Sisters and brothers,
Happy Monday to all! We had a fantastic day as we worshipped together as God’s East Madison family. We looked at Matthew 22 and saw where the enemies of Jesus tried to trap Him but were unable to do so. The enemy still seeks to trap God’s people with these same traps. We saw we are to give to government what belongs to government, but our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus alone as Lord. We also saw the life to come is not in conflict with this life. This life prepares us for eternity with Jesus. The next life provides perfect justice and sees every wrong of this life righted. We then saw we are to love God supremely and, because we love God, we love our neighbor as ourselves. We love God by helping our neighbor, not by hurting them. No one can see our love for God but loving our neighbors and seeking to help them is a tangible result of our loving God. We also saw Jesus as fully human and the promised descendant of David who would reign forever, but also as fully God, the eternal Son of God. We saw through all these things, Jesus never fails but whoever seeks Jesus’ downfall will ultimately fail and be destroyed.
Carla and I want to thank all of you for the wonderful gift to help us be able to see our children and grandchildren more often. You surely surprised your pastor! Carla and I were touched deeply and truly overwhelmed with your thoughtfulness. We were also overwhelmed as you gathered around us at the close of the service to pray for us! These generous acts mean the world to us! God has so blessed us by allowing us to serve Him and you here at East Madison.
We have a called business meeting next Sunday, December 8, following our morning worship time. The sign team will present a recommendation to you on a proposal to update our sign.
Love being your pastor!
Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church