Good morning:
Perhaps you’ve heard the advice that there are two things you should never bring up in conversation: religion and politics. The reason is that both can elicit strong disagreement from the person with whom you are speaking. Still, how many people actually follow that advice? Do you? Even when you know your comments about Congress, the governor, or the courts will likely immerse you in a heated discussion, do you still feel compelled to say something? You tell yourself that you are absolutely not under any circumstance going to engage someone in a debate. You listen and hold your tongue, but finally, you can’t help but speak up. When you feel strongly about a matter and are convinced of your position, it’s almost impossible to remain silent. When it comes to politics, it’s not always a good thing. None of us knows for certain what the government should or should not do. None of us knows what the Lord’s will is for the nation.
But in spiritual matters there is no question as to what the Lord says and what He desires. The Lord is not willing that any should perish. Jesus died in payment for the sins of all people. He rose again from the dead to confirm His victory over sin and death. Jesus has reconciled the whole world to God. The Lord wants all to believe and be saved from eternal death and to live with Him forever in glory.
Who can keep quiet about that? The prophet Jeremiah couldn’t. He wrote, “But if I say, ‘I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed I cannot” (Jer. 20:9). Peter and John could not. After being commanded by the authorities to stop preaching, they replied, “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). The apostle Paul wrote, “It is written: ‘I believed; therefore I have spoken.’ With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak” (2 Cor. 4:13).
For us too, silence is not an option. How can we keep quiet about the greatest news sinners will ever hear, the only news which saves, the news of Christ crucified and risen? With whom can we share the news today?
Yours in Christ,
Pastor
Services tomorrow are at 8:00 and10:45 a.m. Sunday school: 9:30 a.m. and adult Bible class: 9:45 a.m. The activity committee is asked to meet briefly between services. The public school confirmation class meets at 12:15 p.m.
Here is the link for service signup: https://tinyurl.com/y2j5r8sn
Signing up for the Sunday service by 6 p.m. Saturday is appreciated and helpful and a way of showing Christian love for one another. It gives the Elders and ushers an idea of how many people to prepare for. When you sign up you can also see how full the service will be, and if you wish, consider attending the other service. By signing up, you can easily be informed if that were advisable because of contact with someone at the service who later became ill.
The church council asks that all worshipers wear masks. Masks are available in the entry if you forget yours.
