Hey there! The livingStone Church recently held a worship service on September 24, 2023. During the service, the worship team was thanked for their hard work and they also extended a warm welcome to all the first-time visitors and guests. The congregation received an update on the progress of their building program, with the next step being the design concept for the building. This includes selecting an architect team, which will incur significant expenses for the church. The church is currently at almost 31% of their goal and detailed information about the milestones and associated costs can be found in the bulletin and online platforms. After the building update, Pastor Chris began his sermon on Luke 20, where he discussed the importance of knowing and following God’s word. The sermon focuses on the encounter between Jesus and the Sadducees, who try to trap Jesus with a theological question but end up being confronted about their lack of knowledge of God’s word. The sermon emphasizes the significance of understanding scripture for living a prosperous and successful life.
Welcome and Thanking the Worship Team
Welcome, everyone! We are so glad to have you here with us at livingStone Church on this beautiful Sunday morning. First, we want to take a moment to thank our worship team for leading us in such an incredible time of worship. Danny and the rest of the worship team, you guys truly did an amazing job today. Let’s give them a big round of applause for their talent and dedication. Your worship set set the tone for our time together and allowed us to enter into God’s presence with open hearts. Thank you for using your gifts to glorify God and edify His people.
Welcoming First-Time Visitors and Guests
To all our first-time visitors and guests, we want to extend a warm welcome to you. It is so good to have you join us for our worship service today. We hope that you feel at home and encouraged by this community of believers. We invite you to connect with us further by filling out a welcome card or reaching out to one of our ushers. We would love to get to know you better and answer any questions you may have about livingStone Church. Thank you for choosing to worship with us today.
Building Update
Now, let’s talk about the latest updates on our building program. As most of you know, we have recently purchased the land where our future church building will be located. This is such an exciting milestone for us as a church community. We are now proud owners of the land, and it truly marks the beginning of a new chapter in our journey.
However, the journey is just beginning, and we want to keep you informed every step of the way. We are pleased to announce that in the coming weeks, we will be moving into the design concept phase of our building program. This means that we will be selecting an architect team to help us bring our vision for the building to life. The design concept is crucial as it will determine the look, size, and placement of our future church building.
Moving into the Design Concept
Moving into the design concept phase is a significant step forward for us. It means that we are getting closer to seeing our dreams become a reality. We have carefully gone through an interview process with various architects, and we are in the final stages of selecting the team that will work with us on this project. Once we confirm their schedule, we will be able to share more details and timelines with you. Keep an eye out for updates in our bulletin and on our online platforms.
We are so grateful to Mike Dixon and his expertise in guiding us through the architectural side of this project. Mike has been instrumental in helping us navigate this complex process, and we cannot thank him enough for his support and dedication to making our dream a reality.
Expenses for Conceptual Design
As we move into the design concept phase, we want to make you aware that there will be significant expenses involved. The conceptual design is a crucial part of the building process, and it requires careful planning and thought to ensure that everything aligns with our vision and budget. These expenses will be the next big investment for our church, and we are trusting God’s provision and your support to cover these costs.
We want to express our deepest gratitude to all of you for your continued prayers and generous offerings towards our building program. Your faithfulness enables us to move forward and make progress on this project. We are still on track and have reached almost 31% of our goal. This is incredible, and we are filled with hope and excitement as we continue to see God’s hand at work.
Progress of the Building Program
Let’s take a moment to celebrate how far we have come in our building program. Our journey toward having a physical church building has been a collective effort, and it’s important to acknowledge the progress we have made together. We are moving along well, and reaching almost 31% of our goal is a significant achievement. Thank you for your prayers, financial contributions, and support along the way. We still have a ways to go, but with God’s grace and your continued partnership, we are confident that we will reach our goal.
To help you stay informed, we have provided detailed information on the milestones and associated costs of the building program in our bulletin and on our online platforms. We encourage you to take a moment to review this information, as it will help you understand where we are in the process and what lies ahead. Feel free to reach out to our team if you have any questions or need further clarification.
Prayer for the Building on the Land
Before we move on to the sermon, let’s take a moment to pray together for our building on the land. As we embark on this exciting journey, we recognize that it is not just about bricks and mortar. It is about creating a space where people can encounter God, experience His transforming love, and find hope and healing. So let’s join our hearts and lift up this building project in prayer, asking God to bless our efforts and guide us every step of the way.
Sermon: Importance of Knowing and Following God’s Word
Now, let’s dive into our sermon for today. Pastor Chris will be sharing from Luke 20, focusing on the importance of knowing and following God’s Word. The passage in Luke 20 presents a fascinating interaction between Jesus and a group called the Sadducees. The Sadducees did not believe in the concept of resurrection, and they sought to challenge Jesus with a theological question.
Discussion of the Sadducees’ Lack of Knowledge
First, Pastor Chris will delve into the context and background of the Sadducees, highlighting their lack of knowledge regarding God’s Word. This lack of knowledge leads them to present Jesus with a hypothetical scenario involving a woman and seven brothers who all die. The Sadducees use this scenario to question the concept of marriage in heaven and resurrection.
Hypothetical Scenario Presented by the Sadducees
Jesus responds to their hypothetical scenario by stating that there is no marriage in heaven after the resurrection. He explains that in heaven, we will be like angels and will no longer marry or be given in marriage. This challenges the Sadducees’ limited understanding of the afterlife and showcases Jesus’ authority to speak on spiritual matters.
