Sunday, June 07, 2015

Falcon Lake all people's church

Pastor Brian
Kids camp is August 10-14 volunteers are still needed.
The Love of God was the favorite theme of Brian's professor Dr Murray. Brian was invited to his house for supper. The professor and his wife sat side by side at dinner holding hands. All his life was about showing God's love.

Pastoral prayer: wars and rumours of war in the Ukraine and Africa. God is sufficient.
Lord we can't begin to describe the depth of your love. We can't fathom such love. Thank you that you are the creator God. We don't always honour you and we ask for your forgiveness and restoration. We want to walk in your mercy and come boldly into your presence to meet our needs and help us in our struggles.
We ask that you pour out your healing on our friends and family. Help us all to rest in you.
We pray for those who are confused in life and we pray that you give guidance.
We pray for our brothers and sisters around the world that are being persecuted. We pray for protection and peace for them.
You have asked us to bring peace. We pray for the persecutors that you will reveal yourself to them in dreams and teach peace to everyone.
We pray that the glory of Christ may shine on everyone. Amen.

Acts 15. A foundational story that keeps touching us.
Jewish believers told gentile believers they had to be circumcised. The church sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem for a ruling.
What was at stake here? To be a Jew you had to be circumcised.
God promised Abraham a son that would become a nation and the messiah would come from there. 
God established a global blessing.
Some of the Jews thought that to be in a proper relationship with God you needed Jewish rules plus Christ.
They missed the point that Jesus fulfilled the Scriptures. Jesus was the finishing touch. All the roads of Jewish scriptures point to Christ and are fulfilled in Jesus. Jesus is not just an add on. In Christ alone my hope is found.
The prosperity gospel says Jesus affirms that the godly will be rich. That is so wrong. They miss the transformational power of Jesus.
Many denominations have been built around the prosperity slogan. But there is always a catch.
Jesus offers salvation as a gift of God. Nothing more nothing less. The Jesus plus gospel is so wrong.
Acts 15. We are saved by faith in Jesus. Nothing else.
Some believers said it is necessary to circumcise.
The law does not bring freedom. Jews can't keep the law. God's grace does it all.
We should not make it difficult for new believers. We need to reach people for Christ and resist putting burdens on new believers.

One day Bunky Baker came to church. He rode a bike always drunk. What does he think he is doing in church? Isn't this the place for messed up people?

Our only contribution to salvation is the Sin from which I need saving. It's not Jesus Plus. It's Jesus. He is the answer for the world today. Thank you Jesus. You came for sinners and that's who I am.

Father. Simple things can be so hard for us. Jesus I trust you alone. Give me the gift of the Spirit of God. I celebrate.

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