“You can’t tell me what to do!”
I wonder how many in the Corinthian church back in A.D. 55 responded that way when they read this section of Paul’s letter, chapter 5 of 1Corinthians. It really is a tough passage. Take some time this weekend to read and pray through 1Corinthinas 5. As I have been repeating each week, when we decide to become a Christian we follow a new leader (King Jesus), we adopt a new lifestyle (the kingdom lifestyle), and we embrace a new mission (the mission of the king to renew all his things). God is transforming our very identity at the deepest level; conforming us to the image of Christ.
What happens when one of us rejects some aspect of this new lifestyle, and stops listening to the church instruct and encourage them to follow Jesus in that area? 1Corinthinas 5 gives us a window into how Jesus expected the Corinthian church to answer that question.
This Sunday opens the nomination period for new officers at Redeemer, new elders and deacons. Last week I preached on the office of deacon and this Sunday I will preach on the office of elders. On first glance 1Corinthians 5 might not look like it has much to say about elders. It doesn’t even mention them. However, what it does show us is how every member of the church is supposed to respond when the elders are forced to make a judgment regarding church discipline.
Not only will this passage make clear how careful we must be in choosing our elders, but it will show us that while the elders are uniquely responsible for protecting the local church, ever member of the church is responsible for playing their part in that protection as well.
Our elders must be those ready, willing, and competent to make hard, often complicated, biblical judgments for the protection of the church, and then lead the church in living out the kingdom lifestyle.
Nominate your elders carefully and prayerfully.
Pastor David
Elders
1 Corinthians 5
May 1, 2016 • Rev. David Juelfs
A Psalm for the New Year
January 3, 2016 • Rev. Adam Feichtmann
Happy New Year! 2016 is upon us, but the Christmas season is still here. Join us this Sunday as we celebrate the 10th day of Christmas and gather for one final week to sing Christmas carols together. On this second Sunday after Christmas I will be preaching from Psalm 8, a psalm traditionally and liturgically read on the first day of each new year. To best prepare for this Sunday, keep the Christmas music playing in your homes, while also taking a few minutes to read Psalm 8 through the filter of a new year and your planned resolutions. I look forward to worshiping and celebrating Christmas and the New Year together this Sunday! Pastor Adam
A Psalm for Epiphany
January 10, 2016 • Rev. Adam Feichtmann
Happy Epiphany! The twelve days of Christmas have ended (you can take down your tree) and the Church has now entered into the season of Epiphany. Epiphany is celebrated from January 6th through Ash Wednesday. It is a season to help transition the Church from the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas to his death and resurrection during Lent & Easter. It is a time to intentionally focus on the life and ministry of Jesus and how that applies to our daily and ordinary lives. This Sunday I will be preaching from Psalm 27, a psalm closely related to the themes of Epiphany. To best prepare for this Sunday, take 5 minutes to read Psalm 27 and reflect over the themes of light, beauty, and confidence. Then ask yourself how they relate to the life of Jesus Christ and our daily and ordinary lives. I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday! Pastor Adam
Whom to Trust?
January 17, 2016 • Rev. David Juelfs
Where can we find a stable place to stand, a secure place on which to build our lives? Whether it’s the roller coaster volatility of our stock markets, the rancor and confusion of our political races, the lurking threat of terror, or even just the pressure of our daily responsibilities, it is clear that the world is not safe and that there is much at stake. This Sunday we start a sermon series on the Gospel of Luke. Luke is writing to a people in desperate need of confidence in the face of great struggle. Their concerns are the same as our concerns. Their questions are our questions. In a world seemingly out of control and dangerous, with overwhelming pressure to make the right decisions regarding whom we should trust, the Gospel of Luke offers us certainty and confidence. God inspired Luke to write his Gospel to show us where we can find security, stability, and hope. To show us in whom we can trust. Pastor David