So far in our study of the Epistle of Second John we have learned that there is a vast difference between our definition and use of the word “love” and that found and employed in the world apart from Christ. More to the point, we believe that in order to understand “love,” one must also have “truth.” And this, as we have seen, is evident in 2 John 1:1-2 where the aged Apostle John assures his readers that he loves them “in truth,” and that “the truth” with which he dearly loves them is that truth which “abides” in them and stands “forever.”
Of course, this leads us to consider something else: what is “the truth”?
Like our use and definition of “love,” believers in Christ also speak of “truth” in much different terms than those outside of faith in Christ. When we talk about “truth,” we have in mind something revealed, unchanging, eternal, and objective (as opposed to being subjective, or different for different people). And, fundamentally, “the truth” which has been revealed and that we believe and proclaim has everything to do with our Lord Jesus Christ. This “truth” concerns who He was and why He came. It’s all about Jesus!
When John wrote his three letters in the late first century, this “truth” was under assault. You can see this in 2 John 1:7 where he warns his readers about the “deceivers” out there “in the world” who do not affirm nor “confess” that our Lord Jesus has “come in the flesh.” In other words, they get Jesus all wrong, and thus, do not possess “the truth.”
This coming Sunday as we go deeper into 2 John, we will probe this “truth” further. In preparation for our message, take some time to reflect upon John 1:1-18 and 1 John 4:1-6.
I love you all and can’t wait to worship our Lord and Savior with you on Sunday!
Mike
Upcoming Events:
May 5, 5 PM – Parents’ Night Out – Wild Wild Wild West
May 7, 4 PM – Church Picnic at Monte Sano Lodge
May 9, 6 PM– Women’s Evening Bible Study
May 10, 9 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study
May 16, 10 AM – Senior Fellows visit to Botanical Gardens
May 17, 9 AM – Senior Fellows Bags of Blessings packing at The CARE Center
May 20, 11 AM – Women’s Ministry Spring Luncheon
Connecting with the Catechism:
Q. 58. What is required in the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set times as he hath appointed in his Word; expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy sabbath to himself.
Ex. 31:13, 16-17
Q. 59. Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly sabbath?
A. From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly sabbath; and the first day of the week ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian sabbath.
Gen. 2:2-3; Ex. 20:11
Mark 2:27-28; Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:2; Rev. 1:10
Q. 60. How is the sabbath to be sanctified?
A. The sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days; and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God’s worship, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy.
Ex. 20:10; Neh. 13:15-22; Isa. 58:13-14
Ex. 20:8; Lev. 23:3; Luke 4:16; Acts 20:7
Matt. 12:1-13
Announcements:
Parents’ Night Out:
The next Parents’ Night Out is TONIGHT at the church. The theme is Wanted: Children After God’s Own Heart. Please contact Meg Wohleber if you would like to sign up your children or if you would like to volunteer to help.
Church Picnic:
Come enjoy a time of fellowship at Monte Sano State Park (the large pavilion) for our spring Church picnic! The church will be providing the BBQ and drinks. If you would like to bring a side dish or dessert please click here. In the past our church body has shown that we have many members who are expert ice cream makers! This is always a hit and we would love for some of you to bring your favorite homemade ice cream creations again!
There is always plenty of food, so if you can’t bring something do not let that keep you from coming! There will be a playground for the kids, and picnic tables but if you would like to bring a lawn game, and lawn chairs (horseshoes etc.) there is open space to accommodate that kind of fun!
Date: May 7th 2017 (That’s This Sunday! Exclamation Points!) Time: 4pm-6pm Where: Monte Sano State Park (the large pavilion).
The pavilion reservation includes admissions for all our attendees. Just identify your purpose/destination at the park entrance.
Looking forward to our time of fellowship! If you have any questions let us know!
Senior Fellows:
On Tuesday, May 16, the Senior Fellows and wives will visit Huntsville Botanical Gardens. We will arrive about 10 AM, walk through the beautiful gardens and visit the butterfly house, and have lunch about 12 noon. Bring a picnic lunch, or you can eat at the garden restaurant (good food!) The garden is located at 4747 Bob Wallace Avenue. Carpooling is 9:30 AM at the church.
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, Ned Nuwayhid, Leon Galecki, Patti Carter, Jane Owens, Anna Stafford, Dona Sims, Cynthia Dent, and Sondra Behmer. Expecting parents: Please pray for the McCool family, 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; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky
Garcia (seminary student).