Sermon Preview
Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
One of the questions that is often raised by believers in Christ has to do with the how the Old Covenant people, Israel, and the New Covenant people, the Church, are related. And certainly, that is a somewhat complicated issue, and one that will find a variety of answers offered in response.
From our point of view (that of the Protestant Reformed tradition), the answer is that the New Testament Church is the fulfillment and continuation of the Old Covenant people, Israel. We are, as the Apostle Paul would teach, “ the Sons of Abraham ” (Gal. 3:7), and “ the Israel of God ” (Gal. 6:16). Thus, we hold that we are the spiritual descendants Abraham, and those who are part of the nation that God promised to make of him (Gen. 12:2; Ex. 19:6; 1 Pet. 2:9).
This being true, it means that Israel’s history is also related to us in a very close way. Again, it is Paul who sounds this note for us (1 Cor. 10:1-13). He tells us that Israel’s history, and especially the event of the Exodus from Egypt under Moses, parallels the experience of New Covenant believers. That is why he can claim that the many things they did and experienced on their way to Canaan are to serve as “ examples” for us (1 Cor. 10:6).
When we come to the Epistle to the Hebrews, the author shows us in specific ways how the Old Covenant people under Moses are connected to the New Covenant people under Christ.
In Hebrews 3:6-19, the author appeals to the wilderness wanderings of Israel, and the sins the Israelites committed while there in the desert, namely their failure to believe in the goodness, power, and provision of the Lord God. And having offered this example, the author then sounds the warning bell, calling the Church, the new Israel of God, to learn from that disastrous example, and to avoid the grievous sins they committed.
What Paul and the unnamed author of Hebrews have done, then, is to summon us as Christians to find our story in the Exodus as well.
We have been redeemed from Egypt (our slavery to sin). We have been saved from the waters of divine judgment at the Red Sea (signified in our Baptism). And we have been fed the mana from heaven which sustains us in our pilgrimage (the Lord’s Supper). But we also face the many perils of the wilderness, those sins that we so easily fall into when difficulty arises. We do, in fact, meet ourselves there in the wilderness!
This coming Lord’s Day, we will begin looking closely at this passage, starting with an investigation of Hebrews 3:6 and those rather ominous words, “ And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.”
Thank you for your prayers as we record the message tomorrow morning. And may the Lord’s powerful Word bless and sustain us as we continue to be faithful to Him, even as our wilderness trials continue.
I love you all so much!
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:
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.
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.
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:
Most Men’s activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events. The weekly Men’s study of John Calvin’s Institutes is meeting via Zoom, contact Daron Drown for details.
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