“ so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as You loved Me” (John 17:23).

My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus our Lord,

You will likely recognize the words above as coming from the lips of Jesus as He prayed most fervently in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of his arrest and trial. The prayer itself, infinitely rich with truth, could very well be the subject of one’s study for a lifetime. Who could ever fully mine the depths of what our Lord expressed to His Father at such an hour?

But this one line in our Lord’s impassioned words of supplication is most staggering in its own right. Here the Savior is lifting up His disciples and, by extension (and the Lord’s own testimony, v. 20), each of us as well. And His prayerful concern is that we who have believed in Him for our eternal salvation would “ know” something essential, a foundational truth, a life-transforming reality. And that is, that we are “ loved” by the Father “ as” the Father has “ loved” the Son!

Now, just pause momentarily and reflect upon that!

Consider how frequently and often flippantly we (and even those outside of Christ) speak of God’s love. ‘God loves me, and God loves you, and God loves everybody.’ Virtually everyone who admits their belief in God will sound these words with confidence and some degree of conviction. In this case, God’s love is referenced in the abstract. It is not connected to anything that might illustrate, measure, or define it. He loves us, and that’s it. Simple enough!

But here in His prayer Jesus blows away such a shallow and rather innocuous view of God’s love. Our Savior and Lord will not permit His disciples (in any age or place) to be content with how the world speaks so abstractly and frivolously of the divine love. Rather, our Lord provides a measurement, or a comparison, for us so that we might have a proper and full view of the inexpressible greatness of this love.

The Father does indeed love each of us who belong to His Son. But there’s more!

According to the Savior Himself, the Father loves us as much as He does His only-begotten Son! God the Father loves you, me, and every believer redeemed by Christ’s blood, as if we were His Son!

In the light of this truly astounding thought, our task is to contemplate how, as well as how much, the Father loves His Son.

Thankfully, we are not left without help on this question. In John 3:35 Jesus declared, “ The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.”

The Father’s infinite love for His Son is so vast that He has granted to Him the ownership of literally everything! And not only that, but with the Son’s possession of all that exists, He has also been freely granted sovereign control over every fraction of it! By means of the Father’s eternal love for His Only-begotten Son, Jesus is the rightful Owner and Master of all creation!

So this is how we are to contemplate and measure the Father’s great love for us!

Because we belong to His Son, we too share in His ownership and sovereignty over all things! We are, as Paul writes, “ heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). And since the Father loves the Son and has granted Him all the fullness of creation itself, the Father will also “ graciously give us all things” (Romans 8:32) that we might need now in this life, and literally everything in eternity to come!

So let me ask you this question as our new week begins on this good Monday: If you really believed this to be true, that the Father loves you in the same way and to the same degree that He loves His Son, what difference would it make now?

How would such a truth impact your day, and the remainder of the week? If, as Jesus Himself prayed, you did come to “ know” the Father’s love in this way, what would be different about you? How would it impact your relationships with others? How would it challenge your anxieties and fears? How would it affect the degree of peace and contentment that you have right now? How would it modify the way you look out at this world in its rebellion against God and spiritual lifelessness? And would it make a difference in how you act, what you set your affections upon, what you think about and treasure in your mind?

And biggest of all, what would be different about your worship of and devotion to such a loving and gracious Father?

Now we know why the Apostle Paul also verbalized this very same concern for all believers that Jesus expressed in the Garden that night long ago:

“ And I pray that you, firmly fixed in love yourselves, may be able to grasp (with all Christians) how wide and deep and long and high is the love of Christ—and to know for yourselves that love so far beyond our comprehension” (Ephesians 3:18-19, Phillips Translation).

If we truly “ know” this love, we can never be the same. And no Monday will ever be ‘just another manic Monday’!

Be encouraged! Be in the know! Listen to Jesus pray! You are loved!

With all my love and prayers,

Mike

Sermon Preview:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

If you listen carefully, you can hear a song, a Christmas song, playing gently somewhere in the background. It is not coming from the radio, internet, or television. Oddly, enough it is emanating from your Bible. And as you inspect it more closely to discover the exact source of this Advent melody, you find it coming from the pages of Isaiah.

