Hi FBC!
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. (Matthew 5:17-18)
This passage we read today really ties in well with our current Sunday School series, as well as what we’ve been discussing in Galatians.
I like the note in the ESV Study Bible concerning verse 18: “until heaven and earth pass away. Jesus confirms the full authority of the OT as Scripture for all time (2 Tim. 3:15-16), even down to the smallest components of the written text: the iota is the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet (or the yod of the Hb. alphabet) and thedot likely refers to a tiny stroke or a part of a letter used to differentiate between Hebrew letters. pass from the Law. The OT remains an authoritative compendium of divine testimony and teaching, within which some elements (such as sacrifice and other ceremonial laws) predicted or foreshadowed events that would be accomplished in Jesus’ ministry (see Gal. 4:10; 5:1) and so are not now models for Christian behavior. Until all is accomplished points to Jesus’ fulfillment of specific OT hopes, partly through His earthly life, death, and resurrection, and then more fully after His second coming.” (ESV Study Bible, pg. 1828-1829)
In Sunday School this week, we are on lesson 5 of our “Answers Bible Curriculum.” The title of the lesson is “God’s Word is Complete.” The overview says, “We know the NT is God’s Word and thus it is true. We realize that the Bible – both Old and New Testaments – contain the complete written Word of God from eyewitnesses to the events described.” I hope you will join us this Sunday at 9am, and bring the whole family!
The sermon will be on Galatians 5:1-15, entitled “True Freedom!” (Fitting message so close to 4th of July!) We will learn that our Christian freedom does not give us license to sin, but instead frees us to love and to serve!
Speaking of 4th of July, I hope you and your family are planning to celebrate America’s freedom tomorrow! As for my family, we plan to take in the Harrisburg parade (11am), and then enjoy the Brownsville fireworks that evening in Pioneer Park. Maybe we’ll see you there! Perhaps you’d consider passing out some flyers at the park tomorrow night for our VBS. We have some here in the foyer at the church.
VBS is starting next Monday, July 8! If you are planning to bring some donations of supplies for crafts and snacks, please make sure you have them here by this Sunday! Please continue PRAYING for a great week of ministry with kids and their families. Have you invited people from your oikos??
Thanking God for True Freedom!
Love From Your Pastor,
Michael