As we prepare to share Communion together this Sunday, David gives us a good model to follow in Psalm 139.23-24. Like David, let us also come before God saying: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
As we continue looking at the story of the lost son(s), we will see that God’s grace is more than sufficient to give us not just what we need, but more than we deserve. We will be taking a look at Luke 15.20-21.
This Sunday we also kick off our Stewardship Campaign. I am reminded of the words in Malachi 3.10: Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
Pastor Bill
Home Sweet Home
Luke 15:20-21 - Communion Sunday
November 1, 2020 • Bill Williamson • Luke 15:20–21
Nov 22, 2020 - Co-Heirs with Christ
November 22, 2020 • Bill Williamson • Luke 15:31–32
As a child of God, you do not need to wait until eternity to receive and enjoy all that belongs to you as a "Co-heir with Christ" The blessings of God - the riches of Heaven - the peace of Christ. They are all available to you right now. As a member of God's family, all that belongs to God, also belongs to you. The celebration you are to experience is not reserved for Heaven. The early church went one step further. They lived with the truth that they had all things in common, able to give and receive from one another as part of the same family. At times one member receives, while another member gives. Then, at other times those who gave may be in need and others have the blessing to give. That is what it means to be in the Family of God. When one rejoices, we all rejoice. When one suffers, we all suffer. As we finish up the story of the Prodigal Son, we will see who we are as children of God, members of the family of God. We will see that we can celebrate what is ours in Christ, now and in eternity. Whether we choose to participate with the family of God is up to us. Just as it was for the older son.
Nov 15 - The Invitation
November 15, 2020 • Bill Williamson • Luke 15:25–30
As we move along in Luke 15, the focus of the parable turns to the other son, the oldest son, the one who stayed home. He is the one you might say was the "good son". But we know how the story ends. As the father welcomes and celebrate the return of the "lost son", the son who stayed home and did his chores, and was a dutiful and faithful son, is resentful. He doesn't like all the attention being given to his brother. Do you ever find yourself a bit offended when someone else gets what you think you deserve? Do you ever feel as though your hard work never gets rewarded? Do you find it hard to rejoice when someone else is rejoicing, when it should have been you being celebrated? My guess is that if we have a hard time identifying with the prodigal son, we may identify all too well with the older son.
The Invitation - Nov 15
November 15, 2020 • Bill Williamson • Luke 15:25–30
As we move along in Luke 15, the focus of the parable turns to the other son, the oldest son, the one who stayed home. He is the one you might say was the "good son". But we know how the story ends. As the father welcomes and celebrate the return of the "lost son", the son who stayed home and did his chores, and was a dutiful and faithful son, is resentful. He doesn't like all the attention being given to his brother. Do you ever find yourself a bit offended when someone else gets what you think you deserve? Do you ever feel as though your hard work never gets rewarded? Do you find it hard to rejoice when someone else is rejoicing, when it should have been you being celebrated? My guess is that if we have a hard time identifying with the prodigal son, we may identify all too well with the older son.