Sure enough, in the magnificent prophecy of Isaiah there are the songs of Christmas. Now, all of us are quite familiar with chapters 7 and 9 that tell of the birth of our Savior, the Son of God. But there are some other passages that speak of Him in different terms. These places are known as ‘The Servant Songs of Isaiah.’

These songs are discovered in four chapters in the last third of the book (a section commonly referred to as the ‘Book of Comfort’), and in them we see another name for the One who would enter the world through Mary’s womb. He is “ My Servant,” says the Lord. And each of the four songs reveals something truly wonderful about Him.

This Advent, we will be prayerfully listening to these Christmas Songs of the Servant. The first, which we will consider this coming Lord Day, is Isaiah 42:1-4.

Worship Sunday at 10:30 AM

Please remember that there is no Sunday School until January 10. Until then, we will meet each Lord’s Day at 10:30 AM for worship.

I love you all so much!

Mike

Announcements:

COVID-19 Message:

For those of you who are attending worship in person on Sunday morning, please practice social distancing as much as you are able and observe the pew markers so that we may keep a safe, 6-ft between families. During this time, we will not have nursery or fellowship time with food and drink. If any family member has been sick, or you have a pre-existing condition, please consider staying home and joining us by watching the recorded service when it is sent out. Masks are not required if you are maintaining social distance, but are welcome. We hope and pray that if you have any needs, you will let a staff member or deacon know so that we can serve you well during this trying time.

Sunday School:

Reminder that the last Sunday School session of the Fall semester is this Sunday. Sunday School will resume after the first of the year.

Men’s Ministry:

Men’s book study of Calvin’s Institutes is meeting weekly on Tuesdays at 6:15-7:15 AM. We’re meeting upstairs at the Cooper House on Randolph Ave near downtown. All men are welcome to join us in building friendships as we discuss our lives in Christ at a practical level. If interested, please contact darondrown@gmail.com

Note that we will not be meeting December 1 but will resume on December 8.

Senior Fellows:

Women’s Ministry:

Therefore, here is the Current information regarding our Bible Studies this Fall. The three studies will be listed below.

Tuesday Morning Study facilitated by Amy Schnorrenberg
Time: 9:30 am
Place: Christ Pres
Topic: Marriage
Speaker: Video series by Paul Tripp
Childcare: Will be provided and currently in the planning stages
Contact person: Amy Schnorrenberg

Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Time: 10am -1130am
Place: Christ Pres Fellowship Hall
Topic: Pilgrim’s Progress (Penguin Classics )
( book can order through Amazon.com for $10.79 )
Speaker: Video series by Derek Thomas (Ligonier Ministry)
Contact person: Mary Lee McKee

Wednesday Night Bible Study
Time: 6pm – 730pm
Place: Christ Pres Fellowship Hall
Topic: Pilgrim’s Progress (Penguin Classics)
( book can be ordered through Amazon.com for $10.79 )
Speaker: Video series by Derek Thomas (Ligonier Ministry)
Contact person: Denise Scrip

For the two Wednesday Women’s studies I am in the process of learning how to incorporate a Zoom Meeting process for those who don’t feel comfortable meeting in person but still want to participate. I will let you know if and when it becomes available.

Children’s Ministry:

Children’s Christmas Party for children and families nursery to 2nd grade will be Sunday, 12/6, from 4 to 6 pm at the Dean’s house. Dinner and crafts! Please RSVP using this link or talk to Amanda Dean.

Youth:

The final Youth Group meeting of this year will be a Christmas Party on Sunday, 12/13, at 4:30 pm at the church house.

Career/Singles:

The young career/singles group meets every Sunday evening at 5:30 at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry, for a time of fellowship & spiritual encouragement.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Lincoln Ely, Rich Bagdazian, Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Elizabeth Holton, and Nolan Osmer.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Noah and Karleigh Stephens (Thailand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); Amos and Jessica Williams (RUF at Alabama A&M); Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky and Alaina Garcia (church plant in Canada); Dieter Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL); Gannon Miles (seminary student); The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center.

