Sent Not From Men
Galatians 1
Paul, writer of Galatians, lets us know in the first line of his letter that he won't tickle our ears. He is no people-pleaser. How often do we modify our words based on who's around? Paul didn't. Whether he spoke to Peter, the senior leader of the Church, or to Timothy, a young pastor just getting started, Paul consistently spoke the truth without reservation.
People-pleasing is an addiction of sorts. It starts with a craving for approval. After we're satisfied with the applause of men, we long to hear it again not realizing we receive the applause of men at the expense of the praise of heaven. Of the Pharisees seeking man's approval, Jesus said, "They have received their reward."
When our actions are dictated by men rather than God, we are automatically limited. No man can offer the reward that God can. What man can say this, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"? God truly is able to do more than we can ask or imagine. Why then do we place our faith and trust in the opinion of men?
Let it be said of us today that we sought God's approval rather than man's. Let it be said of us, "They are God-pleasers!" And when we hear the applause of men, let us be unsatisfied and reminded that we wait patiently to hear from the Lord, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"
Used by permission from NewSpring Church
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Upcoming Events
May 6 - Carry-in Dinner following AM Worship Service. No PM Service.
May 8 - GROW Visitation at 7 PM
May 27 - Special Service and Picnic at the Caldwell's pavilion at 11 AM. No Sunday School or Sunday Night Bible Study.
May - Small Groups will be starting again. Please sign up in the foyer. There will be a meeting soon to determine material as well as the times for the meetings.
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Special Opportunity
We have been approached by an individual who wants to help our church to be proactive in being prepared for the future. Recently there was a chance to purchase the house behind the church, but we were not in any position to purchase it. They have since taken it off the market, but will most likely be putting it back on the market in a year or so. This anonymous person has offered to match up to $5000 each month (from May through December) that would be given to the parsonage fund over and above your regular offerings. This is a great opportunity to get prepared to purchase some needed property for parking since our church is landlocked. Please consider donating some money towards this fund so we can be better prepared for this possible opportunity.
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Current Series:
Once Upon A Marriage
There's nothing quite like a juicy love story... the romance, the intrigue, and maybe a little scandal. We will be digging in to some examples of marriage from the Bible to see what we can learn. Travel back in time with us for Once Upon a Marriage. We will look into the marriages of Jacob and Leah (and Rachel), Ahab and Jezebel, Abraham and Sarah, and the unlikely marriage of Hosea and Gomer
Yesterday:
Yesterday, we continued our series. The message was entitled Faith-less or Faith-full. As we looked at Abraham and Sarah, we learned that life doesn't always go as planned. When it does, we can fall victim to fear, we can get a head of God, and/or we don't believe that God will do it for us.
Sunday's message is available on our website, just under the calendar, or you can listen by visiting us on iTunes. You can also listen to previous messages.
Next Week:
We will finish our series Once Upon A Marriage, next week by looking at the marriage of Hosea and Gomer in the message called Unfailing Love. We hope to see you here!
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