Sunday Services:

Dear Friends,

We live in a world and a culture that tries to make us ashamed of Jesus. This has always been true, but many shaming forces go against anyone who loves and wants to follow Jesus.

We are to be peacemakers in a world of bullies. We are called to forgive in a world of haters. We are told to love all kinds of people in a world of prejudice, bias, and partiality.

All these things add to a veiled hatred for Jesus that simmers in the hearts of the unbelieving. They both admire and long for Him, but hate Him for His exclusive claim to rule their lives, all at the same time.

Jesus said this is to be expected.

John 15:18-20  “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19  “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. 20  “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

Your part is not to be surprised by this and never to let yourself be ashamed. Jesus taught that even if you could become the most popular person in the world, you must ask yourself, “Is it worth it?”

Mark 8:36-38  “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37  “For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38  “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

This Sunday is the last message in the series, the simple gospel. I will show you why you should never be ashamed of the gospel. I am praying you come and bring some others who need the power of the gospel in their lives.

See you Sunday.
Joe

To read this week’s preparing for Sunday, click here.