Online Donations:

If you would like to give to Christ Presbyterian, you can do so at the following link:

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

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you–1 Thessalonians 5:18

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

You know what’s really strange? In the greatest prayer ever prayed, the Lord’s Prayer, there is no mention at all of giving thanks to God the Father. And not only this, but there is no recorded command in the Gospels coming from the lips of our Beloved Savior regarding the giving of thanks!

What makes this even more perplexing is the fact that in the Epistles of Paul (not to even mention the numerous Old Testament references!) there are no less than seven direct commands to give thanks! In addition to the verse quoted above, we could add Colossians 3:17– And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

So how do we explain this very odd fact, that Jesus and Paul seemingly were ‘not on the same page’ in regard to this matter of giving thanks to God? And why would our Lord leave out this most essential element of all God-honoring prayer, especially when He explicitly addressed the subject and provided a timeless example for all our praying?

As we probe the Four Gospels, we encounter only four occasions when Jesus gave thanks to the Father, at least in public.

First, there was the giving of thanks when He fed the crowds the loaves and fishes: he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds(Matthew 15:36. See also Mark 8:6 and John 6:11, 23).

Secondly, Jesus gave thanks at the tomb of His dear friend Lazarus: So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me”(John 11:41).

Third, in Matthew 11 we read that, Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will”(11:25-26. See also Luke 10:21).

Finally, He gave thanks to the Father during the Last Supper: And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you” (Matthew 26:27. See also Mark 14:23 and Luke 22:17, 19).

So again we ask, why the disparity? Why was Paul (and the Old Testament) so concerned about believers like us giving thanks to the Father, while Jesus seems to have been less passionate about it, even to the point of never teaching nor commanding it?

Well, first it is clear that Jesus practiced thanksgiving throughout His earthly life. And we can say this with a high degree of confidence because we see Him doing just this at some of the most strategic moments of His ministry.

The miraculous feeding of the crowds identified Him as the “ bread of life,” powerfully foreshadowed in the Exodus story by the divine provision of manna for the Israelites in the wilderness. At the tomb of Lazarus Jesus would reveal that He alone has power over life, death, and the grave. As He taught the multitudes with an authority they had never before experienced, He engaged in thanksgiving. And then, at the end of His ministry, He gave thanks at the Last Supper where the Disciples were given the sign and seal of His saving grace in the bread and wine of Communion. And in between these few recorded examples, we can be assured that our Lord’s daily life and specific times of praying were saturated with thanksgiving!

So it seems that our Lord taught us to give thanks by means of His perfect example! And under the direction of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul turned our Lord’s beautiful example into a solemn obligation for all who would follow after the Savior. In fact, we might even say that, after Pentecost, it would be just such a persistent attitude of thanksgiving that would distinctly characterize His Church in the ages to come!

So what happens when we are faithful to give thanks in all things as commanded?

We could easily list several benefits that really need no further elaboration:

1. Our eyes are lifted upward (away from self and the world) in humble adoration of our Eternal Father who reigns over all, and whose glorification is the ultimate goal of all things.

2. The Name of our Savior and Lord is exalted as we honor His majesty and Sovereign authority.

3. Our needs, anxieties, fears, and even our afflictions, are diminished in light of our Father’s love and faithful provision for us.

4. Our hearts are filled with a renewed sense of hope, even in our most desperate and needy moments.

5. The ‘Good News’ of salvation in Christ alone is set out before the watching world with integrity and Spirit-born power.

5. We are unified as His people, the Bride of Christ, as we stand together in gratitude for such a great salvation, and for all of the eternal, imperishable riches we share in our Beloved Lord!

On this Monday, Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner. And yet, for those of us who have met the Savior, who have tasted of His mercy and grace, and have been given the gift of eternal life, every day of the week is ‘Thanksgiving Day’!

Let us follow our Lord’s example. Let us heed the exhortations in Scripture. And may His name always be praised among us!

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever (Psalm 86:12)

I love you all!

Mike

Sermon Preview:

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This Lord’s Day we will take our final look at the majestic and mysterious nature of our Savior’s role as our Great High Priest.

