Sunday School | Ruth 1 | Bro. Roger Harden
“For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” -Ruth 1:16b-17
Note the difference between being kind vs. being pleasant. Kindness carries committment with it. Ruth made a committment to Naomi that was stronger than marriage. She left her home, accepting widowhood and childlessness. (We also discussed the providence of God, even in suffering, and the importance of reminding yourself there is a bigger picture.)
A side note: I was so blessed by Sunday School this morning! We had a great discussion that was very encouraging. I love it when everyone participates in discussion and you can see the Holy Spirit at work in people’s hearts.
Morning Worship | 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 | Pastor Steve Wainright
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” -1 Corinthians 10:31
Are you glorifying God in your Christian freedom?
[vs. 23- “All things are lawful for me…” So does this mean that anything is fair game? vs. 6- No.]
Will it glorify God?
1)Does your decision edify/build others up or does it indulge self? (Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 14:3, 8:1, 14:26; Ephesians 4:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Ephesians 4:29; 2 Corinthians 12:19) *How much have you refrained from doing for the good of others?
2)Avoid Legalism
Don’t ask detailed questions. Don’t get nit-picky.
vs. 27- Dinner with an unbeliever? Don’t ask questions about what they giveyou.
vs. 28- Don’t offend the weaker brother.
vs. 29- Show love toward the other…don’t bring it into question.
vs. 30- Don’t give thanks for something and then turn around and offend someone with it.
WHY?
vs. 31- Because the glory of God should be your guiding principle in life. (Colossians 3:4)
vs. 32-33- Paul was not going to aim not to offend anyone because his purpose was to win others to the Lord.
vs. 1- Follow me as I follow Christ.
Are you living your life to the glory of God?
Evening Worship | Leviticus 26 | Pastor Steve Wainright
Leviticus 26: God has put the way of life and death, blessing and cursing before the children of Israel. As you read in verse 26 this is a conclusion of all we have read in Leviticus to this point. The ultimate message is choices have consequences. In verses 1 and 2 we se the supreme test of worship. Verses 1-2 give two of the 10 commandments. These two are the core of worship. Verse 1 warns against false worship while verse 2 stresses obedience.
In verses 3-13 we see blessings promised. There are material blessings as we see in these verses related to rain and harvest, peace and the Lord causing the people to be fruitful. The spiritual blessing is Gods’ promised presence. For us today we can see many of the numerous blessings of God. For example: Mt. 6:31-32; His Spirit, prayer, power and relationship to name a few. In verses 14-39 we see cursings. Much more in number than the blessings. Curses are not words said against someone but consequences of behavior. Repentance is possible! A curse is the opposite of a blessing. The curses increase to the point Israel is no longer a nation. In the N.T. there are no curses for the Christian, only discipline (Hebrews 12:5-11). Punishment is for the unbeliever and discipline is for the believer. Christ redeemed us from the curse. Finally, in Lev. 26:40-46, we see grace displayed. Restoration comes after repentance. In verse 41, it isn’t the people who humble their hearts, it is God. The only way a person can humble their heart is for their heart to be circumcised…God alone can do that. Notice Colossians 2:11.
[Kudos to your Pastor for blogging the summary of this evening’s message!]
New Life Baptist Church 