According to works (announcements for March 27)
Hi everyone,
This week at prayer meeting we read Romans 2:6-10, a passage that teaches about the final judgement. We considered a few points:
First, God will judge "according to works." That does not mean that God will give everyone exactly what they deserve. If that were the case, everyone would be condemned. Rather, it means that there is a real difference in the works of Christians and non-Christians, and that our works will be considered in God's judgement of us all.
This leads Paul to give a basic description of Christians and non-Christians. Christians are marked by "patience in well-doing." They don't give up our good works, and this is because we are motivated to seek "for glory and honor and immortality." More simply, they are people who "do good." On the other hand, unbelievers "are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness." More simply, they are people who "do evil."
Then Paul tells the end of these two ways of life. God will give Christians "eternal life," and also "glory and honor and peace." To non-Christians, though, he will give "wrath and fury," "tribulation and distress."
These truths apply to everyone in the world. They are for "the Jew first and also the Greek," and this is because "God shows no partiality" in judgement. This is sobering, because it means all of us are currently on the way either to eternal life or terrifying condemnation.
This is also a hint of good news, though, because the letter of Romans is all about how God's salvation comes "to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (1:16). Everyone in the world faces divine judgement, and everyone in the world may trust in divine grace. So this text about divine judgement according to works should lead us to pray for ourselves and others to believe the Gospel and receive salvation as a free gift.
Sincerely,
Pastor Goligher
The Lord’s Day
Sunday school is at 9:45am.
The morning service is at 11:00am.
- Galatians 5:22, "Peace Like a River"
- Psalm 15A
- It is Well With My Soul #476
- Jesus Shall Reign #417
The evening service is at 5:00pm.
- Acts 5:1-11, "Body Bags"
- Wondrous King, All Glorious
- Psalm 23A
Through the Week
Prayer Meeting is on Wednesday evening at 7:15pm, at church and on Zoom.
Ladies' Bible Study will meet on Thursday evening at 7:00pm, on Zoom. This week are studying The Sons of Jacob (Genesis 29-30; 34-35; 38-39; 48-49). Complete the discussion questions on pages 279-280.
Mercy Ministry: Care for Hans and Inga
This month Hans fell and injured his neck. In addition to this, his memory is deteriorating and Inga is his main caregiver. To help them through this challenge, they have a support group at Kaiser for memory care. Inga still enjoys cooking and doesn't feel the need for a meal train for meals, but it would be nice to let them know we are praying and thinking of them through dropping off dessert at their home. Please sign up here to bring dessert (homemade or store-bought) in the sign up below.
Looking ahead
Presbytery Missions Conference: On Saturday, April 23, there will be a missions conference at Delta Oaks Presbyterian Church in Pittsburg. The speaker will be Rev. Doug Clawson, the OPC's Associate General Secretary for Foreign Missions. We encourage everyone to consider attending. Please let Pastor Goligher know if you are planning to attend.