Our text will come from from Hebrews 5:10 and 7:1-3 where we once again encounter the mysterious Old Testament figure, “ Melchizedek.” In keeping with the grand theme of the Epistle, the author will show us the glory and splendor of our Great High Priest, a vision that will move us to a deeper love and devotion to Him and His Eternal Kingdom.

Let me suggest that you do a little investigative work on Melchizedek before Sunday. Get familiar with Genesis 14:1-24 where he first makes an appearance in Scripture. There we find the story of his encounter with Abraham.

Then look at Psalm 110:1-7 where David speaks of him.

Finally, take some time also to read through Hebrews 7:1-28 where Melchizedek and our Lord are compared and contrasted.

Sunday Is the Last Day of Sunday School for 2020

This week is our last day of Sunday School until after the holidays. We will resume our classes for all ages on January 10, 2021. Each week until then we will gather for Worship at 10:30 AM.

Advent Sermons

The first Sunday of Advent 2020 is November 29.

This year I will be preaching a series from the book of Isaiah on ‘The Servant Songs of Christmas.’

Below you’ll find our sermon texts that can also serve as personal and family readings for each week:

The Week of November 29– Isaiah 42:1-9

The Week of December 6– Isaiah 49:1-13

The Week of December 13– Isaiah 50:4-11

The Week of December 20– Isaiah 52:13-15

A Final Word

Before I sign off on this Friday morning, I want to encourage you to continue to fervently pray for and reach out to those among our membership who are unable to be with us in worship because of health concerns.

Our Father’s eternal plan, which is always good and perfect, has taken each of us through an extended time of affliction. By all appearances, we will enter the New Year with the same challenges ahead for us.

Some among us are suffering more and in different ways than others, and we need to be ever mindful of this fact. There is an abundance of fear, uncertainty, and anxiety in the hearts of many of our dear brothers and sisters. And if there was ever a time for mercy, compassion, and unselfish devotion to one another’s well-being, it is now.

If and when the Lord brings someone to your mind, particularly among those who are not able to attend, please lift them up in prayer and then reach out to them in a tangible way with your love. This may be done through a simple phone call, text, email, or letter. But in whatever way your act of love is carried out, it will doubtless be such a rich and uplifting blessing!

In this unique time of testing, let us be very diligent to “ Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

I love you all so dearly, and never . . . ever. . . cease praying for you,

Mike

Announcements:

COVID-19 Message:

For those of you who are attending worship in person on Sunday morning, please practice social distancing as much as you are able and observe the pew markers so that we may keep a safe, 6-ft between families. During this time, we will not have nursery or fellowship time with food and drink. If any family member has been sick, or you have a pre-existing condition, please consider staying home and joining us by watching the recorded service when it is sent out. Masks are not required if you are maintaining social distance, but are welcome. We hope and pray that if you have any needs, you will let a staff member or deacon know so that we can serve you well during this trying time.

Sunday School:

Reminder that the last Sunday School session of the Fall semester is this Sunday. Sunday School will resume after the first of the year.

Men’s Ministry:

Men’s book study of Calvin’s Institutes is meeting weekly on Tuesdays at 6:15-7:15 AM. We’re meeting upstairs at the Cooper House on Randolph Ave near downtown. All men are welcome to join us in building friendships as we discuss our lives in Christ at a practical level. If interested, please contact darondrown@gmail.com

Note that we will not be meeting the week of Thanksgiving, but will resume on December 1.

Senior Fellows:

Women’s Ministry:

Therefore, here is the Current information regarding our Bible Studies this Fall. The three studies will be listed below.

Tuesday Morning Study facilitated by Amy Schnorrenberg
Time: 9:30 am
Place: Christ Pres
Topic: Marriage
Speaker: Video series by Paul Tripp
Childcare: Will be provided and currently in the planning stages
Contact person: Amy Schnorrenberg

Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Time: 10am -1130am
Place: Christ Pres Fellowship Hall
Topic: Pilgrim’s Progress (Penguin Classics )
( book can order through Amazon.com for $10.79 )
Speaker: Video series by Derek Thomas (Ligonier Ministry)
Contact person: Mary Lee McKee

Wednesday Night Bible Study
Time: 6pm – 730pm
Place: Christ Pres Fellowship Hall
Topic: Pilgrim’s Progress (Penguin Classics)
( book can be ordered through Amazon.com for $10.79 )
Speaker: Video series by Derek Thomas (Ligonier Ministry)
Contact person: Denise Scrip

For the two Wednesday Women’s studies I am in the process of learning how to incorporate a Zoom Meeting process for those who don’t feel comfortable meeting in person but still want to participate. I will let you know if and when it becomes available.

