Sermon Preview:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Those who have become acquainted with the Epistle of Jude will surely be aware of the many strange things we find among its twenty-five inspired verses. For sure, interpreters and preachers find themselves seriously challenged as they navigate the perplexing terrain confronting them in this letter. Among the most difficult portions of this epistle is the reference to the sin of the angels in verse 6:
“And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day.”
This brief mention of evil angels and their eternal destiny occurs in the context of three historic examples of divine judgment extracted from the Old Testament:
- The sin and judgment of Israel in the wilderness (v. 5)
- The sin and judgment of the angels (v. 6)
- The sin and judgment of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (v. 7)
You will notice that these examples are not in chronological order. Rather, they are set forth thematically for maximum impact.
By means of these three examples, Jude is showing that the false teachers, who have “crept in unnoticed” among the Christian brethren (v. 4), will certainly have their day in court before God’s bar of justice. And, as these three accounts make awfully clear, it will not end well for them!
On Sunday, we will begin our exploration of these admittedly difficult verses (vv. 5-7). And as we do, we will seek to draw greater measures of assurance and hope as we serve our Savior and Lord each day.
Let me encourage you to do a little advanced reading and study in preparation for our sermons from this passage.
Read:
The sin and divine judgment of Israel in the wilderness–Numbers 13-14:38
The sin and divine judgment of the angels–Genesis 6:1-4 (1 Peter 3:18-20; 2 Peter 2:1-10)
The sin and divine judgment of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah–Genesis 18:16-19:29
I love you all, and can’t wait to see you on the Lord’s Day,
Mike
Announcements:
Summer Schedule:
Sunday School is on hiatus and will resume September 11. During the Summer, fellowship will begin each week at 10 AM, with our regular service of worship beginning at 10:30 AM.
Greeting Ministry:
We are looking for church members who are willing to help us form a team of greeters at Christ Presbyterian Church. The primary function of this ministry is to welcome visitors and members on Sunday mornings. This, of course, is a very tangible and accessible way to serve and support the work and worship of the church. Greeting our visitors and members helps our church body fulfill the command to “welcome one another as Christ as welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Rom 15:7). You may serve individually or with your spouse or family. If you are looking for a way to get plugged in to the work of the church, please consider this ministry. You can reach out to Matthew Elliott matthew@christpreshamptoncove.
The CARE Center:
CPC will help restock the CARE Center food pantry in August. If you can help, please place items below in box in narthex: cereal, powdered milk, protein drinks (like Ensure), shampoo, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, adult diapers, laundry detergent, dish soap. See Joe Sims with questions.
Youth Group Summer Fellowship Schedule:
We will have a pool and 9-square night at the King’s house on Tuesday, August 16. Please be aware that this date has shifted from previous communications. Times and sign-up forthcoming as we get closer to the date.
Children’s Ministry:
Back to School pool party on August 7 from 4-6 PM at the Hidden Lake pool. Watch for details from Ashley Turnbull later this month!
Senior Fellows:
The Senior Fellows will have breakfast on August 2 at 9 AM.
Women’s Ministry:
Monthly Lunch: Our next monthly luncheon will be on August 4 beginning at 11 AM at the Timbers Edge Clubhouse located at 1 Timbers Main, Brownsboro. It’s potluck – feel free to bring a dish or just yourself. If you have questions or transportation needs please contact Pat Galecki at 256-244-0612
Baby Shower: A joint baby shower celebrating the Thornhill & Thompson families is being hosted by the women of the church at the home of Carol Cummings on July 31st from 3-5pm. All ladies are invited to this time of fellowship & prayer.
Men’s Ministry:
Please join any or all of these upcoming events. Men’s Golf Outing at RTJ Golf Trail, Saturday, July 30 at 8:15 AM. Reformation Cup Golf Tournament at RTJ Golf Trail, Sunday, August 7 at 3:30 PM. Men’s Fall Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, August 27 at 7:30 AM
Career/Singles:
The Career/singles group won’t have Sunday evening meetings during the month of July, but will resume in mid/late August. First Monday suppers will continue. See Jim or Sharon Daughtry for details.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Juergen Haukohl, Collins Bailey, Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, and Elizabeth Holton. Additional details may be found in the Ministries/Prayer Requests section of the church website.
Expecting: Please pray for the Thornhills (August); the Thompsons (September); the Elys (November).
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); Marcus and Jessica Nobles (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); Gannon Miles (seminary student); 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