Greetings SLCC!
I trust that you are all doing well and rejoicing in our great Savior today. I wanted to remind you about the special service we will be having this Sunday.
For starters, we will be deviating from the Gospel of John this week in order to look at a very encouraging passage in Ephesians 1. In light of the unsettling times we're living in right now, with the political and economic situations being what they are, I've decided to share a special message regarding our blessings in Christ. What better way to transcend the natural troubles of this world than to focus on "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" (Eph 1:3) that is imparted to us through Christ. Please plan to join with us in our study of the word to be brought nearer to your Savior and further from your worries!
Also, we will be sharing again in the Lord's Supper during the service and our potluck meal after the service. Please plan to join in the fellowship and please bring a dish to share!
We look forward to seeing you there.
God bless!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
John 5:31-47 - Jesus' Sonship on Trial (Part 2) - October 26, 2008
As promised, I’ve included below the practical principles we concluded with in yesterday’s sermon. If you were not able to be with us, please take the time to listen to it so that you will see how we gleaned these principles from the bad example of the religious Jews in the passage. I believe it was a very important message for the life and health of our church.
You have missed Christ in your Bible study if…
1.) You fail to consider how every biblical passage, OT and NT alike, points to Christ and your salvation in Him. (cf. Luke 24:27; 1 Cor 2:2; Col 2:6-17)
2.) You turn biblical teaching into a religious code of conduct whereby you in some way contribute to your righteous standing with God, instead of clinging solely to Christ as your righteousness. (cf. Rom 3:23-34; 9:30-32; 2 Cor 5:21)
3.) You come away from your study weighed down by rules and regulations instead of experiencing a greater understanding of, and appreciation for, your freedom in Christ. (cf. Matt 11:28-30; Gal 5:1)
4.) You come away from your study puffed up by the facts you’ve learned instead of being humbled by your lack of understanding, love, and service of Christ. (cf. 1 Cor 8:1)
5.) You come away from your study with a judgmental attitude, using its teachings to condemn other people in your mind, rather than being humbled by your own sin and need of Christ’s forgiveness, and rather than desiring others to find forgiveness in Him as well. (cf. John 8:1-11; Luke 18:11-14)
Missing Christ in your Bible study reveals that you are reading through the lenses of pride rather than humility. You are guilty of the same approach to Scripture that the self-righteous, religious Jews took. On the other hand, a humble approach to Scripture always centers around the person and work of Jesus Christ!
A theologian by the name of J. Knox Chamblin has wisely said, “The Spirit does not take his pupils beyond the cross, but ever more deeply into it.” This is a true and powerful statement that relates to every aspect of our life, including our study of the Bible. All of its content is intended to drive us deeper in our love and gratitude for Him and His sacrifice. And from there we live out lives of humble obedience, displaying His redemption to the world around us.
If we fail to see this glorious reality, we have followed the example of the self-righteous, religious Jews, and we have missed God’s intent. So, let’s commit to the supremacy of Christ and His cross in every area of our life, including our study of God’s Word!
Have a blessed day delighting in the cross of Christ!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
A break in the clouds
Hello Everyone!
I hope you all are growing in Christ this week. I am writing you from the beautiful, and fairly cool, state of South Carolina. In case you didn’t know, I am attending a two week Army chaplain course which is equipping me to love others as God has loved us. Your prayers for my family, our soldiers, our church and our community are cherished.
Well, we truly are going through an incredible time of history. If you were to concentrate on the news, hope and happiness would not be words that would probably come to mind. To use a metaphor that all of us in the Pacific Northwest would definitely understand—There doesn’t seem to be any break in the clouds UNTIL or UNLESS you look to God’s Word where real hope and happiness are found.
Every day we have chapel at 8 am. Yesterday, the Scripture reading was from Psalm 27. And the words of David through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit were truly amazing and perfect for this gloomy time.
