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Genesis 4:17-26
One of the things I love about the Bible, particularly the first few books, is that they so mirror our lives. There are great moments of faithfulness and redemption, and there are terrible moments of failure and defeat. Our lives are like that a lot, aren't they? There are these moments where we are faithful and do what God wants, and then are are moments when we do what we want and trouble comes.
But, we take from the Bible that God never gives us, God never leaves, God never forsakes. We see today, even after all that Adam and Eve had gone through, a son named Seth is born. And the name of the Lord in invoked again. Even after all that had happened, God was able to be praised once again. He never gives up on us. And always gives us a new day.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 3:1-11
Much of the book of Hebrews is about establishing over and over that Jesus is great than everything. And we think, duh, of course He is. But, in our lives, is he really? Is He greater than all in our lives, or is He just one of the big things in our lives? For us to really know His power, His live, He needs to be first. Hebrews reminds us over and over that He is above all and over all. May He be so in our lives.
Gospel Lesson
John 1:43-51
86% of people that come to a church for the first time come because they were invited by a friend. Not because of the preacher or the choir or the worship or the sanctuary or any of these things. Because they were invited by a friend. My folks here at Ripley FUMC are getting tired of hearing this stat, I know, but according to the Hinton Rural Life Center, the average United Methodist invites one person to church every 38 years. Wow.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 3:1-11
Much of the book of Hebrews is about establishing over and over that Jesus is great than everything. And we think, duh, of course He is. But, in our lives, is he really? Is He greater than all in our lives, or is He just one of the big things in our lives? For us to really know His power, His live, He needs to be first. Hebrews reminds us over and over that He is above all and over all. May He be so in our lives.
Gospel Lesson
John 1:43-51
86% of people that come to a church for the first time come because they were invited by a friend. Not because of the preacher or the choir or the worship or the sanctuary or any of these things. Because they were invited by a friend. My folks here at Ripley FUMC are getting tired of hearing this stat, I know, but according to the Hinton Rural Life Center, the average United Methodist invites one person to church every 38 years. Wow.
When was the last time you invited someone to church? I know it can be a difficult step and I know there are all the work place issues. So, how about this? Next times someone asks you about your church, or your church comes up in conversation, only talk about the positive. Only build it up. Don't go negative, don't complain. May we always be about inviting people to meet Jesus.
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