We are in our second week of American Jesus. Last week we looked at why it's a big deal to believe that Jesus is God like the Father is God. This week we are focusing our attention on "Simple Jesus".
Here's what's happening this Sunday:
We open with a fun and funny drama "Yourway Church of the Customizable Jesus" --as you can tell from the title, it's about people's desire to get the Jesus they want.
As you join in singing the opening songs the first song "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" calls us to worship. The second song speaks of the wonder of God, the reason we worship him and the final song brings us to worship him. As you join in watch for this flow.
Our congregational prayer comes next along with the offering. There will be a video during the offering about Financial Peace University. Check your mailbox or the table by the mailboxes for more information.
After the offering we will again be praying. This prayer will focus on the needs of the world.
The message this week focuses on Psalm 78.1-4 and Matthew 13.34-35 (and the parable of the sower from Matthew 13). The message talks about how God seeks to communicate with us and how Jesus follows that same pattern of communication in bringing us a message that had been hidden from the beginning of creation. Tell your kids to keep their ears open for a little bit of Row, Row, Row your boat. As happens fairly regularly there is more message than time so the long version of the printed message is in the downloads section of EverGreen's website (www.egm.org). At the end of that message are a few added thoughts that I'll be posting on Monday.
The songs following the message are songs of dedication. As you sing pay attention to what you are actually promising and committing to. Singing is sung prayer according to John Calvin and so it carries the same weight as speaking a commitment to God.
One last thought--why not take a few moments/minutes on Sunday morning to get your heart ready for worship. You can read the texts for the day and pray for God to empower you to worship him in ways that please him. You can also show up a few minutes before worship so that you can settle in and focus on God.
See you Sunday!
Friday, December 7, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Join the Conversation
For those of you who are EverGreen folks I want to invite and urge you to join two conversations. The first is with Pastor Tom at 4:45 on the next 2 Sundays. Tom is talking about the sacraments and how we understand them at egm. It's an opportunity to not only listen but also to ask questions. Since the sacraments are a means of God putting his grace into our lives it's important to know what they are all about.
The second conversation happens after the evening service. It's call "The Thirty". It's an opportunity to talk about the message, ask questions, get clarification on what was said etc. I lead this in the "sofa room". This a great time to take the message and make it more a part of our lives and to have the conversation help us to think more deeply and hopefully apply more fully what was said.
The great thing about both of these conversations is that by investing from 4:45 - 7:45 you have an opportunity to listen, think, question, dig deeply and so build your faith. As we'll discover this coming Sunday, understanding our faith through sustained thought and insight makes it possible for us to be fruitful.
So come and join the conversation.
The second conversation happens after the evening service. It's call "The Thirty". It's an opportunity to talk about the message, ask questions, get clarification on what was said etc. I lead this in the "sofa room". This a great time to take the message and make it more a part of our lives and to have the conversation help us to think more deeply and hopefully apply more fully what was said.
The great thing about both of these conversations is that by investing from 4:45 - 7:45 you have an opportunity to listen, think, question, dig deeply and so build your faith. As we'll discover this coming Sunday, understanding our faith through sustained thought and insight makes it possible for us to be fruitful.
So come and join the conversation.
Back the truck up
My New Testament reading is in the book of 1 Corinthians right now. This morning I came across a couple of verses that caused me to pause. Here they are,
1Cor. 7:18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision.
1Cor. 7:19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.
Here's the pause--circumcision is a central command of God in the Old Testament, it is a sign of the covenant i.e. a really huge deal when it comes to being obedient to God (see Genesis 17). This comment by Paul tells us that there has been a radical and fundamental shift in what is and is not obedience in the light of the coming of Jesus (and the New Covenant) As such, an important conversation has to be held about what constitutes obedience. Such a conversation was held both in the church (see Acts 15) and in church history (Belgic Confession Article 25
The Fulfillment of the Law
We believe
that the ceremonies and symbols of the law have ended
with the coming of Christ,
and that all foreshadowings have come to an end,
so that the use of them ought to be abolished
among Christians.
Yet the truth and substance of these things
remain for us in Jesus Christ,
in whom they have been fulfilled.
