Sunday, May 26, 2013

First Presbyterian Church

Today we worshiped at First Presbyterian Church, 252 College Avenue, Beaver, PA 15009, 724.774.6398, www.fpcbeaver.com, Jeff Arnold, Senior Pastor.


Scripture: John 7:37-44

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.”

Others said, “He is the Messiah.”

Still others asked, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee? Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?”

Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.


Bob’s thoughts:

We were a little early for the service and were reminded again of the importance of signage. We found a door to the rear of the sanctuary and were about to enter when we realized it was the end of the earlier service, so we took the stair down to explore. We ended up in the choir area, through a storage space and kitchen and on to the newer-looking space that had signage. From the size of the facility some entry signage would have helped.

A woman next to Jan said hello and thanked me for my service. I thought no one spoke thinking we were from one of the other services, so I got us both visitor bags and we carried them around a bit, but nobody noticed.

With the sun shining in the window directly above us, a window shade would help the tech see the sound mix board.

There was mention that this was Memorial Day weekend and it was tied to the image of Biblical remembering the past for the present and future. The most powerful point from the message was that as Christ poured out the Living Water for you and me, we also pour out for those to whom we minister.


Jan’s thoughts:

As we approached the building I wondered, did we want door number 1, 2, 3, or 4? My first guess was not helpful (leading to a single door toward the front of the sanctuary). Door number 2 led to a similar spot but there were stairs, so we took a tour of the lower floor. In the course of conversation with a gentleman in the kitchen we learned that remodeling is scheduled to begin this this week in many areas of the building.

We appreciated the large maps that were posted in various locations showing the layout of all three floors. In a facility this size, it was very helpful.

The worship area was large, and by the time the service started there were few if any empty seats. The woman sitting next to me welcomed us and thanked Bob for his service.

The music was phenomenal, and sounded (to me, at least) good enough to be professional.

The sermon was called “Jesus: Seeing, Believing, Knowing God.” The pastor started out talking about the sacrificial leaf of the Mangrove plant and its obvious connection to Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf.

He then explained some of the details of the Feast of Tabernacles as it was celebrated in the Old Testament. If I have it right, on the 8th day of the Feast the priest took a pitcher of pure gold (representing Jesus Christ) and, walking under a shroud of palm branches, walked from the temple to the Pool of Siloam, filled the pitcher from the pool, returned to the temple, and poured the water (symbolizing the Holy Spirit) over the altar. He did this seven times, signifying the totality of God’s provision for His people.

It was on this the greatest day of the Feast that Jesus issued His invitation for “anyone who is thirsty,” (i.e., anyone – ANYONE – who wants to know God) to come to Him. The pastor emphasized several vital points involved in this transaction including that Christ’s promise is that Living Water will flow FROM you, not INTO you. The progression is: first we thirst, we go to Him, He fills us with the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit causes Living Water to flow from us thus nourishing others and giving us a life of purpose and meaning.

Can I just say how much I loved this sermon? I have often read the story of Jesus’ invitation to come to Him and be filled with Living Water, but knowing the Old Testament background and symbolism deepens the meaning so much more.

He also pointed out that when we are thirsty the human response is usually to try to treat it with one (or more) of the countless remedies offered by the world, but the only real cure is to take it to Jesus. Only He can fill the voids in our lives…we never could, we never will…the only solution is to come to Him just as we are.


Our prayer for this church:
Lord, we pray You encourage this church to continue to seek Your Living Water. Guide their mission efforts and lead them as a church to where You wish them to serve. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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