On Sunday we will continue our new sermon series on the Epistle of 2 John. And our text for the message will come from 2 John 1:1-2. As you read this brief passage you will immediately note the connection between “love” and “truth” that John makes explicit. Obviously, these are two of the more important terms in the Christian faith. Yet, they often go misunderstood and misapplied.
Not all definitions of ‘love’ or ‘truth’ are valid, especially in light of the way Scripture deploys and utilizes these words. As you can see in these verses, they go together. They are in what we might call a symbiotic relationship. One viewed in isolation from the other leads to a distortion of both. And furthermore, in the Bible both “love” and “truth” are defined properly only in reference to God, and especially to His work of redemption accomplished in and by His Beloved Son. That is, neither “love” nor “truth” are abstract ideas or concepts. Both find their identity, source, supply, and motivation in our Triune God, who has loved us despite our sins and redeemed us by the blood of the Incarnate Son.
With that said, we must understand these blessed graces in a distinctive way as guided by Scripture. This Sunday with John’s help we will probe the uniqueness and beauty of “love” and “truth,” and we will ask the Lord to show us how each has been marvelously embodied in our Redeemer and King.
I love you all so much . . . and that’s the truth!
Mike
Upcoming Events:
April 30, 4:30 PM – Youth Group Meeting
May 2, 6 PM– Women’s Evening Bible Study
May 3, 9 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study
May 5, 5 PM – Parents’ Night Out – Wild Wild Wild West
May 7, 4 PM – Church Picnic at Monte Sano Lodge
May 20, 11 AM – Women’s Ministry Spring Luncheon
Connecting with the Catechism:
Q. 55. What is forbidden in the third commandment?
A. The third commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of anything whereby God maketh himself known.
Lev. 19:12; Matt. 5:33-37; Jas. 5:12
Q. 56. What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?
A. The reason annexed to the third commandment is, that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment.
Deut. 28:58-59; I Sam. 3:13; 4:11
Q. 57. Which is the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment is, Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Ex. 20:8-11; Deut. 5:12-15
Announcements:
RUF Shrimp Boil: Tonight at 6 PM there will be a Shrimp Boil at The Lodge at Southwood celebrating 10 years of RUF at UAH.
Parents’ Night Out:
The next Parents’ Night Out will be on May 5th 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 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!
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, Zig Jastrebski, Leon Galecki, Patti Carter, Jane Owens, Anna Stafford, Dona Sims, 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).