Hello FBC!
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. (Romans 1:24-25)
Today in the One Year Bible we read Romans 1:18-32, which is a powerful, yet disturbing passage. Speaking of this passage, the Gospel Transformation Bible says, “The gospel gains urgency in the light of God’s verdict on humanity. Transgression gives rise to divine wrath (v. 18). Examples of transgression are ingratitude (v. 21) and idolatry (v. 23). Homosexual behavior is also depicted as odious in God’s sight (v. 26-27). None of us is innocent of a number of the sins described (see v. 28-31). Even if we do not practice every sinful deed found here, we may secretly approve and even envy when others cross God’s moral boundaries. We thereby fail to love God (because we break His commandments) and to love our neighbor (because we support our neighbors in their folly). The outcome is judgment.
Behind the good news of the gospel lies the tough news that all people are implicated in acts and attitudes that God has promised to punish unless His means of grace are embraced. The gospel is the antidote, for through trust in Christ comes ‘the obedience of faith,’ believing as God requires. Our lives grow in the richness of knowing and being known by Christ.”
A few important things to point out for this weekend:
Saturday, 7am — Men’s Breakfast, with guest speaker Duan Walker of Mid Valley Fellowship. (Fellowship Hall)
Saturday, 2pm — Memorial service for Steve Neuman (Sanctuary)
Sunday, after the worship service (around Noon) — Annual FBC POTLUCK Picnic (at Pioneer Park Pavilion). Bring food to share, drinks for your family, chairs, games, utensils, etc.!
This Sunday during the worship service we will begin a 3-week look into the book of PHILEMON. The title of the series is “Reconciled!” This is the shortest of Paul’s letters, and is primarily addressed to one person, unlike his other letters which are addressed to entire churches. But the message is intended for all of us. Packed with powerful truths of the impact of the gospel on our lives, this short letter should have a profound impact on us. This week we will look at the first 7 verses. I’d encourage you to read the whole book of Philemon in preparation for Sunday!
Lastly, sorry you didn’t get an email from me last week, but I send you greetings from Marc & Sondra Robertson (and their 4 girls) in Idaho! We (Emily, Micah, and I) had a great visit and also got to watch some good baseball (Caleb’s team won the 24-team tournament)!
Looking forward to a great weekend with you! Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Love From Your Pastor,
Michael
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