Jesus Refutes the Argument about Marriage in Heaven
Furthermore, Jesus supports his refutation of the Sadducees’ argument by using the Torah itself. He references a passage in Exodus where God reveals His identity as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jesus points out that God would not identify Himself as such if Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob no longer existed. This Scripture-based argument confirms the reality of resurrection and highlights the Sadducees’ lack of theological understanding.
Jesus Uses the Torah to Support Resurrection
Through this interaction, Jesus demonstrates the significance of Scripture in defending the truth and dispelling falsehoods. He shows how the Torah itself supports the belief in resurrection and emphasizes the importance of knowing and understanding God’s Word. The Sadducees are left unable to challenge Jesus further, as their lack of knowledge becomes evident.
Sadducees Unable to Challenge Jesus Further
In realizing their mistake and witnessing Jesus’ wisdom, the Sadducees begin to understand the significance of knowing and following God’s Word. Their encounter with Jesus serves as a reminder to all of us about the importance of Scripture in our spiritual lives.
Marriage in Heaven and Resurrection
Marriage, as we understand it on earth, is a beautiful and sacred institution. However, in heaven, the familial bond between humans and God takes precedence over earthly relationships. In the afterlife, our focus will shift towards fully dwelling in the presence of our Heavenly Father. This understanding challenges our earthly perspectives and reminds us of the eternal nature of our connection with God.
The Significance of Scripture
The story of Jesus and the Sadducees serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of Scripture in our lives. God has graciously given us His Word to guide us, protect us, and reveal His love and truth to us. Scripture is not just a collection of ancient texts; it is the living and active Word of God that speaks directly into our lives and situations.
Instructions for Living Well and Securing Eternity
The Word of God provides us with instructions for living well and securing our eternity. It teaches us how to navigate life’s challenges, make wise decisions, and cultivate healthy relationships. By understanding and following Scripture, we can experience the abundant life that God desires for us.
Consequences of Ignoring Scripture
On the other hand, ignoring Scripture can have negative consequences. When we disregard God’s Word and rely on our own understanding, we open ourselves up to making costly mistakes. We may experience broken relationships, financial difficulties, and spiritual emptiness. It is essential that we lean on God’s wisdom and guidance found in His Word.
Scripture Addressing Issues and Providing Guidance
The beauty of Scripture is that it addresses various issues that we face in life and provides guidance for every situation. Whether we are struggling with addiction, seeking clarity in relationships, or facing challenges in our careers, God’s Word offers insight and direction. It is our responsibility to seek out and apply the wisdom found in Scripture to our lives.
Fleeing Sexual Immorality
For example, Scripture speaks directly to the issue of sexual immorality. It warns us about the destructiveness of engaging in practices that go against God’s design for marriage and relationships. Sexual immorality is not only harmful to ourselves but also dishonors God and His plan for human intimacy. By fleeing from sexual immorality, we can protect ourselves and honor God with our bodies.
Destructiveness and Against God’s Design
Scripture clearly outlines the consequences of sexual immorality and highlights its destructive nature. It is essential to recognize that engaging in sexual immorality is not just a personal choice but goes against God’s design for human flourishing. By aligning our actions with God’s Word, we can experience the fullness of His love and avoid the pain and turmoil that comes with disobedience.
Negative Consequences and Blaming God
The negative consequences of ignoring Scripture extend beyond issues of sexual immorality. When we disregard God’s instructions and go our own way, we risk blaming God for the consequences of our choices. It is important to remember that our actions have consequences, and God’s desire for us is to walk in His ways and experience the blessings that come from obedience.
Harmfulness of Alcohol and Food
Alongside issues of relationships and sexual immorality, Scripture also addresses topics such as the harmful effects of excessive alcohol consumption and unhealthy eating habits. God wants us to live healthy lives, not only for our physical well-being but also for our spiritual growth. By honoring our bodies and treating them as temples of the Holy Spirit, we can experience heightened levels of vitality and health.
Prosperity and Success through Following God’s Word
Following God’s Word does not only bring about spiritual benefits but can also lead to prosperity and success. The Scriptures provide principles and guidelines for managing our finances, making wise investments, and using our resources for God’s kingdom. When we align our financial decisions with biblical values, we position ourselves for financial blessings and the ability to support others in need.
Treasuring and Spending Time in God’s Word
As we conclude this sermon, I want to encourage each and every one of you to treasure and spend time in God’s Word. Let us recognize the incredible gift we have been given in Scripture and commit to studying, meditating on, and applying its truths to our lives. The more we immerse ourselves in God’s Word, the more we will grow in wisdom, discernment, and understanding.
Information in the Bulletin
Before we wrap up our time together, I want to draw your attention to the information available in our bulletin. The bulletin contains all the details of upcoming church events, small groups, and worship services. It is a valuable resource that will keep you informed about what is happening in the life of our church community. Make sure to take a moment to review the bulletin and mark your calendars accordingly.
Thank you, everyone, for being here today and for engaging in this time of worship and teaching. We are so blessed to have each and every one of you as part of livingStone Church. May you go forth from this place, living according to God’s Word, and may your lives be a testament to His goodness and grace. Have a wonderful week ahead!