Week of 8/2/26

Dear Church Family,
I hope you all are keeping your 'good humor' amidst the heat : ) I guess that's a reminder that physical things affect us all and we have the need to continually submit ourselves to the work of the Spirit in every situation, every day.
August usually means we begin shifting our thinking towards kids and grandkids going back to school and in work thinking about the transition into fall. As we do that I want to encourage you to think about helping with(hosting or leading) or participating in a life group. These are groups that meet to discuss the sermons, study the Bible, pray for and love one another in practical ways. It is rarely convenient to fully participate, but it is an investment in the life of others in meaningful ways that will bless others and grow you in the process as well. This is one of the ways we are a two-legged church, not just hopping through life from Sunday to Sunday. Pray for and prioritize relationships that build up the body of Christ by encouraging/serving each other and being a testimony to those around us. "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35
I am thankful for each of you and pray the Lord gives us greater love for Him that leads to love for each other and the lost in our community.

Berean Enjoyment
I already encouraged you all to read through the statement of faith section on Jesus Christ and the verses below it. (See Below) Other study resources are below as well.
But as you read I would invite you to: 1) ask the Holy Spirit to help you see how each passage gives a greater and truer picture of Jesus than what you saw before. 2) Is this how you understand Jesus? What do you need to wrestle with or seek to understand about him based on these passages? 3) Think of specific ways these truths change the way you think about your day and life. What area stands out to you and moves you to worship Jesus in new ways today?

We believe that Jesus Christ is God the Son who has neither beginning nor end. The Old Testament contains numerous prophecies of His coming. He was conceived in the flesh by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin named Mary, and is fully God and fully man. Jesus lived a sinless life that perfectly revealed God’s love and truth. He died for our sins, was buried, and arose bodily from the dead on the third day. He ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father as our only mediator, high priest, and advocate. (Gen. 3:15; Ps. 110:1-4; Isa. 9:1- 7, 53:1-12; Mic. 5:2; Matt. 1:20-25; Luke 24:27; John 1:1, 17, 10:30, 14:3-6; Acts 1:11, 4:12; Rom. 8:34; 1 Cor. 15:3-5, 20; Col. 1:16-19; Phil. 2:5-11; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Heb. 1:3, 4:14-15; 1 Pet. 2:22-24; Rev. 1:18)

Apologetics Resources on Jesus
Videos - Resurrection of Jesus - Wes Huff is an excellent contemporary apologist with a trusted view of Jesus and the scriptures.
Articles - Jesus' claim to be God  - from a good site for all kinds of scripture questions.
Books - The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel - available from our church library or online

Books looking at the Person of Jesus - there are SOOO many good books looking at Jesus, start with the Gospels:Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John : )
There are several in our library, but two others that are worthy resources...
Jesus the King by Timothy Keller
Jesus: The Life and Ministry of God the Son by A.W. Tozer

I mentioned types and shadows of Christ in the Old Testament - Here's a basic overview of the concept to look at, but consider the following...
Joseph(example of deeper study of Joseph as a type) - one prophesied through dreams to rule, but he was betrayed by his brothers and acted faithfully while suffering unjustly in order to bring life to many nations
Passover - In Exodus 12 God commanded the sacrifice of a lamb whose blood applied over a household would save the people as he led them out of slavery.
The Rock in the Wilderness that opened to give water to the people and save them (1 Cor. 10:4).
The temple and sacrifices - The system of priests and altars foreshadows Jesus as the final, perfect sacrifice and high priest and the way for God to dwell with man.

I also mentioned Christophanies, here is an overview with references and examples.

In conclusion, as you study, don't just fill up your mind, fill up your heart. Call out to the Lord for a heart and mind that would understand and worship Jesus in spirit and truth with every area of your life because of what you learn!!

In Christ,
Pastor Phillip