Walking Wisely (announcements for January 30)
Dear congregation,
At our annual congregational meeting on Wednesday, I shared some reflections on Ephesians 5:15-21. The theme of this text is “walking wisely in evil days.”
As we consider the year ahead, and the long-term direction of our church’s ministry, we need to prepare for evil days.
We must not think that ours are the only evil days. Paul wrote these words a long time ago, and many periods in Church history have been more challenging than our own. Still, in certain ways, the days are more evil than they used to be. We need to be ready, which means that we need to be wise.
The text gives us several points about how to be wise.
First, we need to seize the opportunities before us. “Making the best use of the time” (v.16) is not an exhortation to general productivity. The word “time” here means something like “opportune moment.” The evil of our day is a problem, but it is also an opportunity that we must not miss.
To recognize the opportunity before us, we must “understand what the will of the Lord is” (v.17). We must read, hear, and study the Bible, and we must do so with urgency. If we do not know God’s will, we will miss the opportunities God has given.
Second, we need to live in freedom. “Do not get drunk with wine” is the specific sin mentioned here, but it reflects the general way of the world around us. It leads to “debauchery” (v.18). To live wisely, we must not follow the world’s excitement, its obsessions, its indulgences, its idolatry.
The key to this is in the next phrase: “be filled with the Spirit.” That is a general way of life, and Paul gives some specifics too. Spirit-filled Christians sing to “one another” and “to the Lord” (v.19). Spirit-filled Christians go through life giving thanks (v.20). Spirit-filled Christians submit to those in authority over them, in sincere obedience to Christ himself (v.21).
How should we cultivate wisdom for serving Christ in evil days? Here are a few priorities:
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Worship: "Reverence for Christ" is what undergirds everything else in this text. Sincere, energetic, humble and obedient worship on the Lord's Day will be the key to everything else we do for the Lord.
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Friendship: We are going to need "one another" to get through this! Let's find ways to get to know each other, to be together, and to serve each other.
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Leadership: Part of our strength through evil days will be in "submitting to one another." This means we need strong, wise, humble, and courageous leaders in our homes and in our church, and as appropriate to our station we need to give them the submission that is due them in the Lord.
Personally, I'm thankful to worship and serve with all of you, for the blessing of your friendship, and for your partnership in the kingdom. Let's seize every opportunity God sends our way.
Sincerely,
Pastor Goligher
The Lord’s Day
Sunday school is at 9:45am.
The morning service is at 11:00am.
- Galatians 5:7-15, "Running Well"
- O, Jehovah #51
- O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go #708
- Whatever My God Ordains is Right #108
Durning the morning service, Guan-lin and Momei will be baptized, and afterwards there will be cake!
Teens, you are invited to the Golighers' house for lunch.
The evening service is at 5:00pm.
- Acts 2:22-41, "Cut to the Heart"
- Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty #376
- Holy Ghost, Dispel Our Sadness #330
Through the Week
Prayer Meeting is on Wednesday evening at 7:15pm, at church and on Zoom.
Ladies' Bible Study meets Thursday at 7pm, on Zoom. The study is based on Nancy Guthrie, The Promised One: Seeing Jesus in Genesis. This week's study is Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 16-24). Read the Teaching Chapter (pages 183-200). Complete the discussion questions on pages 201-202.
Men's Bible Study Survey
Jeff Bergman has prepared a survey to gather ideas for organizing a men's Bible study. Men, please help Jeff out by completing the survey by February 6. Feel free to reach out to him directly, too.
Looking ahead
Ladies' Coffee Night will be held at the Church on Friday, February 11 at 7 pm. All ladies are welcome.
Spring Presbytery Meeting: Our church is hosting the Spring meeting of our presbytery on March 17-18. We are looking for people to help with this service opportunity. Please speak to Karl Rauta if you would like to get involved.