Hi Friends!
This morning I read a profound truth from the early part of Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry. It tells us a lot about His heart and His purpose for coming:
13 He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. 15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:13-17 ESV)
The good news here is that it is obvious that He came for us! It is the people who know they are sick that recognize their need for a doctor. It is those who know they are sinners who recognize their need for a Savior! Also, if we are truly His disciples, then I believe we will follow in His steps – do what He did. Who are the “sinners” that you are “eating with”, representing the Lord Jesus to them?
This Sunday will be the last message in our series on Galatians! We will see how Paul wraps up this letter, which has been filled with such crucial doctrinal teaching and practical instructions for living the Christian life. Read Galatians 6:11-18 prayerfully and come prepared to hear. People today seem to boast about all kinds of things. We’ll see this Sunday that there is nothing in the world worth boasting about except the cross of Jesus Christ!
We will also be working on saying our Galatians memory verses together. The new one for this Sunday is Gal. 6:14 — But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Also, be sure to review Gal. 1:10, 2:20, 4:19, and 5:17!
Sunday night at 5:30pm will be a special time of singing and sharing. I want to invite you all to come to this. In light of last week’s sermon about bearing one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ, this will be a great opportunity to do that. Some will surely share joyful testimonies, as God is so good and we have so much to be thankful for. But others will be coming with very heavy burdens and requests for prayer. So please come and participate in this important time for the Body of Christ here.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers (and sisters).
Love From Your Pastor,
Michael