Brothers and sisters,
Happy Monday to all! Yesterday we worshipped and shared in the memorial supper Jesus gave us to remember Him. We think of all Jesus has done and is doing for us and especially the purchase of our forgiveness through His sacrificial death on the cross and His resurrection. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us that we were bought from sin and death and hell with the high price of the blood of Jesus. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV) “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” The Lord’s Supper reminds us of that great price of our salvation.
We also thought yesterday about the truth taught to us from Matthew 25 and many other places in the Bible that we will be judged by God. Every human being will stand before God and give an account of His life. We looked at the criteria by which we will be judged. The only criteria by which we will be judged is how we respond to Jesus Christ. We saw how you respond to believers and support them as they seek to live for Jesus shows how you respond to Jesus. “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” Jesus supremely and emphatically identifies with those who believe in Him and belong to Him or who will possibly believe in Him and belong to Him through the witness of His children. Jesus supremely and emphatically identifies with those who join Him in His mission of taking His gospel to every ethnic and people group around the world and extending His Kingdom to the ends of the earth. How you respond to believers and support them as they seek to live for Jesus shows how you respond to Jesus. How you respond to Jesus determines your eternal destiny on judgement day.
We will have a potluck luncheon after our worship gathering this Sunday, February 16. Bring enough food for you family and a little extra for our guests.
Sunday, March 1 at 6:00 PM, we will have a hymn sing. This is an informal time of sharing what the Lord has done for us and for singing some of the hymn that are our favorites. Hope you will plan on being here.
Remember to keep praying continually for each other.
Love being your pastor!
Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church