Sisters and brothers,
Happy Monday to all! Yesterday was wonderful as we worshipped together in the morning and in the evening celebrated the goodness of God to all of us at our Thanksgiving Feast. (Are you still full from the Thanksgiving dinner?) We sang yesterday morning praise to our God who has provided salvation to those who believe at the greatest cost imaginable to Himself-the death of the Son of God in our place. From Matthew 21 we looked at how Jesus confronted His confronters and taught us about how to recognize false religion when we see it. We learned some characteristics of false religion. False religion looks alive but never makes a difference in leading people to love God supremely and love others sacrificially. False religion refuses to recognizes God’s presence and power in its very midst. False religion pronounces “God is first” but always puts self before God. Those who practice false religion never recognize God’s rightful claim upon their lives or God’s only Son Jesus as Lord. Jesus did not come to bring to us another religion but came to give to us His life-giving presence. Christ Jesus denounces fruitless religion and replaces it with His life-giving presence among His people.
We will be packing boxes for Samaritan’s Purse this Saturday evening, November 23, at 6:30 PM. There is a list of the things you can bring to put into the boxes we send. There are tubs at the church building to put items in after you buy them. Join us in this outreach ministry.
We are going to have baptisms this Sunday, November 24. If you might be interested in being baptized on that Sunday, contact me and let’s talk about this.
Love being your pastor!
Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church