Run for Your Life

This Sunday we enter into a wonderful new section of the book of Hebrews. Our author begins chapter 12 by using two powerful metaphors of the Christian life. The first, which we will consider this week in 12:1-3, comes from the world of sports and pictures the Christian life as a long strenuous race. The readers are tempted to give up, but they must endure. The key to perseverance is looking to Jesus. We will unpack exactly how Christ helps us.

Living in Hope Conference

Living in Hope: Biblical Living for Singles Over Forty
April 19-21, 2007

Please register for Grace Bible Church’s singles conference for men and women in their prime (40+). The theme is Biblical Living for singles over forty with our keynote speaker being John Sale of Valley Center Community Church. We will have several breakout speakers including Jim Newheiser, Mike Kelley, Curt Arend and Dennis Johnson, professor at Westminster Seminary.

The cost is $75.00 including meals.

For information please call 760-747-9252 and ask for Marsha McGaugh or e-mail her at the following: livinginhopeconference@yahoo.com

Download the brochure: Living in Hope Conference brochure

Pro-Family and Pro-Life

Because of the tragic anniversary of US Supreme Court’s decision on January 22, 1973 which overturned state laws restricting abortion, this Sunday has been designated “Sanctity of Human Life Sunday”.

Approximately a million abortions take place in our country each year. 1 out of every 4 children conceived is murdered before leaving the womb. One in three women will have had at least one abortion. The overwhelming majority of people in our nation have engaged in sexual immorality (one poll suggests 95% have engaged in fornication/sex outside of marriage), which is a major contributor to the high abortion rate.

In addition to proclaiming God’s sovereignty over life and family, we will declare God’s, grace in Christ, to repentant sinners, even adulterers and murders.

The Trials of Faith

The latter part of Hebrews 11 offers two contrasting portraits of the life of faith. Last week we considered the triumph of faith in Hebrews 11:32-35a as we examined the exploits of people who won great victories and experienced wonderful deliverances. This week we will look at the second portrait of faith in Hebrews 11:35b-38 which describes the sufferings of God’s faithful people. While some escaped the sword (11:34b), others were put to death with the sword (11:37c). Some received back their dead by resurrection (v. 35a) while others were tortured to death (v. 35b). Why?

• Did those who suffered have less faith?
• Did God love them less than those who escaped suffering?
• What was God’s purpose in their suffering?
• Why do we in America suffer so little?
• Are we prepared for the suffering which may yet come?

Our text concludes with a final summary (11:39-40) of what Hebrews 11 teaches about faith. Both those who experienced victorious deliverance and those who endured suffering relied upon God’s promise and gained God’s approval. Because the promise they anticipated has become a reality for us in Christ, we ought to endure in faith all the more (which leads to Hebrews 12:1ff).

The Triumph of Faith

Sometimes preachers have more to say than they have time to say it. Such was the case of the author to the Hebrews who wrote “briefly” (13:22).

After spending 31 verses (11;1-30) summarizing the first 5 ¼ books of the Bible, he realizes time is short and summarizes the rest of the Old Testament (and more) in just a few verses (11:32-38). I, however, am not as constrained for time as he was, so we will take two weeks to study his final summary.

This week we will concentrate on the triumphs of faith among the Judges, Prophets, and Kings of Israel (11:32-35a). When you read about their heroic deeds do you sometimes question whether God could ever use you in such a wonderful way? Read the book of Judges! If God can use such flawed men, He can greatly use us also!

Satisfaction for the Thirsty

Spurgeon called Isaiah 55 a chapter of gospel invitation. He preached from this passage at least eighteen times.

Isaiah 55 pleads with the lost to abandon their worthless idols. The Lord offers abundant pardon and rich kingdom blessings to those who turn to Him.

Isaiah 55 also speaks to believers who sometimes waste their time and money seeking to find joy and satisfaction in worldly things instead of finding their fulfillment in Christ.

Isaiah 55 also points to Christ who offers Himself as our spiritual food and drink.

Liberty and Love

Are you strong?

Last week Paul began his discussion of the issues over which Christians differ by encouraging all of us to accept one another without judging in these difficult matters.

In this week’s text Paul focuses upon those who consider themselves strong - because they believe they have liberty to do things in which the weak cannot participate without violating his conscience.
Rather than looking down on the weak, the strong should forego the use of his freedom for the sake of those who don’t enjoy the same sense of freedom.
In so doing he is living out the gospel by imitating Christ who gave up His rights for us.