The service of Sunday April 24, 2016

Here are some notes from Sunday's service.  (Thanks, Jean)

Sunday Night Service Notes

Dr. Barclay- Theme: Man’s detours and diversions

When God created the world he made a sphere. When man first made maps of the world, he thought the world was flat and some distortions came to into play. In man’s wisdom some of God’s message in the old testament became distorted overtime. When Jesus came he broke the distortions man put into the law, and Christ fulfilled the law.

Matthew 5:17-19

17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Today churches are dividing into their own little corners and diversions and legalism are creeping into the church once again and drowning out the true message of Christ. 1 Timothy 1:5-8 5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, andfrom sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, Man’s wisdom will only lead to diversions, divisions and legalism. We need only to stay with the gospel of Christ which will lead to love and humility, obedience to Christ and serving others. Pastor Caroline Barclay-Theme: Are you in a time of Job? In the book of Job we read how he lost his children, property and heath. Job was an upright and honest man he went through tremendous trials, yet he did not stop believing, but he questioned God. Job 38:1-7 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: 2 “Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge? 3 Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy? In any time of trial and test in your life the outcome will be different. If we want to receive from God we have to obey and continue serving him. If we stray from God and disobey we cannot expect good results. When everything is going well we seldom question our our faith in God. But in our time of trouble we stand on our faith or else we fall. Sometimes we have to be in the darkest part of our life time, before we truly see the light. In our trials God is sharpening our gifts even the ones we are not yet aware of. Job was tested and tried but he held fast to God and that is what we are to do. Job 42:10 10 And the Lord restored Job’s losses[a] when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. When God brings you out of a battle and brings you out on top again, you are called to rejoice and say “it is well”.