Introduction
“I’ve walked through dozens of cemeteries in my life and never once has one of those graves opened up and someone came out to warn me about what’s to come.” This was meant to put an end to any further talk about faith and believing and all that and I couldn’t blame my friend for it either. We’ve been friends for a very long time. I know the arguments and manipulations that he’d endured through his life around faith. He’s become calloused and wary of anyone who spoke “christianese”. His response displayed a certain internal logic that offered him proof and assurance of his conviction. I knew there was no way to argue him out of it, though many had tried.
This is the thing for us as Jesus followers, our faith rests on something other than, outside of, the “logic systems” of the rest of the world. There may be, at times, overlaps, but ultimately we believe not a result of some supernatural experience or deft argument, but by believing in “the message of the cross”. Let’s take some time this week to dig into what, exactly, this means.
Grace and peace y’all,
John Ray and the teaching team
Text:
1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (NET)
Take a look at this video about our our Spring Camping Retreat this past weekend at Devil’s Den State Park:
Communal Confession for Vine and Branch
Rejoice, Grace Church this time culminates our Sabbath day, our gift of rest and renewal.
We rejoice in this time for worship and wonder.
God gives us Sabbath as freedom from and freedom for.
God is worthy of worship, our Creator, Healer, and Inspiration.
Hang on Grace Church, we were never promised an easy road.
Jesus bids each and all of us to take up our cross and follow Him.
We have the promises and person of Jesus with us every step of the way.
Because we have this we will endure, even though we struggle.
We have the testimony of those who have gone before us to encourage and enlighten us.
Because we have this we will follow their example and receive their encouragement.
We have been given each other to rejoice with, grieve with, grow with and work with.
Because we have this community and all these things we will not lose heart or be forever discouraged.
Grace be to you now and forever in the Name of our Lord Jesus
Lord’s Prayer
Christ, who taught us to pray saying:
Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who’ve sinned against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory forever. Amen.