Children’s Ministry:

Children’s Christmas Party for children and families nursery to 2nd grade will be Sunday, 12/6, from 4 to 6 pm at the Dean’s house. Dinner and crafts! Please RSVP using this link or talk to Amanda Dean.

Youth:

Youth group meets again on December 6 at 4:30 at the church house.

Career/Singles:

The young career/singles group meets every Sunday evening at 5:30 at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry, for a time of fellowship & spiritual encouragement.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Lincoln Ely, Rich Bagdazian, Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Elizabeth Holton, and Nolan Osmer.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Noah and Karleigh Stephens (Thailand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); Amos and Jessica Williams (RUF at Alabama A&M); Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky and Alaina Garcia (church plant in Canada); Dieter Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL); Gannon Miles (seminary student); The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center.

Online Donations:

If you would like to give to Christ Presbyterian, you can do so at the following link:

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

And whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they fell down before Him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”Mark 3:11

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

I am always fascinated by some of the intellectual tensions that we discover in God’s Word. What I mean by this is that there are numerous instances in Scripture where one truth is set forth seemingly against another, leaving us only to ponder their relationship.

For example, we immediately think of the perplexing relationship between our Lord’s sovereignty over all things (even over our free choices), and our responsibility before Him for what we actually chose. Or we might consider the intellectual tension set forth by Jesus in the Lord’s Prayer. On one hand, the Lord reminds us that our “ Father knows what you need before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). And on the other, our Savior summons us to “ Pray, then, in this way . . .” (Matthew 6:9). Divine omniscience is no threat to the necessity of prayer in the same way that divine sovereignty is not a threat to our moral agency.

In Mark 3:11, we find another such place of tension where two Biblical truths are held out together before us. Admittedly, in this passage the tension is hard to see at first glance. But as we look closer we discover something amazing and most comforting.

The setting for this passage was our Lord’s ministry near the sea of Galilee where multitudes from all regions of Israel, both Jews and Gentiles, were flocking to Him (vv. 7-8). As Mark explains in verse 8, the crowds came to Jesus because they had “ heard of all that He was doing.”

With such a massive crowd of people now coming to Him, Jesus began healing those with “ afflictions.” Quite understandably, this only encouraged the multitudes to press in upon Him even more excitedly, many simply wanting to “ touch Him” (v. 9).

And then Mark explains that at least one of the causes for the afflictions and illnesses of many in that great mass of needy people was the presence and activity of “ unclean spirits” (v. 11). Of course, we should not be at all surprised. For oftentimes Jesus would appear in the very place where the devil and his hosts of demons would be most active. Jesus, it seems, would deliberately target such areas for His ministry of deliverance and restoration.

Notice that the “ unclean spirits,” that had been accosting and tormenting the people, “ fell down” the instant they “ saw Him.” And as they were driven to the ground in humiliation and defeat before the Savior, they would loudly proclaim, “You are the Son of God”! How amazing! Even the demons of hell can become unwitting heralds of the Gospel!

In this remarkable scene, Jesus is defending the flock He has come to redeem. He is the Great Shepherd who will never forfeit or lose even one of His precious elect! The powers of the devil, his vast hosts, and even the malevolent energy of death itself, are rendered impotent simply by the appearance of the Sovereign Lord of Life and Salvation!

The Eternal Kingdom of Jesus is not in the least threatened by the powers of hell! And all who belong to Him are not only safe right now, they are free and safe for all eternity! For, “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”(John 8:35). Or, as the Apostle Peter would later declare, through faith in our Savior and by His grace, we have received, “ an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:4-5).

And this is where the tension comes in.

While we are safe and sound in Jesus, and are now completely protected by His power, we nonetheless must, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak”(Mark 14:38).

