Greetings FBC!
If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. (1 Corinthians 15:19)
The good news is our hope in Christ is not for this life only! 1 Corinthians 15 is an incredibly powerful reminder of the eternal hope we have because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I’d encourage you to read that chapter today. I like a note from the Gospel Transformation Bible here: “These gospel truths lead to two major applications. 1st, rather than defining ourselves by the emptiness of ‘this life’ and its pleasures, we must cherish the promise that we will share in Christ’s glory. 2nd, we must embrace this resurrection hope as a source of power by which we may endure hardship and struggle against sin. Gratitude for the victory that God has given us through Christ must lead us to be ‘steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord’ (v. 57-58). The gospel therefore combats hopelessness and gives purpose to our daily endeavors: ‘in the Lord your labor is not in vain’ (v. 58).”
Speaking of hope, this Sunday I will be preaching on Revelation 19:11-21, “The Victorious King & the Defeated Beast.” Jesus is coming back! What a day that will be. Please read the passage ahead of time, and especially pick out the names and descriptions attributed to Jesus Christ. Hope to see you Sunday!
I received this from Aaron Savage (Youth for Christ/Campus Life) – “I’m organizing for blessing the Central Linn staff with food this coming Monday!” Would you be willing to help Aaron bless the CL staff? He can use help with food, and someone to help with decorations. Please contact Aaron at 541-971-6985. Thank you!
Men’s Roundup starts tomorrow and runs through Sunday. You can still register there at the registration tent at Tadmor tomorrow. This is going to be a great weekend. Contact me or Jeff Stoneberg with any questions.
Friends, I can’t go into details now, but I just found out that we need to be praying hard for Wade & Marianne Doerfler today. Please be in prayer for them. Wade is being transported to a hospital in Portland with very serious injuries. Please pray.
Hoping in Christ for this life AND the next…
Love From Your Pastor,
Michael