Brothers and sisters,
Happy Monday to all! As we worshipped with music yesterday, we thanked and praised God that His mercy and grace is more than enough to provide forgiveness for the sins of those believe in Jesus. Then from Mark 9, we thought about caring for the little ones and serving the lowest and least among us. We saw that we are called to follow Jesus and serve others.Jesus clearly stated this when He told His disciples in Mark 10, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Are we willing to serve others in the way Jesus has served us? Do we as followers of Jesus grasp the Son of God Jesus as the suffering servant of God who came to save us through His suffering? Do we as followers of Jesus understand that serving the lowest and least around us is serving the very Son of God Himself? Are we as followers of Jesus losing our tribal mentality to join with all who believe, follow, and confess Jesus’ name? Do we as followers of Jesus avoid anything that keeps the least or lowest from eternal life? We are followers of Jesus serving Jesus as we serve others in His name.Following Jesus requires following Him in serving and sacrificing even for the lowest and least among us.
We are participating in the Minnesota/Wisconsin State Missions Offering taking place during the month of September. There are special envelopes on the table in the back of the auditorium for that offering. We encourage you to pray and give generously as the Holy Spirit leads. To learn more about this offering watch this special video link: https://www.mwbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SMO-2023.mp4
Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.
Love being your pastor!
Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church