Weekly Newsletter 6/7-6/14

Last week:

- Grow and Know 100: This past Sunday we started our discipleship cohort on the spiritual disciplines. The first session was on prayer. The next will be on how to study the Bible. It is not too late to join in on this cohort, so please feel free to attend. p.s. donuts provided.

Announcements:

- Grow and Know 200: Keep in mind that after the 100 series of our discipleship cohort finishes, it will be followed by our theology class. For more information, see the white board in the Next Steps room.

- Community Groups: Those who are not currently involved in a community group during the week, please consider stepping into one. These are important to us, as we use them as opportunities to build relationships, grow in knowledge of God's Word, and to bear one another's burdens through prayer.

Monday 6pm: Led by Pastor Larry - Wednesday 11am: Led by Juanita Williams and Beth Sebring

Wednesday 6pm: Led by Pastor Anthony - Thursday 6pm: Led by Pastor Larry

Every other Saturday 10:30am: Led by Doug and Corinna Wheeler

- Betty Williams: Pray for Betty as she fell over the weekend. Our faithful sister as well as Russ Williams need lifted up due to many ailments in recent times.

- Chanku Waste Ranch: Pray for Chad and Sarah Deible as well as the missions organization they serve with in South Dakota among Native American peoples. Their massive children's camp began this week and they need lots of prayer.

Pray they would be the hands and feet of Jesus to these kiddos who need Christ.

Pray for rest and energy for those leading the camp.

Pray that God would transform the community that Chanku Waste serves. There is lots of poverty and hardship in their area.

- Cuddington family: Continue praying for our family members, Donald and Laurie Cuddington as well as their family. They welcomed a new grandchild into the family last week.

Weekly Devotional: from Acts 26

Sunday, we discussed the entirety of Acts 26, where Paul is making his case to Agrippa II after appealing to Caesar. The context is, Paul had been attacked and arrested in Jerusalem because some of the Jews on pilgrimage from Asia Minor had recognized him as a Christian. When the riot was broken up by Claudius, an attempt was to be made on Paul's life, so Claudius sent him to Caesarea. When Paul had arrived, he was put on trial by the Sanhedrin before Felix who was curious about Paul, but left Paul in prison despite the lack of evidence for the claims made against him. After two years, Felix was replaced by Portius Festus, who again is to hear Paul's case at the demand of the Jews.

When Festus was puzzled about Paul's case, understanding that there was no evidence against him. Knowing that Paul had asked to be tried before the emperor, Festus took the opportunity to have Herod Agrippa II hear Paul's case. This was because Agrippa would have been familiar with Jewish customs.

Now, Paul in Acts 26 speaks before Agrippa, explaining why he was on trial and presents the gospel message clearly to him and all who could hear. Festus had interrupted Paul, telling him that he was out of his mind for saying Jesus rose from the dead and that all the Law and Prophets pointed to Christ, but Paul only doubles down. He reminds those hearing that he speaks true and rational words before turning his attention to Agrippa once more saying,

"King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.' And Agrippa said to Paul, 'In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?' And Paul said, 'Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become as I am - except for these chains.'"(Ac. 26:27-29 ESV).

For our consideration this week, let us think about Paul's response to both Agrippa and Festus in this passage. I want to lay before you the idea that even though we may be called crazy and mocked for our faith, few of us respond to criticism with the heart that Paul does in this text.

Put simply, Paul's heart for the lost outweighs his disdain for his enemies.

It would be the easy thing to do to curse back at Festus when called a lunatic, and certainly easy to discount Herod Agrippa II who was a roman sympathizer that oppressed his Jewish constituents. Paul however, pours out his heart to these people, and what blows my mind is the phrase, 'also all who hear me this day...'

Remember the accusers who had placed Paul on trial had been hunting him like a dog, they had beaten him, and tried him for crimes he did not commit, just because they did not like him and the message God had entrusted to him. But he prays in this moment for their salvation. Let that sink in for a moment.

Jesus told His followers that they should love and pray even for their enemies (Matt. 5:44). This is difficult to do, but there is something that happens in us when we take that step.

1.) We grow a softness towards them which is healthy for us. This is good because we are told by God's Word that bitterness, unforgiveness, and hatred really only affect the one who holds onto them. Remember the common phrase you hear from me, that withholding forgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies.

2.) When we love, pray for, and evangelize even those who openly oppose us, we are reminded of who we once were. Friend, were it not for Jesus, we would still be stuck in sin fighting and scratching to earn favor with God and man. We know now, however, that it was God pulling us out of the former life, restoring us, and providing for us everlasting life that has us where we are today.

As believers who are called to walk in love, we cannot let what other people do or say affect who we are and what we do. As followers of Jesus, we need to follow our Lord's example who prayed while having nails pierce His hands, "Father, forgive them.."(Luke 23:34). Especially for you and I who were once as our enemies were, it should be routine to pray for God to regenerate the hearts of those who are not our biggest fans.