. The Joy of the Cross
Benediction:
''Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.'' -1 Cor. 15:58
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