Sermon Preview
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Many years ago, as I was first getting into Reformed Theology, I was listening to The White Horse Inn, a Christian (and theologically Reformed) radio show originating from Los Angeles, and hosted by Dr. Michael Horton.
On this particular episode, Dr. Horton and his co-hosts we interviewing the late Dr. Robert Schuller, and they were discussing his controversial views on the Gospel and Scripture. During what proved to be a very lively, sometimes fiery, and thoroughly entertaining discussion, Dr. Schuller made this interesting statement: “Just because it’s in the Bible, doesn’t mean you have to preach it.”
What prompted that comment was their discussion of hell. Dr. Horton and his co-hosts were, of course, arguing that this unpleasant subject, clearly taught in the Bible, is yet a critical part of the Gospel that must be proclaimed in order to be faithful to Christ. Dr. Schuller, on the other hand, argued that the preacher is not at all obligated to preach on subjects that are so negative and difficult, even if they are found in the Word of God.
I’ve recalled that episode many times this week as I have prepared for Sunday’s message from God’s Word.
In 2 Samuel 12:10-25, we find a collision between two seemingly disparate and irreconcilable facts. First, Nathan announces to David that, as a consequence of his sins, “ the sword will never depart from your house” (12:10). And then, the prophet declares that the king’s gross transgressions have been fully forgiven by the Lord: “ The Lord also has put away you sin” (12:13). There will be both mercy and consequences, forgiveness and painful costs.
Most troublesome of all is the fact that the death of the son born to David and Bathsheba is among the consequences that the king must now bear: “ the child who is born to you shall die . . . . And the Lord afflicted the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David” (12:14-15).
These are terribly hard words, indeed! Do we really have to preach them?
Well, you know the obvious answer. Even this is God’s Word that must be proclaimed. And there is a message here for each of us as we examine the perplexing intersection of mercy and justice, of the forgiveness of sins and the consequences of choices.
As we continue to probe the details of David’s fall and restoration, we will discover even in this admittedly difficult passage the sanctifying grace of God, that has its unshakable foundation resting upon His unfailing love for all who belong to Him!
Please read 2 Samuel 12:10-25, and pray with and for me as we prepare to come before our Savior this Lord’s Day.
I love you all so much!
Mike
Upcoming Events:
Nov 17, 6 PM – Career/Singles Bible Study at Daughtry Home
Nov 18, 6 PM – Career/Singles Christmas Dog Walking at Huntsville Botanical Gardens
Nov 19, 9 AM – Mother’s Morning Bible Study
Nov 19, 10 AM Bags of Blessings Food Pickup at Sam’s
Nov 19, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Bible Study
Nov 20, 10 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study
Nov 20, 6 PM – Diaconate Meeting
Nov 24, 4:30 PM – Youth Group at Church
Dec 4, 12 PM – Women’s Christmas Brunch
Dec 8, 12 PM – Second Sunday Fellowship Lunch
Dec 10, 6 PM – Ladies’ Christmas Dinner at Huntsville Country Club
Order of Worship:
You can access this week’s Order of Worship by clicking here
If you’d like to sing the songs with your family beforehand, the songs for this week are:
Man of Sorrows, What a Name – Hymn 246 v.1-5
Give Reviving
Marvelous Grace of Our Loving Lord – Hymn 465 v.1-3
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
Announcements:
Men’s Morning Study:
The men are meeting at Panera at Bridge Street on Tuesdays at 6 AM to study Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion. If interested, email darondrown@gmail.com
Career/Singles:
There is an ongoing weekly bible study and fellowship at 5:30 PM Sunday evenings at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry. Also of interest, on Monday, November 18, Botanical Gardens Galaxy of Lights dog walking night (although, bringing a dog is optional!). Meet at the tent entrance at 6:00. Hot chocolate and fellowship afterwards at the home of Kerry Tameling.
Transportation for Jean Terry to Worship
Steve Terry’s treatment, which will take place in Arkansas, will be a long process – 42 weeks. So, we as a church body have the opportunity to serve this sweet family during the difficult road ahead. One way we can serve and bless them is to provide transportation for Jean Terry, Steve’s mom, to and from worship service. A link is provided to sign up if you are able to help in this manner. Please contact Kim Fohrell if you have questions about serving. Click HERE to volunteer to drive Ms. Jean to and from worship service.
College Student Care Packages:
The young ladies of Christ Pres are putting together care packages for our college students once again this year. Please let us know a good address for your students so we can send them a little something to let them know they are in our thoughts and prayers. Parents, please use the Google Form to give us the information needed to get these to our students.
Over the next couple of weeks we will be collecting items to send to our college students in these Christmas care packages. There will be a box by the table in the Narthex that you can place your items in. We welcome two dozen of any of the following items: health bars, popcorn, snacks, Christmas cheer/treats, gum, gift cards, personal notes, school supplies, or any other smallish item that you think would brighten someone’s day in the midst of exams. Thanks for showing our students that they are still a valued and prayed for part of our local Body of Christ. See Amy Drown with any questions.
Men’s Lunch Groups:
Men’s Lunch Fellowship Groups are forming. More information and sign up sheets may be found in the Narthex. For questions please see Norman Dean.
Youth Group:
Youth Bible Study for Middle and High School is the following dates:
Sunday November 24–4:30 PM at the Church
Sunday December 8–4:30 PM at the Church
Second Sunday Lunches:
Please click the link HERE to view the sign up for our November Fellowship Lunch on Sunday November 10th.
Many of you remarked to me that you’ve only been able to come to one or two lunches because of forgetting or making other plans – well let me encourage you to mark your calendars! 😉
We plan to continue each 2nd Sunday of the month from December through May. The May lunch will most likely move to the 3rd Sunday because of Mother’s Day.
November 10, December 8, and January 12 are the next three coming up. Please make plans to join us in the Fellowship Hall after worship. And please welcome visitors to stay and join us to eat!
***A word of thanks to all the MANY helpers who prep, set out tables, serve the meals, bring food or dessert or tea, and those who linger to clean up – THANK YOU for making these lunches a great success. It is a pleasure to work alongside you and serve the church body this way.
Sincerely in Christ,
Denise Brown
Women’s Fellowship Opportunities:
The Christmas Brunch for the weekly bible studies is December 4th.
The annual Ladies’ Christmas Dinner is Tuesday, December 10th, at 6 pm at Huntsville Country Club.
Mark your calendars for these fellowship opportunities. Contact Denise Scrip for any questions.
Senior Fellows:
Here is a list of Senior Fellows events for November:
Nov 19 – 10 AM Bags of Blessings Food Pickup at Sam’s
Roots Retreat:
Registration for the upcoming youth retreat for the teens in our presbytery is now open. The Roots Retreat will be January 24-26, 2020. This year’s guest speaker is Daniel Hightower. Daniel is the RUF campus minister at Jacksonville State University (and former Youth Director at Grace Presbyterian Church in Fort Payne). You may register by clicking here.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Steve Terry, John Baxter, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, and Nolan Osmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Thoms, expecting in November, and the Brackins, expecting in March.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA).
Emails:
general inquiries: admin@christpreshamptoncove.org
benevolence needs: benevolence@christpreshamptoncove.org
counsel and ministry needs: matthew@christpreshamptoncove.org
men’s ministry: men@christpreshamptoncove.org
women’s ministry: women@christpreshamptoncove.org
children’s ministry: children@christpreshamptoncove.org
youth ministry: youth@christpreshamptoncove.org
senior fellows: seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org
Address:
288 Old Highway 431
Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763