Bible Verses for Sunday Service March 13, 2022
Psalm 100:5
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Announcements:
Once again we remind you about the event on Thursday, 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 25th, a Friday, from 4-6PM, the children will have a chance to test and tune their cars. Racing is next day on March 26, where volunteers like you make this happen by setting up and running the race. Mae Lindstrom and Jonathan Helberg have invited the church to attend their wedding on May 28th in Williston. You can find the details in the bulletin board in the foyer. Gaylene let us know that on April 9th, the church ladies will be hosting a bridal shower for Mae, a salad luncheon. Please sign up to bring a salad. Also, bring your favorite recipe to give to Mae. Pastor announced that the new church directories are in the foyer. When you pickup yours, please check your entry. Right after service today there was a choir practice. We are looking forward to the choir performing next week, March 20th, 2022.
Sermon:
Pastor continued his review of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:33-48, Jesus’ proclamation of the arrival of the Kingdom of God with a message titled “High Standards for Christ’s Followers.” In these verses Jesus progressively elucidates the problem of our fallen nature, and His explanation of the correct standard that we must live by, which perfection, as He is perfect. This challenges us, and makes realize our need for a savior. Pastor explained Jesus examples in this passage.
Before talking about achieving the standard, Pastor went through the examples Jesus gave staring with our speech. Jesus had to expound on this for the Jews as their leaders had introduced weasel ways that they could lie, and not technically sin. In sweeping this away and expounding on the true meaning of the law, Jesus reminds us that truthfulness is not optional, and it must be habitual. If our speech is this way, we are much less likely to sin and get in trouble.
Besides our speech we must consider our response to hurts inflicted on us. The Biblical rule on an eye for an eye does not require this from us in response. Jesus explains it doesn’t even apply. That rule is for the courts and war, and limits a response. In perfection, we are not to respond in kind to personal affronts. Instead, we are to be non-retaliatory by refraining from personal retribution for wrong. In all of this, we are relinquishing personal rights.
If we behave like this we will illustrate extraordinary love, which differs from the love of the world. Our Love then resembles our Father’s love for us. We then become a good advertisement for Christianity, and become agents in God’s Kingdom here on earth. We extend its influence.
In all of these things we can be “perfect” not through greater personal effort, but by Jesus helping us through the Holy Spirit as are obedient to His commands. Pastor asked us to take to heart these ideas in the coming week and our lives. Let’s be active parts/citizens in God’s Kingdom.
Accessing the Service, Bulletin and Sermon Outline:
Here are the pages from the bulletin, click on the images below to see them full size:
If you would like to have the sermon outline, you can download it here, a pdf file.
Here is a video record of the service on Rumble, an alternative to YouTube.
If you would like a link to this service you can find it here. Perhaps you would like to share it with your friends. You could also share that link on social media, if you use any of the providers.
Lastly, if you would like to see all the services, you can find them here.