Weekly Update 02/01/2022
Good afternoon,
Chris reminded us Sunday that "trouble takes on a different hue when we hold it up to the light of a sinless Savior dying in our place." If you missed that helpful sermon from Acts 18, and its reorienting of troubles, you can read or watch it here: (https://subspla.sh/v6s66qh)
This coming Sunday we'll pick up with the story of Apollos, an eloquent man, mighty in the Scriptures, who needed to be honed. In studying that text over the past few days, I've become convinced that there are aspects of the passage that can also serve as a rationale for the church studying the Bible together. What I mean is this: Apollos clearly understood truths about Jesus that were accurate; and yet, Priscilla and Aquila "took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately" (18:26). That is one of the aims of our Bible studies. We help one another to think "more accurately" about who God is and what He's done. So, in that light, please continue praying for those preparing to teach Romans. Jim did an excellent job helping those teachers begin to review the book this past Sunday.
Tomorrow night at 6:30 the ladies will press on in Andy Johnson's book on missions. I trust that Paul's practice in Corinth or elsewhere has stirred your meditations in that area. Maybe our Wednesday night study will help us think more clearly about our part in God's mission. At the same time tomorrow, the teenagers will pick up in chapter 2 of Greg Gilbert's book on the reliability of the Scriptures. Two weeks ago we had a full room of teenagers asking thoughtful questions on that important subject. We'll look forward to doing that again tomorrow night!
Matt
P. S. Pastor Phil sent this encouraging update from his labors:
Karen and I have seen snow since the day after our leaving for sabbatical. It’s been beautiful! I’ve gotten a lot accomplished. I was able to finish up and send to editors at 9Marks the book that Rich Shadden and I are working on, which New Growth Press will publish early next year. I also got to go back and work on a book project that I did research and writing for during my 2017–18 sabbatical. I had a bit of interruption afterwards that didn’t allow me to return to it but to only personally enjoy the meditations I’d worked on. While it is a long way from finished, I’m glad to get more done. Thanks for your prayers. We look forward to seeing you February 13th, Lord willing, where I’ll be preaching on “Receiving the Spirit” from Acts 19:1–7.
Chris reminded us Sunday that "trouble takes on a different hue when we hold it up to the light of a sinless Savior dying in our place." If you missed that helpful sermon from Acts 18, and its reorienting of troubles, you can read or watch it here: (https://subspla.sh/v6s66qh)
This coming Sunday we'll pick up with the story of Apollos, an eloquent man, mighty in the Scriptures, who needed to be honed. In studying that text over the past few days, I've become convinced that there are aspects of the passage that can also serve as a rationale for the church studying the Bible together. What I mean is this: Apollos clearly understood truths about Jesus that were accurate; and yet, Priscilla and Aquila "took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately" (18:26). That is one of the aims of our Bible studies. We help one another to think "more accurately" about who God is and what He's done. So, in that light, please continue praying for those preparing to teach Romans. Jim did an excellent job helping those teachers begin to review the book this past Sunday.
Tomorrow night at 6:30 the ladies will press on in Andy Johnson's book on missions. I trust that Paul's practice in Corinth or elsewhere has stirred your meditations in that area. Maybe our Wednesday night study will help us think more clearly about our part in God's mission. At the same time tomorrow, the teenagers will pick up in chapter 2 of Greg Gilbert's book on the reliability of the Scriptures. Two weeks ago we had a full room of teenagers asking thoughtful questions on that important subject. We'll look forward to doing that again tomorrow night!
Matt
P. S. Pastor Phil sent this encouraging update from his labors:
Karen and I have seen snow since the day after our leaving for sabbatical. It’s been beautiful! I’ve gotten a lot accomplished. I was able to finish up and send to editors at 9Marks the book that Rich Shadden and I are working on, which New Growth Press will publish early next year. I also got to go back and work on a book project that I did research and writing for during my 2017–18 sabbatical. I had a bit of interruption afterwards that didn’t allow me to return to it but to only personally enjoy the meditations I’d worked on. While it is a long way from finished, I’m glad to get more done. Thanks for your prayers. We look forward to seeing you February 13th, Lord willing, where I’ll be preaching on “Receiving the Spirit” from Acts 19:1–7.
Posted in Weekly Updates