I want to talk with you a little this Sunday about the danger of being religious and missing Jesus.
The danger of doing the right thing, having knowledge, and yet not actually having a genuine relationship with Jesus. So having a commitment to church and the whole Christian culture, maybe, and having some understanding of the Bible and participating in ministries and service, even without actually really knowing Jesus personally.
The danger of being what the older writers would call a “formal” Christian.
Being a Christian in name only, not in reality. On the outside, not the inside.
In rituals, not in practice. Of possessing the form of religion, but not the power.
Knowing the theory of the gospel without actually enjoying the gospel.
That’s dangerous.
Go to church. Check. Read your Bible. Check. Do good things. Check. No heart for Jesus. No love for Jesus.
That’s dangerous.
We don’t want that to be true for us.
And so this Sunday we are going to look at Luke 7:36–50 and talk about how we can avoid being just a formal Christian. Specifically, we are going to discover one absolute essential for having and even maintaining a genuine, thriving relationship with Jesus.
Come praying God’s Spirit will do His great transforming work in our hearts,
Joshua
Parents: For the younger children this Sunday, you can have them listen for the word: “Pharisee” To encourage them, Marda will have some treats afterward.
Most unbelievers think of their problems as primarily coming from outside of them, and the answer as coming from inside of them. Believers see their problems as primarily coming from inside of them and are looking to a solution that comes from outside of them.
Miscellanies 2022: I often begin my morning by quickly reflecting on what the Lord was teaching me the previous day from Scripture, life, books, podcasts, family friends. I share these as encouragement and to motivate you to do the same. I will have some printed copies on Sunday for you to pick up from the back table if you would like as well.
Church-Wide Prayer. Sunday, January 8th at 9 a.m. What a privilege to pray to our Father with our brothers and sisters because of Jesus’ work on the cross! Prayer is God’s chosen means to accomplish His will…and we get to be part of that.
Missions Spotlight. As you know, we have CBC-supported missionaries in the Czech Republic, North Africa, and Malaysia. And hopefully by now you are aware of how God is at work in those countries and the people there. However, how much do you know about how God is at work in other parts of the world? Especially in people groups who do not have access to a local church or even the Bible in their own language? To help our church grow in awareness and in prayer, the CBC Missions Committee will be highlighting an unreached/persecuted people group every month. We will update the missions board monthly to focus on a specific people group and will provide a bulletin insert with prayer requests. Please visit the missions board this Sunday, and let's pray as a church for the Gospel to reach every tribe, peoples, and nation. Also, if you are interested in learning more about missions or wish to participate in the missions committee, please contact Hyon Seo.
Cornerstone Bible Institute. Launches Wednesday, January 11th at 7 p.m. Open to anyone who wants to know God better!
Women of the Word. Ladies, join us on January 14th at 9 a.m. as we continue to study the lives of the women from the Bible and their great God. Guests and students 7th grade and up are welcome.
Pre-Service Prayer Meeting will resume on January 15th at 8:15 a.m. There will be no pre-service prayer meeting on January 8th.
Equipping Hour. Join us on January 15th at 9 a.m. for the first of a six-week series: Overcoming Anger.
Men’s Ministry. January 28th at 7:30 a.m.
CBC Annual Retreat. Mark your calendars and start saving for our annual CBC Retreat: February 17–20, 2023 at Oak Glen Christian Conference Center.
Order of Service
Welcome and Call to Worship
Singing
Announcements
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 55
Pastoral Prayer
Sermon: How to Respond to Jesus Luke 7:36–50
Singing