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We continue with our Understanding Spiritual Gifts Sermon and Study Series. Who gives us these gifts anyway? And, what are they to be used for? These are the two questions that we will explore together this weekend as we come together and worship and share in Holy Communion together. Our gifts are not meant to be unused, unopened, unappreciated. Our gifts are given by God to be used for the Body of Christ, His Church so that we might glorify Him.
We like the prodigal often search for other things in life to fill the void that seems to be missing from our lives. However, when we come to our senses and realize that life within the Father's house was much better than the world has to offer, the Father is waiting to restore and rekindle our relationship as one of His children. Our distant heart can be redeemed through turning to the Father and heading Home.
The first church knew that love meant sacrifice. They used their time, talents, and treasures to make sure that everyone’s needs were met in their congregation. They shared what they had, and because of their love, no one among them was needy. They relied on godliness to make them content. The generosity of the church in meeting all the needs among them allowed the apostles to preach with great power. The actions of the church, their willingness to give of themselves bore witness to the change that Jesus could bring to a life.
There’s something about serving and being served that inspires humility in a person. Learning to engage in good deeds brings us closer to understanding Jesus’ character. He emphasized the importance of serving by kneeling at the feet of his disciples and washing them as a slave would for his master. Loving our church is intertwined with serving each other. When Jesus commanded us to love one another, he expected us to show that love by serving each other the way he served people.
Unless you are a die-hard athlete do you even think of stretching. Physical stretching is one of the best things we can do to keep ourselves in the game. But what about spiritual stretching? God sometimes asks us to go out of our comfort zones. He stretches us. Our faith enlarges and we reap a host of spiritual benefits like restoration, influence, and the promise of things we can’t even imagine.
We must meet together with other Christians. The church helps each of us to grow up into a mature Christian. Together we grow in works of service, encouragement, unity of faith, and love. Encouraging each other and taking down the fences between us helps us survive through love and good deeds that light up in a dark and desperate world.
Join us as we begin a new 5-week Sermon and Study series entitled, “I Love My Church.” Jesus’ command to us as Christians is that all of our interactions must be bathed in love. How do our actions project love to one another in our church, and how will the love we have for those in our church affect the way we interact with our world? Let us step into this series with an introduction on Jesus’ words to His followers to be the light and love in the world.
Scripture is clear, we are to love one another in the Body of Christ. And although the Spirit dwells in us, love still needs to be perfected. To be like love from brother to brother and sister to sister— love as family. Love from the Father through the Son that is activated in our lives overflows into our speech and deeds. Join us this week in worship as we discover the Only Jesus— Brother and His love in the family of God.
You may be familiar with the good old hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” but what does having Jesus as our friend mean? Is he really our buddy? Jesus as our friend means he is close to us, we are united. It is a very personal thing for Jesus to be that close to us. Jesus even said that we were no longer servants, but friends because we know him. How close do you know Jesus?
Do you want to know the truth? Do you want to know the way? Do you want to know life? The answer can only be found in Jesus. You’ve probably heard it been said in Christian circles that to have Jesus is to have everything— and guess what? That is true. Everything, absolutely everything is found in Jesus Christ. Join us this week as we discuss how it is Only Jesus where we can receive life eternal, the truth of God’s word, and the way toward righteousness.
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