MID-WEEK NEWS 10/29 ****NEWLY ADDED ITEMS ALL IN CAPITALS. Older items will be in regular text**** PRAYER REQUESTS John Aldophson Linda Messenger Bible Study Wednesdays at 7:00 PM. AA Meetings are held at the church on Wednesday evenings beginning at 7 PM KID’S CLUB THURSDAYS THROUGH NOVEMBER 20TH AT 4:30 PM FOR GRADES K-5TH. HANDBELL PRACTICE THURSDAY AT 6:00 PM. FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31 AT 6:30 IN THE CHURCH LIBRARY. DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND. PLEASE REMEMBER TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK 1 HOUR BEFORE HEADING TO BED ON SATURDAY NIGHT. SERVING THE CHURCH SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2 - GERRY JACKMAN, GREETER AND RUTH GUMBLETON, LITURGIST WHOLENESS SERVICE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND AT 7:00 PM. PASTOR LARRY WILL BE AWAY ON VACATION NOVEMBER 7TH THROUGH NOVEMBER 16TH. REV. DAVID OYLER, GENERAL PRESBYTER, WILL BE IN THE PULPIT ON SUNDAY, NOVMBER 9TH. SOUP FOR THE SOUL FOR NOVEMBER WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 12TH FROM 5:00 – 6:30 PM. (Date change due to holiday) CONGREGATION MEETING FOR ELECTION OF OFFICERS WILL BE HELD AFTE THE 11 AM WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE PW THANK OFFERING SOUP AND PIE LUNCHEON. COMMUNION WILL BE SERVED AT BOTH SERVICES ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23RD. THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY – THE CHURCH OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH AND FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH. CONSECRATION SUNDAY NOVEMBER 30TH. SERMON CLIFF NOTES: Joshua 3:7-17 Matthew 23:1-12 This week we begin a new Old Testament cycle with death of Moses and the Israelites entering the Promises Land under the leadership of Joshua. For 40 years Moses has led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt through the Red Sea (Reed Sea), to Mt. Sinai, through the wilderness, and on to the Promised Land. Since Moses sinned against God, he was not permitted to lead his people to their final destination. As Moses’ military commander, Joshua has been called by God to lead the Hebrew nation into the Promised Land and conquer the occupants of the various city states, “The LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so that they may know that I will be with you as I was with Moses,” (v. 7). Just as Moses crossed the Red Sea on dry ground, Joshua also is called to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River during the rainy season on dry ground. Joshua instructs twelve Levitical Priests to carry the Ark of the Covenant into the flowing river ahead of the Israelites. Just as God led the Hebrew nation in the form of a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night for Moses, God was demonstrating his power and presence by leading the Israelites through the Jordan River on dry ground. The Israelites needed a physical demonstration of God authority so they would have the faith to follow Joshua into the Promised Land and conquer the listed nations, “Joshua then said to the Israelites, “Draw near and hear the words of the LORD your God.” Joshua said, “By this you shall know that among you is the living God who without fail will drive out from before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites: the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is going to pass before you into the Jordan,” (vv. 9-11). Our New Testament lesson from Matthew occurs the last week of our Lord’s life in Jerusalem. Jesus is continuing his verbal debate with the Jewish religious leaders and giving the crowds and his disciples a few last minute theological instructions. Christ recognizes the religious authority of the Scribes and Pharisees but points out the flaws in their religious practices, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach,” (vv. 2-3). Jesus brings to light the prideful motives behind the actions of the religious establishment, “They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi,” (vv. 6-7). Jesus plays the role of rabbi, teacher, and Messiah as he instructs his audience in the practice of humility. God and God alone is the one to be elevated in status of rabbi. As followers and disciples of Jesus Christ we are merely students of the Word of God although we might serve in positions of leadership in the church. Both our passages this week lift up the authority of almighty God and our sacred responsibility to abide by the Word of God. All too often our modern western culture tends to diminish the authority of the Old Testament but Joshua is called to lead the Israelites according to the Torah and Jesus told his audience to heed the teachings of the religious leaders who used the Torah as the sacred textbook. Both Joshua and Jesus were leading their followers to change their way of life but they both maintained existing under the authority of God and with Godly Kingdom principles. Humbly abiding in the Will of God is a time tested walk of faith that demands our whole being, “The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted,” (vv. 11-12).
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:34:22 +0000
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