Sunday April 23, 2017

Notes from Sunday's service.  (Thanks again, Jean)

Dr. Barclay - Something to Think About:

 Our faith must be put into action, recognizing Christ’s Lord and Kingship over all.

 In many places where there is strife and war and people are desperate; churches are not empty, they are full. Yet in the lands of plenty, freedom and wealth churches are empty. There is an abundance of nominal Christians, Christians in name only, not doing and not believing.

We need to affirm and proclaim Jesus is God and Jesus is Lord in our everyday lives and speech.

Matt 12:8 8 For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Jesus is integral to the 10 commandments.

John1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 3:35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.

There is no reason why anyone should not believe Jesus is the son of God. If we really believed the Creator of the universe was looking down on us, we would make him the primary object of everything we do.

Wesley Whidden: Compassion will always drive us to do something and take action.

 Wesley talked and shared pictures of his mission trip to Jamaica, which were very interesting and led into his message on compassion. Wesley shared how knowledge can puff up, but love edifies.

Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

God anoints and the Holy Spirit goes with us. We all have a wonderful advantage in the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 145:8 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and great in mercy.

We all need to ask God for compassion. Sympathy and pity looks upon the need, but compassion takes action to meet the need.

Matthew 9:35-38 – Jesus was so moved with compassion that he healed the people from their sickness- that was love in action.

In the christian walk one person plants, another waters, God gives the increase and receives all the glory.

Luke 10:30-37 The Samaritan had compassion, which made him stop and take action upon the man who was wounded and left by thieves. He bandaged the man, poured oil and wine on his wounds, carried him on his own animal and paid the innkeeper to take good care of him.

Luke 15:20  “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

The father had compassion on his long lost wayward son. The father’s compassion drove him to action. The father brought out a robe, ring and sandals for his son, killed a calf and made a great feast to celebrate his son’s homecoming.