The power of the devil is a reality indeed, as witnessed in this passage from March 3. The afflictions suffered by the masses were not psychosomatic in nature. There was real physical pain and disability, and the torment of both body and soul was produced by a very real enemy who wields great power for sure!

Likewise, for us as well on this side of eternity, danger still abounds in many ways for all true Christians. The promises that we have and share together in Christ cannot become excuses for passivity or neglegence in spiritual things. Again, Peter speaks so powerfully to this very point when he says, “ Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Yes, it remains true that the demons fall down and Satan trembles at the mere sight of Jesus! But it is also true that we must always be alert, pray, resist, fight, obey, and be ever-discerning in view of our adversary’s constant lies.

We are safe for sure! But, we are still at war each day!

And here, then, is our encouragement for this new Monday.

The King of our redemption is the Lord and Commander of all things, even over the very demons of hell! No power on earth or in heaven can match or imperil His eternal omnipotence! We belong to Him who will never suffer us to be taken from His hands!

And yet, we have a sacred duty before Him; one we are to carry out each day in His grace and power. We must stand guard and stand our ground! We must live a life of humble obedience in view of our guaranteed victory. And while doing so, we have every reason to be confident and unafraid because the Lord we follow can dispatch all of His enemies by His mere appearance on the scene! And He has said, ” I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

May this be your hope today! May this encourage you as you live for His Kingdom!

I love you all more than words can describe,

Mike

Sermon Preview:

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

How magnificent and mysterious is Jesus, our Great High Priest!

This is the triumphant theme of our studies in Hebrews 5, and our text for this Sunday’s message will come from Hebrews 5:8-9. Here we read:

“ Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him. . . .”

You will remember that we have outlined verses 7-10 this way:

The Mystery of Christ’s Agony (v. 7, last week’s message)

The Mystery of Christ’s Obedience and Perfection (vv. 8-9, this week’s message)

The Mystery of Christ’s Connection to Melchizedek (v. 10, next week’s message)

In verses 8-9 we are at once confronted with both the perfect Deity of the Son, and His perfect humanity. He is “ a Son,” the very eternal Son of God, co-equal and consubstantial with the Father and the Spirit.

But He also was one who “ learned obedience,” and was “ made perfect.” And then, and only then did He become “ the source” of our “ salvation.”

Have there ever been more magnificent, yet profoundly mysterious, words ever written?

How could these things be true? How could the Eternal One learn to obey, and become perfect?

How are His deity and humanity inseparably joined and yet distinguished? And why were such things necessary for our salvation?

As we explore these amazing verses together this Sunday, we will come to a better understanding of how and why He is, indeed, our one and only all-sufficient Great High Priest!

I love you all so much, and I look forward to worshiping with you this Lord’s Day!

Mike

Announcements:

COVID-19 Message:

For those of you who are attending worship in person on Sunday morning, please practice social distancing as much as you are able and observe the pew markers so that we may keep a safe, 6-ft between families. During this time, we will not have nursery or fellowship time with food and drink. If any family member has been sick, or you have a pre-existing condition, please consider staying home and joining us by watching the recorded service when it is sent out. Masks are not required if you are maintaining social distance, but are welcome. We hope and pray that if you have any needs, you will let a staff member or deacon know so that we can serve you well during this trying time.

Men’s Ministry:

Men’s book study of Calvin’s Institutes is meeting weekly on Tuesdays at 6:15-7:15 AM. We’re meeting upstairs at the Cooper House on Randolph Ave near downtown. All men are welcome to join us in building friendships as we discuss our lives in Christ at a practical level. If interested, please contact darondrown@gmail.com

Senior Fellows:

At 9 AM, Tues, Nov 17, the Senior Fellows will continue their weekly Zoom bible study. We will cover “Limited Atonement” in our ongoing Bible Study Series (What is Reformed theology?) All are welcome.

Future Topics:
Nov 24 – Irresistible Grace
Dec 1 – Perseverance of the Saints

Women’s Ministry:

Therefore, here is the Current information regarding our Bible Studies this Fall. The three studies will be listed below.

