Sermon Preview
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,
Today is another special day in the life of our Lord’s Church. All over our globe, believers are celebrating what has been know historically as ‘Good Friday.’ This is the day that Christians remember our Lord’s atoning death upon the cross on that momentous Friday afternoon two-thousand years ago.
Of course, this year’s commemoration of our Savior’s death is much different than most of us have ever experienced. We are unable to meet together for this holy occasion. In virtually every part of our world, believers are huddled in their homes in the same way that we are now. A pandemic, sweeping across nearly every continent, has necessitated our separation from one another, and has brought the subject of suffering very close to all of us. So, in some very small way, like our Savior who went before us, we too suffer on this day, in varying degrees of severity.
What likely seems odd to those outside the saving Gospel of Christ is the rather strange designation for this day, ‘Good Friday.’ While there is plenty of debate regarding the origin and meaning of this label, it is certainly the case that we Christians see no discontinuity between the word ‘Good’ and the commemoration of our Savior’s crucifixion on that ‘Friday.’ Suffering, even in the incalculably extreme form which our Lord endured, does not automatically rule out the experience of something good and, dare we even say, beautiful!
In his letter to the Galatian Church, it was the Apostle Paul who put these concepts together very beautifully:
“ But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14).
“ Boast” about “ the cross”?
That seems so incongruous, since we normally “ boast” in pleasant things such as our children or grandchildren, our new job, the raise we just received, the degree we finally earned, the big fish we snagged, and other ‘normal’ things such as these. But to glory in, to brag about, to find delight in “ the cross” of our innocent Savior?
His suffering was ‘good’!
Here is the perplexing core of the Gospel. We believe it was a good thing, even the grandest thing of all, that our dear Lord and Savior willingly went to the cross for us! It was good that He suffered! It was good that He died! And by maintaining such claims, we are not betraying some nonsensical and absurd love for that which is morbid or evil! But we are simply following the storyline of the most magnificent of all stories. His suffering and death brought us life!
Hear the words of Paul once again:
For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous (Romans 5:17-19).
It was, then, a most blessed and ‘good’ thing that Jesus suffered and died for us! The cross, the cruelest instrument of torture and death ever devised, is the symbol of life for us who know the One who died there so horribly! For by the wounds He suffered on the cross, we are healed! Because there, on the cross, He endured God’s wrath for us, we find our joy and our whole reason for living!
It is a ‘Good Friday’ indeed! Praise His Holy Name!!
Sunday’s Sermon
On Sunday, Resurrection Day, our sermon will come from 1Thessalonians 4:13-18. This is, for sure, a beloved passage for most of us. I believe its message is so timely, not only in view of Easter, but for what is says to us now, in our current situation. As you reflect upon it, please pray for us as we record the message tomorrow morning. The sermon video and worship guide will be posted on our website early on Sunday for your use at home.
As I go, I do so with a heart that is overflowing with love for each of you. I miss you all so much, and long to be with you, not only in the worship of our Great King and High Priest, but also in simple fellowship together. The words of 1 Thessalonians 2:17 express my heart:
But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face.
Yet, we trust our Father for now. Our absence from each other is serving His greater purposes. He is purifying us, increasing our faith in Him, sharpening our gifts for service, causing our love for one another to abound, and tuning our hearts to better “ sing of Thy grace”!
And, perhaps most wonderfully of all, He is showing us that in our weakness He is strong!
While we don’t know how long this quarantine will last, we do know Who’s in charge of it! We do know our Savior’s tomb is empty! And we do know that, “ neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
I love you all with all of my heart,
Mike
Order of Worship:
This week’s order of worship will be posted on Sunday morning along with a sermon video for use as you worship at home.
Announcements:
Message from your Diaconate:
Each of you should be receiving emails, calls, or texts from your diaconate to check in with how we can best continue to minister to you during this difficult time. If you have any needs of any kind, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the diaconate. We’re eager to help you or to find someone who can. This is one of the main reasons the church has deacons, to make sure that congregational needs are being met. As we contact you, remember that your Diaconate and Session are praying for you, and we’re here to help however we can.
Resources for Further Study:
Pastor Mike has posted a list of books on a variety of theological topics that you might find useful. Check out the list by clicking here. You can also find this list from the About Us menu on the web site home page.
Senior Fellows:
The Senior Fellows will begin a weekly Bible study on Tuesday, April 14 9:00 to 9:30 AM. We will use the Zoom virtual meeting application to study “Dealing With Difficult Problems” by R.C. Sproul. Church members are welcome to join us. For further information, email us at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org.
Women’s Ministry:
Women’s Ministry activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Children’s Ministry:
We are testing out something new this week – a children’s bulletin for sermon notes! You may print this out for your children to use with Sunday’s sermon, and we hope to incorporate this into the regular bulletin when we are meeting together again.
Sermon notes for April 12, 2020
Sunday School Lessons: HERE is the next lesson for your elementary children from our Sunday School curriculum. Great Commission is putting that out for us for free right now, and I pray you will use it with your children. It includes a video lesson, coloring page and graphic.
Easter Resources: Click HERE to see a list of wonderful books and activities to included in your Holy Week celebration.
I also shared some additional things in the Children’s Ministry Facebook group (email me to be invited to our closed group).
Men’s Studies:
Men’s activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Career/Singles:
These activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Youth Group:
Youth Bible Study for Middle and High School has been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Second Sunday Lunches:
Second Sunday Lunches are suspended until the virus outbreak is contained.
Flower Guild:
Have you noticed the beautiful flowers in the narthex and sanctuary? The Flower Guild places the flowers weekly. If you would like to assist in that ministry, please contact Donna Henry or Virdia Jastrebski.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Lynn Doughty, Ramona Edwards, Pat Galecki, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, John Baxter, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, and Nolan Osmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Elliotts, expecting in May; the Libertos, expecting in August; the Elys, expecting in September.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Noah and Karleigh Stephens (Thailand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky and Alaina Garcia (church plant in Canada); Dieter Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL); The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center.
Online Donations:
If you would like to give to Christ Presbyterian, you can do so at the following link:
Emails:
general inquiries: admin@christpreshamptoncove.org
benevolence needs: benevolence@christpreshamptoncove.org
counsel and ministry needs: matthew@christpreshamptoncove.org
men’s ministry: men@christpreshamptoncove.org
women’s ministry: women@christpreshamptoncove.org
children’s ministry: children@christpreshamptoncove.org
youth ministry: youth@christpreshamptoncove.org
senior fellows: seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org
Address:
288 Old Highway 431
Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763