Sometimes God speaks to the world through a message written for His people. He addresses an absentee audience, as it were. We encounter this phenomenon in the Old Testament prophets. For example:
“Draw near, O nations, to hear, and give attention, O peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that fills it; the world, and all that comes from it. For the Lord is enraged against all the nations, and furious against all their host; he has devoted them to destruction, has given them over for slaughter.”–Isaiah 34:1-2.
We see a very similar thing, with equally shocking language, in the prophetic words of James 5:1-6. Standing in the rich and authoritative tradition of Israel’s inspired prophets, James pronounces a word of doom and destruction upon the “rich” (v. 1) who are destined for “slaughter” (v. 5). The audience in view here, however, is the unbelieving world outside the Church. James is warning all unbelievers, but especially those who are “rich” in worldly goods, that a day of reckoning is on the way. But if this is true, then we might be curious as to why the Lord would say things intended for an audience of people who will never read these words.
The solution to this puzzle is discovered in the fact that by speaking this way to His own people, God both instructs and warns those who belong to Him. In this passage, James is demonstrating the awful peril of making a god out of one’s wealth. He wants us—the followers of Jesus—to see what’s really happening to such people, the “rich,” when we look past the glitz, glamour, and the care-free spirit that effectively disguises their real “miseries” (vv. 1-3), terrible sins (vv. 4-6), and ultimate destiny (v. 6). And it’s not a pretty sight at all! Yet the point is well-taken, and the warning intended for us is clear enough! There is a grave danger associated with the accumulation of earthly treasures. It is an indisputable fact that “worldly wealth is an area of high risk in the battle to walk humbly with God” (Alec Motyer).
On Sunday, we will feast upon this passage of Holy Scripture. We will be both instructed in the way of righteousness, and warned of the peril of allowing our hearts to be captured by the love of things.
I love you all, and you are my constant joy!
Mike
Upcoming Events:
February 12, 3 PM – New Members Class
February 14, 9 AM – Presbytery Meeting
February 14, 9 AM – Senior Fellows Painting @ Church House
February 14, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Bible Study
February 15, 9 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study
February 19, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
February 25, 10 AM – Baby Shower for Leah Johnson (at Renee Davie’s house)
February 26, 5 PM – Parenting Class
Connecting with the Catechism:
Q.18 Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
A.18 The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called Original Sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.
Rom. 5:12, 19 5:10-20
Eph. 2:1-3
James 1:14-15
Matt. 15:19.
Q.19 What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell?
A.19 All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever.
Q.20 Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
A.20 God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer.
Eph. 1:4.
Rom. 3:20-22
Gal. 3:21-22
Announcements:
New Members Class:
The next New Members class will be held at the church on February 12 and 19from 3 to 5 PM. This class is for anyone interested in learning more about becoming a member of our church. Attending the class does not obligate you to join, but anyone wishing to become a member must attend both classes. See the sign up sheet in the Narthex. Nursery will be provided, and there will be a meal after the February 19 meeting.
Presbytery Meeting:
There will be a meeting of the Providence Presbytery this week at the church on February 14 at 9 AM. The church will be feeding the participants both breakfast and lunch. Below is a sign up for some things to fill out our meals. If you would like to provide a dessert or breakfast muffins for the meeting you can access the group meal by clicking here. If you have any questions, please contact Erica McNeese.
Ladies Fellowship Dinner:
There will be a dinner for the ladies of the church at Rosie’s Cantina on S. Parkway on February 20 at 6:30 PM. Please RSVP on the calendar on the church website.
Senior Fellows:
Senior Fellows will visit the Harris Children’s Home (1210 Church St NW, Huntsville) 10 AM, Tues, Feb 21. Carpools will leave the Church at 9:30 AM. We will have lunch after the visit. Visitors are welcome. For more information, email seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org or phone: 256-532-1856.
Parenting Class:
This year, we will meet again and discuss the topic of Leading Our Children to Faith in Christ. He will be using the book “Bringing the Gospel to Covenant Children” as a guide. This will be a wonderful chance for us to learn more about the reformed view of covenant children and their coming to Christ, what this looks like at our church, as well as ask any questions related to the communicant’s book that the Session has us go through with our children before they make a profession. It’s also a chance for us to fellowship! Mark your calendars:
· Sunday, February 25th at 5:00 to 6:30 pm
· Sunday, March 6th at 5:00 pm (with potluck fellowship dinner to follow)
· Location: The Nuwayhid’s Basement, 3002 Firethorn Drive, Hampton Cove
Please RSVP to children@christpreshamptoncove.org, along with $6 for a copy of the book.
So that we may all be present at the sessions, please plan to have a sitter for your children so that they may stay at home. The church is offering a childcare stipend for this event. We will provide a form for you to fill out closer to time.. Don’t let childcare hinder you from coming (email me if you need ideas!).
Snacks for RUF:
Christ Presbyterian has committed to providing snacks for the RUF at UAH Large Group meeting on Monday, March 6th and Monday, April 10th.
Some information below:
· We are providing snacks (chips, trail mix, granola bars, fruit) and/or desserts (brownies, cookies, donuts, etc) for UAH students at the RUF “Large Group” meeting – between 75-100 students.
· We are asking 4 people to sign up for each night with each person preparing a snack/dessert to serve 25-30 people.
· If possible, bring your food in containers/bags that do not need to be returned.
· DROP-OFF: If possible, bring your contributions to the UAH Nursing Building on the Monday you sign up at 6:45pm. Come into the lobby of the ‘newer-looking’ Nursing Building and you will find RUF students setting up. If you are unable to drop off at that time contact Norman for pickup (334-313-1298, ndeaniv@gmail.com).
Bags of Blessings:
Our church has volunteered to help March 8th and April 5th with the Bags of Blessings ministry at the Care Center in New Hope. Packing begins at 6:00 PM and lasts around 1.5 hours. We need 25-30 volunteers. Please contact Norman Dean, ndeaniv@gmail.com, if you would like to help or want more information.
Prayer Requests: Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Chris
Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Katie Dyer,
Rebecca Berry, Jenan Nuwayhid, Bill Dent, Zig Jastrebski, Bill and Mitzi
Cowley, Leon Galecki, and Sondra Behmer. Bereavement: Mr. Alvin Oaks, father of Betty Terry and grandfather of Kaitlin
Passeur, died this week. Please pray for the family during this time. Expecting parents: Please pray for the Lancaster family who is due in April,
and for the McCool family who is due in June. Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and
Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Reid and
Kelli Jones, Jennifer Kent (RUF UAH); Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky
Garcia (seminary student).