Learn-Grow-Become-GO!
Shout it in the assembly.
Shout it to the world. (Psalm 40)
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 (BSB)
The Day of the Lord
1Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you. 2For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief. 5For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
We have been talking a lot about light and darkness lately. It seems to be a theme that the Lord has placed on our hearts. The above passage speaks of believers as “sons of the light and sons of the day.” That is very reassuring given the description of the Day of the Lord directly above. Think of it this way, thieves generally do not come out in the daylight. In fact, one of the best deterrents is to leave lights on. Even though it may be dark, we make our home, or any area that we would like to protect. Like the day.
The light we carry is the very light of life of which Jesus speaks when He says, “I am the light of the world.” It is the very light of which Yahweh speaks when He says, “Let there be light!” It is the light of which Isaiah speaks when he prophesied that, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned… For unto us a child is born.” (Isaiah 9:2 and 6)
No, we a Christ-followers do not fear the day of the Lord. We do not fear judgment or the wrath of God. We are living in the light of Christ – covered by the righteousness of Christ. Let the world revel in its sin – let the world define “peace and security” as it wishes. Our faith is in the completed work of the cross. Our hope in in the Lord and the reclamation of the world unto Him.
Come, Lord Jesus, Come.
As the scripture says, 6So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation.
9For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. 11Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.
And His church said, Amen – let it be so.
12But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who preside over you in the Lord and give you instruction. 13In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
Appreciate those who work diligently to help Christian brothers and sisters live in the light – those who rightly divide the word of God and live lives worthy of imitation because they themselves imitate Christ. I can only speak for myself, but I am not what I would call a “pillar of faith.” I am easily distracted, easily tempted, and subject to emotional rather than spiritual responses. I NEED people in my life who are pillars.
I need people who will speak Truth to me and spiritually support me in my endeavors to proclaim the word and serve the people of the church. Satan likes to toy with me by messing with my friends and spiritual supporters. The opposer is always at work trying to distract me and spiritually separate me from those closest to me.
But it is not just me. EVERY follower is called to discern God’s will and know God’s Word. And the moment that a person makes that commitment, the opposer of God’s will sets out to wreak havoc in the life of the believer. This is something that is true for ALL followers of Christ thus it is something that ALL followers of Christ should be made aware of so that we may indeed as His church be awake and sober, not sleeping as others do, but walking daily in the light of Christ.
14And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
15Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
16Rejoice at all times. 17Pray without ceasing. 18Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19Do not extinguish the Spirit. 20Do not treat prophecies with contempt, 21but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. 22Abstain from every form of evil.
The Christian is called to be engaged. Next week we will examine each one of these instructions in depth.
Stay tuned for part II!
WE WILL SEE YOU IN CHURCH!
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU
I had a lot on my mind at the start of the service Sunday and I neglected to properly thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support. Thank you for your understanding and your prayer.
I love being your pastor and your friend.
TRUNK OR TREAT IS TONIGHT! HOW ARE YOU GOING TO HELP? THIS IS A WONDERFUL COMMUNITY OUTREACH!
And let’s not forget our annual Christmas Hymn Sing! Sign up early!
All Thanksgiving bags were accounted for Sunday. Two things:
· Bags need to be returned to the Fellowship Hall by Sunday Nov. 17. (if you end up with 2-3 bags of food and groceries, many people put bags in a box)
· If you missed out (and yes, only people in this congregation would be genuinely upset that they didn’t get to help!) We will be serving 11 families for Christmas. So don’t worry!
YOU are AMAZING!
GOD has taken the $1,000 seed money from the general fund and multiplied it to nearly $6,000 for hurricane relief! And yes, Every penny goes to relief!
God bless you all.
ANOTHER BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
You can now subscribe and listen to the
“Churchtown Podcast Network!”
Available on both Apple Podcasts and Spotify, just search “Turning on the Lights!” and “Churchtown Church of God Sermons” – subscribe and then leave a rating and a review! More folks will see it!
*Audio and video are always posted on our YouTube channel @churchtownchurch (there are 1,100 videos there)
Church Calendar
Trunk or Treat Thursday October 31 6-8pm
First Friday Movie, “Shadowlands” 7pm.
SERVE Saturday November 2.
BON FIRE – Sunday November 3. 4pm
Thanksgiving Eve Service 7pm Wednesday Nov. 27 with The Lord’s Supper
Christmas Hymn Sing 6pm Sunday December 1
Nov. 27th – Thanksgiving Eve. 7pm
Remember, the single biggest reason given for why someone attends church for the first time is that a friend asked them!
As always, we continue in prayer for Churchtown, for our community, for the church universal, and for the lost everywhere.
God is good. God provides. Keep your eyes up and on the cross people.
Be well and do good, my friends. And, as always, Keep Looking Up! The lord comes!
REMEMBER THAT!
Opportunities!
We are always seeking individuals to be trained in technology. We would like to develop TEAMS that could rotate weekends.
There is always the opportunity to provide music – join up with the New Song Singers and / or talk to me about a special prelude or piece.
Gather-Grow-Become-Go
Churchtown Church of God
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Welcome to Churchtown!
We are glad you are here! Thank you New Song Singers for leading today!
Prelude Piece, “We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise”
Opening Word
Psalm 146 (NLT)
#38, “I Will Call Upon The Lord”
“Unto Thee, O Lord”
“10,000 Reasons”
NSS with, “Antiphonal Praise”
Our Time in the Word
Luke 10:25-37 (NLT)
Chorus #420, “Only Believe”
Our Time of Corporate Prayer
“The Lord’s Prayer”
The final Word: Deuteronomy 6
As a “little” church, we are always asking the question, “What CAN we do?” Well, we can start by caring for the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of each other.We CAN serve the next person God places before us.
We CAN invite that person to church!
We CAN be intentional about going to church and strengthening ourselves and the body.
We CAN serve our community and show who Christ is to those who do not know Him.
We CAN PRAY, PRAY, PRAY – and we can REMAIN FATIHFUL!
I Love Being Your Pastor and Your Friend,
Brian
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