Sermon Preview
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Over the last few weeks in our series of messages on the ‘Great Events in the History of Redemption,’ we have reacquainted ourselves with the (in)famous man named Samson. And we have studied him in a much different light than many of us have considered him before. We have certainly witnessed the good, the bad, and the ugly of Samson’s life as it has been splashed unfiltered before our eyes in the Old Testament book of Judges.
Samson, the strongest man on earth, was Israel’s final judge. But, spiritually speaking—and even militarily and politically—he was the very worst and weakest judge of all! The spiritual life of Israel and that of Samson tragically paralleled one another on downward trajectories, ever descending into the abyss of wholesale rebellion against the Lord God. Rather than saving Israel from the oppressive hand of the Philistines, which was Samson’s original mission, he pursued his own gratification. In direct disobedience to the commands of the Lord God, He sought immoral relationships with non-Israelite women, driven by an insatiable lust that would sacrifice literally everything for its carnal gratification. Like the people of the nation, He always did what he considered right in his own eyes, caring nothing for the commandments of Yahweh or the spiritual needs of those whom he was called to represent and deliver.
Well, this coming Lord’s Day morning we are going to trace the developments of Samson’s life as it comes to its spectacular and rather ignoble end. And, of course, this final act in his life is one of the more well-known episodes from Old Testament history. You will find it recorded in Judges 16:23-31. As we look carefully at this passage, we will ask the Lord to teach us the vital spiritual lessons that Samson’s tragic life embodied.
Before I sign off, let me say a special word of appreciation for my dear brothers, Rev. Jim Daughtry and Matthew Elliott. Thank you Jim for so powerfully preaching the Word for us in my absence last Sunday. And thank you Matthew for leading our Adult Sunday School Class in such a vital lesson on how to care for those who are struggling with ‘spiritual depression.’ We are a blessed Church indeed!
I love you all so very much!
Mike
Upcoming Events:
February 24, 2 PM – Stafford Baby Shower
February 25, 2 PM – New Members Class
February 25, 3:30 PM – Alleluia Choir at Church House
February 27, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Study
February 28, 9:30 AM – Women’s Morning Study
March 1, 6 AM – Men’s Morning Study
March 1, 11:30 AM – Women’s Monthly Lunch
March 3, 10:30 AM – Cummings Wedding Shower at Church House
March 4, 2:30 PM – Men’s Spring Bible Study
March 4, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
March 21, 6 PM – Diaconate Meeting
April 7, 10:00 AM – Mother/Daughter Tea Party
Order of Worship:
You can access this week’s Order of Worship by clicking here
The songs for this week are:
O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing (Hymn 164, vs. 1-4)
In The Shadow Of The Glorious Cross
Be Thou My Vision (Hymn 642, vs. 1-2, 4-5)
All Things New
Announcements:
Diaconate Announcement: Do you have a practical need, or know of someone who does? Your diaconate is most ready and willing to serve you, or to help you serve others, in any way we can. Please simply contact our Chairman, Jeff Brown, or speak to any of our Deacons. Our names are listed in the bottom of the bulletin, or you can send us an email at deacons@christpreshamptoncove.
Burton Memorial: A memorial service for Ollie Burton will be held at our Church in the Worship Center on Saturday March 3, 2018 at 2:00 PM. There will be a visitation and reception immediately following the service in the Fellowship area.
Meals for Susanne Nimon: Susanne Nimon is recovering from breaking her leg and it would be such a blessing to provide meals for a few weeks. Below is the link to her meal schedule. If you have any questions let me know. Link to Meal Schedule: www.TakeThemAMeal.com/BKNT4447
Youth Group: Youth Group meets again on March 4 at the church at 4:30 PM for all students in grades 6-12. Invite friends and neighbors!
Women’s Bible Studies: The Women’s weekly studies are ongoing. The Tuesday evening study is at 6 PM, while the Wednesday morning study is at 9:30 AM.
Men’s Bible Study: The Men’s Morning Bible Study is also back in action, meeting every other Thursday. The next meeting is February 15 at 6 AM.
Men’s Spring Bible Study: As we look forward to spring, please plan to attend our Spring Men’s Bible Study. Mike will be sharing lessons from the Psalms. We will be using Learning to Love the Psalms by W. Robert Godfrey as our main resource. We will meet from 2:30 – 4:00 pm on Sunday March 4, 11, and 18 and ending on 08 April.
This bible study represents the start of our fourth year of biannual bible studies. The Lord has poured out His blessings on us. We have been able to grow closer together while being challenged and encouraged by our studies. It has been wonderful to have our beloved Pastor teach us, allowing us to hear and see his heart and the heart of our session. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mark Cooper at cooperma777@gmail.com or 256-698-6556
Women’s Monthly Lunch: The next Women’s Monthly Lunch is March 1 at 11:30 AM.
Alleluia Choir: Alleluia Choir for students in Second through Sixth Grades has resumed, meeting from 3:30-4:20 PM upstairs in the Church House. New choristers are always welcome.
Stafford Baby Shower: There will be a baby shower to celebrate the arrival of Baby Stafford on February 24 at 2 PM at the church. Contact Fatihann Gibson to help.
Cummings Wedding Shower: Ladies, you are invited to a bridal shower honoring Ansley Knight, bride-elect of David Cummings. David is the son of Tim and Carol Cummings. The shower will be held at the church house on Saturday, March 3rd from 10:30 to 12. Please join us and RSVP HERE. Her registries are listed in the Evite. Thanks! See Denise Brown with any questions.
New Members Class: The next New Members Class will be on February 25 from 2 to 6 PM at the church. Childcare will be provided, and there will be a meal immediately following. Attending the class does not obligate you to join the church, but those wishing to join must attend the class. Visitors will not receive this notice via email, so if you know of any visitors interested in church membership, please help make them aware of the upcoming class date.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Gretchen McKee, Perry Calvert, Suzanne Nimon, Suzi Jones, Robin Holloway, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, and Nolan Osmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the the Townsley family, expecting in March, and the Staffords and Deans, expecting in April.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student).