Sunday was special! It was special for many reasons. It was special
because of decisions made by Christian men and women over twenty years ago;
because of the sacrifices, commitment, and dedication of Christ-serving
Christian men and women in that period. It was special because of those who
had dreams and visions, gave time and effort, provided leadership, taught
classes, preached sermons, served in ministries, loved, and trusted God.
Without all of them, Sunday would never have happened.
It was special because so many made the day possible. We appreciate Jack
Harriman and his family returning and sharing. We appreciate Will Ed Warren
returning and sharing. We appreciate everyone who helped make worship a
time to praise God and lift our hearts. We appreciate all who came early
and worked hard to prepare the meal. We appreciate all those who stayed to
clean up and put up.
We appreciate all the love and the rewarding bonds of fellowship. We
thanked those who were the avenue of blessing, but we understand God gave
the blessings. In both the twenty years and Sunday, each opportunity for
good came from God who created those opportunities in Christ. God made it
all possible by giving us Jesus and letting His Spirit live in us so we can
be His temple. Nothing was or is possible without God.
God gave us His Son to reconcile us to Himself. He gave us His Spirit to
make us His living temple. Jesus showed us what God wants in human
existence. He taught us the meaning of love from God's perspective and
showed us how to be God's servants. Because of Jesus, we learn the meaning
of compassion, mercy, kindness, forgiveness, and self-sacrifice. Jesus
intercedes for us before God, and the Spirit helps us express ourselves to
God when words fail us.
Where would we be if God had not re-created us in Christ Jesus? Where would
we be if Jesus was not Lord? Where would we be without the Spirit's
encouragement? Where would we be if God refused to reconcile? Where would
we be if Jesus refused to give the atoning blood? Where would we be if we
had no access to the Comforter? Where would we be without "new birth" and
"re-creation"? Where would we be if God did not clothe us in Christ? Where
would we be without the purity, the holiness, and cleansing God provides us
in Jesus every day we live?
Where would we be without Jesus' cross and resurrection? Where would we be
without our God who accepted Jesus' death and provided the power of Jesus'
resurrection?
Where would we be? No where--except in the pits of inescapable, hopeless
despair.
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