Bible Verses for Sunday Service February 27, 2022
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
2 Peter 1:3-4
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Announcements:
Today is the day. Ezra Grantham, Gideons’ representative updated us on their work, distributing Bibles throughout the world. We were encouraged to give to support this worthy mission to make Jesus and Gospel better known. You can donate via the web if you wish. We remind you again about the event in March, La Vie will host an event with Tim Tebow. Youth may attend for free, but adults are $20. If you are interested in attending, please see Brianne Hofer. Also, another reminder about the AWANA Grand Prix on March 26, were volunteers like you make this happen by setting up and running the race. Pastor commended the greeters for their faithful service, and asked if any members that wish to serve in this position. If so, please contact Phil Witschi.
Inspiration for Today:
Please consider these inspirational quotes to help you hold on to your status participating in the Kingdom of God. If you like these quotes, you can explore more quotes by clicking on the link, the names:
If you are ignorant of God’s Word, you will always be ignorant of God’s will. Billy Graham
A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t. Charles H. Spurgeon
Gideons:
Ezra Grantham gave us some very topical numbers about Ukraine. Its population, 46 million is matched by the number of Bibles distributed there since the Gideons started there, 46 million Bibles. We all pray for the people of Ukraine in light of the Russian invasion.
After the topical introduction, Ezra shared a survey he heard of on regret in older people. He was surprised to find that most people regretted having done anything of significance. He reminded us that the work we do for the Kingdom of God is work of ultimate significance, and it comes at very cheap, worldly price, $1.25 is the cost to manufacture one Bible
In addition to admonishing us to recognize our significance, He related two testimonies from his time in Ghana where a Bible distributed by the Gideons stopped a man committing suicide, and enabled him to reconcile with his family. Also, a Bible received by a Muslim child in school led, through him reading it and becoming a Christian, to his whole family, including 11 siblings, salvation.
Work of significance indeed. Please consider a donation to this worthy cause.
Sermon:
Pastor continued his review of the beatitudes in Matthew, 5:21-26, Jesus’ proclamation of the arrival of the Kingdom of God with a message titled “Connected Sins” In these verses Jesus progressively elucidates the problem of our fallen nature. In these beatitudes going over firstly the sin of murder then anger. Jesus’s choice of order is of course no accident. In helping us understand our condition, the hopelessness of it outside of the Kingdom, He illustrates how we are never far from the worst sins like murder as we don’t sufficiently view the gravity of lesser sins. But, as Pastor illustrated, that is not God’s view of our sins.
While starting with murder and distinguishing it from killing, Pastor connected up its relation to the sin of anger. While it possible to be righteously angry, that is rare in our condition as humans. And that anger born in our heart can and does grow to wish and cause harm to others. From such a description of our condition, we might drown in discouragement. But, we have hope as Jesus points the way out of being governed by our heart and anger.
As Jesus tells and Pastor explained, the key is reconciliation. It must be our priority. It is so important that we must do it over worship of the Lord. Not only does it have the highest priority, but we must promptly do it. To put this in context, Pastor asked do we need to reconcile with anyone today? If we do, don’t put it off.
Lastly, Jesus hasn’t stated it yet explicitly, but this isn’t work and work’s based righteousness. Jesus, wants to heal our hearts through our trust in him. He will empower us to do these things, not only will he enable us, we will want to do them as we place ourselves in His Kingdom through our choices. As Pastor stated, let us choose well, make that choice to reconcile today, now.
Accessing the Service, Bulletin and Sermon Outline:
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