Suffering & Hope
Life is tough. And it should be. We live in a sinful world and our human nature is fatally flawed. Our suffering, whether a minor setback or a life-altering diagnosis, is not for naught.
And our sermon text from Romans 5 does a beautiful job reminding us that God loves us, even when we feel the most unlovable.
We get to receive this most precious gift of love through character-building suffering through the most divinely inspired hope because of His death on the cross. We are loved by God and we have hope because of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our hope is not for a long or pleasant life, but for an eternal life provided for us by the one who has conquered death.
Here is the full sermon text for today from Romans 5,
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
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Announcements
Lenten Season – We are in the midst of our Lenten season. The Wednesday evening services will be posted online.
Voters Meeting – The next meeting is set for March 7 at 3:00pm via Zoom. Please contact Pastor or Sean for a Zoom link if needed.
NEW Bible Information Class Starting: All are welcome to join – whether it’s your first time or a refresher – we meet on Sundays at 9:30am. Please let Pastor know ahead of time if you plan to attend.
Donations: Unfortunately the expenses go on. If you wish to make a donation please mail them to the St. James post office box as that is a secure location.
Prayer requests. Bring your prayer requests to Pastor Jenson, Deacon Poe, or Loyd Harris (bulletin typist). They will printed in the bulletin and prayed in the Sunday service. The deadline is Tuesday for mailing on Wednesday. Remember if you are bringing a prayer request on behalf of another person their permission must be obtained.
Prayer during a pandemic:
Almighty God, heavenly Father, give us grace to trust You during this time of illness and distress. In mercy put an end to the pandemic that afflicts us. Grant relief to those who suffer, and comfort all that mourn. Sustain all medical personnel in their labors, and cause Your people ever to serve You in righteousness and holiness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.