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident.” Psalm 27:1-3
David was no stranger to what would humanly be construed as hopeless and fearful circumstances. I don’t know about you but I would be scared to death if evildoers were out to “devour my flesh.” As a matter of fact if there were people who were actually striving to kill me I wonder what my attitude toward God would be. Look at David’s attitude…
Instead of pleading or even bargaining with God for the preservation of his life David declares, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?” David had NO FEAR due to His focus on the Almighty Creator of the universe. Belief in the ONE who created life by simply speaking a word puts our problems into perspective. The perspective is this: God is in complete control and everything that happens ultimately is for His glory and our good. Therefore our hope and our joy is in Him even if people are seeking to kill us, even if every bank goes bankrupt, and yes—even if an extremely liberal politician is voted in as president. We should be enthralled with God instead of this temporary, depraved, and decaying world.
“One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me; And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.” Psalm 27:4-7
Instead of requesting temporary deliverance from suffering and pain David’s one request was to live in the presence of God. Instead of wallowing in depression and fear he relishes the thought of seeing the beauty of the LORD and meditating in His Word. Therefore He proclaims, “…I will sing praises to the LORD.”
When you look in Scripture there is indeed a break in the clouds. In fact, there really are no clouds at all. The hope and joy that we have in God through Christ transcends every fearful thing that this world produces. Remember, GOD IS IN CONTROL! And as you remember this, let the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension; guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. I will be praying for you.
In the service of the King,
Pastor Don
I hope you all are growing in Christ this week. I am writing you from the beautiful, and fairly cool, state of South Carolina. In case you didn’t know, I am attending a two week Army chaplain course which is equipping me to love others as God has loved us. Your prayers for my family, our soldiers, our church and our community are cherished.
Well, we truly are going through an incredible time of history. If you were to concentrate on the news, hope and happiness would not be words that would probably come to mind. To use a metaphor that all of us in the Pacific Northwest would definitely understand—There doesn’t seem to be any break in the clouds UNTIL or UNLESS you look to God’s Word where real hope and happiness are found.
Every day we have chapel at 8 am. Yesterday, the Scripture reading was from Psalm 27. And the words of David through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit were truly amazing and perfect for this gloomy time.
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident.” Psalm 27:1-3
David was no stranger to what would humanly be construed as hopeless and fearful circumstances. I don’t know about you but I would be scared to death if evildoers were out to “devour my flesh.” As a matter of fact if there were people who were actually striving to kill me I wonder what my attitude toward God would be. Look at David’s attitude…
Instead of pleading or even bargaining with God for the preservation of his life David declares, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?” David had NO FEAR due to His focus on the Almighty Creator of the universe. Belief in the ONE who created life by simply speaking a word puts our problems into perspective. The perspective is this: God is in complete control and everything that happens ultimately is for His glory and our good. Therefore our hope and our joy is in Him even if people are seeking to kill us, even if every bank goes bankrupt, and yes—even if an extremely liberal politician is voted in as president. We should be enthralled with God instead of this temporary, depraved, and decaying world.
“One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me; And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.” Psalm 27:4-7
Instead of requesting temporary deliverance from suffering and pain David’s one request was to live in the presence of God. Instead of wallowing in depression and fear he relishes the thought of seeing the beauty of the LORD and meditating in His Word. Therefore He proclaims, “…I will sing praises to the LORD.”
When you look in Scripture there is indeed a break in the clouds. In fact, there really are no clouds at all. The hope and joy that we have in God through Christ transcends every fearful thing that this world produces. Remember, GOD IS IN CONTROL! And as you remember this, let the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension; guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. I will be praying for you.
In the service of the King,
Pastor Don
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Family Night This Friday!
Family Night is this Friday at 6:30 pm. Please plan to come and join in the fun!
We will have a time of praise and worship singing in the sanctuary, and then we will head downstairs for food and games. We may even enjoy a bonfire together...weather permitting of course. : )
Feel free to invite a friend, and please remember to bring your favorite board game and a snack to share.
See you then!
We will have a time of praise and worship singing in the sanctuary, and then we will head downstairs for food and games. We may even enjoy a bonfire together...weather permitting of course. : )
Feel free to invite a friend, and please remember to bring your favorite board game and a snack to share.
See you then!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
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