Scripture
– ESV
Hebrews 5:11-6:3 –
About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Therefore
let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not
laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward
God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the
resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God
permits.
2
Peter 1:5-11 –
For
this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and
virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with
steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly
affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours
and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so
nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his
former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your
calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the
eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Bob’s
thoughts:
I
love the back-lit cross above the baptistry: it looks like window mullions but
becomes a cross. The sanctuary is square but set up L-shaped, directed to one
corner. The knotty pine ceiling is set off by large dark wood beams, which tie
the sanctuary together well.
The
signage was ample.
I appreciated
the worship team’s prayer before the start of the service, hands on each
other’s backs, huddle style.
No
instruments are used but the congregation has a choir-like sound. I thought of
how often an organ drowns out the voices and I have no idea where we are in the
hymns.
The
sermon was part of a series called Better
from Hebrews. Today’s was on Christian growth, From Bottle Fed to Spirit Led: our need to be nurtured from mother’s
milk messages to more mature, meatier sermons.
Something
I’m being led through to break the dullness of hearing is to shed a lot of my
stuff in order to heighten my focus on God. I once had a large mechanic’s box filled
with tools and came to realize that was my god. When Christ claimed me, I got
my soul back and my family back as well. Now, with each thing I get rid of, I
find my focus on God grows.
We
were pleased to spend some time with the pastor after the service and impressed
that he remembered us. I was also impressed with the prayer ministry there.
Jan’s
thoughts:
Since
it has been five years since we visited this church, it seemed like a good time
to return. As usual, Bob recognized the parking lot.
We
entered during the Sunday school hour and were greeted and invited to find a
seat in the sanctuary. First we took a brief, self-guided tour of the building,
during which we encountered some friendly volunteers, and after a little
wandering we returned to the sanctuary and found seats for the last 15-20
minutes of adult Sunday school.
Several
other folks welcomed us warmly after the service ended.
The
sanctuary is quite lovely, decorated mostly by the architecture of the room. When
I noted there were no musical instruments or microphones, I realized this must
be the church where the congregation sings a cappella, and I was correct. I
knew about half of the songs, but the ones I didn’t know, I enjoyed just listening
to the congregation and reading the words on the screen. The congregation’s
singing was impressive: it included harmony and a terrific mix of voices.
Immediately
before the service started, the men who were participating in the worship
leadership circled together for prayer.
This
congregation celebrates Communion weekly and I was glad we could be present to
participate. Everyone served themselves silently except us, though we did
whisper.
The
message was entitled From Bottle Fed to
Spirit Led and was part of a series called Better. The pastor pointed out that as much as we all love babies,
we want them to grow just as God wants us to grow. There are many reasons some
stay stagnant in their faith life, but the blessings of a deeper relationship
with God far outweigh the challenges (which, I think, are among the
blessings).
He
said we should all be asking ourselves if we have grown spiritually, keeping in
mind that each person grows at their own rate so we are not in a position to
judge the spiritual growth of others. Also, we should keep in mind that our
spiritual growth does not happen by accident, but requires constant practice
and self-discipline.
He
ended by asking, “Are you drinking from a bottle or are you ready for some
meat?”
Our
prayer for this church:
Lord,
we pray You will continue to grow Your church beyond milk to a meat-filled
meal. Help them to be a beacon for You. Amen.
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