Today we
worshiped at NorthWay Christian Community, 1414 Beaver Street, Sewickley, PA
15143, 724.935.6800, www.northway.org,
Scott McCabe, Campus Pastor.
Scripture
–
James
1:5-8 ESV –
If
any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without
reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting,
for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by
the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from
the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
Proverbs
16:18 ESV –
Pride
goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Genesis
3:6 MSG –
When
the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would
get out of it—she’d know everything!—she took and ate the fruit and then gave some
to her husband, and he ate.
John
15:1-11 ESV –
"I
am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that
does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he
prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word
that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear
fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you
abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in
him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If
anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and
the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in
me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for
you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to
be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my
love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have
kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken
to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
Philippians
2:3-8 NIV –
Do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value
others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to
the interests of the others.
In
your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to
be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the
very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in
appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even
death on a cross!
1
Timothy 6:17-18 NIV –
Command
those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their
hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly
provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be
rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
Bob’s
thoughts:
We
were greeted by a few people, including meeting two Marines near the door who
didn’t know they were brothers beyond Christ.
Although
they are not saddled with a church building, they meet in a school, so perhaps
they are prohibited from displaying a cross.
It
was easy to follow the music and message with the three large projection
screens.
The
sermon was the final message of a three-part series titled “What Was I Thinking?”
with a focus on ‘pride or abide.’ Plenty of Scripture quotes and scholarly
commentary supported the message and I liked the line: “Where Satan doesn’t go
personally, he sends a critic.”
She talked
about how vanity, deceit, and arrogance cause an alienation from God. My Marine
pride was a stumbling block till I learned to submit that to Christ
(Philippians 4:13).
The
message included Scripture from John about the Vine and the branches. This
reminded me of when we moved from a home where I had painted ivy on the wall
and before we moved, felt directed to include the Scripture. I always hoped God
found a way to use it.
It was
great to see a healthy mix of ages at this service; lots of young people is
indicative of a healthy church.
We
enjoyed a pleasant conversation with some church leaders and the pastor after
the service.
Jan’s
thoughts:
We
sensed God’s nudging us to visit NorthWay and opted to visit a campus we’ve not
seen before.
This
location meets at an elementary school, which means each week all the accoutrements
are moved in and set up for worship and then moved back out afterward,
obviously an incredible effort by an extremely dedicated team.
We
arrived just as the service was starting and were greeted at the door by a
gentleman who turned out to be a Marine who had been stationed in some of the
same parts of Vietnam where Bob served. We committed to meeting after worship
to discuss this connection further when two other Marines greeted Bob. I always
enjoy witnessing these reunions of “brothers from different mothers.”
The
music was robust so we found seats at the back, then watched with some surprise
as our first Marine friend entered and sat with his wife immediately in front
of us.
We
learned during the announcements about some of the mission efforts of this
church during October, one ambitious one aimed at making a difference in the Aliquippa
area. Also today was Small Group Connect, where the various small groups were
set up at tables and interested parties could talk to someone and/or sign up to
join a specific small group.
The
message was presented by a member of the staff, Shannon Libengood, who had
spent a fair amount of time (8 years, I think she said) as a long-term overseas
missionary. This week’s message was the final in a series entitled “What Was I
Thinking?” The first week focused on doubts, the second on fear, and this week’s
title was “The Culprit of Pride.”
I
always know when the message was one I want to remember because I take lots of
notes, and today I took more than that…so many that I don’t know where to
begin. So I will blatantly copy the message notes so kindly provided as we
entered worship because this says it all:
Pride defined:
“There is one vice of
which no man in the world is free; which everyone loathes when he sees it in
someone else; and of which hardly any people, except Christians, ever imagine
that they are guilty themselves… And the more we have it ourselves, the more we
dislike it in others… According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the
utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are
mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the
devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of
mind.”
~C.S. Lewis, Mere
Christianity
Pride defined in our
relationship…
…with God, is an excessive belief
in one’s own abilities that interferes with our recognition of the grace of
God.
...with others, is dangerously corrupt
selfishness, the putting of one’s own desires, urges, wants, and whims before
the welfare of people.
Pride goes before
destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
(Proverbs 16:18, ESV)
Pride expressed: Vanity, conceit, and
arrogance
Fruit of pride: Conflict, gossip, and
alienation from God
Where there is strife,
there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take
advice. (Proverbs 13:10,
NIV)
Again,
the above is directly from today’s message notes and not written by me.
She
ended with a powerful statement: “A war is being fought over our souls daily.”
Indeed. And we see the fruits of that battle every time we look at the
suffering in our world. Or in our hearts.
Satan
is the enemy of our souls and he will stop at nothing in his attempt to snatch
us away. Praise God that through His Son, once we are in His hand, He will
never let us go (John 10:28).
Our
prayer for this church:
Lord, it is encouraging to see the enthusiasm for mission through
Your people at this church. We pray for Your continued guidance and
encouragement upon them as they go. Amen.