Tuesday Morning Study facilitated by Amy Schnorrenberg
Time: 9:30 am
Place: Christ Pres
Topic: Marriage
Speaker: Video series by Paul Tripp
Childcare: Will be provided and currently in the planning stages
Contact person: Amy Schnorrenberg

Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Time: 10am -1130am
Place: Christ Pres Fellowship Hall
Topic: Pilgrim’s Progress (Penguin Classics )
( book can order through Amazon.com for $10.79 )
Speaker: Video series by Derek Thomas (Ligonier Ministry)
Contact person: Mary Lee McKee

Wednesday Night Bible Study
Time: 6pm – 730pm
Place: Christ Pres Fellowship Hall
Topic: Pilgrim’s Progress (Penguin Classics)
( book can be ordered through Amazon.com for $10.79 )
Speaker: Video series by Derek Thomas (Ligonier Ministry)
Contact person: Denise Scrip

For the two Wednesday Women’s studies I am in the process of learning how to incorporate a Zoom Meeting process for those who don’t feel comfortable meeting in person but still want to participate. I will let you know if and when it becomes available.

Children’s Ministry:

Staff Updates

Amanda Dean is now working as our Nursery Coordinator. She will assist me on Sunday mornings with nursery logistics and greeting, as well as help with some programming for that age group. Thank you, Amanda, for working with our children at Christ Pres! And thank you to Nikki Profozich, who has done this for several years – we are so thankful!

We also welcome back Ms. Irene and Ms. Myranda. They will work in the toddler nursery as we will continue to keep our baby room closed. They will check temps and wear masks as safety precautions. If you have an infant and need help during worship, please feel free to use them as well (they offered to help w/ babies). If you are signed up to volunteer for the remainder of the semester, feel free to stop by and see if they need help on your designated Sunday.

Resources

As always, feel free to check the hallway bookcases for resources. I purchase things here and there and add them to the shelves for YOUR use. Feel free to borrow a book or take one home to see if you like it. Just be sure to return in a timely manner for others to use. I added two upper elementary devotion books that might be good for your children to learn more about daily scripture reading. And, just a reminder that one of my favorite devotion books is Nancy Guthrie’s Dinner Table Devotions. Highly recommended for elementary and middle school families. I’ll be coming out w/ my annual Advent resource list mid month as well! Watch for that!

Save the Date

Please join us for a Christmas party for Nursery thru 2nd grade families on Sunday, 12/6, from 4 to 6 pm at the home of Norm and Amanda Dean. Please RSVP to Amanda so that we have enough supplies. We will have dinner and a Jesse Tree craft for the children.

Youth:

Youth group meets again on Sunday afternoon at 4:30 at the church house.

Career/Singles:

The young career/singles group meets every Sunday evening at 5:30 at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry, for a time of fellowship & spiritual encouragement. Other upcoming events include a bonfire on October 23rd at 6:00 at the home of Shay Huter, the Galaxy of Lights walking tour (dog-walk night) in November, & Winterlude concert in December. Details to follow.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Lincoln Ely, Rich Bagdazian, Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Elizabeth Holton, and Nolan Osmer.
Bereavement: Please pray for Glen Doughty, whose father died this week.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Noah and Karleigh Stephens (Thailand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); Amos and Jessica Williams (RUF at Alabama A&M); Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky and Alaina Garcia (church plant in Canada); Dieter Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL); Gannon Miles (seminary student); The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center.

Online Donations:

If you would like to give to Christ Presbyterian, you can do so at the following link:

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

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father”–Matthew 10:29

My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Some of our favorite verses from Scripture, especially the direct Words of our Lord Jesus (those in red), seem to develop a life of their own, often quoted and memorized in isolation from their original setting. It’s only natural for us to do this, and we do it with virtually everything we read, be it a novel, biography, history, or work of fiction. A pithy quote is always a good thing to have at the ready! And while no sin is involved in such an exercise, when it comes to Scripture there are, nevertheless, great dangers involved.

Of course, we are always prone to misinterpretation, and this is a given. But another danger is that we ‘flatten’ the Word of God. That is, we reduce it to the level of an independent saying, and we miss the richer content. It’s sort of like squishing a slice of an orange completely flat, the juices running out, and only the pulp is left for our enjoyment.

