Learn-Grow-Become-GO!
Shout it in the assembly.
Shout it to the world. (Psalm 40)
22We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. 23Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently. (Romans 8:22-25 BSB)
1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
3Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. (Romans 5:1-5 BSB)
50Now I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
51Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
55“Where, O Death, is your victory?
Where, O Death, is your sting?”
56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
58Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:50-58 BSB)
Faith and Hope – these two gifts of the Spirit are inextricably entwined. We have hope precisely because we have faith – and we have faith because we hope in the promises of God.
Paul lives in this hope. He does not have any choice if he truly wants to be faithful to his calling. He was persecuted, poisoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned, beaten. If Paul had no hope in the promises of God, how could he have withstood these trials and burdens? He even says in 2 Corinthians that there was a time when he and his group were, “We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.” That’s significant. Very significant – and very relatable.
Without hope in our salvation, we simply “believe a story” that was told long ago. Paul was a walking, talking, preaching, ministering, example of hope.
But will there ever be a time without hope?
I hope so. 😊
Listen to this from Hebrews, “1Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. 2This is why the ancients were commended. (Hebrews 11:1-2 BSB)
And this is what we hope for
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
5And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. (Revelation 21:1-7 NLT)
Beautiful.
We hope for the second advent of Christ. We hope for the complete and total reconciliation of creation unto Yahweh. We hope for evil to be vanquished and the Light of Life to illuminate the new heaven and new earth. We hope for the day when we will not have to hope for these things again.
Scripture gives the ENTIRE story. Scripture teaches the realities of life today – and the hope of eternal life to come. Scripture teaches us to profess with our mouths and believe in our hearts that Jesus Christ is Lord and we will be saved and indwelled by the power of God that will allow His will to be done on Earth today – and scripture teaches that that same power will create for us pure, glorified bodies and pure, righteous spirits so that we may dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
WE WILL SEE YOU IN CHURCH!
Here’s an idea!
We would like to start 2025 by reading the entire New Testament out loud from the sanctuary.
We would begin at midnight January 1 and continue hour by hour until we complete it all. It should take about 18 hours.
There will be a sign-up sheet on the board starting this week.
We will also live-stream this over You Tube for all to receive.
If you haven’t taken the theological study day survey, please do! We want to hear from you!
Over the next few weeks and at the beginning of next year, we will be sharing the yearly church calendar with you and also sharing our goals and visions for 2025. We would love to hear from you! Only through you can any goal – physical or spiritual be reached!
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
First Friday movie Dec. 6 @7pm
Sunday the 8th is “Kids for Our King”
Sunday the 22nd we will be Christmas Caroling beginning at 5! Get signed-up so we know how much food to buy!
Remember, the single biggest reason given for why someone attends church for the first time is that a friend asked them!
Don’t let family coming for Christmas to be the reason you don’t attend church! Set the good example!
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, December 8, 2024
Welcome to Churchtown!
We are glad you are here!
The New Song Singer will lead today
Opening Word
Zechariah 9:9-10 (NLT)
141, “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
“The People That in Darkness Sat”
157, “Away In a Manger”
The Hope Candle
Kids for Our King with “Joy to the World!”
Scripture: Isaiah 9:9-10
Our Prayer of Peace
123, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
Our Time in the Word
Colossians 1:15-23 (NLT)
Our Time of Corporate Prayer
“The Lord’s Prayer”
Isaiah 61:1-4; 8-11 (NLT)
Your offering to the church is received with humility through the offering box located in the side room as you face the sanctuary. Thank you for supporting the Churchtown Church of God.
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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