This past week we learned to love our enemies. This is one of the most provocative statements of Christ. It pushes us all to the brink of our wherewithal because it’s so counter-intuitive. The world says, “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy.” Yet, Christ says to go beyond this and demonstrate love for those who persecute you and speak poorly of you or treat you with contempt. This mindset and shift in behavior demonstrates the attitude of God who sends the rain to fall on the good and the bad. If you only love those who love you, how are you any different than anyone else? God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were sinners, He sent Christ into the world to save us from our sin. That’s a world-changing reality thought up in the mind of God. 

This week we start a new series called “The Names of God” in which we focus on the different names of God and how each name reveals His nature and character to us. We tend to think simply of God being God and leave it at that, but there’s much more to His nature than that. The names of God help to define Him to us. They reveal who He is and how He cares for His creation. This Sunday we’re going to see God as our Creator and how He demonstrates His power and dominion in the action of creation. Do you realize you follow the plans of a master architect?  God is an architect who designed and created you with great purpose in His mind. Do you realize that when you are in His presence worshipping Him, you order your life around His power and dominion? This Sunday we start this new series highlighting the names of God and discover how each name has meaning for us today.

We look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday. This would be a great time to invite a friend to come to church and help them get to know about God and His nature. See you Sunday! 

-Scott

This past week we looked at the provocative and counter-intuitive teaching of Christ where he tells his followers to “go the extra mile,” “to turn the other cheek,” and “to give the cloak off of your back.” This is an attitude of extravagance, an attitude and action of grace that is undeserved. It’s a sacrificial generosity that goes beyond human attitude. This takes an obedience to the Holy Spirit of God that comes from supernatural power working in your life. But when you are wronged, ask yourself this question, “How would Christ respond to this wrong doing?” You then put that action into play in your life. Christ was God’s earthly demonstration of the love of God working on this earth. We strive to replicate that with our actions. 

This Sunday we look at one of the hardest application sections of scripture that there is when Christ says, “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:43-45) To go to the place of love in your heart for your enemies is completely counter-culture. To pray for those who persecute you is an action of Christ’s work in your life. 

When Christ says something, we replicate that and go into action. We love because Christ first loved us. While we were sinners, Jesus loved us. He went to the cross. As he died he prayed for us, “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.” Talk about going the other direction and unleashing a love for those who persecute you! It doesn’t get any more counter-intuitive than that. We’ll be studying the challenge of Christ this week. 

I’m looking forward to another great day of worship in God’s house with you Sunday! See you then! 

-Scott

Annual Meeting

This Sunday is our annual information meeting. Darren Grayson, chairman of our elders, will be giving an update in all 4 services. Then at 1 p.m., there will be a meeting in the lobby for those people who want to hear a more detailed report. 

This past week we looked at Jesus telling us to let our “Yes” be yes and our “No” be no. We talked about being people of our word and being promise keepers. We looked at how Christ was the all-time promise keeper in terms of what He said, He did. We can take God’s word at face value and know that what He promises comes true. Christ said He would go to the cross and come back 3 days later. He did. Christ said He would make a way for you and I to be saved. He did. Christ said He would distribute his Holy Spirit into the church. He did. His promises come true. He never will leave or forsake you. Here’s one of those great promises we have from His word: 

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 38-39 

This Sunday we look at Christ saying, “But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.” Human nature demands an action for an action. It’s completely counter culture and counter intuitive to go in the other direction. It’s in the nature of Christ’s action as He went to the cross. As they spat upon Him, He did not retaliate. As they mocked Him, He was like a lamb to the slaughter. Christ laid down His divine rights and took on the form of a servant of humanity. He exemplified the best humans we can be. He lays out those attributes as He tells us the “I say” elements of His teaching.  

 We had one of our biggest attendances this past Sunday. It was great to see a packed house. Let’s continue reaching our community and intentionally connecting people to Jesus. It was great to see Megan Gillespie baptized into Christ during our 10:15 service. It was also great to dedicate 11 babies to the Lord this past Sunday. What a joy it is to serve a growing, thriving congregation! 

 I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday. I look forward to Christ’s challenge unfolding in our lives. I look forward to each Sunday that we get to throw our hearts into encountering Jesus Christ. See you Sunday.

-Scott