The Words of our Savior referenced above are often remembered and quoted in such a way–in isolation from their immediate context, which, in this case, is Matthew 10:1-42.

In the first section of chapter 10, we find Jesus giving the Twelve Disciples some final instructions before He deployed them into the Jewish world (see v. 6) with the radical message of salvation, a message that would deeply offend the Jews since it involved the Messiah’s death upon a Roman cross. Included in these orders are some very stark warnings about what they will surely face ‘out there.’

According to our Lord, what is immediately ahead for His Disciples is resistance (vv. 13-14), the threat of arrest and imprisonment (vv. 16-20), civil and familial unrest, and even the disordering of society (vv. 21, 34-37), the experience of unjust and undiluted hatred (v. 22), severe persecution (v. 23), being labeled as insane, demonized, and evil (v. 25), and even martyrdom (vv. 28, 38-39).

It is only then, after laying out in the most agonizing detail all of the peril that awaits them as His witnesses, that Jesus speaks of “ sparrows.”

In that most beloved twenty-ninth verse, Jesus assures His Disciples that there are no grounds for fear, even with the looming certainty of such terrible occurrences befalling them.   They are to remember what He had taught them.

First, they have a “ Father” who is in heaven, the Creator and Sovereign One.

Second, they know that their Father’s hand perfectly guides the course of all things, so that His will is accomplished, His children richly blessed, and His Holy Name glorified.

And then, they also know, because Jesus had told them earlier (Matthew 6:25-34), that even the smallest and seemingly most insignificant creatures made are under the Father’s command and constant care. Not even one little sparrow, whose real-world value is virtually nil, shall ever die and “ fall to the ground” unless He has ordained it from all eternity!

It is, then, upon this basis that Jesus says, “ do not fear” (v. 28), and again, “ do not fear” (v. 31). Why? Because everyone who belongs to the Son is “ of more value than many sparrows” (v. 31).

With all of my heart, I believe this explains why there is something missing in the New Testament Epistles.

As we read the letters of Paul, John, Peter, James, Jude, and the unidentified author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, we find no sense of panic at all.

Now this is surely odd, since every New Testament letter, to one degree or another, was written to Christians who were serving their Savior in a most hostile world. In every case, there was a two-fold threat of persecution. The Jewish leaders were deeply opposed to their message, and frequently harassed them, stirring up local opposition to their worship and witness. And then the Roman authorities were always ready to smash them out of existence if too much trouble resulted from their activities, especially as they went about claiming that ‘Jesus is Lord.’

But what is not in any New Testament Epistle is any hint of an emergency about all of this!

There is in each letter, to be sure, the candid acknowledgment of the reality of their peril.   But there is not the slightest fraction of any note of terror or alarm.

Rather, there are abundant calls to rejoice, to pray, to carry on undeterred, to trust in the power and wisdom of God, to rest securely in His love, to look toward heaven and the promise of a “ better country,” to obey, to walk in holiness, to wear God’s armor, to resist and then to flee when necessary, to worship faithfully, to share the Gospel in confidence, to stand together in sweet fellowship and unity, and to stay on guard while serving the King. But no being ‘freaked out’ or consumed with the frenetic activity of preparing for a disaster! They are only to remember the sparrows!

Let me ask you to do something today, and I mean to do it literally.

Somewhere along your path on this new Monday, find a sparrow, or some other little bird, and just watch it for a moment (after all, Jesus commanded us to “ Look at the birds of the air” in Matthew 5:26). Take note of what such little creatures do. See how happy, how at ease, how ‘trusting’ they are, how dependent upon the Father they seem to be. Remember that, according to Jesus, your Creator is feeding and caring for them constantly!  And keep in mind that not even one bird on this entire planet will die today outside of your Father’s perfect will and plan!

And then, hear the Words of Jesus aimed precisely at you, His beloved disciple: “Therefore do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows”!

It is true for sure that the landscape of our mission field has apparently changed in the last few days. More change may be on the way.   But what shall never change is the government of your Father, even down to what little birds do!

I pray that you will rest in this truth, and serve your Savior faithfully in this new week!

You are my joy and I love you all dearly,

Mike