“Why do you look for the living among the dead?” – Luke 24:5b
It is arguably the most…recognizable verse in the entire Bible, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 These words are part of a conversation between Jesus and a Pharisee named Nicodemus. It’s a conversation just like you and I have every week with someone we meet. It’s normal, except that Nicodemus sneaks through the cloak of darkness to find Jesus for fear he will be seen by his contemporaries. In his heart he is convicted that Jesus is a man sent by God, but his colleagues are unconvinced.
There are only twenty-six words in Jesus’ symphony of hope, but they are some of the most treasured words in all the world. Those words exude grace, hope, love, and a promise for life. You have read the verse but have you ever slowed down and chewed on those words to discover all their flavor?
- “For God so loved…” – He wasn’t just fond of or just like you. He loved you long before he ever knew you.
- “That he gave…” – Because God loved, he gave…not just anything, but his only son!
- “That whoever…” – That means anyone, at any time, from any place. It applies to even you and me!
- “Believes…” – All that is required to receive this heavenly gift is to believe with all your heart. That’s all!
- “Will not perish…” You won’t die. How? Because of Jesus and your faith in him.
- “But have eternal life.” You will live forever. Wow! What a statement!
The mind-blowing meaning behind God’s gift found in John 3:16 is this: God gave his son so that you might live, forever! How can we read this one verse and not be changed? This promise is hard to grasp and understand!
When Jesus was crucified, Nicodemus came out of the darkness and asked for his body. He and Joseph of Arimathea buried Jesus in an empty tomb. Three-days later, when word spread that Jesus was no longer in the tomb, you can bet that Nicodemus recalled that late night hook-up conversation with the King. So…Believe in him! And you will not perish! You will have life…eternal life. Forever! Wow! What a promise. What a gift!
Are you willing to help…a child with their reading skills? Math skills? The Mulberry School needs volunteers to help in these areas. If you can give 1 hour a week, please see me ASAP. “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me…” – Mark 9:37
Upcoming Events…
September 6 – Wednesday Night Meal @ the building, 6:00pm
September 9 – Ladies Day at the church building, Ms. Jennifer Percell will be the guest speaker
September 10 – Basket Dinner after morning Worship
September 15 – Silver Society Breakfast, 9:30am, All American Dinner
September 16 – Fall Festival at the Kurz’s home
September 16 – Pray over Iowa at Center Point Road Church of Christ, Marion Iowa, 2:00pm
September 19…Blood Drive @ the Building.
September 29 – Silver Society Lunch, 11:30am, All American Dinner
September 24-27…Demons vs. Prayer Seminar with Steve Hemphill of Active-Faith. www.active-faith.org
October 28 – Trunk-or-Treat at the church building, 3-5pm
Spiritual Warfare Seminar…with Steve Hemphill is coming up fast. Mark your calendars for September 24-27, each night at the Riverview Center downtown on Harbor Drive. There will be a light dinner Sunday evening.
Sessions:
Sunday, 9/24 @ 3:30pm Spiritual Warfare 101 (Dinner to follow)
Sunday, 9/24 @ 5:45pm Biblical Demons and Symbols
Monday, 9/25 @ 6:30pm Spiritual Weapons (pt.1)
Tuesday, 9/26 @ 6:30pm Spiritual Weapons (pt.2)
Wednesday, 9/27 @ 6:30pm Prayer Hindrances & Land Markers in Scripture, Spiritual Resources and a final Charge for Battle
This Week at MCoC…We continue in our series of Walking the Walk. This week we will talk about our heart for Christ. I hope you will be there!
DJA
0 Comments