The Women of Advent, Part 5: Anna
|
Dec. 31, 2017: AUDIO COMING SOON
Text: Luke 2:21-38 I. Mary and Joseph the Faithful (21-24) II. Simeon the Prophet (25-35) III. Anna the Evangelist (36-38) ______ Thought: What is your New Year's resolution? |
The Women of Advent, Part 4: Mary's Son
|
Dec. 24, 2017: AUDIO COMING SOON
Text: Luke 2:1-14 I. Joseph Receives a Summons (1-5) II. Mary Receives a Son (6-7) III. Shepherds Receive a Savior (8-14) ______ Thought: What is the best Christmas present you have ever received? |
Love, Action and Prayer in the Wake of an Attack on Our Neighbors
Dear Emmaus Family,
There is a lot being written and said about the Christian response to the horrific attack which took place in our city at The Pulse night club. I wanted to reach out to our congregation to give us some guidance as we try to process and respond to what has transpired.
First of all, it is the clear teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus does not qualify this command, He includes everyone. We are to love the LGBT community as we love ourselves. This does not mean that we agree with or condone the behavior of those associated with the LGBT community. It does mean that we are to love them, pray for them, help them and serve them in any way needed. As a matter of fact, we will be praying for them again at our service on Sunday. All human beings are made in the image and likeness of God and therefore are to be valued and are to be treated with dignity and respect.
Second, some are saying that this mass slaughter at a gay nightclub is a result of God pouring out His wrath on the people of the LGBT community, because of their lifestyle. We cannot make that connection in any way. These mass shootings target children at schools, folks involved with local government and even churches. It is absurd to make the assertion that this is the judgment or wrath of God. As a matter of fact, Jesus addressed this exact line of thinking in Luke chapter 13. Are people killed by murderous acts of others being punished by God? Are they worse sinners because they have died in this way? Similarly, are people who die in tragic accidents worse sinners than others who escape? Jesus responds by saying, NO and that this is the wrong thing to be concerned about, the wrong question to ask. Jesus says that we should be concerned about our own souls, our own standing with God. The passage follows:
Luke 13:1: Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? 3 "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 "Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse sinners than all the men who live in Jerusalem? 5 "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."
Brothers and Sisters, Let us respond to this horrific event with love, action and prayer. Remember that people have lost sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, grandchildren, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews and dear friends.
Love One Another,
Pastor David
June 16, 2016
There is a lot being written and said about the Christian response to the horrific attack which took place in our city at The Pulse night club. I wanted to reach out to our congregation to give us some guidance as we try to process and respond to what has transpired.
First of all, it is the clear teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus does not qualify this command, He includes everyone. We are to love the LGBT community as we love ourselves. This does not mean that we agree with or condone the behavior of those associated with the LGBT community. It does mean that we are to love them, pray for them, help them and serve them in any way needed. As a matter of fact, we will be praying for them again at our service on Sunday. All human beings are made in the image and likeness of God and therefore are to be valued and are to be treated with dignity and respect.
Second, some are saying that this mass slaughter at a gay nightclub is a result of God pouring out His wrath on the people of the LGBT community, because of their lifestyle. We cannot make that connection in any way. These mass shootings target children at schools, folks involved with local government and even churches. It is absurd to make the assertion that this is the judgment or wrath of God. As a matter of fact, Jesus addressed this exact line of thinking in Luke chapter 13. Are people killed by murderous acts of others being punished by God? Are they worse sinners because they have died in this way? Similarly, are people who die in tragic accidents worse sinners than others who escape? Jesus responds by saying, NO and that this is the wrong thing to be concerned about, the wrong question to ask. Jesus says that we should be concerned about our own souls, our own standing with God. The passage follows:
Luke 13:1: Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? 3 "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 "Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse sinners than all the men who live in Jerusalem? 5 "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."
Brothers and Sisters, Let us respond to this horrific event with love, action and prayer. Remember that people have lost sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, grandchildren, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews and dear friends.
Love One Another,
Pastor David
June 16, 2016