Nevertheless,
we continue to use the witnesses
drawn from the law and prophets
to confirm us in the gospel
and to regulate our lives with full integrity
for the glory of God,
according to his will.)
Even with these historic understandings, the words of Paul prove stunning and call on us in the light of what the church of the past has taught to discover what obedience looks like in the New Covenant of Christ.
1Cor. 7:18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision.
1Cor. 7:19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.
Here's the pause--circumcision is a central command of God in the Old Testament, it is a sign of the covenant i.e. a really huge deal when it comes to being obedient to God (see Genesis 17). This comment by Paul tells us that there has been a radical and fundamental shift in what is and is not obedience in the light of the coming of Jesus (and the New Covenant) As such, an important conversation has to be held about what constitutes obedience. Such a conversation was held both in the church (see Acts 15) and in church history (Belgic Confession Article 25
The Fulfillment of the Law
We believe
that the ceremonies and symbols of the law have ended
with the coming of Christ,
and that all foreshadowings have come to an end,
so that the use of them ought to be abolished
among Christians.
Yet the truth and substance of these things
remain for us in Jesus Christ,
in whom they have been fulfilled.
Nevertheless,
we continue to use the witnesses
drawn from the law and prophets
to confirm us in the gospel
and to regulate our lives with full integrity
for the glory of God,
according to his will.)
Even with these historic understandings, the words of Paul prove stunning and call on us in the light of what the church of the past has taught to discover what obedience looks like in the New Covenant of Christ.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
Isaiah -- Uncomfortable
I'm reading the book of Isaiah in my OT reading time. I'm in Isaiah 5 and came to these words,
Is. 5:11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning,
that they may run after strong drink,
who tarry late into the evening
as wine inflames them!
Is. 5:12 They have lyre and harp,
tambourine and flute and wine at their feasts,
but they do not regard the deeds of the LORD,
or see the work of his hands.
Reading those words made me wonder what things we have that make for a great feast or a great time--but we have no regard for the deeds of God. Or putting it another way, what really good stuff do we have that consumes our time so that we don't have time to see God, his greatness, and the reality that what we are really supposed to want is his name and renown.
Is. 5:11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning,
that they may run after strong drink,
who tarry late into the evening
as wine inflames them!
Is. 5:12 They have lyre and harp,
tambourine and flute and wine at their feasts,
but they do not regard the deeds of the LORD,
or see the work of his hands.
Reading those words made me wonder what things we have that make for a great feast or a great time--but we have no regard for the deeds of God. Or putting it another way, what really good stuff do we have that consumes our time so that we don't have time to see God, his greatness, and the reality that what we are really supposed to want is his name and renown.
Spurgeon
The great 19th century preacher Charles Spurgeon wrote about our need to take seriously God's word with his own eloquent words,
"Men lend their ears to music, how much more then should they listen to the harmonies of the gospel; they sit enthralled in the presence of an orator, how much rather they should yield to eloquence of heaven."
Comments on Psalm 78
"Men lend their ears to music, how much more then should they listen to the harmonies of the gospel; they sit enthralled in the presence of an orator, how much rather they should yield to eloquence of heaven."
Comments on Psalm 78
Pastor's appreciation
Linda and I thank all of you again for the cards and gifts that came our way during pastor's appreciation. We've taken the gifts and set them aside for special purchases and outings. I just wanted you to know a couple of things that we've used them for so far.
The first thing was a joyful purchase of a New Testament commentary set that I've wanted for a while. What made it even more joyful to my Dutch heart was it being 70% off... When it comes I'll mark each volume with egm and a reminder that it was a gift from you.
The other thing Linda and I did was enjoy a wonderful meal at Piper. We sat overlooking Lake Macatawa as the sun set and ate a great meal. The time was refreshing.
So thanks again. We are honored to serve with the people of EverGreen.
The first thing was a joyful purchase of a New Testament commentary set that I've wanted for a while. What made it even more joyful to my Dutch heart was it being 70% off... When it comes I'll mark each volume with egm and a reminder that it was a gift from you.
The other thing Linda and I did was enjoy a wonderful meal at Piper. We sat overlooking Lake Macatawa as the sun set and ate a great meal. The time was refreshing.
So thanks again. We are honored to serve with the people of EverGreen.
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